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Novacyt Group

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FY2018 Annual Report · Novacyt Group
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Annual Report and Accounts
For the year ended December 2018

Contents   3

01  Business Overview 

Who are we? 
Our strategy 
Our market 
Highlights  
Group Figures 

02  Strategic Report 

Chairman’s statement 
Chief	Executive	Officer’s	review	
Our divisions 
Financial review 

03  Governance 

Board of Directors 
Executive team 
Directors’ report 
An introduction from the Chairman 
Nomination Committee report 
Corporate Social Responsibility 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Audit Committee Report 
Principal Risks and Risk Management 

04  Financial Statements 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the annual 
report	and	financial	statements
Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the annual  
financial	report

05  Accounts and Notes 

Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
Statement	of	financial	position	
Statement of changes in equity 
Statement	of	cash	flows	
Notes to the annual accounts 

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06	 Definitions	and	Glossary	

07  Company Information 

110

114

Contents 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
 
 
	
 
	
 
4    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   5

The Group has considerable 
experience in the  
development, manufacture  
and commercialisation 
of molecular and protein 
diagnostic reagent products  
and aims to become a leader  
in developing new products 
for the infectious disease and 
oncology testing markets. 

“	Novacyt	is	delivering	significant	
sales	growth,	EBITDA	profit	and	is	
on the way to becoming a leading 
diagnostics company.”

The Company’s customers and end-users 
include universities, hospitals, clinics and 
testing laboratories (both with healthcare 
and industrial focus). In markets such as 
the UK, the Company sells to end-users 
through its direct sales workforce, while in 
the majority of markets they are reached 
through an extensive overseas distributor 
and OEM partner network.

Who are we? 

Novacyt is focused on developing, 
manufacturing and commercialising niche 
clinical diagnostic products to serve the 
infectious disease and oncology markets. 

Why these market segments? Infectious 
diseases represent the largest segment 
of the clinical diagnostics market and 
oncology is the fastest growing segment 
of the clinical market. 

Novacyt has a broad product range which 
is accredited and registered in over 100 
countries and has two main product 
technology platforms which underpin 
its product portfolio and niche market 
focus. The two technology platforms are 
molecular-based products, (the fastest 
growing technology sector) and protein-
based diagnostic products (the largest 
and most established technology sector).

01 Business Overview

Novacyt is a rapidly growing, international 
diagnostics group, generating revenues from 
the sale of diagnostic and pathogen testing 
kits based on molecular and protein testing 
technologies and sold into human clinical,  
life science, food and industrial markets. 

6    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   7

Our Strategy

Our Market

“ We are a high growth clinical diagnostics 
company focused on infectious disease 
and oncology markets.”

The business is focused on three strategic pillars of growth:

Organic 

Innovative 
R&D

Acquisitive

Molecular diagnostics market

The Directors estimate that Primerdesign’s 
core target molecular markets for RUO, 
IVD clinical and food pathogen testing are 
worth approximately €14.7bn per annum, 
with an estimated growth of over 4.3% 
per annum. The RUO market, alone, is 
estimated to be worth €1.3bn with the 
clinical market estimated at over €6.0bn. 

Protein diagnostics market

Lab21 operates in an estimated €11.7bn 
total	addressable	market	with	a	specific	
focus in microbiology, serology and 
haematology diagnostic markets.

Novacyt competes in these established 
markets	by	offering	good	quality,	high	
performing reagent products with long 
recognisable brands.

Academic	research	is	the	first	step	
in the life sciences continuum where 
significant	new	research	is	taking	place	to	
understand the genetic nature of disease. 
Novacyt, through its innovative molecular 
product range, generates revenues from 
supporting academic researchers with 
its ability to quickly develop and supply 
specific	DNA	and	RNA	kits	for	research	
use. This market requires products 
developed as Research Use Only (RUO) 
and does not require the extensive clinical 
validation necessary for clinical markets. 
This is a large and important market for 
Novacyt and currently underpins the core 
growth of the molecular product range. 

The Company’s largest target market 
is clinical diagnostics where its tests 
are developed and validated to the 
standards required for human clinical 
use. Where appropriate, we also look 
to utilise the same technologies and 
products for application in veterinary 
diagnostics. A critical component of 
improved clinical care in food and 
veterinary diagnostics is the accurate 
diagnosis not only of the disease, 
but the genetic diagnosis, underlying 
the disease state. The regulatory 
accreditations required for these 
products provide high barriers to entry 
and include the CE-Mark for many 
European and International markets, 
the CFDA for China and the FDA for the 
US market. Examples of the segments 
Novacyt’s products are used in include 
syphilis,	MRSA,	C-Diff,	cervical	cancer, 	
lung cancer and thyroid cancer.

Another key market for some of Novacyt’s 
products is food testing, which is an 
increasingly stringent market as food 
safety becomes more important. Novacyt 
has some market-leading products 
used in food testing such as Listeria, 
Salmonella, Campylobacter, E-coli and 
other bacterial and fungal pathogens.

We	have	identified	specific	growth	
opportunities in the large, fast-growing 
but fragmented diagnostics market, 
particularly for the molecular products 
of Primerdesign, whilst also seeking to 
strengthen demand for the established 
protein products of Lab21.

01 Business Overview8    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   9

Highlights

Organic Growth

Innovative R&D Growth

Acquisitive Growth

The	figure	shows	the	amplification	plots	
obtained	from	the	finalised	multiplex	developed	
for GenePOC (all primers, probes and templates 
in same well), demonstrating excellent detection 
down to 10 copies of all 3 respiratory targets. 

Multiplex of FluA, FluB and RSV with 106 
and 10 copies of each template.

Amplification

)
3
^
0
1
(

U
F
R

20

15

10

5

0

0

10

20

30

40

Cycles

Diagnostics supply agreement signed with 
Genesis Diagnostics

Assay development contract for diagnosis  
of respiratory infections with GenePOC

New Infectious Mononucleosis product
New product in Infectious Mononucleosis

Over 450 q16 units sold since launch in 2015

2 new CE-IVD marked molecular assays  
for EBV, BKV

Acquisition of Infectious Disease Business 
from Omega Diagnostics

01 Business Overview 
10    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   11

Continuing operations delivered 
consolidated revenue growth of

at CER9%

Recently 
completed the 
rapid development 
of an African 
Swine Flu assay 
to help address the 
current swine flu 
food supply-chain 
limitations in China, 
Vietnam and 
certain European 
countries

Group 
gross margin 
increased to 

63% 

in 2018 
from 62% 
in 2017

Primerdesign gross margin 
grew 3% year-on-year to 84%

Almost tripled 
Omega ID 
business adjusted 
EBITDA 
margin to 

28%post acquisition

Year ended 
with 

119

employees*

*including NOVAprep® employees

Positively adjusted
EBITDA position

2017**
€902
7%

2018**
€579
4%

2016*
€-2,295
-21%

2015*
€-2,928
-33%

*Includes NOVAprep®    **Excludes NOVAprep®

Significant 
recruitment 
expected to 
continue in 2019

01 Business Overview12    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   13

Largest sales region outside the UK 

Largest sales region outside the UK 

Largest sales region outside the UK

Asia	Pacific

Europe

Europe

Biggest growth region in 2018

Biggest growth region in 2018 

Biggest growth region in 2018

MEA (Middle East and Africa)

MEA (Middle East and Africa)

USA & Canada

Top 5 export markets in 2018

Top 5 export markets in 2018 

Top 5 export markets in 2018

•  Indonesia

•  Bangladesh

•  Nigeria

•  India

•  Iran

•  USA

•  Italy

•  France

•  Japan

•  Poland

•  USA

•  France

•  China

•  South Africa

•  Canada

Biggest selling product lines in 2018

Biggest selling product lines in 2018

Biggest selling product lines in 2018

•  Blood grouping antisera

•  MID-67 Listeria ID Kit

•  Genesig Real-Time Detection Kit

•  Syphilis serology (RPR/TPHA)

•  Febrile antigens

•  Rapid Tests

•  Latex serology 

•  Bacterial ID kit

•  Latex test kit

•  Path-Chek swabs

•  Top 3 targets:

 - Aspergillus species

 - Hepatitis B Virus

•  Vials of Bacterial Typing Anti-Serum

 - Pig/pork meat speciation

•  Genesig q16 Real-Time PCR Instrument

•  PrecisionPLUS qPCR Master Mix

•  Oasig Lyophilised qPCR Master Mix

Group figures*

Number of  
customers served  
in 2018

1,066 

(UK = 342,  
International = 724)

Lab21  
Healthcare sales 
revenues of 

€3.8m 

Primerdesign  
sales revenues of 

€6.2m 

Microgen  
Bioproducts sales 
revenues of 

€2.9m

Number of  
countries sold into 
during 2018 

148

*NOVAprep® business unit eliminated from the operating results for continuing operations, under the provisions of IFRS 5.

01 Business Overview 
14    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic Report   15

 Chairman’s Statement 

“	The	Board	is	confident	that	Novacyt	will	
deliver long term shareholder value following 
a challenging year for Novacyt and its 
shareholders in 2018. We look forward to 
demonstrating the intrinsic value of the 
continuing business as we move into 2019.”

James Wakefield, 
Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, 
Novacyt S.A.

The restructure of the Group and 
new	focus	on	its	profitable	reagent	
development and manufacturing business 
units is a key step in creating this 
long	term	value.	The	Group’s	financial	
performance has been transformed 
without the losses from NOVAprep®, 
as shown in the 2018 results, and 
demonstrates our expectations for the 
future	financial	performance	of	the	Group.	
The continuing operations include the 
business units of Primerdesign, Microgen 
Bioproducts and Lab21 Healthcare 
which includes the acquisition of the 
Infectious Disease Business from Omega 
Diagnostics in June 2018. During the 
period, these continuing operations 
produced sales of €13.7m and EBITDA 
profit	of	£0.6m,	reaching	the	significant	
milestone	of	profitability	at	an	operational	
level.	The	Board	is	confident	the	
Group has the business assets, the 
management, the determination and a 

supportive shareholder base which will 
support this progress to deliver high levels 
of	future	profitability.

The Group is listed on two regulated 
stock exchanges: Euronext Growth Paris 
and AIM London. As such, the Board 
remains committed to maintaining the 
highest standards of transparency, ethics 
and corporate governance, whilst also 
providing leadership, controls and strategic 
oversight to ensure that we deliver value to 
all shareholders. There were no changes to 
the Board during the year. 

We	have	made	significant	efforts	to	
engage closely with our investors working 
together with our brokers while we position 
ourselves for the next phase of growth. 

At present the intention is to continue  
to invest in the growth of the business. 
No dividend is planned by the Company, 

although this position will be kept under 
review, particularly if future activities lead 
to	significant	levels	of	distributable	profits	
and free cash. 

Looking ahead, 2019 is set to be a year 
of transition for Novacyt as it disposes of 
NOVAprep® and the Clinical lab business 
units, and focuses on its core remaining 
operations	to	drive	strong	financial	
performance. In these businesses, we are 
seeking to build on the momentum of the 
past few years and the Board looks forward 
to updating you on continued progress. 

James Wakefield, 
Non-Executive Director  
and Chairman of the Board, 
Novacyt S.A.

02 Strategic Report16    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic Report   17

  Chief Executive Officer’s Review 

“	We	have	taken	the	difficult	decision	to	sell	the	
NOVAprep® and Clinical lab business units which 
are non-core to the reagent development and 
manufacturing expertise of the Novacyt Group.  
As we work through the disposal of these business 
units whilst focusing on continuing to develop the 
core business, I wanted to thank the shareholders 
and employees of Novacyt for their patience and 
support during this transition period. The resulting 
more	focused	and	profitable	reagent	based	
diagnostics business has very exciting growth 
prospects for the future.”

 Graham Mullis, 
CEO, 
Novacyt S.A.

Milestone  
EBITDA of 

€0.6m

Overview

Novacyt has achieved the major milestone 
of	adjusted	EBITDA	profitability	within	its	
continuing operations for both FY2018 
and the restated results of FY2017, 
following its announced intention to divest 
the non-core NOVAprep® business unit. 
This	reinforces	the	financial	strength	of	its	
core, continuing reagent manufacturing 
businesses: Primerdesign (molecular 
diagnostics) and Lab21 Products (protein 
diagnostics). In the current challenging 
financial	markets,	we	believe	this	places	
Novacyt into a strong competitive position 
as	an	adjusted	EBITDA	profitable,	
technology focused, high growth 
diagnostics company. 

During 2018, Novacyt commenced 
a strategic review to explore ways to 
maximise the future value of certain 
non-core assets within the Group. A 
decision was reached to dispose of the 
NOVAprep® and Lab21 Clinical Lab 
businesses: processes which remain 
ongoing. The continuing businesses  
within the Group are, therefore, focused 
on the development, manufacture, sales 

and distribution of diagnostic reagents 
used in infectious disease markets. 
The decision to move away from large 
instrumentation means Novacyt can 
capitalise on its core expertise in reagents 
and continue to drive stronger margins.

The Group has been reorganised internally 
from a divisional to a centralised structure, 
enabling us to align the organisation to 
create greater integration and synergies 
across each of the core business units 
during 2019 and beyond, to further 
enhance	financial	performance.	I	would	
like to extend my thanks and appreciation 
to colleagues involved in these changes 
who have shown continued commitment 
and support for the Novacyt business with 
some outstanding leadership from the 
executive management team.

Novacyt remains committed to its  
growth strategy based on the three 
strategic pillars of organic growth, 
acquisitive growth and growth from  
new product development.

02 Strategic Report 
18    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic Report   19

Organic Growth

The core reagent products are based 
on molecular and protein diagnostic 
technologies and the Group’s extensive 
product menu generates sales from clinical 
testing, food testing and animal testing 
diagnostics. The Group will continue to 
invest in commercial infrastructure for its 
clinical and food sales channels and will 
look for a strategic partner in the animal 
testing market.

The molecular products’ business provides 
the	Group’s	most	significant	growth	
opportunity which continues to develop 
following the successful acquisition of 
Primerdesign. In 2018, molecular sales 
increased	to	€6.2m	(£5.5m),	up	3%	(CER)	
year-on-year, with revenue growth in the 
core international business strong at over 
€0.5m	(£0.5m)	or	11%.	Total	molecular	
sales growth in 2017 was positively 
impacted	by	a	large	one-off	sale	to	China	 
in	excess	of	$1m	(£0.9m).	Excluding	this	
one-off	sale	in	2017	would	have	resulted	 
in a year-on-year growth of over 20% for 
the Primerdesign business in 2018. In 
2019, further investment is planned to 
expand the Group’s direct sales channel.

Lab21 revenues in the year were €7.5m 
(£6.6m),	an	increase	of	14%	on	2017	at	
CER, with growth being driven by the 
acquisition of Omega ID. 

Acquisitive Growth

The Company has always been clear 
that	significant	opportunities	exist	in	the	
diagnostics market to acquire new high 
growth	products	and	accelerate	financial	
performance with attractive and accretive 

M&A. The Company has been able to 
demonstrate	this	during	the	past	five	
years through the acquisitions of Lab21, 
Primerdesign and Omega ID as it has 
significantly	increased	sales	from	€1.2m	
to €13.7m and turned losses into EBITDA 
profitability.	With	attractive	buying	multiples	
and the Group’s demonstrated ability to 
integrate assets successfully, acquisitions 
are	expected	to	continue	to	be	significantly	
accretive to sales growth, gross margins 
and earnings.

In May 2018, the Company successfully 
raised €4.0 million through bonds to fund 
the	acquisition	of	the	profitable	Omega	
ID business which helped the Group 
accelerate	its	EBITDA	profitability	during	
the second half of 2018 and give the Group 
greater access to certain key markets 
to help create operational synergies. 
During	the	first	six	months	of	integrating	
the business assets, Novacyt was able 
to generate an EBITDA margin of 28% 
from this acquisition, which has almost 
tripled its underlying EBITDA margin due to 
manufacturing and overhead cost savings. 
This level of performance is expected to 
continue into 2019 where the full year 
benefit	of	the	acquisition	will	be	seen.

While	the	financial	markets	remain	
uncertain, Novacyt has no current 
immediate plans for further acquisitions 
but will continue to monitor and assess 
opportunities that have the potential to 
benefit	the	Group.

R&D

During	2018,	a	number	of	significant	B2B	
opportunities were secured and new 

products and further CE-IVD marked 
molecular diagnostic kits were launched. 
This	reflects	the	Group’s	commitment	to	
our core strengths of in-vitro diagnostics 
product development, commercialisation 
and contract manufacturing as we focus 
on our molecular and protein reagent 
manufacturing business units, Primerdesign 
and Lab21 Products.

A key target is to expand our clinical 
molecular menu following the launch in 
2018 of two new molecular CE Mark 
assays (BKV and EBV), with three 
additional complementary molecular assays 
for immunosuppressed patients set to be 
launched in 2019.

During	the	year,	significant	operational	
development of the qPCR instrument, the 
q16 was made, allowing Novacyt to reduce 
test cycle times further for some assays 
down from 120 minutes to 45 minutes 
which the Company believes is class-
leading. Further developments are planned 
in 2019 with the launch of the next-
generation and larger qPCR instrument: 
the q32. In addition, Primerdesign has 
just launched the newly developed 
African	Swine	Flu	assay	where	significant	
demand is currently experienced in China, 
Vietnam and some Eastern European 
countries, again showing how responsive 
its development capabilities are to market 
demands. 

Graham Mullis, 
Chief Executive Officer, 
Novacyt S.A.

Molecular sales  
increased to

€6.2m

€7.5m

Lab21 revenues

During 2018,  
a number of  
significant	B2B	
opportunities  
were secured

02 Strategic Report20    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic Report   21

Our Divisions

Molecular products – Primerdesign

Key metrics 

Primerdesign	is	a	profitable	designer,	
manufacturer and marketer of molecular 
‘real time’ qPCR testing devices and 
reagents in the areas of infectious 
diseases and oncology based in 
Southampton, UK. With thousands of 
customers in over 100 countries around 
the World, Primerdesign has a growing 
reputation	in	its	field.	Primerdesign	
now consists of a substantial team of 
friendly and dynamic molecular experts, 
all dedicated to giving our customers a 
fantastic experience and all thriving in a 
highly professional environment.

Since its acquisition by the Company in 
May 2016, Primerdesign has continued  
to	grow	and	is	now	a	significant	part	of	 
the Group. With ambitious growth targets 
set at the time of acquisition, its direct 
sales operations and its business-to-
business (B2B) pipeline continues to build 
showing great strength and promise for 
future growth. 

During 2018, Primerdesign secured 
significant	B2B	relationships	with	 
Genesis Diagnostics, GenePoc and 
Applied Microarray. 

Following	its	first	IVD	CE	Mark	approval	
for Zika in July 2017, Novacyt produced 
a further two IVD CE marked products 
during 2018, further demonstrating 
the Company’s ability to develop CE-
IVD assays. Transitioning a selection of 

Primerdesign’s current RUO assays into 
the larger clinical market by expanding 
its menu of molecular diagnostic tests 
for monitoring post-transplantation and 
immunosuppressed patients, remains a 
key medium-term focus for the Company. 

As part of the strategic rationale to acquire 
Primerdesign,	Novacyt	identified	future	
growth synergies within the business, in 
particular	within	the	Asia	Pacific	region.	
In follow-up to our largest single order for 
Primerdesign’s genesig® q16 instruments 
received in 2017, we received a further 
order in December 2018 for another 100 
instruments, paid for in advance from a 
new	customer	in	the	Asia	Pacific	region.

Primerdesign has now sold over 450 
q16 units since its launch in 2015. As 
instrument sales grow, the Company 
expects	a	pull-through	effect	in	relation	 
to repeat genesig® reagent sales. 

Following investment in both direct and 
distributor sales channels, Primerdesign 
increased its commercial reach which 
resulted in strong growth in International 
Markets	of	13%,	with	significant	double	
digit growth in the USA of 51%.

Additional manufacturing space has been 
secured at the Southampton site, which 
the	Company	expects	to	provide	sufficient	
capacity for the planned molecular sales 
growth over the next few years.

Protein products – Lab21 Products

Key metrics 

Lab21 is a developer, manufacturer  
and distributor of a large range of  
protein-based infectious disease IVD 
products with Microgen Bioproducts 
Ltd based in Camberley and Lab21 
Healthcare Ltd based in Bridport, both  
in the UK. 

Microgen Bioproducts has over 20  
years of experience in providing high 
quality diagnostic products for clinical  
and food testing laboratories and 
Microgen Bioproducts has a reputation  
for exceptional customer service and  
sales support to be proud of. Our  
clinical product range supports healthcare 
providers in improving patient health, 
whilst our comprehensive food diagnostic 
range helps manufacturers ensure 
consumer safety. Microgen exports  
to more than 80 countries through 
a network of over 100 dedicated 
distributors, allowing the impact of  
our products to be utilised globally.

Lab21 Healthcare is the manufacturer 
and supplier of the well-known  
Plasmatec and Biotec branded products. 

The company is recognised by its 
customers as having a long history of 
providing	quality	and	affordable	solutions	
to more than 80 countries worldwide. 
Specialising in the production and 
distribution of reagents and test kits for 
both IVD and blood grouping application, 
we are very proud of our ability to 
constantly	improve	production	efficiency	
in	our	attempts	to	offer	our	end	users	the 	
most	cost-effective	solutions.

2018 was a solid year for the Lab21 
Products business, maintaining the 
strong position it had built in the previous 
year. The highlight of the year for Lab21 
Products was the acquisition of the 
Infectious Diseases assets from Omega 
Diagnostics in June. In the second half 
of 2018 these products contributed 
£937,000	to	the	divisions	sales.	The	
growth for the Lab21 Products (including 
6 months of Omega sales) ended at 
16.8%, with the core business remaining 
stable for the full 12 months.

02 Strategic Report22    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic Report   23

Financial performance

Revenue growth of 8% (9% CER) 
compared to 2017 was underpinned 
by improvements in the two continuing 
operating divisions:

•  Primerdesign	FY18:	€6.2m	(£5.5m),	
FY17:	€6.1m	(£5.3m),	+3%	at	CER

•  Lab21	Group	FY18:	€7.5m	(£6.6m),	
FY17:	€6.7m	(£5.8m),	+14%	at	CER

Primerdesign sales growth was driven by  
a strong core business delivering over 11% 
or	€0.5m	of	growth,	offset	by	reduced	B2B	
revenues	as	a	result	of	a	large	one-off	sale	
in late 2017 for over $1m. Removing this 
one-off	sale	in	2017	would	have	resulted	
in a year-on-year growth of over 20% for 
the Primerdesign business. During 2018 
Primerdesign signed a multi-year exclusive 
B2B supply agreement worth a minimum  
in	excess	of	$3m	over	five	years	with	a	 
US customer with material revenue streams 
expected to commence in 2019. As 
sales have increased, the impact of high 
margin genesig® testing reagent kits have 
ensured the divisional gross margin remains 
above 80% and have increased by three 
percentage points to 84%.

Lab21 sales grew by 14% (CER) for the full 
year,	primarily	due	to	the	accretive	effect	of	
the Omega ID business, which drove 13% 
of the 14% year-on-year growth. Revenue 
growth was achieved while maintaining the 
divisional gross margin, which at 45%, is 
good for a mature products business. 

Group operating costs have increased year-
on-year to support the continued growth 
of	the	business	following	a	profitable	2017	
adjusted EBITDA position for the continuing 
operations of the Group. A number of 
new	staff	have	been	hired	across	different	
functions in 2018 to ensure the business is 
structured to build on historical growth. 

The Group’s underlying adjusted EBITDA 
remains positive in 2018 at €0.6m, €0.3m 
lower than the restated 2017 position,  
due primarily to the €0.3m of additional 
costs associated with being dual listed  
on AIM and Euronext from November 
2017. Improvements to EBITDA from  
the acquisition of Omega ID were 
broadly	offset	by	increased	investment	in	
commercial and manufacturing capacity. 

The decision to dispose of the NOVAprep® 
business	has	a	significant	impact	on	the	
financial	results	of	the	Group	for	2018	and	
on an ongoing basis.

The recurring operating result has 
decreased to a loss of €0.4m during  
2018	from	a	profit	of	€0.1m	in	2017.	 
The reduction is due to two main factors: 
i) the €0.3m reduction in EBITDA as 
explained above, and ii) an annual increase 
in amortisation and depreciation of €0.2m 
following the Omega ID business and asset 
purchase, primarily customer relationships 
and brands. Total depreciation charges 
of €317k (2017: €248k) and amortisation 
charges of €685k (2017: €574k) are 
higher than in 2017 due to the impact of 
the Omega ID acquisition and the full year 
effect	of	significant	capital	expenditure	
investment in the second half of 2017.

The operating loss in 2018 was reduced  
to €1.4m from €2.1m in 2017 and is  
stated after non-recurring charges 
amounting to €1.0m. The 2018 charges 
comprise €0.5m of acquisition and 
business sale related expenses, €0.2m 
of Group restructuring costs and €0.3m 
of other non-recurring charges, including 
delayed IPO listing costs and French 
employee	litigation	costs.	Significant	listing	
costs in 2017 were not repeated in 2018, 
helping drive the improved Operating 
Result in 2018.

The total net loss was €4.7m in 2018, 
reduced from €5.4m in 2017, and is  
stated after €0.7m of gross borrowing 
costs	(2017:	€1.2m),	other	financial	
expenses and tax of €0.05m (2017: €0.2m) 
and the loss from discontinued operations 
of €2.6m (2017 €2.0m). The discontinued 
operations	loss	represents	the	financials	of	
the NOVAprep® business that is available 
for sale and is accounted for under IFRS 
5 – non-current assets held for sale and 
discontinued	operations.	Other	financial	
expenses in 2017 comprised items such  
as exchange gains and losses, change in 
fair value of the Primerdesign warrants and 
the Primerdesign contingent consideration. 

The	loss	per	share	significantly	improved	
during 2018 to -€0.13 (2017: -€0.24) due 
to increased revenue and reduced net loss. 

9%

Consolidated  
CER Revenue  
Growth

Lab21  
sales grew by 

14% CER

32%  
CAGR
4 year consolidated  
Group revenues

Financial Review 

During the year, Novacyt continued  
to grow revenue and gross margin  
and the steps we took to refocus the 
business helped us deliver EBITDA 
profitability.	It	has	also	been	an	 
important year in which the Group  
has	completed	its	first	full	year	as	a	 
dual-listed AIM and Euronext Growth 
Paris company.

Overview

We have set ourselves an objective of 
continuing to drive high sales growth, 
improve the gross margin whilst balancing 
ongoing investment with sustained EBITDA 
profitability	goals	and	ultimately	deliver	free	
cash	flow	generation.	

Following the issuance of a bond to 
finance	the	acquisition	of	the	Infectious	
Disease business of Omega Diagnostics, 
which has increased Group borrowings, 
Novacyt has continued to reduce the level 
of indebtedness of the Company through 
debt repayments of €3.2m during the year 
including €0.6m of interest. 

On 23 April 2019, Novacyt entered into 
the convertible bond Agreement with an 
immediate investment of €2.0 million. 
The initial €2.0 million of funding, will be 
used primarily for general working capital 
purposes and support the planned growth 
of the business in the short and medium 
term. The full facility funding, if drawn 
down would also be used to further service 
outstanding debt and earn out obligations. 
Ultimately, the Directors believe that the full 
facility funding would support Novacyt in 
becoming	cash	flow	self-sufficient	in	the	
longer term. 

02 Strategic Report24    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic Report   25

Financial position

Goodwill has reduced to €16.1m in 
2018 from €16.5m in the previous year. 
This	reflects	a	€316k	increase	in	the	
year as a result of the residual goodwill 
attributed to the Omega ID acquisition 
following the Purchase Price Allocation 
process and fair valuing of the assets, 
and a €648k reduction in Goodwill as a 
result of allocating a portion of the overall 
Lab21 Goodwill to the Cambridge Clinical 
Labs (asset held for sale) as part of the 
accounting requirements of IFRS 5.

Trade and other receivables have  
increased slightly in the year by €0.1m  
(3%) to €3.9m in line with revenue growth.

Inventory has increased by €0.4m  
(21%) year-on-year predominantly 
following the acquisition of the Omega ID 
business resulting in an additional circa 
€0.5m of stock compared with 2017. 
Additionally, the underlying inventory 
holding for the group has increased by 
€0.4m to meet the greater sales demand 
of	the	growing	business.	Partially	offsetting	
these increases, €0.5m of inventory 
has been transferred to the assets of 
discontinued operations. 

The assets of discontinued operations 
consist of:

•  Clinical Lab goodwill of €648k – 

representing the portion of Lab21 
Goodwill that has been allocated to  
the Clinical lab (approximately 7%),

•  €825k of other intangibles in relation  

to NOVAprep® patents,

•  €281k	of	tangible	fixed	assets	in	 

relation to NOVAprep® comprising 
instrument development, moulds  
and instrument equipment, and

•  €459k of inventories and WIP in  

relation to NOVAprep®, instrument 
stock (€256k) and vials (€154k).

