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Oxford Biomedica

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FY2020 Annual Report · Oxford Biomedica
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Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica in brief 
Oxford  Biomedica  is  a  leading,  fully  integrated,  cell  and  gene  therapy 
group  focused  on  developing  life  changing  treatments  for  serious 
diseases.  Cell  and  gene  therapy  is  the  treatment  of  disease  by  the 
delivery of therapeutic DNA into a patient’s cells. This can be achieved 
either in vivo (referred to as gene therapy) or ex vivo (referred to as cell 
therapy), the latter being where the patient’s cells are genetically modified 
outside the body before being re-infused. 

Oxford  Biomedica  and  its  subsidiaries  (the  “Group”)  have  built  a  sector 
leading lentiviral vector delivery system, LentiVector® platform, which the 
Group leverages to develop in vivo and ex vivo products both in-house 
and with partners. The Group has created a valuable proprietary portfolio 
of  cell  and  gene  therapy  product  candidates  in  the  areas  of  oncology, 
ophthalmology, CNS disorders and liver diseases. 

The  Group  has  also  entered  into  a  number  of  partnerships,  including  
with  Novartis,  Juno  Therapeutics/Bristol  Myers  Squibb,  SIO  Gene 
Therapies, Orchard Therapeutics, Santen, Beam Therapeutics, Boehringer 
Ingelheim, the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium and Imperial 
Innovations, through which it has long term economic interests in other 
potential cell and gene therapy products. 

Additionally  the  Group  has  signed  a  three-year  master  supply  and 
development agreement with AstraZeneca for large-scale manufacturing 
of  the  adenoviral  based  COVID-19  vaccine  the  (“Oxford  AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine”) Oxford Biomedica is based across several locations 
in Oxfordshire, UK and employs more than 670 people.

  8 

1  Saving lives
2   Questions and answers
 The Group’s COVID-19  
vaccine journey
  12  Market overview

  15  Strategic Report
  16   Group at a glance
  18  Product pipeline
  20  The Group’s business model
  22  The Group’s stakeholders
  26    Operational highlights  
delivered in 2020
 Financial highlights  
delivered in 2020
  28  Chair’s statement
  30 

  27 

 Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

 Delivery of 2020 objectives

  38  Management team
  40 
  41  Objectives set for 2021
 Financial review
  42 
 Environmental, Social and 
  51 
Governance Report
 Non-financial statement

  67 

  69  Corporate Governance 
  70 

  Principal risks, uncertainties  
and risk management 

  78  Board of Directors
  80  Corporate Governance Report
  96  Directors’ Remuneration Report
  124  Directors’ Report

 132 

 Independent auditors’ report

 143  Group financial statements
  144 

 Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income
 Statement of financial positions

  145 
  146  Statements of cash flows
  147 

 Statements of changes in  
equity attributable to owners  
of the parent
 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

  148 

 185  Other matters
  185 
 Glossary
 188  Advisers and contact details

 
 
 
 
Saving lives 

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We are Oxford 
Biomedica. 
A life  saving 
healthcare company 
at the leading edge 
of cell and gene 
therapy medicine.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
2

Saving lives 
Questions and answers 

Q&A

Our new Chair, Dr. Roch Doliveux,  
responds to the FAQs of the moment.

Q: What attracted you to the role of Chair  
at Oxford Biomedica? 

A: I am fascinated by the cell and gene therapy space, which is 
poised to deliver the next wave of breakthroughs in medicine. 
OXB  has  a  clear  leadership  position  in  lentiviral  vectors  on 
which to build, with the potential to save and improve the lives 
of so many more people. Also, OXB enjoys a collegial culture 
both amongst the management team and the Board. This spirit 
of winning together is quite special and I particularly thrive in 
this environment.

Q: What impressed you most once you joined?

A: When I joined, I knew there was great depth in the scientific 
knowledge  around  lentiviral  vectors  at  OXB.  Having  spent 
time  with  our  scientists,  I  am  now  even  more  impressed.  
I am equally impressed by the Chemistry, Manufacturing and 
Controls  (CMC),  knowhow  and  ability  to  deliver  all  the  way 
through  particularly  competitive  manufacturing:  these  are 
impressive  combined  strengths  which  differentiates  OXB  in 
the marketplace.

“ I am fascinated by the cell and 
gene therapy space, which is 
poised to deliver the next wave 
of breakthroughs in medicine.” 

“ When I joined, I knew there 
was great depth in the scientific 
knowledge around lentiviral 
vectors at OXB. Having spent 
time with our scientists, I am 
now even more impressed.”

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
Q&A

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“ OXB has become one of  
the main manufacturers for 
the Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine in the UK 
with amazing performance  
and a sense of urgency.”

“ A major concern for us was 
preventing COVID-19 in our 
workplace. Thankfully, our 
manufacturing staff were 
vaccinated in February with the 
vaccine we are manufacturing 
and the risk and worry that 
COVID-19 could disrupt that 
important work dissipated.”

Q: What surprised you most once you joined?

A: The biggest surprise was what OXB has been able to achieve 
and deliver with the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 
in such a short period of time. The team promptly applied its 
expertise to work with a new viral vector, a different process 
and scaling up to levels we have not worked at before. Using 
our knowhow in technology, CMC and manufacturing, OXB 
has become one of the main manufacturers for the Oxford 
AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine  in  the  UK  with  amazing 
performance and a sense of urgency.

Q: How have the first 9 months in the role been? 

A: Busier than I thought! With the COVID-19 crisis, it has been 
an unusual time to join an organisation, as I have only met 
John Dawson, our CEO, in person. However, the culture and 
collegiality of OXB, combined with frequent interactions, have 
made it possible to achieve a lot. As I joined, the Group achieved 
a successful fundraise quickly followed by the decision and 
successful  implementation  of  the  manufacturing  of  the 
Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. A major concern for 
us  was  preventing  COVID-19  in  our  workplace.  Thankfully, 
our  manufacturing  staff  were  vaccinated  in  February  with 
the  vaccine  we  are  manufacturing  and  the  risk  and  worry 
that COVID-19 could disrupt that important work dissipated. 
Perhaps  more  importantly  for  the  long  term,  the  Board 
committed to our strategy to grow our Contract Development 
and Manufacturing organisation (CDMO) leadership position 
and build our portfolio of medicines targeting severe diseases.

Q: What has your experience as CEO of UCB and in other 
roles, allowed you to bring to the OXB Board?

A: Having been the CEO of an innovative biopharma company 
as  well  as  mentoring  many  CEOs,  there  are  certainly  many 
experiences  that  could  be  relevant  for  OXB  on  the  delivery 
of our services and new medicines. I bring to OXB my whole 
drive, purpose and my energy. The purpose drives the strategy 
and  focus  on  implementation  drives  performance.  I  believe 
these involve both organic and inorganic developments and 
partnerships. I also trust that the connections I have built over 
the  years  will  help  future  partnerships  and  therefore  help 
enable OXB to maximise its full potential.

Dr. Roch Doliveux, Chair
A biography detailing Dr. Roch’s extensive experience 
in the sector can be found on page 78.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
“ I am driven mostly by saving 
lives and making the lives of 
those that are suffering better.”

4 Saving lives 

Questions and answers 

Q: What drives you? 

A: I am driven mostly by three things. Firstly saving lives and 
making  the  lives  of  those  that  are  suffering  better.  This  is 
done through hard and smart work. The second dimension 
that  drives  me  is  talent,  and  maximising  the  potential  of 
talent  and  teams.  The  third  area  is  the  need  to  perform, 
for  example,  performance  in  revenues,  market  share, 
profitability, IP, share price and performance in bringing life-
saving medicines to patients.

Q: How do you see the cell and gene therapy field in the 
coming years and OXB’s opportunity to capitalise on this?

A:  Monoclonal  antibodies  and  other  large  molecules  have 
been  an  amazing  source  of  innovative  medicines  and  have 
made many companies successful, including UCB. Cell and 
gene therapy is clearly the next wave, just like antibodies were 
20 years ago; many of the same key success factors will apply, 
including great technology platforms, the right disease targets, 
performant CMC and manufacturing, solid development and 
regulatory skills, customer centric commercialisation, strong 
IP, access to knowledge, long term capital and great talent.

“ Cell and gene therapy is clearly  
the next wave, just like 
antibodies were 20 years ago.”

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
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Q: You were known for being acquisitive in your  
time at UCB, do you see growth being mainly organic  
or inorganic?

A:  Both;  however  the  most  important  part  is  to  build  on 
strengths and combining strengths which could be through 
technology partnerships not just via a traditional acquisition 
route.  I  am  not  driven  by  acquisitions  but  by  continuously 
building strengths to maximise the potential of the company, 
whether it was for UCB as CEO, and now for OXB as Chair. 

“ In such a complex and rapidly 
moving world, we need 
diversity of thought, talent  
and experiences around  
the Board table and within  
the wider Group to help  
make the right decisions.”

“ The cash generated by the 
CDMO part of the business  
will allow us to reinvest in our 
technology, enabling growth 
of our lentiviral vector based 
leadership and invest in our 
own portfolio of medicines.”

Q: Are you committed to OXB being a CDMO as well  
as developing its own portfolio of medicines?

A: Of course. We have a strong CDMO business and will build 
on this under my leadership. We are also committed to bringing 
our own new medicines to patients, this may also be done via 
partnerships as I have discussed above.

Q: How important is good corporate governance for  
a FTSE250 company like OXB? 

A: Good corporate governance is a must in the same way as 
good auditing of the accounts and regulatory compliance. This 
includes the importance of building a strong and diverse Board. 
In such a complex and rapidly moving world, we need diversity 
of thought, talent and experiences around the Board table and 
within the wider Group to help make the right decisions. An 
area of focus for the Board is science and technology and its 
translation into patients’ needs. To this end, we are delighted to 
have attracted Professor Dame Kay Davies and Dr. Sam Rasty 
to join the Board.

Q: What do you see as the most important objectives for OXB? 

A:  Obviously,  we  need  to  continue  to  deliver  on  our 
commitments  to  partners  –  both  around  the  Oxford 
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and with all of our cell and gene 
therapy partners on our manufacturing and CMC commitments. 
We will continue to focus on expanding our CDMO business, 
building on our strengths, gaining market share and growing 
CDMO profitability. The cash generated by the CDMO part of 
the business will allow us to reinvest in our technology, enabling 
growth of our lentiviral vector based leadership and invest in 
our own portfolio of medicines. As we continue to expand our 
work we need to continually build and expand our teams and 
continue to recruit the right talent that fits into our Company 
culture – as together we will all be stronger. This is indeed a very 
exciting time for Oxford Biomedica.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
6

Saving lives 

We are saving lives. 
Right now. 

We are the experts of choice
When AstraZeneca needed a trusted partner  
to urgently manufacture large amounts of their 
COVID-19 vaccine in a race to save lives and 
economies, it was us they called. Our know-how  
and reputation is highly regarded in the industry.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
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World leading science making healthcare work
Our lentiviral vector delivery system, LentiVector®, 
is enabling our customers to bring next generation 
treatments for serious diseases to market. For 
example, Novartis’ Kymriah® product for blood 
cancer; it’s the real thing, an available gene therapy 
that’s out there saving people’s lives.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
8 Saving lives 

The Group’s COVID-19 vaccine journey

“ I have been truly proud of the 
Group’s achievements over  
the period. We not only secured 
major new partnerships, brought 
the Oxbox manufacturing 
facility online in record time and 
responded to the challenges of 
the pandemic, but the team has 
also been able to rapidly work 
with AstraZeneca to provide a 
vaccine solution for COVID-19. 
This is a true testament to the 
world-class calibre and 
dedication of our staff” 

John Dawson, CEO 

29 January 2020 
First COVID-19 case 
reported in the UK

08 April 2020 
The Group joined a 
consortium, led by the 
Jenner Institute at Oxford 
University, to rapidly 
develop, scale-up and 
manufacture a potential 
vaccine for COVID-19, 
ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 

23 April 2020 
Oxford University  
begins Phase I/II trial for 
ChAdOx1 nCOV-19  
in the UK 

30 April 2020 
AstraZeneca licensed 
ChAdOx1 nCOV-1 from 
Oxford University to 
enable development, 
manufacture and 
distribution of the 
candidate vaccine 
globally, and it was 
renamed AZD1222 
(Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine)

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

“ When people ask me what I want to achieve in life  
or in my job I explain that what really matters to me  
is ‘to make a difference’

  All my career I have worked in the pharmaceutical 
industry, but since I have joined OXB I feel that what  
I do directly contributes to life changing treatments. 
The work we have done on the vaccine in the last year 
has made this so real . . . on the day the MHRA approved 
the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 
for use in the UK it was such a strong feeling that what 
we do at OXB is making such difference. It is so real 
and has got such an impact. It is a great feeling and 
gives me a sense of purpose to be part of this” 

Aude Cazenave, Senior Director, Head of MSAT 

08 June 2020 
The Group signs five-year 
agreement with VMIC to 
enable the rapid 
manufacture of viral 
vector based vaccines 
and provides equipment 
for two GMP suites in 
Oxbox to further scale up 
AZD1222 or other viral 
vector vaccine candidates

13 May 2020 
The Group receive UK 
Medicines & Healthcare 
products Regulatory 
Agency (MHRA) approval 
for the first two 
manufacturing suites in 
Oxbox 

28 May 2020 
The Group signs initial 
one-year clinical and 
commercial supply 
agreement with 
AstraZeneca at 200L 
scale. At this point, 
AZD1222 is in phase II of 
clinical trials

 
 
 
 
 
“ We can’t overstate the complexity involved 
in getting us ready for 1000 litre production 
in such a short time. It’s not just about the 
equipment needed. We needed to recruit 
and train new members of the team, 
understand and manage the impact on 
logistics and the teams’ working hours. 
Plus, Process R&D have been working hard 
to simplify and streamline the 1000 litre 
downstream process. All of this reinforces 
why this is such a significant achievement 
for OXB”  

Simon Simpkins, Head of Manufacturing 

“ We’re so proud of Oxford 
Biomedica for being a vital part 
of the fight to save lives and 
keep us all safe. And we are so 
grateful to them for supporting 
our work with bereaved 
families in Oxfordshire. This is 
a real shot in the arm for our 
fundraising – and how apt” 

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Judith Mulligan,  
Director of SeeSaw 

“ Today my parents received their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine. I never imagined that my parents would one day 
receive a therapy that my partner helped develop and my employer 
manufactures. What a year this has been. Feeling proud” 

Rachael Nimmo, Group Lead – Cell Technology Group (Feb 2021) 

“ The tireless work of your 250-strong team has helped 
accelerate our vaccine rollout, meaning millions of 
life-saving jabs are already in arms across the UK. You 
should be hugely proud of the role you’ve played in 
protecting the vulnerable, whilst creating a domestic 
manufacturing capability in months that would usually take 
years. I urge you all to keep up your vital work in ensuring  
the strong supply of vaccines to the frontline, and help deliver 
the biggest inoculation programme in British history” 
Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP

30 December 2020 
Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine 
vaccine has been 
authorised for emergency 
supply in the UK 

December 2020 
A very different festive 
period for the Oxbox 
team. 210 people worked 
over the festive period 
giving up their Christmas 
break with their families  
to make sure the supply  
of the Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine would 
continue without disruption

01 September 2020 
The Group signs 
18-month supply 
agreement under a 
three-year master 
services agreement with 
AstraZeneca scaling up to 
1000L production

02 September 2020 
The Group receives 
MHRA approval for third 
manufacturing suite in 
Oxbox

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

14 February 2021
UK government confirms 
15 million people have 
received the first dose of 
a COVID-19 vaccine

04 January 2021 
Dialysis patient Brian 
Pinker, 82, becomes the 
first person to receive the 
Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine 

18 January 2021 
Prime Minister Rt Hon 
Boris Johnson MP 
formally opens Oxbox

28 January 2021
Changing more lives for 
the better. For every extra 
man-day worked over 
the festive period, the 
Group committed to 
donate £100 to OXB’s 
chosen local charity 
SeeSaw. For the extra 210 
extra man-days worked  
a donation of £21,000 
was made to the charity 
in January

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Saving lives 

Developing new, in-house treatments
Our own promising drug development pipeline  
is aimed at healthcare’s biggest unmet needs; cancer, 
blindness, neurological disorders and liver diseases. 

We all know someone who has been affected by 
conditions like these. We have them squarely in our  
sights and are determined to make a difference for  
humans everywhere by pushing them towards approval.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
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Developing new  
ways to save lives. 

Developing and partnering pharma’s  
next big breakthroughs
Our work with and for others both as a technology 
enabler and Contract Development Manufacturing 
Organisation (CDMO) provides an increasing revenue 
stream from fees and royalties. We share our expertise 
to help pharma find new ways to save, and improve 
lives for people suffering from disease. 

Drug development companies wanting to drive 
gene therapy products through trials to market, 
want to work with a leading partner who has already 
successfully done it. Someone like us.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
2
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Saving lives 
Market overview

The Group is an organisation  
at the heart of the fast growing  
cell and gene therapy market.

The next wave of medical breakthroughs

It took over 20 years to launch the first CAR-T cell therapy 
in 2017 and hail the arrival of the sector of medicine known 
as cell and gene therapy. This type of therapy differs from 
earlier medicines in that they are a one-time only treatment 
that  changes  the  body’s  own  cells  to  treat  a  disease.  This 
area  looks  poised  to  revolutionise  a  multiple  of  medical 
treatments. The approvals seen in the cell and gene therapies 
market over the last three years are seen by many as akin to 
the key product launches that catalysed the antibody markets 
in the late 1990’s and the start of a multibillion dollar market in 
the years that followed.

The potential of the cell and gene therapy market was highlighted 
in  a  comment  from  the  former  FDA  Commissioner,  Scott 
Gottlieb, who said in 2019 that ‘by 2025, we predict the FDA will 
be approving 10 to 20 cell and gene therapy products a year’.

The number of companies in the cell and gene therapy sector 
has reached around 1,000, with the sector having attracted 
c.$35  billion  from  venture  capital  in  addition  to  internally 
funded R&D, in the period 2016–2019.

“ We anticipate that by 2020  
we will be receiving more than 
200 INDs (in cell and gene 
therapy products) per year, 
building upon our total of  
more than 800 active cell-based 
or directly administered gene 
therapy INDs currently on  
file with the FDA. And by 2025, 
we predict that the FDA will  
be approving 10 to 20 cell and 
gene therapy products a year.” 

Scott Gottlieb M.D.  
Former FDA Commissioner 
15 January 2019

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A G R

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2024

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2026

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2028 2029 2030

Number of companies in 
gene/cell therapy and tissue 
engineering
Source: ARM Annual Reports

Total global financings ($bn)
Source: ARM Annual Reports

Global integrating vector supply forecast 
New Company estimates (dark green) as of March 2020 and based on 
clinical trial data in Journal of Gene Medicine to December 2018 and 
Company supply and forecast figures. Old forecasts (light green) 
calculated October 2017

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
The Group’s LentiVector® platform – maximising the 
global opportunity 

The  Group’s  LentiVector®  platform  focuses  on  lentiviral 
vectors.  In  the  period  of  2014–2019  this  sector  has  seen  a 
19.8% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in clinical trial 
initiations. The number of clinical trials are seen as a leading 
indicator  of  future  potential  CDMO  deal  flow  as  following 
pre-clinical/early  clinical  work  undertaken  with  research 
grade  lentiviral  vectors.  Indeed,  companies  need  to  make 
the decision on how to achieve commercial scale up. At this 
stage,companies have the option of working with a commercial 
scale lentiviral vector manufacturer such as Oxford Biomedica 
who  can  also  develop  an  efficient  manufacturing  scale  up 
process, as well as produce commercial batches, or look to 
scale up the production of viral vectors in-house.

During 2020, the Group has increased its number of lentiviral 
vector  partner  programmes  from  13  to  19,  adding  leaders  in 
the field such as Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb and 
Beam Therapeutics to their list of partners. In addition, due to 
the  Group’s  expertise  in  viral  vector  manufacture  they  were 
able to partner with AstraZeneca on production of the Oxford 
AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine,  taking  the  total  number  of 
partner programmes by year end to 20.

In 2017, the Group looked at the number of programmes in the 
clinic  and  their  indications  and  from  this  forecasted  that  the 
global  market  for  integrating  vector  supply  was  estimated  to 
be $800 million by 2026. On the back of this analysis the new 
manufacturing  facility  Oxbox  was  commissioned  and  was 
brought online during 2020. With the increase in the number of 
programmes in development, this analysis was updated in March 
2020 and shows a vector supply market estimated to be worth 
in excess of $1 billion by 2026 growing to $1.8 billion by 2030, a 
CAGR of 13.7%. The Group, however, believes that if any of the 
large in vivo indications such as cystic fibrosis or haemophilia 
reach the market (neither of which are included in the estimates 
in the chart below), due to the amount of vector needed, the size 
of the market will be significantly higher than currently forecast.

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The Group has increased their number  
of lentiviral vector partner programmes 
from 13 to 19

 1.8bn

The vector supply market estimated  
to be worth in excess of $1 billion by 2026 
growing to $1.8 billion by 2030

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Clinical trial initiations by vector type 
Source: Clinicaltrials.gov

 Retroviral vectors
 Lentiviral vectors

 Adenoviral vectors
 Adeno-associated vectors (AAV)

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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4 Enabling gene 
therapy to save 
lives.

Together we ve 
got this. 

 
 
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  8 

1  Saving lives
2   Questions and answers
 The Group’s COVID-19  
vaccine journey
  12  Market overview

  15  Strategic Report
  16   Group at a glance
  18  Product pipeline
  20  The Group’s business model
  22  The Group’s stakeholders
  26    Operational highlights  
delivered in 2020
 Financial highlights  
delivered in 2020
  28  Chair’s statement
  30 

  27 

 Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

 Delivery of 2020 objectives

  38  Management team
  40 
  41  Objectives set for 2021
 Financial review
  42 
 Environmental, Social and 
  51 
Governance Report
 Non-financial statement

  67 

  69  Corporate Governance 
  70 

  Principal risks, uncertainties  
and risk management 

  78  Board of Directors
  80  Corporate Governance Report
  96  Directors’ Remuneration Report
  124  Directors’ Report

 132 

 Independent auditors’ report

 143  Group financial statements
  144 

 Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income
 Statement of financial positions

  145 
  146  Statements of cash flows
  147 

 Statements of changes in  
equity attributable to owners  
of the parent
 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

  148 

 185  Other matters
  185 
 Glossary
 188  Advisers and contact details

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6 Strategic Report

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1
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Group at a glance

Who is the Group?

Where is the Group based?

—  The Group is a leading global lentiviral  

vector specialist in the fast growing cell  
and gene therapy market

The Group has six facilities spread over five sites, all based  
in Oxford, UK. Oxford is one of main centres of scientific 
excellence in Europe and is less than an hour from Heathrow.

—  Large scale manufacturer of Oxford 
AstraZeneca’s adenovirus based  
COVID-19 vaccine 

—  Industry leading know-how in multiple 
therapeutic areas: Gene modified cell 
therapies, ocular, liver, respiratory diseases 
and CNS disorder

—  Multiple partnerships with leading companies 
with rapidly increasing number of partner 
programmes

—  The Group’s CDMO revenues provide  
a growing financial foundation with 
significant additional upside from the 
Group’s proprietary pipeline

Key stats*

FTSE 250

$1bn

FTSE250 Biotech company

Market capitalisation in 
excess of $1bn

20

>670

20 partner programmes

Over 670 staff

6

6

Six proprietary 
programmes

Six facilities over five sites 
in Oxford, UK

* as of 31 December 2020

Partners and customers include

        1

        2

         3

      4

         5

      6

Oxbox, Oxford, UK (1)
The Group’s 84,000 sq. ft. manufacturing 
facility, Oxbox, was constructed during  
2019. The first phase of development, totalling 
45,000 sq. ft., consisted of four GMP 
manufacturing suites, two fill and finish suites 
and supporting areas such as warehouse, 
cold chain facilities and QC laboratories. All 
four GMP suites and supporting areas were 
approved by the MHRA during 2020 and by 
the fourth quarter of 2020 all four suites were 
in production. The first of the fill and finish 
suites is expected to be approved during 2021. 
The remaining 39,000 sq. ft. remains fallow and 
is available for flexible expansion in the future.

Windrush Court, Oxford, UK (2)
The Group’s registered office is at Windrush 
Court. The building has 32,000 sq. ft. of 
laboratories as well as extensive office space. 
Following the move of the Senior Executive 
Team and support functions to a new corporate 
office in 2020, development is underway  
to convert some of the existing office area in 
Windrush Court into further laboratory space. 
This is to meet the growing demand for 
commercial development work and analytics 
from both current and potential future partners.

Windrush Innovation Centre,  
Oxford, UK (3) 
Adjoining Windrush Court is the Windrush 
Innovation Centre, which has a further 
32,000 sq. ft. of laboratory space and is 
currently in the process of being refurbished. 
Once completed this will become the 
Group’s dedicated innovation centre; working 
on both platform as well as proprietary 
product innovation.

Yarnton, Oxford, UK (4)
The GMP manufacturing facility at Yarnton 
has both FDA and MHRA approval. It has 
around 6,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, 
including one clean room suite.

Harrow House and Chancery Gate, 
Oxford, UK (5)
The Group’s Harrow House facility first 
received MHRA approval to manufacture  
in 2012. It has around 4,000 sq. ft. of 
manufacturing space with two GMP clean 
room suites. Harrow House and Chancery 
Gate are located directly opposite  
Windrush Court.

Corporate Head Office, Oxford, UK (6)
During 2020, the Group took a new lease  
on a new 11,000 sq. ft. site within the Oxford 
Business Park, close to Oxbox, as a new 
Corporate Head Office. This new site houses 
the Senior Executive Team and various 
support functions.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford

London Heathrow

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What does the Group do?

Platform 1 – Innovation-centric 

 — Driving industrialisation of lentiviral 

vectors

 — All IP, patents and knowhow that  
the Group use to aid discovery, 
development and manufacturing  
of gene therapies; and all of the  
facilities, quality systems and expertise 
that makes it happen

 — Revenue generated via licensing  

and royalties on sales of products 
incorporating the Group’s IP/Know-how

LentiVector® is the Group’s 
lentiviral vector technology 
platform
—  Early clinical and commercial  

manufacturing

—  Proprietary manufacturing  

technologies

Process 
development

Cell and 
vector 
engineering

Analytics

by

Expert professionals use the 
Group and the LentiVector® 
platform to develop and 
manufacture commercially 
scaleable products
The Group generates revenue  
from commercial development fees, 
bioprocessing activities  
and milestones.

CDMO 1 – Customer-centric 

 — Leading provider of scale-up solutions 

and commercial supply

 — Expert professionals use the Group’s 
laboratories and manufacturing  
suites to apply the Group’s Platform 
technologies to develop and 
manufacture commercially scalable 
products for partners 

 — Revenue generated from commercial 
development fees, bioprocessing 
activities and milestones

Scale-up solutions  
and commercial  
supply

by

2020: 
20 (+54%)

2019:  
13 (+44%)

2018:  
9 
Programmes
Partners

Gene Therapeutics1 – Patient-centric 

 — Leveraging the Group’s expertise  

to deliver innovative new lentiviral 
vector-based gene therapies

 —  Activities leading to the development  

of an OXB originated (and IP protected) 
marketable drug product which the 
Group benefit from through direct  
sales, or licences, milestones and 
royalty payments

 —  LentiVector® based and supported  
by the Group’s Platform and CDMO

New lentiviral vector  
based gene therapies driven  
by Oxford Biomedica’s 
LentiVector® platform
The Group is playing a front and  
centre role in the development  
of new cell and gene therapy  
treatments targeting unmet  
healthcare need. 

Our current proprietary  
and partner programmes  
target:
— Gene modified cell therapies 
— CNS disorders
— Liver diseases
— Ocular diseases

by

Saving 
patients 
lives

1  For the purposes of financial reporting the Platform and CDMO both sit within the ‘Platform’ segment for segmental reporting.  

Gene Therapeutics sits within the ‘Product’ segment within segmental reporting 

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

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8 Strategic Report

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Product pipeline

By December 2020 the Group had 20 partner programmes  
and six active proprietary programmes. 

CDMO pipeline
By the end of 2020 the Group was working on 20 partner programmes, a 54% increase 
over the prior year. The Group receives multiple revenue streams from work with partners 
including licence fees, process development fees and milestones, bioprocessing revenues 
and royalties on sales once a therapy has reached the market. 

Product/ indication

Pre-clinical

Phase I

Phase I/II

Phase II

Phase III

Approved

LentiVector® platform

Kymriah®
r/r ALL/ r/r DLBCL
2nd CAR-T
Cancer (multiple) 
3rd CAR-T
Cancer (multiple)
4th CAR-T
Cancer (multiple)
5th CAR-T
Cancer (multiple)
6th CAR-T
Cancer (multiple)

AXO-Lenti-PD
Parkinson’s disease

1st CAR-T/ TCR-T
Undisclosed
2nd CAR-T/ TCR-T
Undisclosed
3rd CAR-T/ TCR-T
Undisclosed
4th CAR-T/ TCR-T
Undisclosed

OTL-101
ADA SCID
OTL-201
MPS-IIIA
Other
Undisclosed
CAR-T
Cancer (multiple)

Factor VIII 1
Haemophilia A
Factor IX 1
Haemophilia B

CFTR gene
Cystic Fibrosis

Ocular gene
Inherited retinal disease

AZD1222 2
COVID-19 Vaccine

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

4

5

1

3

4

4

2

2

7

6

9

9

Read more about the Group’s CDMO pipeline on pages 31 and 32.

1   In March 2021, Sanofi gave notice of their intention to terminate the development of their Factor VIII and 

Factor IX programmes in Haemophilia A and B

2  Potential scale up and vaccine manufacturing revenues

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Gene therapeutics pipeline
The Group has six programmes in its gene therapeutics pipeline.  
Revenues from out-licensed programmes come in the form of licence,  
milestone and royalty payments.

Product/indication

Pre-clinical

Phase I

Phase I/II

Phase II

Phase III

Approved

Oxford Biomedica partnered products 1

AXO-Lenti-PD2
Parkinson’s disease 

Oxford Biomedica proprietary unencumbered products

5

OXB-302
Haematological malignancies

OXB-2033
Wet AMD

OXB-204
LCA10 

OXB-103
ALS 

OXB-401
Liver indication

2

6

6

8

10

Read more about the Group’s gene therapeutics pipeline  
on pages 33 and 34.

Pipeline indications

1

3

2

4

 Oncology
 Haematology
 Immunology
 Metabolic
  Neurology
5
  Ophthalmology
6
  Respiratory
7
  Central Nervous System (CNS)
8

9

Infectious Disease

  Hepatology
10
  Approved in multiple geographies (28 countries)
1
  Approved in multiple geographies
9

1   SAR4224592 (Stargardt disease) and SAR421869 (Usher syndrome 1B) were out-licensed to Sanofi in 2009. In June 2020,  

Sanofi informed OXB of its intention to return these programmes

2  AXO-LENTI-PD formerly known as OXB-102, which OXB out-licensed to Sio gene therapies(formerly Axovant Gene Therapies)
3   Builds on RetinoStat/OXB-201 – Phase I clinical trial in USA (NCT01301443), Campochiaroet al., LentiviralVector Gene Transfer  

of Endostatin/Angiostatinfor Macular Degeneration (GEM) Study. Hum Gene Ther. 2017

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Strategic Report
The Group’s business model

1

LentiVector® platform
The Platform, through it’s 
innovation, is driving the 
industrialisation of lentiviral 
vectors. By industrialising lentiviral 
vector production and bringing 
down the cost per dose through 
IP innovation, it will open up 
therapeutic markets currently 
inaccessible to cell and gene 
therapy due to the amount (and 
therefore costs) of the vector 
required. In addition, the 
reduction in cost will help drive 
adoption by payors into 
indications where there are far 
larger numbers of patients, by 
bringing down the overall cost 
per patient treated.

The Platform innovations and 
hence arising IP are built into 
agreements with partners with 
the aim of having many royalty 
bearing agreements which, once 
the products receive regulatory 
approval, will mean royalty streams 
flowing through to the Group.

The Group’s LentiVector® 
platform is at the heart of the 
Group. The IP, patents and 
know-how, along with the 
Group’s 20 plus years of expertise 
in applying its lentiviral vector 
technology for both in vivo and 
ex vivo therapies has made the 
Group not only a pioneer in the 
field but also the global leader 
that it is today. 

Link to risks  A C E

2

CDMO: Contract 
Development and 
Manufacturing 
Organisation
The CDMO is customer-centic 
and is a leading lentiviral 
vector provider of scale-up 
solutions and commercial 
supply to pharmaceutical and 
biotech companies in the 
fast-growing cell and gene 
therapy field. The Group’s 
expert professionals use  
the Group’s world-leading 

facilities to apply the Platform 
technologies to develop and 
manufacture commercially 
scalable products for partners. 
The Group’s industry- 
leading knowledge in multiple 
therapeutic areas (gene 
modified cell therapies, ocular, 
liver, respiratory diseases  
and CNS disorder) means the 
Group is able to help solve 
partners scale-up and supply 
needs in all of the leading areas 
in which cell and gene therapy 
products are being developed.

The Group’s CDMO business 
is growing fast with the number 
of partner programmes 
standing at 20 by the end of 
2020, an increase of 54% from 
the prior year and during the 
year has increased the number  
of manufacturing suites from 
three to seven as the new 
manufacturing facility Oxbox 
came online, driven by the 
increased demand for the 
Group’s CDMO services.

Link to risks  A B C E

LentiVector® platform
 IP –  patents and know-how | facilities | expertise | quality systems

1

®

Facilities

Quality systems

Arising IP and technical and 
scientific knowledge transfer

2

20 CDMO partner’s programmes

3

Eight gene therapeutics  
proprietary products

Multiple revenue 
streams

Out-licence

Internal 
development

Partners’ programmes

Out-licensed products

Internal pipeline

— Process development fees
—  Process development Milestones
— Bioprocessing revenues
— Royalties

— Development funding
—  Upfront, milestones and 

royalties

— Wholly owned products

5

4

1 2 3 4 5

Financial reporting
For the purposes of financial reporting the LentiVector® platform (1) and 
CDMO partner programmes (2) both sit with in the ‘Platform’ segment  
for segmental reporting. The gene therapeutics proprietary products (3) 
which includes internal pipeline (4) and out-licensed products (5) sits 
within the ‘Product’ segment within segmental reporting. 

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Value creation for our stakeholders in 2020

Shareholders
The Group’s shareholders play an 
important role in monitoring and 
safeguarding the governance of 
the Group by ensuring their views 
are brought into Board discussions 
and considered in decision making.

180+

In 2020 the Group attended 
over 180+ meetings/calls  
in the investor community 
mainly held virtually

Partners
The Group will continue to  
target new strategic commercial 
relationships in 2020, whilst 
continuing to maintain the very 
good relationship it has with  
its existing partners.

Employees
The Group’s team are some of the 
most highly skilled and focused 
people in the cutting edge world 
of cell and gene therapy, working 
in office and laboratory facilities 
that are amongst the best.

Local communities
The Group has provided high skilled 
jobs to the local community, and 
have established an apprenticeship 
scheme in collaboration with 
Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship 
Community and multiple training 
providers.

20¹

Partner programmes

120

New colleagues in 2020

8

Apprenticeships created  
in 2020

1  In March 2021, Sanofi gave notice of their intention to terminate  
the development of their Factor VIII and Factor IX programmes  
in Haemophilia A and B.

Governing bodies and regulators
The Group operates in a highly regulatory environment. With a long 
history of achievements, the Group’s technology is recognised by 
regulators on both sides of the Atlantic.

Read more about the Group’s stakeholders on pages 22 and 23.

Principal risks facing the business

The main risks are:

A

B

C

 Risks associated with pharmaceutical product development 
including product safety issues, lack of efficacy, and failure  
to obtain regulatory approval.

 Risks to the Group’s bioprocessing revenue from failure  
to manufacture lentiviral vector to the required standard.

 Exposure to one or more of the Group’s partners ceasing  
to develop their products and therefore no longer requiring  
the Group’s services.

D    Failure to out-license or spin-out the Group’s product  
development candidates so that development stops.

E   Inability to attract and/or retain highly skilled employees.

The principal risks facing the Group, including how they are 
managed and mitigated, are set out in detail on pages 70 to 77.  

5

Out-licensed  
pipeline products
In June 2018, the Group signed 
an agreement to out-license 
it’s Parkinson disease programme 
OXB 102, renamed AXO- 
Lenti-PD to Sio Gene Therapies 
(formerly Axovant Gene 
Therapies).The agreement 
included a $30m upfront 
payment, $55m in development 
milestones and in excess of 
$757m for regulatory and sales 
related milestones. Sio released 
positive clinical trial data in 
January and October 2020 as 
the programme progressed 
though clinical development.

In June 2020, Sanofi informed 
the Group that it intended  
to return the rights for the 
Stargardt’s and Usher Syndrome 
programmes, originally 
out-licensed in 2008 utilising 
an older generation of the 
Group’s technology platform. 
Once returned, the Group  
will undertake its own internal 
evaluation to decide whether  
to commit further resources  
to these candidate products.

Link to risks  A C

3

4

Gene Therapeutics
The Group leverages its expertise 
to develop innovative new 
IP-protected cell and gene 
therapies. The Group’s cell and 
gene therapy pipeline offers 
significant upside potential and 
through its internal research 
expertise developed over  
20 years and supported by the 
Group’s Platform and CDMO 
selects patient-centric product 
candidates targeting clinical 
excellence. These are progressed 
through proof-of-concept, and 
into early clinical development, 
before either seeking third-party 
funding for full development 
and commercialisation or indeed 
to develop further in-house.

The current pipeline consists of 
six programmes, of which five are 
being developed in-house and 
one has been out-licensed.

Link to risks  A C D E

Internal pipeline 
products
In the first quarter of 2020 the 
Group undertook an internal 
pipeline review to prioritise 
where pre-clinical investment 
will be made on its wholly-
owned early-stage pipeline 
assets. The current portfolio 
consists of five programmes 
targeting a number of indications 
in ophthalmology, oncology, 
liver and CNS disorders. 

OXB-302 (CAR-T 5T4) is 
currently the Group’s priority 
candidate and targets 
haematological tumours. The 
5T4 antigen has been shown 
to be highly expressed on 
various haematological 
tumours as well as most solid 
tumours with restricted 
expression on normal tissues. 
The Group continues to 
advance pre-clinical work on 
OXB-302 as the Group gets  
the programme ready for entry 
into the clinic. 

OXB-203, currently in pre-clinical 
studies, is targeting Wet AMD 
and uses the Group’s technology 
to deliver a gene to express 
afibercept (a VEGF-trap). This 
programme builds on the 
demonstrated long term gene 
expression data seen with  
its predecessor OXB-201.  
In addition, the Group is 
continuing pre-clinical work 
on OXB-204 (LCA10) and 
OXB-103 (ALS) and a new 
pre-clinical programme, 
OXB-401 (liver indication)  
was initiated.

Link to risks  A D E

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2
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2

Strategic Report
The Group’s stakeholders

The Board believes that, to maximise value and secure 
long term success, the Directors must take account  
of what is important to key stakeholders. This is best 
achieved through proactive and effective engagement. 

s172 Companies Act 2006

The adjacent table identifies the Group’s key stakeholder groups, 
material issues and how the Board engages with them. Each 
stakeholder group requires a tailored engagement approach to foster 
effective and mutually beneficial relationships.

By understanding the Group’s stakeholders, the Board factors 
the potential impact of decisions on each stakeholder group into 
Boardroom discussions and considers stakeholder needs and 
concerns, in accordance with s172 of the Companies Act 2006  
(as shown in the AstraZeneca case study on pages 24 and 25). The 
Group works effectively with its employees, patients, customers and 
suppliers, to make a positive contribution to local communities and 
achieve long term sustainable returns for its investors. Acting in a fair  
and responsible manner is a core element of the Group’s business 
practice as seen in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) 
report on pages 51 to 66. (In prior years, the Group’s ESG report was 
referred to as the Responsible Business Report.)

Key stakeholders

The Group has identified seven key stakeholders through a workshop 
facilitated by an external specialist consultant and these are as follows:
1  Employees
2  Patients
3  Customers
4  Local communities
5  Suppliers
6  Regulators
7  Shareholders

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Stakeholders

1  Employees

The Group has an experienced, diverse and dedicated 
workforce, which it recognises as a key asset of the business. 
Therefore, it is important that the Group continues to create 
the right environment to encourage and create opportunities 
for individuals and teams to realise their full potential

2  Patients

The Group works on the development of innovative products 
either by itself or with partners in order to provide life-changing 
treatments to patients 

3  Customers

The continued performance of the Group’s business would 
not be possible without understanding the needs and future 
aspirations of its customers. Many customers have come  
to the Group as their businesses have moved into the cell and 
gene therapy sector, which is testament to the Group’s 
expertise and leadership in the sector. In addition, the Group’s 
manufacturing expertise has attracted a broader customer base

4  Local communities

The Group is committed to supporting the communities  
in which it operates, including local businesses, residents, 
schools and the wider public

5  Suppliers

The Group buys many items from key suppliers and outsources 
some of its activities to third-party suppliers and providers.  
As a result, it is crucial that the Group develops strong working 
relationships with the Group’s suppliers, so the Group can 
enhance the efficiency of the business and create value

6  Regulators

The Group operates in a highly regulated environment and  
it is important that it engages with the regulators as required

7  Shareholders

The Group’s shareholders play an important role in monitoring 
and safeguarding the governance of the Group

How the Board and the wider Group engages

Material issues 

Addressing Material issues in 2020 

Further links

identified

Highlights

The Group has an open, collaborative and inclusive management 

structure and engages regularly with employees. The Group does 

– COVID-19 impact

–  Opportunities for 

–  Upon the recommendation of the Board, a 

p. 54 

 People and 

Workforce Engagement Panel was established 

wellbeing

this through a regular appraisal process, structured career conversations, 

development and 

and three meetings held before the year-end

p. 106   Executive annual 

management development programmes, employee surveys, 

progression

–  Stuart Henderson, the Board’s designated 

webinars and webcasts, digital sharing platforms, Group presentations, 

–  Health, safety and 

representative, attended his first Workforce 

town hall meetings, site visits by Board members, email briefings, 

wellbeing

Engagement Panel meeting in October

bonus, 

organisation and 

staff

newsletters and its well-being programme. Employee engagement  

–  Opportunity to share 

–  Diversity and Inclusion workshop held with an 

p. 54 

 Diversity and 

is frequently measured and the Board has designated Stuart Henderson 

ideas and make a 

external facilitator, with a strategy and plan to be 

inclusion

as the its representative for gathering the views of the workforce  

difference

developed during 2021

p. 53 

 Workforce 

and overseeing employee engagement. During 2020, the Board 

– Diversity and inclusion

–  Continued roll-out of the management 

Engagement Panel 

recommended that the Group establish a Workforce Engagement 

Panel, comprising employee representatives from across the business.

development programme

–  Full roll out of the Rewards programme 

–  120 new colleagues recruited

The Clinical Development department, the Chief Scientific Officer and 

–  Patient safety

–  Thousands of patients treated with the Group’s 

p. 66 

   Clinical trials and 

the Chief Technical Officer, consults with key clinical opinion leaders, 

–  Well-designed  

lentiviral vectors

ethics

patient advocacy groups and regulatory experts in order to design safe 

clinical trials

–  Expanded manufacturing capacity for large-scale 

clinical trials for patients. The Chief Scientific Officer and the Chief 

–  Progress product 

commercial manufacture of the adenovirus 

Technical Officer regularly update the Board on the results of such 

consultations. The Group is able to scale-up its manufacturing capacity 

candidates to the 

market as quickly  

to access a broad patient population in line with customer demand

as possible 

vector-based Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 

vaccine

The Group’s client partner and alliance management department, 

–  Understand customers’ 

–  New clients such as AstraZeneca, Beam 

the business development team, the Chief Executive Officer and 

needs in order to refine 

Therapeutics and Juno Therapeutics/Bristol 

Chief Financial Officer regularly communicate with existing 

expertise

Myers Squibb

customers/partners to discuss their goals and incorporate them into 

–  Deliver to meet 

–  Progressed programmes with partners  

the Group’s schedules/strategy. The Group does this through 

customers’ business 

as per agreements

p. 30 

 Operational review

p. 106  Executive annual 

bonus 

meetings, engagement events and forums. This active engagement 

goals

ultimately ensures that the Group meets their customers’ needs and 

–  Offer expert 

assists them in achieving their business goals. The Chief Business 

manufacturing 

Officer presents a regular update on the Group’s customer/partner 

capabilities to partners

relationships at each Board meeting.

The Group engages with the local community not only through  

–  Apprenticeships 

–  Eight apprenticeships offered in 2020

the planning process but also through the Group’s “Helping Hands” 

–  School and careers 

–  Outreach programme in STEM subjects 

forum, with volunteering, fundraising and charity work. The Group 

events

–  £4,003 in employee fundraising for local  

p. 52 

p. 56 

 People

 Community

p. 57  Charity

attends schools and career fairs, and provides apprenticeships and 

–  Fundraise for local 

Oxford charity, with £35,305 in total donated  

work experience opportunities. The Group liaises with industry 

charities

to local charities

bodies and government organisations to enhance the positive impact 

–  Volunteer for local 

–  Employee volunteer work for local charity 

the Group has on the communities and sector in which it operates. 

charities/organisations

organisations

The Board is kept updated on the various community initiatives on 

ESG (formerly Responsible Business) initiatives.

Through effective collaboration, the Group aims to build long term 

–  Long term partnerships

–  Quality audits performed by the Group  

p. 76 

 Brexit

relationships with its suppliers so that both parties benefit. The 

–  Collaborative approach

on its suppliers

business development team, operations team, Chief Executive Officer 

–  Open terms of business

–  Due diligence performed by the Group  

and Chief Financial Officer have regular supplier meetings and 

business reviews and is creating a supplier code of conduct

on its suppliers

–  Procurement and supplier function established  

p. 64 

 Supply chain

to interact with suppliers more effectively

– Development of a Supplier Code of Conduct

p. 66 

 Modern Slavery Act 

confirmation and 

code of conduct

The Chief Scientific Officer, Chief Technical Officer, Chief Operations 

–  Engage with regulators 

–  Three audits by government regulatory bodies

p. 72 

 Regulatory risk

Officer and General Counsel are in contact with government 

early

–  Two audits by customers

p. 95 

 Governance

regulatory bodies on a regular basis and attend industry forums. The 

–  Meeting regulatory 

–  Regulatory training for employees and Directors

p. 51 

 ESG

Group has compliance audits performed by both government 

compliance

–  Product safety updates reports (PSURs)

regulatory bodies and by its customers. The General Counsel arranges 

–  Compliance with the 

–  Review of the Corporate Governance Code

for annual Corporate Governance updates for the Board from external 

Corporate Governance 

advisers and provides other ad hoc regulatory updates as appropriate.

Code

Through the Group’s investor relations programme, which includes 

–  Corporate Governance

–  c.180+ meetings/calls with the investor 

p. 84 

 Shareholder 

regular updates to the Board on investor presentations, one-to-one 

–  Business ethics 

community mainly held virtually in 2020 

engagement in 

meetings and investor roadshows as well as the Group’s Annual 

–  Strategy and business 

–  Shareholders were invited to listen in to the AGM 

2020

General Meeting (AGM), the Group ensures shareholder views are 

model

and vote by proxy

brought into the Boardroom and are considered in its decision-

–  Financial performance

–  New North American investors added to the 

p. 106  Remuneration –  

annual bonus and 

making. During 2020, the Board also had the representatives of two 

major shareholders on the Board. The Group engages with 

shareholders via the Annual report and accounts and via RNS 

announcements and the Corporate website

Group’s shareholder register taking the 

LTIP

percentage of North American shareholders from 

p. 95 

 Governance

8.1% to 15.6% in the year 

p. 51 

 ESG

p. 42 

 Financial review

p. 123   Financials

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020Each section has its own colour code. This one is purple (others are cyan, orange and dark blue)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4With the headings, you need to work out what is what in the old back section as we used to have an underline style there that is now defunct. In theory they will all match in all sections now.Each section has its own colour code. This one is purple (others are cyan, orange and dark blue)Everything is 10/11.5pt with -20 tracking (including captions and headings.Body text: I am pleased to present Oxford BioMedica’s Corporate Governance Report for 2015.Good governance is essential for the long term success of the business and this is ultimately the responsibility of the Board and its committees. The Board comprises both non-Executive and Executive directors and provides the forum for external and independent review and challenge to the Executives.Full line spaces between heading paragraphs.Half line space between regular paragraphs.Caption heading 6.5/8ptCaption text 6.5/8pt 
 
 
Stakeholders

1  Employees

The Group has an experienced, diverse and dedicated 

workforce, which it recognises as a key asset of the business. 

Therefore, it is important that the Group continues to create 

the right environment to encourage and create opportunities 

for individuals and teams to realise their full potential

2  Patients

The Group works on the development of innovative products 

either by itself or with partners in order to provide life-changing 

treatments to patients 

3  Customers

The continued performance of the Group’s business would 

not be possible without understanding the needs and future 

aspirations of its customers. Many customers have come  

to the Group as their businesses have moved into the cell and 

gene therapy sector, which is testament to the Group’s 

expertise and leadership in the sector. In addition, the Group’s 

manufacturing expertise has attracted a broader customer base

4  Local communities

The Group is committed to supporting the communities  

in which it operates, including local businesses, residents, 

schools and the wider public

5  Suppliers

The Group buys many items from key suppliers and outsources 

some of its activities to third-party suppliers and providers.  

As a result, it is crucial that the Group develops strong working 

relationships with the Group’s suppliers, so the Group can 

enhance the efficiency of the business and create value

6  Regulators

The Group operates in a highly regulated environment and  

it is important that it engages with the regulators as required

7  Shareholders

The Group’s shareholders play an important role in monitoring 

and safeguarding the governance of the Group

How the Board and the wider Group engages

Material issues 
identified

Addressing Material issues in 2020 
Highlights

Further links

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The Group has an open, collaborative and inclusive management 
structure and engages regularly with employees. The Group does 
this through a regular appraisal process, structured career conversations, 
management development programmes, employee surveys, 
webinars and webcasts, digital sharing platforms, Group presentations, 
town hall meetings, site visits by Board members, email briefings, 
newsletters and its well-being programme. Employee engagement  
is frequently measured and the Board has designated Stuart Henderson 
as the its representative for gathering the views of the workforce  
and overseeing employee engagement. During 2020, the Board 
recommended that the Group establish a Workforce Engagement 
Panel, comprising employee representatives from across the business.

– COVID-19 impact
–  Opportunities for 
development and 
progression

–  Health, safety and 

wellbeing

–  Upon the recommendation of the Board, a 

Workforce Engagement Panel was established 
and three meetings held before the year-end

p. 54 

 People and 
wellbeing
p. 106   Executive annual 

–  Stuart Henderson, the Board’s designated 

representative, attended his first Workforce 
Engagement Panel meeting in October

–  Opportunity to share 
ideas and make a 
difference

–  Diversity and Inclusion workshop held with an 

p. 54 

external facilitator, with a strategy and plan to be 
developed during 2021

p. 53 

– Diversity and inclusion

–  Continued roll-out of the management 

development programme

–  Full roll out of the Rewards programme 
–  120 new colleagues recruited

bonus, 
organisation and 
staff
 Diversity and 
inclusion
 Workforce 
Engagement Panel 

The Clinical Development department, the Chief Scientific Officer and 
the Chief Technical Officer, consults with key clinical opinion leaders, 
patient advocacy groups and regulatory experts in order to design safe 
clinical trials for patients. The Chief Scientific Officer and the Chief 
Technical Officer regularly update the Board on the results of such 
consultations. The Group is able to scale-up its manufacturing capacity 
to access a broad patient population in line with customer demand

–  Patient safety
–  Well-designed  
clinical trials

–  Progress product 
candidates to the 
market as quickly  
as possible 

–  Thousands of patients treated with the Group’s 

p. 66 

lentiviral vectors

–  Expanded manufacturing capacity for large-scale 

commercial manufacture of the adenovirus 
vector-based Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 
vaccine

   Clinical trials and 
ethics

The Group’s client partner and alliance management department, 
the business development team, the Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer regularly communicate with existing 
customers/partners to discuss their goals and incorporate them into 
the Group’s schedules/strategy. The Group does this through 
meetings, engagement events and forums. This active engagement 
ultimately ensures that the Group meets their customers’ needs and 
assists them in achieving their business goals. The Chief Business 
Officer presents a regular update on the Group’s customer/partner 
relationships at each Board meeting.

–  Understand customers’ 
needs in order to refine 
expertise

–  New clients such as AstraZeneca, Beam 

Therapeutics and Juno Therapeutics/Bristol 
Myers Squibb

–  Deliver to meet 

–  Progressed programmes with partners  

 Operational review

p. 30 
p. 106  Executive annual 

bonus 

as per agreements

customers’ business 
goals

–  Offer expert 

manufacturing 
capabilities to partners

The Group engages with the local community not only through  
the planning process but also through the Group’s “Helping Hands” 
forum, with volunteering, fundraising and charity work. The Group 
attends schools and career fairs, and provides apprenticeships and 
work experience opportunities. The Group liaises with industry 
bodies and government organisations to enhance the positive impact 
the Group has on the communities and sector in which it operates. 
The Board is kept updated on the various community initiatives on 
ESG (formerly Responsible Business) initiatives.

–  Apprenticeships 
–  School and careers 

events

–  Fundraise for local 

charities

–  Eight apprenticeships offered in 2020
–  Outreach programme in STEM subjects 
–  £4,003 in employee fundraising for local  

Oxford charity, with £35,305 in total donated  
to local charities

–  Volunteer for local 

–  Employee volunteer work for local charity 

charities/organisations

organisations

 People
 Community

p. 52 
p. 56 
p. 57  Charity

Through effective collaboration, the Group aims to build long term 
relationships with its suppliers so that both parties benefit. The 
business development team, operations team, Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer have regular supplier meetings and 
business reviews and is creating a supplier code of conduct

–  Long term partnerships
–  Collaborative approach
–  Open terms of business

–  Quality audits performed by the Group  

on its suppliers

–  Due diligence performed by the Group  

p. 76 
p. 66 

on its suppliers

–  Procurement and supplier function established  

p. 64 

to interact with suppliers more effectively
– Development of a Supplier Code of Conduct

 Brexit
 Modern Slavery Act 
confirmation and 
code of conduct
 Supply chain

The Chief Scientific Officer, Chief Technical Officer, Chief Operations 
Officer and General Counsel are in contact with government 
regulatory bodies on a regular basis and attend industry forums. The 
Group has compliance audits performed by both government 
regulatory bodies and by its customers. The General Counsel arranges 
for annual Corporate Governance updates for the Board from external 
advisers and provides other ad hoc regulatory updates as appropriate.

–  Engage with regulators 

early

–  Meeting regulatory 

compliance

–  Compliance with the 

Corporate Governance 
Code

–  Three audits by government regulatory bodies
–  Two audits by customers
–  Regulatory training for employees and Directors
–  Product safety updates reports (PSURs)
–  Review of the Corporate Governance Code

p. 72 
p. 95 
p. 51 

 Regulatory risk
 Governance
 ESG

Through the Group’s investor relations programme, which includes 
regular updates to the Board on investor presentations, one-to-one 
meetings and investor roadshows as well as the Group’s Annual 
General Meeting (AGM), the Group ensures shareholder views are 
brought into the Boardroom and are considered in its decision-
making. During 2020, the Board also had the representatives of two 
major shareholders on the Board. The Group engages with 
shareholders via the Annual report and accounts and via RNS 
announcements and the Corporate website

–  Corporate Governance
–  Business ethics 
–  Strategy and business 

–  c.180+ meetings/calls with the investor 
community mainly held virtually in 2020 

–  Shareholders were invited to listen in to the AGM 

model

and vote by proxy

–  Financial performance

–  New North American investors added to the 

Group’s shareholder register taking the 
percentage of North American shareholders from 
8.1% to 15.6% in the year 

p. 84   Shareholder 

engagement in 
2020

p. 106  Remuneration –  
annual bonus and 
LTIP
 Governance
 ESG
 Financial review

p. 95 
p. 51 
p. 42 
p. 123   Financials

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Strategic Report
The Group’s stakeholders

Stakeholder Case Study

The AstraZeneca supply  
agreement

“ Measures were put in 
place to split teams into 
different shifts, increase 
financial compensation 
for working antisocial 
hours and provide 
wellbeing support 
during the period of 
increased activity.” 

“ It would be extremely 
beneficial, as it could 
expedite the availability of 
vital Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccines to the 
entire UK population.”

During 2020, the Group had the 
opportunity to enter into a supply 
agreement with AstraZeneca  
for the large-scale commercial 
manufacture of the adenovirus 
vector-based Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine. The Board 
considered and discussed the 
potential impact of this decision 
on each of its stakeholders. 

Employees
First, the Board considered the effect 
the agreement would have on the 
Group’s employees in terms of the 
increased need for recruitment and 
training that the greater workload 
would require, as well as the impact 
on the wellbeing of existing staff 
until such time the recruitment and 
training had been completed and 
embedded. Measures were put in 
place to split teams into different shifts, 
increase financial compensation for 
working antisocial hours and provide 
wellbeing support during the period 
of increased activity. 

Patient population
In addition, the Board assessed  
the impact that the agreement 
would have on the wider patient 
population and concluded that,  
in light of the ongoing COVID-19 
pandemic, it would be extremely 
beneficial, as it could expedite the 
availability of vital Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccines to the entire UK 
population. Furthermore, the  
Board considered the effect the 
agreement would have on the 
Group’s existing customers and, in 
each case, after careful analysis, 
the Board was comfortable that the 
work the Group performed under 
the agreement would not have  
a material detrimental effect on the 
Group’s contractual commitments 
to existing customers. 

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“ Creation of new 
employment 
opportunities within  
the local community.”

“ Getting regulatory 
approval for the Oxbox 
facility was critical,  
in order to manufacture 
the vaccine for future 
commercial launch.”

“ Working on production  
of the Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine could 
positively raise the profile 
of the Group within the 
investment community 
and beyond.”

Local communities
In considering the effect on local 
communities, the Board noted the 
positive impact that the agreement 
would have in terms of the creation 
of new employment opportunities 
within the local community, but the 
Board was cognisant that, conversely, 
the higher number of employees 
would also give rise to the need for 
an increased security presence and 
heavier traffic around the Oxbox site. 

Shareholders
Finally, the Board concluded  
that the agreement was in the  
best interests of the Group’s 
shareholders, as working on 
production of the Oxford 
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 
could positively raise the profile  
of the Group within the investment 
community and beyond. The  
Board continues to monitor the 
implications of this decision  
on a stakeholder-by-stakeholder 
basis beyond the original decision.

Supply chain and regulators
Following a thorough review, the 
Board determined that the Group’s 
suppliers would be significantly 
affected by the agreement, as the 
demand for raw materials would  
be substantially increased putting 
pressure on its existing supply 
chain. The Group has looked to 
reduce the pressure on suppliers  
by finding second sources for the 
raw materials and provide the 
suppliers with as much advance 
notice of the Group’s raw material 
requirements as possible. Working 
with the UK regulatory authorities 
was at the forefront of the Board’s 
discussions regarding the agreement, 
as getting regulatory approval for 
the Oxbox facility was critical, in 
order to manufacture the vaccine 
for future commercial launch. 

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
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Strategic Report 
Operational highlights delivered in 2020

Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb partnership
 — New licence and five-year clinical supply agreement with Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb 
for multiple CAR-T and TCR-T programmes, signed in March. A £7.8 million ($10 million) licence 
fee was recognised by the Group and up to $217 million could be paid in development, regulatory 
and sales related milestones in addition to undisclosed process development, scale up and batch 
revenues, and with an undisclosed royalty on sales

COVID-19 vaccine partnership with AstraZeneca
 — The Group is a key manufacturer of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222. Having 

signed an initial agreement in May, in September the Group signed an 18-month supply agreement 
under a three-year master supply and development agreement for the large-scale manufacture of 
the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The Group received a £15 million capacity reservation 
fee with additional revenue in excess of £35 million expected by the end of 2021

 — By the fourth quarter, the Group was manufacturing the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 

vaccine in three suites at 1000L scale ahead of the MHRA granting emergency use for the 
Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in December

Novartis partnership
 — The Group’s collaboration with Novartis continued to strengthen with a sixth vector construct added 
in the first quarter of 2020, with the partnership having been previously extended by five years in 
December 2019

 — The roll out of Kymriah® continues to accelerate in relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic 
leukaemia and relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with reimbursement approved 
in 28 countries in at least one indication in over 300 qualified treatment centres

Other partnership updates
 — In July, the Group signed a three-year clinical supply agreement with Sio Gene Therapies for the 
manufacture and supply of Parkinson’s disease gene therapy programme AXO-Lenti-PD, building 
on the worldwide licence agreement signed between the two companies in June 2018

 — In August, the Group signed a development, manufacture and licence agreement with Beam 
Therapeutics for next generation CAR-T programmes including a three-year clinical supply 
agreement

 — Post period end in March 2021, the Group announced that Sanofi had given notice that they 
intend to terminate the 2018 collaboration and licence agreement for the process development 
and manufacturing of lentiviral vectors to treat haemophilia

 — Post period end in April 2021, the Group signed a three-year development and supply agreement 
with  Boehringer  Ingelheim  for  the  manufacture  and  supply  of  viral  vectors,  building  on  the 
partnership that started in 2018

Facilities and capacity expansion
 — By October, the MHRA had approved all four suites in the first phase of development of Oxbox, 
the Group’s new 84,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Three suites are producing the Oxford 
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at 1000L scale and one suite added to the existing capabilities of 
producing lentiviral vector-based products for the Group’s partners at 200L scale

 — Building work at Windrush Court to convert office space into GMP laboratories progressed 

throughout the year, with the first of the laboratories completed by the end of 2020

 — Opening of the new Corporate Head Office on a new site within the Oxford Business Park

See page 31.

See page 31.

See page 32.

See pages 32 and 33.

See page 35.

Corporate Governance and organisational progress
 — In June, the Group welcomed Dr. Roch Doliveux as Non-Executive Chair, following the 

See page 36.

retirement of prior Chair, Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo

 — The Group has made significant strides forward in its commitment to best practice in Corporate 
Governance and the diversification of talent on the Board. In November, Dr. Sam Rasty was 
appointed to the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Post period-end in February 
2021, the Group announced the appointment of Professor Dame Kay Davies as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director and Martin Diggle stepped down as a Non-Executive Director after nine 
years. Dr. Andrew Heath will not be standing for re-election at the 2021 AGM having served on the 
Board since 2010

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
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2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Cash used in operations 
£m

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Operating EBITDA
£m

Strategic Report
Financial highlights delivered in 2020

£38.3m

£87.7m

Equity fundraising in June 2020
Successful £38.3 million equity fundraising 
generated funds to be used to expand the 
Group’s facilities and exploit new opportunities  
in the cell and gene therapy market

+45%

Bioprocessing and commercial  
development revenue
Bioprocessing and commercial development 
revenues increased by 45% to £68.5 million 
(2019: £47.3 million) 

Revenue
Revenue increased by 37% from £64.1 million  
to £87.7 million

£19.2 m

Licences, milestones and royalties revenue
Licences, milestone and royalty revenues 
increased to £19.2 million (2019: £16.8 million)

+23%

£13.4m

Operating expenses 1
Operating expenses increased by 23% from
£41.9 million to £51.7 million

Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure of £13.4 million  
(2019: £25.8 million)

£7.3m

£46.7m

Operating EBITDA 2 profit 
Operating EBITDA profit generated  
of £7.3 million (2019: £5.2 million loss)

Cash
Cash of £46.7 million
(31 December 2019: £16.2 million)

£5.7m

£3.9m

Operating loss
Operating loss incurred of £5.7 million  
(2019: £14.5 million loss)

Cash used in operations
decreased by £2.7 million to £3.9 million
(2019: £6.6 million)

£2.0m & (£7.7m)

£0.4m

Segment operating profit/(loss)
The Platform segment generated  
an operating profit of £2.0 million in 2020  
(2019: £20.2 million loss), whilst the Product 
segment made a loss of £7.7 million  
(2019: £5.7 million profit) 

Decrease in the bioprocessing out of 
specification provision
£0.4 million decrease (2019: £1.8 million 
increase) in the bioprocessing out of 
specification provision

15

10

5

0

–5

–10

–15

–20

15

10

5

0

–5

–10

–15

–20

1. 

2. 

 Operating expenses is made up out of Bioprocessing expenses, Research and development expenses and Administrative expenses.  
A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on page 46. 
 Operating EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, revaluation of investments and assets at fair value through profit 
and loss, and Share Based Payments) is a non-GAAP measure often used as a surrogate for operational cash flow as it excludes from 
operating profit or loss all non-cash items, including the charge for share options. Share options are considered non-cash as there is no cash 
payment associated with the annual share option charge recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. A reconciliation to GAAP 
measures is provided on page 47.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
8 Strategic Report

2

Chair’s statement

A Purpose of which to be proud

Our Purpose 
It is with great pride that I present my first statement as the Chair of Oxford 
Biomedica  (OXB).  I  was  first  attracted  to  the  Company  by  its  strong 
purpose and great technology. Saving patients’ lives is what the healthcare 
industry strives to do and OXB is delivering on that promise in both its cell 
and  gene  therapy  work,  and  now  with  the  manufacture  of  the  Oxford 
AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine.  Cell  and  gene  therapies  have  the 
potential to be curative for many untreated diseases and to be able to play 
my part in realising this potential is my duty. 

It has been a challenging time to assume my role, as our organisation has 
found  new  ways  of  working.  Face  to  face  contact  has  been  kept  to  a 
minimum for the right reasons, and I thank the Board and the wider OXB 
team, key opinion leaders and investors for helping me to gain an in-depth 
understanding of the business. It’s inspiring to me that OXB is now a key 
part of the global effort to return life to normality, and I am looking forward 
to supplementing the relationships built online with in-person discussions. 

I could not be more proud to lead the Company’s Board through its next 
phase of growth. 

Our Culture
Underlying the purpose of OXB is a strong culture. The pandemic response 
has both tested and fortified that culture. We pride ourselves on our core 
values including delivering innovation with integrity. 

Our ability to deliver the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the most 
challenging of circumstances given global demand, has impressed me and 
has demonstrated that these values run deep through our organisation. This 
has  been  achieved  whilst  continuing  to  execute  the  underlying  Group 
strategy, and I give my admiration and appreciation to the team for continuing 
to deliver on all fronts whilst adapting to new working environments. 

Utilising our capabilities to play our part against one of the biggest challenges 
humankind has recently faced is inspirational and all stakeholders of OXB are, 
justifiably, proud to be involved in this effort. 

During the year we also implemented a Group-wide bonus scheme to 
ensure all staff benefit from the Group achieving its objectives.

Our Strategy
OXB continues to deliver on its core strategy of being the leading provider 
of lentiviral based vectors for cell and gene therapy companies, growing 
our customer base and service. Significant progress has been made in 2020 
both in new technologies and new customers such as Juno Therapeutics/
Bristol Myers Squibb and Beam Therapeutics. Our successful work on the 
adenovirus-based  Oxford  AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine  has  also 
demonstrated our ability to also broaden our Contract Development and 
Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) to more viral vectors.

Significant  value  to  stakeholders  can  also  be  provided  by  applying  our 
knowledge to our own therapeutic products. The Board realises that the 
re-balancing of the Group towards products in this way is not easy, as we 
wish to first build on the CDMO momentum, but given the medical need 
and the number of nascent technologies and therapeutic programmes 
using lentiviral based vectors, we are committed to making it happen over 
time and as opportunities arise.

“ OXB continues to deliver on 
its core strategy of being the 
leading provider of lentiviral 
based vectors for cell and gene 
therapy companies, growing 
our customer base and service.” 

Dr. Roch Doliveux 
Chair

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
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The cell and gene therapy revolution
We are in the initial phase of the  
cell and gene therapy revolution in 
healthcare and OXB is particularly  
well positioned to play a major role  
in this rapidly expanding field. 

The continued innovation of OXB’s platform is key to providing solutions 
for both partners and patients. We will accelerate this effort, and retain 
and build upon our leadership role in this space. 

It is also clear, through our Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine efforts, 
that  our  manufacturing  capabilities  and  state  of  the  art  facilities  are 
inherently  valuable,  and  there  is  the  opportunity  to  leverage  these 
capabilities and facilities to help more partners. We shall be pursuing more 
partnerships in these adjacencies.

Governance
The  role  of  boards  in  ensuring  the  societal  impact,  sustainability  and 
viability of businesses has never been more critical than in the uncertain 
times of 2020. I joined the Board in June 2020, and would like to thank  
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo for his stewardship of the Board prior to this time, 
culminating with OXB entering the FTSE250 index.

The level of engagement and collegiality in all Board members is impressive 
as we have been delivering upon our commitment to both strengthen the 
capabilities on the Board and increase diversity.

To that end, I am delighted to welcome both Dr. Sam Rasty and Professor 
Dame  Kay  Davies  to  the  Board.  Sam’s  contributions  have  already  been 
very  insightful  and  I  know  Kay  will  also  add  significant  insights  and 
enormous  value  to  the  Board.  Meanwhile,  Dr.  Andrew  Heath  is  retiring 
from the Board and I wish to thank him for his guidance and defining role 
on the Board over the past 10 years. After 9 years on the Board, Martin 
Diggle has also stepped down as a Non-Executive Director, but remains 
invested in our journey as a supportive shareholder. I thank Martin for his 
relentless support of OXB at several defining moments over his tenure.

We continue to assess the capabilities needed at Board level to set and 
deliver  strategy,  apply  best  in  class  governance  practices  and  ensure 
succession  plans  are  in  place,  and  we  will  look  to  strengthen  these 
capabilities and diversity, where appropriate. 

The Future
We  enter  2021  and  beyond  with  a  rapid  growth,  a  proven  strategy, 
experienced  leadership  and  financial  strength  which  gives  me  great 
confidence  to  continue  to  succeed  in  our  mission  to  deliver  life-saving 
therapies to patients and continue to help in the fight against the pandemic.

We continue to push the boundaries of our platform technologies, and 
develop the capabilities of the Group and my thanks go to all the staff at 
OXB for the very important work that each of them are doing. I also thank 
our  customers  for  their  trust,  our  suppliers  who  have  responded  with 
resilience  to  the  demands  we  have  placed  upon  them,  and  our 
shareholders for their support. 

We  are  in  the  initial  phase  of  the  cell  and  gene  therapy  revolution  in 
healthcare and OXB is particularly well positioned to play a major role in this 
rapidly expanding field. I look forward to enabling OXB to fulfil its potential.

Dr. Roch Doliveux
Chair

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
0 Strategic Report

3

Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

“I am truly proud of the Group’s achievements over the period. We not 
only secured major new partnerships, brought the Oxbox manufacturing 
facility online in record time and responded to the challenges of the 
pandemic,  but  the  team  has  also  been  able  to  rapidly  work  with 
AstraZeneca to provide a vaccine solution for COVID-19. This is a true 
testament  to  the  world-class  calibre  and  dedication  of  our  staff  in  a 
year the Group also gained entry to the FTSE250. Looking to the future, 
with the continued tide of growth in cell and gene therapy, coupled 
with the Group’s leadership position in the lentiviral vector field, we 
are well positioned to advance both our own proprietary pipeline and 
that of our current and future partners’ programmes. I would like to 
thank  all  of  Oxford  Biomedica’s  employees  for  their  hard  work 
throughout 2020 and our shareholders and partners for their continued 
support, and I look forward to a successful 2021.”

Introduction
2020 was an unprecedented year globally. The challenges borne by the 
COVID-19 virus were managed well by the Group and, due to our world-
leadership position in lentiviral vectors and the strength and expertise of 
our staff, the Group thrived. The Group’s model is now focused on the 
provision of its cell and gene therapy CDMO offering coupled with its own 
proprietary product development. 

The Group’s number of partner programmes grew by 54% from 13 to 20 
during the year, adding Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb and Beam 
Therapeutics to the list of cell and gene therapy leaders that the Group 
collaborate  with.  In  the  period,  Novartis  and  Sio  Gene  Therapies  also 
extended their partnerships with the Group. 

Outside of cell and gene therapy, the Group’s work with Oxford University 
and  then  AstraZeneca  has  been  historic.  The  Group  has  successfully 
brought three extra manufacturing suites online for vaccine production 
and  has  rapidly  scaled  the  manufacturing  of  AZD1222,  an  adenovirus-
based vaccine, to 1000L scale, in under nine months. 

Financially, the Group, which entered the FTSE250 this year, had a strong 
year  with  revenues  increasing  by  37%  to  £87.7  million  driven  by  strong 
growth  in  commercial  development  and  bioprocessing  revenues.  In 
addition, our market capitalisation has more than doubled from a 12 month 
average  capitalisation  of  c.£350  million  in  2018  to  over  £750  million 
currently. The oversubscribed £40 million gross fundraise in June gave the 
Group the ability to progress its planned expansion projects and invest in 
both sides of the Group, to capitalise on its world leading position and the 
opportunities that present themselves in the fast growing cell and gene 
therapy market. 

“ Due to our world-leadership 
position in lentiviral vectors 
and the strength and expertise 
of our staff, the Group thrived.” 

John Dawson 
Chief Executive Officer

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
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CDMO – Partner programmes

Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb partnership
In March, the Group announced it had entered into a major new licence and 
five-year clinical supply agreement with Juno Therapeutics Inc. (a wholly 
owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Inc.), one of the major innovators 
in the cell and gene therapy field. The deal is worth up to $227 million for 
multiple CAR-T and TCR-T programmes in oncology and other indications. 
There are currently four active programmes in development. 

Under the terms of the agreement the Group received and recognised a 
£7.8 million ($10 million) licence fee and announced OXB could potentially 
receive up to $86 million in development and regulatory milestones and 
up to a further $131 million in sales-based milestone payments as well as 
undisclosed  royalties  on  sales.  In  addition,  the  Group  will  receive 
undisclosed process development, scale up and batch revenues for these 
programmes.  As  part  of  the  agreement  the  Group  will  provide  Juno 
Therapeutics access to its new approved manufacturing facility, Oxbox. 

COVID-19 vaccine production and partnership with AstraZeneca
The  Group’s  first  involvement  with  the  Oxford  AstraZeneca  COVID-19 
vaccine was in April 2020 when the Group joined a consortium led by the 
Oxford  University,  Jenner  Institute,  to  rapidly  develop,  scale  and 
manufacture a potential vaccine for COVID-19, ChAdOx1 nCOV-19. 

Shortly  afterwards,  AstraZeneca  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Oxford 
University  for  the  global  development  and  distribution  of  the  vaccine, 
renaming  the  programme  AZD1222.  In  May,  the  Group  entered  into  an 
initial one year clinical and commercial supply agreement with AstraZeneca 
to  GMP  manufacture  the  adenovirus  vector-based  COVID-19  vaccine 
candidate. This initial agreement required the Group to manufacture a small 
number of batches as the programme progressed through development. 

In June, the Group signed a five-year collaboration agreement with VMIC 
(Vaccines  Manufacturing  and  Innovation  Centre)  to  enable  the  rapid 
manufacture  of  viral  vector  based  vaccines.  As  part  of  the  agreement 
VMIC  provided  equipment  for  1000L  scale  production  in  two  GMP 
manufacturing suites in Oxbox to further scale up production of AZD1222. 
The Group is currently engaged in discussions with VMIC regarding the 
purchasing of this equipment to allow for longer term use, which would 
require a capital outlay of £3.8 million to be paid in 2021.

Following positive data readouts from the early clinical trials of AZD1222, in 
September, the Group announced a second agreement with AstraZeneca 
which  consisted  of  an  18-month  supply  agreement  under  a  three-year 
master supply and development agreement for the large-scale manufacture 
of  AZD1222.  This  agreement  was  for  up  to  three  manufacturing  suites 
running at 1000L scale. The Group was paid a £15 million capacity reservation 
fee and expects to receive additional revenue in excess of £35 million by the 
end of 2021.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 
The Group announced a second agreement  
with AstraZeneca which consisted of an 18-month 
supply agreement under a three-year master  
supply and development agreement for the  
large-scale manufacture of AZD1222.

+54%

Partnership programmes
Our partner programmes grew by 54% from  
13 to 20 during 2020.

> £50m

AstraZeneca master supply and  
development agreement
The Group was paid a £15 million capacity  
reservation fee and expects to receive  
additional revenue in excess of £35 million  
by the end of 2021.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
2 Strategic Report

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Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

By October, the Group received approval from the MHRA for the third of 
its three 1000L suites for the purpose of vaccine production. To be able to 
cope  with  the  heightened  demand,  new  extended  shift  patterns  were 
introduced to maximise vaccine production and for the first time in the 
Group’s history, production continued through Christmas and New Year 
to ensure the maximum number of batches were able to be delivered in 
the early part of 2021.

At  the  end  of  December  2020,  the  MHRA  approved  the  Oxford 
AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine  for  emergency  use  in  the  UK  and 
manufacturing continues at full pace to maximise production of vaccine 
from the Group’s facilities.

Novartis partner progress
Following the extension of the Novartis collaboration in December 2019 
by a further five years and expansion of the number of vector constructs 
(including  Kymriah®)  from  two  to  five,  the  partnership  was  further 
expanded with a sixth vector construct added in the first quarter of 2020. 
The  Group  continues  to  be  Novartis’  sole  global  supplier  of  lentiviral 
vector for Kymriah® (tisagenlecleucel, formerly CTL019).

Global  roll  out  of  Kymriah®  in  both  relapsed  or  refractory  B-cell  acute 
lymphoblastic leukaemia (r/r ALL) and relapsed or refractory diffuse large 
B-cell  lymphoma  (r/r  DLBCL)  indications  continued  at  pace  with  more 
than 28 countries worldwide having approved reimbursement in at least 
one indication in over 300 qualified treatment centres. Kymriah® continued 
to build momentum showing 71% growth for the full year 2020 over 2019, 
with sales of $474 million.

Indication  expansion  of  Kymriah®  continued  to  progress  well  and  in 
December, Novartis announced positive data from the Phase II ELARA trial 
of Kymriah® in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, 
with the filing in this indication anticipated in the US in the second half of 
2021. Novartis also plans to file Kymriah® for extended use in patients with 
r/r DLBCL in first relapse in the second half of 2021.

The Group continues to progress other partner programmes with Novartis 
and will update the market when further data is available.

Beam Therapeutics
In  August,  the  Group  signed  a  development,  manufacture  and  licence 
agreement  with  Beam  Therapeutics  (Beam),  a  pioneering  biotech 
company  which  utilises  base  editing  to  develop  precision  genetic 
medicines.  The  agreement  grants  Beam  a  non-exclusive  licence  to 
Oxford  Biomedica’s  LentiVector®  platform  for  its  application  in  next 
generation  CAR-T  programmes  in  oncology,  and  also  puts  in  place  a 
three-year clinical supply agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Group could receive additional 
licence  fees,  as  well  as  payments  related  to  development  and 
manufacturing  of  lentiviral  vectors  for  use  in  clinical  trials,  and  certain 
development  and  regulatory  milestones.  In  addition,  the  Group  will 
receive an undisclosed royalty on the net sales of products sold by Beam 
that utilise the Group’s LentiVector® platform.

MHRA approval
The Group received approval from the MHRA for 
the third of its three 1000L suites for the purpose 
of vaccine production. Pictured: John Dawson 
outside the Oxbox facility.

Sole global supplier
The Group continues to be Novartis’ sole global 
supplier of lentiviral vector for Kymriah®.

>28 countries

Global roll out of Kymriah®
More than 28 countries worldwide have approved 
reimbursement in over 300 qualified treatment centres. 
Kymriah® continued to build momentum showing 71% 
growth for the full year 2020 over 2019.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
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AXO-Lenti-PD treatment for Parkinson’s disease
Sio announced positive six-month follow up data  
from the second cohort of the trial, showing a 21-point 
mean improvement in UPDRS Part III ’OFF’ score,  
a 40% improvement from baseline based on the two 
evaluable patients in the study.