Borrowings have increased from  
€3.9m to €5.4m during the year due  
to issuing a new three year €4.0m bond, 
offset	by	capital	repayments	of	€2.6m	
against outstanding borrowings. Total 
borrowings in 2018 include two main 
items: Kreos bonds totalling €1.1m  
(two bonds originally valued at €3.5m  
and €3.0m amortising monthly) and  
Vatel convertible bonds totalling €4.2m 
(two bonds originally valued at €1.5m  
and €4.0m, amortising monthly until 
March 2020 and May 2021 respectively). 

The	final	Primerdesign	earn	out	 
milestone	of	£1.0m	(disclosed	under	
Contingent Considerations in the  
financial	statements)	will	be	paid	over	 
the next 12 months. The increase of 
€0.4m in contingent consideration 
compared to 2017 is caused by the  
two earn out milestones associated  
with the Omega ID acquisition. 

Cash reduced by €3.2m to €1.1m  
during 2018. Net cash used in operating 
activities decreased from €4.6m to €1.2m 
due	to	one-off	2017	costs	relating	to	 
the IPO of €1.8m not repeating in 2018, 
a large aged debtor receipt of €0.4m in 
2018 received from a single customer  
and improved terms with suppliers. 

Net	cash	outflow	from	investing	activities	
reduced slightly to €2.7m in 2018 from 
€2.8m in 2017. This movement was 
caused by a €1.7m earn out payment 
made in relation to the Primerdesign 
acquisition,	offset	by	the	€2m	cash	
consideration paid for the Omega ID 
assets	offset	by	a	€0.4m	reduction	in	
capital	expenditure	due	to	significant	
investment in 2017 on leasehold 
improvements as part of the move to new 
upgraded headquarters in Camberley.

Novacyt raised €4.0m in 2018 through the 
issuance of convertible bonds. There were 
no equity capital increases in 2018 and 
as	a	result	year-on-year	cash	inflows	from	
financing	activities	have	reduced	between	
2017 and 2018 by €8.2m as Novacyt 
moves towards being cash self-sustaining. 
The	significant	reduction	in	2018	is	largely	
explained	by	the	equity	financing	of	€9.7m	
before expenses (€7.9m net of expenses) 
upon the Group’s successful listing on AIM 
and the issuance of €2.7m in convertible 
bonds (net of fees), both of which took 
place in 2017.

Repayments of capital and interest for  
all borrowings have decreased in 2018 by 
€1.6m to €3.2m, consisting of repayments 
on Kreos bonds totalling €1.9m, Vatel 
repayments totalling €1.2m and other 
small loan repayments of €0.1m. 

Anthony Dyer, 
Chief Financial Officer, 
Novacyt S.A.

€0.6m

EBITDA

€4.0m

raised by Novacyt  
through the issuance of  
convertible bonds

€3.2m

Repayments of capital and 
interest for all borrowings

02 Strategic Report26    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   27

James Wakefield 
Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board

James is an experienced private equity investor, having spent over 30 years in the  
finance	industry.	He	has	been	involved	with	over	50	businesses	of	varying	sizes	and	
stages of development across a wide range of sectors, including board representation  
as Chairman or Non-Executive Director in a number of these. He is currently also 
Chairman of Promedics Orthopaedics Limited and WestBridge Capital LLP of which he 
was a founder partner in 2008. He previously spent 18 years at Bridgepoint (previously 
NatWest Equity Partners) and prior to that, spent 4 years at NatWest Markets/NatWest 
Investment Bank. He has been a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Novacyt 
Group since 2014, and is also Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

James is a graduate of Harvard Business School (AMP).

Graham Mullis 
Chief Executive Officer

Graham	was	appointed	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	Novacyt	in	2014,	having	previously	
been	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	Lab21	since	2008.	He	has	over	30	years	of	experience	in	
the diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical device markets. Over the years, he has led 
and been involved in multiple successful exits, including that of Biocompatibles Eyecare, 
ClearLab International and VisionTec and Lab21. He also founded a pharmaceutical 
licensing company called Optivue which focuses on repurposed drugs. Previous roles 
have included acting as a C-level Executive with Biocompatibles International plc, a FTSE 
250 company, and 1-800 CONTACTS, a NASDAQ-listed company.

He holds degrees in BSc Biochemistry & Physiology from Southampton University,  
United Kingdom and an MBA in Business Administration from Warwick Business School, 
United Kingdom.

Anthony Dyer 
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Anthony	joined	the	Group	in	2010	and	has	been	Chief	Financial	Officer	since	 
January 2017. He has 18 years of experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and  
medical devices, working primarily with growth companies and executing M&A. 
Transactions executed include RiboTargets’ combination with British Biotech,  
BioFocus’ combination with Galapagos and Galapagos’ €130 million divestment  
of its service division to Charles River Laboratories.

He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Maths and Management Science from  
University of East Anglia, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Association  
of	Chartered	Certified	Accountants	(FCCA).

03 Governance

The Board of Directors

An	international,	diversified	Board.

28    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   29

Dr Andrew Heath MD, PhD 
Independent Senior Non-Executive Director

Andrew is a healthcare and biopharmaceutical Executive with in-depth knowledge of 
the US and UK capital markets, with international experience in marketing, sales, R&D 
and business development. In addition to his role as Non-Executive Director for Novacyt 
since 2015, he is currently Vice Chairman and Senior Independent Director of Oxford 
Biomedica plc and served as Chairman of Shield Therapeutics plc from 2016 to 2018. 
From	1999-2008	Andrew	was	the	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	Protherics	plc,	taking	the	
company	from	30	to	350	members	of	staff	and	managing	its	eventual	acquisition	by	BTG	
plc	for	£220	million.	Prior	to	this,	he	served	as	Vice	President	of	marketing	and	sales	
for Astra Inc in the US and worked within clinical and academic medicine at Vanderbilt 
University. He is also a former Director of The BioIndustry Association. 

He graduated in medicine from University of Gothenburg, Sweden, where he also 
completed his doctoral thesis in human toxicology. He is a fellow of the American 
Academy of Clinical Toxicology and a fellow of the UK Institute of Directors (IOD).

Andrew is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, a member of the Audit and 
Nomination Committees.

Dr Edwin Snape  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Ed has over 40 years of experience in founding, investing in and guiding the development 
of many public and private healthcare and specialty materials companies. He was a 
co-founder of NMT Capital (a successor of Nexus) and continues to serve as one of its 
Senior Advisers. He is also a Senior Adviser to Maruho Co., Ltd. Prior to NMT Capital, 
Ed was Managing General Partner of The Vista Group, at the time a leading east coast 
venture	capital	firm,	Chairman	of	Orien	Ventures,	a	private	equity	firm	with	Pacific	Rim	
affiliations	and	a	Director	of	the	Cygnus	Funds,	two	UK-based	private	equity	firms	that	
specialised in investments throughout Europe. He was also a Founder of a fund based 
in Indonesia. Early in his career, he founded the Liposome Company, which listed and 
was later sold to Elan Corporation for over $500 million. Over the years, he has been a 
recipient of several awards in the material sciences industry, including the AB Campbell 
Award and the Hunt Silver Medal. He also holds several patents in the advanced 
materials	field	where	he	has	pioneered	various	technological	innovations	and	authored	
numerous technical papers.

He holds BSc and PhD degrees in Metallurgy from Leeds University, United Kingdom.

Ed is a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Jean-Pierre Crinelli  
Non-Executive Director

Jean-Pierre is one of Novacyt’s founders having established the business in  
July 2006. He has some 30 years of experience in the car and electrical components  
industry, with various roles in M&A and business restructuring. During this period,  
he was located for 10 years to Singapore, North America, Belgium and Italy.

He holds a Diplôme from ESC Le Havre (business school, France) and a DECS  
(Diplôme d’Etudes Comptable Supérieures, national diploma).

Jean-Pierre is a member of the Audit Committee.

Juliet Thompson  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Juliet has 20 years of experience working as an investment banker and strategic  
adviser to healthcare companies in Europe. She has built a strong track record of 
advising companies on corporate strategy, equity and debt fundraisings and international 
M&A. Her experience includes senior roles (Managing Director, Head of Corporate 
Finance and Partner) at Stifel Financial Corp, Nomura Code Securities, WestLB  
Panmure, ICI plc, Deloitte and Touche and HM Treasury. Juliet sits on the Board  
of Vectura, an industry-leading device and formulation business for inhaled products,  
and Scapa Group plc, global supplier of bonding solutions and manufacturer of  
adhesive-based products for the Healthcare and Industrial markets. In addition  
she is currently Non-Executive Director of Nexstim, a listed Finnish stroke therapy 
company and GI Dynamics Inc. a US-based company.

She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales  
(ACA) and holds a BSc degree in Economics from the University of Bristol.

Juliet is Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Remuneration  
and Nomination Committee.

03 Governance30    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   31

Executive Team

The Executive Team comprises  
the following individuals:

1.  Steve Gibson 

Group Financial Controller 

8.  Wendy Karban 

Group HR Manager 

9.  Lisa Henriet 

10.  Phil Sefton 

Group Operations Director

Group Commercial Director

2.  Anthony Dyer 

Chief Financial Officer  
and Company Secretary

3.  Graham Mullis 

Chief Executive Officer 

4.  Mandy Cowling  

Corporate & Investor  
Relations Manager

5.  Ian Wilde 

Group RA & QA Director

6.  Paul Eros 

Corporate Business  
Development Director

7.  Ruth Powell 

Managing Director  
NOVAprep® Division

03 Governance32    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   33

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report together with 
the	audited	financial	statements	for	the	year	ended	
31 December 2018. The Corporate Governance 
Statement on pages 36 to 37 also forms part of  
this Directors’ report.

Listed on both  
Euronext Growth Paris 
and the Alternative 
Investment Market (“AIM”) 
of the London  
Stock Exchange

Strong commitment  
to market communication 
maintaining regular 
contact with shareholders 
through a number  
of platforms

General information and  
principal activity

Novacyt S.A. is a public limited 
company incorporated and registered 
in France with registered number  
491 062 527.

The Company is listed on both 
Euronext Growth Paris and on the 
Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) 
of the London Stock Exchange. Its 
principal activities in the year under 
review were specialising in cancer  
and infectious disease diagnostics.

Review of business

The Chairman’s Statement on page  
14,	the	Chief	Executive	Officer’s	 
review on page 16 and the Strategic 
Report on pages 18 to 24 provide  
a review of the business, the Group’s 
trading for the year ended 31 
December 2018, key performance 
indicators and an indication of future 
developments and risks, and form  
part of this Directors’ Report.

Future developments

Likely future developments in the 
business of the Group are discussed 
in the Strategic Report.

Results and dividend

The	results	for	the	period	and	financial 	
position of the Company and the 
Group	are	as	shown	in	the	financial 	
statements and are reviewed in the 
Strategic Report.

Since its inception, the Company  
has not paid any dividends and  
the Directors do not intend to  
declare and pay any dividends in the 
short-to-medium-term. The Company 
currently intends to retain all of its 
future	earnings	to	finance	the	growth	
and development of the Company.

The Directors will only recommend 
dividends when appropriate, and  
they may from time to time revise  
the Company’s dividend policy. 

No dividends will be proposed  
for	the	financial	year	ended	 
31 December 2018.

Directors 

The Directors of the Company who served during the year ended 31 December 
2018, and up to the date of this report, were:

Director

Capacity

James	Wakefield

Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board

Graham Mullis 

Chief	Executive	Officer

Anthony Dyer 

Chief	Financial	Officer	and	Company	Secretary

Dr Andrew Heath 

Independent Senior Non-Executive Director

Dr Edwin Snape 

Independent Non-Executive Director

Jean-Pierre Crinelli

Non-Executive Director

Juliet Thompson 

Independent Non-Executive Director

The brief biographical details of the currently serving Directors are set out on pages  
27 to 29.

Directors’ interests

Share capital structure

The Directors’ interests in the Company’s 
shares and the Novacyt LTIP are shown 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 42 and 46. 

No	Director	has	any	beneficial	interest	
in the share capital of any subsidiary or 
associate undertaking. 

Directors’ indemnity provisions

The	Directors	have	the	benefit	of	an	
indemnity which is a qualifying third- 
party	indemnity	provision	as	defined	 
by s236 of the Companies Act 2006.  
The indemnity was in force throughout  
the	financial	period	and	at	the	date	of	
approval	of	the	financial	statements.	 
In addition, the Group has purchased  
and	maintains	Directors’	and	Officers’	
liability insurance in respect of itself  
and its Directors. 

Political and charitable donations

The Company made no political  
nor charitable donations during the 
reporting period.

Financial instruments –  
risk management

The	Group’s	financial	risk	management	
policy is set out in note 42 to the  
financial	statements.	

The Company’s share capital, traded 
on Euronext Growth Paris and AIM, 
comprises a single class of ordinary 
shares each having a nominal value of 
1/15th of one Euro. Except as otherwise 
provided by law, every shareholder has 
one vote for every fully paid up share of 
which he is the holder. Each ordinary share 
creates a share in the Company’s assets, 
profits	and	in	any	liquidation	surplus.	In	
the event of a liquidation of the Company, 
any outstanding cash would be distributed 
to each shareholder in proportion to their 
holdings in the Company. 

The share rights follow the ordinary  
shares from owner to owner and any 
transfers of the shares include all 
dividends due and unpaid, and those 
due and, where applicable, the share of 
the reserves (following payment of any 
outstanding liabilities) of the Company.

Movements in the Company’s issued 
share capital during the year under  
review are set out in note 32 to the 
financial	statements.	

As at 31 December 2018, the Company’s 
issued share capital was €2,510,956.06, 
divided into 37,664,341 ordinary shares of 
1/15th of one Euro each in nominal value. 

03 Governance34    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   35

Major interests

As at 9th April 2019, being the latest 
practicable day prior to the publication 
of this report, the Company had been 
notified	of	the	following	shareholdings	
amounting to 3 per cent or more of the 
issued share capital of the Company:

Shareholder

Number of 
shares held

Percentage of 
issued shares

ABN Amro Bank 
N.V. 

Legal and General 
Group

Talence Selection 
PME

6,651,288

17.7%

2,515,909

6.7%

1,461,313

3.9%

Dialogue with shareholders 

The Company has a strong commitment 
to market communication, with the 
Directors seeking to be accountable 
against the stated strategic objectives 
of the Group. The Company maintains 
regular contact with shareholders through 
publications such as the annual report 
and accounts, operational updates, 
regular press announcements made via 
a regulatory information system and the 
Company’s website, www.novacyt.com. 
The Company is responsive to shareholder 
telephone and email enquiries throughout 
the year. 

The Board regards the annual general 
meeting as a particularly important 
opportunity for shareholders, members  
of the Board and the Executive Team to 
meet and exchange views. 

UK Bribery Act 2010 

The Group is committed to complying  
with the UK Bribery Act 2010, both within 
its UK and overseas business activities.  
As such, the Group has implemented 
an anti-bribery policy, which has been 
adopted by the Board, designed to  
ensure that the Group operates in an 
open, transparent and ethical manner.  
This policy applies to the Board and 
employees of the Group, and to  
temporary workers, consultants, 
contractors and agents acting for, or  
on behalf, of the Group (both in the UK 
and overseas). The policy generally sets 
out their responsibilities in observing  

and	upholding	a	‘zero	tolerance’	 
position on bribery in all jurisdictions in 
which the Group operates, as well as 
providing guidance to those working 
within the Group on how to recognise  
and deal with bribery issues and the 
potential consequences. 

Management at all levels of the  
Group is responsible for ensuring  
that those reporting to them,  
internally and externally, are made  
aware of and understand this policy. 

Significant agreements 

The Company is not party to any 
significant	agreement	which	takes	 
effect,	alters	or	terminates	upon	a	
change of control of the Company  
other than the Directors’ service 
contracts, details of which are set  
out in the Remuneration Report. 

Significant post-balance sheet events 

On 23rd April 2019, Novacyt entered 
into a Convertible Bonds with Warrants 
Funding Programme, for up to 
€5,000,000 (net of expenses). Under the 
terms of the Agreement, the Company 
will be able to access capital in seven 
tranches which oblige the Investment 
Managers to immediately subscribe for 
an initial tranche of €2,000,000, followed 
by six further tranches, each of an 
aggregate nominal value of €500,000 
(together the “Tranches”), drawable at 
the Company’s option subject to certain 
terms and conditions. The Company 
has immediately exercised its right to the 
initial tranche of funding giving rise to the 
subscription of €2,000,000 of convertible 
bonds with warrants by the Investment 
Managers. The remaining €3,000,000 
of convertible bonds can be issued by 
the Company over the next 36 months 
following the closing of the Agreement.

Going concern 

The Directors have, at the time of 
approving	the	financial	statements,	
a reasonable expectation that the 
Company has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for  
the foreseeable future. Thus they adopt 
the going concern basis of accounting  
in	preparing	the	financial	statements.

The going concern model covers the 
period up to and including April 2020. 
In making this assessment the Directors 
have considered the following elements: 

•  the working capital requirements of 

the business;

•  a positive cash balance at 31 

December 2018 of €1,132,000;

•  the repayment of the current bond 

borrowings according to the agreed 
repayment schedules;

•  earn out payments in respect of 

previous acquisitions;

•  draw down of funds from time to time 
from the €5,000,000 convertible bond 
facility including the initial €2,000,000 
received upon completion.

Further bond issuances beyond the  
initial €2,000,000 upon signing are 
dependent on certain conditions, such  
as a cool-down period, average daily 
volume and minimum share price prior  
to each draw down request. The 
Company anticipates being able to draw 
sufficient	funds	to	support	its	working	
capital requirements, but as they are 
outside of the Company’s direct control, 
complete certainty cannot be given and 
waivers may be used where necessary. 

Additional capital receipts from the 
disposals of the Clinical labs and 
NOVAprep® businesses and the 
potential strategic partnering of the 
Primerdesign animal health business 
have not been factored into the  
Group’s	cash	flow	forecast.	Any	such	
funds received would help reduce the 
need and mitigate the risk of further 
bond issuances.

Failure to meet the conditions within 
the convertible bond facility could 
place uncertainty on the going concern 
principle	applied	in	preparing	the	financial	
statements insofar as the company may 
in this case not be able to repay its debts 
and dispose of its assets in the ordinary 
course of its business. The going 
concern principle applied for the period 
ended 31 December 2018 could in that 
case prove inappropriate.

Independent Auditor 

Annual general meeting 

Deloitte LLP has indicated that they  
are	willing	to	continue	in	office	as	the	
Group’s Auditor. 

Disclosure of information to  
the Auditor 

As far as the Directors are aware, there 
is no relevant audit information (that is, 
information needed by the Group’s Auditor 
in connection with preparing their report) 
of which the Group’s Auditor is unaware, 
and each Director has taken all reasonable 
steps that he ought to have taken as a 
Director in order to make himself aware 
of any relevant audit information and to 
establish that the Group’s Auditor is aware 
of that information. 

The annual general meeting of the 
Company will be held at Cabinet Racine 
Paris, 40 rue de Courcelles, 75008  
Paris, France. A copy of the notice is 
available on the Company’s website at  
www.novacyt.com. 

By order of the Board

Anthony Dyer, 
Chief Financial Officer, 
Novacyt S.A

03 Governance36    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   37

objectives to other members of the 
Executive Team and to every employee 
of the Group, an approach which 
ensures consistency and alignment of 
the entire organisation to the business 
planning process. 

The Board reserves for itself a range  
of key decisions to ensure that it retains 
proper direction and control of the 
Group, through a formal schedule of 
matters reserved for decision by the 
Board. This schedule may be updated 
by the Board and approved by the  
Board only. The day-to-day management 
of the business has been delegated to 
the	Chief	Executive	Officer	and	the	wider	
Executive Team. 

The Chairman is responsible for  
leading the Board, facilitating the 
effective	contribution	of	all	members	 
and	ensuring	that	it	operates	effectively	
in the interests of the shareholders, 
whilst	the	Chief	Executive	Officer	 
is responsible for the leadership of  
the business and implementation  
of the strategy. 

The Directors may have access to 
independent professional advice,  
where needed, at the Group’s expense.

The Board 

The Board is responsible to the 
Company’s shareholders and sets the 
Group’s strategy for achieving long-term 
success. It is ultimately responsible for  
the management, governance, controls, 
risk management, direction and 
performance of the Group. 

The Board comprises seven members, 
of	whom	five	are	Non-Executive	
Directors,	being	James	Wakefield,	 
Dr Andrew Heath, Dr Edwin Snape, 
Jean-Pierre Crinelli and Juliet Thompson. 
The Non-Executive Directors are 
appointed to act in the best interests 
of the Company, and when relevant, 
appropriately record their concerns 
about the running of the Company. The 
Board considers that the Non-Executive 
Directors bring a wide experience at 
a senior level of business operations 
and strategy and have an expanse of 
knowledge and expertise gained from 
other areas of business. 

Jean-Pierre Crinelli was previously an 
Executive Director and a substantial 
shareholder of the Company and is, 
therefore, not considered independent. 
All other Non-Executive Directors are 
considered independent for the purposes 
of	the	QCA	Code	as	none	have	beneficial	
or	non-beneficial	shareholdings	in	the	
Company exceeding 3 per cent, nor 
receive remuneration other than in cash 
or shares, nor have an existing tenure of 
more than 12 years. 

Dr Edwin Snape is a co-owner of  
Nexus Medical, LLC, the general  
partner of Nexus Medical Partners II, 
L.P., which has a current shareholding 
in the Company of less than 3 per cent. 
Accordingly, the Directors consider 
that	Dr	Edwin	Snape	satisfies	the	
independence criteria as set out in  
the QCA Code. 

Dr Andrew Heath is the Independent 
Senior Non-Executive Director. 

The brief biographical details of the 
currently serving Directors are set out  
on pages 27 to 29.

The appointment of each of the 
Chairman and the other Non-Executive 
Directors may be terminated at any 
time	with	immediate	effect	by	the	
shareholders at a general meeting 
(without notice or any payment in lieu  
of fees), or by the relevant Director on 
not less than three months’ notice in 
writing to the Company. 

Election of Directors 

All members of the Board retire by 
rotation in accordance with the Articles 
of Association of the Company. At each 
annual general meeting, each Director 
who has served three years retires  
from	office.	A	Director	who	retires	at	 
an annual general meeting may, if  
willing to act, and upon proposal of the 
Board, be re-appointed by resolution  
of the shareholders. 

Responsibilities of the Board 

The Board is committed to achieving 
good standards of corporate 
governance, integrity and business 
ethics. The Board is responsible to 
shareholders for: 

Setting the Group’s strategy; 

•   maintaining the policy and decision-
making process around which the 
strategy is implemented; 

•  	ensuring	that	necessary	financial	 

and human resources are in place  
to meet strategic aims; 

Monitoring performance against key 
financial	and	non-financial	indicators;	

•   providing leadership whilst maintaining 

the controls for managing risk; 

•   overseeing the system of risk 

management; and 

•   setting values and standards in 
corporate governance matters. 

Each year, the Board approves a 
budget for the following calendar year 
and agrees personal objectives for 
each of the two Executive Directors. 
The approved budget is then used 
to cascade business and personal 

An introduction from the Chairman

“We have pleasure in introducing this Corporate 
Governance Statement.”

Dear Shareholders 

Novacyt S.A. is incorporated in France and 
is listed on Euronext Growth Paris and AIM. 

The Directors recognise the value and 
importance of high standards of corporate 
governance. As the Company is traded 
on AIM, it is not required to comply with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
However, the Company complies with the 
provisions of the QCA Code as far as is 
practical for a company of Novacyt S.A.’s 
size,	nature	and	stage	of	development,	
and in accordance with the regulatory 
framework that applies to companies 
admitted to trading on AIM. The Company 

also continues to comply with all the 
requirements of being listed on Euronext 
Growth Paris. 

In this section of the report, the Company’s 
approach to governance is set out, and 
further information is provided on how the 
Board and its Committees have operated 
during the reporting period. 

James Wakefield, 
Non-Executive Director  
and Chairman of the Board, 
Novacyt S.A.

03 Governance38    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   39

Board meetings 

The Directors meet at least nine times  
per year for formal Board meetings to 
discuss and decide the Group’s business, 
financial	performance	and	strategic	
decisions. In addition, and as required, 
the Board meets more frequently by 
conference call to discuss and decide  
on matters considered more urgent,  
such as those relating to acquisitive 
growth. During the reporting period,  

the Board met in person or via  
conference calls 12 times. 

In advance of each meeting of the Directors, 
the Board is provided with relevant 
information to ensure that it can properly 
carry out its role. For each meeting, the 
Directors generally consider the minutes of 
the previous meeting and any action points, 
recent	forecast	and	operations,	cash	flows	
and progress on any particular projects. 

The attendance of each Director at  
Board and Committee meetings during  
the period is set out in the table below.

Attendance is expressed as the number  
of meetings attended/number eligible  
to attend. Directors’ attendance by 
invitation at meetings of Committees 
of which they are not a member is not 
reflected	in	the	following	table.	

Director

James	Wakefield

Graham Mullis

Anthony Dyer

Dr Andrew Heath

Dr Edwin Snape

Jean-Pierre Crinelli

Juliet Thompson

Board

11/12

12/12

11/12

12/12

10/12

11/12

12/12

Audit Committee

Nomination Committee

Remuneration Committee

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

1/2

2/2

5/5

4/5

5/5

5/5

Induction of new Directors and 
professional development 

New Directors are presented with 
appropriate levels of background 
information on the Company, meet  
the management, visit sites and  
spend time with the Chairman and  
other Directors as required. 

Time commitments 

Non-Executive Directors receive a  
formal appointment letter on joining  
the	Board	which	identifies	the	terms	 
and conditions of their appointment.  
A potential director candidate (whether 
an executive director or non-executive 
director) is required to disclose all 
significant	outside	commitments	prior	 
to their appointment. 

The	Board	is	satisfied	that	both	the	
Chairman and the Non-Executive  
Directors	are	able	to	devote	sufficient	 
time to the Company’s business. 

External appointments 

If considered appropriate, the Board 
may authorise Executive Directors to 

take non-executive positions in other 
companies and organisations, provided 
the	time	commitment	does	not	conflict	
with the Director’s duties to the Company, 
since such appointments should broaden 
their experience. The acceptance of 
appointment to such positions is subject 
to the approval of the Chairman. 

employees in the Company’s shares. 
The Directors therefore intend to comply, 
and procure compliance with, Rule 21 
of the AIM Rules for Companies relating 
to dealings as well as the Market Abuse 
Regulation (EU No. 596/2014) and the 
Company has adopted an appropriate 
share dealing code. 

Board performance and appraisal 

Board Committees 

The Board is committed to a formal 
annual Board evaluation involving 
completion of an annual appraisal form 
by each Board member reviewing the 
structure, behaviour, process, committees 
and	profile	of	the	Board.	This	process	
of evaluation is led by the Senior 
Independent Director.

As an existing listed company on  
Euronext Growth Paris, the Company 
has in place an Audit Committee, 
a Remuneration Committee and a 
Nomination Committee. On Admission, 
the terms of reference of these 
Committees	were	updated	to	reflect	
market practice on AIM. 

Conflicts of interest 

At each meeting the Board considers 
Directors’	conflicts	of	interest.

Copies of each Committee’s terms of 
reference are available on the Company’s 
website at www.novacyt.com. 

Share dealing 

The Directors understand the importance 
of complying with the rules and regulations 
both in the UK and in France relating to 
dealings by Directors and other applicable 

Nomination Committee 

Details of the activities and responsibilities 
of the Nomination Committee are set out 
on page 40. 

12

7

The amount of times the 
Board met in person or  
via conference calls

Members of the Board  
of whom 5 are Non- 
Executive Directors

The Board is  
committed to achieving  
high standards of  
corporate governance, 
integrity and  
business ethics

Audit Committee 

A report on the duties of the Audit 
Committee and how it discharges its 
responsibilities is provided later in the 
Audit Committee report on pages  
48 to 51. 

Remuneration Committee 

The Directors’ Remuneration Report 
and details of the activities of the 
Remuneration Committee are set out  
on pages 42 to 46. It sets out a summary 
of the Group’s policy on the remuneration 
policy, having due regard to the interests 
of shareholders and details of the 
elements of the remuneration package  
of each individual Director. 

Internal control and risk management 

The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of internal control 
and	for	reviewing	the	effectiveness	of	
internal control to safeguard shareholders’ 
investment and the Group’s assets.  
There is an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing  
the	significant	risks	the	Group	faces.	

The Board delegates to the Executive Team 
the responsibility for designing, operating 
and monitoring both the systems and the 
maintenance	of	effective	internal	controls	
within the Group. The Company also has a 
whistleblowing policy. 

The systems and controls in place include 
policies and procedures which relate 
to the maintenance of records which 
fairly	and	accurately	reflect	transactions,	
correctly evidence and control the Group’s 
assets, provide reasonable assurance that 
transactions are recorded as necessary 
to	enable	the	preparation	of	financial	
statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and 
review and reconcile reported results. 