Further partner updates 
In May, Orchard Therapeutics (Orchard) announced a new strategic plan 
with  an  emphasis  on  neurometabolic  disorders,  such  as  their  MPS-IIIA 
(OLT-201) programme, while reducing investment on other programmes 
such as ADA-SCID (OTL-101). OLT-201 is moving ahead in clinical trials 
with  interim  data  from  their  proof-of-concept  study  expected  to  be 
released in 2021.

Post  period  end  in  March  2021  the  Group  announced  that  Sanofi  had 
given  notice  that  they  intend  to  terminate  the  2018  collaboration  and 
licence  agreement  for  the  process  development  and  manufacturing  of 
lentiviral vectors to treat haemophilia. The Group expects the impact on 
revenue will be negligible over the coming 24 month period.

The  Group’s  partnership  with  Boehringer  Ingelheim  and  the  UK  Cystic 
Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium also continued to progress through 
development. In April 2021, post period end, the Group signed a three-
year development and supply agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for 
the manufacture and supply of viral vectors, building on the partnership 
that started in 2018.

Proprietary product development:

Sio Gene Therapies (formerly Axovant Gene Therapies)
Following the initial worldwide licence agreement signed in June 2018, in 
July 2020 the Group signed a three-year clinical supply agreement with 
Sio Gene Therapies (Sio) for the manufacture and supply of Parkinson’s 
disease gene therapy programme AXO-Lenti-PD. Under the terms of the 
agreement, the Group will manufacture GMP batches for Sio to support 
the ongoing and future clinical development of AXO-Lenti-PD.

Sio is currently conducting a Phase 2 SUNRISE-PD trial with AXO-Lenti-
PD. In October, Sio announced positive six-month follow up data from 
the second cohort of the trial, showing a 21-point mean improvement in 
UPDRS Part III ‘OFF’ score, a 40% improvement from baseline based on 
the two evaluable patients in the study. AXO-Lenti-PD continued to be 
shown  to  be  well-tolerated  with  no  treatment-related  serious  adverse 
events at six months.

Unencumbered proprietary pipeline programmes 
In  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  the  Group  undertook  an  internal  pipeline 
review  to  prioritise  where  pre-clinical  investment  will  be  made  on  its 
wholly-owned early-stage pipeline assets. The current portfolio consists 
of five programmes targeting a number of indications in ophthalmology, 
oncology, liver and CNS disorders. 

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
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Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

OXB-302  (CART-5T4)  is  currently  the  Group’s  priority  candidate  and 
targets haematological tumours. The 5T4 antigen has been shown to be 
highly expressed on various haematological tumours as well as most solid 
tumours  with  restricted  expression  on  normal  tissues.  The  Group 
continues to advance pre-clinical work on OXB-302 as the Group gets 
the programme ready for entry into the clinic. 

1

OXB-203, currently in pre-clinical studies, is targeting Wet AMD and uses 
the Group’s technology to deliver a gene to express afibercept (a VEGF-
trap).  This  programme  builds  on  the  demonstrated  long  term  gene 
expression data seen with its predecessor OXB-201. In addition, the Group 
is continuing pre-clinical work on OXB-204 (LCA10) and OXB-103 (ALS) 
and a new pre-clinical programme, OXB-401 (liver indication) was initiated.

Sanofi – Ocular assets
In  June,  the  Group  announced  it  had  been  informed  by  Sanofi  that  it 
intended to return the rights to ophthalmology programmes SAR422459 
for Stargardt’s disease and SAR421869 for Usher Syndrome type 1b. This 
process is still ongoing and, once returned, the Group will undertake its 
own  internal  evaluation  to  determine  the  potential  future  for  these 
programmes and decide whether to commit further resources to them.

Research collaborations
During the year, the Group entered into two CAR-T research collaborations, 
firstly  one  with  Papyrus  Therapeutics  Inc.  (Papyrus)  then  one  with 
PhoreMost Limited (PhoreMost) later in the year.

The Group signed the research collaboration agreement with Papyrus, an 
emerging  biopharmaceutical  company  developing  novel  extracellular 
tumour suppressor therapies for the treatment of cancer, in August. This 
early stage collaboration will assess what impact and potential therapeutic 
benefit  Papyrus’  PYTX-002,  a  potential  first-in-class  gene  replacement 
therapy, may confer on a CAR-T cell therapy developed by the Group, 
initially in pre-clinical in vivo models of solid tumours.

In  November,  the  Group  entered  into  a  gene  therapy  discovery 
collaboration  with  PhoreMost  to  develop  next-generation  CAR-T  cell 
therapies with improved efficacy and durability. This will use PhoreMost’s 
SITESEEKER platform to identify active peptides to be deployed within the 
Group’s LentiVector® delivery system.

Both of these early stage collaborations highlight the continued focus on 
the development of the Group’s proprietary pipeline.

Two new research collaborations
The Group signed research collaboration agreements 
with an emerging biopharmaceutical company 
developing novel extracellular tumour suppressor 
therapies for the treatment of cancer, and another  
to develop next-generation CAR-T cell therapies with 
improved efficacy and durability.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
Innovation and LentiVector® platform development
Innovation and the development of the platform are core to the Group’s 
goal of industrialising lentiviral vectors. By industrialising lentiviral vector 
production  and  reducing  the  cost  through  innovation,  the  Group  will 
open up therapeutic indications that are currently inaccessible in the field 
of cell and gene therapy due to the amount (and therefore cost) of the 
vector needed to address these targets. In addition, the reduction in cost 
will  help  drive  adoption  by  payors  into  indications  where  there  are  far 
larger numbers of patients, by potentially bringing down the overall cost 
per patient treated.

Development of technologies such as TRiPSystem™,  SecNuc™,  LentiStable™ 
and most recently U1 and U2, along with the corresponding IP, continue 
to move ahead. In addition, the Group is utilising automation and the use 
of robotics to further drive productivity improvements and is collaborating 
with  Microsoft  in  an  exciting  project  using  artificial  intelligence  and 
machine learning to improve yields and quality of next generation vectors.

Facilities and capacity expansion
Post  completion  of  the  building  phase  of  the  new  84,000 sq. ft. 
manufacturing  facility  (Oxbox)  at  the  end  of  2019,  the  Group  received 
MHRA regulatory approval for the first two suites and supporting areas 
such as the warehouse, cold chain facilities and QC laboratories, in May 
2020. The first partner batches were being produced within Oxbox by the 
end of the second quarter. 

Following on from the agreement with VMIC for equipment for the two 
further  suites,  the  MHRA  approved  the  third  and  fourth  manufacturing 
suites in September and October, respectively. This meant that by early in 
the  fourth  quarter  of  2020,  Oxbox  had  four  suites  approved  and 
manufacturing  was  underway;  one  at  200L  scale  for  the  Group’s 
LentiVector® platform partners and three at 1000L scale for the Oxford 
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The installation of the equipment for the first fill/finish suite is progressing 
well and is expected to be completed and approved during 2021. This first 
phase  of  development  fits  out  approximately  45,000 sq. ft.  with  the 
remaining fallow area available for flexible expansion in the future. 

In  January  2021,  the  Group  was  delighted  to  host  the  Prime  Minister,  
the  Rt.  Hon  Boris  Johnson  MP,  to  formally  open  the  Group’s  Oxbox 
manufacturing facility.

Building  work  is  also  currently  being  undertaken  at  Windrush  Court  to 
convert  office  space  into  GMP  laboratories  to  meet  the  expected  near 
term demand in commercial development and analytics. The conversion 
of the first of these areas to laboratories was completed by the end of 
2020 and is now operational. A further area within Windrush Court will be 
converted  during  the  course  of  2021  and  work  will  also  start  on  the 
development  of  the  Windrush  Innovation  Centre  (WIC)  a  dedicated 
building for both platform and proprietary product innovation.

In the first half of 2020, a lease was taken on a new 11,000 sq. ft. site within 
the  Oxford  Business  Park,  close  to  Oxbox,  as  a  new  Corporate  Head 
Office to house the Senior Executive Team and various support functions.

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Industrialising lentiviral vectors 
By industrialising lentiviral vector production  
and reducing the cost through innovation,  
the Group will open up therapeutic indications  
that are currently inaccessible.

PM opens Oxbox
The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Boris Johnson MP, 
opened the Group’s Oxbox manufacturing facility 
in January 2021.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
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Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

Investment progress
In  June  2020,  the  Group  successfully  completed  a  £40  million  equity 
fundraising which included new and existing investors, with net proceeds 
of £38.3 million. The proceeds of the equity fundraising provided funding 
to enable the Group to continue to exploit the significant opportunities in 
the growing cell and gene therapy market both with current and future 
partners.  The  fundraise  also  strengthened  the  Group’s  cash  position 
allowing it to remain at the forefront of innovation of lentiviral technology 
and progress towards the Group’s goal of industrialising lentiviral vectors 
and  further  develop  its  own  proprietary  products.  It  also  provided 
additional resources to be used for the Group’s involvement in the Oxford 
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine or other vaccine candidates as required.

Organisational progress
In  the  past  12  months  the  Group  has  made  significant  progress  in  its 
commitment  to  best  practice  in  Corporate  Governance  and  the 
diversification of talent on the Board. 

In June, the Group announced the appointment of Dr. Roch Doliveux as 
Non-Executive Chair following the retirement of former Chair, Dr. Lorenzo 
Tallarigo. Dr. Doliveux was previously the Chief Executive Officer of UCB 
SA for ten years during which time he transformed the company from a 
diversified chemical group into a global biopharmaceutical leader and he 
is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors at Pierre Fabre S.A and a 
Non-Executive Director at Stryker Corporation and UCB SA.

In December, Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed to the Board as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director, and brings invaluable experience in building and 
growing successful gene therapy companies. Post period-end, in February 
2021, the Group announced the appointment to the Board as of 1 March 
of Professor Dame Kay Davies as an Independent Non-Executive Director. 
Kay is a world-renowned geneticist and Professor at Oxford University. At 
the same time as Kay’s appointment, it was announced that Martin Diggle, 
a Partner at Vulpes Investment Management would step down from the 
Board  as  a  Non-Executive  Director  after  nearly  nine  years.  Dr.  Andrew 
Heath will not be standing for re-election at the 2021 AGM having served 
on the board since 2010. 

During the year, the wider Group team also continued to grow, reflecting 
the expansion of the business and the extra employees recruited as part 
of the scale of vaccine manufacture for AstraZeneca. Headcount increased 
by over 20% reaching 673 at the end of the year, compared with 554 at 
the end of 2019.

£40 million equity fundraising
The proceeds of the equity fundraising provided 
funding to enable the Group to continue to exploit the 
significant opportunities in the growing cell and gene 
therapy market both with current and future partners.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
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An exciting future 
Looking to 2021 and beyond, with the Group’s ever 
increasing number of partner programmes and 
continued broader market growth in cell and gene 
therapy, the future has never looked more exciting.

Environmental, Social and Governance
The Group remains committed to its role as a responsible business having 
developed  a  strategy  over  the  past  few  years  which  is  now  deeply 
embedded  in  everything  that  the  Group  does.  Throughout  2020,  the 
Group  particularly  focussed  on  the  wellbeing  of  our  staff  with  the 
introduction of a number of initiatives, including, workshops and access 
to  mental  health  professionals.  We  were  delighted  to  receive  the 
“Commitment to Workforce Wellbeing” award from Oxfordshire Mind, in 
recognition of our various initiatives.

Outlook
With the growth in partner programmes during 2020, the Group expects 
an increase in underlying LentiVector® platform based revenues in 2021 
from  both  bioprocessing  and  commercial  development  activities.  In 
addition, following approval of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 
and  with  production  at  the  Oxbox  manufacturing  facilities  progressing 
well,  subject  to  the  continued  manufacture  of  the  vaccine,  the  Group 
expects total cumulative revenues from this programme to be in excess 
of £50 million by the end of 2021. It is therefore expected that revenues 
for the Group should grow strongly in 2021. 

At an operating EBITDA level, the Group also expects an increase from 
2020, albeit at a more modest rate than revenues due to increased R&D 
spend as we invest for the future. 

Discussions and feasibility studies are ongoing with various potential cell 
and gene therapy partners and the Group aims to increase not only the 
number of partners but also the number of programmes worked on by 
existing partners during the course of 2021.

Looking to 2021 and beyond, with the Group’s ever increasing number of 
partner programmes and continued broader market growth in cell and 
gene therapy, the future has never looked more exciting and the Group is 
well positioned to maximise the opportunities ahead.

John Dawson
Chief Executive Officer

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
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Management team

John Dawson

Stuart Paynter

Jason Slingsby

James Miskin

Kyriacos Mitrophanous

Chief Executive Officer
John Dawson joined Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as a 
Non-Executive Director in 
August 2008 and he was 
appointed Chief Executive 
Officer in October 2008. 
Previously, he held senior 
management positions  
in the European operations 
of Cephalon Inc., including 
Chief Financial Officer  
and Head of Business 
Development Europe. 
While at Cephalon he led 
many deals building the 
European business to over 
1,000 people, and to a 
turnover of several hundred 
million US dollars and in 
2005 led the US$360 million 
acquisition of Zeneus by 
Cephalon. Prior to his  
time at Cephalon he was 
Director of Finance and 
Administration of Serono 
Laboratories (UK) Limited. 

Chief Financial Officer
Stuart Paynter joined Oxford 
Biomedica and the Board  
in August 2017. He has  
16 years’ experience in  
the pharmaceutical and 
healthcare sectors. He 
qualified as a chartered 
accountant with Haines 
Watts before moving to EDS. 
He subsequently joined 
Steris, and worked in a 
variety of roles within the 
healthcare and life sciences 
divisions prior to becoming 
the European Finance 
Director. He then moved  
to Shire Pharmaceuticals 
where he became the 
Senior Director of Finance 
Business Partnering for  
all business outside of the 
US. He then moved to a 
corporate finance role 
before becoming the global 
head of internal audit. Prior 
to joining Oxford Biomedica 
he was Head of Finance 
Business Partnering at De 
La Rue plc. He is a member 
of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England  
and Wales.

Chief Business Officer
Dr. Slingsby joined Oxford 
Biomedica in 2015 as Head 
of Business Development 
and was promoted to Chief 
Business Officer in May 2019. 
He has 20 years’ experience 
in the biotechnology 
industry in biologics, vaccines 
and gene therapy. He has 
worked in international 
business development roles 
at Sosei Co., Ltd. and 
Intercell AG and was co- 
founder and CEO of 
ProtAffin AG, a venture 
capital backed company  
in Austria and UK. Jason 
started his career as a 
post-doctoral scientist at 
Oxford Biomedica and first 
worked at the company 
1997–2000. He was awarded 
a 1st class BA (Hons) in 
Biochemistry from Magdalen 
College, Oxford University 
and also completed a PhD 
in complex disease genetics 
from Imperial College 
London. Jason was also 
awarded an MBA with 
distinction from London 
Business School in 2002.

Chief Technical Officer
Dr. Miskin joined Oxford 
Biomedica in 2000. He  
has more than 18 years’ 
experience in cell and gene 
therapy, 14 of which have 
been in the GxP (good 
practice) environment. In 
his current role, he has 
overall responsibility for 
Oxford Biomedica’s Quality 
systems, analytical testing 
and lentiviral based 
bioprocessing development, 
as well as client programmes 
and alliance management. 
He is also a named inventor 
on several patents in the 
field. He holds a Bachelor 
of Science degree and a 
PhD in Molecular Biology 
from the University of Leeds 
and subsequently conducted 
post-doctoral research  
at The Pirbright Institute  
for a number of years. He 
 is a member of the UK 
BioIndustry Association 
Manufacturing Advisory 
Committee and is the 
Advanced Therapies 
workstream lead for The 
Medicines Manufacturing 
Industry Partnership (MMIP).

Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Mitrophanous joined 
Oxford Biomedica in 1997. 
He has over 20 years of 
lentiviral vector experience 
covering a range of technical 
disciplines, including the 
development of cell and 
gene therapies, delivery 
platform technologies, 
bioprocessing and analytics. 
He is a recognised world-
class expert in the field,  
a named inventor on 
numerous lentiviral vector 
patents and an author  
of a number of key papers. 
In his current role, he is 
responsible for the 
development of Oxford 
Biomedica’s new product 
candidates and LentiVector® 
platform. He holds a PhD  
in Molecular Biology from 
University College London 
and has conducted  
post-doctoral research at 
the University of Oxford. 

1

3

2

4

5

Full biographies for the Board of Directors  
can be found on pages 78 to 79.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
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Dmitry Zamoryakhin

Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Zamoryakhin served  
as a permanent member  
of the Senior Executive 
Team from July 2019.  
He stepped down from  
his role in February 2021.

Nick Page

Natalie Walter

Helen Stephenson-Ellis

Chief Operations Officer
Nick Page joined Oxford 
Biomedica in April 2019.  
Prior to joining he held a 
number of senior operational 
leadership positions in  
the pharmaceutical industry, 
most recently as Platform 
Head of Anti-infectives within 
Novartis. His 40+ years of 
industry experience include 
API, Solid oral dose, Sterile, 
and Radiopharmaceutical 
manufacturing in various 
organisations encompassing 
innovative, generic and 
contract manufacturing. 
During his career he has 
spent several years working 
in China and India as well as 
in Global roles. He originally 
qualified as a Chartered 
Chemist and also has an MBA 
from The Open University.

General Counsel
Natalie Walter joined Oxford 
Biomedica in May 2019 as 
General Counsel. She has 
over 20 years’ experience  
as a corporate lawyer advising 
life sciences companies, 
including Oxford Biomedica, 
on a range of business and 
transactional issues, equity 
capital markets transactions, 
mergers and acquisitions 
and Corporate Governance. 
Natalie also sits on the Board 
of C4X Discovery Holdings 
plc as a Non-Executive 
Director. Natalie has worked 
for a number of UK and US 
law firms, as well as working 
at Lehman Brothers as a 
Director and Legal Counsel 
for the Equity Capital 
Markets division. She was 
most recently a Partner with 
Covington & Burling LLP.

Chief People Officer
Helen Stephenson-Ellis joined 
Oxford Biomedica in April 
2018. She brings 20 years’ 
experience in senior Human 
Resources roles within the 
Biopharmaceutical sector, 
including a number of years 
in various HR Business 
Partnering roles in GSK. 
Following AstraZeneca’s 
acquisition of MedImmune, 
she moved to Cambridge 
UK to head up HR for 
MedImmune’s site there, 
followed by a period as 
Global HR Director within 
AstraZeneca. Prior to joining 
Oxford Biomedica, she was 
Group Human Resources 
Director for Vernalis plc, 
leading HR across Vernalis’ 
UK and US sites. She holds  
a BA (Hons) degree from 
Northumbria University in 
the UK and is a member  
of the Chartered Institute of 
Personnel and Development.

1

Management team
 John Dawson
 Stuart Paynter
 Jason Slingsby
James Miskin

4

2

3

7

  Kyriacos Mitrophanous
5
  Nick Page
6
  Natalie Walter
7
  Helen Stephenson-Ellis
8

6

8
8

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0 Strategic Report

4

Delivery of 2020 objectives

In addition to these corporate objectives, the Group also sets annual 
ESG (Responsible Business) objectives, which involves every part of the 
business. Details of the Responsible Business objectives for 2020 are 
more particularly set out in the five pillars for ESG (formerly Responsible 
Business), on pages 51 to 66.

2020 objectives

Performance against priorities

Partners / Capacity / Technology advancement
To service the Group’s customers as agreed and reach  
key milestones for Novartis and other key partners.  
Receive appropriate regulatory approvals for Oxbox.

Patent / product advancement and innovation
To advance two new platform products into the Group’s 
portfolio, alongside technical (two new patentable inventions) 
and process innovations (rapid process and improved process) 
to the platform to keep the Group ahead of the competition. 

A B

Some objectives were fully met and others partly met. The Group achieved 
regulatory approval by the UK regulator (MHRA) for vector production in 
Oxbox in the first half of 2020. The Group also achieved the initiation of 
two GMP batches for client programmes, in addition to those for Novartis. 

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 delayed the Group’s initiation 
of the Group’s in-house fill and finish inspection by MHRA. At the request  
of a client, the Group did not transfer a process for the client into the Group’s 
Oxbox facility. This provided a vacancy in Oxbox for other clients. The Group 
utilised this vacancy to manufacture the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 
vaccine programme. 

A

B

Some objectives were fully met and others partly met. The Group 
successfully initiated an improved manufacturing process into GMP and 
two new patentable inventions for the platform process. The pipeline was 
also strengthened by the advancement of one new product, OXB-401, 
through proof of concept in a suitable disease model. Management made 
the decision, after carefully considering all stakeholder groups, to re-
prioritise the internal programme for innovation aimed at delivering a rapid 
and improved first-in-man process, in order to divert resources to the 
development of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine programme. 

Financial 
To achieve revenue and Operating EBITDA targets, which are 
driven by the budget, which includes new manufacturing deals 
and a product out-licensing deal, along with strengthening the 
balance sheet. Set in the regime of aggressively growing sales 
with strict control of costs and look to create internal divisions 
for financial reporting.

CB

Some objectives were partly met and others not met. The Group managed 
to create internal divisions for financial reporting and successfully 
completed a £40 million capital raise in June 2020, achieving cash flow in 
accordance with expectations in the budget. The Group was very close to 
achieving the revenue targets and exceeded the Operating EBITDA target 
set in the budget.

Business development 
To continue to execute new deals, to out-license one product, 
agree three platform technology deals and to start two new 
feasibility studies.

B C

Some objectives were partly met and others not met. Three platform 
technology deals were signed with Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers 
Squibb, Beam Therapeutics and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, respectively. 
Two new feasibility studies with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Legend 
Biotech were also achieved. The objective to spin-out/out-license  
one product into a special purpose vehicle or alternative structure  
was not achieved.

Organisational development 
To build a culture which provides competitive rewards/benefits 
and staff support systems to ensure a balanced productive 
workforce for the future. Focus on stakeholder engagement, 
as well as the implementation of ESG targets through the 
Group’s Responsible Business strategy. To enhance the 
Group’s organisation effectiveness programme, implementing 
a business change portfolio.

A

These objectives were met in full. The employee reward strategy was 
successfully completed and rolled out which included competitive 
grading, pay structures, and associated benefits. The Group also designed 
and implemented an integrated performance, development and talent 
programme. Projects to drive stakeholder engagement under section 172 
of the Companies Act 2006 (e.g. employees, suppliers and broader 
community) were undertaken by the Group and the ESG targets (as described 
in the ESG section of the Strategic Report) of reduction in waste going  
to landfill, increase in number of apprenticeships and establishing  
a sustainability forum within Oxford Biomedica were set and achieved. 
The Group was also able to drive the business change portfolio to deliver 
demonstrable business benefit from system investment such as the 
introduction of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and 
the electronic quality management system (QPulse).

A

B

C

Met
Partly met
Not met

1

2

3

4

5

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
Strategic Report
Objectives set for 2021

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In addition to these corporate objectives, the Group has also set ESG 
(Responsible Business) objectives for 2021, which involves every part 
of the business. Details of the ESG objectives for 2021 are more 
particularly set out in the five pillars for ESG (formerly Responsible 
Business), on pages 51 to 66.

Objectives set for 2021

CDMO 
To service the Group’s customers to achieve agreed milestones/decision 
gates, along with improvements in net promoter score (customer 
satisfaction) from baseline. To launch a client process that reduces the 
on-boarding time from project initiation to batch start. To sign agreements 
with new partners for CDMO projects (late stage and early stage 
projects)and initiate six additional new viral vector projects (to include 
new and current partners). In addition, to target the initiation of one 
project for commercial manufacture and to gain approval for one fill  
and finish suite at Oxbox by the third quarter of 2021. 

Platform 
To achieve four new inventions, apply an Oxford Biomedica invention 
into a GMP setting and to in-license technology for the platform.  
To use analytical automation in a GMP or R&D setting and to establish 
a partnership for the in vivo CAR-T programme.

Products 
To establish one new academic relationship focused on product 
identification and engage with a company on product discussions.  
To advance an internal product to a meaningful milestone. 

Financial objectives 
To achieve revenue, Operating EBITDA and cash flow targets as set  
by the budget approved by the Board.

Organisational development
To deliver on digitalisation projects planned for 2021 to ensure that the 
Group remains effective for its size. To focus on stakeholder engagement 
in various ways, including through the Workforce Engagement Panel to 
deliver on year one of the employee engagement strategy. To ensure the 
Group’s ESG goals are met effectively. To implement the Group’s learning 
and development strategy and to develop a strategic workforce plan.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
2
4

Strategic Report 
Financial review

Operational resilience
2020 has been a period of operational resilience, adaptability and revenue growth for the Group. Whilst the COVID-19 
pandemic enforced changes to the Group’s operating methods, with employees working from home where possible, 
the Group has been able to continue its bioprocessing and commercial development activities throughout the period. 
This great achievement allowed the Group to generate revenue growth during a very difficult period for businesses 
across the world. From first joining the Oxford University Jenner Institute consortium in April, the Group ultimately 
signed an agreement with AstraZeneca in May to develop and bioprocess batches of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 
vaccine, which was then converted into a full commercial supply agreement in September 2020. These additional 
vaccine bioprocessing batches, together with the new commercial agreements entered into with Juno Therapeutics/
Bristol  Myers  Squibb  and  Beam  Therapeutics  earlier  in  the  year,  has  seen  the  Group  deliver  increased  commercial 
activity and revenues throughout 2020. 

In the first half of the year the Group obtained MHRA approval for the bioprocessing of batches in two of its suites at its 
new  Oxbox  bioprocessing  facility.  All  four  cleanroom  suites  ended  up  being  approved  and  extensively  used  in  the 
second  half  of  2020  to  meet  both  lentiviral  vector  and  adenovirus  vaccine  clinical  and  commercial  bioprocessing 
requirements.  Construction  of  the  Group’s  fill/finish  suite  was  completed  during  2020  and  this  is  expected  to  be 
brought online during 2021. Once validated and operational the Group will be able to provide its customers with an 
end-to-end offering. Subject to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the Group’s financial position, the 
Group will continue to look to make selective investments in infrastructure to both have the capacity for new customers 
and to innovate valuable intellectual property to add to the Group’s offering.

The  Group  has  had  a  very  good  year  in  terms  of  both  an  increase  in  commercial  activities  as  well  as  revenues. 
Bioprocessing and commercial development revenue increased by 45%, and the Group achieved an Operating EBITDA 
profit of £7.3 million, with growth driven by the commercial development and bioprocessing activities undertaken for 
Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. 

New  commercial  agreements  were  signed  with  Juno  Therapeutics/Bristol  Myers  Squibb,  Beam  Therapeutics  and 
AstraZeneca, and new research and development collaborations signed with PhoreMost and Papyrus Therapeutics. As 
a result of the execution of the Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb licence and supply agreement, a licence fee of 
£7.8 million ($10 million) was recognised in 2020. 

“ 2020 has been a period of operational 
resilience, adaptability and revenue 
growth for the Group. Whilst the 
COVID-19 pandemic enforced changes 
to the Group’s operating methods, 
with employees working from home 
where possible, the Group has been 
able to continue its bioprocessing and 
commercial development activities 
throughout the period.” 

Stuart Paynter 
Chief Financial Officer

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The Group also made further significant improvements to its Statement of financial position, raising £40 million of new 
equity (£38.3 million net of expenses) in June 2020 in order to refurbish its Windrush Innovation Centre and Windrush 
Court sites, exploit new opportunities in the cell and gene therapy market, and also provide additional resources required 
for the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Selected highlights are as follows:

 — Total  revenues  increased  by  37%  over  2019,  and  have  now  increased  by  1,524%  since  2013  when  the  revenue 

generating Platform division was created.

 — Revenues from the underlying bioprocessing and commercial development business continued its upward trend, 
growing 45% due to additional activities performed for new customers AstraZeneca, Beam Therapeutics and Juno 
Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb. Double digit growth was achieved across both activities with revenues from these 
areas now having increased by 2,183% since 2013.

 — Revenues from milestones, licences and royalties increased to £19.2 million due to the recognition of a £7.8 million 
($10 million) licence fee from Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb, as well as various other licence fees, milestones 
and royalties from customers. 

 — Operating EBITDA1 and operating losses improved by £12.5 million and £8.8 million respectively, with the Group 

generating an Operating EBITDA1 profit of £7.3 million and an operating loss of £5.7 million.

 — The Platform division made an Operating EBITDA1 profit of £13.9 million (2019: £11.7 million loss) and an operating 
profit  of  £2.0  million  (2019:  £20.2  million  loss),  whilst  the  Product  division  made  an  Operating  EBITDA  loss  of  
£6.6 million (2019: £6.5 million profit) and an operating loss of £7.7 million (2019: £5.7 million profit).

 — Cash used in operations of £3.9 million in 2020 (2019: £6.6 million) decreased as a result of the increased revenues 

as explained above, offset by further operational investments required.

 — Gross proceeds of £40.0 million (£38.3 million net of expenses) were raised from new and existing investors through 

a successful equity fundraising in June 2020.

 — Cash at 31 December was £46.7 million bolstered by the equity fundraising in the year.

700

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

%
5
.
1
2
+

90

80

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Year-end headcount

Revenue
£m

 Licence, milestones and grants 
(light tints)
 Bioprocessing and process 
development (dark tints)

1   Operating EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, 
Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, revaluation 
of investments and assets at fair value 
through profit and loss, and Share Based 
Payments) is a non-GAAP measure often 
used as a surrogate for operational cash 
flow as it excludes from operating profit or 
loss all non-cash items, including the 
charge for share options. A reconciliation to 
GAAP measures is provided on page 47.
2   Non-cash items include depreciation, 

amortisation, revaluation of investments, 
fair value adjustments of assets held at fair 
value through profit and loss and the share 
based payment charge. A reconciliation to 
GAAP measures is provided on page 47.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
4

4 Strategic Report 
Financial review

Overview
The  Group  saw  a  large  increase  in  revenues  which  was  driven  by  a  45%  increase  in  bioprocessing  and  commercial 
development revenues. As a result of the new commercial contract signed with Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb 
and the vaccine development and bioprocessing contracts signed with AstraZeneca. Double digit growth was seen across 
both  bioprocessing  and  commercial  development  activities.  The  chart  opposite  shows  the  growth  in  bioprocessing 
output since 2013. Licences, milestones and royalty revenues increased 14% due to the achievement of the £7.8 million 
Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb licence fee, as well as various milestones and royalties. 

Operating costs, including Cost of Sales, grew by 20%, and by 16% when non-cash items1 are excluded. Manpower and 
facility costs have increased as the Group saw the full year effect of its investments in people, facilities and operations 
required  for  the  Oxbox  bioprocessing  facility  and  the  development  and  manufacture  of  batches  of  the  Oxford 
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The Group will continue to invest in its people and facilities in 2021 to allow it to meet 
increasing customer demand for the Group’s bioprocessing and commercial development services. Headcount rose 
from 554 at December 2019 to 673 at the end of 2020.

The Group made an Operating EBITDA profit of £7.3 million, an improvement of £12.5 million from the prior year. Once 
non-cash items1 are added back, the Group made an Operating loss of £5.7 million, an improvement of £8.8 million on 
the prior year.

1   Non-cash items include depreciation, amortisation, revaluation of investments, fair value adjustments of assets held at fair value through profit and loss and the share based payment 

charge. A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on page 47. 

Key Financial and Non-Financial Performance Indicators
The Group evaluates its performance by making use of alternative performance measures as part of its Key Financial 
Performance Indicators (refer to the table below). The Group believes that these Non-GAAP measures, together with 
the relevant GAAP measures, provide an accurate reflection of the Group’s performance over time. The Board has taken 
the decision that the Key Financial Performance Indicators against which the business will be assessed are Revenue, 
Operating EBITDA and Operating profit/(loss). The figures presented within this section for prior years are those reported 
in the Annual Reports for those years and have not been restated where a change in accounting standards may have 
required this (e.g. revenue under IFRS 15 during 2018 to 2020 but IAS 18 during 2015 to 2017).

£m
Revenue

Bioprocessing / commercial development
Licences, milestones and royalties

Operations

Operating EBITDA1
Operating loss

Cash flow

Cash (used in)/generated from operations
Capex2
Cash burn3

Financing
Cash
Loan

Non-Financial Key Indicators
Headcount
Year-end
Average

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

68.5
19.2
87.7

7.3
(5.7)

(3.9)
13.4
7.8

46.7
–

673
609

47.3
16.8
64.1

(5.2)
(14.5)

(6.6)
25.8
26.3

16.2
–

554
500

40.5
26.3
66.8

13.4
13.9

9.2
10.1
1.9

32.2
41.2

432
377

31.8
5.8
37.6

(1.9)
(5.7)

(1.5)
2.0
9.8

14.3
36.9

321
295

22.6
5.2
27.8

(7.1)
(11.3)

(5.9)
6.4
11.5

15.3
34.4

256
247

11.3
4.6
15.9

(12.1)
(14.1)

(14.9)
16.6
29.8

9.4
27.3

231
196

1   Operating EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, revaluation of investments and assets at fair value through profit and loss, and Share Based Payments) is a 
non-GAAP measure often used as a surrogate for operational cash flow as it excludes from operating profit or loss all non-cash items, including the charge for share based payments.  
A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on page 47.

2   This is Purchases of property, plant and equipment as per the cash flow statement which excludes additions to Right-of-use assets. A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on 

page 46.

3   Cash burn is net cash generated from operations plus net interest paid plus capital expenditure. A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on page 48.

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Revenue
Revenue increased by 37% to £87.7 million (2019 £64.1 million). Revenue generated from bioprocessing/commercial 
development increased by 45% to £68.5 million (from £47.3 million in 2019), and is up 2,183% since 2013. The main 
contributor to growth in 2020 has been the revenues generated from increased bioprocessing batches produced for 
AstraZeneca  as  part  of  the  vaccine  manufacturing  efforts,  and  also  increased  commercial  development  services 
provided to new customers Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb, Beam Therapeutics and AstraZeneca.

Revenues from licence fees, milestones and royalties of £19.2 million (2019: £16.8 million), which included a licence fee 
from Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb of £7.8 million ($10 million), and other customer licences, milestones and 
royalties of £11.4 million, increased 14% from the prior year when the £11.5 million ($15 million) Sio Gene Therapies 
milestone was achieved. 

The Group’s customer base and revenue streams have continued to diversify, although the largest portion of its revenues 
came from its development and supply agreement with AstraZeneca as part of their worldwide COVID-19 vaccine 
rollout.

£m
Revenue

Operating EBITDA

£m
Revenue
Other income
Total expenses
Operating EBITDA1
Non cash items2
Operating (loss)/profit

2020
87.7

2020
87.7
0.8
(81.2)
7.3
(13.0)
(5.7)

2019
64.1

2019
64.1
0.9
(70.2)
(5.2)
(9.3)
(14.5)

2018
66.8

2018
66.8
1.1
(54.5)
13.4
0.5
13.9

2017
37.6

2017
37.6
1.8
(41.3)
(1.9)
(3.8)
(5.7)

2016
27.8

2016
27.8
3.0
(37.9)
(7.1)
(4.2)
(11.3)

2015
15.9

2015
15.9
2.9
(30.9)
(12.1)
(2.0)
(14.1)

1   Operating EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, revaluation of investments and assets at fair value through profit and loss, and Share Based Payments) is a 
non-GAAP measure often used as a surrogate for operational cash flow as it excludes from operating profit or loss all non-cash items, including the charge for share based payments.  
A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on page 47.

2   Non-cash items include depreciation, amortisation, revaluation of investments, fair value adjustments of available-for-sale assets and the share based payment charge. A reconciliation 

to GAAP measures is provided on page 47.

Revenue increased by 37% in 2020 whilst the Group’s cost base grew by 16% to £81.2 million as we saw the full year 
effect of the Group’s investments in people, facilities and operations required to bring the additional Oxbox bioprocessing 
capacity online in the first half of 2020. Further additional investments were made in order to facilitate the development 
and  manufacture  of  batches  of  Oxford  AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine  on  behalf  of  AstraZeneca.  The  Operating 
EBITDA profit of £7.3 million is £12.5 million higher than the £5.2 million loss generated in 2019, as a result of the large 
increase in revenues when compared to the prior year.

Total Expenses
In order to provide the users of the accounts with a more detailed explanation of the reasons for the year on year 
movements of the Group’s operational expenses included within Operating EBITDA, the Group has added together 
research and development, bioprocessing and administrative costs and has removed depreciation, amortisation and 
the share option charge as these are non-cash items which do not form part of the Operating EBITDA alternative 
performance measure. As Operating profit/(loss) is assessed separately as a key financial performance measure, the 
year on year movement in these non-cash items is then individually analysed and explained specifically in the Operating 
and Net profit/(loss) section. Expense items included within Total Expenses are then categorised according to their 
relevant nature with the year on year movement explained in the second table on the next page.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
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6 Strategic Report 
Financial review

£m
Research and development 1
Bioprocessing costs
Administrative expenses
Operating expenses
Depreciation
Amortisation
Share option charge
Adjusted Operating Expenses2
Cost of sales
Total Expenses3

2020
29.7
10.7
11.3
51.7
(9.8)
–
(2.4)
39.5
41.7
81.2

2019
22.6
7.4
11.9
41.9
(5.8)
–
(1.6)
34.5
35.7
70.2

2018
18.0
1.2
7.4
26.6
(4.3)
–
(1.1)
21.2
33.3
54.5

1 Includes the RDEC tax credit.
2  Research, development, bioprocessing and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortisation and the share option charge.
3 Cost of goods plus research, development, bioprocessing and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortisation and the share option charge. 

£m
Raw materials, consumables and 
other external bioprocessing costs
Manpower-related
External R&D expenditure
Other costs
RDEC tax credit
Total expenses1

2020

 22.0
 45.3
 1.4 
 17.1 
(4.6)
81.2

2019

 22.8 
 35.2 
 1.4 
 12.0
(1.2)
 70.2 

2018

 18.3 
 26.7 
 1.9 
 7.6 
–
 54.5 

2017
21.6
–
7.3
28.9
(4.1)
(1.2)
(0.7)
22.9
18.4
41.3

2017

 13.2
 19.3 
 1.7 
 7.1 
–
 41.3 

2016
24.3
–
6.0
30.3
(3.3)
(0.3)
(0.6)
26.1
11.8
37.9

2016

9.3
17.4
2.8
8.4
–
37.9

2015
20.3
–
6.7
27.0
(1.3)
(0.4)
(0.2)
25.1
5.8
30.9

2015

6.1
13.6
3
8.2
–
30.9

 — Raw materials, consumables and other external bioprocessing costs have remained stable as, although volumes 
were higher, the Group moved away from performing high cost adherent manufacturing to the lower cost bioreactor 
process. The Group is also not responsible for fill/finish of vaccine batches manufactured on behalf of AstraZeneca 
leading to lower external bioprocessing costs. 

 — The increase in manpower-related costs is due to the increase in the average headcount from 500 in 2019 to 609 in 
2020. As the Group was able to bring Oxbox and additional laboratory space at Windrush Court online in 2020, the 
Group was able to increase the Group’s commercial development and bioprocessing capacity resulting in increased 
Group revenues. 

 — External R&D expenditure remained the same in 2020 with activities slowed down in the first half of the year due to 

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, before resuming more fully in the second half of 2020. 

 — Other  costs  were  higher  as  a  result  of  the  operational  and  facility  costs  incurred  due  to  the  additional  Oxbox 
bioprocessing capacity coming online, as well as the additional laboratory space put in place at Windrush Court. 
Increased costs included £0.6 million paid to settle a customer development claim, and were offset by a forex gain 
of £0.5 million (2019: £0.6 million loss) as sterling strengthened against the dollar.

 — Whilst the RDEC credit has increased to £4.6 million (2019: £1.2 million), total R&D related tax credits have decreased 
significantly as the Group ceased being eligible to claim a research and development tax credit under the Government’s 
small company scheme in 2020 (see Operating and Net profit/(loss) commentary below), with most of those costs 
now being eligible under the Government’s large company RDEC tax credit scheme.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
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Operating and Net profit/(loss)

£m
Operating EBITDA
Depreciation, Amortisation and share option charge
Change in fair value of assets at fair value 
through profit and loss
Operating (loss)/profit
Interest
R&D tax credit
Foreign exchange revaluation (non cash)
Net(loss)/profit

2020
7.3
(12.2)

(0.8)
(5.7)
(0.8)
0.3
–
(6.2)

2019
(5.2)
(7.4)

(1.9)
(14.5)
(5.4)
4.8
(1.0)
(16.1)

2018
13.4
(5.5)

6.0
13.9
(6.2)
2.5
(2.7)
7.5

2017
(1.9)
(6.1)

2.3
(5.7)
(9.3)
2.7
3.3
(9.0)

2016
(7.1)
(4.2)

–
(11.3)
(4.9)
3.7
(4.1)
(16.6)

2015
(12.1)
(2.0)

–
(14.1)
(1.9)
4.0
(1.0)
(13.0)

In arriving at Operating loss/profit it is necessary to deduct from Operating EBITDA the non-cash items referred to above. 
The depreciation charge was much higher in 2020 due to Oxbox becoming operationally active in the first half of the 
year. The Orchard Therapeutics investment asset incurred a loss of £0.8 million after the share price gave up more of the 
gains achieved in 2017 and 2018. Amortisation of intangible assets is insignificant, and the share option charge was 
higher due to the increased employee headcount. The interest charge of £0.8 million was lower than the prior year as a 
result of the early repayment of the Oaktree loan in June 2019, with only interest arising on the IFRS 16 leases remaining 
as compared to the prior year. The R&D tax credit in 2020 has decreased significantly as the Group ceased being eligible 
to claim a research and development tax credit under the Government’s small company scheme in 2020, whilst now 
being eligible to make a claim under the Government’s large companies RDEC scheme (see the last bullet under Total 
expenses in the previous section). The credit of £0.3 million is made up of a £1.5 million small company credit related to 
prior years, and a £1.2 million liability on the large company research and development taxation credit included under 
Other costs which the Group is still able to claim. There was no foreign exchange revaluation gain/(loss) during 2020 as 
the Oaktree loan was repaid in 2019. 

Segmental analysis 
Reflecting the way the business is currently being managed by the Senior Executive Team, the Group reports its results 
within two segments, namely:

I.   the ‘Platform’ segment which includes the revenue generating bioprocessing and process development activities for 
third  parties  (i.e.  the  Partner  programmes  CDMO  business),  and  internal  technology  projects  to  develop  new 
potentially saleable technology, improve the Group’s current processes, and bring development and manufacturing 
costs down within the LentiVector® platform. 

II.   the ‘Product’ segment, which includes the costs of researching and developing new gene therapeutic product candidates.

£m
2020
Revenue
Operating EBITDA
Operating profit/(loss)

2019
Revenue
Operating EBITDA
Operating (loss)/profit

Platform

Product

87.1
13.9
2.0

51.0
(11.7)
(20.2)

0.6
(6.6)
(7.7)

13.1
6.5
5.7

Total

87.7
7.3
(5.7)

64.1
(5.2)
(14.5)

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
8 Strategic Report

4

Financial review

The  Platform  segment  in  2020  saw  an  increase  in  revenue  of  71%  from  £51.0  million  to  £87.1  million  due  to  the  Juno 
Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb licence fee received, as well as increased bioprocessing and commercial development 
activities for customers AstraZeneca, Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb, Beam Therapeutics and Sanofi. This was offset 
by a decrease in revenues from existing customers Orchard and also Novartis, where revenues were impacted in 2020 due to 
the transition over to the more profitable bioreactor process which occurred during 2019. Operational results saw the positive 
impact of the large increases in revenues but this did come at the cost of additional investment in headcount and facilities, 
resulting in an Operating EBITDA profit of £13.9 million, and an operating profit of £2.0 million. The Group will target maintaining 
2020 operating margins and improve revenues and operating results from this segment through higher bioprocessing volumes, 
increased licence and royalty payments from partners, and additional commercial development services to customers.

The Product segment has generated revenues of £0.6 million (2019: £13.1 million) and an Operating EBITDA loss of 
£6.6 million (2019: £6.5 million profit), as no further significant licences or milestones from Sio Gene Therapies (2019: 
£11.5 million) or other customers was achieved during 2020.

Cash flow
The  Group  held  £46.7  million  of  cash  at  31  December  2020,  having  begun  the  year  with  £16.2  million.  Significant 
movements across the year are explained below.

£m
Operating (loss)/profit
Non-cash items included in operating loss
Operating EBITDA
Working capital movement
Cash (used in)/ generated from operations
R&D tax credit received
Net cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest paid, less received
Sale of investment asset
Capex
Cash burn
Net proceeds from financing
Movement in year

2020
(5.7)
13.0
7.3
(11.2)
(3.9)
7.0
3.1
–
2.5
(13.4)
(7.8)
38.3
30.5

2019
(14.5)
9.3
(5.2)
(1.4)
(6.6)
3.1
(3.5)
(3.3)
6.3
(25.8)
(26.3)
10.3
(16.0)

2018
13.9
(0.5)
13.4
(4.2)
9.2
3.7
12.9
(4.7)
–
(10.1)
(1.9)
19.8
17.9

2017
(5.7)
3.8
(1.9)
0.4
(1.5)
4.5
3.0
(10.8)
–
(2.0)
(9.8)
8.8
(1.0)

2016
(11.3)
4.2
(7.1)
1.2
(5.9)
4.1
(1.8)
(3.3)
–
(6.4)
(11.5)
17.5
6.0

2015
(14.1)
2.0
(12.1)
(2.8)
(14.9)
3.2
(11.7)
(1.5)
–
(16.6)
(29.8)
25.0
(4.8)

 — The  operating  loss  in  2020  was  £8.8  million  better  than  the  operating  loss  of  £14.5  million  achieved  in  2019. 
These improved operational results flowed through to Operating EBITDA profit of £7.3 million (2019: £5.2 million loss). 

 — The negative working capital movement of 11.2 million is driven largely by an increase in Trade and other debtors 
(£25.9  million)  and  inventory  (£4.3  million)  offset  by  an  increase  in  Trade  and  other  payables  (£5.4  million)  and 
Contract liabilities (£13.4 million). These movements were driven by increased revenue generating activities and the 
impact of this increase on the Group’s operational activities. 

 — The Group received £7.0 million R&D tax funding in 2020 in respect of the 2019 claim, up £3.9 million from the prior year. 
The increase in 2020 was due to the tax credit received in 2019 being capped as a result of the profits achieved in 2018. 

 — Interest paid during the year was nil, down from £3.3 million in the prior year as the Oaktree loan facility was repaid 

at the end of June 2019. 

 — £2.5 million of funds was generated from the sale of shares in Orchard Therapeutics, an asset held at fair value 

through profit and loss.

 — Purchases of property, plant and equipment decreased from £25.8 million to £13.4 million, mainly as a result of the 
main construction phase of the new Oxbox manufacturing facility being completed in 2019 and cash preservation 
measures put in place in the first half of 2020. 

 — The  net  proceeds  from  financing  during  2020  was  £38.3  million,  consisting  of  the  June  2020  equity  fundraise  

of £38.3 million, share option issues of £1.1 million, and reduced by lease payments of £1.1 million in the year.

 — The result of the above movements is a net increase in cash of £30.5 million from £16.2 million to £46.7 million.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
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Statement of financial position review
The most notable items on the Statement of financial position, including changes from 31 December 2019, are as follows: 

 — Assets at fair value through profit and loss decreased by £2.5 million as a result of the sale of £2.5 million worth of 

Orchard Therapeutics shares. 

 — Property,  plant  and  equipment  has  increased  by  £10.4  million  to  £72.3  million  as  depreciation  of  £9.6  million  only 
partially offset additions of £19.7 million, mainly purchases of equipment and leasehold improvements for the new 
Oxbox manufacturing facility, additional laboratory space at Windrush Court, and a right to use asset recognised upon 
signing the Corporate Head Office lease in Oxford. 

 — Inventories  have  increased  from  £2.6  million  to  £6.9  million  due  to  increased  raw  material  balances  as  a  result  of 
forecasted increased bioprocessing vaccine manufacturing activities, but also due to Brexit and COVID-19 stock building. 

 — Trade and other receivables increased from £33.7 million to £57.5 million due to increased levels of bioprocessing and 

process development activities across the year end, as well as the increased RDEC tax credit receivable. 

 — Tax assets decreased from £5.4 million to £0.1 million as the Group ceased being eligible to claim a research and 
development tax credit under the Government’s small company scheme in 2020. The balance of £0.1 million is made 
up of a £1.0 million small company credit related to prior years, and a £1.1 million corporate tax liability on the large 
company research and development taxation credit included under Trade and other receivables. 

 — Trade and other payables increased from £14.3 million to £19.7 million, due to the increased level of operational activity, 

including the increased headcount levels. 

 — Contract liabilities increased from £14.9 million in 2019 to £28.3 million due to funds received in advance for future 

bioprocessing and process development activities.

 — Deferred Income decreased from £4.3 million in 2019 to £3.5 million due to the release of amounts deferred as part of 

the Innovate UK capex grant funding.

 — Provisions increased as a result of the recognition of a £0.8 million liability for future dilapidations cost on the corporate 

office and Oxbox leases.

 — Lease liabilities increased from £8.4 million to £13.8 million due to the recognition of an IFRS 16 liability with regard to 
the new corporate office lease entered into in 2020, as well as a £3.8 million liability with regard to bioprocessing 
equipment used within the Oxbox manufacturing facility.

Financial outlook
The  Group  will  continue  to  target  improved  financial  performance  in  2021.  The  contracts  signed  in  2020  with 
AstraZeneca,  Juno  Therapeutics/Bristol  Myers  Squibb,  Beam  Therapeutics  and  Sio  Gene  Therapies,  together  with 
continued bioprocessing and commercial development activities performed for existing customers, have driven the 
growth in revenues in 2020. Additive bioprocessing and commercial development revenues are expected from these 
partnerships in the future with the Group expecting to continue to increase its commercial activities, assisted by an 
expanded Oxbox facility being in use throughout 2021. 

The Group continues to recognise the importance of focusing on building and maintaining the Group’s commercial 
relationships with the Group’s customers, both old and new. The success of the Group’s existing customers is seen as 
key to the Group’s success, including driving growth in new customer relationships in 2021 and beyond. The Group will 
continue to target new strategic commercial relationships in 2021, but also remain focused on meeting the growing 
demands of the Group’s existing customer base.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
0
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Strategic Report
Financial review

R&D expenditure in 2021 is expected to be above the £29.7 million seen in 2020. The Group intends to invest in the 
development of its platform to accelerate the ambition to industrialise lentiviral vector production, as well as increased 
investment in R&D on propriety programmes to progress them towards the clinic. Headcount is also likely to increase 
but by lower levels than seen in 2020. This investment means that while Operating EBITDA is expected to be above 
2020 levels it will not grow at the same rate as revenues.

Capex for 2021 will be above 2020 levels due to the expansion being undertaken at both Windrush Court and Windrush 
Innovation Centre, as highlighted in the equity fundraise in June 2020. The Group continues to make selective strategic 
investments in its products and enabling technologies where the opportunity exists to improve patient outcomes and 
increase shareholder value.

Going concern
The Group made a loss for the year ended 31 December 2020 of £6.2 million, but generated net cash flows from 
operating  activities  for  the  year  of  £3.1  million.  Furthermore,  the  Group  raised  an  additional  £38.3  million  in  cash 
through a successful equity placement in June 2020. The Group ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of 
£46.7 million.

In considering the basis of preparation of the Annual Report and financial statements, the Directors have prepared cash 
flow forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, based in the 
first  instance  on  the  Group’s  2021  annual  budget  and  forecasts  for  2022.  These  cash  flow  forecasts  also  take  into 
consideration severe but plausible downside scenarios including:

 — A substantial revenue downside affecting the core LentiVector® platform business,

 — No revenues from new customers,

 — Significant decreases in forecasted existing customer milestone and royalty revenues,

 — The impacts of COVID-19 on the Group and its customers including expected revenues from existing customers 

under long term contracts.

The Board has confidence in the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for the following reasons: 

 — As noted above the Group has cash balances of £46.7 million at the end of December 2020 and £65.9 million at the 

end of March 2021, 

 — The Group has the ability to control capital expenditure costs and lower other operational spend, as necessary,

 — A  large  proportion  of  2021  forecasted  revenues  are  covered  by  binding  purchase  orders  and  rolling  customer 

forecasts which give additional certainty to revenues over the next 12 months, 

 — The  Group  has  key  worker  status  which  allows  continuity  of  providing  services  to  the  Group’s  financially  stable 

customer base throughout the lockdown period, 

 — The Group’s history of being able to access capital markets.

The Directors have also considered the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. Although Brexit has 
significantly affected the fiscal, monetary and regulatory landscape in the UK, the Group has assessed its impact on its 
operations to be minor. Further information regarding this issue is provided on page 76.

Taking account of the matters described above, the Directors are confident that the Group will have sufficient funds to 
continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements 
and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Stuart Paynter
Chief Financial Officer

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
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“ In 2020, the Group  
introduced the concept  
of annual objectives for the 
five pillars of Responsible 
Business (now ESG) to ensure 
the Group delivers on its  
ESG strategy and mission.” 

Strategic Report 
Environmental, Social and Governance Report

In prior years, this section of the Annual Report was entitled Corporate 
and  Social  Responsibility.  This  became  known  as  Responsible  Business 
last year, and is now referred to as Environmental, Social and Governance 
(ESG). ESG has continued to be of fundamental importance to the Group 
during  2020,  with  the  ESG  strategy  having  become  deeply  embedded 
throughout the Group over the past few years. 

Deliver life changing gene therapies to patients in an ethical  
and socially responsible way 
The  Group’s  ESG  mission  (formerly  the  Group’s  Responsible  Business 
mission) is to deliver life changing gene therapies to patients in an ethical 
and socially responsible way. The Group’s ESG strategy is focused on five 
pillars: People; Community; Environment; Innovation and Supply Chain.

The five pillars of Responsible Business 
In 2020, the Group introduced the concept of annual objectives for the 
five pillars of Responsible Business (now ESG) to ensure the Group delivers 
on its ESG strategy and mission. These objectives, which are developed 
internally by the senior leader responsible for each pillar, in conjunction 
with  the  SET,  are  in  addition  to  the  Group’s  corporate  objectives.  The 
Group  considers  the  ESG  objectives  to  be  fundamental  to  maintaining 
and enhancing the culture and values of the Group. The ESG Committee 
(formerly the Responsible Business Committee) chaired by John Dawson, 
the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, provides a link to the Board for regular 
review of ESG issues that have the potential to impact upon stakeholders 
and  the  Group’s  business.  Although  the  Board  and  the  SET  have 
responsibility for ESG within the Group, the ESG Committee is responsible 
for the governance and oversight of the Group’s ESG commitments. 

1

Five pillars of  
Responsible Business

1

 People
  Community
2
 Environment
 Innovation
Supply Chain

4

3

5

2

3

5

Five pillars  
of Responsible 
Business

Our 
Values

4

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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People

Health and Safety
Being able to deliver the Group’s products and services both in a safe and 
sustainable manner is the number one priority. Via the systematic evaluation 
of all activities, the Group ensures that significant risks are identified and 
controlled to minimise the risk to employees and anyone else who may be 
affected  by  the  Group’s  acts  or  omissions.  The  Group  endeavours  to 
maintain its facilities and equipment to the highest standards. 

The Group’s Health and Safety Management System covers all aspects of 
its work, from working with biological materials, to use of display screen 
equipment. The Safety Management System has continued to evolve and 
grow  with  the  organisation.  A  new  incident  management  system, 
introduced  in  late  2020,  enables  the  Group  to  improve  the  reporting, 
investigation  and  tracking  of  actions.  The  Group  has  moved  risk 
assessments,  policies  and  procedures  that  were  previously  locally 
managed to a fully electronic system that provides a one-stop-shop for 
employees’ health and safety needs and the Group has initiated training 
for all employees on the new system.

The Group has taken steps to improve consultation in developing policies 
and  procedures  to  ensure  they  adequately  reflect  working  practices. 
Improving  employee  engagement  is  a  key  area  of  focus.  The  Group 
completed a Safety Climate Survey in the first quarter of 2020 to actively 
engage all staff and identify areas for improvement. The survey enabled 
the Group to assess its performance against eight factors that contribute 
to a positive safety culture, and to benchmark externally. The eight factors 
were  Accident  and  near  miss  reporting;  Organisational  commitment; 
Health and Safety oriented behaviours; Health and Safety trust; Usability 
of  procedures;  Engagement  in  Health  and  Safety;  Peer  group  attitude; 
and  Resources  for  Health  and  Safety.  Results  were  encouraging  and 
aligned well with the Group’s existing improvement plans. The results and 
the  improvement  plans  were  shared  with  employees  to  keep  them 
informed and engaged in the change programme.

The Group continues to have a first-class safety record, as the Group has 
continued the  trend of having no major injuries. Health and Safety is a 
standing item on the Board’s agenda and the Group has taken steps to 
improve the metrics used to monitor performance in this important part 
of the business. The Group is committed to meet both the letter and spirit 
of all Health and Safety regulation and best practice.

Further details of 2021 ESG people objectives are set out on page 55.

Health and Safety Management System
The Group’s Safety Management System has 
continued to evolve and grow with the organisation.  
A new incident management system, introduced in late 
2020, enables the Group to improve the reporting, 
investigation and tracking of actions.

0 major injuries

First-class safety record
The Group has continued the trend of having  
no major injuries.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
Engagement
As  recommended  by  the  Board  and  in  accordance  with  the  2020 
Responsible  Business  objectives,  the  Group  established  a  Workforce 
Engagement  Panel  (WEP)  in  2020.  The  WEP  is  made  up  of  employees 
representing all levels and functions across the Group. The purpose of the 
WEP is to enable employees to discuss issues of importance to them and 
ensure that the senior leaders and the Group’s Board hear the views of the 
workforce. Three meetings took place in 2020, including one meeting with 
Stuart  Henderson,  the  Board’s  designated  Non-Executive  Director,  to 
facilitate direct discussion and engagement at Board level. Six meetings are 
planned for 2021, two of which will be attended by Stuart Henderson. 

The Group is committed to making sure that it regularly asks employees for 
their  views  and  suggestions  on  a  variety  of  issues,  including  leadership, 
communication, safety and wellbeing. Four employee engagement pulse 
surveys were completed in 2020, one focused on employee communication 
and  three  focused  on  the  impacts  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  These 
surveys provide a rich insight into how employees are feeling, their concerns 
and their suggestions for future improvement. A number of actions resulting 
from the surveys were put in place throughout the year, such as rolling out 
mental  wellbeing  tools  and  offering  lateral  flow  COVID-19  testing  to 
employees, and the overall results were shared with employees. The results 
throughout  2020  show  positive  improvements  tracking  across  all  areas 
covered in the survey. 

As part of the 2021 ESG people objectives a broader Group-wide employee 
engagement survey is planned for the third quarter of 2021, but is dependent 
on how the COVID-19 situation evolves. In addition, quarterly pulse surveys 
will continue to run during 2021, to ensure that the Group is listening to 
employees and taking appropriate action.

A new employee engagement strategy has been developed and approved 
by  the  SET.  The  strategy  will  be  implemented  throughout  2021.  The 
strategy will create further opportunity for senior leadership visibility, more 
frequent two-way communication across a variety of channels, including 
internal social media and virtual events, and will enable the Group to keep 
all  employees  up  to  date  and  engaged  as  the  business  grows.  Further 
details of the 2021 ESG people objectives are set out on page 55.

Values
The Group’s three values govern the way that the Group does business, 
how the Group works together and the interactions the Group has with all 
its stakeholders. 

The Group’s values are embedded throughout its people processes – the 
Group looks for evidence that job candidates share the Group’s values upon 
appointment; the values are an important factor in measuring performance; 
and the Group recognises and rewards adherence to the values. 

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“ The Group is committed to 
making sure that it regularly 
asks employees for their views 
and suggestions on a variety 
of issues, including leadership, 
communication, safety and 
wellbeing.” 

The Group’s values
Have integrity  
We always do the right thing. Whatever the situation 
and consequences, we do what’s right for employees, 
patients and partners. We make objective decisions 
and can be trusted to deliver on our commitments.

Be inspiring  
We succeed together through our passion, commitment 
and teamwork. Through our actions and behaviours, 
we create an environment which positively challenges, 
engages and excites us.

Deliver innovation 
We deliver ground-breaking scientific excellence by 
nurturing exceptional talent. Together, we continually 
improve by generating new ideas and creative ways of 
working to bring about better solutions for patients.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
 
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Equality, Inclusion and Diversity
The Group is committed to building a more inclusive organisation where 
all forms of diversity are celebrated. The Group aims to assess and evolve 
its approach so employees can confidently be their true selves at work 
and ensure internal processes and culture promote equality of opportunity 
for all. 

In  2020,  the  Group  organised  an  initial  focus  group,  facilitated  by  external 
diversity and inclusion specialists, to help the Group create a purpose, ambition 
and vision for Equality, Inclusion and Diversity within the Group. The next steps 
for  2021  are  to  share  these  outputs  with  the  WEP  and  engage  a  broader 
employee group to turn this proposed strategy into a one to three-year action 
plan. This will include raising awareness and educating employees through the 
rollout of unconscious bias training during 2021. Further details of the 2021 
ESG people objectives are set out on page 55.

The Board and senior management are fully committed to providing equal 
opportunities  for  all  employees,  irrespective  of  race,  gender,  religion, 
national origin, disability or any other personal characteristics, and embrace 
diversity in all forms.

The table shows the gender split across the organisation as at 31 December 
2020:

Board including  
Non-Executive Directors
Senior managers and 
direct reports
All other employees
Total

Male

Female

Total

% Male

% Female

8

21
311
340

1

16
324
341

9

37
635
681

89%

57%
49%
50%

11%

43%
51%
50%

The Gender Pay Gap Report for 2020 has been prepared by the Group. The 
Group is pleased to report a continued increase in representation of female 
employees  at  the  more  senior  levels  of  the  organisation.  This  has  had  a 
positive impact on the Group’s mean and median gender pay ratio. For full 
details of the report please visit the Group’s website at www.oxb.com.

Health and Wellbeing 
The health and wellbeing of all of employees is of upmost importance. 
The Group’s aim is to help employees feel good at work and at home by 
fostering  a  positive  health  culture.  Empowering  colleagues  to  take 
personal  accountability  for  their  wellbeing  is  important  and  the  Group 
supports  colleagues  by  providing  access  to  a  number  of  wellbeing 
resources and initiatives throughout the year. 

In March 2020, the Group received tragic news that a colleague had taken 
his own life. Many of the staff and colleagues were impacted by this issue 
and as a consequence the Group’s wellbeing strategy for 2020 focused on 
mental  wellbeing.  The  Group  recognised  that  the  mental  health  risks 
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic further increased the importance 
of  this.  During  the  year,  the  Group  incorporated  mental  health  training 
within  the  Management  Development  Programme,  providing 
line 
managers with tools and resources to help them support their employees. 
The Group have trained 16 staff in Mental Health First Aid. 

11%

89%

a.

43%

57%

b.

51%

49%

c.

50%

50%

d.

Gender split as at 31 December 2020
a.  Board including  

Non-Executive Directors

b. Senior managers and direct reports

c. All other employees

d. Total split male/female

  Male

Female

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In line with the 2020 Responsible Business objectives, the Group offered 
a number of online workshops to the whole workforce, including: ‘Five 
Ways to Wellbeing’ and ‘Understanding Anxiety and Tools to Manage It’ 
delivered by local charity, Oxfordshire Mind, and ‘What is Mindfulness, and 
how can it support your wellbeing?’ delivered again by a local contact, 
Mindfulness in Oxford. The Group was delighted to welcome Dr. Lindsay 
Browning, sleep expert and Chartered Psychologist, from Trouble Sleeping 
who hosted an insightful session into the importance of good sleep.

The Group offered staff a Healthy Minds Catch-up with its Occupational 
Health  Advisor,  a  Registered  Mental  Health  Nurse.  In  addition,  all 
employees  are  covered  by  BUPA  Private  Medical  Insurance,  which 
includes direct access to Mental Health support without seeing a GP.

The  Group  was  delighted  to  receive  the  ‘Commitment  to  Workplace 
Wellbeing’  award  from  Oxfordshire  Mind  for  the  various  wellbeing 
initiatives offered to employees in 2020.

In 2021, the Group’s wellbeing strategy will continue to focus on mental 
wellbeing.  The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  emphasised  that  whilst  the 
Group  cannot  control  the  external  environment  around  us,  the  Group 
can support employees and provide them with the tools to manage their 
personal  response  to  these  external  factors.  The  Group  will  therefore 
have  a  particular  focus  on  resilience  in  2021  and  will  be  working  with 
external  storytellers  whose  stories  all  bring  to  life  the  umbrella  theme 
‘Resilience’ whilst equipping employees with key takeaways for them to 
implement into their personal and professional lives. 

The Group will be aligning other initiatives to key mental health awareness 
campaigns,  via  the  Workplace  Wellbeing  Hub,  including  Mental  Health 
Awareness  Week,  Suicide  Prevention  Day  and  International  Stress 
Awareness Week. 

Through information gathered from the pulse surveys, the Group recognises 
that a variety of wellbeing offerings is important to employees across the 
business.  Throughout  2021,  the  Group  will  be  offering  a  variety  of  other 
wellbeing  initiatives  with  plans  including  maintaining  a  healthy  lifestyle, 
focusing  on  nutrition,  hydration  and  activity,  promoting  summer  health 
awareness and exploring alternative therapy offerings (COVID-19 permitting). 

The Group is enhancing the employees ‘Your Reward in 2021’ benefits 
package  to  include  two  new  wellbeing  offerings.  An  online  wellbeing 
platform  that  provides  a  gateway  to  over  3,000  experiences,  covering 
lifestyle, mental and physical wellbeing and learning vouchers, to pay for 
or contribute to costs associated with any structured learning, be that a 
course, online programme or other structured learning arrangement to 
help employees strike a balance between work and non-work life. 

The Group understands it has a duty of care towards all employees and 
continually assesses the risks to the workforce whilst implementing steps 
to  maintain  a  COVID-19  secure  environment.  The  Group  regularly 
communicates with staff in respect of the current government guidelines 
as  well  as  providing  regular  updates  on  measures  available  to  provide 
extra protection, such as daily onsite COVID-19 testing. 

Nick Page, Chief Operations Officer  
at Oxford Biomedica said:

“ Being a major manufacturer of the Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine we were understandably very 
concerned, not only about the safety of our staff, but 
the potential impact to vaccine supply if asymptomatic 
employees unwittingly brought the virus into our facilities. 
We were very pleased to take part in the government 
pilot for lateral flow testing in the work place. While the 
testing has been voluntary it has been taken up well by 
staff as no one wants to be the ‘silent spreader’ to their 
colleagues. It has been very successful in picking up a 
number of asymptomatic cases every week, which were 
later confirmed by PCR testing. Our employees are 
very proud of the work they do and as managers we 
are delighted to be able to offer them this testing as  
an additional measure, beyond our already enhanced 
COVID-19 secure working practices, to give them the 
safest environment possible to carry out their vital work”.

2021 ESG people objectives:
 — to implement a new Group-wide 

employee engagement programme, 
to include a Group-wide employee 
engagement survey and quarterly 
pulse surveys.

 — to create an action plan for Equality, 

Inclusion and Diversity, to include the 
roll out of unconscious bias training.

 — to introduce further wellbeing 

initiatives with a focus on mental 
health and resilience.

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Community
The  Group  has  continued  to  recognise  the  value  of  being  a  good  local 
citizen. The Group has achieved this by delivering positive benefits to the 
community. The Group has created around 120 new appointments at all 
levels  across  the  organisation  during  the  year.  The  Group  continued  to 
develop its apprenticeship scheme, supporting science education, and is a 
strong  supporter  of  the  communities  where  employees  live  and  work 
through  volunteering  for  Homeless  Oxfordshire  and  other  local  charities. 
Further  links  have  been  established  with  schools  and  local  educational 
organisations for volunteering initiatives, such as reading support. The Group 
behaves as a responsible neighbour, complying with national and local laws 
and  regulations,  particularly  with  regard  to  emissions,  waste,  property 
planning and the traffic impact caused by employees. The Group has a well-
established Cycle-To-Work scheme and interest-free season ticket loans to 
help minimise the traffic impact on the community.

Apprenticeship scheme
As part of the Group’s focus on delivering local benefits and providing high-
skilled jobs to the local community, the Group has established an apprenticeship 
scheme in collaboration with Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community 
and  multiple  training  providers.  In  accordance  with  the  2020  Responsible 
Business objectives,the Group added an additional eight apprentices during 
2020,  with  eighteen  now  in  place,  including  school  leavers  from  the  local 
community. The apprentices are enrolled on a training scheme in the highly 
skilled areas of Manufacturing and Analytical testing. The Group is committed 
to supporting the apprentices through in-post learning, training and expanding 
the scheme in the future and in line with the 2021 ESG Community objectives, 
the Group has planned for a further nine apprenticeships. Further details of the 
2021 ESG Community objectives are set out on page 57.

Apprenticeships
The Group has established an apprenticeship scheme 
in collaboration with Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship 
Community and multiple training providers.

+8

New apprenticeships 
The Group added an additional eight apprentices 
during 2020, with eighteen now in place, including 
school leavers from the local community.

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£21,000

£100 per employee
For every person who worked over the Christmas 
period as we continued to make sure the COVID-19 
vaccine production was not interrupted, the Group 
donated £100 to SeeSaw, an Oxford based charity 
providing support for bereaved children. The Group’s 
donation totalled £21,000.

2021 ESG Community objectives:
 — to add a further nine apprentices  
to the apprenticeship scheme.

 — to introduce a system for voluntary 

charitable monthly payroll contributions 
to continue to support volunteering 
initiatives, such as reading support, 
(with time off support).

 — to increase outreach programme  

to schools and universities.

Charitable giving
The tragic loss of a colleague who had taken his own life, (referred to 
above) was deeply felt by many of the staff. In response, one former 
colleague and friend took on a Snowdon challenge in September 2020 
to raise awareness of mental health issues with donations for Oxfordshire 
Mind. To show the Group’s support for this challenge and to continue 
to  support  Oxfordshire  Mind,  the  Group  donated  £10,000  to  this 
important cause.

The Group’s charity team, Helping Hands, was set up over a year ago and 
forms  part  of  the  Group’s  commitment  to  provide  support  to  a  local 
charity.  For  2020,  employees  chose  the  local  SeeSaw  charity  (charity 
registration  1076321),  an  Oxford  based  charity  providing  support  for 
bereaved  children,  young  people  and  their  families  when  they  face  a 
death in the family. During 2020, the Helping Hands team and employees 
organised and participated in a number of COVID-19 secure events. This 
included  participation  in  a  Blenheim  Palace  sunrise  walk,  a  cake  sale 
(which pre-dated the onset of the pandemic), COVID-19 mask making, 
Christmas  wreath  making,  care  boxes  and  a  Christmas  raffle.  Oxford 
Biomedica employees raised over £4,003 for SeeSaw in 2020. 

Over the 2020 Christmas holiday period, 210 of the Group’s incredible staff 
continued to work to make sure that the supply of the Oxford AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine would not be interrupted. For every person who worked 
over the Christmas period in 2020, the Group decided to donate £100 to 
SeeSaw.  The  Group’s  £21,000  donation  will  help  SeeSaw  to  support 
children, young people and their families in Oxfordshire to face the future 
with hope. 

Charity
SeeSaw (Employee donation)
SeeSaw (Group donation)
Oxfordshire Mind (Group donation)
Total

Donation
£4,003
£21,302
£10,000
£35,305

For 2021, the Group will provide all employees the opportunity to support 
good  causes  through  monthly  payroll  contributions.  Payroll  giving  is  a 
voluntary  way  for  staff  to  support  any  UK-registered  charity  in  a  tax-
efficient manner. 

The Group is exploring opportunities to ensure that the Group is inclusive of 
all communities. The Group encourages staff to get involved in community 
work and helps to support employees that participate in such initiatives. The 
Group regards community projects as a great way to meet people, develop 
new friendships, and most of all improve employees members’ own wellbeing.

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Environment

Environmental policies and initiatives
The Group fully recognises its responsibility to minimise the impact of its 
activities  on  the  environment,  its  neighbours  and  the  local  community. 
Much like its Health and Safety Management System, the Environmental 
Management  System  has  continued  to  evolve  and  grow  with  the 
organisation. The Group is mapping its system against ISO14001 with the 
aim of aligning with the principles of the standard by the end of the next 
reporting year in line with 2021 ESG environmental objectives. The Group 
complies  with  all  regulations  covering  the  processing  and  disposal  of 
laboratory waste, and uses qualified licensed contractors for the collection 
and disposal of chemical waste and decontaminated biological materials.

In accordance with the 2020 Responsible Business objectives, during the 
course  of  the  year,  and  with  the  aim  of  reducing  the  Group’s  carbon 
footprint,  the  Group  has  moved  all  of  its  energy  supply  over  to  Green 
Energy  providers.  The  Group  has  continued  the  efforts  to  improve  the 
management of waste, conducting a number of internal surveys on waste 
streams,  undertaking  duty  of  care  audits  on  the  companies  the  Group 
uses to dispose of its wastes, and trying to minimise the volume of waste 
that goes to landfill. By the end of 2020, the only waste going to landfill 
was the ash created by the incineration of clinical waste, or the ash from 
the incineration of plastic and other disposable waste to generate energy 
for the grid. 

As part of the Group’s ESG strategy the Group has identified the need to 
reduce  the  volume  of  waste-generating  materials  coming  into  the 
organisation (e.g. packaging). In 2021, in line with 2021 ESG environmental 
objectives, the Group will engage its suppliers on this subject. With a new 
manufacturing site coming online during 2020, the Group focussed on 
legal compliance (trade effluent discharge consents, etc) for the facility 
during 2021. With the redevelopment of the Windrush Innovation Centre 
in  2021,  the  Group  intends  to  include  a  third  party  assessment  of 
sustainability performance of the building, for example BREEAM. Further 
details of the 2021 ESG environmental objectives are set out on page 61.

The Group’s SECR Compliant Directors statement
The Group recognises that its operations have an environmental impact 
and  the  Group  is  committed  to  monitoring  and  reducing  its  emissions 
year-on-year. The Group is aware of its reporting obligations under The 
Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy 
and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. As such, this year the Group has 
upgraded its energy and carbon reporting to meet these new requirements 
and increase the transparency with which the Group communicates its 
environmental impact to its stakeholders.

“ In accordance with the 2020  
Responsible Business 
objectives, during the course 
of the year, and with the aim of 
reducing the Group’s carbon 
footprint, the Group has moved 
all of its energy supply over  
to Green Energy providers.”

Legal compliance
With a new manufacturing site coming online 
during 2020, the Group focussed on legal 
compliance (trade effluent discharge consents, 
etc) for the facility during 2021.

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7tCO2e per FTE

Average emissions impact
The Group’s emissions on a location basis (using the 
UK grid emissions intensity) are 4,097tCO2e, which is 
an average impact of 7tCO2e per FTE.

46% 

Electricity use
Electricity was the most material of the emission 
sources reported below and made up 46% of total 
emissions in 2020.

2020 performance
This year, the Group has calculated its environmental impact across the 
required scope 1, 2 and 3 (selected categories) emissions sources for the 
U.K. The Group’s emissions on a location basis (using the UK grid emissions 
intensity) are 4,097tCO2e, which is an average impact of 7tCO2e per FTE. 
The Group has calculated emission intensity metrics on a FTE basis, which 
will be monitored to track performance in its subsequent environmental 
disclosures.  Electricity  was  the  most  material  of  the  emission  sources 
reported  below  and  made  up  46%  of  total  emissions  in  2020.  The 
purchasing  of  green  tariffs  at  multiple  sites  has  been  reflected  in  the 
Group’s total emissions on a market basis.

Energy and carbon action
The Group is mindful of the impact its buildings and travel have on the 
environment. As such, over the period covered by the report, the Group 
has undertaken the following emissions and energy reduction initiatives:

 — Purchases of renewable energy – a switch to green tariffs for electricity 
at  Harrow  House,  Windrush  Court  and  Yarnton  demonstrates  the 
continued commitment to lower the Group’s footprint.

 — Windrush Court East Wing laboratory refit – to reduce wasted energy, 
more energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning units have 
been installed, alongside passive infrared (PIR) sensors which have been 
fitted to LED lighting.

 — Fan coil unit (FCU) refurbishment – to increase the efficiency of the 
units and therefore reduce the cost of heating and cooling at Oxbox 
and Windrush Court.

 — External lighting upgrades – to increase the energy efficiency, external 
LED units were installed at Windrush Court, Oxbox and Harrow House. 
This lighting is controlled by timer controls.

 — Sound and heat insulation installed on the second floor of Windrush 

Court – to reduce wasted energy in offices.

2020 results
The methodology used to calculate the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 
is in accordance with the requirements of the following standards:

 — World Resources Institute (WRI) GHG Protocol (revised version).

 — Defra’s  Environmental  Reporting  Guidelines:  Including  Streamlined 

Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements (March 2019).

 — UK office emissions have been calculated using the DEFRA 2020 issue 

of the conversion factor repository.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
 
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Following an operational control approach to defining the Group’s organisational boundary, the calculated GHG emissions 
from business activities which fall within the reporting period of January 2020 to December 2020 are as follows:

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

Total (Market Based)
Total (Location Based)
Total Energy Usage (kWh)1
Carbon intensity per employee

Emissions Source
Natural gas
Other fuel types
Fleet
Electricity
Electricity transmission and 
distribution
Water
Employee cars
Rail
Public Transport
Business flights
Paper
Waste and Recycling

tCO2e per FTE

2020 Emissions in tCO2e
1,614
13
18
1,900

163
14
3
1
1
212
6
152
2,647
4,097
17,058,312
7

1   Energy reporting includes kWh from scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 employee cars only (as required by the SECR regulation).

CO2

SF6

CH4

N2O

HFCs

PFCs

Scope 2: 
Indirect

Scope 1: 
Direct

Scope 3: 
Indirect

2 3

Indirect emissions
Indirect emissions result from a company’s 
activities but from sources owned or controlled 
by another company. The most prominent 
example is electricity. 

1

Direct emissions
Direct emissions are emissions within a 
company’s organisational boundary from 
sources that the company owns or controls, 
like business travel in a company car or the 
combustion of fuel in a company’s boilers or 
furnace. 

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Waste management
The Group continues to review its waste management systems to manage 
waste more effectively and, as result, it has established a Sustainability Forum in 
order to determine ways of improving recycling and sustainability within the 
Group. This has included:

 — recycling all paper and cardboard waste, aluminium cans, glass, plastics 

and printer toner/cartridges

 — use of different waste streams to increase processing efficiency

Energy efficiency
In accordance with the 2020 Responsible Business objectives, the Group 
is  committed  to  energy  efficiency  and  has  implemented  a  number  of 
policies  to  decrease  energy  usage  where  possible.  For  instance,  when 
existing lighting needs replacing the Group switches to LED lights which 
are significantly more energy efficient than traditional lighting systems. 
The Group is looking at reducing the water usage throughout its sites in 
its facilities with more efficient system controls. In Windrush Court the 
Group  has  passive  infrared  light  sensors  in  all  areas  that  have  been 
refurbished  to  ensure  lighting  is  extinguished  in  areas  that  are  not 
currently in use. 

Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD)
The  TCFD  was  established  to  help  identify  the  information  needed  by 
investors, lenders, and insurance underwriters to assess and price climate 
related risks and opportunities appropriately. The Taskforce structured its 
recommendations  around  four  thematic  areas  that  represent  core 
elements  of  how  organisations  operate:  Governance;  Strategy;  Risk 
Management; and Metrics and Targets.

2021 ESG environmental objectives:
 — to commission a third party 
assessment of sustainability 
performance on the redevelopment 
of the Windrush Innovation Centre 
(eg. BREEAM).

 — to map the Group’s Environmental 

Management System against 
ISO14001.

 — to engage with the Group’s suppliers 

to reduce the volume of waste-
generating materials coming into the 
organisation.

 — to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
by optimising the Group’s energy 
usage.

 — to reduce the volume of hazardous 

liquid wastes being generated.

 — to meet the TCFD metrics  

and targets.

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Recommendation

The Group’s approach

Governance
Disclose the organisations governance  
around climate-related risks and opportunities.

Strategy 
Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate 
related risks and opportunities on the Group’s business, 
strategy and financial planning where information is 
material.

Risk Management
Disclose how the organisation identifies, assess and 
manages climate-related risks.