The Group’s key internal controls are: 

•  clear guidelines for the authorisation 
of	significant	transactions,	including	
capital expenditure and disposals under 
defined	levels	of	authority,	which	are	
formalised in the Group’s Authorisation 
Policy & Procedures Manual; 

•  a formal risk register, which is regularly 

reviewed and updated; 

•  regular review of the Group’s insurance 
policies with its insurance broker to 
ensure that the policies are appropriate 
for the Group’s activities and exposures; 

•  a comprehensive system for 

consolidating	financial	results	from	
Group companies and reporting these 
financial	results	to	the	Board;	

•  cash	flow,	annual	revenue	and	capital	
forecasts reviewed regularly during the 
year, regular monitoring of management 
accounts and capital expenditure 
reported to the Board and comparisons 
with forecasts; 

•  financial	controls	and	procedures,	

including in respect of bank payments, 
bank reconciliations and petty cash; 

•  payroll is outsourced; 

•  monthly review of outstanding debtors; 

•  regular meetings of the Executive  

Team; and 

•  an Audit Committee which approves 
audit	plans	and	published	financial	
information and reviews reports from 
the external Auditor arising from the 
audit	and	deals	with	significant	control	
matters raised. 

Risk management is focused around 
the operational areas of the Group. The 
Group	has	a	dedicated	Regulatory	Affairs	
and Quality Assurance Director who 
has extensive operational experience at 

senior management and board levels, 
and particularly strong experience 
in quality system development and 
regulatory compliance. He is responsible 
for a Regulatory Team operating across 
the Group, working at identifying and 
prioritising operational risks and working 
with the operational teams to mitigate the 
identified	risks.	This	work	is	supported	by	
the Risk Assessment Procedure in place 
across the Group, with the objective to 
ensure that risk assessment of the Group’s 
equipment, procedures and processes is 
approached consistently across the Group. 

With the assistance of the Audit 
Committee, the Board’s review process 
is principally based on reviewing regular 
reports from the Executive Team to 
consider	whether	significant	risks	are	
identified,	evaluated,	managed	and	
controlled	effectively,	and	whether	any	
significant	weaknesses	are	promptly	
remedied. The system is designed to 
manage rather than eliminate the risk of 
failure to achieve the Company’s objectives, 
and can only provide reasonable and 
not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. In assessing what 
constitutes reasonable assurance, the 
Board	considers	the	materiality	of	financial	
and	non-financial	risks	and	the	relationship	
between	the	cost	of,	and	benefit	from,	
internal control systems. 

The	Board	confirms	that	it	has,	during	 
the reporting period, reviewed on an 
ongoing	basis	the	effectiveness	of	the	
Company’s system of internal controls 
including	financial,	operational	and	
compliance controls and risk management 
systems and has reviewed insurance 
provisions.	No	significant	failing	or	
weaknesses	have	been	identified.

03 Governance40    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   41

Nomination Committee Report

Corporate Social Responsibility 

The Company established a Nomination Committee 
during 2017 prior to its admission onto the AIM market. 
James	Wakefield	acts	as	Chairman	of	the	Nomination	
Committee and its other members are Juliet Thompson 
and Dr Andrew Heath. All members of the Nomination 
Committee are considered independent.

The Nomination Committee is responsible 
for identifying and nominating for the 
approval of the Board candidates to 
fill	Board	vacancies	as	and	when	they	
arise, and to ensure that the Board 
consists of members with the range of 
skills and qualities needed to meet its 
principal responsibilities in a way which 
promotes the protection of the interests 
of stakeholders and compliance with the 
requirements of the AIM Rules. 

The Nomination Committee will meet at 
least once a year and at such other times 
as the Chairman or any other member of 
the Nomination Committee requires. 

The	first	Nomination	Committee	meeting	
was held in May 2018, during which the 
overall Board performance was reviewed. 
Two further Nomination Committee 
meetings were held during the period. 

The Group recognises the importance  
of retaining experienced professionals 
across all areas of the business in order 
to deliver its strategic aims with high 
standards of practice throughout.

In recent years, the Group has invested to 
strengthen its team across all parts of the 
business, including science and technology, 
product, development, regulatory, business 
development, intellectual property and 
finance.	In	particular,	senior	personnel	
have been recruited to lead the continued 
growth of the Group. At the end of 
2018, the Group was restructured in 
preparation for the sale of the Clinical Lab 
and NOVAprep® allowing Novacyt to fully 
focus on the remaining diagnostic product 
businesses throughout 2019. 

The Group is committed to maintaining  
the highest standards of corporate social 
responsibility in its business activities by 
aiming to: 

•  comply with all applicable laws and 

regulations, wherever the Group operates; 

•  achieve and comply with relevant quality 
and people management standards; 

•  consult with and respond to the 
concerns of its stakeholders; 

•  work towards realising the Group’s 
mission and vision statements; and 

•  behave with honesty and integrity in all 
the Group’s activities and relationships 
with others and reject bribery and 
corruption in all its forms. 

Health and safety 

The Group is committed to complying 
with all relevant health and safety 
regulations to its operations. As such, 
the Group has adopted a Health & Safety 
Policy which forms part of the Company 
Handbook issued to all employees upon 
commencement of employment within  
the Group. The overall responsibility for  
the policy is with Anthony Dyer. 

The policy sets out arrangements and 
responsibilities across the Group, and 
includes aspects such as: emergency 
procedures; security recommendations; 
accidents/incidences	and	first	aid;	
manual handling/lifting and moving; 
work-related upper limbs disorders 
(including strains to hands and arms); 
display screen equipment/visual display 
equipment; alcohol & drugs policy; and, 
smoking policy. 

The Group is not aware of any orders 
made in respect of a breach of Health  
& Safety regulation during the period.

Environment 

The Directors consider that the nature  
of the Group’s activities is not detrimental 
to the environment. The Group continues 
to maintain the necessary levels of quality 
control and quality assurance, through 
the application of its various quality 
management systems. All manufacturing 
facilities have successfully transitioned 
over to the current revisions of ISO 
13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 as 
applicable, and the clinical laboratory has 
successfully retained ISO 15189:2012. 

The Strategic report, comprising pages  
14 to 21, has been approved by the Board 
and is signed by order of the Board by: 

Anthony Dyer, 
Chief Financial Officer, 
Novacyt S.A.

03 Governance42    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Business Overview   43

Remuneration Committee 

Policy on executive remuneration 

Key responsibilities 

The Remuneration Committee 
determines performance-related targets 
for the members of the Executive Team, 
reviews their performance and makes 
recommendations to the Board on 
matters relating to their remuneration 
and terms of employment. 

The Remuneration Committee also 
makes recommendations to the  
Board on proposals relating to all  
long-term incentive scheme structures 
and any future option schemes, and 
the granting of any share options under 
such schemes. The remuneration and 
terms and conditions of appointment  
of the Non-Executive Directors are set 
by the Board. 

Composition and meetings 

The Remuneration Committee comprises 
at least two members, and all members 
are Non-Executive Directors considered 
independent. Dr Andrew Heath acts 
as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, and Dr Edwin Snape and 
Juliet Thompson are the other members. 

Only members of the Remuneration 
Committee have the right to attend 
meetings, but other Directors and 
external advisers may be invited to 
attend all or part of any meeting as  
and when appropriate. No Director  
may be involved in discussions  
relating to their own remuneration. 

The Remuneration Committee meets 
as appropriate but not less than 
twice a year. During the period, the 
Remuneration Committee duly met 
twice. Details of meeting attendance 
are shown in the table in the Corporate 
Governance Statement on page 38. 

Key decisions: 

1.  Adjustments were made to the 

Company’s LTIP scheme to capture 
changes made to senior management 
as part of the Group restructure.

2.  Executive Team salaries and  

short-term bonuses were reviewed 
and agreed.

The Remuneration Committee is 
responsible for determining and agreeing 
with the Board the framework or broad 
policy for the remuneration of the 
Executive Team. In determining such 
policy, the Remuneration Committee 
takes into account all factors which it 
deems necessary including the relevant 
legal and regulatory requirements and 
corporate governance guidelines. The 
Remuneration Committee also takes 
into account emerging best practice 
and guidance from major institutional 
shareholders. The objective of the 
Company’s remuneration policy is to 
attract, retain and motivate individuals of 
the quality required to run the Company 
successfully without paying more than 
is necessary, having regard to views of 
shareholders and other stakeholders. 

The Remuneration Committee 
recognises that the remuneration 
policy should have regard to the risk 
appetite of the Company and alignment 
to the Company’s long-term strategic 
goals,	with	a	significant	proportion	of	
remuneration being structured so as to 
link rewards to corporate and individual 
performance, designed to promote the 
long-term success of the Company. 

The Remuneration Committee, when 
setting the remuneration policy for 
Executive Directors, also has regard 
to the pay and employment conditions 
across the Group, particularly when 
conducting salary reviews. 

The main elements of the remuneration 
packages of the Executive Directors are 
as follows. 

Basic annual salary and pension 

Basic salary is reviewed annually by 
the Remuneration Committee, usually 
in February, and takes into account a 
number of factors, including the current 
position and progress of the Group, 
individual contribution and market 
salaries for comparable organisations. 

The Company makes contributions 
into the private pension schemes of the 
Executive Directors.

Directors’ Remuneration Report

“As Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, I am pleased to present our 
Directors’ Remuneration Report for the 
year ended 31 December 2018.”

This report does not constitute a Directors’ 
remuneration report in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006. As a company 
whose shares are admitted to trading 
on AIM, the Company is not required by 
the Companies Act to prepare such a 
report. We do, however, have regard to 
the principles of the QCA Code which 
we consider to be appropriate for an AIM 
company	of	our	size.	The	report	provides	
a general statement of policy on Directors’ 
remuneration as it is currently applied, 
and details the remuneration for all 

Directors during the year. It also provides 
a summary of the Novacyt LTIP which was 
established during 2017.

Dr Andrew Heath, 
Chairman of the  
Remuneration Committee, 
Novacyt S.A.

03 Governance44    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   45

Policy on Non-Executive Directors’ 
remuneration

Non-Executive	Directors	receive	a	fixed	
fee and do not receive any pension 
payments	or	other	benefits.	No	additional	
fees are payable in respect of membership 
of the Board’s Committees. 

The Non-Executive Directors do not 
participate in bonus or incentive schemes. 

Directors’ service contracts and 
letters of appointment 

Copies of Directors’ current service 
contracts and letters of appointment 
(listed here) are available for inspection  
at	the	Company’s	registered	office.

As part of the IPO process in 2017, the 
Directors’ original service contracts and 

letters of appointment were reviewed  
and the terms conformed to a format 
more applicable to an AIM listed company. 

Date of current 
service contract

Date of original 
service contract  
(if different)

Graham Mullis  9 August 2017 

1 January 2008 

The service agreements for both of the 
Executive Directors are between the 
relevant Director and Lab21 Ltd, which 
are terminable by either party upon 12 
months’ notice in respect of Graham 
Mullis, and 6 months’ notice in respect  
of Anthony Dyer. 

The appointment of the Non-Executive 
Directors may be terminated at any time 
with	immediate	effect	by	the	shareholders	
at a general meeting (without notice or any 
payment in lieu of fees), or by the relevant 
Director on not less than three months’ 
notice in writing to the Company.

Anthony Dyer  11 August 2017 

1 November 2010 

James 
Wakefield	

Dr Andrew 
Heath 

Dr Edwin 
Snape 

Jean-Pierre 
Crinelli 

Juliet 
Thompson 

15 August 2017 

12 October 2012 

11 August 2017 

N/A 

11 August 2017 

26 September 2014 

15 August 2017 

22 December 2006 

11 August 2017 

N/A 

Performance-related 
targets and terms of 
employment for the 
Executive Management 
are reviewed annually

2018

The Remuneration 
Committee met twice 

Policy for the 
remuneration of all 
employees are agreed 
with the Board

grant to qualifying employees a phantom 
award over notional ordinary shares (a 
‘‘Phantom Award’’). 

Phantom Awards are subject to 
performance or other conditions so 
that the Phantom Awards may not vest 
unless any such condition(s) have been 
satisfied	or	waived.	Any	performance	
conditions must be objective and will 
be determined by the Board before 
Phantom Awards are granted. 

The Board may waive or vary a 
performance condition or other condition 
if events happen which cause the 
Board to consider that it has ceased 
to be an appropriate or fair measure 
of performance. A varied performance 
condition must, in the opinion of the 
Board,	be	materially	no	more	difficult	 
to satisfy. 

Phantom Awards will vest on the third 
anniversary of the date of grant (‘‘Vesting 
Date’’) provided that any performance 
condition(s) applying to the Phantom 
Award have been met or waived. On  
the Vesting Date, participants will be 
entitled to be paid an amount equal  
to	the	difference	between	the	closing	
price of an ordinary share on the Vesting 
Date and the closing price of an ordinary 
share on the date of grant, multiplied  
by the number of notional ordinary 
shares over which the Phantom Award 
has vested. 

Phantom	Awards	will	be	satisfied	in	cash.

However, the Board may, at its 
discretion, satisfy Phantom Awards (or 
any part of them) by the allotment and 
issue of ordinary shares or the transfer of 
ordinary shares, subject to obtaining any 
necessary approvals and/or consents. 

On the Vesting Date, the amount of the 
award will be calculated. Payment of 
the calculated amount will be made in 
three equal tranches on the third, fourth 
and	fifth	anniversary	of	the	date	of	grant	
(each, a ‘‘Payment Date’’). 

Payment of any tranche of the award  
will, in each case, be subject to the 
Company’s ability to make the payment 
and the employee’s continued employment 
on the relevant Payment Date. 

There are certain circumstances in which 
all or some of a Cash Allocation due to 
an employee may be reduced, or they 
may need to repay all or some of a Cash 
Allocation Tranche they have received, as 
detailed under rule 12 of the Novacyt LTIP. 

The Company granted certain Phantom 
Awards under the Novacyt LTIP on 
Admission, further details of which are 
set out on page 46 of this report. 

Benefits in kind 

Executive Directors are entitled to 
benefits	in	kind	commensurate	with	
their position, including company car 
allowance, private medical and death  
in service insurance.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Basic 
salary  
and fees

Bonus

Pension

Total

Bonus

Pension

Total

Basic 
salary  
and fees

Executive Directors

Graham Mullis *

279,735

113,024****

12,715 405,474

 251,244  297,522 

 11,420  560,186 

Discretionary bonus 

At the discretion of the Remuneration 
Committee, taking into account 
performance	against	certain	financial	
and individual targets, an Executive 
Director may be entitled to an annual 
discretionary cash bonus on such terms 
and subject to such conditions as may 
be decided from time to time by the 
Remuneration Committee. In 2018, no 
discretionary bonuses were awarded 
to either Graham Mullis, or Anthony 
Dyer. A deferred bonus payment was 
awarded to Graham Mullis following the 
successful IPO in 2017. Details of this 
bonus are detailed on the table below.

The Novacyt LTIP 

Due to the complexities of being a 
French incorporated company with 
a UK-based management, it has 
proved	difficult	to	establish	a	standard	
equity-based long-term incentive plan. 
Accordingly, the Board established 
and adopted the Novacyt LTIP on 17 
October 2017 as an alternative to more 
standard long-term incentive plans. 
Executive Directors and employees of 
the Group are eligible to participate in  
the Novacyt LTIP. 

The Novacyt LTIP is intended to give 
participants a right to receive a cash 
amount that is calculated based on  
the	growth	in	value	of	a	specified	
number of ordinary shares over a 
specified	period	of	time.	The	Novacyt	
LTIP therefore allows the Company to 

Directors’ remuneration

The remuneration of the Directors  
who served on the Company’s Board 
during the year to 31 December 2018  
was as follows: 

* Salaries paid in GBP and disclosed in Euros,  
translated at the average exchange rate of 1.130241  
in 2018 (2017 : 1.1414).

** Salary paid in USD and disclosed in Euros,  
translated at the average exchange rate of 0.847551  
in 2018 (2017: 0.8870).

*** During the period Jean-Pierre Crinelli received EUR 
5,500.00 for consultancy work in connection with 
fundraising for the Company. 

Anthony Dyer *

186,490

Non-Executive 
Directors

James	Wakefield	*

Dr Andrew Heath *

Dr Edwin Snape **

62,163

45,209

25,426

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,647 196,136

 169,503  157,678 

 8,769  335,950 

-

-

-

-

-

62,163

 53,266 

45,209

 30,438 

25,426

 26,613 

 - 

 - 

 - 

35,500

 30,000 

20,000 

45,209

 25,872 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

53,266 

30,438 

26,613 

50,000 

25,872

**** Deferred bonus from 2017 IPO.

Jean-Pierre Crinelli ***

35,500

Juliet Thompson *

45,209

03 Governance46    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   47

Directors’ shareholdings and share interests

Directors’ shareholdings

The interests of the Directors who served during the year in the share capital of the 
Company as of 31 December 2018, 31 December 2017 and the date of this report  
or the date of their resignation (if earlier) were as follows:

Director

As at date of report

31 December 2018 

31 December 2017

31 December 2016 

Graham Mullis and family 

Anthony Dyer 

James	Wakefield	

Dr Andrew Heath and family 

Dr Edwin Snape 

Jean-Pierre Crinelli 

Juliet Thompson 

52,138 

16,839 

16,839 

16,839 

16,839 

15,333

- 

52,138 

16,839 

16,839 

16,839 

16,839 

15,151

- 

52,138 

16,839 

16,839 

16,839 

16,839 

15,151

- 

1,620 

- 

- 

- 

- 

182 

- 

All	interests	are	beneficially	held.	There	is	no	requirement	for	Directors	to	hold	shares	 
in the Company. 

Directors’ share interests awarded from the Phantom LTIP plan 

Details of the number of notional shares under Phantom Awards granted under the 
Novacyt LTIP to Directors who served during the year are set out in the table below: 

Director 

Granted during 
2017 

Satisfied during 
the period 

Lapsed during the 
period 

As at 31 December 
2018 

Earliest date from 
which exercisable 

Expiry date 

Expiry date 

Graham Mullis 

1,129,930 

Anthony Dyer 

376,643 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,129,930 

376,643 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

These Phantom Awards will vest if the closing price of an ordinary share averaged  
over 30 consecutive dealing days prior to the vesting date exceeds €0.66 per share, 
being the Placing Price.

Conclusion

This report is intended to explain clearly the remuneration approach adopted by the 
Company and to enable shareholders to appreciate how it underpins the Group’s 
business growth and strategic objectives. The Board considers that the current 
remuneration policy is fair and is fully aligned with the interests of shareholders. 

Dr Andrew Heath, 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, 
Novacyt S.A.

03 Governance48    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   49

Summary of the role of the  
Audit Committee 

The Audit Committee’s primary 
responsibility is to monitor the quality 
of internal controls and ensure that the 
financial	performance	of	the	Group	is	
properly measured and reported on. 

It receives and reviews reports from the 
Executive Team and external auditors 
relating to the interim and annual accounts 
and the accounting and internal control 
systems in use throughout the Group.  
The Audit Committee meets as appropriate, 
but not less than twice a year and minutes 
are recorded for each meeting by the Chief 
Financial	Officer.	The	Audit	Committee	
is able to call for information from the 
Executive Team and has unrestricted  
access to the Company’s external auditors. 

The Audit Committee operates within 
specific	terms	of	reference	that	include:	

•  reviewing management procedures 
to	monitor	the	effectiveness	of	the	
accounting systems, accounting 
policies and internal controls; 

•  conducting a regular and ongoing 

process of risk assessment; 

•  reviewing the scope and planning of  

the external audit; 

•  reviewing	the	findings	of	the	external	
auditor and management’s response; 

•  reviewing	the	annual	financial	

statements before their submission to 
the Board for approval; 

•  making recommendations to the Board 

concerning the appointment and 
remuneration of the external auditor; 

•  reviewing	any	profit	forecasts	or	working	

capital statements published in any 
bid document or listing particulars as 
investigated	and	verified	by	the	Company’s	
auditor and/or reporting accountant; 

•  reviewing from time to time the cost-
effectiveness	of	the	audit	including	
a review of the performance of the 
external auditor; 

•  monitoring the fees paid to the external 
auditor and where the external auditor 
supplies a substantial volume of non-
audit services to the Company, to keep 
the nature and extent of such services 
under review, in order to achieve 
a balance between objectivity and 

value for money; and having the right 
to obtain outside legal help and any 
professional advice, at the Company’s 
expense, which might be necessary for 
the	fulfilment	of	its	duties.	

The Audit Committee is responsible for 
ensuring the ‘right tone at the top’ and that 
the ethical and compliance commitments 
of the Executive Team and other employees 
are understood throughout the Group. 

External auditors 

The Audit Committee is responsible for 
making recommendations to the Board 
on the appointment, re-appointment 
and removal of the external Auditor and 
assesses	annually	the	qualifications,	
expertise, resources, remuneration and 
independence of the external Auditor.  
The Audit Committee receives reports 
on	the	external	audit	firm’s	own	internal	
quality	control	procedures	and	confirmation	
of the Auditor’s independence. The Audit 
Committee ensures that appropriate plans 
are in place for the external Auditor each 
annual cycle. 

The Group’s external Auditor is Deloitte 
LLP. Under French law, the mandatory term 
for auditors is six years. Deloitte LLP were 
re-appointed as external Auditor during 
the AGM held in 2018 and have now been 
the auditor for seven such years at the end 
of the audit of the annual accounts for the 
year ended 31 December 2018. 

The Audit Committee annually reviews 
the	effectiveness	of	the	external	Auditor.	
This process involves the external Auditor 
presenting to the Audit Committee its 
proposed audit scope, such presentation 
last having taken place on 28 March 2019 
in	relation	to	the	financial	statements	
for the year ended 31 December 2018. 
The external Auditor also presents to the 
Audit Committee the output of its detailed 
year-end work and the Audit Committee 
challenges	significant	judgements	
(if any). In making its assessment of 
external	Auditor	effectiveness,	the	Audit	
Committee reviews the audit engagement 
letters before signature, reviews the 
external Auditor’s summary of Company 
issues, and conducts an overall review 
of	the	effectiveness	of	the	external	audit	
process and the external Auditor. The 
Audit	Committee	reports	its	findings	to	
the Board. 

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee comprises at least two 
members, with at least one Non-Executive  
Director considered independent, including the 
Chairman.	In	addition,	the	Chief	Financial	Officer	 
and other members of the Executive Team may  
be invited to attend as required. Independent  
Non-Executive Director, Juliet Thompson, being  
a chartered accountant, acts as Chairman of  
the Audit Committee, and its other members  
are Jean-Pierre Crinelli and Dr Andrew Heath.

03 Governance50    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   51

The Audit Committee and the  
Board	have	been	satisfied	with	 
the performance of the external  
Auditor during the year and with  
the policies and procedures they  
have in place to maintain their  
objectivity and independence. 

The Audit Committee also approves 
in advance any non-audit services to 
be performed by the Auditor such as 
tax compliance and advisory work, 
audit-related assurance services 
(e.g. reviews of internal controls 
and reviewing the Group’s interim 
financial	statements).	

Any non-audit services that are to be 
provided by the external Auditor are 
reviewed in order to safeguard Auditor 
objectivity and independence. During 
the reporting period, non-audit services 
have been provided in respect of the 
AIM admission process. Accordingly, 
the	Board	can	confirm	that	during	the	
reporting period there have been no 
non-audit services that are considered 
to have impaired the objectivity and 
independence of the external Auditor. 
A full breakdown of payments made to 
the	external	Auditor	during	the	financial	
year is disclosed within note 45 to the 
financial	statements.

Work undertaken by the Audit 
Committee during the period 

The	Audit	Committee	met	five	times	 
during the period. Details of meeting 
attendance are shown in the Corporate 
Governance Statement on page 38. 
Deloitte LLP, as the Auditor, was also 
present at one of the meetings. 

The key matters considered by the Audit 
Committee whilst discharging its duties 
and responsibilities are set out below: 

•  review of the Annual Report  

and Accounts for year ended  
31 December 2017; 

•  consideration and approval of the 

unaudited	interim	financial	statements	
for the period ended 30 June 2018; 

•  review	of	the	financial	integrity	 

of	the	Group’s	financial	statements	
including relevant corporate  
governance statements; 

•  review of the Company’s interim report 

for the six months ended 30 June 2018; 

•  approval	of	the	audit	fees	for	the	financial	

year ended 31 December 2018; 

•  review of the internal controls and risk 

management systems within the Group; 

•  consideration of the requirement for the 
Group to have an internal audit function; 

•  review	of	the	effectiveness	of	the	external	
Auditor, as more fully described above; 

•  discussions with the Auditor on the 

audit approach and strategy, the audit 
process,	significant	audit	risks	and	key	
issues of focus for the annual audit; and 

•  review and approval of the continuing 
appointment of Deloitte LLP as the 
Group’s Auditor. 

The ultimate responsibility for reviewing  
and	approving	the	financial	statements	 
in the interim and annual reports remains 
with the Board.

No	significant	issues	related	to	the	 
financial	statements.

The Audit Committee, in conjunction  
with the Auditor, has considered there 
are	no	significant	issues	relating	to	the	
preparation	of	the	financial	statements	
contained in this Annual Report. 

•  approval of non-audit work to be  

Risk management and internal control 

carried out by the Auditor; 

•  consideration of the independence and 

objectivity of the external Auditor; 

The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of internal control and 
for	reviewing	the	effectiveness	of	internal	

control to safeguard shareholders’ 
investment and the Group’s assets.  
There is an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing 
the	significant	risks	the	Group	faces.	
The Board regularly reviews the process 
which has been in place throughout the 
period and up to the date of approval of 
the Annual Report and Accounts. 

The Board’s internal control and risk 
management review process (conducted 
with the assistance of the Audit 
Committee), is outlined on page 39. 

Internal audit 

The Board has reviewed the need for 
a separate internal audit function and 
concluded that such a function is not 
currently	appropriate	for	a	size	of	company	
such as the Group, and because the 
internal audit principles already fall under 
the remit of the Audit Committee. 

Going concern 

The Directors have, at the time of 
approving	the	financial	statements,	a	
reasonable expectation that the Company 
has adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable 
future. Thus they adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing the 
financial	statements.

The going concern model covers the 
period up to and including April 2020. 
In making this assessment the Directors 
have considered the following elements: 

•  the working capital requirements of  

the business;

•  a positive cash balance at 31 December 

2018 of €1,132,000;

•  the repayment of the current bond 

borrowings according to the agreed 
repayment schedules;

•  earn out payments in respect of 

previous acquisitions

•  draw down of funds from time to time 
from the €5,000,000 convertible bond 
facility including the initial €2,000,000 
received upon completion.

Further bond issuances beyond the initial 
€2,000,000 upon signing are dependent 
on certain conditions, such as a cool 
down period, average daily volume and 
minimum share price prior to each draw 
down request. The Company anticipates 
being	able	to	draw	sufficient	funds	to	
support its working capital requirements, 
but as they are outside of the Company’s 
direct control, complete certainty cannot 
be given and waivers may be used 
where necessary.

Additional capital receipts from the 
disposals of the Clinical labs and 
NOVAprep® businesses and the 
potential strategic partnering of the 
Primerdesign animal health business 
have not been factored into the  
Group’s	cash	flow	forecast.	Any	such	
funds received would help reduce the 
need and mitigate the risk of further 
bond issuances.

Failure to meet the conditions within 
the convertible bond facility could 
place uncertainty on the going concern 
principle	applied	in	preparing	the	financial	
statements insofar as the company may 
in this case not be able to repay its debts 
and dispose of its assets in the ordinary 
course of its business. The going concern 
principle applied for the period ended  
31 December 2018 could in that case 
prove inappropriate.

Approved on behalf of the Board. 

Juliet Thompson, 
Chairman of the Audit Committee,  
Novacyt S.A.

03 Governance 
52    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   53

Principal Risks And Risk Management

The Group’s risk management strategy is a key 
responsibility of the Board of Directors. The Board 
ensures that all major risks are understood and 
appropriately managed in light of the Group’s 
strategy	and	objectives,	and	is	satisfied	that	the	
Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems are adequate.

The Group’s risk management  
framework supports the risk assessment 
procedure across the Group, with the 
objective of ensuring that the assessment 
of	the	strategic,	operational,	financial	 
and external risks of the Group is 
approached consistently Group-wide. 

At this stage of the Company’s 
development, the Board does not 
consider it to be appropriate to  
establish an internal audit function,  
but this will be kept under review. 

The principal risks faced by the Group  
are set out below. 

The pace of development in the 
healthcare industry 

The Group operates within the 
biotechnology sector, a complex area  
of	the	healthcare	industry.	Rapid	scientific	
and technological change within the 
biotechnology sector could lead to other 
market participants creating approaches, 
products and services equivalent or 
superior to the diagnostic testing products 
and	services	offered	by	the	Group,	
which	could	adversely	affect	the	Group’s	
performance and success. If the Group is 
unable to keep pace with these changes 
in the biotechnology sector and in the 
wider healthcare industry, the demand for 
its technological platforms and associated 
products and services could fall.

Competitive pressures 

Companies operating within the 
biotechnology sector are subject to 
competitive forces that may result in price 
discounting, and may be thinly capitalised 
and susceptible to product obsolescence. 

Better resourced competitors may be  
able to devote more time and capital 
towards the R&D process, which, in  
turn,	could	lead	to	scientific	and/or	
technological breakthroughs that may 
materially alter the outlook or focus for 
markets in which the Group operates.  
In addition, a certain number of the Group’s 
competitors	may	have	significantly	greater	
financial	and	human	resource	capacity	 
and, as such, better manufacturing 
capability or sales and marketing expertise. 
Competitors could also resort to price 
discounting or other sales and marketing 
strategies. Equally, new companies with 
alternative technologies and products  
may also emerge. 