The Board is accountable for overseeing the delivery 
of the Group’s climate-related activities. The SET is 
responsible for delivering on these objectives within 
their functional areas.

The Board and the SET are supported by a cross-
functional ESG Committee (formerly the Responsible 
Business Committee), chaired by the CEO, who 
work with the ESG Committee to define the Group’s 
ESG strategy and to set objectives and targets.

The Group’s environmental strategy and objectives 
are described in the Group’s Environmental, Social 
and Governance Report (previously known as the 
Responsible Business Report).

The Group is committed to minimise the impact of 
its operations on the environment by adopting 
responsible environmental practices and complying 
with applicable environmental legislation.

The Group has assessed the impact of climate change 
as part of its normal risk management process and 
concluded that there is likely to be minor future 
financial risks that would need to be managed and 
none that would materially impact its business model.

This assessment is consistent with the Sustainability 
Standards Board’s (SASB) Materiality Map, which 
indicates that the issue is not likely to be material for 
the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector.

Further information

Corporate Governance  
(pages 80 to 95).

Environmental, Social and 
Governance Report (pages 51 to 66).

Environmental, Social and 
Governance Report (pages 51 to 66).

Risks (pages 70 to 77).

Metrics and Targets
Disclose the metrics and targets to assess and manage 
relevant climate-related risks and opportunities where 
such information is material.

The Group’s environmental metrics and targets are 
described in its Environmental, Social and Governance 
Report. The key targets are:
–  minimise waste disposal from laboratories and 

Environmental, Social and 
Governance Report (pages 51 to 66).

manufacturing suites

–  reduce carbon emissions by optimising the Group’s 

energy usage

–  reduce packaging materials (plastics used) and 
–  use sustainable suppliers

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020 
 
Innovation
The  Group  is  committed  to  delivering  life-changing  cell  and  gene 
therapies  to  patients  in  an  ethical  and  responsible  way.  This  will  be 
achieved  by  practicing  and  delivering  ethical,  relevant  and  sustainable 
innovation.  During  2020,  the  Innovation  pillar  was  developed  and  the 
strategy had three key aims: to ensure all research and innovation at the 
Group maintains the highest ethical standards; to deliver innovation that 
is relevant and understandable so its implications can be easily assessed; 
and to foster and encourage a culture of innovation to build a sustainable 
future for the Group and the wider community.

“ The Group is committed  
to delivering life-changing  
cell and gene therapies to 
patients in an ethical and 
responsible way. This will be 
achieved by practicing and 
delivering ethical, relevant  
and sustainable innovation.”

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Ensure all research and innovation at the Group maintains the 
highest ethical standards 
The Group’s commitment to achieving the highest ethical standards has 
historically been embedded in all research and development activities and 
has  continued  to  shape  the  Group’s  platform  innovation  in  2020.  This 
objective  underpins  the  Group’s  overall  ESG  mission  to  deliver  life 
changing gene therapies to patients in an ethical and socially responsible 
way and in 2021 the Group will seek to further ensure that the highest 
ethical  standards  operate  as  a  guiding  principle  in  its  research  and 
innovation activities by the formal inclusion of ethical review within the 
New Technology and New Product Committees. 

To deliver innovation that is relevant and understandable so its 
implications can be easily assessed
During the course of 2020 the Group has developed three new tools for 
innovation. These are: 

 — a technology roadmap designed to ensure the smooth and timely 

progression of new technologies to commercialisation

 — a new technology profile (NTP) to document the key stages and decision 

points of the technology development process

 — a decision matrix scoring which will evaluate promising technologies and 

to officially transition them to governance by the New Technology 
Committee

It is intended that these tools will expedite the process of commercialising 
new  programmes  and  technologies  and  allow  the  Group  to  track  the 
development  process  with  greater  clarity  and  granularity.  It  is  also 
expected that the decision matrix scoring will assist in prioritisation and 
selection of the Group’s most promising technological developments. In 
2021, the Group will monitor the rollout and application of these three 
new  tools  for  innovation  and  will  continue  to  assess  ways  in  which  to 
better streamline the commercialisation process. Furthermore, the Group 
intends to focus on improving communication and coordination amongst 
the  research  and  development  teams  to  more  effectively  develop  and 
transition new research technologies towards therapeutic and commercial 
application in line with the corporate objectives.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

Helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds
In 2020 the Group identified an organisation called 
In2Science that helps children from disadvantaged 
backgrounds enter STEM subjects in higher education. 
The Group has signed up to sponsor five students via 
In2Science. A number of Oxford Biomedica staff are 
also volunteering to mentor In2Science students.

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Foster and encourage a culture of innovation to build a sustainable 
future for the Group and the wider community 
In 2020 the Group identified an organisation called In2Science that helps 
children from disadvantaged backgrounds enter STEM subjects in higher 
education.  The  Group  believes  that  facilitating  greater  access  to  STEM 
subjects for a wider variety of students is an important step in succession 
planning  and  encouraging  innovative  thought  for  future  generations  in 
the biotechnology and life sciences sectors and, as such, the Group has 
signed up to sponsor five students via In2Science. A number of Oxford 
Biomedica staff are also volunteering to mentor In2Science students and 
present on their scientific work and career experiences.

The primary focus of the Group’s ESG innovation objectives for 2021 will 
be on continuing to foster and encourage a culture of innovation to build 
a sustainable future for the Group and the wider community. The Group 
intends to continue and expand its work with partners, such as In2Science, 
to  promote  STEM  careers  as  a  viable  route  for  schoolchildren  from 
demographics  that  have  a  low  representation  in  higher  education, 
particularly  in  STEM  subjects.  Through  sponsorship,  mentoring  and 
support  for  careers  workshops  and  other  activities,  the  Group  aims  to 
encourage  these  individuals  to  enrol  in  higher  education  and,  or 
apprenticeships  to  study  STEM  subjects  and  embark  on  careers  in  the 
field. For current university students the Group is offering paid industry 
placements to encourage wider access to industrial laboratory experience.

Supply chain

During  2020,  in  line  with  the  2020  objectives,  the  Group  committed  to 
building a supply chain that delivers commercial benefit to the business, 
while meeting its goal of sustainability. It is intended that this will continue 
to  be  achieved  through  establishing  and  maintaining  robust  supplier 
relationships and ensuring that their conduct supports the Group’s principles 
for openness, ethics and resilience in the face of environmental changes.

The Group looks to pay all its suppliers within 30 days of the invoice being 
received by the Group. In 2020, the Group managed to pay 94% of the 
Group’s suppliers’ invoices within 30 days. The Group is looking to improve 
on this performance during 2021.

The Group has three main ESG supply chain objectives for 2021, which 
build on the progress made during 2020 on these areas. The objectives 
comprise the launch of a code of conduct for suppliers, the creation of a 
supplier page on the Group’s website www.oxb.com and benchmarking 
its suppliers and providing them with feedback.

2021 ESG innovation objectives 
 — ensure research and innovation 

maintains highest ethical standards by 
the formal inclusion of ethical review 
within the New Technology and New 
Product Committees.

 — to deliver innovation that is relevant and 
understandable so its implications can 
be easily assessed.

 —  foster and encourage a culture of 

innovation to build a sustainable future 
for the Group and the wider community.

Our supply chain
The Group committed to building a supply chain that 
delivers commercial benefit to the business, while 
meeting its goal of sustainability. The Group is creating 
a supplier page on the Group’s website to provide  
a guide to the Group’s supply chain sustainability 
requirements. 

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2021 ESG supply chain objectives:
 — to launch a code of conduct for 

suppliers.

 — to create a supplier page on the 

Group’s website.

 — to benchmark the Group’s suppliers 
and provide suppliers with feedback.

Launch a code of conduct for suppliers working with the Group
This code will refer to ethical supply chain, environmental impact, slave 
and  child  labour  and  sustainability.  The  Group  already  refers  to  these 
issues as part of its due diligence process for new suppliers, but prior to 
now  the  Group  has  not  formally  published  a  code  of  conduct.  Once 
finalised, the Group intends to formally roll out the code of conduct to its 
existing  suppliers  and  incorporate  the  code  of  conduct  into  all  new 
contractual supply relationships moving forwards.

Create a supplier page on the Group’s website www.OXB.com
This  will  provide  a  guide  to  the  Group’s  supply  chain  sustainability 
requirements. This project is currently at the planning stage and the Group 
is  currently  undertaking  a  review  process  to  establish  best  practice 
amongst comparator groups. The Group is aiming to launch the page for 
use by suppliers during the course of 2021. 

Benchmark suppliers
Giving  the  Group’s  suppliers  feedback  on  their  performance  against 
expectations  is  already  in  place  as  part  of  its  procurement  and  supply 
chain  management  processes.  However,  the  Group  has  elected  to 
introduce a further level of review by benchmarking the Group’s suppliers 
and creating a ranking system. Planning for this benchmarking process is 
being  developed  during  2021  and  will  involve  gathering  data  both 
internally and externally, for example the Group will engage in discussions 
with customers to establish their expectations of suppliers.

Once  the  benchmarking  process  is  completed,  the  Group  intends  to 
formally roll out its suppliers feedback programmes.

Governance

Integrity and Ethics
The Group is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and 
integrity in its business activities in the UK and overseas.

Anti-bribery
The  Group’s  policy  on  preventing  and  prohibiting  bribery  is  in  full 
accordance with the UK Bribery Act 2010 as well as other relevant overseas 
legislation and all employees receive training in this matter. The Group 
does not tolerate any form of bribery by, or of, its employees, agents or 
consultants or any person or body acting on its behalf. Senior management 
is  committed  to  implementing  effective  measures  to  prevent,  monitor 
and eliminate bribery.

Whistleblowing
The Group’s compliance activities include the prevention and detection 
of misconduct through policy implementation, training and monitoring. 
As part of this effort, the Group’s employees are encouraged to report 
suspected  cases  of  misconduct  in  confidence  and  without  fear  of 
retaliation.  Concerns  and  allegations  are  thoroughly  investigated  with 
disciplinary action taken where necessary, up to and including dismissal 
and reporting to relevant authorities.

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Strategic Report 
Environmental, Social and Governance Report

Clinical trials
The  Group  instils  transparency,  safety  and  ethics  in  all  aspects  of  its 
business, including the design and conduct of its clinical trials. The Group’s 
clinical studies are designed with patient safety as a paramount concern 
and  the  protocols  are  agreed  with  the  relevant  national  regulatory 
authorities,  as  well  as  local  ethics  committees  and  institutional  review 
boards at clinical trial sites, before any patients are treated. The Group has 
standard  operating  procedures  in  place  under  a  controlled  Quality 
Management System to ensure compliance with appropriate guidelines 
and legislation.

The  Group  is  committed  to  transparency,  and  the  Group’s  website 
(www.oxb.com) provides information on ongoing clinical trials. Relevant 
trials in the EU and EEA are automatically posted on the EU Clinical Trials 
Register (www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu) and the Group discloses its trials 
on a US government-sponsored website (www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Human rights and anti-slavery
The  Group  fully  respects  human  rights  and  it  conducts  its  business  in 
accordance with the letter and spirit of UK Human Rights legislation and 
the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Board has approved a Modern Slavery 
Transparency Statement in compliance with section 54 of the UK Modern 
Slavery Act, which can be found on the Group’s website www.oxb.com. 

The Group’s facilities are all located in the UK, where its policies accord 
with human rights regulations and its supply chain operates in territories 
with strong commitments to human rights safeguarding.

Animal testing
It is a regulatory requirement that all new therapeutic products must be 
appropriately tested for safety before they are administered to patients, 
and there is currently no alternative to using animal models as part of this 
process. The Group is committed to following the principles of the three 
“Rs” in safety testing: replacement, refinement and reduction of animal 
testing. These principles ensure that animal testing is only employed when 
necessary  and  where  there  are  no  alternatives.  The  Group  minimises  
the use of animal models by cross-referring LentiVector® platform data 
packages for regulatory authorities.

Clinical studies
The Group’s clinical studies are designed with patient 
safety as a paramount concern and the protocols are 
agreed with the relevant national regulatory authorities, 
as well as local ethics committees and institutional 
review boards at clinical trial sites, before any patients 
are treated. 

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Strategic Report 
Non-financial statement

The Group aims to comply with the new Non-Financial Reporting requirements contained in section 414CA and 414CB 
of the Companies Act 2006. The table below, and information it refers to, is intended to help stakeholders understand 
the Group’s position on key non-financial matters 

Requirement

Environment

Employees

Human rights

Social matters

Policies and standards which govern  
the Group’s approach

–  Environment statement
–  Environmental, Society and Governance 

policy (previously known as the 
Responsible Business policy)

–  Health and Safety policy

– Equal opportunities policy

Risk management and additional information

Health and Safety disclosures on page 52; Stakeholders 
pages 22 and 23; Environment, greenhouse gas emissions 
on page 60.

Stakeholders page 22; People page 52; Employee numbers 
by gender page 54; Board engagement with the business 
page 53; Diversity page 54; CEO’s remuneration compared 
to employees page 112; Gender pay gap report page 54 and 
published on the Group’s website.

– Privacy Notice
–  Whistleblowing policy
–  IT and information security policy

Review and approval of the Group’s modern slavery and 
human trafficking statement page 66; Stakeholders page 22; 
Whistleblowing page 65.

The Group has an Environmental, Society and 
Governance Policy (previously known as the 
Responsible Business policy), which covers 
the Group’s way of working with employees, 
customers/suppliers, patients, the local 
community and the environment.

Stakeholders page 22; engaging with the local community 
and charitable work page 57; Environmental, Society 
and Governance (previously known as the Responsible 
Business) pages 51 to 66.

Anti-corruption and 
anti-bribery

– Anti-bribery policy 

Anti-corruption/anti-bribery page 65.

Policy embedding due diligence 
and outcomes

Principal risks and impact  
on business activity

Governance framework and structure page 81; Board activity 
during the year page 83; Audit Committee report page 86.

Principal risks and effective management pages 70 to 77; 
Audit Committee report page 86; Risk management and 
regulatory disclosure page 86.

Description of business model

The Group’s business model pages 20 to 21.

Non-financial key performance 
indicators

The Group at a glance page 16; Operational highlights 
page 26; Stakeholders pages 22 to 23.

The Strategic Report on pages 15 to 67 was approved by the Board on 15 April 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

John Dawson
Chief Executive Officer

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Our goal of industrialising lentiviral vector production will 
open up therapeutic indications that are currently inaccessible 
in the field of cell and gene therapy due to the amount (and 
therefore cost) of the vector needed to address these targets. 

These reductions in cost will also help drive adoption by 
healthcare payors into indications where there are far larger 
numbers of patients.

Oxford Biomedica plc | Annual report and accounts 2020Running headRunning subhead 
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  8 

1  Saving lives
2   Questions and answers
 The Group’s COVID-19  
vaccine journey
  12  Market overview

  15  Strategic Report
  16   Group at a glance
  18  Product pipeline
  20  The Group’s business model
  22  The Group’s stakeholders
  26    Operational highlights  
delivered in 2020
 Financial highlights  
delivered in 2020
  28  Chair’s statement
  30 

  27 

 Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

 Delivery of 2020 objectives

  38  Management team
  40 
  41  Objectives set for 2021
 Financial review
  42 
 Environmental, Social and 
  51 
Governance Report
 Non-financial statement

  67 

  69  Corporate Governance 
  70 

  Principal risks, uncertainties  
and risk management 

  78  Board of Directors
  80  Corporate Governance Report
  96  Directors’ Remuneration Report
  124  Directors’ Report

 132 

 Independent auditors’ report

 143  Group financial statements
  144 

 Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income
 Statement of financial positions

  145 
  146  Statements of cash flows
  147 

 Statements of changes in  
equity attributable to owners  
of the parent
 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

  148 

 185  Other matters
  185 
 Glossary
 188  Advisers and contact details

 
 
 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Principal risks, uncertainties and risk management

The Group is exposed to a range of risks. Some of them are specific to the Group’s current operations, others are 
common to all development-stage biopharmaceutical companies. The Board have carried out a robust assessment of 
the risks facing the Group, including those which could threaten its business model and future performance.

The  Group  operates  in  the  cell  and  gene  therapy  biotechnology  sector  which,  by  its  nature,  is  relatively  high  risk 
compared  with  other  industry  sectors.  During  2020,  there  have  only  been  a  few  additional  cell  and  gene  therapy 
products that have been approved for commercial use and, consequently, there are significant financial and development 
risks in the sector, and the regulatory authorities have shown caution in their regulation of such products. 

Risk assessment and evaluation is an integral and well-established part of the Group’s management processes. The 
Group’s risk management framework incorporates the implementation of a mitigation strategy, each tailored to the 
specific risk in question. The Group has taken the decision to disclose the steps it has taken to mitigate the risks facing 
its operations during the period, representing an important development compared to the Group’s prior year approach 
to the disclosure of risks.

Risk management framework

The Group’s risk management framework is as follows:
 — Board of Directors – the Board has overall responsibility for risk management, determining the Group’s risk tolerance, 
and for ensuring the maintenance of a sound system of internal control. The Board considers risk in the context of 
its agenda items at each of its formal meetings, of which there at least six annually. However, twice a year in March 
and September a full presentation to the Board on risk is provided by the Risk Management Committee. The risk 
management processes are the responsibility of the Senior Executive Team but the Audit Committee monitors the 
processes  and  their  implementation  as  well  as  reviewing  the  Group’s  internal  financial  controls  and  the  internal 
control systems. The Audit Committee also monitors the integrity of the financial statements of the Group and any 
formal  announcements  relating  to  the  Group’s  financial  performance,  reviewing  significant  financial  reporting 
judgements contained in them. 

 — Senior Executive Team (SET) – the SET generally meets every week, with twice monthly-extended SET sessions in 
order  to  discuss  current  business  issues  and  consider  relevant  risks.  During  2020,  SET  also  held  daily  COVID-19 
update sessions. At least twice a year, the SET meets with representatives from the Risk Management Committee to 
consider the operational risk management processes and risks identified.

 — Key  management  committees  –  the  Group  currently  has  three  key  management  sub-committees  which  meet 
monthly and through which much of the day-to-day business is managed. These are the extended Operational 
Leadership  Team  (which  incorporates  the  Quality  and  Manufacturing  Operations  Committee),  the  Product 
Development Committee and the Technical Development Committee. SET members attend these meetings and risk 
management is a key feature of each sub-committee.

 — Risk Management Committee – The Group has a Risk Management Committee comprising senior managers from 
each area of the business and chaired by the Chief of Staff. This group meets quarterly with a remit to identify and 
assess risks in the business and to consider mitigation and risk management steps that can be taken. The risk register 
is regularly reviewed by the SET and key risks are highlighted to the Board at each formal meeting.

 — Standard Operating Procedures – all areas of the business have well established Standard Operating Procedures 
(SOPs) which are required be followed in order to minimise the risks inherent in the business operations. Where these 
are required for GMP, GCP and GLP any deviations from the SOPs must be identified and investigated. Compliance 
with such SOPs are routinely subject to audit by the relevant regulators and customers. Other SOPs, such as financial 
processes, are also subject to audits.

 
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Key risks specific to the Group’s current operations

Pharmaceutical product development risks
To develop a pharmaceutical product it is necessary to conduct pre-clinical studies and human clinical trials for product 
candidates to demonstrate safety and efficacy. The number of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials that will be required 
varies depending on the product candidate, the indication being evaluated, the trial results and the regulations applicable 
to the particular product candidate. In addition, the Group or its partners will need to obtain regulatory approvals to 
conduct clinical trials and bioprocess drugs before they can be marketed. This development process takes many years. 
The Group may fail to successfully develop a product candidate for many reasons, including:

 — Failure to demonstrate long term safety;

 — Failure to demonstrate efficacy;

 — Failure to develop technical solutions to achieve necessary dosing levels or acceptable delivery mechanisms;

 — Failure to establish robust bioprocessing processes;

 — Failure to obtain regulatory approvals to conduct clinical studies or, ultimately, to market the product; and

 — Failure to recruit sufficient patients into clinical studies.

The failure of the Group to successfully develop a product candidate could adversely affect the future profitability of 
the Group. There is a risk that the failure of any one product candidate could have a significant and sustained adverse 
impact on the Group’s share price. There is also the risk that the failure of one product candidate in clinical development 
could have an adverse effect on the development of other product candidates, or on the Group’s ability to enter into 
collaborations in respect of product candidates.

The Group has accepted this risk but looks to mitigate via ensuring that it has several product candidates under development 
in the pipeline and also seeks to collaborate with other larger more experienced partners on product development.

(i) Safety risks
Safety issues may arise at any stage of the drug development process. An independent drug safety monitoring board 
(DSMB), the relevant regulatory authorities or the Group itself may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time. There 
can  be  no  assurances  that  any  of  the  Group’s  product  candidates  will  ultimately  prove  to  be  safe  for  human  use. 
Adverse or inconclusive results from pre-clinical testing or clinical trials may substantially delay, or halt, the development 
of product candidates, consequently affecting the Group’s timeline for profitability. The continuation of a particular 
study after review by the DSMB or review body does not necessarily indicate that all clinical trials will ultimately be 
successfully completed. The Group has accepted this risk but looks to mitigate the impact as much as possible through 
careful assessment of any safety issues arising from the product early in the development process and to stop the 
development if required.

(ii) Efficacy risks
Human clinical studies are required to demonstrate efficacy in humans when compared against placebo and/or existing 
alternative therapies. The results of pre-clinical studies and initial clinical trials of the Group’s product candidates do not 
necessarily predict the results of later stage clinical trials. Unapproved product candidates in later stages of clinical trials 
may fail to show the desired efficacy despite having progressed through initial clinical trials. There can be no assurance 
that the efficacy data collected from the pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of the Group’s product candidates will be 
sufficient to satisfy the relevant regulatory authorities that the product should be given a marketing authorisation. The 
Group  has  accepted  this  risk  but  looks  to  mitigate  the  impact  as  much  as  possible  through  consultation  with  the 
regulatory authorities early in the development process to determine what is required for market authorisation.

(iii) Technical risks
During the course of a product’s development, further technical development may be required to improve the product 
candidate’s characteristics such as the delivery mechanism or the bioprocessing process. There is no certainty that 
such technical improvements or solutions can be identified. The Group continues to innovate in this area using its R&D 
expertise in collaboration with its customers to mitigate this risk.

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Principal risks, uncertainties and risk management

(iv) Bioprocessing process risk
There can be no assurance that the Group’s product candidates will be capable of being produced in commercial 
quantities  at  acceptable  cost.  The  Group’s  LentiVector®  platform  product  candidates  use  specialised  bioprocessing 
processes for which there are only a few suitable bioprocessors including the Group itself. There can be no assurance 
that  the  Group  will  be  able  to  bioprocess  the  Group’s  product  candidates  at  an  economically  viable  cost  or  that 
contractors  who  are  currently  able  to  bioprocess  the  Group’s  product  candidates  will  continue  to  make  capacity 
available at economic prices, or that suitable new contractors will enter the market. Bioprocessing processes that are 
effective and practical at the small scale required by the early stages of clinical development may not be appropriate at 
the larger scale required for later stages of clinical development or for commercial supply. There can be no assurance 
that the Group will be able to adapt current processes or develop new processes suitable for the scale required by later 
stages of clinical development or commercial supply in a timely or cost-effective manner, nor that contract bioprocessors 
will be able to provide sufficient bioprocessing capacity when required. The Group continues to monitor and review the 
platform and production processes to ensure that innovative steps are taken in order to increase production yields.

(v) Regulatory risk
The clinical development and marketing approval of the Group’s product candidates and the Group’s bioprocessing 
facility, are regulated by healthcare regulatory agencies, such as the FDA (USA), EMA (Europe) and MHRA (UK). During 
the  development  stage,  regulatory  reviews  of  clinical  trial  applications  or  amendments  can  prolong  development 
timelines. Similarly, there can be no assurance of gaining the necessary marketing approvals to commercialise products 
in development. Regulatory authorities may impose restrictions on a product candidate’s use or may require additional 
data before granting approval. If regulatory approval is obtained, the product candidate and bioprocessor will be subject 
to continual review and there can be no assurance that such an approval will not be withdrawn or restricted. The 
Group’s  laboratories,  bioprocessing  facility  and  conduct  of  clinical  studies  are  also  subject  to  regular  audits  by  the 
MHRA to ensure that they comply with GMP, GCP and GLP standards. Failure to meet such standards could result in the 
laboratories or the bioprocessing site being closed or the clinical studies suspended until corrective actions have been 
implemented and accepted by the regulator. The Group consults with the regulator early in the development process 
to understand any concerns identified and looks to remedy these before they become a major issue.

(vi) Failure to recruit sufficient patients into clinical studies
Clinical trials are established under specific protocols which specify how the trials should be conducted. Protocols 
specify the number of patients to be recruited into the study and the characteristics of patients who can and cannot be 
accepted into the study. There is a risk that it proves difficult in practice to recruit the number of patients with the 
specified characteristics, potentially causing delays or even abandonment of the clinical study. This could be caused by 
a variety of reasons, such as the specified characteristics being too tightly defined resulting in a very small population 
of suitable patients, or the emergence of a competing drug, either one that is approved or another drug in the clinical 
stage of development.

The threats from the above product development risks are inherent in the pharmaceutical industry. The Group aims to 
mitigate these risks by employing experienced staff and other external parties, such as contract research organisations, 
to plan, implement and monitor its product development activities and to review progress regularly in the Group’s 
Product Development Committee.

 
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Bioprocessing revenue risk
The Group receives significant revenues from bioprocessing lentiviral vectors and adenoviral based vaccines for third 
parties. Bioprocessing of lentiviral vectors and adenovirus-based vaccines is complex and bioprocessing batches may 
fail  to  meet  the  required  specification  due  to  contamination  or  inadequate  yield.  Failure  to  deliver  batches  to  the 
required specification may lead to loss of revenues. Furthermore, the Group relies on third parties, in some cases sole 
suppliers, for the supply of raw materials and certain out-sourced services. If such suppliers perform in an unsatisfactory 
manner it could harm the Group’s business. The Group’s bioprocessing and analytical facilities are subject to regular 
inspection and approval by regulators and customers. Failure to comply with the standards required could result in 
production operations being suspended until the issues are rectified with the potential for loss of revenue.

As the Group’s revenues from bioprocessing are growing, the risk to the Group has increased in the last twelve months. 
The Group mitigates the risk of failing to meet required specifications by investing in high quality facilities, equipment 
and employees and, in particular, in quality management processes. In addition, the Group mitigates the supply chain 
issues with looking to source second suppliers and stockpile three months of critical material supplies. The Group has 
also asked key suppliers to hold stocks in UK warehouses in order to cover any immediate supply issues. Outsourcing 
of fill and finish has also been seen as a risk, but the Group is looking to bring this in-house in order to have more control 
over the process.

Collaborator and partner risk
The Group has entered several collaborations and partnerships, involving the development of product candidates by 
partners in which the Group has a financial interest through IP licences. Failure of the Group’s partners to continue to 
develop the relevant product candidates for any reason could result in the Group losing potential revenues. The Group 
looks to mitigate this risk through having a close relationship with our partners via steering group meetings that look at 
candidate selection and progression.

Business development
The Group may seek to out-license or spin out its in-house product development programmes into externally funded 
vehicles and may seek to develop strategic partnerships for developing certain of the Group’s other product candidates. 
The Group may not be successful in its efforts to build these third party relationships, which may cause the development 
of the products to be delayed or curtailed. The Group has enhanced the commercial development function within the 
Group and is thus putting significant resources behind the effort to find good strategic partners in order to assist in 
developing the Group’s other product candidates. 

The Group is building a revenue generating business by providing its LentiVector® platform to third parties in return for 
revenues derived from process development, bioprocessing and future royalties. The Group may be unsuccessful in 
building this business for reasons including: a) failing to maintain a leadership position in lentiviral vector technology; b) 
becoming uncompetitive from a pricing perspective; and c) failure to provide an adequate service to business partners 
and collaborators. The Group is continuing to invest in its LentiVector® technology in order to reduce this risk, and it 
also takes customer relationship management extremely seriously to ensure that customers and partners receive the 
service they expect, as indicated by the Group on pages 31 and 32 of the Annual Report.

Attraction and retention of highly skilled employees
The Group depends on recruiting and retaining highly skilled employees to deliver its objectives and meet its customers’ 
needs.  The  market  for  such  employees  is  increasingly  competitive  and  failure  to  recruit  or  to  retain  staff  with  the 
required skills and experience could adversely affect the Group’s performance. The Group mitigates this risk by creating 
an attractive working environment and conducting benchmarking reviews in order to ensure that the remuneration 
package offered to employees is comparable with competing employers as indicated by the Group on pages 53 and 55 
of the Annual Report.

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Principal risks, uncertainties and risk management

Broader business risks which are applicable to the Group
The broader business risks, which the Group face as outlined below are important and the Group looks to identify these 
risks early through a horizon scanning project with the assistance of external healthcare consultants and then outlines 
actions for the business development team, the SET and ultimately the Board to follow by way of mitigation.

Cell and gene therapy risk
The Group’s commercial success, both from its own product development and from supporting other companies in 
the sector, will depend on the acceptance of cell and gene therapy by the medical community and the public for the 
prevention and/or treatment of diseases. To date there are only a small number of gene therapy products which have 
been approved either in Europe and/or in the US. Furthermore, specific regulatory requirements, over and above those 
imposed on other products, apply to cell and gene therapies and there can be no assurance that additional requirements 
will not be imposed in the future. This may increase the cost and time required for successful development of cell and 
gene therapy products. The Group looks to mitigate this risk through market assessments of the product development 
pathway and conducts pricing and reimbursement studies for the cell and gene therapy product.

Rapid technical change
The  cell  and  gene  therapy  sector  is  characterised  by  rapidly  changing  technologies  and  significant  competition. 
Advances in other technologies in the sector could undermine the Group’s commercial prospects. The Group looks to 
mitigate this risk through a horizon scanning project in order to identify the competition and technology advances in 
the sector and to develop either in-house or via in-licensing, new technologies for the Groups products and platform.

Longer-term commercialisation risks
In the longer term, the success of the Group’s product candidates and those of its partners will depend on the regulatory 
and commercial environment several years into the future. Future commercialisation risks include:

 — The  emergence  of  new  and/or  unexpected  competitor  products  or  technologies.  The  biotechnology  and 
pharmaceutical industries are subject to rapid technological change which could affect the success of the Group’s 
product candidates or make them obsolete;

 — Regulatory authorities becoming increasingly demanding regarding efficacy standards or risk averse regarding safety;

 — Governments or other payers being unwilling to pay for/reimburse gene therapy products at a level which would 
justify the investment. Based on clinical studies to date, the Group’s LentiVector® platform product candidates have 
the unique potential to provide permanent therapeutic benefit from a single administration. The pricing of these 
therapies will depend on assessments of their cost-benefit and cost effectiveness; and 

 — The willingness of physicians and/or healthcare systems to adopt new treatment regimes.

Any or all of these risks could result in the Group’s future profitability being adversely affected as future royalties and 
milestones from commercial partners could be reduced. The Group looks to mitigate this long term commercialisation 
risk through a horizon scanning project in order to identify the competition and technology advances early, consult 
with regulatory authorities on a regular basis and perform pricing and reimbursement studies on the Group’s products 
to identify any serious issues in advance.

 
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Intellectual property and patent protection risk
The Group’s success depends, amongst other things, on maintaining proprietary rights to its products and technologies 
and the Board gives high priority to the strategic management of the Group’s intellectual property portfolio, with the 
Board  monitoring  actions  in  order  to  bolster  the  intellectual  property  portfolio  as  appropriate  from  time  to  time. 
However, there can be no guarantee that the Group’s product candidates and technologies are adequately protected 
by intellectual property. Furthermore, if the Group’s patents are challenged, the defence of such rights could involve 
substantial costs and an uncertain outcome.

Third  party  patents  may  emerge  containing  claims  that  impact  the  Group’s  freedom  to  operate.  There  can  be  no 
assurance that the Group will be able to obtain licences to these patents at reasonable cost, if at all, or be able to 
develop or obtain alternative technology. Where copyright, design right and/or “know how” protect the Group’s product 
candidates or technology, there can be no assurance that a competitor or potential competitor will not independently 
develop the same or similar product candidates or technology.

Rights of ownership over and rights to license and use intellectual property depend on a number of factors, including 
the circumstances under which the intellectual property was created and the provisions of any agreements covering 
such intellectual property. There can be no assurance that changes to the terms within licence agreements will not 
affect the entitlement of the Group to the relevant intellectual property or to license the relevant intellectual property 
from others.

Financial risks

(a) Product liability and insurance risk
In carrying out its activities the Group potentially faces contractual and statutory claims or other types of claim from 
customers, suppliers and/or investors. The Group monitors these potential claims on an ongoing basis and undertakes 
mitigating actions, which include taking expert advice on the validity of the claim and using insurance coverage against 
the claim to cover any loss as required. In addition, the Group is exposed to potential product liability risks that are 
inherent  in  the  research,  pre-clinical  and  clinical  evaluation,  bioprocessing,  marketing  and  use  of  pharmaceutical 
products.  While  the  Group  is  currently  able  to  obtain  insurance  cover,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  any  future 
necessary insurance cover will be available to the Group at an acceptable cost, if at all, or that, in the event of any claim, 
the level of insurance carried by the Group now or in the future will be adequate, or that a product liability or other claim 
would not have a material and adverse effect on the Group’s future profitability and financial condition.

(b) Foreign currency exposure
The Group records its transactions and prepares its financial statements in pounds sterling, but some of the Group’s 
income from collaborative agreements and patent licences is received in US dollars and the Group incurs a proportion 
of its expenditure in US dollars and the Euro. The Group’s cash balances are predominantly held in pounds sterling, 
although the Group’s Treasury Policy permits cash balances to be held in other currencies in order to hedge foreseen 
foreign currency expenses. The Group keeps this unhedged position under constant review. To the extent that the 
Group’s foreign currency assets and potential liabilities are not matched, fluctuations in exchange rates between pounds 
sterling, the US dollar and the Euro may result in realised and unrealised gains and losses on translation of the underlying 
currency into pounds sterling that may increase or decrease the Group’s results of operations and may adversely affect 
the Group’s financial condition, each stated in pounds sterling. In addition if the currencies in which the Group earns its 
revenues  and/or  holds  its  cash  balances  weaken  against  the  currencies  in  which  it  incurs  its  expenses,  this  could 
adversely affect the Group’s future profitability.

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Principal risks, uncertainties and risk management

Special interest groups and adverse public opinion 
During 2020 the Group entered into a supply agreement with AstraZeneca for large-scale commercial manufacture of 
the adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccine. Such work can be subject to adverse public opinion and has attracted 
the attention of special interest groups, including those opposed to vaccination programmes, also referred to as “anti-
vaxxers”. To date, the Group has not been targeted by anti-vax campaigners, but there can be no assurance that such 
groups will not, in the future, focus on the Group’s activities, or that any such public opinion would not adversely affect 
the  Group’s  operations.  Adverse  publicity  about  the  Group,  its  role  in  the  manufacture  of  the  Oxford  AstraZeneca 
COVID-19 vaccine, or any other part of the industry may hurt the Group’s public image, which could harm its operations, 
cause its share price to decrease or impair its ability to gain market acceptance for its products. The Group has looked 
to mitigate this risk through assistance from the UK government (Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure) on 
the protection of our facilities/infrastructure and scenario planning with our external public relations agency with regard 
to strategic communications. 

Cyber security 
Cyber attacks seeking to compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of IT systems and the data held on them 
are a continuing risk to the Group. Indeed, with the Group operating in manufacture of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 
vaccine this has increased the risk of cyber attack to the Group. Compromised confidentiality, integrity and availability of 
our  assets  resulting  from  a  cyber  attack  would  impact  the  Group’s  ability  to  deliver  to  customers  and,  ultimately,  its 
financial performance and damage the Group’s reputation. The Group has looked to mitigate this risk through implementing 
robust security monitoring to provide early detection of hostile activity on the Group’s networks and has sought assistance 
from the UK government (National Cyber Security Centre) to protect the Group’s IT systems. 

UK’s departure from European Union (“Brexit”)
The Group completed its Brexit preparations at the end of 2020. The Group established a Brexit Taskforce that assessed 
the potential impact on the Group’s business following advice from the UK and EU governing bodies and put in place 
mitigation actions against issues that may arise from Brexit. 

The Group’s priority was to maintain supply of products to any customers in the EU, post Brexit. This involved the Group 
establishing an Irish office, which will enable the Group to release UK manufactured products within the EU. The Group 
stockpiled three months of critical material supplies and asked key suppliers to hold stocks in UK warehouses in order 
to cover any immediate Brexit supply issues.

The Group has currently assessed the impact on its operations to be minor. However it is not possible at this point in 
time to predict the full impact of the free trade agreement with the European Union on the Group and it could still have 
a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

COVID-19
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group has conducted an assessment of the potential financial and operational 
risks to the business. While the Group is yet to experience any significant impact from the virus on revenues, the Group 
continually monitors the potential impact on the Group’s supply chain, with a particular focus on key manufacturing 
and process development inventories.

The Group complies with government COVID-19 safe working practices. In addition, the Group implemented a daily 
senior management working group to monitor current COVID-19 developments and GOV.UK guidance, to risk assess 
the Group’s supply chain and to direct the Group’s phased response. The Group has worked with staff, customers and 
suppliers to monitor any potential disruption and, so far, the Group has not experienced any, and does not currently 
expect to experience, significant supply issues or any changes in overall customer demand. 

 
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The Group is aware that there is the potential for global shortages in certain inventories. As part of its mitigation strategy, 
the Group has increased, where possible, the level of incoming materials and components held in warehouses, which 
will mitigate the risk in the short term against labour shortages and subsequent production delays at its key suppliers. 
These mitigations have been successful to date but there is no guarantee against future disruption.

The Group has a duty of care towards all employees, and therefore the Group expects some of its staff to be required 
to self-isolate to prevent the possible spread of infection. There is also a risk that there could be disruption to production 
in the event of employees becoming ill due to COVID-19. As a result, the Group has taken action to provide a COVID 
secure workplace and to mitigate the spread of infection at the Group’s facilities through enhanced cleaning processes, 
staggering of shifts, the provision of hand sanitiser in common areas and the recommendation that employees work 
from home if possible. The Group was also pleased to take part in the government pilot for lateral flow testing in the 
workplace and, while the testing has been voluntary, the Group has seen high take-up of testing by employees. The 
Board is updated on positive COVID-19 cases amongst the workforce at every Board meeting and the SET receives 
weekly updates. Since rolling out the lateral flow testing in the workforce, the Group has seen 15 positive cases of 
COVID-19, all of whom have since recovered. There have not been any employee fatalities resulting from COVID-19. 
In  addition,  front  line  production  employees  have  been  vaccinated  against  COVID-19  as  per  the  government’s 
recommendations.

Climate change
The Group’s governance and approach to climate change, including its first voluntary disclosure using recommendations 
of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) is set out on page 62 of the Strategic Report.

The Group has assessed the impact of climate change and concluded that there is likely to be some minor future 
financial risks, which would need to be managed, but none that would materially impact the Group’s business model. 
This  assessment  is  consistent  with  the  Sustainability  Accounting  Standards  Board’s  (SASB)  Materiality  Map,  which 
indicates that the issue is not likely to be material for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector. The Group will keep 
this assessment under review with reference to any future work prepared on the Materiality Map by SASB or others. The 
Group expects that the impacts are likely to be weather-related disruption at internal manufacturing sites and to the 
Group’s suppliers, with the prospect of increased costs of resources and fuels. The Group plans to continue to develop 
its business continuity plans with alternative manufacturing sites and a second sourcing strategy if possible to mitigate 
these impacts.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Board of Directors

At the end of 2020 the Board comprised  
the following 9 Directors:

Dr. Roch Doliveux

Stuart Henderson

Dr. Heather Preston

Chair
Dr. Roch Doliveux was appointed to Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as Non-Executive Chair  
in June 2020. He is currently Chair of the 
Board of Directors at Pierre Fabre S.A. and a 
Non-Executive Director at Stryker Corporation 
and UCB S.A. Dr. Doliveux was previously  
the Chief Executive Officer of UCB S.A. for ten 
years during which time he transformed the 
company from a diversified chemical group 
into a global biopharmaceutical leader. Prior  
to this Dr. Doliveux worked at Schering-Plough 
International, Inc. from 1990–2003 and at 
Ciba-Geigy AG (now Novartis) from 1982.  
Dr. Doliveux is a Veterinary Surgeon by training 
and has an MBA from INSEAD.

Appointment:
—  Appointed as Non-Executive Director and Chair  

in June 2020.

Committee membership:
— Nomination Committee (Chair).
— Remuneration Committee.

Relevant skills:
— Corporate strategy.
— Corporate governance. 
— Investor relations.

Deputy Chair and Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Stuart Henderson was appointed to Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as a Non-Executive Director 
and Chair of the Audit Committee in June 2016.  
He became Deputy Chair and Senior 
Independent Director in June 2020. Previously,  
Mr Henderson was a partner at Deloitte, where  
he was Head of European Healthcare and Life 
Sciences. Prior to this he was a Partner at Arthur 
Andersen. Mr Henderson has extensive audit and 
transaction experience and has worked with life 
sciences businesses for 35 years. Mr Henderson  
is a former Director of the Babraham Institute and 
Norwich Research Partners LLP and a Non-
Executive Director at OneNucleus (the Life 
Sciences trade body for Cambridge and London), 
Biocity Group Limited and Cell Therapy Catapult 
Limited.

Appointment:
—  Appointed a Director in June 2016.

Committee membership:
— Audit Committee (Chair).
— Remuneration Committee.
— Nomination Committee.

Relevant skills:
— Audit.
— Corporate governance.
— Corporate finance.

Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr. Heather Preston was appointed to Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as a Non-Executive Director 
in March 2018 and was appointed Chair of  
the Remuneration Committee in June 2020. 
Dr. Preston is a Partner and Managing Director 
of TPG Biotech. She has over 25 years of 
experience in healthcare, as a scientist, physician 
and management consultant and she has been 
an investor in life sciences and biotechnology 
for the last 19 years. Dr. Preston holds a degree 
in Medicine from the University of Oxford.

Appointment:
— Appointed a Director in March 2018.

Committee membership:
— Remuneration Committee (Chair).
— Audit Committee.
— Nomination Committee.

Relevant skills:
— Scientific advisory.
— Corporate finance.
— Investor relations.

John Dawson

Stuart Paynter

Dr. Siyamak Rasty

Chief Executive Officer
John Dawson joined Oxford Biomedica’s 
Board as a Non-Executive Director in August 
2008, and was appointed Chief Executive 
Officer in October 2008. Prior to this he held 
senior management positions in the European 
operations of Cephalon Inc., including  
Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business 
Development Europe. While at Cephalon he 
led many deals building the European business 
to over 1,000 people and to a turnover of 
several hundred million US dollars. In 2005,  
Mr Dawson led the $360 million acquisition  
of Zeneus by Cephalon. Prior to his time at 
Cephalon he was Director of Finance  
and Administration of Serono Laboratories  
(UK) Limited. 

Appointment:
—  Appointed a Director in August 2008 and became  

Chief Executive Officer in October 2008.

Committee membership:
— None.

Chief Financial Officer
Stuart Paynter joined Oxford Biomedica and the 
Board in August 2017. Mr Paynter has 17 years’ 
experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare 
sectors. He qualified as a chartered accountant 
with Haines Watts before moving to EDS.  
He subsequently joined Steris, and worked in  
a variety of roles within the healthcare and  
life sciences divisions prior to becoming the 
European Finance Director. Mr Paynter moved 
to Shire Pharmaceuticals where he became the 
Senior Director of Finance Business Partnering 
for all business outside of the US. He then 
moved to a corporate finance role before 
becoming the Global Head of Internal Audit. 
Prior to joining Oxford Biomedica Mr Paynter 
was Head of Finance Business Partnering at  
De La Rue plc. He is a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Appointment:
—  Appointed a Director and Chief Financial Officer  

in August 2017.

Committee membership:
— None.

Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr. Siyamak (“Sam”) Rasty was appointed to 
Oxford Biomedica’s Board as a Non-Executive 
Director in December 2020. Dr. Rasty is 
currently the President and Chief Executive 
Officer of PlateletBio, a US-based pioneering 
cell-based therapeutics company. Previously, 
he served as Chief Operating Officer at 
Homology Medicines, Inc., a genetic medicines 
company that he helped launch in 2016 and 
transform into an established, fully integrated 
public gene therapy and gene editing company. 
Prior to joining Homology, he held senior 
positions at Shire Pharmaceuticals, Endo 
Pharmaceuticals, and at GlaxoSmithKline.  
Dr. Rasty holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from 
Louisiana State University, where he focused 
on transcriptional regulation of lentiviruses, 
completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the 
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 
and received an MBA from Villanova University.

Appointment: 
— Appointed a Director in December 2020.

Committee membership:
— Audit Committee.

Relevant skills:
— Cell and gene therapy.
— Scientific advisory.
— Corporate finance.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Dr. Andrew Heath

Robert Ghenchev

Martin Diggle

Non-Executive Director
Dr. Andrew Heath was appointed to Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as a Non-Executive Director 
in January 2010 and became Deputy Chair 
and Senior Independent Director in May 2011. 
In June 2020, he stepped down as Deputy 
Chair and Senior Independent Director. 
Previously, Dr. Heath was Chief Executive 
Officer of Protherics plc where he managed 
the company’s significant growth and eventual 
acquisition by BTG for £220 million. Prior to 
this, he held senior positions at Astra AB and 
Astra USA, including Vice President Marketing 
and Sales. Dr. Heath is currently Chairman  
of TauC3 Biologics Ltd and Non-Executive 
Director of Novacyt S.A. He was previously 
Chairman of Shield Therapeutics plc and a 
Director of the UK Bioindustry Association.

Appointment:
— Appointed a Director in January 2010.

Committee membership:
— Audit Committee until December 2020.

Relevant skills:
— Corporate strategy.
— Corporate governance. 
— Investor relations.

Non-Executive Director
Robert Ghenchev was appointed to Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as a Non-Executive Director 
in June 2019. Robert is currently Head of 
Growth Equity at Novo Holdings. Prior to 
joining Novo Holdings, he was an investment 
banker at Moelis & Company and Deutsche 
Bank in London. Mr Ghenchev has deep 
corporate finance experience advising  
life science companies on a wide range  
of issues. He holds a J.Hons. B.A. degree  
in Finance and Economics from McGill 
University and a M.Sc. degree in Financial 
Economics from the University of Oxford.

Appointment:
— Appointed a Director in June 2019.

Committee membership:
— None.

Relevant skills:
— Corporate finance. 
— Investor relations.

Non-Executive Director
Martin Diggle was appointed to Oxford 
Biomedica’s Board as a Non-Executive Director 
in October 2012, stepping down from the 
Board in February 2021. Mr Diggle is a founder 
of Vulpes Investment Management which 
manages a number of funds, including the 
Vulpes Life Sciences Fund, Oxford Biomedica’s 
largest shareholder. He has over 30 years’ 
experience in investment banking and fund 
management, and has been an investor in life 
sciences and biotech for nearly 20 years. He is 
also an expert in emerging markets and Russia, 
in particular, where he was previously a partner 
and Director of UBS Brunswick. Mr Diggle 
holds a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, Politics 
and Economics from the University of Oxford. 
He is a Non-Executive Director of Scancell 
Holdings plc and Proteome Sciences plc.

Appointment:
—  Appointed a Director in October 2012.  

until February 2021.

Committee membership:
— None.

Relevant skills:
— Corporate finance. 
— Investor relations.

Oxford Biomedica’s Board of Directors

1

2

3

4

5

 Dr. Roch Doliveux
 Stuart Henderson
 Dr. Heather Preston
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

  Dr. Siyamak (“Sam”) Rasty
6
  Dr. Andrew Heath
7
  Robert Ghenchev
8
  Martin Diggle
9

1

4

7

2

5

8

3

6

9

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0
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Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the Group’s Corporate Governance Report for 2020, having been appointed to the Board as 
Non-Executive Chair on 24 June 2020, following Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo’s retirement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the Board’s ability to engage as fully as usual with some of its stakeholders this 
year. We had to hold a closed AGM in 2020, although we encouraged shareholders to vote by proxy in advance and 
invited  questions  to  be  submitted  to  the  Board  by  post  or  email.  These  questions  and  our  responses  were  made 
available on our website. Whilst it is unlikely that we will be able to hold an AGM in person this year, we now have the 
ability to hold a “hybrid” AGM to enable interaction with shareholders. The Board is looking forward to returning to a 
more normal level of engagement with shareholders, employees and other stakeholders as soon as it is safe to do so 
in 2021. 

Corporate Governance continues to be an important focus for the Board. The Board believes that good corporate 
governance is essential for the long term success of the business and this is ultimately the responsibility of the Board 
and its Committees, both of which have been reviewed during 2020 in light of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
published by the Financial Reporting Council in July 2018 (the “Corporate Governance Code”). 

Following a review, the Board noted that it was not in full compliance with the Corporate Governance Code during 
2020,  although  the  Board  has  taken  steps  to  address  this  and  shall  be  compliant  following  the  forthcoming  AGM 
(further details of which are set out on page 95). The Board was delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Sam 
Rasty  as  an  Independent  Non-Executive  Director  in  December  2020  and  the  appointment  of  Professor  Dame  Kay 
Davies as an Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2021. In addition, Martin Diggle stepped down from the 
Board in February 2021, having joined the Board of Directors in October 2012 as a Non-Executive Director and Dr. 
Andrew Heath shall be retiring at the forthcoming AGM, having joined the Board in January 2010. I would like to thank 
both Martin and Andrew for their considerable time on the Board and the experience and support they have provided 
and wish them both well in their future endeavours. The Board intends to continue to strengthen and diversify the 
Board, having initiated a search for an additional Independent Non-Executive Director, targeting the selection of female 
and ethnically diverse candidates whilst taking into account suitability for the role to ensure the Group has the right mix 
of  skills,  experience,  independence  and  knowledge  for  the  Group’s  strategic  objectives.  The  Board  intend  to  fully 
comply with the Hampton-Alexander recommendations that the Board comprise at least one third women by the AGM 
in 2022.

The Group has had a good year in what was a difficult period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With an increase in 
headcount from around 550 to over 670 and an increase in the Group’s revenues during the year. The Board paid 
particular attention to ensuring that the Group’s strategy remains appropriate by holding a two-day strategy review 
meeting in September 2020. The strategy review ensured that management focused on delivering the Group’s key 
priorities  whilst  managing  the  key  risks  facing  the  Group  and  considering  how  good  corporate  governance  can 
contribute towards delivering the Group’s strategy. 

In October 2020, the Company Secretary conducted an internal evaluation of the Board’s performance covering the 
period from January 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2020. The review process comprised the completion of an anonymous 
questionnaire covering the various aspects of Board activities and Committees. The resulting report was discussed at 
the Board meeting in January 2021 and the Board plans to implement appropriate changes based on the discussions 
of the report. 

The following pages set out in more detail the activities and major matters considered by the Board in 2020.

Dr. Roch Doliveux
Chair

 
 
Corporate Governance Framework
As the Group has continued to grow over the year, the corporate governance framework and Board Committees were 
reviewed and restructured to ensure they were fit for a larger company. The current governance framework comprises 
the Board and the Senior Executive Team and their respective sub-committees as set out below:

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The Board
Chair – Dr. Roch Doliveux

SET
CEO – John Dawson

Audit Committee
Chair – Stuart Henderson

Remuneration Committee
Chair – Dr. Heather Preston

Nomination Committee
Chair – Dr. Roch Doliveux

PDC

TDC

eOLT

CDC

RMC

SET – Senior Executive Team
PDC – Product Development Committee 
TDC – Technical Development Committee 
eOLT – Extended Operations Leadership Team (incorporates the Quality, Manufacturing and Operations Committee) 
CDC – Commercial Development Committee 
RMC – Risk Management Committee

The Board
The Board is collectively responsible for promoting the success of the Group by directing and supervising the Group’s 
activities  to  create  shareholder  value.  In  doing  so,  it  ensures  that  there  are  robust  corporate  governance  and  risk 
management processes in place. The Board comprises both Non-Executive and Executive Directors and provides the 
forum for external and independent review and challenge to the Executives. Following Board changes during 2020, the 
Board  comprised  seven  Non-Executive  Directors  and  two  Executive  Directors  at  year  end.  Martin  Diggle,  Robert 
Ghenchev and Dr. Andrew Heath were considered not to be independent. 

The Board’s powers and responsibilities are set out in the Company’s articles of association and it has a formal schedule 
of matters reserved for the Board’s approval.

The Board also takes a close interest in Quality, Health, Safety and Environment and Risk Management. Each of these 
areas prepare reports for the Board ahead of each Board meeting. 

The Chair sets the agenda for the Board meeting in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and the Company 
secretary. Board papers, covering the agenda and taking into account items relating to the Board’s responsibilities under 
s172  of  the  Companies  Act  2006,  are  circulated  several  days  ahead  of  each  meeting.  Regular  Board  papers  cover 
Research;  Quality;  Process  Research  and  Development;  Client  Programmes  and  Alliance  Management;  Analytical 
Services; Clinical Development and Regulatory; Digital Strategy and Business Change Projects; Business Development; 
Finance; Investor Relations; HR; Operations; and Safety, Health and Environment; and Risk Management.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report

Factoring stakeholder engagement into Board decisions
By thoroughly understanding the Group’s key stakeholder groups, the Group can factor their needs and concerns into 
Boardroom discussions (further information on the Group’s stakeholders is on pages 22 to 23). The Board’s procedures 
have been updated to require a stakeholder impact analysis to be completed for all material decisions requiring its approval 
that could impact on one or more of its stakeholder groups. The stakeholder impact analysis assists the Directors in 
performing their duties under s172 of the Companies Act 2006 and provides the Board with assurance that the potential 
impacts on its stakeholders are being carefully considered by management when developing plans for Board approval. 

The stakeholder impact analysis identifies:

 —  potential benefits and areas of concern for each stakeholder group;

 — the procedures and plans being implemented to mitigate against any areas of concern; and

 —  who is responsible for ensuring the mitigation plans are being effectively implemented.

As shown by way of example in the AstraZeneca case study, the Board considers the potential impact of decisions on each 
stakeholder group as well as stakeholder needs and concerns, in accordance with s172 of the Companies Act 2006 (see 
pages 24 to 25).

There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chair and Chief Executive Officer.

Certain  responsibilities  are  delegated  to  three  Board  Committees  –  the  Audit,  Nomination  and  Remuneration 
Committees. These Committees operate under clearly defined terms of reference, which are disclosed on the Group’s 
website (www.oxb.com). 

Reports  from  the  Audit  and  Nomination  Committees  are  included  in  this  section  and  the  Directors’  Remuneration 
Report is on pages 96 to 113 incorporating the Remuneration Committee report.

At the end of 2020, the Board comprised the following Directors, whose biographies are set out on pages 78 to 79.

 — Dr. Roch Doliveux was appointed Non-Executive Chair of the Board and Chair of Nomination Committee in June 
2020. Dr. Doliveux met the independence criteria recommended by the Corporate Governance Code at the time of 
his appointment.

 — Stuart Henderson was appointed Senior Independent Director following the 2020 AGM. Stuart Henderson is also 
Chair of the Audit Committee and designated Non-Executive Director for the Workforce Engagement Panel. He is 
considered to be independent.

 —  Dr.  Andrew  Heath,  due  to  his  length  of  tenure  as  a  Director,  was  not  considered  to  be  independent  under  the 

Corporate Governance Code following the 2020 AGM. Dr. Heath will be retiring at the forthcoming AGM.

 — Dr. Heather Preston was appointed Chair of Remuneration Committee following the 2020 AGM and is considered 

to be independent.

 — Martin  Diggle  is  a  founder  of  Vulpes  Investment  Management  which,  through  its  Vulpes  Life  Sciences  Fund,  is  the 
Group’s largest investor and as such he was not considered independent under the Corporate Governance Code. 
Martin Diggle stepped down from the Board in February 2021.

 — Robert Ghenchev is Senior Partner and Head of Growth Equity at Novo Holdings, which is a 10.0% investor in the 

Group, and as such he is not considered independent under the Corporate Governance Code.

 — Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed to the Board in December 2020 and is considered to be independent.

In February 2021, the Company announced the appointment of Professor Dame Kay Davies to the Board as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director.

Each Director is provided with an appropriate induction on appointment. 

All Directors and the Board and its Committees have access to advice and the services of the Company Secretary, and 
also to external professional advisers as required. The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a matter 
for the Board as a whole to consider.

 
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Board meetings
The Board meets regularly with meeting dates agreed for each year in advance. During 2020, there were seven regular 
Board meetings. The attendance of individual Directors at Board and Committee meetings was as follows:

John Dawson
Martin Diggle
Dr. Roch Doliveux 1
Robert Ghenchev
Dr. Andrew Heath
Stuart Henderson
Stuart Paynter
Dr. Heather Preston 
Dr. Sam Rasty 2
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo 3

Regular Board
Attended
 7
 7
 5
 7
 7
 7
 7
 7
1
 2

Possible
 7
 7
 5
 7
 7
 7
 7
 7
1
 2

Audit Committee
Attended

Possible

 Remuneration Committee
Attended
16

Possible
16

Nomination Committee
Attended
 26

Possible
 26

3
3
36
3

3
3
36
3

10

12 4
12
16
12

10

12 4
12
16
12

9
16
115
11

11

1

9
16
115
11

11

1

1  Dr. Roch Doliveux was appointed in June 2020
2  Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed in December 2020
3  Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo retired in June 2020
4  Dr. Andrew Heath attended 10 Remuneration Committee meetings as an Observer
5  Dr. Andrew Heath attended 9 Nomination Committee meetings as an Observer 
6  Attended as an Observer

In addition to the above regular meetings, the Board (or an appointed sub-committee of the Board) met on a number 
of other occasions to consider specific ad hoc matters including the approval of the 2019 financial statements and the 
interim 2020 financial results.

The Chair holds meetings from time to time with Non-Executive Directors, without the Executive Directors in attendance.

Board activity during 2020
Board matters during 2020 included:

 — Routinely recurring items such as the approvals of the 2020 financial budget and objectives, the 2019 preliminary 

results and Annual Report, and the 2020 interim results announcement 

 — A review of the Group’s strategy, conducted in September

 — Monitoring the progress of the Group’s priority product development programmes

 — Reviewing business development opportunities including partnering and collaboration transactions

 — The appointment of Dr. Sam Rasty as a Director

 — Ongoing reviews of the Group’s risk management processes and key risks

 — The Group’s activities surrounding workforce engagement

 — Completion of an evaluation on Board effectiveness

 — Preparedness for the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, ESG and climate change

 
 
 
 
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Retirement of Directors
In accordance with the articles of association and to ensure compliance with the Corporate Governance Code all 
Directors will now be subject to annual re-election.

At the AGM in 2021, Dr. Roch Doliveux, Dr. Sam Rasty and Professor Dame Kay Davies will stand for appointment having 
been appointed to the Board since the last AGM. In line with the Corporate Governance Code, Stuart Henderson, Dr. 
Heather Preston, Robert Ghenchev, John Dawson and Stuart Paynter will retire and be subject to re-election at the AGM 
in 2021. Dr. Andrew Heath shall be retiring from the Board and therefore will not stand for re-election at the AGM in 2021, 
having  served  on  the  Board  for  more  than  11  years.  Martin  Diggle  retired  from  the  Board  in  February  2021,  and  will 
therefore not be standing for re-election at the AGM in 2021.

Communication with shareholders
The Board recognises the importance of effective communication with shareholders and potential investors. The primary 
points of contact are the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer but the Chair, Senior Independent Director 
and Chair of the Remuneration Committee are also available for meetings with investors, if required. Vulpes Life Sciences 
Fund, the Group’s largest investor, was represented on the Board by Martin Diggle during 2020 and Novo Holdings 
(10.0% shareholder), continues to be represented on the Board by Robert Ghenchev, which ensured a clear channel of 
communication with both Vulpes Life Science Fund and Novo Holdings during the year.

The Group has engaged with shareholders and potential investors through the various channels below:

Meetings with existing shareholders John Dawson and Stuart Paynter met with major shareholders during 2020. Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo,  

Dr. Roch Doliveux, Stuart Henderson and Dr. Heather Preston also met with major shareholders. 

2020 Annual General Meeting

The 2020 AGM was held on 23 June 2020. Shareholders were not allowed to attend the AGM in person  
in light of the COVID-19 situation and the Stay at Home measures that were implemented by the UK 
Government. Shareholders were invited to attend the AGM virtually, which lasted around 30 minutes and 
which, as well as the formal business, included a Q&A session after the meeting closed with the answers 
posted on the Group’s website (questions to the Group were submitted in advance of the meeting). 

Meetings with potential investors

John Dawson and Stuart Paynter regularly make presentations and meet potential investors on a one-to-one 
basis at investor conferences in Europe and the US. The Group also conducts investor roadshows periodically, 
which provide further opportunities to meet potential investors.  

Results announcements and 
presentations

The Group announced its 2019 full year performance and financial results in May 2020, and its 2020 half year interim 
results in September 2020, through RNS announcements accompanied by analyst conference calls which are 
accessible to all shareholders and recordings of which were made available on the Group’s website. 

2019 Annual Report

The Group published its 2019 Annual Report in May 2020. 

Website

The Group’s website http://www.oxb.com contains details of the Group’s activities as well as copies of 
regulatory announcements and press releases, copies of the Group’s financial statements, and terms of 
reference for the Board Committees. Investors and others can subscribe to an e-mail alert service, which 
provides notifications of announcements. 

Investor relations

The Group endeavours to respond to all enquiries from shareholders and potential investors received through 
its enquiry inbox ir@oxb.com 

Social media

The Group uses LinkedIn and Twitter to alert followers to Company news flow. 

 
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The Senior Executive Team (SET) and its committees
Operational  management  is  conducted  by  the  Executive  Directors  who,  together  with  Dr.  James  Miskin,  Dr.  Kyriacos 
Mitrophanous, Nick Page, Dr. Jason Slingsby, Helen Stephenson-Ellis, Natalie Walter and Dr. Dmitry Zamoryakhin formed the 
Senior Executive Team (SET) during 2020. Dr. Zamoryakhin stepped down from his role as Chief Medical Officer in February 
2021. The Chief Executive Officer is John Dawson. The SET meets every week, has daily update meetings and has an extended 
SET meeting held every two weeks, with the agenda covering the full range of activities of the Group, including financial 
performance, organisational and employment matters, risk management and Safety, Health and Environment. 

There are three SET sub-committees covering the major business operational areas. These sub-committees meet monthly 
and are attended by SET members and other relevant senior managers from the business. These sub-committees are:

 — Product Development Committee (PDC) – covering the development of new cell and gene therapy products from 

initial concept through to clinical development.

 — Technical Development Committee (TDC) – covering the development of new and improved assays and production 

and other processes, including cell and vector engineering.

 — Extended Operational Leadership Team (eOLT) – incorporates the Quality and Manufacturing Operations Committee 

and covers quality, operational and manufacturing matters.

Within their area of responsibility these committees cover objective and target setting, monitoring performance against targets, 
ensuring compliance with GxP and other relevant requirements, monitoring expenditure against budget and risk management.

There are two other important committees:

 —  Commercial  Development  Committee  (CDC)  –  which  covers  the  external  opportunities  to  out-license  and  in-license 
technology or product candidates, and also to generate partnership opportunities for manufacturing and product development.

 — Risk Management Committee (RMC) – this committee comprises senior managers from all parts of the business. The 
committee meets at least quarterly to identify and assess risks facing the business and to propose risk mitigation and 
management actions.

Important matters from all of these committees are referred to the SET.

Risk management
The Board is responsible for determining the nature and extent of the risks it is willing to take in achieving the objectives of 
the Group and it reviews current key risks at every Board meeting. The Audit Committee monitors the conduct of the risk 
management processes within the Group whilst the SET is accountable for those processes, identifying the risks facing the 
Group and formulating risk mitigation plans. The active involvement of the Executive Directors in the management sub-
committees allows them to monitor and assess significant business, operational, financial, compliance and other risks.

The  Board’s  assessment  of  the  prospects  of  the  Board,  its  expectation  that  the  Group  will  be  able  to  continue  in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due, and the viability statement, is set out on page 128. 

 
 
 
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Board committee reports

Audit Committee report
During  2020,  the  Audit  Committee  comprised  Stuart  Henderson  (Chair),  Dr.  Heather  Preston,  Dr.  Sam  Rasty  (from 
December 2020) and Dr. Andrew Heath (until December 2020). The Corporate Governance Code requires the Audit 
Committee to comprise at least three Independent Non-Executive Directors. The Company complied with this provision 
of the Corporate Governance Code during the first half of 2020, however, following the AGM in June 2020, Dr. Andrew 
Heath was no longer deemed independent due to his length of tenure on the Board. The Board did not have another 
Independent Non-Executive Director with relevant experience to replace Dr. Heath, so Dr. Heath continued to attend 
the Audit Committee in an advisory capacity until Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive 
Director in December 2020. Dr. Rasty joined the Audit Committee in December 2020 and Dr. Heath stepped down, 
whereupon the Company complied with provision 24 of the Corporate Governance Code once more. 

Stuart Henderson, Dr. Heather Preston, Dr. Sam Rasty and Dr. Andrew Heath all have relevant experience, which qualified 
them for membership of the Audit Committee and, in Stuart Henderson’s case, to be Chair of the Audit Committee. 
Their experience is set out in their brief biographies on pages 78 and 79.

The role of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing and monitoring: 

 — The integrity of the financial and narrative statements and other financial information provided to shareholders

 — The internal controls and risk management for the Company and its subsidiaries (together the Group)

 — The internal and external audit process and auditors

 — The processes for compliance with laws, regulations and ethical codes of practice

Key activities:

Statutory reporting
In  relation  to  the  financial  statements,  the  Audit  Committee  ensures  that  the  Group  provides  accurate  and  timely 
financial results that reflect the relevant accounting standards and judgements appropriately. This includes the Group’s 
status as a going concern and longer-term prospects and viability. The Audit Committee reviewed and recommended 
the approval of the 2019 preliminary results and 2019 Annual Report, the 2020 interim financial statements, the Group’s 
2020 preliminary results and this Annual Report.

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board’s oversight of the quality and integrity of the Group’s financial 
reporting  and  accounting  policies  and  practices.  The  Audit  Committee  considered  the  viability  and  going  concern 
statements, their underlying assumptions and the longer term prospects, including the appropriateness of a three-year 
period assessment reflecting the dynamic and changing environment in which the Group operates, (see page 126). As part 
of its review of the financial statements, the Audit Committee considered, and challenged as appropriate, the accounting 
policies and significant judgements and estimates underpinning the financial statements. Details regarding the significant 
financial reporting matters and how they were addressed by the Audit Committee are set out later in this report.

Risk and control
On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee oversees the risk management strategy and appetite, the appropriateness 
and effectiveness of internal control processes, and Corporate Governance Code compliance. The Audit Committee 
reviews the significant current and emerging risks (including climate change, Brexit and COVID-19) and their associated 
mitigations via updates from the Risk Committee. Further details of these risks can be found on pages 70 to 77 of the 
Annual Report. 

The Audit Committee also reviews and approves insurance levels and strategy, tax strategy, treasury policy and performs 
an  annual  review  of  the  risk  of  fraud  and  misstatement  within  the  financial  statements  and  the  related  controls  to 
mitigate this risk. During the year, the Audit Committee has received and reviewed a finance function transformation 
programme to progress the evolution of its internal control environment and its evaluation of control procedures. 

 
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Compliance
The  Audit  Committee  supports  the  Board  in  discharging  its  responsibilities  in  relation  to  whistleblowing,  ethical 
behaviour, and the prevention of bribery, fraud, and adherence to modern slavery legislation.

External audit
The Audit Committee considers the audit scope and auditor’s fees, auditor independence and non-audit fees, as well 
as update reports, management letter observations and effectiveness reviews. 

Internal audit
The  Corporate  Governance  Code  recommends  that  the  Audit  Committee  should  review  the  effectiveness  of  the 
Group’s internal audit function. The Audit Committee considers that, as part of the finance function transformation 
referred to above, it will be appropriate to commission a third party internal audit review of the effectiveness of key 
controls on a cyclical basis.

Other governance matters
The Audit Committee has historically considered its effectiveness as part of the overall review of Board effectiveness 
carried out annually. Going forward this review will be performed on a stand-alone basis. Each year the Audit Committee 
considers its terms of reference and recommends any changes it deems necessary or beneficial to the Board.

Meetings held
The Audit Committee met three times in 2020:

 — 29 April 2020 – to review the 2019 audit findings and consider the auditors’ report. The auditors’ opinion, letter of 
independence and representation letter were reviewed and were deemed to be satisfactory. The Audit Committee 
reviewed all the material accounting and estimation judgments likely to have a material impact on the accounting 
statements. The auditors reported on their key areas of audit focus including going concern, bioprocessing and 
process development revenue percentage of completion, and the out of specification provision. The Audit Committee 
discussed the quality of the audit and no significant concerns arose. The Audit Committee discussed and agreed the 
wording of the going concern and the viability statement. Internal controls relating to operations under the COVID-19 
situation  and  remote  working  were  discussed.  Risk  actions  relating  to  the  status  of  operations  in  response  to 
COVID-19, the risk process and risk disclosures in the Annual Report were reviewed. The timeline for the Preliminary 
Results and the publication of the Annual Report was also discussed.

 — 15 September 2020 – to review the 2020 audit strategy and also the 2020 interim results. The significant risks in the 
audit strategy included revenue fraud (increased due to larger and more complex contractual customer arrangements) 
and contract revenue recognition. As a result of the Group’s operating resilience during the year to date and the 
successful equity fundraise, going concern risk had been significantly mitigated. The FRC focus on climate change 
was  noted  by  the  auditors.  The  auditors  reported  on  their  key  areas  of  review  focus  including  contract  revenue 
recognition and the related licence fees. Progress on strategy to enhance internal controls was discussed. The Risk 
Management Committee presented key risks identified to the Audit Committee following an update of the risk register.

 — 16 October 2020 – insurance strategy, tax strategy, treasury policy and the financial control environment and related 
controls  were  tabled  and  reviewed.  The  2020/2021  insurance  strategy  was  discussed  and  agreed,  including 
discussions around directors and officers and errors and omissions insurance. The Audit Committee also agreed with 
the current tax strategy. The Audit Committee approved the current treasury policy and discussed the progress on 
the Group’s strategy of enhancing its financial control environment and related controls. 

 
 
 
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Significant issues
The issues considered by the Audit Committee that are deemed to be significant to the Group are contract revenue 
recognition  and  related  licence  fees,  the  percentage  of  completion  of  bioprocessing  and  fixed  price  commercial 
development  revenues,  stock  and  equipment  received  in  lieu  of  cash  payment  for  bioprocessing  and  development 
services, customer contracts with varying bioprocessing batch prices and the bioprocessing out of specification provision. 

Due to the cash balances held by the Group at the year end and at the date of approval of these financial statements, 
as well as the visibility over revenues across the next 12 months, going concern was not identified as being a significant 
risk  in  2020.  The  Board  has  considered  the  Group’s  going  concern  status  and  future  viability  of  the  business,  the 
outcome of which is detailed in the Directors Report on page 126.

Contract revenues: Identification of performance obligations, allocation of revenue and timing of revenue recognition
The Group has identified three key areas of judgement within the collaboration agreements entered into during the 
year.  Firstly,  in  relation  to  the  number  of  distinct  performance  obligations  contained  within  each  collaboration 
agreement; secondly, the fair value allocation of revenue to each performance obligation; and thirdly, the timing of 
revenue recognition based on the achievement of the relevant performance obligation. The sales royalties contained 
within the collaboration agreements qualify for the royalty exemption available under IFRS 15 and will only be recognised 
as the underlying sales are made.

Recognition of customer licence revenues
One of the key judgemental areas identified within the collaboration agreements is the timing of recognition of licence 
revenue based on the achievement of the relevant performance obligation. The individual factors and aspects relating 
to licence revenue is assessed as part of the IFRS 15 accounting paper prepared for each agreement and a judgement is 
made as to whether the licence fee performance obligation related to the granting of the licence to the customer has 
been  achieved.  If  it  was  judged  that  the  performance  obligations  on  licences  granted  in  2020  had  not  been  met, 
revenues  would  have  been  £9.4  million  lower  with  the  revenue  expected  to  be  recognised  in  the  future  when  the 
performance obligations were deemed to have been met.

Percentage of completion of bioprocessing batch revenues
Bioprocessing of clinical/commercial product for partners is recognised on a percentage of completion basis over time 
as  the  processes  are  carried  out.  Progress  is  determined  based  on  the  achievement  of  verifiable  stages  of  the 
bioprocessing process. Revenues are recognised on a percentage of completion basis and as such require judgement 
in terms of the assessment of the correct stage of completion including the expected costs of completion for that 
specific bioprocessing batch. The value of the revenue recognised and the related contract asset raised with regard to 
the bioprocessing batches which remain in progress at the year end is £21,260,000. If the assessed percentage of 
completion was 10 percentage points higher or lower, revenue recognised in the year would have been £2,126,000 
higher or lower.

Percentage of completion of fixed price process development revenues
As it satisfies its performance obligations the Group recognises revenue and the related contract asset with regard to 
fixed price process development work packages. Revenues are recognised on a percentage of completion basis and as 
such require judgement in terms of the assessment of the correct percentage of completion for that specific process 
development work package. The value of the revenue recognised and the related contract asset raised with regard to 
the work packages which remain in progress at year end is £6,677,000. If the assessed percentage of completion was 
10 percentage points higher or lower, revenue recognised in the period would have been £667,000 higher or lower.

 
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Stock and equipment received in lieu of cash payment for bioprocessing and development services
During 2020, as part of its supply and development agreements with customers, the Group received certain stock items 
and fixed assets in partial lieu of cash payments from customers. As required by IFRS 15, the Group has valued the 
commercial  development  services  and  bioprocessing  batches  it  has  provided  at  their  market  value  for  revenue 
recognition purposes, with a corresponding entry being passed within cost of goods, depreciation and operating lease 
payments to account for the cost of these items. The value of revenue recognised during 2020 related to these items 
amounts to £3.3 million (2019: nil).

Customer contract with varying bioprocessing batch prices
During 2020, the Group entered into a supply agreement with a customer for the supply of bioprocessing batches 
where the batch price will vary across the period of the contract. The Group has deemed that the series guidance within 
IFRS  15  applies  and  has  therefore  recognised  revenue  based  on  averaging  the  batch  price  over  the  period  of  the 
contract where the series guidance applies. If the revenue had been recognised based on an actual batch price, revenues 
would have been £2.4 million higher with a corresponding decrease in revenues in future years.

Provision for out of specification bioprocessing batches
Bioprocessing of clinical/commercial product for partners is recognised on a percentage of completion basis over time 
as the processes are carried out. Progress is determined based on the achievement of verifiable stages of the process. 

As the Group has now been bioprocessing product across a number of years, increasingly in a commercial supply 
environment, the Group has assessed the need to include an estimate of bioprocessed product for which revenue has 
previously been recognised and which may be reversed should the product go out of specification during the remaining 
period over which the product is bioprocessed. In calculating this estimate the Group has looked at historical rates of 
out of specification batches across the last four years, and has applied the percentage of out of specification batches 
to  total  batches  produced  across  the  assessed  period  to  the  revenue  recognised  on  batches  which  have  not  yet 
completed the bioprocessing process at year end. This estimate, based on the historical percentage, may be significantly 
higher or lower depending on the number of bioprocessing batches actually going out of specification in future. If the 
historical percentage had been 10% higher or lower, the estimate would be £137,000 higher or lower. The estimate will 
increase or decrease based on the number of bioprocessing batches which go out of specification over the historic 
assessment period, but also the number of bioprocessing batches which have not yet completed the bioprocessing 
process at year end.

Consequently, bioprocessing revenue of £1.4 million (2019: £1.8 million) has not been recognised during 2020 with the 
corresponding credit to contract liabilities (note 19). This unrecognised revenue will be recognised as those batches 
complete bioprocessing.

Actions and conclusion on significant issues identified
Upon identification of these significant issues, management provided the Audit Committee with a detailed update on 
the  nature,  reasoning  behind  and  risk  of  misstatement  of  these  key  accounting  items,  estimates  and  judgements, 
including any related accounting papers and other supporting documents. Any significant change to the method of 
calculation of these issues, or the judgement or estimates involved, is flagged to the Audit Committee, with regular 
updates being provided until such time as these are finalised prior to release of the year end or interim results. 

The  Group’s  external  auditor  has  reported  to  the  Audit  Committee  that  they  have  reviewed  the  assumptions  and 
methods used in calculating these key accounting items, estimates and judgements, as well as performing detailed 
testing of the year end position, and found these significant issues to be appropriately accounted for. 

Having provided appropriate challenge to management and the external auditor, the Audit Committee has concluded 
that these significant issues identified during 2020 have been appropriately accounted for. 

 
 
 
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Internal control
The Directors are responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. The system 
is designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can only provide 
reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Audit Committee annually reviews 
the effectiveness of all significant aspects of internal control, including financial, operational and compliance controls, 
and risk management. The review for 2020 prepared by the Chief Financial Officer and the Group Financial Controller, 
was further reviewed at the October 2020 Audit Committee meeting and was further updated in April 2021. Based on 
its review the Audit Committee has concluded that the system of internal control provides a reasonable basis for signing 
off the Annual Report and related accounts.

Currently the main features of the internal control and risk management processes which apply to the Group’s financial 
reporting processes include:

 — A  detailed  review  process  of  the  Annual  Report  and  related  financial  statements,  including  review  by  the  Senior 

Executive Team and the Board.

 — Preparation  of  accounting  papers  for  significant  accounting  and  judgemental  issues  and  review  by  the  Group 

Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee.

 — Performance of an annual assessment of the risk of financial fraud and misstatement within the financial statements 
and accounting records, and assessment of the appropriateness of controls in place to mitigate the risks identified to 
an acceptable level.

 — Preparation  of  detailed  going  concern  and  viability  assessment  papers  and  cash  flow  forecasts  by  the  Head  of 
Financial Planning and Analysis, with subsequent detailed review and approval by the Chief Financial Officer and the 
Board.

 — Organisation  of  the  finance  function  such  that  monthly  management  results  and  externally  reported  financial 
statements are subject to thorough review by the Group Financial Controller, Head of Financial Planning and Analysis 
and the Chief Financial Officer.

 — Performance of control procedures over key statement of financial position accounts which have been assessed to 

have the greatest risk of misstatement.

 —  Clear separation of duties and detailed authorisation limits within the financial processes such as approval of invoices, 

purchase orders, payroll and disbursements.

At  the  October  2020  Audit  Committee  meeting,  it  was  agreed  that  the  Group  should  develop  a  finance  function 
transformation strategy to enhance the internal control environment. Through subsequent discussions with the Chair 
of the Audit Committee the following summary implementation plan was agreed:

 — Establish a roadmap with key deliverables to achieve the Group’s goal of improving its internal control environment 
and  internal  control  systems,  and  to  reduce  the  risk  of  failure  to  achieve  business  objectives  (both  financial  and 
operational).

 — Further strengthen the finance function to reflect the growth and the complexity of the business.

 —  Establish a financial control department with the following remit:

 • Update and improve internal control policies, procedures, process flows and flow charts, and risk registers. 

 • Design and continually monitor the Group’s financial control framework.

 • Ensure appropriate monitoring and escalation is in place on key operating financial controls and metrics. 

 • Report on the control environment and the results of control testing to the Audit Committee, firstly on an annual  
• and ultimately a bi-annual basis.

 — Establish a relationship with an external firm to provide independent assurance over the Group’s internal control 
environment and systems, looking at various key risks and controls on a rotational basis, and reporting to the Audit 
Committee on an annual basis.

The progress of this project and the results of this reporting and the Audit Committee’s review thereof will be disclosed 
in future reporting.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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COVID-19
As a result of COVID-19, the Group has implemented extensive working from home by its employees. As most of the 
internal controls implemented by the business are system based, this change has not had a detrimental impact on the 
control environment. The business did have to implement some changes to the sign-off process for bank payments to 
ensure adequate availability of supporting documentation during the payment process, but this has been implemented 
successfully. The Group already had extensive remote working facilities in place including functionally limiting access 
from users’ own devices. No major changes were required to enable the significant shift to remote usage. Proactive 
monitoring of remote usage has been increased as a precaution. 