Geographic markets 

The Group is largely based in the UK, with 
additional operations in France, China, and 
the US, and its products are distributed to 
and sold across multiple jurisdictions. In 
each of these jurisdictions, there may be 
a number of associated risks in respect of 
which the Group will have no, or limited, 
control. These may include: contract 
re-negotiation, contract cancellation, 

economic, social or political instability  
or	change,	hyperinflation,	currency	non-
convertibility or instability, and changes of 
laws	affecting	foreign	ownership,	taxation,	
working conditions, rates of exchange, 
exchange control and licensing. 

Product development 

Additional products and services 
developed through the element of 
the Group’s strategy focused on R&D 
transformation will be required to drive  
the Group’s growth, such as 
Primerdesign’s focus on transferring 
assays from RUO to clinical CE-IVD 
products. The development of such 
additional diagnostic testing products 
and services may take longer than 
expected or not be successful at all, 
which may adversely impact the Group’s 
ability to generate revenues and achieve 
sustainable	profitability.	In	addition,	the	
value of additional diagnostics tests 
and products may not prove as robust 
as currently envisaged by the Group. 
Any delays or unbudgeted expenditures 
incurred by the Group could postpone or 
halt the commercialisation of a particular 
diagnostics tests and products. 

Product liability claims 

The Group faces an inherent risk of product 
liability and associated adverse publicity as 
a result of the sales of its products. 

base so as to reduce the reliance on 
certain suppliers. However, there is no 
guarantee that they will be successful in 
doing so in a manner that complies with 
regulatory requirements.

Reliance on third party distributors 

The Group uses third party distributors  
in a number of its business areas. 
Although the Group enters into 
agreements with such distributors, it 
cannot ultimately control their actions and 
they may underperform or not act in the 
best interests of the Group. Furthermore, 
the distribution agreements may be 
terminated by the distributors or the 
Group. If so, and if appropriate from the 
Group’s strategy at that time, the Group 
may	seek	to	find	a	replacement	distributor	
but there can be no guarantee that they 
will be successful in doing so. 

Criminal or civil proceedings might be 
filed	against	the	Group	by	patients,	the	
regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical 
companies and any other third party 
using or marketing its products. Any 
such product liability claims may include 
allegations of defects in manufacturing, 
defects in design, negligence, strict liability, 
a breach of warranties and a failure to 
warn of dangers inherent in the product. 

If the Group cannot successfully defend 
itself against product liability claims, it  
may incur substantial liabilities or be 
required to limit commercialisation of its 
products, if approved. Even successful 
defence	could	require	significant	financial	
and management resources. 

Although the Group maintains a level of 
insurance that is customary for its industry 
to cover its current business, any claim that 
may be brought against the Group could 
result in a court judgement or settlement in 
an amount that is not covered, in whole or 
in part, by its insurance or that is in excess 
of the limits of its insurance coverage. 
Its insurance policies also have various 
exclusions and the Group may be subject 
to a product liability claim for which the 
Group has no coverage. 

Reliance on sole suppliers 

Due	to	the	specific	and	innovative	nature 	
of some of the Group’s products, there 
may only be a single supplier of goods or 
services to the Group in respect of those 
products or services, which may or may 
not be pursuant to the terms of exclusive 
supplier agreements. The Group’s 
purchases may be delayed if that single 
supplier, in respect of any one product 
or service, has its own manufacturing 
difficulties	or	is	not	able	to	meet	the 	
purchase requirements of the Group 
within a reasonable timeframe. Further, 
any exclusive supplier arrangements 
may be terminated by either the supplier 
or the Company on notice. In the event 
of serious delays or non-performance 
by such suppliers, or upon such 
arrangements being terminated, the 
Group’s own stock levels could diminish 
or be exhausted. The Group may 
consider expanding its current supplier 

03 Governance54    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   55

Acquisition strategy 

A core part of the Group’s strategy 
is to undertake acquisitions that are 
strategically complementary to its existing 
businesses. The success of such a 
strategy will depend on the Group’s ability 
to identify potential targets, complete the 
acquisition of such targets on favourable 
terms, including securing appropriate 
financing,	and	to	generate	value	from	the	
acquired targets. This strategy may not 
be successful under all or any market 
conditions. The Group may not be able to 
acquire targets on attractive terms or to 
generate resulting returns for shareholders 
and prospective investors. 

Litigation and arbitration 

From time to time, the Group may 
be subject to litigation arising from 

its operations, distribution and sales. 
Damages claimed, awarded, settled or 
paid under any litigation or arbitration 
may be material or may be indeterminate, 
and the outcome of such litigation or 
arbitration may have a material adverse 
effect	on	the	Group’s	business,	financial	
condition, capital resources, results and/ 
or future operations. 

Key personnel 

The Group depends on the services of its 
key personnel, which includes a number 
of individuals some of whom are currently 
on a short notice period of three months 
or less. The Group’s ability to manage its 
R&D and product development activities, 
wider	operations	and	financing	will	
depend	in	large	part	on	the	efforts	of	its	
key personnel. The loss of services of key 

personnel, the inability to attract, retain 
and	integrate	suitably	qualified	personnel	
or delays in hiring required personnel, 
could delay the achievement of the 
Group’s objectives and strategy. 

Tenders 

A proportion of the Group’s revenues stem 
from tenders awarded to the Group and 
it is not possible to control and/or predict 
the outcomes of these tender processes. 
The success of such tender awards is 
based upon the ability of the organisation 
or	country	to	finance	tenders,	and	then	it	
is based upon the historical performance, 
price and quality of the competitors who 
have been invited to participate in the 
tender process. The Group may not be 
successful in future tender processes. 
The failure to gain new business through 

The Group’s risk 
management strategy is 
a key responsibility of the 
Board of Directors 

A core part of the  
Group’s strategy has been 
to undertake acquisitions 
that are strategically 
complementary to its  
existing businesses

The Group is working 
towards the full 
implementation of  
the new IVDR  
directive by 2022

the award of tender contracts may have 
a	material	adverse	effect	on	the	Group’s	
business,	financial	condition,	capital	
resources, results and/or future operations. 

Regulatory environment 

The Group’s products are subject to 
various laws, regulations and standards  
in each of the jurisdictions in which 
products are manufactured and distributed. 
These laws, regulations and standards may 
change and if the Group fails to meet those 
regulatory or other requirements, it could 
face delays or prohibitions on the operation 
of its business. 

The Group’s ability to conduct business 
is predicated on being in compliance with 
all	licence	requirements	as	specified	by	
each relevant jurisdiction. The Group may 
not continue to hold all of the necessary 
consents, approvals and licences required 
to conduct its business, and where new 
permissions are required, these may be 
delayed or not forthcoming. If any new 
approvals or licences are required in order 
for the Group to carry on its business, the 
Group could face delays or prohibitions 
on the development, manufacture, sale or 
distribution of its products, which may have 
a	material	adverse	effect	on	the	Group’s	
business,	financial	condition,	capital	
resources, results and/or future operations. 

New IVDR regulations 

The entire IVD industry within the  
EU	is	currently	undergoing	a	significant	
regulatory transition from the existing  
In-vitro Diagnostic Directive (IVDD)  
(98/79/EC) to a new In-vitro Diagnostic 
Regulation (IVDR) (2017/746). The 
cumulative	effect	of	the	introduction	of	
the	new	regulation	will	be	a	significantly	
increased burden on the resources of 
IVD manufacturers to maintain regulatory 
compliance and this could result in older 
products being deleted due to costs 
or products being wasted due to new 
classifications.	It	is	not	certain	how	the	
IVDR will apply to the UK as it is due to 
come	into	effect	in	2022,	after	the	UK	 
is due to leave the EU. 

Employment laws 

The Group is also subject to various UK, 
French and EU regulations governing 
the Group’s relationship with employees, 

including such matters as the treatment of 
part-time or agency workers, employers’ 
National Insurance Contributions (or 
equivalent in France), overtime and other 
working conditions. A failure to comply 
with one or more regulations could result 
in the imposition of sanctions, including 
the closing of facilities for an indeterminate 
period of time or third-party litigation. 

European General Data  
Protection Regulation

The Group is committed to ensuring 
compliance with European General  
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  
We	have	undertaken	significant	efforts	 
to implement the requirements of the 
GDPR and ensure alignment throughout 
the business. Privacy matters, especially 
those relating to GDPR compliance, have 
board and senior executive level attention 
and relevant department stakeholders 
have undertaken training to ensure they 
drive a culture of compliance in their own 
teams and departments.

We	are	pleased	with	our	efforts	so	far.	
Compliance with GDPR is and will remain 
an ongoing task for the Group, as it 
does for any company operating in this 
regulatory environment. GDPR will be 
tested and interpreted as time goes on and 
we are monitoring those developments 
to make sure we continue to improve our 
processes and remain compliant.

Information technology 

The Group is heavily reliant upon its 
information technology systems to enable 
it to manage a growing business and to 
service its customers online. Information 
systems are used across all aspects of the 
Group’s business, including but not limited 
to: R&D, product development, clinical 
trials and applications, sales, production, 
stock control, distribution, and accounting 
and	finance.	The	Group’s	business	would	
be	adversely	affected	by	a	material	or	
sustained breakdown in its key computer 
and communication systems. 

In addition, the Group may face online 
security breaches, including hacking and 
vandalism. The Group cannot guarantee 
absolute protection against unauthorised 
attempts to access its information 
technology and communication systems, 
including malicious third-party applications 

that may interfere with or exploit security 
flaws	in	its	products	and	services.

UK leaving the European Union 

A referendum was held in the UK on  
23 June 2016 to decide whether the 
UK should remain in the EU. A vote was 
given in favour of the UK leaving the EU 
(‘‘Brexit’’). The extent of the impact of 
Brexit on the Group will depend in part 
on the nature of the arrangements that 
are put in place between the UK and 
the EU following Brexit and the extent 
to which the UK continues to apply laws 
and regulations that are based on EU 
legislation. In addition, the macroeconomic 
effect	of	Brexit	on	the	healthcare	industry	
is unknown. It remains unclear how Brexit 
will	affect	the	UK’s	trading	relationships,	
corporate taxation policy, movement of 
people	and	other	regulatory	affairs.	As	
such, it is not possible to state accurately 
the impact that Brexit will have on the 
Group and its operations. Brexit could 
also potentially increase the regulatory 
compliance and/or tax burden on the 
Group. Brexit could restrict the Group’s 
future activities and may have a material 
adverse	effect	on	the	Group’s	business,	
financial	condition,	capital	resources,	
results and/or future operations. 

Protection of intellectual  
property rights 

The Group’s ability to compete depends, 
in part, upon the successful protection 
of its intellectual property, in particular 
its patents, trademarks, know-how 
and trade secrets. The Group seeks to 
protect its intellectual property through 
the	filing	of	worldwide	patent	and	
trademark applications, as well as robust 
confidentiality	obligations	on	its	employees	
(and any contractors). 

Despite these precautions that may be 
taken by the Group to protect its intellectual 
technology and products, unauthorised 
third parties may attempt to copy, or obtain 
and use, its technology and products.  
A third party may infringe upon the Group’s 
intellectual property, release information 
considered	confidential	about	the	Group’s	 
intellectual property and/or claim technology 
that is registered to the Group. In addition, 
the Group may fail to discover infringement 
of its intellectual property, and/or any steps 
taken or that will be taken by it may not be 

03 Governance56    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Governance   57

sufficient	to	protect	its	intellectual	property	
rights or prevent others from seeking to 
invalidate its intellectual property or block 
sales of its products by alleging a breach of 
their	intellectual	property.	Applications	filed	
by the Group in respect of new patents and 
trademarks may also not be granted. 

The Directors intend to defend the  
Group’s intellectual property vigorously 
through litigation and other means. 

Infringement of third party patents 
and other intellectual property rights 

The Group’s products may infringe or may 
be alleged to infringe existing patents or 
patents that may be granted in the future 
that may result in costly litigation and 
could result in the Group having to pay 
substantial damages or limit the Group’s 
ability to commercialise its products. 

If the Group is sued for patent 
infringement, the Group would need to 
demonstrate that its products or methods 
either do not infringe the patent claims 

of the relevant patent or that the patent 
claims are invalid, and the Group may not 
be able to do this. If the Group is found 
to have infringed a third party’s patent, 
the Group could be required to obtain a 
licence from such third party to continue 
developing and marketing its products 
and technology or the Group may elect to 
enter into such a licence in order to settle 
litigation or in order to resolve disputes 
prior to litigation. However, the Group may 
not be able to obtain any required licence 
on commercially reasonable terms or at 
all. Even if the Group is able to obtain 
a licence, it could be non-exclusive, 
thereby giving its competitors access to 
the same technologies licensed to the 
Group, and could require the Group to 
make substantial royalty payments. The 
Group could also be forced, including by 
court order, to cease commercialising the 
infringing technology or products.  
A	finding	of	infringement	could	prevent	
the Group from commercialising its 
products or force the Group to cease 
some of its business operations, which 

could materially harm its business. Claims 
that the Group has misappropriated the 
confidential	information	or	trade	secrets	 
of third parties could have a similarly 
negative impact on its business.

Protection of trademarks 

The Group owns certain trademarks 
that are important to its business and 
competitive position. Third parties may 
infringe or misappropriate these rights 
by, for example, imitating the Group’s 
products, asserting rights in, or ownership 
of, the Group’s trademarks or other 
intellectual property rights or in trademarks 
that are similar to trademarks that the 
Group owns. In addition, the Group 
may fail to discover infringement of its 
intellectual property, and/or any steps 
taken or that will be taken by it may not  
be	sufficient	to	protect	its	intellectual	
property rights or prevent others from 
seeking to invalidate its trademarks by 
alleging a breach of their trademarks  
and intellectual property. 

Applications	filed	by	the	Group	in	respect	
of new trademarks may not be granted.  
In addition, some of the Group’s 
intellectual property may not be capable 
of being registered as belonging to the 
Group in all types of trademarks and all 
classes and the Group may, therefore, 
have	difficulty	protecting	such	intellectual	
property. Further, the Group may not 
be able to prevent others from using its 
brands (or other intellectual property  
which is not registered as belonging to  
the Group) at all or in a particular market. 

If the Group is unable to protect its 
intellectual property rights against 
infringement or misappropriation, or  
if others assert rights in or seek to 
invalidate its intellectual property rights, 
this	could	have	a	material	adverse	effect	 
on	the	Group’s	business,	financial	
condition, capital resources, results  
and/or future operations.

Loss making 

The Group is loss making and its ability 
to	generate	future	profits	and	cash	flow	
will depend inter alia upon its ability to 
increase sales of its products and control 
its future expenditures (including those 
on R&D and other investments such as 
acquisitions). Failure by the Group to 

Foreign exchange rates 

The Group operates on a global basis 
and it has exposure to foreign exchange 
risk on purchases and sales that are 
denominated in currencies other than  
the Euro, the pound sterling and US  
dollar, which are the currencies of most 
of its receivables, expenditures, cash 
reserves and borrowings. The Euro, the 
pound sterling and US dollar exchange 
rates	have	fluctuated	significantly	in	
the past and may do so in the future. 
Consequently, revenue, expenditure,  
cash and borrowings may be higher or 
lower than anticipated by the Group. 

In	addition,	the	financial	statements	of	
the Group are denominated in Euros, 
which therefore give further exposure to 
foreign	exchange	rate	fluctuations	and	
may	impact	the	financial	results	reported	
to	its	shareholders,	particularly	as	profits	
and losses arising from foreign currency 
transactions and on settlement of 
amounts receivable and payable in foreign 
currency	are	dealt	with	through	the	profit	
and loss statement.

become	profitable	or	cash	generative	
would without access to an alternative 
finance	source	impair	its	ability	to	 
expand its business, maintain its R&D 
efforts	or	expand	its	product	offerings.	 
It also puts the Group at risk of bankruptcy 
and liquidation. 

Additional financing requirements 

The Group expects to incur further 
expenses in connection with its ongoing 
commercialisation and R&D activities in 
relation to its products. In addition, the 
Group has cash commitments through 
third party debt and a contingent earn-
out structure relating to the acquisition 
of Primerdesign and more recently the 
Infectious Disease Business from Omega 
Diagnostics.	In	order	to	finance	fully	the	
Group’s business plan, the Company may 
require more capital than is available from 
its existing cash balances and the net 
proceeds of the Fundraising. 

Access	to	adequate	additional	financing,	
whether	through	debt	financing,	an	 
equity capital raise or a suitable out-
licensing or partnering transaction, may  
not be available to the Group on 
acceptable terms, or at all. If the Group  
is unable to raise capital, the Group could 
be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate its 
R&D programmes or commercialisation 
efforts.	Any	additional	equity	fundraising	
may be dilutive for Shareholders and  
could depress the value of the Shares 
and may ultimately lead to total loss of 
shareholder value. 

contribute to the failure of the Group  
to comply with such covenants. 

Pursuant to the terms of the Group’s 
existing debt facilities, certain lenders  
have been provided with security over 
certain current and future assets of 
the Group. A failure to comply with the 
obligations set out in those debt facilities 
could result in an event of default which, 
if not cured or waived, could permit 
acceleration of the relevant indebtedness. 

Any such actions could adversely  
affect	the	Company’s	operating	results	
and	financial	condition.	

Repayment of existing indebtedness 

The Company may not be able to 
refinance	the	amounts	outstanding	
pursuant to the Group’s existing debt 
facilities in order to repay the amounts 
outstanding or may not have generated 
enough cash from operations to meet 
these obligations. The Group’s ability to 
make payments of principal and interest 
on,	or	to	refinance,	indebtedness	related	
to the Group’s existing debt facilities 
will depend on its future operating 
performance	and	cash	flow,	which	are	
subject to prevailing economic conditions, 
prevailing	interest	rate	levels,	and	financial,	
competitive, business and other factors, 
many of which are beyond its control. Any 
such failure may impair the Group’s ability 
to expand its business, maintain its R&D 
efforts	or	expand	its	product	offerings.	It	
also puts the Group at risk of liquidation. 

Terms of existing indebtedness 

Bad debtors 

The Group’s existing debt facilities impose 
operating	and	financial	restrictions	on	
the Group that could restrict inter alia 
the payment of dividends, incurring of 
additional indebtedness and the provision 
of guarantees. The need to meet such 
thresholds or observe such restrictions 
could hinder the Group’s ability to carry 
out its business strategy. In addition, 
a breach of the terms of the Group’s 
indebtedness could cause some or all 
of its indebtedness to become due and 
payable. The Company’s and/or its direct 
and indirect subsidiaries’ assets may 
not	be	sufficient	to	generate	the	funds	
necessary to repay such indebtedness 
in the event of its acceleration. Events 
beyond the Group’s control may 

The	Group	sells	to	companies	of	all	sizes	
from	small-to-medium	sized	enterprises	
to blue-chip institutions and operates in 
emerging markets, such as the Middle 
East,	the	Asia	Pacific	region	(including	
China and India), Africa (including 
Nigeria) and South America (including 
Venezuela).	Whilst	the	Group	has	to	date	
successfully managed the risk of being 
paid for products and services sold into 
these companies and regions, as the 
Group grows and its customer base and 
distribution channels expands, there could 
be a higher risk that new customers do 
not pay in a timely manner and that bad 
debt increases. 

03 Governance58    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Financial Statements   59

Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare Group and parent company 
financial	statements	for	each	financial	
year. Under that law, they are required to 
prepare	the	Group	financial	statements	
in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards, as adopted by the 
EU, and applicable law, and have elected 
to	prepare	the	parent	company	financial	
statements on the same basis. 

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	parent	company	and	of	their	profit	or	
loss for that period. In preparing each of 
the	Group	and	parent	company	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 EU; and 

•  prepare	the	financial	statement	on	
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the  
group and the parent company will 
continue in business. 

The Directors are responsible for  
keeping adequate accounting records 
that	are	sufficient	to	show	and	explain	
the parent company’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at  
any	time	the	financial	position	of	the	 
parent company and enable them to 
ensure	that	its	financial	statements	 
comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They have general responsibility for  
taking such steps as are reasonably  
open to them to safeguard the assets  
of the group and to prevent and detect 
fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, 
the Directors are also responsible for 
preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ 
Report, Directors’ Remuneration  
Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that complies with that law  
and those regulations. 

Responsibility statement of the 
Directors in respect of the annual 
financial report 

We	confirm	that	to	the	best	of	 
our knowledge: 

•  the	financial	statements,	prepared	in	
accordance with the applicable set  
of accounting standards, give a true  
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial	position	and	profit	or	loss	of	 
the company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as  
a whole; and 

•  the Directors’ report includes a 
fair review of the development 
and performance of the business 
and the position of the issuer and 
the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face. 

Consolidated  
sales 

 €13.7m

Group  
EBITDA 

 €0.6m

Closing  
cash 

 €1.1m

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the  
Annual Report and the Financial Statements

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

04 Financial Statements60    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes  61

Consolidated income statement for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018

Notes

Year ended 31 December 2018

Restated Year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Sales, marketing and distribution expenses

Research and development expenses

General and administrative expenses

Governmental subsidies

Operating loss before exceptional items

Costs related to acquisitions

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Operating loss after exceptional items

Financial income

Financial expense

Loss before tax

Tax (expense)/income

Loss after tax

Loss from discontinued operations

Loss after tax attributable to owners of the company

Loss per share (€)

Diluted loss per share (€)

Loss per share from the continuing operations (€)

Diluted loss per share from the continuing operations (€)

Loss per share from the discontinued operations (€)

Diluted loss per share from the discontinued operations (€)

Amounts in ‘000 €

5

7

-

8

9

10

12

-

13

-

14

-

15

15

-

16

-

38

-

17

-

-

-

-

-

-5,116 

8,604 

-2,454 

-406 

-6,119 

-51 

-425 

-201

-

-759 

-1,385 

225 

-919 

-2,080 

-32 

-2,112 

-2,626 

-4,738

-0.13

-0.13

-0.06

-0.06

-0.07

-0.07

12,749 

-4,840 

7,909 

-1,974 

-626 

-5,492 

245 

62 

-

16 

-2,197 

-2,119 

466 

-1,839 

-3,492 

2 

-3,491 

-1,951 

-5,442 

-0.24

-0.24

-0.15

-0.15

-0.09

-0.09

The	2017	consolidated	income	statement	is	presented	to	reflect	the	impacts	of	the	application	of	IFRS	5	relative	to	discontinued	
operations, by restating the NOVAprep® activity on a single line “Loss from discontinued operations”.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December 2017  
and 31 December 2018

Loss after tax

-4,738 

-5,442 

Notes

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Actuarial	differences	IAS19R

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Translation reserves

Total comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss attributable to:

Owners of the company (*)

Amounts in ‘000 €

(*) There are no non-controlling interests. 

- 

-4 

-4,742 

-4,742 

2 

8 

-5,432 

-5,432 

05 Accounts and Notes62    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   63

Statement of financial position for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018

Statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Non-current	financial	assets

Non-current assets

Inventories and work in progress

Trade and other receivables

Tax receivables

Prepayments

Short-term investments

Cash & cash equivalents

Current assets

Assets of discontinued operations

Total assets

Bank overdrafts and current portion of long-term borrowings

Contingent consideration (current portion)

Short-term provisions

Trade and other liabilities

Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Liabilities of discontinued operations

Net current (liabilities)/assets

Borrowings and convertible bond notes

Retirement	benefit	obligations

Long-term provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Share capital

Share premium account

Own shares

Other reserves

Equity reserve

Retained losses

Total equity – owners of the company

Total equity

Amounts in ‘000 €

Notes

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

18

19

20

21

-

23

24

-

25

-

26

-

38

-

27

28

29

30

31

 - 

38

-

27

41

29

-

-

-

-

32

33

-

34

35

36

-

-

16,134 

4,944 

1,191 

234 

22,503 

2,347 

3,900 

94 

233 

10 

1,132 

7,716 

2,294 

32,513 

3,115 

1,569 

100 

4,647 

379 

9,809

85 

-2,008 

2,259 

- 

168 

54 

2,481 

12,375 

20,138 

2,511 

58,249 

-178 

-2,819 

422 

-38,047 

20,138 

20,138 

16,466 

4,840 

1,573 

238 

23,116 

1,942 

3,804 

271 

537 

10 

4,345 

10,908 

-

34,024 

2,778 

1,126 

50 

3,692 

137 

7,783

-

3,125 

1,115 

14 

158 

41 

1,327 

9,111 

24,914 

2,511 

58,281 

-176 

-2,815 

422 

-33,309 

24,914 

24,914 

Notes

Share 
capital

Share 
premium

Own  
shares

Equity 
reserves

Acquisition of 
the shares of 
Primerdesign

Translation 
reserve

Other comprehensive 
income on retirement 
benefits

Total Retained 
loss

Total  
equity

Other group reserves

1,161

47,120

-165

345

-2,948

135

-12

-2,825

-27,867

17,768

Balance at 1 
January 2017

Actuarial gains on 
retirement	benefits

Translation 
differences

-

-

Loss for the period

36

Total 
comprehensive 
income/(loss) for 
the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Issue of share capital

32, 33

1,218

9,685

Own shares acquired/
sold in the period

-

-

-

-11

Other changes

32, 33

132

1,476

-

77

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

-

8

-

-

-

2

-

-

2

-

-

-

2

8

-

-

-

2

8

-5,442

-5,442

10

-5,442

-5,432

-

-

-

-

-

-

10,903

-11

1,685

Balance at 31 
December 2017

Actuarial gains on 
retirement	benefits

Translation 
differences

-

-

Loss for the period

36

Total 
comprehensive 
income/(loss) for 
the period

Issue of share capital

32, 33

Own shares acquired/
sold in the period

-

Other changes

32, 33

Balance at 31 
December 2018 

Amounts in ‘000 €

2,511

58,281

-176

422

-2,948

143

-11

-2,815

-33,309

24,914

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-32

-

-

-

-

-

-2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 4

-

- 4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-4

-

-4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-4

-4,738

-4,738

-4,738

-4,738

-

-

-

-

-2

-32

2,511

58,249

-178

422

-2,948

139

-11

-2,819

-38,047

20,138

05 Accounts and Notes64    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   65

Statement of cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018 

1.  APPLICABLE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Notes to the Annual Accounts 

Notes

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Net cash used in operating activities

Investing activities

Purchases of patents and trademarks

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of trading investments

39 

-

-

-

Acquisition of subsidiary net of cash acquired

27, 37

Net cash used in investing activities

Investing cash flows from discontinued activities

Investing cash flows from continuing operations

Repayments of borrowings

Proceeds on issue of borrowings and bond notes

Proceeds on issue of shares

Disposal (purchase) of own shares – Net

Paid interest expenses

Net cash used in financing activities

Financing cash flows from discontinued activities

Financing cash flows from continuing operations

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year/period

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Amounts in ‘000 €

-

-

-

27 

32, 33

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-1,246 

-

-307 

-377 

2 

-2,034 

-2,716 

-130 

-2,586 

-2,561 

3,960 

- 

-2 

-632 

765 

-

765 

-3,197 

4,345 

-16 

1,132 

-4,646 

-

-64 

-914 

-101 

-1,747 

-2,826 

-97 

-2,729 

-3,296 

2,722 

11,080 

-11 

-1,506 

8,989 

-3 

8,992 

1,517 

2,856 

-27 

4,345 

Novacyt S.A is incorporated in France and its principal activities are specialising in cancer and infectious disease diagnostics.  
Its	registered	office	is	located	at	13	Avenue	Morane	Saulnier,	78140	Vélizy	Villacoublay.

The	financial	information	contained	in	this	report	comprises	the	consolidated	financial	statements	of	the	Company	and	its	
subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to collectively as “the Group”). They are prepared and presented in ‘000s of Euros.

The	consolidated	financial	statements	for	the	fiscal	year	ended	December	31,	2018	were	established	in	accordance	with	 
the international accounting standards and interpretations (IAS/IFRS) adopted by the European Union and applicable on  
December 31, 2018.

The	2018	consolidated	financial	statements	were	approved	by	the	Board	of	Directors	on	April	24,	2019.

2.  ADOPTION OF NEW STANDARDS AND AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING STANDARDS

•   Standards, interpretations and amendments to standards with mandatory application for periods beginning on or after  

1 January 2018

 - IFRS	15:	“Revenues	from	contracts	with	customers”.	This	standard	came	into	effect	on	1st	January	2018.	Its	application	had	

no impact on the way revenues are recognised by the companies of the group.

 - IFRS	9:	“Financial	instruments”.	This	standard	came	into	effect	on	1st	January	2018.	Its	application	had	no	impact	on	the	

accounts of the group.

 - Amendment to IFRS 2: “Share-based payment”.

•   Standards, interpretations and amendments to standards already published by the IASB and endorsed by the European Union 

but not yet mandatory as of 31 December 2018

 - IFRS 16 “Leases”.

The group has not elected to take early adoption of any standards or interpretations not mandatorily applicable in 2018.

A further more detailed review and analysis of the adoption of the standard will occur as part of the release of the H1 2019 
accounts and any material impacts will be highlighted.