External audit
KPMG  continued  as  the  Group’s  external  auditor  for  the  2020  financial  year.  It  is  the  Group’s  intention  to  put  the 
external audit out to tender every 10 years and to rotate the lead partner at least every five years. Will Smith has been 
the lead partner on the audit for the last two years after Charles Le Strange Meakin retired after one year following 
KPMG’s initial appointment in 2018.

The Audit Committee regularly reviews the role of the external auditor and the scope of their audit. The Audit Committee 
considers the effectiveness of the external auditor on an ongoing basis during the year, considering, among other 
things, its independence, objectivity, appropriate mindset and professional scepticism, through its own observations 
and interactions with the external auditor, and having regard to the:

 — experience  and  expertise  of  the  external  auditor  in  their  direct  communication  with,  and  support  to,  the  Audit 

Committee;

 — content, quality of insights and value of their reports;

 — fulfilment of the agreed external audit plan;

 — robustness and perceptiveness of the external auditor in their handling of key accounting and audit judgements;

 — the  interaction  between  management  and  the  external  auditor,  including  ensuring  that  management  dedicates 

sufficient time to the audit process;

 — provision of non-audit services, as set out below; and 

 — other relevant UK professional and regulatory requirements. 

KPMG contributed a further independent perspective on certain aspects of the Group’s financial control systems arising 
from their work, and reported these to the Audit Committee. The process for approving all non-audit work provided by 
the external auditor is overseen by the Audit Committee in order to safeguard the objectivity and independence of the 
auditor, and compliance with regulatory and ethical guidance. If KPMG were to be chosen to provide non-audit services 
it would be the result of their demonstrating the relevant skills and experience to make it an appropriate supplier to 
undertake the work in a cost-effective manner. The Group’s policy for non-audit services reflects the regulations that 
prohibit the provision of certain non-audit services, such as payroll services, by the external auditor and introduces a 
cap on non-audit fees. In line with the regulations, the Group is required to cap the level of non-audit fees paid to its 
external auditor, and has done this at 10% of the audit fees paid in the previous financial year. 

With the exception of fees paid in respect of the auditor's review of the Group's interim financial statements, there were 
no non-audit fees received by KPMG in 2020. The non-audit fees policy is compliant with ethical Standards for Auditors. 
In 2020, KPMG received total fees of £0.4 million (2019: £0.3 million) which is an increase of £0.1 million versus the 
previous period. Fees paid to KPMG are set out in Note 7 to the financial statements. 

 
 
 
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Fair, balanced and understandable statement
The Audit Committee considered this Annual Report and financial statements 2020, taken as a whole, and concluded 
that the disclosures, as well as the processes and controls underlying its production, were appropriate and recommended 
to the Board that the Annual Report and financial statements 2020 is fair, balanced and understandable while providing 
the necessary information to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Nomination Committee report
The Nomination Committee, which is chaired by Dr. Roch Doliveux, the Company’s Chair, leads the process for making 
appointments to the Board and succession planning, and comprises Stuart Henderson, Dr. Heather Preston and, most 
recently, Professor Dame Kay Davies all of whom are Independent Non-Executive Directors. The primary duties of the 
Nomination Committee are set out in its written terms of reference, which is available on the Group’s website.

The Nomination Committee met eleven times in 2020 on an ad hoc basis in order to discuss searches for the new 
Chair, additional Non-Executive Directors and succession planning. 

Following a review, the Board considers that it was not in full compliance with the Corporate Governance Code during 
2020.  The  Board  did  not  meet  the  requirement  for  half  the  Board,  not  including  the  Chair,  to  comprise  solely 
Independent Non-Executive Directors during 2020. The Board began to address this issue in the first half of 2020 by 
initiating a search for additional Independent Non-Executive Directors. Whilst the search process took slightly longer 
than expected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board was pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sam 
Rasty an Independent Non-Executive Director in December 2020. Following the year end, Martin Diggle has stepped 
down from the Board and Professor Dame Kay Davies has been appointed to the Board as an Independent Non-
Executive Director. In addition Dr. Andrew Heath shall be retiring at the forthcoming AGM whereupon at least half of 
the Board (excluding the Chair) shall comprise Independent Non-Executive Directors. The Company, therefore, shall 
be in compliance with Provision 11 of the Corporate Governance Code, following the AGM. The Board intends to 
continue to strengthen and diversify the Board to meet compliance requirements, having initiated a search for an 
additional Independent Non-Executive Director targeting the selection of female and ethnically diverse candidates. 
The Board intend to fully comply with the Hampton-Alexander recommendation that the Board comprise at least one 
third women by the AGM in 2022. 

Workforce Engagement Panel – Designated Non-Executive Director
During the second half of 2020, the Group established a Workforce Engagement Panel (“WEP”) comprising employees 
from all levels and functions across the Group. The purpose of the WEP is to enable employees to discuss issues of 
importance to them and ensure that senior leaders and the Board hear the views of the workforce. Stuart Henderson 
was appointed as the designated Non-Executive Director, to oversee engagement between the Board and the workforce 
(further information on the WEP can be found on pages 23 and 53). The WEP met three times during 2020 and Stuart 
Henderson attended one of those meetings in October 2020. The topics covered by the WEP during 2020 included 
how  to  raise  awareness  of  the  employees  benefits  package;  the  impact  of  COVID-19  on  working;  future  ways  of 
working; employee training programmes; wellbeing practices; and the review of results of the employee Pulse survey. 

 
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Board evaluation
In October 2020, the Company Secretary conducted an internal evaluation of the Board’s performance covering the 
period from January 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2020. The review process comprised the completion of an anonymous 
questionnaire covering the various aspects of Board activities and Committees. The resulting report was discussed at 
the Board meeting in January 2021 and the Board plans to implement appropriate changes based on the discussions 
of the report, including an increase in Director’s training and effective ways of working together remotely. The Board 
intends to continue to comply with the Corporate Governance Code guidance that the evaluation should be externally 
facilitated at least every three years and expects to commission the next externally facilitated review in 2021.

Board succession planning
During 2020, the Board reviewed the succession plans for both its composition and that of its Committees and the 
continued development of the Board. Following Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo’s decision to retire, the Board initiated a search 
for a new Chair with an external search consultancy, Spencer Stuart, and Dr. Roch Doliveux was successfully appointed 
in June 2020. The Company and the Directors have no connections with Spencer Stuart. The Board also initiated a 
search for additional Independent Non-Executive Directors to address the Corporate Governance Code requirement 
that half the Board should consist of Independent Non-Executive Directors. Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed in December 
2020 following an introduction from Spencer Stuart and Professor Dame Kay Davies was appointed in March 2021 
following an introduction from Dr. Roch Doliveux. The Board has initiated a further search with Spencer Stuart, for an 
additional  Independent  Non-Executive  Director  to  further  strengthen  and  diversify  the  Board.  The  external  search 
consultancy, Spencer Stuart, has no connection with the Company or its individual Directors. 

Following Dr. Andrew Heath’s re-appointment at the 2020 AGM, he was no longer deemed to be independent and 
accordingly  stepped  down  as  the  Senior  Independent  Non-Executive  Director  and  Chair  of  the  Remuneration 
Committee in June 2020. At the request of the Nomination Committee, Stuart Henderson replaced Dr. Heath as the 
Senior  Independent  Non-Executive  Director  and  Dr.  Heather  Preston  replaced  him  as  Chair  of  the  Remuneration 
Committee.  Dr.  Sam  Rasty  replaced  Dr.  Heath  as  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee  in  December  2020  upon  his 
appointment to the Board. Dr. Heath will not be standing for re-election at the forthcoming AGM. 

Diversity and Inclusion
The Group recognises the importance of diversity and is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among its 
workforce. The Group aims to create an inclusive working environment based on merit, fairness and respect to enable 
it  to  attract  and  retain  the  most  talented  people  from  all  backgrounds  and  cultures.  The  Group  is  also  working  to 
achieve a diverse Board and, just as importantly, diverse management teams. Appointments to the Board are based on 
merit taking into account suitability for the role, composition and balance of the Board to ensure that the Group has the 
right mix of skills, experience, independence, knowledge and consideration of the Group’s strategic objectives. 

The Nomination Committee has a formal and rigorous appointment process involving most if not all Board members 
and makes recommendations based on the capabilities of individual candidates, having due regard for the benefits of 
diversity with no restrictions on age, gender, religion, ethnic background, whose competencies will enhance the Board. 

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance Report

The  Group  supports the principles of the Hampton-Alexander Review on gender balance. During 2020, the Board 
comprised one woman and eight men and, therefore, did not meet the Hampton-Alexander recommendation that 
33% of the Board for FTSE 350 companies consists of women by the end of 2020. The Board is aware of this issue and 
appointed Professor Kay Davies to the Board in March 2021. The Board has initiated a search to appoint a further female 
Independent  Non-Executive  Director  to  meet  the  Hampton-Alexander  Review  recommendations.  Following  the 
forthcoming AGM, the Board will comprise two women and six men equaling 25% and the Board has committed to 
comprise one third women by the AGM in 2022. The Group believes that members of the Board and senior management 
should collectively possess a diverse range of skills, expertise and ethnic and societal backgrounds. In terms of the next 
level of management, during 2020, the SET, excluding the Executive Directors, totaled seven, of which there were two 
female members. In the gender pay gap report for 2020, (for the full report see the Group’s website www.oxb.com) the 
Group  was  progressing  towards  an  equal  male/female  split  at  the  Head  of  Department  level,  and  at  the  Senior 
Management  level,  there  were  more  females  than  males  thereby  meeting  the  Hampton-Alexander  Review’s 
recommendation that 33% of senior leadership roles (defined as the SET and their direct reports) be held by women at 
the end of 2020. Part of the Group’s strategy will be to maintain and improve on the fulfilment of these targets, so that 
the objectives of the Hampton-Alexander Review will be met in full during 2021/2022. 

The Board is aware of the recommendations of the Parker Review on Ethnic Diversity. The Parker Review set a target 
for companies to have at least one Board member from an ethnic minority background by 2021. Whilst none of the 
serving Board members identifies as belonging to an ethnic minority, the Board has a clear intention to continue to 
strengthen and diversify the Board. As part of its succession planning activities, the Nomination Committee has already 
initiated  a  search  with  external  search  consultants,  Spencer  Stuart,  for  an  additional  Independent  Non-Executive 
Director. The Nomination Committee has requested that the search target female and ethnically diverse candidates 
whilst  taking  into  account  suitability  for  the  role  to  ensure  that  the  Group  has  the  right  mix  of  skills,  experience, 
independence and knowledge for the Group’s strategic objectives. 

In addition, the Group has in place an internal management development programme which provides a structured 
training  programme  for  the  purposes  of  identifying  and  progressing  talent  across  all  areas  of  the  Group  to  senior 
management level and beyond. At a more junior level, as part of its ESG objectives for 2021, the Group has included the 
goal of fostering and encouraging a culture of innovation within the Group and the wider community promoting STEM 
careers for school children through sponsorship and mentoring. The Group will work with partners, such as In2Science, 
to promote STEM careers as a viable route for schoolchildren from demographics that have a low representation in 
higher education particularly in STEM subjects. Through sponsorship, mentoring and support for careers workshops 
and other activities, the Group aims to encourage these individuals to enrol in higher education and/or apprenticeships 
to study STEM subjects and embark on careers in the field. For further information on the Group’s ESG objectives for 
2021, please refer to pages 51 to 66. 

 
Compliance with the Code

The Group considers that it was largely in compliance with the terms of the Corporate Governance Code during 2020 
but acknowledges that it did not comply in full. The Group has highlighted throughout the Annual Report areas where 
the Group has not been in compliance with the Corporate Governance Code and has set out below the specific areas 
with reference to the Corporate Governance Code provisions:

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Corporate Governance Code Provision 
Provision 11 – At least half the Board, excluding the Chair,  
should comprise Independent Non-Executive Directors 

Provision 24 – The Audit Committee should comprise  
three Independent Non-Executive Directors.

Provision 38 – The pension contribution rates for Executive Directors 
should be aligned with those available for the workforce

Provision 41 – Engagement with the workforce to explain  
how Executive pay aligns with the wider Company pay policy

Explanation
At the end of 2020, the Company comprised five Directors who were 
deemed not to be independent (two Executive Directors and three 
Non-Executive Directors) and three Independent Non-Executive 
Directors, excluding the Chair. The Board initiated searches for additional 
Independent Non-Executive Directors during the course of 2020 which 
due to the COVID-19 pandemic took slightly longer than expected. The 
Board announced the appointment of Dr. Sam Rasty as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director in December 2020 and Professor Dame Kay 
Davies as an Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2021.  
The Company has initiated a further search for an Independent Non-
Executive Director to further strengthen and diversify the Board.

Following the forthcoming AGM, the Company will comply with 
Provision 11 of the Corporate Governance Code as the Board will 
comprise three Directors who are deemed not to be independent  
(two Executive Directors and one Non-Executive Director) and four 
Independent Non-Executive Directors, excluding the Chair.

The Company complied with this provision of the Corporate Governance 
Code during the first half of 2020, however, following the AGM in June 2020, 
Dr. Andrew Heath was no longer deemed independent due to his length 
of tenure on the Board. Dr. Andrew Heath continued to attend the Audit 
Committee in an advisory capacity following the AGM as the Board  
did not have another Independent Non-Executive Director with relevant 
experience to replace Dr. Andrew Heath until Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed 
as an Independent Non-Executive Director in December 2020. Dr. Sam 
Rasty joined the Audit Committee in December 2020 whereupon the 
Company complied with Provision 24 of the Corporate Governance Code 
once more.

The Executive Directors currently receive a 15% pension contribution (or 
cash allowance) unlike the wider workforce who currently receive a 7.5% 
pension contribution. In line with Provision 38 of the Corporate 
Governance Code, the Executive Directors have received written 
notification that, from 31 December 2022, their pension contribution  
will be reduced to align with the wider workforce.

The Remuneration Committee spent considerable time in the second half 
of 2020 formulating the Group’s Remuneration Policy for the next three 
years (set out on pages 114 to 123) which included canvassing the views 
of shareholders. The Remuneration Committee made the decision not to 
share the policy, detailing Executive pay with the workforce until it had 
completed the consultation process with shareholders. For this reason, 
during 2020, the Group has not complied with Provision 41 of the 
Corporate Governance Code to engage with the workforce to explain 
how Executive pay aligns with the wider Group pay policy. This will be 
addressed in 2021 once the new Remuneration Policy has been finalised.

Share capital

The information about the share capital required by Article 10 of the Takeover Directive is in the Directors’ Report on 
page 125.

 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Annual statement from the Remuneration Committee Chair

Dear Shareholder
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 
2020; my first report as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Andrew 
Heath for his dedicated contribution and service as the previous Chair of the Committee for nine years to June 2020.

This report is divided into three sections: 

 — this statement and a summary of how our policy is aligned with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 

“Corporate Governance Code”);

 — the annual report on remuneration which sets out amounts earned by Directors in respect of 2020; and 

 — the proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy, to be approved at the 2021 AGM.

In this statement I have set out our approach to the new policy, including how it differs from the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy approved by shareholders at the 2018 Annual General Meeting, how we propose to implement it in 2021, the key 
decisions  in  relation  to  remuneration  in  2020,  including  in  relation  to  the  2020  bonuses  and  the  vesting  of  the 
Performance Shares Awards granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) in 2017. 

The Remuneration Committee had the opportunity to consult with a number of shareholders as we considered our 
proposals for the new policy and I want to thank them for their time and their input, which has been very helpful and 
constructive  in  shaping  the  final  policy  we  are  presenting  here.  In  particular,  taking  into  account  feedback  from 
shareholders during the consultation we have increased both the in-employment and post-employment shareholding 
requirements, as referred to below.

During 2020, the Group’s position as a global pioneer in cell and gene therapies has continued to grow and since the 
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only have we signed seven partner/collaboration agreements including a major 
new agreement with Juno Therapeutics/Bristol Myers Squibb, but we have also grown the underlying bioprocessing 
and  commercial  development  revenues  by  45%  and  have  signed  a  three-year  master  supply  and  development 
agreement  with  AstraZeneca  for  large-scale  manufacturing  of  the  adenovirus  based  COVID-19  vaccine.  We  are 
incredibly proud of all of the team for truly excelling in these challenging times.

As shown in the chart on page 111, our Total Shareholder Return has outperformed the FTSE all-share, FTSE350 Pharma 
and Biotech and NASDAQ Biotech indices over the last 10 years.

Our approach to the new policy
Remuneration is a key part of attracting and retaining the best people to lead our business. We balance the recruitment 
and retention requirements against the need to ensure our packages promote the long term success of the Group and the 
alignment of market-competitive pay with performance against the Group’s strategic objectives and shareholder returns.

The Remuneration Policy was last approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM and is now due for review and approval by 
shareholders for the next three-year cycle. Our approach to the new policy has been formulated in the light of the following.

 — Under the leadership of our CEO, John Dawson, Oxford Biomedica has established itself as a world leading lentiviral 
vector company and the Group is ideally placed to deliver value by pursuing its mission of delivering life-changing 
therapies to patients. 

 — Over 80% of cell and gene therapy (research, customers, and competitors) is based in the United States. We need to 
have the right tools in place to attract both Executive and Non-Executive talent from NASDAQ listed biotechnology 
businesses and the corporate governance environment in the UK presents significant challenges when considered 
against the significantly higher incentive pay norms amongst our peers in the United States. 

 
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 — A key strategic imperative is to ensure that the new three-year policy supports the Group’s succession planning. We 
are aware that when John Dawson retires we will be competing against NASDAQ listed biotechnology businesses to 
attract CEO talent with the right skills and experience to deliver on the future growth aspirations of the business. As 
noted below, in choosing our comparator peer group we have aligned ourselves with a biotechnology cohort rather 
than with the traditional CDMO sector. The Remuneration Committee believes that the significant application of 
leading edge technology in our platform business and our continued focus on our own and partnered products 
makes this choice appropriate.

 — To  give  us  flexibility  to  offer  an  overall  compensation  package  to  an  incoming  Overseas  Executive  Director  that  is 
competitive against NASDAQ listed biotechnology businesses the new policy increases the overall annual and long 
term  incentive  opportunity.  For  these  purposes,  an  “Overseas  Executive  Director”  means  any  Executive  Director 
appointed after 1 January 2021 in respect of which appointment, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the 
Company is competing for talent with US competitors (including NASDAQ listed US biotechnology businesses) including 
but not limited to Executive Directors recruited from or based in the US and having regard to the fact that over 80% of 
cell and gene therapy is based in the United States, that United States’ regulatory requirements are critical to the future 
success of the Group and that the United States’ market has the largest commercial potential for the Group. These 
increases position the overall incentive opportunity towards the lower end of the market compared to NASDAQ listed 
biotechnology  businesses.  We  strongly  believe  that  having  the  ability  to  offer  higher  incentive  opportunities  to  an 
incoming Overseas Executive Director is critical to the business and is in the best interests of all our shareholders.

 — For  the  avoidance  of  doubt,  more  modest  increases  in  incentive  opportunities  are  proposed  for  the  incumbent 
Executive Directors (and will apply to any new Executive Director who is not an Overseas Executive Director). For 
Executive Directors who are not Overseas Executive Directors, our proposal is to increase the incentives to be in line 
with UK listed market practice. This reflects the significant growth and performance of the Group over the last three 
years. We are now an established FTSE 250 company and the Group wants to ensure that the policy has the flexibility 
to attract and retain senior executives to achieve the Group’s future growth ambitions. All proposed increases in 
incentive quantum will also be commensurate with an increase in stretch in performance targets.

 — The new policy complies with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code, in so far as it includes paying 
a proportion of the annual bonus in deferred shares; longer vesting time horizons for long term incentives (i.e. a three-
year performance period and two year holding period); and a post-employment shareholding guideline. However, as 
noted  on  page  98,  our  Executive  Directors’  pensions  are  not  currently  aligned  with  those  available  to  the  wider 
workforce, but will be from 31 December 2022.

 — The new policy seeks to address the significant gap to market practice in the United States that we have faced when 
attracting and retaining Non-Executives when competing with NASDAQ listed Board opportunities (within the overall 
constraints  of  being  a  UK  main  market  listed  company).  The  proposed  changes  to  the  policy  for  Non-Executive 
Directors recruited from or based in the United States provides alignment with shareholders whilst ensuring that our 
Non-Executive Directors continue to be independent.

 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Summary of changes for Executive Directors who are not Overseas Executive Directors
The following table summarises the principal differences between the policy approved in 2018 and the policy for which 
approval  will  be  sought  at  the  2021  AGM  as  regards  the  incumbent  Executive  Directors  along  with  the  intended 
implementation of the new policy in 2021 for the incumbent Executive Directors. 

Reward Element
Base salary and 
benefits

Current Policy
No maximum salary, but increases are normally in 
line with the level of increase awarded (to other 
employees in the Group). Typical provisions are 
included to award higher increases in appropriate 
circumstances.
A typical range of benefits is provided. 

Proposed Policy for Executive Directors who are not Overseas Executive Directors 
and 2021 implementation
No significant changes. 
For 2021, the Executive Directors’ salaries have been increased to:
—  John Dawson: £455,000 (a 5.7% increase); and
—  Stuart Paynter: £310,000 (a 29.5% increase). 
No significant changes are proposed in relation to benefits. 
For reference the proposed base salary increase for the wider workforce 
for 2021 is 4.3%

Retirement benefits Defined pension contribution (or cash allowance)  

of up to 15% of salary.

The 15% contribution will continue for incumbent Executive Directors 
until the end of 2022, at which point their contribution will be aligned with 
the contribution available to the wider workforce (currently 7.5%).  

Annual Bonus

Maximum of 125% of salary. 50% of any bonus  
is paid in cash and 50% in deferred shares become 
exercisable over three years.

The maximum bonus opportunity is increased to 150% of base salary, with 
the same deferral arrangements continuing to apply. For 2021, John 
Dawson and Stuart Paynter will have a bonus opportunity of 150% of salary. 

Long term 
incentives

Annual grant of nil or nominal cost shares awards 
(“Performance Shares Awards”) vesting subject to the 
achievement of performance targets, typically 
assessed over a three-year performance period.
Maximum award of 125% of salary for the CEO and 
100% of salary for any other Executive Director.

The maximum long term incentive opportunity is increased to 200% of 
base salary for the CEO and 175% of salary for other Executive Directors.
For 2021:-
—   John Dawson will be granted a Performance Shares Award over 200% 

of base salary.

—   Stuart Paynter will be granted a Performance Shares Award over 175% 

of base salary.

Two year holding period will continue to apply.
The proposed performance measures and targets are set out below.  

In  the  2018  Directors’  Remuneration  Report,  we  explained  that  John  Dawson’s  and  Stuart  Paynter’s  salaries  were 
significantly below market for companies of our size and complexity and our intention to address this over a two to 
three-year  period.  Since  then  the  size  and  complexity  of  the  business  has  continued  to  increase  significantly.  Our 
market capitalisation has more than doubled from a 12 month average market capitalisation of c.£350 million in 2018 
to over £750 million currently and we are now an established FTSE 250 company.

The 2021 base salary increase for both John Dawson and Stuart Paynter, reflects the third year of a phased base salary 
increase. In the case of Stuart Paynter, the increase also reflects that he has been in role for more than three and a half years 
and  that  his  performance  and  contribution  have  been  exceptional.  Specifically,  this  has  included  several  successful 
fundraises, the transition to FTSE250 status, and ensuring growth has been managed in a financially positive way, prioritising 
OPEX  and  CAPEX  expenditure  appropriately,  resulting  in  a  healthy  balance  sheet  and  strong  cash  position.  These 
achievements have strongly positioned the Group to take advantage of strategic opportunities. These increases position 
base salaries for both John Dawson and Stuart Paynter in the lower quartile for comparable UK companies.

The increases in the annual bonus and long term incentive opportunities also reflect the significant increase in size and 
complexity of the business over the last three years. Maximum opportunities are aligned with market practice for UK 
companies  of  a  similar  size  and  complexity.  These  higher  incentive  opportunities  also  take  into  account  that  base 
salaries continue to be positioned at the lower quartile.

 
 
 
 
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Summary of changes for Overseas Executive Directors 
Base salary: The base salary of an Overseas Executive Director would be determined at the time of recruitment taking 
into account the relevant skills and experience of the individual and the overall compensation package. 

Retirement  benefits:  In  line  with  best  practice  under  the  Corporate  Governance  Code,  the  pension  contribution  
(or cash in lieu) for any new Overseas Executive Directors will be aligned to the wider workforce (currently 7.5%). The 
following table summarises the increase in incentive opportunities reserved for a new Overseas Executive Director.

Reward Element
Annual Bonus

Long term 
incentives

Proposed Policy for Overseas Executive Directors 
The maximum bonus opportunity is 200% of base salary, 
No change to deferral arrangements: 50% of any bonus is paid in cash and 50% in deferred shares become exercisable over 
three years.  

Maximum long term incentive is 500% of base salary 
Annual grant of Performance Shares Awards which vest subject to a performance test and continued employment, normally over 
a period of three years
A two year holding period will also to apply following the three-year performance period. 

The  following  comparator  group  of  US-based  biotechnology  companies  was  used  for  benchmarking  purposes: 
MeiraGTX;  Rubius  Therapeutics;  Homology  Medicines;  G1  Therapeutics;  Orchard  Therapeutics;  Gossamer  Bio; 
Adverum Biotechnologies; Rocket Pharmaceuticals; NGM Biopharmaceuticals; Sangamo Therapeutics; Bluebird Bio; 
Regenxbio;  Voyager  Therapeutics;  AvroBio;  Beam;  Autolus  Therapeutics;  Akouos;  Passage  Bio.  In  choosing  our 
comparator peer group we have aligned ourselves with a biotechnology cohort rather than with the traditional CDMO 
sector.  The  Remuneration  Committee  believes  that  the  significant  application  of  leading  edge  technology  in  our 
platform business and our continued focus on our own and partnered products makes this choice appropriate. 

This positions the overall maximum incentive opportunity for a new Overseas Executive Director towards the lower end 
of the market compared to NASDAQ listed biotechnology businesses. In a competitive market for talent, not having the 
ability to grant a comparable incentive quantum to NASDAQ listed biotechnology businesses, presents a real risk to the 
business as the Company is likely to need to recruit a new CEO during the course of the next three years.

The use of these maximum incentive opportunities for an incoming Overseas Executive Director will not be automatic. 
However, we strongly believe that having the ability to offer incentive opportunities up to these levels to such an incoming 
CEO is critical to the business and is in the best interests of all shareholders.

As noted above, we are mindful of the need to ensure that potential increases in incentive quantum in the future  
are commensurate with appropriately stretching targets for maximum vesting. We have also aligned the shareholding 
guidelines with the LTIP opportunity so that any LTIP award in line with this higher opportunity is balanced with a 
higher shareholding requirement.

Our  intention  would  be  to  offer  Performance  Shares  Awards  to  an  incoming  Overseas  Executive  Director.  However, 
because  granting  market  value  options  (typically  without  any  performance  conditions)  is  standard  market  practice  in 
NASDAQ listed biotechnology businesses in the United States, we are proposing that the new recruitment policy includes 
the flexibility to grant Performance Shares Awards and/or market value options (albeit with any market value option subject 
to the satisfaction of performance conditions – in line with best practice in the UK for Executive Directors and as with any 
Performance Shares Award). This flexibility in the recruitment policy would only be used if the Remuneration Committee 
consider this to be an absolute necessity for the recruitment of an Overseas Executive Director.

The overall maximum long term incentive opportunity would continue to be capped at up to 500% of base salary (in 
performance share equivalents) where a market value option is valued at one-third of a performance share. Furthermore, 
within this maximum 500% (face value) will be a requirement that no more than 375% of salary will be awarded in face 
value terms as market value options to any Overseas Executive Director in respect of any year.

 
 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Performance measures and targets
We will include flexibility under the new policy to set measures and targets taking into account the strategic needs of 
the business.

A  key  component  of  the  Group’s  strategy  is  to  develop  cell  and  gene  therapy  products  from  pre-clinical  proof  of 
concept through to the end of Phase I or Phase II clinical studies before partnering or out-licencing. Annual bonus 
targets for a particular year are therefore likely to include specific product development targets depending on the stage 
of development of each opportunity. The annual bonus objectives are also likely to include targets related to generating 
recurring revenues such as from manufacturing or development services to third parties.

The  performance  metrics  for  the  long  term  incentive  awards  are  determined  to  ensure  that  the  most  appropriate 
targets  are  set  for  the  Group’s  situation  at  the  time.  As  with  the  long  term  incentive  awards  granted  in  2020,  the 
Remuneration Committee believes that share price growth and revenue growth remain key measures of performance 
for the 2021 grants, although we propose to replace the absolute share price performance measure with a relative share 
price/Total Shareholder Return (TSR) measure. Taking into account the feedback from shareholders, from 2021, we are 
intending to introduce a strategic measure linked to achievement of specific development milestones into the long 
term incentive. For the grants to be made in 2021, it is intended that the performance measures will be weighted 40% 
share price/TSR; 40% revenue growth; and 20% strategic goals.

Measure
Relative TSR/share price

Weighting
40%

Approach
—   Vesting based on the Company’s TSR over a three-year performance 
period relative to the TSR performance of companies in the NASDAQ 
Biotechnology Index

—  Threshold vesting 25%: Median performance
—     Maximum vesting: Upper quartile performance
—   TSR will be assessed over a three-year period from the date of grant of 
the awards, consistent with our current approach to the share price 
measure, with a three month averaging period applied, again 
consistent with our current approach to the share price measure.

Revenue Growth

40%

—   Threshold vesting 25%: 15% CAGR per annum over a three-year 

Product related strategic milestones

20%

Underpin

Applies to the whole award

performance period

—   Maximum vesting: 30% CAGR per annum over a three-year 

performance period 

 The strategic measure and targets are commercially sensitive and will be 
disclosed when this is no longer the case, and no later than when the 
awards vest. The measure will be aligned with the Group’s strategy with 
the level of vesting determined by reference to the achievements, with 
25% vesting for delivery of a threshold milestone. 

Consistent with previous awards, the whole award will be subject to an 
underpin such that it will only vest to the extent that the Remuneration 
Committee considers the overall performance of the business over the 
performance period justifies it. 

In future years, the share price/TSR measure may be substituted for a measure based on the profitability of the CDMO, 
once we have further refined our segmental reporting.
It is our current intention that up to 30% of the overall long term incentive opportunity may be based on the delivery of 
specific strategic milestones in the future.

There will continue to be a performance underpin, such that the awards will only vest to the extent that the Remuneration 
Committee considers that the overall performance of the business across the period justifies it. Share price growth will 
also be determined by averaging the Company’s share price over the three months prior to vesting to avoid rewarding 
for short term spikes in performance.

We are mindful of the need to ensure that the proposed increases in incentive quantum for 2021 and in the future are 
commensurate with appropriately stretching targets for maximum vesting and as noted above the Revenue Growth 
measure for the 2021 awards requires a 30% CAGR for maximum vesting, compared to a 24% CAGR for the 2020 awards. 

 
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UK governance and Corporate Governance Code features of the Policy
In line with best practice and the Corporate Governance Code:

 — The current policy includes a requirement that the Executive Directors build and maintain a holding of 150% of salary, 
although in practice this was increased to 200% with effect from 1 January 2019. In the new policy, this limit will be 
the higher of 200% of salary and the relevant Executive Director’s normal annual LTIP opportunity.

 — The Remuneration Committee has formally included a post-employment shareholding requirement in the policy. 
Shares are subject to this requirement only if they are acquired from long term incentive or deferred bonus awards 
granted after 1 January 2019. Following employment, an Executive Director must retain such of the relevant shares 
as have a value at cessation equal to their in-service shareholding requirement, with the required holding tapering to 
zero over a two year period. If the Executive Director holds less than the required number of relevant shares at any 
time, they will be required to retain all of those shares.

 — Recovery  provisions  enhanced  to  enable  their  application  in  the  event  of  material  corporate  failure  and  serious 

reputational damage.

Other minor changes have been made to the policy approved in 2018 as a consequence of these principal changes or 
to aid the operation of the policy or to take account of developments in practice since 2018.

Non-Executive Directors
The new policy as it relates to Non-Executive Directors has been determined by Board.

In line with usual practice, our current policy does not include a limit on the quantum of Non-Executive Directors’ fees, 
providing that these are set taking into account the responsibilities of the role and expected time commitment. The 
base fee has not been increased for 2021 and so will remain at the 2020 level of £65,000. However, having regard to 
the increased size and complexity of the Group and corresponding increase in the scope of the role and expected time 
commitment, additional fee elements have been introduced with effect from 1 December 2020, as outlined below. 

Fee element
Additional fee for holding the office of Senior Independent Director
Additional fee for holding the position of Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Additional fee for holding the position of Chair of the Audit Committee
Base fee uplift for Non-Executive Directors based outside the UK to recognise the additional time commitment  
(including but not limited to the additional expected time commitment for travel to the UK as well as the additional  
time commitment where the Non-Executive Director is based in a different time zone). 

2021 level
£10,000
£10,000
£10,000
£15,000

We  are  also  competing  against  NASDAQ  listed  biotechnology  businesses  for  Non-Executive  Directors.  It  is  almost 
unanimous practice for our peers in the United States for stock options and/or restricted stock awards to be made to 
Non-Executive Directors on appointment and thereafter on an annual basis. The fact that we cannot offer stock options 
or restricted stock grants to non-UK based Non-Executive Directors has a presented us with a significant challenge in 
attracting experienced non-UK based Non-Executive Directors from biotechnology businesses in the United States. 
This has been an on-going challenge in negotiations with non-UK based Non-Executive Directors the Group is seeking 
to recruit. 

We recognise that as a UK main market listed business, from a Corporate Governance Code perspective Chairs and 
Independent  Non-Executive  Directors  should  not  receive  incentive  awards  geared  to  the  share  price  or  corporate 
performance.

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Therefore,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  new  policy  at  the  AGM,  we  propose  to  award  an  additional  fee  of  up  to 
£50,000 per annum to any Non-Executive Director recruited from or based in the United States to reflect US market 
levels of remuneration for Non-Executive Directors. This additional fee will be payable subject to their agreement that 
the after tax amount of this additional fee will be applied in the acquisition of shares at market value which must be 
retained for at least 12 months from acquisition. This seeks to address the significant gap to market practice in the 
United States that we face when attracting and retaining Non-Executive Directors in competition with, or from NASDAQ 
listed businesses where equity awards are an ongoing feature of the overall package. For US based Non-Executive 
Directors this positions the overall fee levels closer to the lower end of the market compared to US peers. This also 
provides alignment with shareholders whilst ensuring that our Non-Executive Directors continue to be independent. 
We will reassess this element of the policy after three years, in line with the next scheduled review of the policy. 

In setting these additional fee elements, the Board considered in particular whether the different fee elements depending 
upon  the  location  of  the  Non-Executive  Directors  would  negatively  impact  the  collegiate  approach  of  the  Board. 
However, the Board was of the unanimous opinion that the approach was appropriate given the different circumstances 
and market remuneration levels and the need to ensure that the Company has the ability to attract and retain Non-
Executive Directors with appropriate skills and experience.

2020 business performance and incentive impact
In January 2021, the Remuneration Committee met to consider the achievement of the 2020 objectives and the annual 
bonus award for 2020. 

The  performance  of  the  business  in  2020  is  set  out  in  detail  in  the  Strategic  Report  from  pages  30  to  37  and  the 
performance against bonus objectives is described on page 41 and pages 106 and 107. The Remuneration Committee 
considered overall business performance as part of its assessment of the annual bonus out-turn and concluded the 
overall  bonus  payments  earned  by  reference  to  the  annual  bonus  performance  measures  to  be  appropriate,  and 
accordingly approved the award to John Dawson of a bonus of 106% of salary and to Stuart Paynter a bonus of 110% 
of salary. The bonuses will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in deferred shares. 

Vesting of the Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP in 2017
Performance Shares Awards were granted on 13 July 2017 to John Dawson when the share price was 495p and to 
Stuart Paynter on 25 September 2017 when the share price was 430p (with the share price in each case stated after 
adjustment for the 50 to 1 share consolidation in May 2018). 

In the case of Stuart Paynter, the award includes both the element of the award granted on 25 September 2017 and the 
element  of  the  award  granted  on  7  August  2018  as  mentioned  on  page  78  of  the  Company’s  2018  Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. The performance conditions were as follows:

Average annual compound share price growth over the three-year period  
starting with the date of grant1
Less than 10%
10% (i.e. 33.1% over 3 years)
Between 10% and 20%
20% or more (i.e. 72.8% over 3 years)

Percentage of the options granted that will vest
0%
25%
Calculated on a straight line basis between 25% and 100%
100%

1  In the case of the element of Stuart Paynter’s award granted on 7 August 2018, the performance condition is assessed from 25 September 2017. 

The Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP in 2017 vested during 2020. The share price was averaged 
across three months prior to the end of the applicable assessment period. Details are provided on page 108. 

The awards were also subject to a performance underpin, such that they would vest only to the extent that the 
Remuneration Committee considered that the overall performance of the business across the period justified it. 
The Remuneration Committee reviewed performance against this underpin and concluded the overall payments to 
be appropriate.

Other matters
The Remuneration Committee reviewed the Group’s Gender Pay Gap Report for 2020 and was pleased to see the 
growth of the Group over the year and the progression towards an equal male/female split at the more senior levels of 
the organisation and that this has had a positive impact on the Group’s median and mean gender pay gap. For full details 
of the report please visit our website at www.oxb.com.

 
 
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Shareholder engagement
I am grateful to shareholders for their support in approving our previous Annual Report on Remuneration at the 2020 
AGM,  with  over  98%  of  votes  cast  in  favour.  I  would  also  like  to  thank  shareholders  and  investor  bodies  for  their 
constructive input and engagement in relation to developing the new policy. As we considered our proposals for the 
new policy, the Remuneration Committee had the opportunity to consult with shareholders representing more than 
59.8% of the shares in the Company. We have tried to incorporate as much investor feedback as possible whilst balancing 
different stakeholder views.

We believe that the current policy operated as intended and consider that the remuneration received by the Executive 
Directors in respect of 2020 was appropriate, taking into account Group and personal performance, and the experience 
of shareholders and employees.

I welcome feedback at any point in time from our entire shareholder base regarding our policy and its application, and 
I hope that we will earn your support at the forthcoming AGM.

Dr. Heather Preston
Chair, Remuneration Committee

Alignment of the Policy with the 2018 Corporate Governance Code
(not audited)

In determining the new policy, the Remuneration Committee took into account the principles of clarity, simplicity, risk, 
predictability, proportionality and alignment to culture, as set out in the Corporate Governance Code. 

Principle

Clarity: remuneration arrangements should be transparent and promote 
effective engagement with shareholders and the workforce.

The Remuneration Committee engages regularly with Executives, 
shareholders and their representative bodies in order to explain the 
approach to Executive pay. 

Simplicity: remuneration structures should avoid complexity and their 
rationale and operation should be easy to understand.

The purpose, structure and strategic alignment of each element of pay 
has been clearly laid out in the Remuneration Policy. 

Risk: remuneration arrangements should ensure reputational and other 
risks from excessive rewards, and behavioural risks that can arise from 
target-based incentive plans, are identified and mitigated.

Both the annual bonus and LTIP are subject to malus and clawback 
provisions. This allows the Remuneration Committee to have appropriate 
regard to risk considerations. 
Annual bonus deferral and the application of the two year holding period 
to awards under the LTIP provide longer term alignment with 
shareholders’ interests. 
The Remuneration Committee also has discretion to override formulaic 
outcomes, which may not accurately reflect the underlying performance 
of the Group. 

Predictability: the range of possible values of rewards to individual 
directors and other limits or discretions should be identified and explained 
at the time of approving the policy. 

Details of the range of possible values of rewards and other limits or 
discretions can be found on page 105. 

Proportionality: the link between individual awards, the delivery of 
strategy and the long term performance of the company should be clear. 
Outcomes should not reward poor performance.

Alignment to Culture: incentive schemes should drive behaviours 
consistent with Company purpose, values and strategy.