The texts adopted by the European Union are available on the website of the European Commission at the following address: 
http://ec.europa.eu/finance/company-reporting/ifrs-financial-statements/index_en.htm

3.  SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES APPLIED BY THE GROUP

The	preparation	of	the	financial	information	under	IFRS	requires	management	to	exercise	judgement	on	the	application	of	
accounting	policies,	and	to	make	estimates	and	assumptions	that	affect	the	amounts	of	assets	and	liabilities,	and	income	and	
expenses. The underlying estimates and assumptions, made in accordance with the going concern principle, are based on past 
experience and other factors deemed reasonable in the circumstances. They serve as the basis for the exercise of judgement 
required in determining the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that cannot be obtained directly from other sources. Actual 
amounts	may	differ	from	these	estimates.	The	underlying	estimates	and	assumptions	are	reviewed	continuously.	The	impact	of	
changes	in	accounting	estimates	is	recognised	in	the	period	of	the	change	if	it	affects	only	that	period,	or	in	the	period	of	the	
change	and	subsequent	periods	if	such	periods	are	also	affected.

The	financial	information	has	been	prepared	on	the	historical	cost	basis	except	in	respect	of	those	financial	instruments	that	have	
been measured at fair value. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for the goods 
and services. 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation 
technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group takes into account the characteristics of the asset or 
liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the asset or liability at the measurement 
date.	Fair	value	for	measurement	and/or	disclosure	purposes	in	the	financial	information	is	determined	on	such	a	basis,	except	for	
leasing transactions that are within the scope of IAS 17, and measurements that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair 
value, such as net realisable value in IAS 2 or value in use in IAS 36.

05 Accounts and Notes66    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   67

The	areas	where	assumptions	and	estimates	are	material	in	relation	to	the	financial	information	are	the	measurement	of	goodwill	
resulting from the Company’s acquisition of the Lab21 subgroup and Primerdesign (see note 18), the carrying amounts and useful 
lives of intangible assets (see note 19), deferred taxes (see note 22), trade receivables (see note 24) and provisions for risks and 
other provisions related to the operating activities (see note 29).

The	accounting	policies	set	out	below	have	been	applied	consistently	to	all	periods	presented	in	the	financial	information.

Basis of consolidation

The	financial	information	includes	all	companies	under	control.	The	Company	does	not	exercise	joint	control	or	have	significant	
influence	over	other	companies.	Subsidiaries	are	consolidated	from	the	date	on	which	the	Group	obtains	effective	control.

Controlled companies are consolidated by the full consolidation method with recognition of non-controlling interests. Under IFRS 
10, an investor controls an investee when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and 
has	the	ability	to	affect	those	returns	through	its	power	over	the	investee.

When the Company has less than a majority of the voting rights of an investee, it considers that it has power over the investee 
when	the	voting	rights	are	sufficient	to	give	it	the	practical	ability	to	direct	the	relevant	activities	of	the	investee	unilaterally.	The	
Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company’s voting rights in an investee  
are	sufficient	to	give	it	power,	including:	

•  	the	size	of	the	Company’s	holding	of	voting	rights	relative	to	the	size	and	dispersion	of	holdings	of	the	other	vote	holders;	

•  potential voting rights held by the Company, other vote holders or other parties; 

•  rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and 

•   any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Company has, or does not have, the current ability to direct the 
relevant activities at the time that decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders’ meetings. 

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company  
loses	control	of	the	subsidiary.	Specifically,	the	results	of	subsidiaries	acquired	or	disposed	of	during	the	year	are	included	in	 
the consolidated income statement from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to  
control the subsidiary.

Profit	or	loss	and	each	component	of	other	comprehensive	income	are	attributed	to	the	owners	of	the	Company	and	to	the	 
non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of the subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and to  
the	non-controlling	interests	even	if	this	results	in	the	non-controlling	interests	having	a	deficit	balance.	

Where	necessary,	adjustments	are	made	to	the	financial	statements	of	subsidiaries	to	bring	the	accounting	policies	used	into	 
line with the Group’s accounting policies. 

All	intragroup	assets	and	liabilities,	equity,	income,	expenses	and	cash	flows	relating	to	transactions	between	the	members	 
of the Group are eliminated on consolidation. The Company’s scope of consolidation included the following companies,  
all fully consolidated through the current and prior year.

Companies

Interest percentage  Control percentage Consolidation method

Interest percentage  Control percentage Consolidation method

Closing

Opening

Biotec laboratories Ltd

Lab21 Healthcare Ltd

Lab21 Ltd

Microgen Bioproducts Ltd

Novacyt SA

Novacyt Asia

Novacyt China

Primerdesign Ltd

FC: Full consolidation 
NC: Not consolidated

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

100.00 % 

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

FC

Consolidation methods

The	consolidated	historical	financial	information	is	prepared	using	uniform	accounting	policies	for	transactions	and	other	similar	
events in similar circumstances.

Elimination of intercompany transactions

The intercompany balances arising from transactions between consolidated companies, as well as the transactions themselves, 
including income, expenses and dividends, are eliminated.

Translation of accounts denominated in foreign currency

The	historical	financial	information	is	presented	in	‘000	Euros.	The	financial	statements	of	companies	whose	functional	currency	 
is not the Euro are translated into Euros as follows:

•  balance sheet items are translated at the closing exchange rate, excluding equity items, which are stated at historical rates; and

•  transactions	in	the	income	statement	and	statement	of	cash	flows	are	translated	at	the	average	annual	exchange	rate.

Translation	differences	on	earnings	and	equity	are	recognised	directly	in	other	comprehensive	income	under	“Translation	reserve”	
for	the	portion	attributable	to	the	Group.	On	disposal	of	a	foreign	company,	the	translation	differences	relating	thereto	and	
recognised	in	other	comprehensive	income	are	reclassified	to	profit	or	loss.

Exchange	differences	arising	from	intragroup	balances	are	recognised	as	exchange	losses	or	gains	in	the	consolidated	 
income statement. 

Going concern

The	directors	have,	at	the	time	of	approving	the	financial	statements,	a	reasonable	expectation	that	the	Company	has	adequate	
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing	the	financial	statements.

The going concern model covers the period up to and including April 2020. In making this assessment the Directors have 
considered the following elements: 

•  the working capital requirements of the business;

•  a positive cash balance at 31 December 2018 of €1,132,000;

•  the repayment of the current bond borrowings according to the agreed repayment schedules;

•  earn out payments in respect of previous acquisitions

•   draw down of funds from time to time from the €5,000,000 convertible bond facility including the initial €2,000,000 received 

upon completion.

Further bond issuances beyond the initial €2,000,000 upon signing are dependent on certain conditions, such as a cool down 
period, average daily volume and minimum share price prior to each draw down request. The Company anticipates being able to 
draw	sufficient	funds	to	support	its	working	capital	requirements,	but	as	they	are	outside	of	the	Company’s	direct	control,	complete	
certainty cannot be given and waivers may be used where necessary. 

Additional capital receipts from the disposals of the Clinical labs and NOVAprep® businesses and the potential strategic partnering 
of	the	Primerdesign	animal	health	business	have	not	been	factored	into	the	Group’s	cash	flow	forecast.	Any	such	funds	received	
would help reduce the need and mitigate the risk of further bond issuances.

Failure to meet the conditions within the convertible bond facility could place uncertainty on the going concern principle applied in 
preparing	the	financial	statements	insofar	as	the	company	may	in	this	case	not	be	able	to	repay	its	debts	and	dispose	of	its	assets	
in the ordinary course of its business. The going concern principle applied for the period ended 31 December 2018 could in that 
case prove inappropriate.

Business combinations and measurement of goodwill

Business combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method (see IFRS 3R).

05 Accounts and Notes68    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   69

Each	time	it	takes	over	a	company	or	group	of	companies	constituting	a	business,	the	Group	identifies	and	measures	the	assets	
acquired	and	liabilities	assumed,	most	of	which	are	carried	at	fair	value.	The	difference	between	the	fair	value	of	the	consideration	
transferred, including the recognised amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the net amount recognised in 
respect	of	the	identifiable	assets	acquired	and	liabilities	assumed	measured	at	fair	value,	is	recognised	as	goodwill.

Pursuant to IFRS 3R, the Group applies the following principles: 

•  transaction costs are recognised immediately as operating expenses when incurred;

•   any purchase price adjustment of an asset or a liability assumed is estimated at fair value at the acquisition date, and the 

initial assessment may only subsequently be adjusted against goodwill in the event of new information related to facts and 
circumstances existing at the acquisition date if this assessment occurs within the 12-month allocation period after the 
acquisition	date.	Any	adjustment	of	the	financial	liability	recognised	in	respect	of	an	additional	price	subsequent	to	the	intervening	
period or not meeting these criteria is recognised in the Group’s comprehensive income;

•  any negative goodwill arising on acquisition is immediately recognised as income; and

•   for step acquisitions, the achievement of control triggers the re-measurement at fair value of the interest previously held by the 

Group	in	profit	or	loss;	loss	of	control	results	in	the	re-measurement	of	the	possible	residual	interest	at	fair	value	in	the	same	way.

For companies acquired during the year, only the results for the period following the acquisition date are included in the 
consolidated income statement.

Measurement of goodwill

Goodwill is broken down by cash-generating unit (CGU) or group of CGUs, depending on the level at which goodwill is monitored 
for	management	purposes.	In	accordance	with	IAS	36,	none	of	the	CGUs	or	groups	of	CGUs	defined	by	the	Group	are	greater	in	
size	than	an	operating	segment.

Impairment testing

Goodwill is not amortised, but is subject to impairment testing when there is an indication of loss of value, and at least once a year 
at the reporting date.

Such testing consists of comparing the carrying amount of an asset to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of an 
asset, a CGU or a group of CGUs is the greater of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. Fair value less costs to sell is 
the amount obtainable from the sale of an asset, a CGU or a group of CGUs in an arm’s length transaction between well-informed, 
willing	parties,	less	the	costs	of	disposal.	Value	in	use	is	the	present	value	of	future	cash	flows	expected	to	arise	from	an	asset,	a	
CGU or a group of CGUs.

It is not always necessary to determine both the fair value of an asset less costs to sell and its value in use. If either of these 
amounts exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the asset is not impaired and it is not necessary to estimate the other amount.

Intangible fixed assets

Customer relationships

In accordance with IFRS 3, the Company’s acquisition of Primerdesign and the Omega Infectious Diseases business resulted in 
the recognition of the value of the acquired customer base on the balance sheet. The value of these assets was determined by 
discounting the additional margin generated by customers after remuneration of the contributing assets.

Customer relationships will be amortised on a straight-line basis over nine years.

Trademark

The acquisition price of Primerdesign by the Company was also “allocated” in part to the Primerdesign trademark. The value of 
this	asset	was	determined	by	discounting	the	cash	flows	that	could	be	generated	by	licensing	the	trademark,	estimated	as	a	
percentage of revenue derived from information available on comparable assets.

The acquisition price of the Omega Infectious Diseases business by the Company led to the recognition of a number of trademarks. 
The	value	of	this	asset	was	determined	by	discounting	the	cash	flows	that	could	be	generated	by	licensing	the	trademark,	
estimated as a percentage of revenue derived from information available on comparable assets.

Both trademarks are amortised on a straight-line basis over nine years.

Other intangible assets

Intangible assets include licences recognised at cost and amortised over useful lives of between 7 and 20 years.

Intangible assets under construction

Pursuant to IAS 38, the Group capitalises development costs (external costs and personnel expenses), provided that they meet the 
following criteria:

•  the	Group	has	the	intention,	as	well	as	the	financial	and	technical	capacity,	to	complete	the	development	project;

•  the	asset	will	generate	future	economic	benefits;	and

•  the cost of the intangible asset can be measured reliably.

Assets under construction are not amortised until the development programme has been completed and the asset brought into 
use. Other research and development expenses not meeting the criteria set out above are expensed directly.

Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are recognised at their acquisition cost (purchase price plus incidental expenses and 
acquisition costs).

Depreciation and amortisation

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are depreciated or amortised on a straight-line basis, with major components 
identified	separately	where	appropriate,	based	on	the	following	estimated	useful	lives:

•  Leasehold improvements: 

Straight-line basis – 2 to 15 years

•  Trademark: 

•  Customers: 

Straight-line basis – 9 years

Straight-line basis – 9 years

•  Industrial machinery and equipment: 

Straight-line basis – 3 to 6 years

•  General	fittings,	improvements:	

Straight-line	basis	–	3	to	5	years

•  Transport equipment: 

•  Office	equipment:	

•  Computer equipment: 

Straight-line basis – 5 years

Straight-line	basis	–	3	years

Straight-line basis – 2 to 3 years

The	depreciation	or	amortisation	of	fixed	assets	begins	when	they	are	ready	for	use	and	ceases	at	their	disposal,	scrapping	or	
reclassification	as	assets	held	for	sale	in	accordance	with	IFRS	5.

Given the nature of its assets, the Group does not recognise residual value on the items of property, plant and equipment it uses.

Depreciation and amortisation methods and useful lives are reviewed at each reporting date and revised prospectively if necessary.

Asset impairment 

Depreciable	and	non-depreciable	assets	are	subject	to	impairment	testing	when	indications	of	loss	of	value	are	identified.	 
In assessing whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired, the Company considers the following external  
and internal indicators:

External indicators:

•   drop in the market value of the asset (to a greater extent than would be expected solely from the passage of time or the normal 

use of the asset);

•  	significant	changes	with	an	adverse	effect	on	the	entity,	either	having	taken	place	during	the	period	or	expected	to	occur	in	the	
near future, in the technical, economic or legal environment in which the Company operates or in which the asset is used; and

•   increases in market interest rates or other market rates of return during the year when it is likely that such increases will 

significantly	reduce	the	market	value	and/or	value	in	use	of	the	asset.

05 Accounts and Notes70    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   71

Internal indicators:

Trade receivables

•  existence of indication of obsolescence or physical damage of an asset unforeseen in the depreciation or amortisation schedule;

•  significant	changes	in	the	way	the	asset	is	used;

•  weaker-than-expected performance by the asset; and

•  significant	reduction	in	the	level	of	cash	flow	generated	by	the	asset.

If there is an indication of impairment, the recoverable amount of the asset is compared with its carrying amount. The recoverable 
amount	is	the	greater	of	fair	value	less	costs	to	sell	and	value	in	use.	Value	in	use	is	the	present	value	of	future	cash	flows	expected	
to	flow	from	an	asset	over	its	estimated	useful	life.

The	recoverable	amount	of	assets	that	do	not	generate	independent	cash	flows	is	determined	by	that	of	the	cash-generating	unit	
(CGU)	to	which	it	belongs,	a	CGU	being	the	smallest	homogeneous	group	of	identifiable	assets	generating	cash	flows	that	are	
largely independent of other assets or groups of assets.

The	carrying	amount	of	an	asset	is	its	gross	value	less,	for	depreciable	fixed	assets,	accumulated	depreciation	and	impairment	losses.

In	the	event	of	loss	of	value,	an	impairment	charge	is	recognised	in	profit	or	loss.	Impairment	is	reversed	in	the	event	of	a	change	
in the estimate of the recoverable value or if indications of loss of value disappear. Impairment is recognised under “Depreciation, 
amortisation and provisions for impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets” in the income statement.

Intangible assets not subject to amortisation are tested for impairment at least once a year.

Leases

Leases	in	which	the	Group	is	the	lessee	are	analysed	on	the	basis	of	their	substance	and	financial	reality,	and	are	classified	either	
as	operating	leases	or	finance	leases.	

Finance leases 

A	finance	lease	is	a	lease	that	transfers	substantially	all	the	risks	and	rewards	incidental	to	ownership	of	an	asset	to	the	lessee.	 
It	is	treated	as	the	acquisition	of	an	asset	by	the	lessee,	financed	by	a	loan	granted	by	the	lessor.

The	Group	does	not	have	any	finance	leases.

Operating leases 

An operating lease is a contract that does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership to the lessee. 
Lease payments under an operating lease are expensed on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term, even if payments are  
not made with the same regularity.

The	lease	agreement	for	the	Company’s	offices	in	Vélizy	has	been	analysed	as	an	operating	lease.

Trade receivables are recognised upon transfer of ownership, which generally corresponds to delivery for sales of goods and  
the rendering of the service for services. 

Receivables are recorded at their fair value, which corresponds most often to their nominal value. Receivables may be impaired  
by	means	of	a	provision,	to	take	into	account	any	difficulties	in	recovering	the	outstanding	amounts.	Provisions	for	impairment	 
are	determined	by	comparing	the	acquisition	cost	and	the	likely	realisable	value,	which	is	defined	as	the	present	value	of	the	
estimated recoverable amounts.

Trade	receivables	have	not	been	discounted,	because	the	effect	of	doing	so	would	be	immaterial.	

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents are held in order to meet short-term cash commitments rather than for investment or other purposes.  
For an investment to qualify as a cash equivalent, it must be readily convertible into a known amount of cash and be subject  
to	an	insignificant	risk	of	change	in	value.	Cash	and	cash	equivalents	comprise	cash	funds,	current	bank	accounts	and	 
marketable securities (cash Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities “UCITS”, negotiable debt securities, 
etc.) that can be liquidated or sold within a very short time (generally less than three months at the acquisition date) and which  
have a negligible risk of change in value. All such items are measured at fair value, with any adjustments are recognised in  
profit	or	loss.

Financial liabilities

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value. They are subsequently accounted for using the amortised cost method, based  
on	the	effective	interest	rate.	Under	this	principle,	any	arranging	costs	are	carried	in	the	balance	sheet	item	relating	to	the	relevant	
borrowings	and	amortised	in	financial	expense	over	the	life	of	the	loan.

Compound financial instruments 

Some	financial	instruments	contain	both	a	liability	and	an	equity	component.	This	is	notably	the	case	of	the	Obligations	 
Convertibles en Actions avec Bons de Souscription d’Actions (convertible bonds with warrants attached), “OCABSAs”,  
which are bonds convertible into shares with warrants. The various components of these instruments are accounted for and 
presented	separately	according	to	their	substance,	as	defined	in	IAS	32	“Financial	Instruments:	Disclosure	and	Presentation”.	 
The amortised cost is calculated on the basis of the liability only, once the equity component and, in this case, the embedded 
derivative have been separated.

Primerdesign contingent consideration

The Company negotiated contingent consideration for the acquisition of the Primerdesign securities with the Primerdesign’s  
former	shareholders,	subject	to	the	achievement	of	a	revenue	target.	The	final	payment	will	be	made	in	2019.

In	accordance	with	IAS	39,	the	financial	liability	has	been	re-measured	at	its	fair	value	as	of	the	balance	sheet	date	to	take	into	
account changes in the exchange rate of sterling on the one hand and the discounting of the liability on the other hand.

A	provision	for	restoration	of	leased	office	space	to	good	condition	has	been	set	aside	to	address	the	contractual	obligations	 
arising from lease contracts.

Omega ID contingent consideration

Inventories

Inventories are carried at the lesser of their acquisition cost and their recoverable amount. The acquisition cost of inventories 
includes materials and supplies, and, where applicable, personnel expenses incurred in transforming inventories into their current 
state. It is calculated using the weighted average cost method. The recoverable amount represents the estimated selling price  
less any marketing, sales and distribution expenses.

Under	the	terms	of	the	asset	purchase	agreement,	the	total	consideration	to	be	fully	satisfied	through	cash	consideration:

(i)	

£175,000	paid	after	twelve	months	upon	completion	of	technology	transfer	and;

(ii)	

	£200,000	paid	upon	the	successful	accreditation	of	the	Axminster	UK	production	facility	to	certain	standards	(expected	to	 
be achieved inside 12 months of acquisition date).

The gross value of goods and supplies includes the purchase price and incidental expenses.

Trade payables

A	provision	for	impairment,	equal	to	the	difference	between	the	gross	value	determined	in	accordance	with	the	above	terms	 
and the current market price or the realisable value less any proportional selling costs, is recognised when the gross value is  
greater than the other stated item.

Trade	payables	are	obligations	to	provide	cash	or	other	financial	assets.	They	are	recognised	in	the	balance	sheet	when	the	 
Group becomes a party to a transaction generating liabilities of this nature. Trade and other payables are recognised in the  
balance sheet at fair value on initial recognition, except if settlement is to occur more than 12 months after recognition. In such 
cases,	they	are	measured	using	the	amortised	cost	method.	The	use	of	the	effective	interest	rate	method	will	result	in	the	
recognition	of	a	financial	expense	in	the	income	statement.	Trade	and	other	payables	are	eliminated	from	the	balance	sheet	 
when the corresponding obligation is extinguished.

Trade	payables	have	not	been	discounted,	because	the	effect	of	doing	so	would	be	immaterial.	

05 Accounts and Notes72    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   73

Provisions

In accordance with IAS 37 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets”, a provision is recognised when the  
Group has a current obligation as of the reporting date in respect of a third party and it is probable or certain that there will be an 
outflow	of	resources	to	this	third	party,	without	at	least	equivalent	consideration	from	the	said	third	party.	Provisions	for	risks	and	
charges	cover	the	amount	corresponding	to	the	best	estimate	of	the	future	outflow	of	resources	required	to	settle	the	obligation.

The provisions are for the restoration of leased premises, an industrial relations litigation, and a long term management incentive plan.

Long Term Incentive Plan

Novacyt granted certain employees to purchase shares under a long term management incentive plan adopted on 1 November 2017. 
The exercise price is set at the share price on the grant date and the options will be settled in cash. The options will fully vest on the 
third anniversary of the grant date. The payment expenses are calculated under IFRS 2 “Share-based payments”. The accounting 
charge	is	spread	across	the	vesting	period	to	reflect	the	services	received	and	a	liability	recognised	on	the	balance	sheet.

Employee benefits

Group	employees	receive	short-term	benefits	(paid	leave,	sick	leave,	etc.)	and	post-employment	benefits	via	defined	contribution	
and	defined	benefit	plans	(retirement	bonuses,	pensions,	etc.).	

The analysis of the single amount is presented in the note.

This restatement, which concerns only the NOVAprep® activity, is made for both years to ensure comparability.

In	the	statement	of	cash	flows:	the	net	cash	flow	attributable	to	the	operating,	investing	and	financing	activities	of	discontinued	
operations have been disclosed separately.

In	the	statement	of	financial	position:	the	assets	and	liabilities	of	a	disposal	group	have	been	presented	separately	from	other	
assets.	The	same	applies	for	liabilities	of	a	disposal	group	classified	as	held	for	sale.

This	restatement	is	made	in	the	accounts	2018	to	reflect	the	intention	to	dispose	of	the	NOVAprep®	activity	(held	by	Novacyt	S.A.)	
and of the Clinical Lab business (held by Lab21 Ltd).

Consolidated revenue

The applicable standard is IFRS 15 “Revenues from contracts with customers”. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the 
consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course  
of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes. Revenue is reduced for estimated customer returns, rebates  
and other similar allowances.

For	defined-contribution	plans,	payments	made	by	the	Group	are	expensed	in	the	period	in	respect	of	which	they	are	due.

Sale of goods

Post-employment	benefits	relate	mainly	to	retirement	bonuses,	and	solely	cover	the	Company’s	employees.	Defined	benefits	are	
the subject of a calculation performed by an actuary, based on the following parameters:

•  retirement at the age of 64 for managers;

•  retirement at the age of 62 for non-managers;

•  wage	increases	at	a	rate	of	3%	per	annum,	i.e.	the	long-term	inflation	rate	plus	1%;

•   discount rate of 1.4% in 2017 and 1.6% in 2018, in line with the average rate of private sector bonds issued in Euros (blue chip) 

for durations equivalent to the commitments in question;

•  staff	turnover	based	on	the	Group’s	actual	experience:	projection	of	0.5	resignations	over	the	next	12	months;

•  life expectancy based on the Insee 2012-2014 mortality table; and

•  average rate of social security contributions of 40.16% in 2017 and 41.51% in 2018. 

Rights expressed as months of wages resulting from the application of national agreements and the “Pharmaceuticals, pharmacy, 
veterinary	products:	production	&	trade”	collective	agreement.	Retirement	benefits	are	expensed	when	due.	The	provision	for	this	
expense is reversed in the same period.

Following	the	announcement	of	the	disposal	of	the	NOVAprep®	activity,	the	provision	for	retirement	benefit	obligations	was	
transferred to the line “Liabilities of discontinued operations”.

Discontinued operations and assets held for sale

Discontinued operations and assets held for sale are restated in accordance with IFRS 5. 

A	discontinued	operation	is	a	component	of	an	entity	that	has	been	disposed	of	or	is	classified	as	held	for	sale,	and:

•  Represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations;

•  Is part of a plan to dispose of; or

•  Is a subsidiary acquired solely with a view to resale.

As per IFRS 5 we have presented discontinued operations as follows:

In	the	statement	of	profit	and	loss	and	other	comprehensive	income:	a	single	amount	comprising	the	total	of:

•  The	post-tax	profit	or	loss	of	the	discontinued	operation;

•  The post-tax gain or loss recognised on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell; and

•  The post-tax gain or loss recognised on the disposal of assets or the disposal group making up the discontinued operation.

Revenue	from	the	sale	of	goods	is	recognised	when	all	the	following	conditions	are	satisfied:

•  The	Group	has	transferred	to	the	buyer	the	significant	risks	and	rewards	of	ownership	of	the	goods;

•  	The	Group	retains	neither	continuing	managerial	involvement	to	the	degree	usually	associated	with	ownership	nor	effective	

control over the goods sold;

•  The amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

•  It	is	probable	that	the	economic	benefits	associated	with	the	transaction	will	flow	to	the	entity;	and

•  The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. 

The activity of NOVAprep®

All	the	revenues	generated	by	the	NOVAprep®	activity	were	reclassified	on	the	line	“Loss	from	discontinued	operations”.	 
As a result, NOVAprep® no longer contributes to the consolidated revenues of the group.

The activity of Lab21 and its subsidiaries

Lab21 provides laboratory-based diagnostic services. Revenue is recognised when the service is rendered (diagnosis made).

Lab21’s subsidiaries manufacture and sell reagents and kits for bacterial and blood tests.

Revenue is recognised upon delivery of products sold and, where appropriate, after formal customer acceptance.

Primerdesign’s activity 

Primerdesign designs, manufactures and distributes test kits for certain diseases in humans, animals and food products.  
These kits are intended for laboratory use and rely on “polymerase chain reaction” technology. Revenue is recognised when  
the test kits are sold. The company accounts for the sale of the product upon delivery.

Taxation

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

Current tax

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

05 Accounts and Notes74    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   75

Deferred tax

Deferred	tax	is	the	tax	expected	to	be	payable	or	recoverable	on	differences	between	the	carrying	amounts	of	assets	and	liabilities	
in	the	financial	statements	and	the	corresponding	tax	bases	used	in	the	computation	of	taxable	profit,	and	is	accounted	for	
using	the	balance	sheet	liability	method.	Deferred	tax	liabilities	are	generally	recognised	for	all	taxable	temporary	differences	and	
deferred	tax	assets	are	recognised	to	the	extent	that	it	is	probable	that	taxable	profits	will	be	available	against	which	deductible	
temporary	differences	can	be	utilised.	Such	assets	and	liabilities	are	not	recognised	if	the	temporary	difference	arises	from	the	
initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a 
transaction	that	affects	neither	the	taxable	profit	nor	the	accounting	profit.

Deferred	tax	liabilities	are	recognised	for	taxable	temporary	differences	arising	on	investments	in	subsidiaries	and	associates,	 
and	interests	in	joint	ventures,	except	where	the	group	is	able	to	control	the	reversal	of	the	temporary	difference	and	it	is	probable	
that	the	temporary	difference	will	not	reverse	in	the	foreseeable	future.	Deferred	tax	assets	arising	from	deductible	temporary	
differences	associated	with	such	investments	and	interests	are	only	recognised	to	the	extent	that	it	is	probable	that	there	will	be	
sufficient	taxable	profits	against	which	to	utilise	the	benefits	of	the	temporary	differences	and	they	are	expected	to	reverse	in	the	
foreseeable future.

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

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

The	measurement	of	deferred	tax	liabilities	and	assets	reflects	the	tax	consequences	that	would	follow	from	the	manner	in	which	
the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

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

Current tax and deferred tax for the year

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

Current and deferred tax

A	deferred	tax	liability	is	recognised	on	timing	differences	related	to	accelerated	depreciation.	It	only	covers	Primerdesign.

Government subsidies

Directly taxed industrial and commercial companies that record research expenditure are entitled to a tax credit in France, which 
is the case for Novacyt S.A. The tax credit is calculated per calendar year and deducted from the tax payable by the company 
in respect of the year during which research expenses were incurred. Tax credits that cannot be deducted from tax expense are 
refunded to the Company. The granting of the tax credit is independent of the Group’s tax position. The Group has accordingly 
elected to treat it as a subsidy. It appears in an item covering subsidies in the income statement. 

The	Lab21	subgroup	companies	and	Primerdesign	also	benefit	from	tax	credits	for	their	research	activities.	Such	tax	credits	are	
treated as subsidies in the income statement. 

In France, the law amending the 2012 budget introduced a new tax credit from 1 January 2013, known as the competitiveness and 
employment tax credit (crédit d’impôt pour la compétitivité et l’emploi – CICE). Its calculation is based on a portion of the salaries 
paid to employees of French companies. It is paid by the state, regardless of the position of the entity in respect of corporation tax. 
It has been decided to classify this income as a reduction in personnel expenses.

Loss per share

The	Group	reports	basic	and	diluted	losses	per	common	share.	Basic	losses	per	share	is	calculated	by	dividing	the	profit	attributable	to	
common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted	losses	per	share	is	determined	by	adjusting	the	profit	attributable	to	common	shareholders	by	the	weighted	 
average	number	of	common	shares	outstanding,	taking	into	account	the	effects	of	all	potential	dilutive	common	shares,	 
including options. These options are taken into account for the calculation of the loss per share only if their exercise  
price is higher than the market price.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are those costs or incomes that in the view of the Board of Directors, require separate disclosure by virtue  
of	their	size	or	incidence,	and	are	charged/credited	in	arriving	at	operating	profit	in	the	historical	financial	information.

The exceptional items relate to the costs in relation to the acquisition of the Omega business as shown in note 13, and other  
one-off	income	and	expenses	as	detailed	in	note	14.

Loss from discontinued operations

On	the	11th	December	2018,	Novacyt	announced	its	intention	to	sell	the	NOVAprep®	business	and	thus	is	presenting	its	financial	
results in accordance with the IFRS 5 accounting rule on discontinued operations. As a result, all revenues and charges generated 
by this activity are presented on a single line, below the net result.

4.  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATE UNCERTAINTY

The	preparation	of	the	financial	information	in	accordance	with	IFRS	requires	management	to	exercise	judgement	on	the	application	
of	accounting	policies,	and	to	make	estimates	and	assumptions	that	affect	the	amounts	of	assets	and	liabilities,	and	income	and	
expenses. The underlying estimates and assumptions, made in accordance with the going concern principle, are based on past 
experience and other factors deemed reasonable in the circumstances. They serve as the basis for the exercise of judgement 
required in determining the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that cannot be obtained directly from other sources. Actual 
amounts	may	differ	from	these	estimates.	The	underlying	estimates	and	assumptions	are	reviewed	continuously.	The	impact	of	
changes	in	accounting	estimates	is	recognised	in	the	period	of	the	change	if	it	affects	only	that	period,	or	in	the	period	of	the	
change	and	subsequent	periods	if	such	periods	are	also	affected.

Critical accounting judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies

The following is a critical judgement, apart from those involving estimations (which are dealt with separately below), that  
the	directors	have	made	in	the	process	of	applying	the	Group’s	accounting	policies	and	that	have	the	most	significant	effect	 
on	the	amounts	recognised	in	the	historical	financial	information.

Discount rate used to determine the carrying amount of the Group’s defined benefit obligation

The	Group’s	defined	benefit	obligation	is	discounted	at	a	rate	set	by	reference	to	market	yields	at	the	end	of	the	reporting	period	 
on	high	quality	corporate	bonds.	Significant	judgement	is	required	when	setting	the	criteria	for	bonds	to	be	included	in	the	
population	from	which	the	yield	curve	is	derived.	The	most	significant	criteria	considered	for	the	selection	of	bonds	include	the	 
issue	size	of	the	corporate	bonds,	quality	of	the	bonds	and	the	identification	of	outliers	which	are	excluded.

The	areas	where	assumptions	and	estimates	are	material	in	relation	to	the	historical	financial	information	are	the	measurement	 
of goodwill resulting from the Company’s acquisition of the Lab21 subgroup and Primerdesign (see note 18), the carrying amounts 
and useful lives of intangible assets (see note 19), deferred taxes (see note 22), trade receivables (see note 24) and provisions for 
risks and other provisions related to the operating activities (see note 29).

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The Group has a number of key sources of estimation uncertainty as listed below. Of these items only the measurement of 
goodwill, the measurement of useful lives of intangible assets, measurement of fair value of assets and liabilities in business 
combinations, recognition of deferred taxes and the value trade and other receivables are considered likely to give material 
adjustment. Others are areas of estimates not material. 

Measurement of goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis. The recoverable amount of goodwill is determined mainly on the basis  
of	forecasts	of	future	cash	flows.

The	total	amount	of	anticipated	cash	flows	reflects	management’s	best	estimate	of	the	future	benefits	and	liabilities	expected	 
for the relevant cash-generating unit (CGU).

05 Accounts and Notes76    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   77

Goodwill Lab21

Impairment of goodwill

Net value

Goodwill Primerdesign

Impairment of goodwill

Net value

Goodwill Omega ID

Impairment of goodwill

Net value

Total Goodwill

Amounts in ‘000 €

The assumptions used and the resulting estimates sometimes cover very long periods, taking into account the technological, 
commercial and contractual constraints associated with each CGU.

These estimates are mainly subject to assumptions in terms of volumes, selling prices and related production costs, and the 
exchange rates of the currencies in which sales and purchases are denominated. They are also subject to the discount rate used 
for each CGU.

The value of the goodwill is tested whenever there are indications of impairment and reviewed at each annual closing date or more 
frequently	should	this	be	justified	by	internal	or	external	events.

The carrying amount of goodwill at the balance sheet and related impairment loss over the periods are shown below:

 Year ended 31 December 2018

 Year ended 31 December 2017

Customer relationships are amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of nine years, estimated as its useful life. It is also tested 
for	impairment.	Its	recoverable	amount	is	determined	on	the	basis	of	forecasts	of	future	cash	flows	over	an	estimated	period	of	
time.	The	total	amount	of	anticipated	cash	flows	reflects	management’s	best	estimate	of	the	future	benefits	and	liabilities	expected	
from customer relationships. 

The assumptions used and the resulting estimates are subject to assumptions in respect of the discount rate, additional margin 
generated by customers after remuneration of contributing assets and useful lives.

The carrying amount of the customer relationships at 31 December 2018 is €3,823,000 including the new customer relationships from 
the Omega business acquired on 2018 for €1,291,000, and after amortisation of €1,144,000 recognised in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Business combinations

As	part	of	the	acquisitions	of	Lab21	and	Primerdesign,	the	identifiable	assets	and	liabilities	acquired,	including	intangible	assets,	
were recognised at their fair value in accordance with IFRS 3 ‘Business combinations’. The determination of the fair values on 
acquired assets and liabilities is based to a considerable extent, on management’s estimation.

Deferred taxes

Deferred	tax	assets	are	recognised	only	insofar	as	it	is	probable	that	the	Group	will	have	future	taxable	profits	against	which	the	
corresponding	temporary	difference	can	be	offset.	Deferred	tax	assets	are	reviewed	at	each	balance	sheet	date	and	impaired	in	 
the event of a risk of non-recovery.

For deferred tax assets on tax loss carry forwards, the Group uses a multi-criteria approach that takes into account the recovery 
timeframe based on the strategic plan, but which also factors in the strategy for the long-term recovery of tax losses in each country.

On the basis of the analysis performed, considering that the deferred tax losses could not be used within a reasonable period  
of time, the Group has decided not to recognise any deferred tax asset.

Trade and other receivables

17,709

-9,101

8,608

7,210

-

7,210

316

-

316 

19,042

-9,786

9,256

7,210

-

7,210

-

-

-

16,134 

16,466

An estimate of the risks of non-receipt based on commercial information, current economic trends and the solvency of individual 
customers is made in order to determine the need for impairment on a customer-by-customer basis. 

Measurement and useful lives of intangible assets

Other	intangible	assets	(except	for	goodwill)	are	considered	to	have	a	finite	economic	useful	life.	They	are	amortised	over	their	estimated	
useful lives that are reviewed at each reporting date. In the event of impairment, an estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount is made.

The main intangible assets requiring estimates and assumptions are the Primerdesign and Omega trademarks and the customer 
relationships attached to the two businesses.

The value of the intangible assets is tested whenever there are indications of impairment and reviewed at each annual closing date 
or	more	frequently	should	this	be	justified	by	internal	or	external	events.

Trademark

The	value	of	this	asset	was	determined	by	discounting	the	cash	flows	that	could	be	generated	by	licensing	the	trademark,	
estimated as a percentage of revenue derived from information available on comparable assets.

This asset is amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of nine years, estimated as its useful life. It is also tested for 
impairment.	Its	recoverable	amount	is	determined	on	the	basis	of	forecasts	of	future	cash	flows.	The	total	amount	of	anticipated	
cash	flows	reflects	management’s	best	estimate	of	the	future	benefits	and	liabilities	expected	from	the	operation	of	the	trademark.

The assumptions used and the resulting estimates are subject to discount rate, percentage of revenue and useful life assumptions.

The carrying amount of the trademarks at 31 December 2018 is €700,000 including the new trademark from the Omega business 
acquired on 2018 for €246,000 and after an amortisation of €205,000 recognised in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Customer relationships

The value of this asset was determined by discounting the additional margin generated by customers after remuneration of the 
contributing assets.

Provisions

The carrying amount of provisions as at 31 December 2017 and 2018 are as per the table below:

Retirement	benefit	obligations

Provisions for restoration of premises

Long term management incentive plan

Provisions for litigation

Total Provisions

Amounts in ‘000 €

 Year ended 31 December 2018

 Year ended 31 December 2017

- 

148 

20

100 

268 

14 

140 

18 

50 

222 

Pensions and other post-employment benefits

The Group’s assessment of the assets and liabilities relating to pension liabilities and other post-employment commitments requires 
the use of statistical data and other parameters designed to anticipate future developments. These parameters include actuarial 
assumptions such as the discount rate, the rate of wage increases, the retirement date, and the turnover and mortality rates. 
Actuarial	calculations	are	performed	by	actuaries	independently	of	the	Group.	At	the	date	of	preparation	of	the	financial	information,	
the	Group	considers	that	the	assumptions	used	to	evaluate	these	commitments	are	appropriate	and	justified.

Provisions for restoration of premises

The amount of provisions is determined by management on the basis of available information, experience and, in some cases, 
expert estimates.

05 Accounts and Notes78    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   79

When	these	obligations	are	settled,	the	amount	of	the	costs	or	penalties	that	are	ultimately	incurred	or	paid	may	differ	significantly	from	
the	amounts	initially	provisioned	and	regularly	reviewed,	and	may	therefore	have	a	significant	effect	on	the	Group’s	future	results.

To the Group’s knowledge, there is no indication to date that the parameters adopted as a whole are not appropriate, and there are 
no	known	developments	that	could	significantly	affect	the	amounts	of	provisions.

Litigations

Certain of the Group’s subsidiaries may be party to regulatory, judicial or arbitration proceedings that, in view of the relating 
uncertainties,	may	have	a	material	impact	on	the	Group’s	financial	position.

The Group’s management lists current proceedings, regularly reviews their progress and assesses the need to establish appropriate 
provisions or to change their amount if the occurrence of events during the course of the proceedings necessitates a reassessment 
of the risk. Internal or external advisors are involved in determining the costs that may be incurred.

The	Group	has	identified	three	operating	segments,	whose	performances	and	resources	are	monitored	separately:

Corporate and Cytology

Previously, this segment represented the NOVAprep® and French Group central costs. Following the announcement of the sale 
proceedings for NOVAprep®, this segment now only shows the French Group central costs and the results of NOVAprep® are 
shown in a single line – Discontinued Operations.

Corporate and Diagnostics 

This segment corresponds to diagnostic activities in laboratories, and the manufacturing and distribution of reagents and kits  
for bacterial and blood tests. This is the activity conducted by Lab21 and its subsidiaries. This segment also includes UK Group 
central costs.

Molecular testing

The decision to set aside provisions to cover a risk and the amount of such provisions are based on the risk assessment  
on a case-by-case basis, management’s assessment of the unfavourable nature of the outcome of the proceeding in question 
(probability) and the ability to reliably estimate the associated amount.

This segment represents the activities of recently acquired Primerdesign, which designs, manufactures and distributes test kits for 
certain diseases in humans, animals and food products. These kits are intended for laboratory use and rely on “polymerase chain 
reaction” technology.

5.  REVENUE

The table below shows revenue from ordinary operations:

The	Chief	Operating	Decision	Maker	is	the	Chief	Executive	Officer.	

Reliance on major customers

The Group is not dependent on a particular customer, there are no customers generating sales accounting for over 10% of revenue.

Manufactured goods

Services

Traded goods

Other

Total Revenue

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

12,537 

754 

77 

354 

13,721 

11,345 

 1,015 

59 

330 

12,749 

A portion of the Group’s revenue is generated in foreign currencies (particularly in sterling). The group has not hedged against the 
associated currency risk.

The breakdown of revenue by operating segment and geographic area is presented in note 6.

6.  OPERATING SEGMENTS

Segment reporting

Breakdown of revenue by operating segment and geographical area

At 31 December 2018

Geographical area 

 Corporate & Cytology 

Corporate & Diagnostics 

Molecular Products

Africa 

Europe 

Asia-Pacific	

America

Middle East 

Revenue 

Amounts in ‘000 €

At 31 December 2017

715 

3,304 

1,738 

795 

951 

7,502 

285 

2,811 

1,282 

1,578 

262 

6,218 

Pursuant to IFRS 8, an operating segment is a component of an entity:

Geographical area 

Corporate & Cytology 

Corporate & Diagnostics 

Molecular Products 

•   that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses 

relating to transactions with other components of the same entity);

•   whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Group’s chief executive and the managers of the various entities to make 

decisions regarding the allocation of resources to the segment and to assess its performance;

•  	for	which	discrete	financial	information	is	available.

Africa 

Europe 

Asia-Pacific	

America

Middle East 

Revenue 

Amounts in ‘000 €

299

3,347

1,608

661

739

6,655

363

2,531

1,656

1,192

352

6,095

 Total 

1,000 

6,115 

3,020 

2,372 

1,213 

13,721 

 Total 

662 

5,878 

3,265 

1,853 

1,091 

12,749 

05 Accounts and Notes80    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   81

Breakdown of result by operating segment

Year ended 31 December 2018

 Corporate & Cytology 

Corporate & Diagnostics

 Molecular Products

Revenue

Cost of sales

Sales and marketing costs

Research and development

General & administrative expenses

Governmental subsidies

Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

Financial income

Financial expense

Profit/(Loss) before tax

Tax (expense)/credit

Loss from discontinued activities

Profit/(Loss) after tax

Attributable to owners of the company

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue

Cost of sales

Sales and marketing costs

Research and development

General & administrative expenses

Governmental subsidies

Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

Financial income

Financial expense

Profit/(Loss) before tax

Tax (expense)/credit

Loss from discontinued activities

Profit/(Loss) after tax

Attributable to owners of the company

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Amounts in ‘000 €

-

-

-

-

-959

-

-959

-

-526

-1,486

290

-736

-1,931

-

-2,626

-4,557

-4,557

 - 

7,503

-4,147

-1,152

-162

-2,635

75

-519

-

-337

-856

-144

-180

-1,181

 - 

-

-1,181

-1,181

 - 

6,219

-969

-1,302

-244

-2,525

-125

1,054

-

-97

957

79

-4

1,032

-32

-

1,001

1,001

 - 

 Corporate & Cytology 

Corporate & Diagnostics

 Molecular Products

-

-

-

-

-849

-

-849

16

-1 661

-2 494

556

-1 564

-3 502

-2

-1 951

-5 455

-5 455

 - 

6 654

-3 671

-1 015

-113

-2 364

119

-391

-

-503

-894

-99

-257

-1 249

 - 

-

-1 249

-1 249

 - 

6 095

-1 170

-959

-513

-2 279

127

1 301

-

-33

1 268

9

-18

1 259

3

-

1 262

1 262

 - 

Total 

13,721

-5,116

-2,454

-406

-6,119

-51

-425

-

-960

-1,385

225

-919

-2,080

-32

-2,626

-4,738

-4,738

 - 

Total 

12 749

-4 840

-1 974

-626

-5 492

245

62

16

-2 197

-2 119

466

-1 839

-3 492

2

-1 951

-5 442

-5 442

 - 

The	2017	consolidated	income	statement	is	presented	to	reflect	the	impacts	of	the	application	of	IFRS	5	relative	to	discontinued	
operations, by restating the NOVAprep® activity on a single line “Loss from discontinued operations”.

Segment assets and liabilities are not reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker on a segmental basis and are therefore  
not disclosed.

7.  COST OF SALES

Purchases and movement in inventories of raw materials and other supplies

Purchases and movement in inventories of traded goods

Movement	in	finished	goods	and	work	in	progress

Change in stock provision

Non-stock items and supplies

Freight costs

Direct labour

Other

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

8.  SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES

Remuneration of intermediaries and fees

Advertising expenses

Distribution expenses

Employee compensation and social security contributions

Travel and entertainment expenses

Other sales and marketing expenses

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

9.  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

Employee compensation and social security contributions

Other expenses 

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

 3,804 

64 

- 628 

- 2 

68 

177 

 1,584 

50 

 5,116 

 3,382 

- 163 

- 59 

- 17 

18 

165 

 1,331 

45 

 4,840 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

25 

 252 

 344 

1,470 

 218 

 146 

2,454 

 140 

 231 

 289 

1,099 

 195 

20 

1,974 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

328 

78 

406 

539 

88 

626 

05 Accounts and Notes82    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   83

10. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

14. OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Purchases of non-stored raw materials and supplies

Subcontracting

Lease and similar payments

Maintenance and repairs

Insurance premiums

Legal and professional fees

Travel and entertainment expenses

Banking services

Employee compensation and social security contributions

Allowances to and reversals of depreciation, amortisation and provisions

Other general and administrative expenses

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

11. EMPLOYEE BUSINESS UNIT SPLIT

243

 49 

 418 

 136 

 110 

 875 

 145 

 66 

 2,520 

 1,030 

 527 

 6,119 

 224 

 41 

 408 

 131 

 135 

 674 

 151 

 61 

 2,286 

744 

 637 

 5,492

Other operating income

Other operating income

Provision for litigation with employees

Restructuring expenses

Business sale expenses

Acquisition related expenses

IPO preparation

Relocation expenses

Other expenses

Other operating expenses

Amounts in ‘000 €

- 

- 

- 46

- 183

 104

379

- 87

-

- 161

- 960 

16 

16 

- 171 

- 78 

-

-

-1,631 

- 176 

- 141 

-2,197 

The restructuring expenses of €78,000 in the year ended 31 December 2017 and €183,000 in the period ended 31 December 
2018 relate to redundancy payments made to employees in relation to restructuring taken place during this period.

The IPO preparation expenses of €1,631,000 in the year ended 31 December 2017 and €87,000 in the period ended 31 December 
2018 relate to the fees incurred in preparation for the company’s AIM listing in late 2017.

The breakdown of employees (including executive directors) between the three segments as of the reporting date is as follows:

15. FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSES

The breakdown of employees (including executive directors) between the three segments as of the reporting date is as follows:

 Year ended 31 December 2018

 Year ended 31 December 2017

Corporate & Cytology 

Corporate & Diagnostics 

Molecular Products 

Total

12. GOVERNMENTAL SUBSIDIES

0

65

46

111

0

62

38

100

Directly taxed industrial and commercial companies that record research expenditure are entitled to a tax credit in France, which is 
the	case	of	Novacyt	S.A.	Other	companies	within	the	Group,	located	chiefly	in	the	United	Kingdom,	benefit	from	a	similar	scheme.	
The tax credit is calculated per calendar year and deducted from the tax payable by the company in respect of the year during 
which research expenses were incurred. Tax credits that cannot be deducted from tax expense are refunded to the company.  
The granting of the tax credit is independent of the Group’s tax position. 

This tax credit is treated as an operating subsidy or, more exactly, as a governmental subsidy.

Exchange gains

Change in fair value of options

Other	financial	income

Financial income

Interest on loans 

Exchange losses

Contingent consideration

Other	financial	expense

Financial expense

Amounts in ‘000 €

Financial income

Exchange gains

 Year ended 31 December 2018

 Year ended 31 December 2017

102 

122 

-

225 

- 682 

- 190 

- 

- 47 

-919 

287 

140 

39 

466 

- 1,202 

- 251 

- 386 

- 

-1,839 

Government subsidies

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

13. COSTS RELATED TO ACQUISITIONS

 Year ended 31 December 2018

 Year ended 31 December 2017

- 51

- 51

245

245

Exchange gains resulted from recurring operations and from variations in sterling on the contingent consideration liability  
related to the Primerdesign acquisition.

Change in fair value of options 

The December 2017 balance relates to the revaluation of the Primerdesign warrants liability from €266,000 to €126,000.

The December 2018 balance relates to the revaluation of the Primerdesign warrants liability from €126,000 to €5,000.

On 28 June 2018, the UK Company Lab21 Healthcare Ltd completed an asset purchase agreement for the Infection Diseases 
business of the company called Omega Diagnostics Ltd. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under IFRS, 
accordingly, the costs related to the acquisition of €201,000 was expensed.

05 Accounts and Notes84    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   85

Financial expense

Interest on loans

The interest charge is mainly related to the Kreos and Vatel bond notes.

Exchange losses

Exchange losses in 2017 and 2018 were mainly those recorded by the British company Lab21 Ltd on its operations  
and relate to the monthly revaluation of the Novacyt loan in Lab21 Ltd’s books.

Contingent consideration

The contingent consideration in 2017 relates to the discounting of the contingent consideration liability in favour of  
Primerdesign shareholders.

16.  INCOME TAX

Corporation tax:

Current year

Adjustment in respect of prior years

Deferred tax

Total tax expenses for the year/period

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

- 32

 -

 -

- 32 

2 

-

-

2 

17. LOSS PER SHARE

Loss per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per 
share is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding and the number of shares issuable as a result  
of	the	conversion	of	dilutive	financial	instruments.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Net loss attributable to owners of the company

Impact of dilutive instruments

Net loss attributable to owners of the company

Weighted average number of shares

Impact of dilutive instruments

Weighted average number of diluted shares

Earnings per share (in Euros)

Diluted earnings per share (in Euros)

Loss per share from the continuing operations (in Euros)

Diluted loss per share from the continuing operations (in Euros)

Loss per share from the discontinued operations (in Euros)

Diluted Loss per share from the discontinued operations (in Euros)

Amounts in ‘000 €

- 4,738 

 - 

- 4,738 

37,664,342 

 - 

37,664,342 

- 0.13 

- 0.13 

- 0.06 

- 0.06 

- 0.07 

- 0.07 

- 5,442 

 - 

- 5,442 

23,075,634 

 - 

23,075,634 

- 0.24 

- 0.24 

- 0.15 

- 0.15 

- 0.09 

- 0.09 

The	charge	for	the	year/period	can	be	reconciled	to	the	profit	in	the	income	statement	as	follows:

Pursuant to IAS 33, options whose exercise price is higher than the value of the Company’s security were not taken into account in 
determining	the	effect	of	dilutive	instruments.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

18. GOODWILL

Result/(Loss) before taxation

Tax at the French corporation tax rate (2018: 28%, 2017: 33.33%)

Impact of the accelerated tax depreciation

Effect	of	non-deductible	expenses

Other	timing	differences

Tax losses utilised

Impact of the tax group

Research tax expenditure enhancement

Research tax credits

Losses not recognised for deferred tax

Effect	of	different	tax	rate	of	subsidiaries	operator	of	other	jurisdictions

Total tax expense/income for the year

Amounts in ‘000 €

-4,708

-1,318

-17

10

15

-

-159

-120

32

1,454

71

-32

-5,444

-1,815

17

-523

140

-

-

-

-191

2,082

293

2

As	at	31	December	2018	the	Group	has	unused	tax	losses	of	€55,591,000	(2017:	€48,118,000)	available	for	offset	against	future	
profits.	No	deferred	tax	asset	has	been	recognised	in	respect	of	such	losses	since	visibility	as	to	when	taxable	profits	are	available	
is	insufficient.

The main consolidated companies do not pay income taxes, but receive tax credits for their research and development 
expenditures. These tax credits are recorded as “governmental subsidies” in the consolidated income statement.

Goodwill	is	the	difference	recognised,	upon	consolidation	of	a	company,	between	the	fair	value	of	the	purchase	price	of	its	shares	
and the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed, measured in accordance with IFRS 3.

Cost

At 31 December 2016

Recognised on acquisition of a subsidiary

At 31 December 2017

Recognised on acquisition of the Omega Infectious Diseases business

Exchange	differences

Transferred to the line “Discontinued activities”

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated impairment losses

At 31 December 2016

Exchange	differences

Impairment losses for the period

Eliminated on disposal of a subsidiary

At 31 December 2017

Exchange	differences

Impairment losses for the period

Transferred to the line “Discontinued activities”

At 31 December 2018

Carrying value at 31 December 2016

Carrying value at 31 December 2017

Carrying value at 31 December 2018

Amounts in ‘000 €

€

26,252

-

26,252

322

-6

-1,333

25,235

9,786

-

-

-

9,786

-

-

-685

9,101

16,466

16,466

16,134

05 Accounts and Notes 
86    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   87

Omega

On 28 June 2018, the UK Company Lab21 Healthcare Ltd completed an asset purchase agreement for the Infectious Diseases 
business of the company called Omega Diagnostics Ltd. The Infectious Diseases business specialises in the manufacture of a 
range of diagnostic kits, in particular for syphilis and febrile antigens, as well as a range of latex serology tests for rheumatoid factor, 
C-reactive protein, antistreptolysin and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Under IFRS requirements, this acquisition is considered as a business. It includes various assets, such as equipment, stock, 
trademarks and patents. It also includes two employees, whose employment contracts were transferred to Lab21 Healthcare Ltd 
via the TUPE process under which employees in the UK transfer with the activity on the same employment terms.

The	purchase	price	was	£2,175,000	(€2,456,000)	broken	down	as	follows:

Cash disbursed 
Deferred consideration for successfully supporting and handling over manufacturing 
Deferred consideration for successfully achieving a Category 3 facility accreditation 
Total purchase price 

The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are as follows: 

Net property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
Inventories 
Customer relationship 
Trademark 
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed 

Goodwill 

€2,032,000 
€198,000 
€226,000 
€2,456,000

€46,000 
€523,000 
€1,314,000 
€251,000 
€2,134,000

€322,000

Goodwill	is	a	residual	component	calculated	as	the	difference	between	the	purchase	price	for	the	acquisition	of	control	and	the	fair	
value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. It includes unrecognised assets such as the value of the personnel and know-
how of the acquiree.

The value of “customer relationships” was determined by discounting the additional margin generated by customers after 
remuneration of the contributing assets.

The	value	of	the	trademark	was	determined	by	discounting	the	cash	flows	that	could	be	generated	by	licensing	the	Omega	
trademark, estimated as a percentage of revenue derived from information available on comparable assets.

IFRS	3	provides	for	a	period	of	12	months	from	the	takeover	to	complete	the	identification	and	measurement	of	the	fair	value	of	
assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Therefore, until May 2019, the gross amount of goodwill is subject to adjustment.

Lab21

The	impairment	testing	of	the	CGU	as	of	31	December	2018	was	conducted	by	the	DCF	(discounted	cash	flow)	method,	with	the	
key assumptions as follows:

•  Five-year business plan

•  Extrapolation	of	cash	flows	beyond	five	years	based	on	a	growth	rate	of	1.5%

•   Discount rate corresponding to the expected rate of return on the market for a similar investment, regardless of funding sources, 

equal to 15%.

The implementation of this approach demonstrated that the value of the Enterprise Value amounted to €12,534,000, which is 
greater than the carrying amount of this asset. As such, no impairment was recognised in the year ended 31 December 2018.

Sensitivity of the value derived from the Discounted Cash Flow model to change in the assumptions used  
for Lab21 acquisition

s
e
t
a
r
C
C
A
W

12,534 

12.5%

13.0%

13.5%

14.0%

14.5%

15.0%

15.5%

16.0%

16.5%

0.0%

14,336

13,735

13,179

12,663

12,183

11,737

11,319

10,929

10,562

0.5%

14,731

14,093

13,503

12,959

12,454

11,984

11,546

11,137

10,755

Terminal growth rates

1.0%

15,161

14,480

13,854

13,277

12,744

12,249

11,789

11,360

10,959

1.5%

15,630

14,901

14,234

13,621

13,056

12,534

12,049

11,598

11,178

2.0%

16,143

15,361

14,648

13,994

13,394

12,840

12,328

11,853

11,411

2.5%

16,708

15,864

15,098

14,399

13,759

13,171

12,629

12,127

11,662

3.0%

17,332

16,418

15,592

14,841

14,157

13,530

12,954

12,422

11,931

This	sensitivity	table	shows	the	difference	in	the	recoverable	amounts	of	the	Enterprise	Value	depending	on	change	in	the	discount	
rate (WACC) and the perpetual growth rate. The sensitivity analysis shows that an increase of 1 percent in the WACC would not 
result in the need to impair the Lab21 goodwill.

Primerdesign

The	impairment	testing	of	the	CGU	as	of	31	December	2018	was	conducted	by	the	DCF	(discounted	cash	flow)	method,	with	the	
key assumptions as follows:

•  Five-year business plan

•  Extrapolation	of	cash	flows	beyond	five	years	based	on	a	growth	rate	of	1.5%

•   Discount rate corresponding to the expected rate of return on the market for a similar investment, regardless of funding sources, 

equal to 19.8%.

The implementation of this approach demonstrated that the value of the Enterprise Value amounted to €22,830,000 which is 
greater than the carrying amount of this asset. As such, no impairment was recognised in the year ended 31 December 2018.

Sensitivity of the value derived from the Discounted Cash Flow model to change in the assumptions used for 
Primerdesign acquisition

s
e
t
a
r
C
C
A
W

22,830

15.0%

16.0%

17.0%

18.0%

19.0%

19.8%

20.0%

21.0%

22.0%

0.0%

25,577

24,769

24,058

23,428

22,866

22,458

22,362

21,907

21,495

0.5%

25,824

24,977

24,235

23,580

22,997

22,576

22,476

22,007

21,583

Terminal growth rates

1.0%

26,089

25,200

24,424

23,742

23,136

22,700

22,596

22,112

21,675

1.5%

26,374

25,438

24,625

23,913

23,283

22,830

22,723

22,222

21,771

2.0%

26,680

25,693

24,840

24,095

23,439

22,968

22,857

22,338

21,872

2.5%

27,011

25,967

25,069

24,288

23,604

23,114

22,999

22,460

21,978

3.0%

27,370

26,262

25,314

24,495

23,779

23,268

23,148

22,589

22,090

This	sensitivity	table	shows	the	difference	in	the	recoverable	amounts	of	the	Enterprise	Value	depending	on	change	in	the	discount	
rate (WACC) and the perpetual growth rate. The sensitivity analysis shows that an increase of 1 percent in the WACC would not 
result in the need to impair the Primerdesign goodwill.

05 Accounts and Notes 
 
88    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   89

19. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

20. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Disposals

Reclass

Charge for 
the period

Effect of foreign 
exchange rate changes

At 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Disposals

Charge for 
the period

Effect of foreign 
exchange rate changes

Reclass & 
transfers

At 31 December 2018

Cost

Development costs

Concessions, patents and similar rights

Software

Trademark

Customer base

Other intangible assets

Amortisation

Development costs

Concessions, patents and similar rights

Software

Trademarks

Customer base

Other intangible assets

199 

1,810 

164 

659 

139

82

87

251

3,676 

1,316

113 

-

-

-

-44

-

-

-

111

-1,789

67

-

-

-114

6,622 

1,874

-44

-1,725

- 60 

- 785 

- 137 

- 119 

- 664 

- 18 

- 1,783 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

41

-

-

-

41

-3

-15

929

-36

-

-

18

896

-829

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-54

-222

-58

-87

-481

-

-902

-902

-8

-2

-3

-5

-25

-

-42

2

1

2

-

1

-

7

-35

441

101

271

905

4,907

-

6,685

-126

-77

-189

-205

-1,144

-

-1,741

4,944

Cost

Technical facilities, equipment and tools

2,339 

290 

Office	equipment

Transport equipment

Computer equipment

Leasehold improvements

Property, plant and equipment  
under construction

197 

36 

303 

1,030 

348 

3 

1 

74 

54 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 1 

- 129 

- 348 

4,254 

423 

- 478 

Accumulated depreciation 

Technical facilities, equipment and tools

- 1,723 

Office	equipment

Transport equipment

Computer equipment

Leasehold improvements 

Tangible assets under construction

- 74 

- 24 

- 254 

- 258 

- 348 

- 2,681 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Carrying amount

1,573 

423 

Amounts in ‘000 €

- 

- 

- 

1 

129 

348 

478 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 287 

- 15 

- 6 

- 44 

- 141 

- 

- 493 

- 493 

- 17 

- 1,503 

- 

- 

- 5 

- 16 

- 

- 147 

- 35 

- 57 

79 

- 

- 39 

- 1,663 

12 

1,228 

1 

-

4 

4 

- 

41 

29 

45 

26 

- 

20 

- 18 

1,369 

- 293 

1,109 

53 

2 

314 

1,019 

- 

2,497 

- 771 

- 47 

- 1 

- 247 

- 241 

- 

- 1,306 

1,191 

Carrying amount

4,840 

1,874

Amounts in ‘000 €

At 1 January 2017

Additions

Disposals

Reclass

Charge for 
the period

Effect of foreign 
exchange rate changes

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2017

Additions

Disposals

Charge for 
the period

Effect of foreign 
exchange rate changes

Reclass & 
transfers

At 31 December 2017

Cost

Development costs

Concessions, patents and similar rights

Software

Trademark

Customer base

Other intangible assets

Amortisation

Development costs

Concessions, patents and similar rights

Software

Trademarks

Customer base

Other intangible assets

207 

1,700 

141 

659 

3,676 

43 

6,426 

- 20 

- 603 

- 126 

- 46 

- 255 

- 43 

- 1,093 

- 

72 

29 

- 

- 

112 

212 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Carrying amount

5,333 

212 

Amounts in ‘000 €

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

39 

- 

-

-

- 39 

- 

-

-39

-

- 

-

39 

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 41 

- 144 

- 16 

- 73 

- 409 

- 15 

 - 698 

- 698 

- 7 

- 2 

- 5 

-

-

- 2 

- 17 

1

2

5

- 

- 

1

9 

- 

199 

1,810 

164 

659 

3,676 

113 

6,622 

- 60 

- 785 

- 137 

- 119 

- 664 

- 18 

- 1,783 

4,840 

Cost

Technical facilities, equipment and tools

2,304

Office	equipment

Transport equipment

Computer equipment

Leasehold improvements

Property, plant and equipment  
under construction

45

47

271

513

348

3,528

Accumulated depreciation 

Technical facilities, equipment and tools

-1,216

Office	equipment

Transport equipment

Computer equipment

Leasehold improvements 

Tangible assets under construction

Carrying amount

Amounts in ‘000 €

-40

-13

-582

-233

-348

-2,432

1,096

159

121

2

41

591

-

914

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

914

- 86

- 9

-13

-

- 5

-

-113

75

9

13

-

5

-

102

-11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 275

- 25

- 7

- 30

- 58

-

- 396

- 396

- 38

- 3

- 

- 9

- 24

-

- 75

27

2

-

8

8

- 

45

- 30

-

43

-

-

- 43

-

-

-

- 21

-

-

21

-

-

-

2,339

197

36

303

1,030

348

4,254

- 1,723

- 74

- 24

- 254

- 258

- 348

-2,681

1,573

05 Accounts and Notes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
90    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   91

21. NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

Amount receivable from the sale of goods can be analysed as follows:

 Year ended 31 December 2018 

 Year ended 31 December 2017 

Year ended 31 December 2018 

Year ended 31 December 2017

Rental deposits

Liquidity contract

Guarantee deposit - Distributor in China

Other

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

22. DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

127 

9 

94 

4 

234 

131 

9 

94 

4 

238 

Most of the Group’s major companies has tax loss carry forwards. Their period of use is unlimited. No deferred tax assets  
have been recognised in the accounts since visibility as to when it will be possible to utilise the carry forwards against taxable 
profits	is	insufficient.

The following table shows the deferred tax assets not presented in the balance sheet.

Amount receivable not past due 

Amount receivable past due but not impaired 

Amount receivable impaired (gross)

Less impairment 

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables

Not more than 3 months 

More than 3 months but not more than 6 months

Year ended 31 December 2018 

Year ended 31 December 2017 

More than 6 months but not more than 1 year

8,386

4,637

913

83

14,019

6,975

4,698

1,172

47

12,892

More than 1 year

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

1,481 

1,805 

 47 

- 47 

3,285 

1,021 

1,998 

 92 

- 92 

3,019 

Year ended 31 December 2018 

Year ended 31 December 2017

1,059 

65 

69 

612 

1,805 

1,707 

159 

37 

94 

1,998 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

92 

39 

25 

- 55 

- 4 

- 

47 

140 

86 

-5 

- 124 

- 

 - 6 

92 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

233 

233 

537 

537 

Ageing of past due and impaired receivables

Balance at the beginning of the period

Impairment losses recognised

Amounts	written	off	during	the	year	as	uncollectible

Amounts recovered during the year

Impairment losses reversed

Foreign exchange translation gains and losses

Balance at the end of the period

Amounts in ‘000 €

25. PREPAYMENTS

Prepaid expenses

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017 

 1,044 

564 

739 

- 

- 

 2,347 

931 

135 

562 

316 

- 2 

 1,942 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

 3,332 

- 47 

98 

492 

24 

 3,900 

 3,111 

- 92 

117 

489 

180 

 3,804 

The 2017 balance includes a €195,000 prepayment for Q16 instruments in the Primerdesign business in the UK to ensure that the 
expected	2018	sales	demand	is	met.	The	2018	balance	of	€233,000	does	not	include	any	one-offs	like	2017	and	covers	items	
such as rent, insurances and prepaid support agreements.

Novacyt

Lab21 Ltd

Lab Healthcare Ltd

Microgen Bioproducts Ltd

Total unrecognised deferred tax assets

Amounts in ‘000 €

23. INVENTORIES AND WORK IN PROGRESS

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods

Traded goods

Stock provisions

Total Inventories

Amounts in ‘000 €

24. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables

Allowance for doubtful debts

Accrued income

Tax receivables (excluding income tax)

Other receivables

Total Trade and other receivables

Amounts in ‘000 €

05 Accounts and Notes92    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   93

26. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The net cash available to the Group includes the following items:

Year ended 31 December 2018 

Year ended 31 December 2017

Money market deposits

Available cash

Cash and cash equivalents

Amounts in ‘000 €

27. BORROWINGS

13 

 1,119 

 1,132 

The	following	tables	show	borrowings	and	financial	liabilities	carried	at	amortised	cost.

Maturities as of 31 December 2018

Amount due for settlement within 12 months

Amount due for settlement after 12 months

Bond notes

Bank borrowings

Accrued interest on borrowings

Total financial liabilities

Amounts in ‘000 €

Maturities as of 31 December 2017

2,976 

 67 

 72 

3,115 

2,239 

 20 

- 

2,259 

Bond notes

Bank borrowings

Accrued interest on borrowings

Total financial liabilities

Amounts in ‘000 €

Amount due for settlement within 12 months

Amount due for settlement after 12 months

2,664

66

49

2,778

1,028

87

-

1,115

13 

 4,332 

 4,345 

Total 

5,216 

 87 

 72 

5,374 

Total 

3,692

153

49

3,894

Change in borrowings and financial liabilities in 2018

At 31 December 2017

Increase

Repayment

Renegotiation

At 31 December 2018

Bond notes

Bank borrowings

Accrued interest on borrowings

Total financial liabilities

Amounts in ‘000 €

3,692 

153 

49 

3,894 

Change in borrowings and financial liabilities in 2017

Bond notes

Bank borrowings

Accrued interest on borrowings

Total financial liabilities

Amounts in ‘000 €

At 31 December 2016

5,620

220

414

6,254

4,019 

- 

72 

4,091 

Increase

2,664

-

49

2,713

- 2,554 

- 66 

- 49 

- 2,669 

59 

- 

- 

59 

5,216 

87 

72 

5,374 

Repayment

Conversion

At 31 December 2017

- 3,227

- 67

-414

- 3,708

-1,365

-

-

-1,365

3,692

153

49

3,894

As	of	31	December	2017,	the	Group’s	financing	primarily	comprised:	

•  A bond subscribed by Kreos Capital IV Ltd in the amount of €3.5 million on 15 July 2015;

•  A bond subscribed by Kreos Capital V Ltd in the amount of €3 million issued on 12 May 2016;

•   A convertible bond subscribed by Vatel in the amount of €1.5 million issued on 31 March 2017, with an interest rate of 7.9 % 
for a term of 3 years. The Vatel Bonds are convertible into Shares only where the Company fails to comply with its payment 
obligations under the agreement within 15 days of receipt of a notice of an event of default.

As	of	31	December	2018,	the	Group’s	financing	primarily	comprised:	

•  A bond subscribed by Kreos Capital IV Ltd in the amount of €3.5 million on 15 July 2015;

•  A bond subscribed by Kreos Capital V Ltd in the amount of €3 million issued on 12 May 2016;

•  	A	convertible	bond	subscribed	by	Vatel	in	the	amount	of	€1.5	million	issued	on	31	March	2017,	with	an	effective	interest	rate	
of 12.7% for a term of 3 years. The Vatel Bonds are convertible into Shares only where the Company fails to comply with its 
payment obligations under the agreement within 15 days of receipt of a notice of an event of default.

•  	A	convertible	bond	subscribed	by	Vatel	in	the	amount	of	€4.0	million	issued	on	29	May	2018,	with	an	effective	interest	rate	of	

8.5% for a term of 3 years. The Vatel Bonds are convertible into Shares only where the Company fails to comply with its payment 
obligations under the agreement within 15 days of receipt of a notice of an event of default.

In	addition	to	the	loans	above,	the	Group	financed	its	short-term	working	capital	needs	through	convertible	notes	issued	with	warrants.	
On 31 July 2015, the Board of Directors approved the principle of the issue of 20 OCABSA warrants (the “Warrants”) exercisable at 
the discretion of the Company over the subsequent 36 months, in several successive tranches representing bond debt in a maximum 
amount of €5 million, as part of a private placement subscribed by the YA Global Master SPV Ltd private equity fund.

The convertible bonds (Obligations Convertibles en Actions –“OCA”) are issued at par, i.e. €10,000 each, with an interest rate of 
2% per annum, and have a maturity of nine months from issue. The Company must redeem unconverted OCAs upon maturity.

The bond debt represented by the OCAs (par value of an OCA taking into account, if applicable, the corresponding interest) can 
be	converted	into	shares	at	the	request	of	the	holder,	on	the	basis	of	the	following	conversion	rate:	95%	of	the	lowest	of	the	five	(5)	
average daily prices of the Company’s share weighted by volume (as reported by Bloomberg) immediately preceding the request 
for the conversion of the relevant OCA, without its being possible for this amount to be lower than the par value of the Company’s 
share, i.e. 1/15th of a Euro. The OCAs are transferable subject to the Company’s prior written consent.

The number of equity warrants to be issued upon each issuance of OCABSAs is that which will be multiplied by the exercise price 
of the equity warrants (determined under the terms set out below). The amount received will be equal to half of the par value of the 
25 OCAs issued, i.e. €125,000.

The equity warrants will be immediately detached from the OCAs and will be transferable from issue. They may be exercised from 
issue until the 36th month inclusive following their issue date (the “Exercise Period”). Each equity warrant will entitle the holder 
thereof, during the Exercise Period, to subscribe for one (1) new Novacyt S.A. share.

The exercise price of the equity warrants is equal to 110% of the closing price of the Novacyt share on the day immediately 
preceding the Warrant exercise request date giving rise to the issuance of the OCAs from which the equity warrants will be 
detached	(or	the	issue	date	of	the	OCAs	for	the	first	tranche	of	OCAs,	i.e.	31	July	2015).

The OCAs and the warrants will not be the subject of a request for admission to trading on Alternext Paris, and as such will not be listed.

In	accordance	with	IAS	32,	the	first	tranche	of	the	bond	issued	on	31	July	in	the	amount	of	€250,000	(tranche	1)	breaks	down	as	follows:

•   the conversion option, treated in this case as an embedded derivative under IAS 32, worth €13,158, was recorded at “fair value 

through	profit	or	loss”	in	current	borrowings;

•  the equity warrants, valued at €9,831 overall, were treated as equity instruments and accounted for net of tax, i.e. €6,554; 

•  lastly,	the	residual	amount,	€227,011,	was	recognised	at	amortised	cost	under	current	financial	liabilities.

Between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016, the Company exercised 8 Warrants (OCABSA warrants), each resulting in the 
issuance of 25 OCABSAs in a total amount of €250,000. In accordance with IAS 32, each tranche of bonds issued during the year 
has	been	broken	down	in	the	same	way	as	the	first	instalment	and	in	identical	amounts.	Issuance	is	as	follows:	

05 Accounts and Notes94    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   95

•  Issuance of the second tranche on 1 March 2016 (tranche 2): all OCABSAs were converted during the year;

Nature of and change in provisions for risks and charges for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 

•   Concurrent issuance of the third and fourth tranches on 18 April 2016 (tranches 3 and 4): all OCABSAs were converted during the year;

•  	Concurrent	issuance	of	the	fifth	and	sixth	tranches	on	2	August	2016	(tranches	5	and	6):	all	OCABSAs	were	converted	during	the	year;

•   Concurrent issuance of the seventh, eighth and ninth tranches on 26 September 2016 (tranches 7, 8 and 9): only the tranche 7 OCABSAs 
were converted during the year. (It should nevertheless be noted that 20 tranche 8 OCABSAs were converted on 4 January 2017.)

Between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2017, the Company had converted all OCABSA bonds issued in the eighth and ninth 
tranches: 20 OCABSAs on 4 January 2017 and 5 OCABSAs on 23 February 2017 for tranche 8, and 10 OCABSAs on 23 February 
2017 and 15 OCABSAs on 13 April 2017 for tranche 9. 

The Company also exercised 2 OCABSA warrants on 17 February 2017, each giving rise to the issuance of a tranche of 25 
OCABSAs totalling €250,000 (tranches 10 and 11), all 50 OCABSAs having been converted on 15 May 2017.

Since 1 July 2017, the Company exercised the tranches 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the contract, representing 4 Warrants (OCABSA 
warrants) each resulting in the issuance of 25 OCABSAs in a total amount of €1,000,000. All OCABSAs were converted.

Between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017, the Company exercised 6 OCABSA warrants, each giving rise to the issuance of 
a tranche of 25 OCABSAs totalling €250,000. In accordance with IAS 32, each tranche of the bond issued during the year was split 
on	the	same	terms	than	the	first	one.	The	issuances	are	as	follows:

•   Concurrent issuance of the tenth and eleventh tranches on 17 February 2017 (tranches 10 and 11): all OCABSAs were 

converted during the year;

•  	Concurrent	issuance	of	the	twelfth,	thirteenth,	fourteenth	and	fifteenth	tranches	on	20	July	2017	(tranches	12,	13,	14	and	15):	
the tranches 12 and 13 OCABSAs were converted during the year, the tranche 14 was partly converted, 10 OCABSAs on 25 
September	2017,	and	partly	redeemed	early,	15	OCABSAs	on	2	November	2017,	and	all	the	OCABSAs	of	the	fifteenth	tranche	
were redeemed early on the same day.

28. CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION 

At 1 January 2017

Increase

Reduction

Change in exchange rates

At 31 December 2017

Provisions for restoration of premises

Long-term management incentive plan

Long-term provision

Provisions for litigation

Short-term provision

89

-

89

66

66

55

18

73

-

-

-

-

-

-16

-16

-4

-

-4

-

-

140

18

158

50

50

Provisions	chiefly	cover:	

•  risks related to litigations with personnel;

•  the restoration expenses of the premises as per the lease agreements;

•  a long-term incentive plan to the management of the group.

The provisions for the restoration of the premises should generate a cash payment at the end of the rental periods, thus at the 
following dates: 

•  Lab21 Ltd: October 2019

•  Lab21 Healthcare Ltd: August 2025

•  Microgen Ltd: July 2019

•  Primerdesign Ltd: November 2020

The provision for litigations generates a cash payment in late 2019.

The provision for the long-term incentive plan generates a cash payment in November 2020.

The contingent consideration related to the acquisition of the Primerdesign shares and the Asset Purchase Agreement 
of the Infectious Diseases business from Omega Diagnostics Ltd.

30. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Contingent consideration (current portion)

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018 

 Year ended 31 December 2017 

 1,569 

 1,569 

 1,126 

 1,126 

The movement in the liability between 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018 is due to the variance of the foreign exchange 
rate	(contingent	liability	is	denominated	in	Pounds	Sterling),	by	the	interest	accrued	on	this	debt	in	the	amount	of	£40,000,	and	by	
the	deferred	consideration	related	to	the	acquisition	of	the	Omega	infectious	diseases	business	for	£375,000	comprising:	

•  £175,000	paid	after	twelve	months	upon	completion	of	technology	transfer	and,

•  	£200,000	paid	upon	the	successful	accreditation	of	the	Axminster,	UK	production	facility	to	certain	standards	(expected	to	be	

achieved inside 12 months of acquisition date)

29. PROVISIONS

Nature of and change in provisions for risks and charges for the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2018

Increase

Reduction

Change in exchange rates

At 31 December 2018

Provisions for restoration of premises

Long-term management incentive plan

Long-term provisions

Provision for litigation

Short-term provision

140 

18 

158 

50 

50 

17 

2 

19 

50 

50 

- 7 

- 

- 7 

- 

- 

- 2 

- 

- 2 

- 

- 

148 

20 

168 

100 

100 

Trade payables

Accrued invoices

Social security liabilities

Tax liabilities

Other liabilities

Options	classified	as	liabilities

Total Trade and other payables

Amounts in ‘000 €

 Year ended 31 December 2018 

 Year ended 31 December 2017 

 2,769 

 1,189 

298 

281 

104

 5 

 4,647 

 1,746 

 1,042 

553 

123 

102 

127 

 3,692 

Options treated as liabilities relate to the Company’s equity warrants granted to former Primerdesign shareholders in the  
amount of €5,000 as of end December 2018 and €127,000 as of end December 2017. This is a component of the purchase  
price of Primerdesign.

31. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Deferred income

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018 

 Year ended 31 December 2017

379 

379 

137 

137 

05 Accounts and Notes96    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   97

32. SHARE CAPITAL

As of 1 January 2017, the Company’s share capital of €1,161,134 was divided into 17,417,014 shares with a par value of  
1/15th of a Euro each. 

The transactions on share capital from this date are summarised below:

•   On 4 January 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,161,134.20 to €1,173,905.27 through the issue of 

191,566 shares at a price of €1.05 per share, with a share premium of €188,373.37. 

•   On 23 February 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,173,905.27 to €1,184,487 through the issue of 

158,726 shares at a price of €0.953 per share, with a share premium of €140,684.94. 

•   On 13 April 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,184,487 to €1,196,713.87 through the issue of 183,403 

shares at a price of €0.827 per share, with a share premium of €139,448.13. 

•   On 15 May 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,196,713.87 to €1,237,170.53 through the issue of 

606,850 shares at a price of €0.828 per share, with a share premium of €462,015.56. 

•   On 12 June 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,237,170.53 to €1,384,874.73 through the issue of 

2,215,563 shares at a price of €0.85 per share, with a share premium of €1,735,524.35.

•   On 19 June 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,384,874.73 to €1,472,482.46 through the issue of 

1,314,116 shares at a price of €0.85 per share, with a share premium of €1,029,390.87.

•   On 14 August 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,472,482.46 to €1,482,491.86 through the issue of 

150,141 shares at a price of €0.667 per share, with a share premium of €90,135.04.

•   On 22 August 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,482,491.86 to €1,502,310.46 through the issue of 

297,279 shares at a price of €0.674 per share, with a share premium of €180,548.07.

•   On 7 September 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,502,310.46 to €1,519,671.66 through the issue of 

260,418 shares at a price of €0.770 per share, with a share premium of €183,161.00.

•   On 25 September 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,519,671.66 to €1,528,317.46 through the issue of 

129,687 shares at a price of €0.774 per share, with a share premium of €91,731.98.

•   On 23 October 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €1,528,317.46 to €2,031,701.26 through the issue of 

7,550,757 shares at a price of €0.660 per share, with a share premium of €4,480,115.82.

•   On 1 November 2017, the Company completed a capital increase from €2,031,701.26 to €2,510,956.06 through the issue of 

7,188,822 shares at a price of €0.660 per share, with a share premium of €4,265,369.10.

At 1 January 2017

Capital increases

Capital increase by conversion of OCABSA

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

Amounts in ‘000 €

Amount of share capital

Unit value per share

Number of shares issued

1,161

1,218

132

2,511

2,511

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.07

17,417,014

18,269,258

1,978,070

37,664,342

37,664,342

As of 31 December 2018, the Company’s share capital of €2,510,956.06 was divided into 37,664,342 shares with a par value  
of 1/15th of a Euro each. 

The Company’s share capital consists of one class of share. All outstanding shares have been subscribed, called and paid. 

33. SHARE PREMIUM

Balance at 1 January 2017

Premium arising on issue of equity shares

Expenses of issue of equity shares

Balance at 31 December 2017

Premium arising on issue of equity shares

Expenses of issue of equity shares

Balance at 31 December 2018

Amounts in ‘000 €

34. OTHER RESERVES

Balance at 1 January 2017

Translation	differences

Other variations

Balance at 31 December 2017

Translation	differences

Other variations

Balance at 31 December 2018

Amounts in ‘000 €

35. EQUITY RESERVE

Balance at 1 January 2017

Conversion of the OCABSA Yorkville 

Balance at 31 December 2017

Conversion of the OCABSA Yorkville 

Balance at 31 December 2018

Amounts in ‘000 €

This reserve represents the equity component of warrants and loans.

36. RETAINED LOSSES

Balance at 1 January 2017

Net loss for the year

Other variations

Balance at 31 December 2017

Net loss for the year

Other variations

Balance at 31 December 2018

Amounts in ‘000 €

47,120 

12,987 

- 1,826 

58,281 

 -

- 32 

58,249 

- 2,826 

 8 

 3 

- 2,815 

- 4 

 -

- 2,819 

345 

77 

422 

- 

422 

- 27,867 

- 5,442 

 -

- 33,309 

- 4,738 

 -

- 38,047 

05 Accounts and Notes98    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   99

37. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Acquisition of Omega ID

On 28 June 2018, the UK Company Lab21 Healthcare Ltd completed an asset purchase agreement for the Infectious Diseases 
business of the company called Omega Diagnostics Ltd. The Infectious Diseases business specialises in the manufacture of a 
range of diagnostic kits, in particular for syphilis and febrile antigens, as well as a range of latex serology tests for rheumatoid factor, 
C-reactive protein, antistreptolysin and systemic lupus erythematosus.

It includes various assets, such as equipment, stock, trademarks and patents. It also includes two employees, whose employment 
contracts were transferred to Lab21 Healthcare Ltd via the TUPE process under which employees in the UK transfer with the 
activity on the same employment terms.

The	purchase	price	was	£2,175,000	(€2,456,000)	broken	down	as	follows:	

Cash disbursed

Deferred consideration for successfully supporting and handling over manufacturing

Deferred consideration for successfully achieving a Category 3 facility accreditation

Total purchase price

The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are as follows: 

Net property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Inventories

Customer relationship

Trademark

Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Goodwill

€2,032,000

€198,000

€226,000

€2,456,000

€46,000

€523,000

€1,314,000

€251,000

€2,134,000

€322,000

The	table	above	shows	how	the	goodwill	figure	of	€322,000	is	arrived	at	after	allocating	the	purchase	price	accordingly.	The	
residual	goodwill	arising	from	the	acquisition	reflects	the	future	growth	expected	to	be	driven	by	new	customers,	the	value	of	the	
workforce,	technical	files	and	know-how.

The value of “customer relationships” was determined by discounting the additional margin generated by customers after 
remuneration of the contributing assets.

The	value	of	the	trademark	was	determined	by	discounting	the	cash	flows	that	could	be	generated	by	licensing	the	Omega	
trademark, estimated as a percentage of revenue derived from information available on comparable assets.

IFRS	3	provides	for	a	period	of	12	months	from	the	takeover	to	complete	the	identification	and	measurement	of	the	fair	value	of	
assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Therefore, until May 2019, the gross amount of goodwill is subject to adjustment.

Goodwill	is	a	residual	component	calculated	as	the	difference	between	the	purchase	price	for	the	acquisition	of	control	and	the	fair	
value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. It includes unrecognised assets such as the value of the personnel and know-
how of the acquiree. 

The acquisition costs amounted to €201,000. They are included on the statement of comprehensive income in the year ended 31 
December 2018 as “Costs related to acquisitions”. 

Omega	contributed	€1,030,000	to	consolidated	revenue	in	the	year	ended	31	December	2018	and	€45,000	to	net	profit	or	loss	
attributable to owners of the company between its consolidation on 1 July 2018 and 31 December 2018. 

If the acquisition of the Omega business were deemed to have been completed on 1 January 2018, the opening date of the 
Group’s	2018	financial	year,	consolidated	revenue	would	have	amounted	to	€14,751,000	and	net	profit	or	loss	attributable	to	
owners of the company to a loss of €4,695,000.

The table below presents the group income statement for the 12 months period ended on 31 December 2018 as if the acquisition 
of Omega had been completed on 1st January 2018.

 31 December 2018 pro forma

Revenue 

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Sales and marketing costs

General & administrative costs

Recurring operating loss

Costs related to acquisitions

Other operating income 

Operating profit

Financial expenses

Loss before tax

Tax expense

Loss after tax

Total net loss

Attributable to owners of the company

Amounts in ‘000 €

38. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

2,455

-1,612

843

-70

-532

242

-

-131

111

-1

110

-

110

110

110

Novacyt has begun the formal sale process for the NOVAprep® (Cytology businesses) and Cambridge Clinical Labs businesses. 
The	Clinical	Lab	business	is	a	non-core	service	business	and	does	not	fit	in	with	the	long-term	high	margin	growth	strategy	for	the	
Group.	NOVAprep®	is	being	sold	as	it	continues	to	be	loss	making	and	is	a	drain	on	working	capital	while	it	is	non-profit	making	
and as such the decision was made to dispose of the business in late 2018. 

It is expected that NOVAprep® and the Clinical Labs will be sold or disposed of by December 2019 at the latest.

The assets and liabilities available for sale are transferred on the lines “Assets of the discontinued activities” and “Liabilities of the 
discontinued activities”. The nature of these assets and liabilities are presented in the table below:

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Non-current assets

Inventories and work in progress

Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Total assets held for sale

Trade and other liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities held for sale

Amounts in ‘000 €

Clinical Lab

NOVAprep®

648

-

3

651

24

49

73

725

43

43

7

7

50

-

829

281

1,110

459

-

459

1,569

18

18

17

17

35

Total

648

829

284

1,761

483

49

532

2,294

61

61

24

24

85

In accordance with the IFRS 5, the net result of the NOVAprep® business was transferred on the line “Loss from the discontinued activities”.

05 Accounts and Notes100    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   101

The table below presents the detail of the loss generated by this business in 2017 and 2018.

40. OPERATING LEASE

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Sales, marketing and distribution expenses

Research and development expenses

General and administrative expenses

Governmental subsidies

Operating loss before exceptional items

Other operating expenses

Operating loss after exceptional items

Financial expense

Loss before tax

Tax (expense)/income

Loss after tax from discontinued operations

Amounts in ‘000 €

39. NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Loss for the year

Loss from the discontinued activities

Loss from the continuing operations

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment loss

Unwinding of discount on contingent consideration

Increase/decrease of fair value

Gains/losses	on	disposal	of	fixed	assets

Operating cash flows before movements of working capital

Increase/decrease in inventories

Increase/decrease in receivables

Increase/decrease in payables

Cash used in operations

Changes in debt issues expenses

Income taxes paid/received

Finance costs

Net cash used in operating activities

Operating	cash	flows	from	the	discontinued	activities

Operating	cash	flows	from	the	continuing	operations

Amounts in ‘000 €

 Year ended 31 December 2018 

 Year ended 31 December 2017 

974 

-719 

255 

-1,169 

-189 

-1,563 

88 

-2,578 

-48 

-2,626 

- 

-2,626 

- 

-2,626 

2,204 

-1,190 

1,014 

-1,274 

-194 

-1,622 

123 

-1,952 

-

-1,952 

-

-1,952 

1 

-1,951 

Lease payments under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year

418

426

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Amounts in ‘000 €

The	Group	has	a	number	of	operating	leases,	primarily	for	the	rental	of	offices	or	premises	intended	for	production.

Operating leases rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term 
of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic 
benefits	from	the	lease	asset	are	consumed.

Novacyt S.A.

Most of the leases contracted by Novacyt S.A. are related to the NOVAprep® business. As a result of the disposal, the charges are 
reclassified	on	a	single	line	called	“Loss	from	discontinued	operations”.

Primerdesign Limited

An	operating	lease	currently	exists	for	the	York	House	site	which	is	currently	a	mixed	use	for	office,	storage,	and	laboratory	
purposes.	The	lease	originally	commenced	in	November	2015	for	a	five-year	period	to	November	2020.	This	was	originally	for	the	
majority	of	the	ground	floor	of	the	building.	This	area	incurred	an	annual	charge	of	£79,883	per	annum	(including	service	charges)	
and	a	£4,717	rent-free	period.	A	variation	to	the	lease	was	signed	in	March	2017	to	enable	increased	capacity	at	the	site	and	the	
use	of	all	of	the	upstairs	of	the	York	House	site.	This	was	led	to	an	additional	annual	charge	of	£22,560	(including	service	charges).	
The	annual	charge	for	the	site	(with	service	charges)	is	now	£107,160	per	annum.	A	further	variation	to	the	lease	was	signed	in	
January	2019	to	again	increase	capacity	at	the	site.	This	has	led	to	an	additional	annual	charge	of	£74,369	(including	service	
charges).	The	annual	charge	for	the	site	(with	service	charges)	is	now	£176,813	per	annum.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Microgen Ltd

-4,738 

-2,626 

-2,112 

1,469 

42 

-63 

3 

-3,286 

-397 

101 

1,463 

-2,119 

-1 

192 

682 

-1,246 

-1,806 

560 

-5,442 

-1,951 

-3,490 

1,265 

386 

-140 

11 

-3,920 

-377 

-1,805 

425 

-5,678 

-19 

-148 

1,199 

-4,646 

-1,640 

-3,006 

An	operating	lease	existed	for	the	Admiralty	Way	site	which	had	a	mixed	use	for	office,	storage,	and	laboratory	purposes.	The	lease	
commenced	in	October	2015	for	a	two-year	period	to	September	2017.	The	annual	charge	was	£93,539.	Microgen	vacated	the	
old site in H2 FY 2017. As a consequence, a new lease has been signed for the Watchmoor Park site which will again be mixed 
use. This commenced in May 2017, and will run until May 2032. There are rent review clauses in May 2022 and 2027. The annual 
charge	for	the	site	is	£173,173	per	annum	(including	service	charges).

Healthcare Ltd

An operating lease currently exists for the Bridport site which is currently used for manufacturing, storage, and laboratory 
purposes.	The	lease	originally	commenced	in	October	2013	for	a	five-year	period	to	September	2018.	The	annual	charge	for	the	
site	is	£38,903	per	annum.	In	October	2018	the	operating	lease	for	the	Bridport	site	was	extended	for	a	further	seven	years	to	
August	2025.	The	annual	charge	for	the	site	is	now	£81,844	per	annum.	The	asset	purchase	agreement	of	the	Omega	Diagnostic	
Infectious Diseases business also included an operating lease for the Axminster site, used for manufactory and laboratory 
purposes.	The	current	lease	runs	until	October	2019	with	an	annual	charge	of	£7,272	per	annum.	Total	annual	charge	for	both	
operating	leases	is	£89,116	per	annum.

Lab21 Limited

An	operating	lease	currently	exists	for	the	Park	House	site	which	is	currently	a	mixed	use	for	office,	storage,	and	laboratory	
purposes.	The	lease	originally	commenced	in	April	2014	for	a	five-year	period	to	April	2019.	The	annual	charge	for	the	site	including	
service	charges	is	£63,700	per	annum	(which	includes	a	£4,550	rent-free	period).

05 Accounts and Notes102    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   103

The transactions performed on assets received under operating leases are subject to contracts providing the following minimum 
future payments:

Breakdown of actuarial gains and losses

Future minimum payments in respect of non-cancellable contracts

Payments due in less than 1 year

Payments due in more than 1 year and less than 5 years

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

41. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

 508 

1,659 

2,167 

 435 

 904 

1,339 

Effect	of	experience

Change in demographic assumptions

Change	in	financial	assumptions

Actuarial gains and losses

Amounts in ‘000 €

Actuarial assumptions 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

- 

- 

- 

- 

 - 2 

 - 

 - 

 - 2 

Following	the	announcement	of	the	disposal	of	the	NOVAprep®	business,	the	provision	was	reclassified	on	the	line	“Liabilities	 
of discontinued operations”.

The	cost	of	defined-benefit	plans	is	determined	at	the	end	of	each	year	in	accordance	with	the	projected	unit	credit	method.	 
The calculation is based on an actuarial method using assumptions with regard to future salary and retirement age. 

The	Group’s	defined	benefit	plan	relates	to	bonuses	payable	under	collective	agreements	in	a	lump	sum	on	retirement	and	
concerns only the employees of the French company Novacyt. Pursuant to the law and collective agreements, the Group  
gives a bonus to each employee upon retirement, expressed in number of months’ salary (calculated on the basis of the  
wages paid during the 12 months preceding retirement) and seniority within the Group.

Net expense for the year/period

Service cost

Financial cost

Other items

Expense (income)

Amounts in ‘000 €

Change in the actuarial liability

Obligation – beginning of year

Service cost

Decreases/payments

Financial cost

Actuarial gains and losses

Obligation – end of year

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

 3 

 - 

 - 

 3 

 4 

 - 

 - 3 

1 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

 13 

 3 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 17 

 14 

 4 

 - 3 

 - 

 - 2 

 13 

The	assumptions	used	for	measuring	change	in	obligations	in	respect	of	retirement	benefits	are	presented	in	the	table	below:

Retirement age – managers

Retirement age – non-managers

Wage increases

Rate of social security contributions

Discount rate

42. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Capital risk management

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

64 

62 

3.00%

41.51%

1.60%

64 

62 

3.00%

40.16%

1.40%

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concern whilst maximising the 
return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Group’s overall strategy is to ensure there is 
sufficient	working	capital	to	optimise	the	performance	of	the	business.

The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt (borrowings disclosed in note 27 after deducting cash and bank balances) 
and equity of the Group (comprising issued capital, reserves and retained losses in notes 33 to 37). 

The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.

The Group’s focus is on cash management and this is reviewed on a regular basis by the Group Financial Controller and the Chief 
Financial	Officer.	The	funding	mix	of	the	business	is	reviewed	and	managed	regularly	by	the	CFO	and	the	CEO.

Gearing ratio

The gearing ratio at the year-end is as follows:

Debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Equity

Net Debt to Equity ratio

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

 5,374 

 1,132 

 4,242 

 20,136 

21%

 3,893 

 4,345 

- 452 

 24,914 

-2%

05 Accounts and Notes104    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   105

Debt	is	defined	as	long-term	and	short-term	borrowings	(excluding	derivatives	and	financial	guarantee	contracts)	as	detailed	in	note	27.

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis

Equity includes all capital, premiums and reserves of the Group that are managed as capital.

Significant accounting policy

Details	of	the	significant	accounting	policies	and	methods	adopted	(including	the	criteria	for	recognition,	the	basis	of	measurement	
and	the	bases	for	recognition	of	income	and	expenses)	for	each	class	of	financial	asset,	financial	liability	and	equity	instrument	are	
disclosed in note 3.

Categories of financial instruments

The Group is mainly exposed to the currency of the UK entities that are included in the operating segments “Diagnostics” and 
“Molecular Testing”. 

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 5% increase and decrease in Euros against the relevant foreign currencies. 
5% represents management’s assessment of the potential change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only 
outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 5% change in foreign 
currency rates. The sensitivity analysis includes external loans as well as loans to foreign operations within the Group where the 
denomination of the loan is in a currency other than the currency of the lender or the borrower. A positive number below indicates 
an	increase	in	profit	and	other	equity.	

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

FX sensitivity analysis 

Financial assets

Cash & cash equivalents

Receivables

Financial liabilities

Fair	value	through	profit	and	loss

Amortised cost

Amounts in ‘000 €

 1,132 

 3,651 

 5 

 11,005 

 4,345 

 3,563 

 127 

 7,909 

Financial risk management objectives

The	Group’s	Finance	Function	is	responsible	for	managing	the	financial	risks	relating	to	the	running	of	the	business.	These	risks	
include market risk (including currency risk, interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

If there are any material risks then the Group would look to mitigate that risk through the appropriate measure such as hedging 
against	currency	fluctuations.

The	Group	does	not	use	derivative	financial	instruments	to	hedge	these	risk	exposures.

Market risk

GBP

Conversion rate

Impact	EUR	strengthening	:	FX	+	5	%

Impact EUR weakening : FX - 5 %

USD

Conversion rate

Impact	EUR	strengthening	:	FX	+	5	%

Impact EUR weakening : FX - 5 %

Amounts in ‘000 €

Net exposure

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

- 2,647 

0.901710 

 126 

- 139 

882 

1.144296 

- 42 

 46 

 731 

0.887980 

- 35 

 38 

 1,350 

1.183621 

- 64 

 71 

Interest rate risk management

The	Group	borrows	funds	at	fixed	interest	rate	and	therefore	it	is	not	exposed	to	significant	interest	rate	risk.

The	Group’s	activities	expose	it	primarily	to	the	financial	risks	of	changes	in	foreign	currency	exchange	rates.	

Credit risk management

There has been no change to the Group’s exposure to market risks or the manner in which these risks are managed and 
measured.

Foreign currency risk management

The	Group	undertakes	transactions	denominated	in	foreign	currencies;	consequently	exposures	to	exchange	rate	fluctuations	arise.	
Exchange rate exposures are not managed utilising forward foreign exchange contracts.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting date 
are as follows:

Liabilities

Assets

Net exposure

Year ended 31 
December 2018

Year ended 31 
December 2017

Year ended 31 
December 2018

Year ended 31 
December 2017

Year ended 31 
December 2018

Year ended 31 
December 2017

- 4,533 

- 637

-

- 8

-733 

-103 

 - 

-74 

 1,885

 1,520

-

-

 1,464 

 1,453 

 6 

-

- 2,647

 882

-

- 8

 731 

 1,350 

 6 

 - 

GBP

USD

CNY

CHF

Amounts in ‘000 €

Credit	risk	refers	to	the	risk	that	a	counterparty	will	default	on	its	contractual	obligations	resulting	in	financial	loss	to	the	Group.	 
The	Group	has	adopted	a	policy	of	only	dealing	with	creditworthy	counterparties	and	obtaining	sufficient	collateral	where	
appropriate,	as	a	means	of	mitigating	the	risk	of	financial	loss	from	defaults.	The	Group	uses	publicly	available	financial	information	
and its own trading records to rate its major customers’ risk levels. The Group’s exposure and the credit ratings of its counterparties 
are continuously monitored and the aggregate value of transactions concluded is spread amongst approved counterparties.

The	Group	uses	debt	collection	agencies	and	government-backed	schemes	to	collect	difficult	aged	debts	as	a	last	resort.

Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse geographical areas. Ongoing credit evaluation is 
performed	on	the	financial	condition	of	accounts	receivable	and,	where	appropriate,	credit	guarantee	insurance	cover	is	purchased.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international 
credit-rating agencies. 

The	carrying	amount	of	the	financial	assets	recorded	in	the	historical	financial	information,	which	is	net	of	impairment	losses,	
represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk as no collateral or other credit enhancements are held.

Liquidity risk management

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the board of directors, which has established an appropriate liquidity 
risk management framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management 
requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities, 
by	continuously	monitoring	forecast	and	actual	cash	flows,	and	by	matching	the	maturity	profiles	of	financial	assets	and	liabilities.

05 Accounts and Notes 
 
106    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   107

Liquidity and interest risk tables

The	following	tables	detail	the	Group’s	remaining	contractual	maturity	for	its	non-derivative	financial	liabilities	with	agreed	repayment	
periods.	The	tables	have	been	drawn	up	based	on	the	undiscounted	cash	flows	of	financial	liabilities	based	on	the	earliest	date	
on	which	the	Group	can	be	required	to	pay.	The	table	includes	both	interest	and	principal	cash	flows.	The	contractual	maturity	is	
based on the earliest date when the Group may be required to pay.

Financial assets/financial 
liabilities

Fair value as at

31/12/17

31/12/18

1.  Contingent consideration 

2,664

1,569

(current portion)

Less than 1 month

1-3 months

3 months to 1 year 

1-5 years

Total

2.  Trade and other payables 

84

5

:	Options	classified	
as liabilities- Warrant 
Primerdesign

Fair value 
hierarchy

Valuation technique (s)  
and key input (s)

Significant unobservable 
input (s)

Relationship of unobservable 
inputs to fair value

3

2

No discount was applied on the 
cash	flows	as	the	payment	is	due	
in less than 1 year.

Monte Carlo simulation model 

Expected volatility of 
39.44% used for December 
2018

If the expected volatility was 
5% higher or lower while other 
variables were held constant, 
the carrying amount would 
respectively	increase	by	£8K	and	
decrease	by	£2K	as	at	December	
2018. 

31 December 2018

Variable interest rate instruments

Fixed interest rate instruments

31 December 2017

Variable interest rate instruments

Fixed interest rate instruments

Effective interest 
rate (%)

-

12.4%

-

19.6%

-

173

-

304

-

654

-

607

-

2,199

-

2,254

-

2,326

-

1,250

-

5,352

-

4,415

The	following	table	details	the	Group’s	expected	maturity	for	its	non-derivative	financial	assets.	The	tables	below	have	been	drawn	
up	based	on	the	undiscounted	contractual	maturities	of	the	financial	assets	including	interest	that	will	be	earned	on	those	assets.	
The	inclusion	of	information	on	non-derivative	financial	assets	is	necessary	to	understand	the	Group’s	liquidity	risk	management	as	
the liquidity is managed on a net asset and liability basis.

Effective interest 
rate (%)

Less than 1 month

1-3 months

3 months to 1 year

1-5 years

Total

-

-

3,688

6,863

749

520

122

296

225

229

4,784

7,908

31 December 2018

Non-interest bearing

31 December 2017

Non-interest bearing

Fair value measurements

•  	The	information	set	out	below	provides	information	about	how	the	Group	determines	fair	values	of	various	financial	assets	and	

financial	liabilities.

•  	The	table	on	page	107	provides	an	analysis	of	financial	instruments	that	are	measured	subsequent	to	initial	recognition	at	fair	

value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:

 -  Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets  

or liabilities;

 -  Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are 

observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

 -  Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are 

not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Fair value of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Some	of	the	Group’s	financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	are	measured	at	fair	value	at	the	end	of	each	reporting	period.	The	
following	table	gives	information	about	how	the	fair	values	of	these	financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	are	determined	(in	
particular, the valuation technique(s) and inputs used).

Fair value measurements recognised in the statement of financial position

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Derivatives	financial	liabilities

Total

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Derivatives	financial	liabilities

Total

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

-

-

5

5

1,153

1,153

Year ended 31 December 2017

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

-

-

126

126

1,126

1,126

Total

1,158

1,158

Total

1,252

1,252

There were no transfers between Levels during the current or prior year.

Fair value of financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value (but fair value disclosures are required)

Financial liabilities

Bonds

Convertible loan notes 

Bank	loans	at	fixed	interest	rate

Financial liabilities

Bonds

Convertible loan notes 

Bank	loans	at	fixed	interest	rate

Amounts in ‘000 €

Carrying amount

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

1,057 

4,159 

87 

Fair value

2,605 

1,157 

153 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

1,057 

4,035 

87 

 2,737 

 1,083 

 153 

05 Accounts and Notes108    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts and Notes   109

Fair value hierarchy of financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value (but fair value disclosures are required)

Aggregate directors’ remuneration

Bonds

Convertible loan notes

Bank	loans	at	fixed	interest	rate

Accrued interest

There were no transfers between levels during the current or prior years.

43. COMMITMENTS GIVEN AND RECEIVED

The guarantees given by the Group are as follows.

Fair value hierarchy

3

3

3

3

Fixed compensation and company cars

Variable compensation

Social security contributions

Contributions to supplementary pension plans

Fees

Total 

Number of people concerned

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

674 

113 

100 

22 

6 

915 

7

428 

437 

113 

16 

99 

1,094 

7

Under the terms of the bond contracts subscribed by Kreos Capital IV Ltd and Kreos Capital V Ltd, and as a guarantee of perfect 
repayment of this loan and interest, fees, commissions or other amounts due, the Group has agreed to the following guarantees in 
favour of the two structures: 

•  pledge of the business;

•  senior pledge on receivables;

•  non-possessory pledge of inventories; and

•  senior and non-recourse pledge of bank accounts. 

The amount of guaranteed loans is presented in note 27 “Borrowings”.

The Company has also granted Primerdesign shareholders a variable contingent consideration, settlement of which is scheduled 
for payment in 2019. As security for the payment of such sums, third-line pledge on business assets and collateral subject to 
English law (mortgage debentures) have been implemented.

44. RELATED PARTIES

Parties related to Novacyt S.A. are:

•  the managers, whose compensation is disclosed below;

•  the directors of Novacyt S.A. and Lab21.

Remuneration of key management personnel

Fixed compensation and company cars

Variable compensation

Social security contributions

Post-employment	benefits

Contributions to supplementary pension plans

Total 

Amounts in ‘000 €

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

1,107

113

151

-

55

1,426

990

480

191

18

47

1,726

Related party transactions were made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions. 

45. AUDIT FEES 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 31 December 2017

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates in respect of the audit

Group	audit	of	these	financial	statements

Audit	of	the	Company's	subsidiaries'	financial	statements

Total audit remuneration

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates in respect of non-audit related services

Audit-related assurance services

All other services

Total non-audit related remuneration

Amounts in ‘000 €

 66 

 125 

 191 

 18 

 45 

 63 

 111 

 170 

 281 

 33 

 215 

 248 

46. IMPACT OF BREXIT ON THE GROUP’S ACTIVITY

Companies	operating	in	the	“Diagnostics”	and	“Molecular	testing”	sectors	are	established	in	the	United	Kingdom.	It	is	difficult	to	
anticipate the impact of Brexit on trade relations and regulatory constraints. The tax consequences depend on the outcome of 
negotiations between Europe and the United Kingdom, and to date are undetermined.

Management is seeking to identify market, operational and legal risks and to take the appropriate adaptation measures as required.

47. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 23rd April 2019, Novacyt entered into a Convertible Bonds with Warrants Funding Programme, for up to €5,000,000 (net of 
expenses). Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will be able to access capital in seven tranches which oblige the 
Investment Managers to immediately subscribe for an initial tranche of €2,000,000, followed by six further tranches, each of an 
aggregate nominal value of €500,000 (together the “Tranches”), drawable at the Company’s option subject to certain terms and 
conditions. The Company has immediately exercised its right to the initial tranche of funding giving rise to the subscription of 
€2,000,000 of convertible bonds with warrants by the Investment Managers. The remaining €3,000,000 of convertible bonds can 
be issued by the Company over the next 36 months following the closing of the Agreement. 

05 Accounts and Notes 
 
110    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Definitions and Glossary   111

Definitions

The	following	definitions	apply	throughout	this	annual	report,	unless	the	context	requires	otherwise.

“Admission”

“AIM”

the	admission	of	the	Enlarged	Share	Capital	to	trading	on	AIM	becoming	effective	in	accordance	with	the	AIM	Rules	for	Companies

“Nomination Committee”

the nomination committee of the Board as constituted from time to time

a market operated by the London Stock Exchange

“Non-Executive Directors”

James	Wakefield,	Dr	Andrew	Heath,	Dr	Edwin	Snape,	Jean-Pierre	Crinelli	and	Juliet	Thompson

“AIM Rules for Companies”

the rules (including the guidance notes thereto) for AIM companies published by the London Stock Exchange, as amended from time to time

“Novacyt LTIP”

the Novacyt S.A. Long Term Incentive Plan

“AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers”

the rules for nominated advisers to AIM companies published by the London Stock Exchange, as amended from time to time

“NOVAprep®”

Novacyt S.A., Novacyt China Limited, Novacyt S.A. UK and Novacyt Asia Limited

“AMF”

“Articles”

General Regulation of the Autorité Des Marchés Financiers of France, which comprises the French takeover rules

the articles of association of the Company upon Admission

“Order”

“QCA”

the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended or replaced)

The Quoted Companies Alliance 

“Audit Committee”

the audit committee of the Board as constituted from time to time

“QCA Code”

the	QCA	Corporate	Governance	Code	for	Small	and	Mid-Sized	Quoted	Companies,	as	amended	from	time	to	time

“Board” or “Directors”

the Directors of the Company, whose names are set out on page 27 to 29 of this document

“Primerdesign”

Primerdesign Ltd

“Business Day”

a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, United Kingdom

“Remuneration Committee”

the remuneration committee of the Board as constituted from time to time

“Canada”

“Company”

“EU”

Canada, its territories and possessions, any province of Canada and all other areas subject to the jurisdiction of Canada

“Shareholder”

a holder of Shares

Novacyt S.A.

the European Union

“Shares”

“SP Angel”

ordinary shares of 1/15th of one Euro each in the share capital of the Company

S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP, a company registered in England and Wales with company number OC317049, which is authorised and 
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

“Euronext Growth Paris”

Euronext Growth in Paris, a market dedicated to small and midcap companies operated by Euronext. Formerly known as Alternext Paris

“Subscription”

the conditional subscription for the Subscription Shares pursuant to the Subscription Letters

“Executive Directors”

Graham Mullis and Anthony Dyer

“Subscription Letters”

the letters of subscription entered into between the Company and the Subscribers

“Executive Team”

the Executive Directors and those employees of the Group as set out on pages 30 to 31 of this document

“Subsidiary”

as	defined	in	section	1159	and	Schedule	6	of	the	UK	Companies	Act	2006

“Financial Conduct Authority”

the UK Financial Conduct Authority

“UK” or “United Kingdom”

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

“FSMA”

the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended from time to time

“US” or “United States”

the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia and all 
other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States of America

“Fundraising”

together, the Placing and the Subscription

“VAT”

value added tax

“Group” or “Novacyt”

the Company, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and a branch

“IFRS”

“Kreos IV”

“Kreos V”

International Financial Reporting Standards

Kreos Capital IV (UK) Limited

Kreos Capital V (UK) Limited

“Vatel Capital”

“WG Partners”

FCPI Dividendes Plus n84 and FCPI Dividendes Plus n85, two investment funds managed by Vatel Capital SAS

WG Partners LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC369354, which is authorised and regulated by 
the Financial Conduct Authority

“Yorkville”

YA Global Master SPV Ltd

“€” or “Euros” or “EUR”

Euro

“Joint Brokers”

SP Angel and WG Partners

“£” or “pound sterling”

British pounds sterling and “pence” shall refer to British pence

“Lab21”

Lab21 Ltd together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries

“US$”

US dollars

“London Stock Exchange”

London Stock Exchange plc

06 Definitions and Glossary112    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Definitions and Glossary   113

“pathogen”

a bacterium or a virus or other microorganism that can cause a disease

“PCR”

“QA”

“qPCR”

“RA”

“RUO”

“Zika”

polymerase chain reaction

quality assurance

quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

regulatory	affairs

research use only

a virus that is mainly spread by mosquitoes and which causes mild fever symptoms but can be associated with a higher 
incidence of microcephaly in babies born to mothers infected during pregnancy

Glossary and technical terms

Set out below is a glossary of selected technical and other terms used in this annual report.

“B2B”

“CAGR”

“CE”

“CFDA”

business-to-business

compound annual growth rate

Conformité Européenne, a European health & safety product label

the China Drug and Food Administration

“cytology”

the branches of biology and medicine concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells

“diagnostics”

the	process	of	detection	and	identification	of	a	disease

“DNA”

“EBITDA”

“EMEA”

“EN ISO”

“FDA”

deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent  
of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information

earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. In this document, EBITDA is presented before  
exceptional items

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

European standard, in accordance with the standards set by the International Organisation for Standardisation

the US Food and Drug Administration

“genesig q16 instrument”,  
“q16 instrument” or  
“genesig q32 instrument”

an instrument sold by the Group designed to undertake DNA testing using the Group’s genesig reagents

“HR”

human resources

“haematology”

the study and treatment of blood and blood-forming organs

“IT”

“IVD”

information technology

in vitro diagnostics, which are medical devices used for testing material external to a living organism

“microbiology”

the branch of biology that deals with the structure, function, uses, and modes of existence of microscopic organisms

“molecular diagnostics”

applying molecular biology to medical testing by using biological markers based on an individual’s genetic code and how 
their cells express their genes as proteins to determine a test result

“oncology”

the study and treatment of tumours and cancer

06 Definitions and Glossary114    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Company Information   115

Directors

Company Secretary

Registered office

Registered number

Company website

Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker to the Company

Joint Broker to the Company

James	Wakefield

Graham Mullis 

Anthony Dyer 

Dr Andrew Heath

Dr Edwin Snape 

Jean-Pierre Crinelli

Juliet Thompson 

Anthony Dyer

Novacyt S.A. 
13 Avenue Morane Saulnier 
78140	Vélizy-Villacoublay 
France

491 062 527 (France)

www.novacyt.com

S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP* 
Prince Frederick House  
35-39 Maddox Street 
London W1S 2PP 
United Kingdom

WG Partners LLP 
85 Gresham Street 
London 
EC2V 7NQ 
United Kingdom

Legal advisers to the Company

English law:

Stephenson Harwood LLP 
1 Finsbury Circus 
London 
EC2M 7SH 
United Kingdom

Pitmans LLP 
47 Castle Street 
Reading 
RG1 7SR 
United Kingdom

French law:

Stance Avocats 
37-39 Avenue de Friedland 
Paris 75008 
France

*Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited were nominated adviser and joint broker to the company until 3rd May 2019

Auditors

Bankers

Deloitte & Associés 
185 Avenue Charles du Gaulle 
92524 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex 
France

Deloitte LLP 
2 New Street Square 
London 
EC4A 3BZ 
United Kingdom

Banque Populaire Val de France 
Accueil Entreprises Trs 
2 Avenue De Milan 
37924 Tours Cedex 9

BNP Paribas 
Centre	d’Affaires	Innovation	Paris	IDF 
37/39 Rue d’Anjou 
75008 Paris

Barclays Bank plc 
Town Gate House 
Church Street East 
Woking 
Surrey 
GU21 6AE 

National Westminster Bank plc 
Southampton University 
Southampton Customer Service Centre 
Brunswick Gate 
23 Brunswick Place 
SO15 2AQ 

HSBC  
Bonham Strand Commercial Service Centre 
35-45 Bonham Strand 
Sheung Wan 
Hong Kong

Bank of China 
First Floor  
No. 50 Tai Nan Road 
Pudong 
Shanghai  
200131

07 Company Information116    Novacyt Annual Report and Accounts

Company Information   117

Notes

Headquarters:

Registered Address: 

Novacyt Group (UK) 
Unit 1, Watchmoor Point, 
Watchmoor Road, Camberley 
Surrey GU15 3AD

Novacyt Group (France) 
13 Avenue Morane Saulnier 
78140	Vélizy-Villacoublay 
France

T	+44	(0)	1276	600081 
F	+44	(0)	1276	600151 
E investor.relations@novacyt.co.uk 
www.novacyt.com

T	+33	(0)1	39	46	51	04 
F	+33	(0)1	30	70	05	32

Registered Number: 491 062 527