The Remuneration Committee believes total remuneration should fairly 
reflect performance of the Executive Directors and the Group as a whole, 
taking into account underlying performance and shareholder experience.
The Remuneration Committee considers the approach to wider 
workforce pay and policies when determining Directors’ remuneration to 
ensure that it is appropriate in this context.

The Group’s values are: ‘Have integrity’, ‘Be inspiring’ and ‘Deliver innovation’.
These three values govern the way that the Group does business,  
how the Group works together and the interactions the Group has  
with all its stakeholders. The Group’s values are an important factor in 
measuring performance, and the Group recognises and rewards 
adherence to the values.
Executive Directors are rewarded on both what they deliver and how that 
is delivered, which reinforces the Group’s purpose and values.

 
 
 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Annual Report on remuneration
In this report:

 — nil or nominal cost shares awards under the Company’s LTIP are referred to as “Performance Shares Awards”; and

 — an “Overseas Executive Director” means any Executive Director appointed after 1 January 2021 in respect of which 
appointment,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Remuneration  Committee,  the  Company  is  competing  for  talent  with  US 
competitors (including NASDAQ listed US biotechnology businesses) including but not limited to Executive Directors 
recruited from or based in the US and having regard to the fact that over 80% of cell and gene therapy is based in the 
United States, that United States’ regulatory requirements are critical to the future success of the Group and that the 
United States’ market has the largest commercial potential for the Group.

Remuneration Committee role and members
The responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are set out in its terms of reference which are available on the 
Group’s website and include:

 — recommending  to  the  Board  the  policy  and  framework  for  the  remuneration  of  the  Executive  Directors.  The 

remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors is a matter for the Board;

 — approval of individual remuneration packages for the Chair, the Executive Directors and the Senior Executive Team 

(including the Company Secretary);

 — approval of annual performance incentive plans and bonuses payable;

 — approval  of  Performance  Shares  Awards  for  Executive  Directors  and  the  Senior  Executive  Team  (including  the 

Company Secretary); and

 — approval of awards granted to all employees under the Group’s share plans.

The Remuneration Committee members during 2020 comprised Dr. Heather Preston (Chair, with effect from 24 June 
2020),  Stuart  Henderson  and  Dr.  Roch  Doliveux.  Dr.  Andrew  Heath  was  Chair  of  the  Remuneration  Committee  from  
1 January 2020 until 23 June 2020. Other Directors are invited to attend meetings on an agenda driven basis.

Remuneration Committee activities during 2020
During 2020 the Remuneration Committee met 12 times. The main activities and decisions were as follows:

 — Development of the new policy and engagement with shareholders in relation to its terms. 

 — 12  February  2020  –  the  Remuneration  Committee  considered  whether  or  not  bonuses  should  be  paid  to  the 
Executive Directors in respect of 2019 in light of the performance against the Group’s 2019 objectives. The outcome 
of these discussions was reported in the 2019 Annual Report.

 — 22 June 2020 – the Remuneration Committee considered the granting of options to employees under the Group’s 

Long Term Incentive Plan, Deferred Bonus Plan and Employee Share Option Scheme.

 — 13 July and 28 September 2020 – the Remuneration Committee considered the extent to which the share price 
performance conditions for the July 2017 and September 2017 grants of options had been met and whether vesting 
was appropriate by reference to the performance underpin. The outcome was that 61.6% of the options granted in 
July 2017 and 100% of the options granted in September 2017 would vest, more information is included on page 108. 

 — 7 September 2020 – the Remuneration Committee approved an invitation to all employees to participate in the 2020 

offer under the Company’s Sharesave scheme. 

 — The Remuneration Committee had oversight of the introduction of a Group-wide cash bonus scheme which will 
give employees at all levels the opportunity to share in the success of the Group by receiving a cash bonus linked to 
their grade level and their own personal performance. 

Single total figure of remuneration
(audited)

 
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The following tables show a single total figure of remuneration for 2020 for each Director and comparative figures 
for 2019.

2020
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter
Total

2019
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter
Total

Salary  
£’000
431
239
670

Salary  
£’000
410
228
638

Benefits 1  
£’000
11
11
22

Benefits 1  
£’000
11
11
22

Bonus  
£’000
457
263
720

Bonus  
£’000
359
205
564

LTIP 2  
£’000
 294
533
 827

LTIP 3  
£’000
386
–
386

Pension 4  
£’000
65
36
101

Pension 4  
£’000
54
32
86

Total  
£’000
1,258
1,082
 2,340

Total fixed 
remuneration
507
286
793

Total variable 
remuneration
 751
796
 1,547

Total  
£’000
1,220
476
1,696

Total fixed 
remuneration
475
271
746

Total variable 
remuneration
745
205
950

1   Benefits comprise medical insurance and the provision of a car allowance.
2   This comprises the Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP in 2017 which vested on 13 July 2020 (in the case of John Dawson) and on 25 September 2020 (in the case of 

Stuart Paynter). The relevant performance criteria and the performance against them are set out on page 105 to 108. The values are calculated by reference to the share price at the last 
day of the period over which the share price was averaged to determine the extent of vesting (751p in the case of John Dawson and 819p in the case of Stuart Paynter).

3   This comprises the Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP in 2016, which vested in May 2019. The relevant performance criteria and the performance against them are set 

out on page 83 of the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report. The values are calculated by reference to the share price at the last day of the period over which the share price was 
awarded to determine the extent of vesting (690p).

4   Pension contributions are made into the Group’s defined contribution scheme, or at the election of the Director, as a cash allowance in lieu of a company pension contribution –John 

Dawson and Stuart Paynter had elected to receive such a cash allowance.

The following table sets out in respect of the Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP in 2017 the amount 
of the value attributable to the share price at the grant of the awards and the amount that is attributable to the growth 
in share price to vesting. No discretion has been exercised in respect of vesting as a result of share price performance.

John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

Total value
£293,633
£533,292

Value attributable  
to share price at grant1
£193,540
£279,995

Value attributable to growth  
in share price to at vesting2
£100,093
£253,297

1   In the case of John Dawson, the price at grant is 495p. In the case of Stuart Paynter, the price at grant is 430p, with this price being used for both the element of the award granted on 

25 September 2017 and the element of the award granted on 7 August 2018 as mentioned on page 78 of the Company’s 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

2  In the case of John Dawson, the price at vest was 751p. In the case of Stuart Paynter, the price at vest was 819p.

In January 2021, the Remuneration Committee met to consider the achievement of the 2020 objectives and the annual 
bonus award for 2020. The performance of the business 2020 is set out in detail in the Strategic Report from pages 30 
to 37.

Performance against the Group objectives for 2020, on which the Executives’ bonuses are based, was as follows:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Objective
Partners / Capacity / Technology 
Advancement
To service the Group’s customers 
as agreed and reach key 
milestones for Novartis and other 
key partners. Receive appropriate 
regulatory approvals for Oxbox.

Weighting

Performance assessed

Assessment  
against objective

% of bonus awarded

10%

Partially met 
equivalent to 
target 
performance

20%

—  Regulatory approval by MHRA of vector production 
in Oxbox by first half of 2020 (5% of bonus earned 
from maximum 5%)

—  The Group also achieved the initiation of two GMP 
batches for client programmes, in addition to those 
for Novartis (5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)

—   The following objectives were not achieved:

·  The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 
delayed the Group’s initiation of the Group’s 
in-house fill and finish inspection by MHRA (0% 
earned from bonus opportunity of 5%)
·  At the request of a client, the Group did not transfer 
a process for the client into the Group’s Oxbox 
facility. This provided a vacancy in Oxbox for other 
clients. The Group utilised this vacancy to 
manufacture the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 
vaccine programme. (0% earned from bonus 
opportunity of 5%)

20%

Patent / product advancement 
and innovation
To advance two new platform 
products into the Group’s 
portfolio, alongside technical (two 
new patentable inventions) and 
process innovations (rapid process 
and improved process) to the 
platform to keep the Group ahead 
of the competition.

—  The Group successfully initiated an improved 

manufacturing process into GMP (5% of bonus 
earned from maximum 5%)

—  Two new patentable inventions for platform process 

Partially met 
equivalent to 
target 
performance 

12.5%

(5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)
—  The pipeline was also strengthened by the 

advancement of one new product, OXB—401, 
through proof of concept in a suitable disease model. 
(2.5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)
—  Management made the decision, after carefully 

considering all stakeholder groups, to re-prioritise  
the internal programme for innovation aimed at 
delivering a rapid and improved first-in-man process, 
in order to divert resources to the development of the 
Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine programme 
(0% earned from bonus opportunity of 5%)

Financial objectives
To achieve revenue and Operating 
EBITDA targets, which are driven 
by the budget, which includes new 
manufacturing deals and a product 
out-licensing deal, along with 
strengthening the balance sheet. 
Set in the regime of aggressively 
growing sales with strict control of 
costs and look to create internal 
divisions for financial reporting. 

35%

—   Internal divisions were created for financial reporting 

(5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)

—  Successfully completed a £40 million capital raise in 
June 2020 (5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)

—  Cash in-flow achieved in line with budget (5% of 

bonus earned from maximum 5%)

—  The Group was very close to achieving the revenue 
targets and exceeded the Operating EBITDA target 
set in the budget (15% of bonus earned from 
maximum 20%)

30%

Largely met –  
equivalent to 
performance 
between target 
and maximum

Business development
To continue to execute new deals, 
to out-license one product, agree 
three platform technology deals 
and to start two new feasibility 
studies.

15%

—  Three platform technology deals were signed with 
Juno Therapeutics/ Bristol Myers Squibb, Beam 
Therapeutics and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, 
respectively (5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)

—  Two new feasibility studies with Janssen 

Mainly met –  
equivalent to 
performance 
between target 
and maximum

10%

Pharmaceuticals and Legend Biotech were also 
achieved. (5% of bonus earned from maximum 5%)
—  The objective to Spin-out/out-license assets into SPV 
or other alternative structure was not achieved (0% 
earned from bonus opportunity of 5%)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Assessment  
against objective

% of bonus awarded

10%

Met in full – 
equivalent to 
maximum 
performance

Objective

Weighting

Performance assessed

Organisational development
To build a culture which provides 
competitive rewards/benefits and 
staff support systems to ensure a 
balanced productive workforce for 
the future. Focus on stakeholder 
engagement, as well as the 
implementation of ESG targets 
through the Group’s Responsible 
Business strategy. To enhance the 
Group’s organisation effectiveness 
programme, implementing a 
business change portfolio.

10%

—   The employee reward strategy was successfully 

completed and rolled out which included 
competitive grading, pay structures, and associated 
benefits. (2% of bonus awarded from maximum 2%).

—   The Group also designed and implemented  

an integrated performance, development and  
talent programme. (2% of bonus awarded from 
maximum 2%)

—   Projects to drive stakeholder engagement under 
section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 (e.g. 
employees, suppliers and broader community) were 
undertaken by the Group (2% of bonus awarded 
from maximum 2%)

—   ESG targets (as described in the ESG section of the 
Strategic Report) of reduction in waste going to 
landfill, increase in number of apprenticeships and 
establishing a sustainability forum within Oxford 
Biomedica were set and achieved (2% of bonus 
awarded from maximum 2%)

—   The Group was also able to drive the business 

change portfolio to deliver demonstrable business 
benefit from system investment such as the 
introduction of a Laboratory Information 
Management System (LIMS) and the Quality 
Management System QPulse (2% of bonus awarded 
from maximum 2%)

The Remuneration Committee noted that performance against each of the Group’s objectives had been marked with 
no  adjustment  made  to  compensate  for  the  effects  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  The  Remuneration  Committee 
recommended, and the Board approved, that an additional “vaccine adjustment” of 12.5% be awarded to acknowledge 
the success of the contract with AstraZeneca and related work which had not been envisaged when the 2020 goals 
and objectives had been set. 

In addition to these corporate objectives, the Group also sets annual ESG (formerly Responsible Business) objectives, 
which involve every part of the business. Detail of the Responsible Business objectives for 2020 is more particularly set 
out in the five pillars for ESG (formerly Responsible Business), on pages 51 to 66.

John Dawson’s bonus is entirely (100%) linked to the achievement of the corporate objectives. The bonus for Stuart 
Paynter is 80% linked to corporate objectives and 20% linked to personal objectives.

The personal element of the bonus for Stuart Paynter was assessed by reference to the achievement of clear personal 
objectives  and  targets,  which  supported  the  strategic  objectives  of  the  business.  The  objectives  and  targets  are 
considered by the Group to be commercially sensitive, as they will give our competitors insight into our strategic plans, 
and so are not disclosed in detail. However, the principal areas of the personal objectives were related to leading a 
successful fundraise, optimising the financial strategy for the Group and enhancing the internal controls within the 
financial function of the Group.

The Remuneration Committee undertook a robust assessment of the achievements of Stuart Paynter with respect to 
his personal objectives, and based on achievements against those objectives, awarded a bonus equal to 110% of salary.

Accordingly, bonuses earned by the Executive Directors in respect of 2020 were:

 — John Dawson: £457,000 (106% of salary); and

 — Stuart Paynter: £263,000 (110% of salary).

The Remuneration Committee reviewed performance against the annual bonus out-turn and concluded the overall 
bonus payments to be appropriate. The bonuses will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in deferred share awards.

The deferred share awards are not subject to further performance targets and will become exercisable in three equal 
instalments on the first three anniversary dates after the award date. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

The single total figures of remuneration for Non-Executive Directors are shown in the table below. Because the Non-
Executive Directors do not receive any remuneration other than fees, no separate totals are included in the table below.

Fees
Dr. Roch Doliveux
Dr. Andrew Heath
Stuart Henderson
Dr. Heather Preston
Dr. Sam Rasty
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo
Total

2020
£’000
119
65
67
67
7
72 1
 397

2019
£’000
–
65
65
65
–
150
345

1   Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo stepped down from the Board on 23 June 2020. In the table above his fees for 2020 are his fees to the date on which he stepped down from the Board. Payments 

to him after that date are described on page 111.

Dr. Roch Doliveux was appointed to the Board with effect from 24 June 2020. Dr. Sam Rasty was appointed to the 
Board with effect from 1 December 2020. Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo retired from the Board with effect from 23 June 2020. 

Both Robert Ghenchev and Martin Diggle elected to receive no fees for their services as Directors.

Aggregate Directors’ emoluments
Salaries
Benefits
Pension/cash alternative
LTIP
Bonuses
Non-Executive Directors fees
Total

2020
£’000
670
22
101
 827
720
 397
2,737

2019
£’000
638
22
86
386
564
345
2,041

Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP and vesting during 2020
(audited)

Performance Shares Awards were granted under the LTIP on 13 July 2017 to John Dawson and Peter Nolan (now 
retired) when the share price was 495p and to Stuart Paynter on 25 September 2017 when the share price was 430p 
(with the share price in each case stated after adjustment for the 50 to 1 share consolidation in May 2018). In the case 
of Stuart Paynter, the award includes both the element of the award granted on 25 September 2017 and the element 
of the award granted on 7 August 2018 as mentioned on page 78 of the Company’s 2018 Directors’ Remuneration 
Report. The performance conditions were as follows:

Average annual compound share price growth  
over the three-year period starting with the date of grant1
Less than 10%
10% (i.e. 33.1% over 3 years)
Between 10% and 20%
20% or more (i.e. 72.8% over 3 years)

Percentage of the options granted that will vest
0%
25%
Calculated on a straight line basis between 25% and 100%
100%

1  In the case of the element of Stuart Paynter’s award granted on 7 August 2018, the performance condition is assessed from 25 September 2017.

The Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP in 2017 vested during 2020. The share price was averaged 
across three months prior to the end of the applicable assessment period. Over the three-year performance period, the 
annual compound share price growth and vesting out-turn was as follows:

Awards granted to John Dawson and Peter Nolan 1
Award granted to Stuart Paynter

Annual compound share price 
growth over three years
44.8%
81%

Vesting out-turn
61.6%
100%

1  As previously disclosed, Peter Nolan retained the benefit of his Performance Shares Award granted in 2017.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The  awards  were  also  subject  to  a  performance  underpin,  such  that  they  would  vest  only  to  the  extent  that  the 
Remuneration Committee considers that the overall performance of the business across the period justifies it. The 
Remuneration  Committee  reviewed  performance  against  this  underpin  and  concluded  the  overall  payments  to  be 
appropriate. Clawback and malus provisions will apply to the awards.

The value of the awards vesting during 2020 are detailed below:

John Dawson
Stuart Paynter
Peter Nolan

Number of awards granted 
that vested1
39,099
65,115
16,107

Share price at the date on 
which the shares vest
751p
819p
751p

Value of awards  
on vesting2
£293,633
£533,292
£120,964

1  Number of shares post 30 May 2018 share consolidation.
2   The values are calculated by reference to the share price on the last day of the applicable averaging period (751p in the case of John Dawson’s and Peter Nolan’s awards and 819p in the 

case of Stuart Paynter’s awards).

Performance Shares Awards granted under the LTIP during 2020
(audited)

On 26 June 2020, the Executive Directors were awarded the following Performance Shares Awards under the LTIP:

John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

Basis of award 
(% of salary)
125% 
 100%

Number of shares  
under award
70,805
31,500

Face value  
of grant
£538,118
£239,400

The number of shares under award was calculated by reference to the average share price of 760p in the five business 
days ending with the date of the award.

The awards are nil cost options and are subject to a three-year vesting period. They are subject to the achievement of 
the  performance  conditions  set  out  below,  which  are  weighted  equally  between  the  share  price  measure  and  the 
revenue measure:

Compound annual growth rate  
of the company’s share price  
over the three-year period  
starting with the date of grant1
Less than 10%
10% (i.e. 33.1% over 3 years)

Percentage of the options  
subject to the share price measure 
that will vest
0%
25%
Calculated on a straight line basis 
between 25% and 100%

Compound annual growth rate  
of the company’s revenue between 
2018 and 20212
Less than 15%
15% (i.e. 52.1% over 3 years)

Percentage of the options  
subject to the revenue  
measure that will vest
0%
25%
Calculated on a straight line basis 
between 25% and 100%

Between 10% and 17.5%
17.5% or more (i.e. 62.2% over 3 years) 100%

Between 15% and 24%
24% or more (i.e. 90.7% over 3 years) 100%

1   The starting share price is 760p, being the average share price over the five business days ending with the date of grant. The end share price shall be calculated as the average of the 

closing price for the three months period prior to 26 June 2023.

2  Calculated by comparing the audited revenue figure as of 31 December 2019 of £64.1million with the audited revenue figure as of 31 December 2022.

A performance underpin also applies, such that the awards will only vest to the extent that the Remuneration Committee 
considers that the overall performance of the business across the period justifies it. 

Although  the  awards  will  vest  following  the  assessment  of  the  performance  period  (subject  to  satisfaction  of  the 
performance conditions), they cannot be exercised until the end of a further holding period of two years.

 
 
 
 
 
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Performance Shares Awards to be granted under the LTIP during 2021
Details of the Performance Shares Awards to be granted under the LTIP in 2021 are set out in the annual statement from 
the Remuneration Committee Chair.

Statement of Directors’ shareholding and share interests
(audited)

The Remuneration Committee has adopted a shareholding guideline for the Executive Directors, which specifies a 
shareholding equivalent to 200% of base salary.

The value of the shares as at 31 December 2020 has been determined based on a share price of 1,030p (being the 
prevailing closing share price on 31 December 2020). Under this criteria John Dawson meets the shareholding guideline, 
with Stuart Paynter working towards meeting this guideline.

The interests in shares of the Directors who served during the year as at 31 December 2020 were as follows:

Executive Directors
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

Non-Executive Directors
Dr. Roch Doliveux
Martin Diggle1
Dr. Andrew Heath
Stuart Henderson
Dr. Heather Preston
Robert Ghenchev2
Dr. Sam Rasty
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo3

Shares held outright
2019
2020
88,468
90,343
6,770
10,742

Vested but
unexercised options
2019
2020
394,516
476,249
–
65,115

Deferred bonus  
plan not yet  
exercisable
2019
52,002
20,723

2020
75,367
35,674

Unvested Performance 
Shares Awards subject to 
performance conditions
2019
188,765
121,120

2020
196,096
87,505

125,000
10,738,616
11,628
8,862
–
–
–
54,988

–
11,668,640
55,000
7,925
–
–
–
52,891

1  Includes the interest of Vulpes Life Science Fund, Vulpes Testudo Fund and other parties connected to Martin Diggle.
2   Robert Ghenchev was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 24 June 2019.  
Robert Ghenchev is Head of Growth Equity at Novo Holdings which has a holding of 8,253,000 shares.

3  Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo retired from the Board with effect from 23 June 2020 and his 2020 number of shares is as at that date.

Reflecting best practice, the Remuneration Committee has adopted, with effect from 1 January 2019, a post-cessation 
shareholding guideline, as set out in the policy.

During 2020 the following options have vested and lapsed:

LTIP 
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

Deferred bonus 
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

Unvested at  
1 January 2020
188,767
121,120

Vesting  
during 2020
39,009
65,115

Unvested at  
1 January 2020
52,002
20,723

Lapsed  
during 2020
24,467
–

Vesting  
during 2020
24,353
7,391

Awarded  
during 2020
70,805
31,500

Unvested at  
31 December 2020
196,096
89,620

Awarded  
during 2020
23,602
13,500

Unvested at  
31 December 2020
51,251
26,832

During 2020, John Dawson and Stuart Paynter did not exercise any options.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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In 2021, the performance criteria for the Performance Shares Awards granted in respect of 2018 will be assessed. The 
awards are subject to a share price growth target by reference to a price of 904p. The vesting conditions are as follows:

Average annual compound share price growth over 
the three-year period starting with the date of grant
Less than 10%
10% (i.e. 33.1% over 3 years)
Between 10% and 17.5%
17.5% or more (i.e. 62.2% over 3 years)

Percentage of the options granted  
that will vest
0%
25%
Calculated on a straight line basis between 25% and 100%
100%

Payment to past Directors and payments for loss of office
(audited)

Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo stepped down from the Board on 23 June 2020. His fees in 2020 to this date are included in the single 
total figure of remuneration table on page 108. Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo received a payment of £38,000 in lieu of notice. 

As previously disclosed, Peter Nolan retained the benefit of his Performance Shares Award granted in 2017, the vesting 
of which is disclosed on page 108. 

Performance graph and comparison with CEO’s remuneration
The chart below illustrates the Company’s TSR performance since January 2012 relative to the FTSE all-share index, the 
FTSE 350  Pharma  and  Biotech  index  and  the  NASDAQ  Biotech  index.  The  FTSE  all-share  index  has  been  selected 
because it represents a broad-based measure of investment return from equities. The FTSE 350 Pharma and Biotech 
index, comprising Pharma and biotech companies listed in the UK and are constituents of the FTSE 350 index, and the 
NASDAQ  Biotech  index  in  the  United  States  (NASDAQ  Biotech)  market,  provide  further  benchmarks  that  are  more 
specific comparators.

600

Key:

 Oxford Biomedica plc 
 FTSE all-share index 

 FTSE 350 Pharma and Biotech index
 NASDAQ Biotech index

500

400

300

200

100

0

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

Dec 19

Dec 20

CEO’s remuneration in last ten years

Year
CEO’s total single figure  
of remuneration 
LTIP vesting 
Annual bonus 

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

£’000
% of maximum
% of maximum

413
0%
0%

401
40%
17%

468
0%
30%

680
0%
75%

732
100%
42%

653
50%
50%

811
25%
85%

1,311
80%
92%

1,220
100%
70%

 1,258
62%
85%

 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Percentage change in remuneration of Directors and employees
The table below shows the percentage change in salary/fees, benefits and bonus between 2019 and 2020 for the 
Directors. Dr. Roch Doliveux and Dr. Sam Rasty were appointed during 2020 and, accordingly, they have been excluded 
from  the  table  below.  Neither  Martin  Diggle  nor  Robert  Ghenchev  received  any  remuneration  for  their  role,  and 
accordingly they have been excluded from the table below. The average percentage change in the same elements of 
remuneration over the same period are in respect of a comparator group of employees. The regulations require that 
the comparator group is all employees of the Company; however, as the Company (Oxford Biomedica plc) has no 
employees and for consistency with prior years the Remuneration Committee has chosen as the comparator group all 
those employees other than the Directors who were employed by Oxford Biomedica UK Ltd throughout the whole of 
both 2019 and 2020.

Year
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter
Dr. Andrew Heath
Stuart Henderson
Dr. Heather Preston
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo1
Comparator  
employee group

Salary/Fees
2019
410
228
65
65
65
150

2020
431
239
65
67
67
 72

% increase
5
5
0
3
3
N/A

2020
11
11
–
–
–
–

14,965

13,726

 9

337

Benefits

Bonus

2019
11
11
–
–
–
–

303

% increase
0
0
–
–
–
–

2020
457
263
–
–
–
–

2019
359
205
–
–
–
–

% increase
27
28
–
–
–
–

11

2,025

1,023

98

1  Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo retired from the Board on 23 June 2020.

CEO’s pay ratio
The table below sets out the CEO’s pay ratio at the 25th, median and 75th percentile employee within the organisation. 
The Group used Option A as defined in The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018, as this calculation 
methodology for the ratios was considered to be the most accurate method. The 25th, median and 75th percentile pay 
ratios were calculated using the full time equivalent remuneration for all UK employees as at the end of 2018, 2019, and 
2020 respectively. Employees’ involvement in the Group’s performance is encouraged, with all employees eligible to 
participate in the Share Option Scheme or the LTIP. From 2020 all eligible employees (previously only certain employees) 
may  participate  in  discretionary  bonus  schemes.  The  Group  aims  to  provide  a  competitive  remuneration  package 
which is appropriate to promote the long term success of the Group and to apply this policy fairly and consistently to 
attract and motivate staff. The Group considers the median pay ratio to be consistent with the Group’s wider policies 
on employee pay, reward and progression.

Financial year
2018
2019
2020

Method
Option A
Option A
Option A

25th percentile pay ratio
1:48
1:42
1:40

Median pay ratio
1:37
1:32
1:30

75th percentile pay ratio
1:27
1:24
1:23

Pay details for the individuals are set out below:

2018
Salary (£’000)
Total remuneration (£’000)

CEO
£380
£1,311

2019
Salary (£’000)
Total remuneration (£’000)

2020
Salary (£’000)
Total remuneration (£’000)

CEO
£410
£1,220

CEO
£431
£1,258

25th percentile
£25
£27

25th percentile
£26
£29

25th percentile
£28
£31

Median
£32
£35

Median
£35
£38

Median
£37
£42

75th percentile
£44
£48

75th percentile
£45
£50

75th percentile
£47
£55

 
 
Relative importance of spend on pay
The chart below illustrates the spend on employee remuneration compared with the Group’s key cash measures.

Since the Group does not make dividend or other distributions, these have not been included in the table.

The Group’s key cash measures were chosen by the Directors because they illustrate very clearly the importance of 
employee remuneration as a fundamental element of operational spend and our activities, as well as the continued 
investment of the business in its people. The key cash measure amounts were identified as being:

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90

80

70

60

50

m
£

40

30

20

10

0

-10

  2018
  2019 
  2020

Staff pay

Non-payroll costs

Cash generated from / (used in) 
operations

Net cash burn

Cash revenues

Statement of voting at AGM
At the 2020 AGM, the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report was approved by shareholders as follows:

Resolution
Approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

Votes for (including 
discretionary)

% for

Votes against

% against

Total votes cast (excluding 
votes withheld)

Votes withheld 
(abstentions)

48,971,273*

98.2%

909,694*

1.8%

49,880,967*

74,856*

* The number of votes reflects that the vote took place after the 50 to 1 share consolidation in May 2018.

At the 2018 AGM, the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders as follows:

Resolution
Approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

Votes for (including 
discretionary)

% for

Votes against

% against

Total votes cast (excluding 
votes withheld)

Votes withheld 
(abstentions)

1,930,039,150

97.2%

56,288,698

2.8%

1,986,327,848

8,903,541

Advisers to the Remuneration Committee
Deloitte  LLP  acted  as  adviser  to  the  Remuneration  Committee  during  2020.  Deloitte  is  a  founding  member  of  the 
Remuneration Consultants Group and adheres to its Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting 
in the UK. Deloitte’s fees for advice to the Remuneration Committee during 2020 were £32,400 plus VAT. The advice 
received  from  Deloitte  LLP  was  both  objective  and  independent.  Deloitte  also  advised  the  Group  on  below  Board 
remuneration and in relation to the operation of its share plans during 2020.

The  Remuneration  Committee  reviewed  the  potential  conflicts  of  interest  and  the  safeguards  against  them  and  is 
satisfied that Deloitte does not have any such interests or connections with the Group that may impair independence.

Dr. Heather Preston
Chair, Remuneration Committee

15 April 2021

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Policy
(not subject to audit)

The Company’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy set out in the 2017 Annual Report was approved by shareholders at the 
2018 AGM and took effect from the close of that meeting. In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Company 
is required to seek approval for a new Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 2021 AGM. The approach taken by the 
Remuneration Committee to the determination of the new policy and the differences between the new policy and the 
policy approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM are described in the statement from the Remuneration Committee 
Chair on pages 96 to 123. 

The following section of this Directors’ Remuneration Report sets out the policy for which shareholder approval will be 
sought at the 2021 AGM. Subject to shareholder approval, the policy will apply with effect from the close of that meeting.

In this policy:

 — nil or nominal cost shares awards under the Company’s LTIP are referred to as “Performance Shares Awards”; and

 — an “Overseas Executive Director” means any Executive Director appointed after 1 January 2021 in respect of which 
appointment,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Remuneration  Committee,  the  Company  is  competing  for  talent  with  US 
competitors (including NASDAQ listed US biotechnology businesses) including but not limited to Executive Directors 
recruited from or based in the US and having regard to the fact that over 80% of cell and gene therapy is based in the 
United States, that United States’ regulatory requirements are critical to the future success of the Group and that the 
United States’ market has the largest commercial potential for the Group.

 
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Policy table

Component and purpose

Operation

Maximum potential

Performance targets and metrics

Executive Directors
Base salary
To provide a base salary which 
is sufficient to attract and 
retain Executive Directors of a 
suitable calibre.

Base salaries are initially set by reference to 
market information at the time of appointment 
and taking into account the experience and 
previous package of the new Executive Director.

Base salaries are normally reviewed annually 
taking into account a number of factors which 
may include (but are not limited to):
− underlying Group performance;
−  role, experience and individual performance;
−  competitive salary levels and market forces; and
−  pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group.
Any changes are normally effective from 1 January.

Benefits
To provide benefits on a 
market competitive basis.

Retirement benefits 
To provide funding  
for retirement.

Sharesave scheme
To create alignment with the 
Group and promote a sense of 
ownership.

Benefits are provided in line with market practice 
and may include medical insurance (including for 
the Executive Director’s spouse or partner and 
dependants), life assurance, permanent health 
insurance, provision of a company car or a car 
allowance, assistance with the preparation of tax 
returns, tax equalisation arrangements, other 
benefits consistent with those typically offered in 
their country of residence and other appropriate 
benefits determined by the Remuneration 
Committee. Additional benefits may be provided 
based on individual circumstances, including the 
location of the Executive Director. These may 
include, for example, travel expenses. 

The Group operates a defined contribution 
scheme for all employees, including Executive 
Directors.

In appropriate circumstances, such as where 
contributions exceed the annual or lifetime 
allowance, Executive Directors may be permitted 
to take a cash supplement instead of some or all 
of the contributions to a pension plan.
Non-UK national Executive Directors may be 
permitted to participate in home country pension 
arrangements where appropriate.

Executive Directors are entitled to participate in a 
tax qualifying all employee Sharesave scheme 
under which they may make monthly savings 
contributions over a period of three or five years 
linked to the grant of an option over the 
Company’s shares with an option price which 
can be at a discount of up to 20% to the market 
value of shares at grant (or such other discount 
as may be permitted by the applicable legislation 
from time to time).

Executive Directors will be able to participate on 
the same basis as other qualifying employees in 
any other all-employee share scheme adopted 
by the Group. 

While no formal performance conditions apply,  
an individual’s performance in role is taken into 
account in determining any salary increase.

While there is no maximum salary, increases will 
normally be in line with the level of salary 
increase awarded (in percentage of salary terms) 
to other employees in the Group.
Salary increases above this level may be awarded 
in appropriate circumstances, such as, but not 
limited to:
−  where an Executive Director has been 

promoted or has had a change in scope or 
responsibility;

−  to reflect an individual’s development or 
performance in role (e.g. to align a newly 
appointed Executive Director’s salary with the 
market over time);

−  where there has been a change in market 

practice; or

−  where there has been a change in size and/or 

complexity of the business.

Such increases may be implemented over such 
time period as the Remuneration Committee 
deems appropriate 

There is no predetermined maximum but the 
totals are reviewed annually by the Remuneration 
Committee.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not subject to performance measures in line with 
usual practice.

Any Executive Director appointed  
before 1 January 2021
A maximum employer contribution or cash 
supplement (or combination thereof):
−  of 15% of base salary up to 31 December 2022; 

and

−  with effect from 1 January 2023, not exceeding 

the contribution available to the wider 
workforce (currently 7.5%).

Any Executive Director appointed  
after 1 January 2021
A maximum employer contribution or cash 
supplement (or combination thereof) not 
exceeding the contribution available to the wider 
workforce (currently 7.5%). 

For the Sharesave scheme, participation limits 
and the level of discount permitted in setting the 
exercise price are those set by the UK tax 
authorities from time to time.

For any other all-employee share plan, the 
maximum will be determined in accordance with 
the plan rules and will be the same as for other 
qualifying employees. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Component and purpose

Operation

Maximum potential

Performance targets and metrics

Bonus targets and measures are typically reviewed 
annually and any pay-out is determined by the 
Remuneration Committee after the year end.

Any Overseas Executive Director  
The maximum bonus opportunity is 200%  
of base salary. 

Any Executive Director appointed before  
1 January 2021 and any Executive Director 
appointed after that date who is not an 
Overseas Executive Director 
The maximum bonus opportunity is 150%  
of base salary.

The performance metrics may be based on 
financial or strategic objectives (which may 
include ESG metrics and individual objectives). 
Metrics and targets are set by the Remuneration 
Committee taking into account the strategic 
needs of the business. Financial objectives are 
typically assessed over a financial year, but may be 
assessed over part of the year.

Given the nature of the business, these objectives 
and metrics may change significantly each year.

There is no minimum bonus earned if threshold 
performance is not met. For financial metrics,  
up to 50% of the maximum which may be earned 
for a metric is earned for on-target performance, 
rising to 100% for meeting or exceeding the 
maximum level of performance. For strategic 
objectives, the bonus will be earned between 0% 
and 100% based on the Remuneration Committee’s 
assessment of the extent to which the objective 
has been achieved. 

Annual bonus
To incentivise and reward 
delivery of the Group’s 
objectives.

Delivery of part of the bonus in 
deferred shares aligns the 
incentive package with 
shareholders’ interests.

Long Term Incentives
To augment shareholder 
alignment by providing 
Executive Directors with 
longer term interests in shares 
whilst requiring challenging 
performance before the 
awards vest.

The Remuneration Committee has discretion  
to amend the pay-out should: (1) any potential 
pay-out not reflect the Remuneration Committee’s 
assessment of overall performance; (2) any 
potential pay-out be inappropriate in the context 
of circumstances that were unexpected or 
unforeseen at the start of the performance 
period; or (3) there be any other reason why an 
amendment is appropriate.

Ordinarily, 50% of the bonus is delivered as  
cash and 50% is delivered in deferred shares.  
The Remuneration Committee may permit  
or require the deferral of a greater proportion  
of any bonus earned.

Deferred shares ordinarily become exercisable in 
three equal instalments on the first, second and 
third anniversaries of the award. The deferred 
shares are not subject to further performance 
targets. 

Additional shares may be awarded in respect of 
deferred shares to reflect the value of dividends 
over the deferral period. These dividend 
equivalents may assume the reinvestment of 
dividends into shares on a cumulative basis.

Recovery provisions apply as summarised below. 

At the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, 
annual grants of nil or nominal cost shares 
awards (“Performance Shares Awards”) which 
vest subject to the achievement of performance 
targets, typically assessed over a three-year 
performance period.

Holding period
Vested shares will be subject to a holding period 
of two years after vesting before they are 
“released”. The holding period will be structured 
either on the basis that: (1) the Executive Director 
is not entitled to acquire shares until the end of it; 
or (2) the Executive Director is entitled to acquire 
shares following vesting but that (other than as 
regards sales to cover tax liabilities and any 
exercise price) the Executive Director is not able 
to dispose of those shares until the end of it.

Dividend equivalents
Additional shares may be awarded in respect of 
any Performance Shares Award to reflect the 
value of dividends over the period between the 
grant and the date on which the Executive 
Director is first able to acquire the vested shares. 
These dividend equivalents may assume the 
reinvestment of dividends into shares on a 
cumulative basis.

Recovery provisions apply as summarised below. 

Any Overseas Executive Director  
The maximum Performance Shares Award in 
respect of a financial year is 500% of base salary. 

Any Executive Director appointed  
before 1 January 2021 and any  
Executive Director appointed after  
that date who is not an Overseas Executive 
Director
The maximum Performance Shares Award is:
−  175% of base salary in respect of a financial 

year for an Executive Director other than the 
CEO; and

−  200% of base salary in respect of a financial 

year for the CEO.

Performance conditions will be based on financial 
measures or the achievement of strategic 
objectives (which may include ESG metrics). 
Financial measures may include (but are not 
limited to) share price and revenue measures. 

The Remuneration Committee has discretion to 
amend the formulaic vesting out-turn should: (1) 
any formulaic output not reflect the Remuneration 
Committee’s assessment of overall performance; 
(2) any formulaic output be inappropriate in the 
context of circumstances that were unexpected or 
unforeseen at the date of grant; or (3) there be any 
other reason why an amendment is appropriate.

For the achievement of threshold performance in 
respect of a financial measure, up to 25% of the 
award will vest rising to 100% of the award vesting 
for achieving or exceeding maximum 
performance; for below threshold performance, 
none of the award will vest.

For strategic measures, vesting will be determined 
between 0% and 100% depending upon the 
Remuneration Committee’s assessment of the 
extent to which the measure has been achieved.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the policy table

Recovery provisions
The annual bonus and long term incentive awards are subject to malus and clawback provisions as follows:

Annual bonus:
For up to two years following the payment of an annual bonus award the Remuneration Committee may require the 
repayment of some or all of the cash award in the relevant circumstances (clawback). Deferred bonus awards which 
have not yet become exercisable may be cancelled or reduced in the relevant circumstances (malus). For up to one 
year following the first instalment of deferred shares becoming exercisable, the Remuneration Committee may require 
the repayment of some or all of the deferred shares in the relevant circumstances (clawback).

Long term incentive awards:
The Remuneration Committee has the right to reduce, cancel or impose further conditions on unvested awards in the 
relevant circumstances (malus). For up to two years following the vesting of a long term incentive award the Remuneration 
Committee may require the repayment of some or all of the award in the relevant circumstances (clawback).

Circumstances in which malus and/or clawback may be applied
Malus or clawback may be applied in the event of:

 — A material misstatement of the Group’s financial results;

 — An error in the information or assumptions on which the award was granted or vests including an error in assessing 

any applicable performance conditions;

 — A material failure of risk management by the Group;

 — Serious reputational damage to the Group;

 — Material misconduct on the part of the participant; or

 — Material corporate failure.

Share ownership guidelines
To align Executives with shareholders and provide an ongoing incentive for continued performance, the Remuneration 
Committee has adopted formal share ownership guidelines, which apply both during and after employment. 

Shareholding guidelines during employment
Executive Directors are required to build and maintain a minimum level of shareholding equal to their normal annual 
LTIP opportunity. Executive Directors will be required to retain half of any post-tax (and if relevant, post exercise price) 
awards which vest under the long term incentive plans, and half of any post-tax deferred shares becoming exercisable 
under the annual bonus, until the share ownership guideline has been satisfied. Shares which are fully owned with no 
outstanding vesting criteria count towards the shareholding guideline together with deferred annual bonus shares and 
shares subject to Performance Shares Awards which have vested but which are in a holding period (in each case, on a 
net of tax basis).

Shareholding requirement after employment
Shares are subject to this requirement only if they are acquired from long term incentive or deferred bonus awards 
granted after 1 January 2019. Following employment, an Executive Director must retain such of the relevant shares as 
have a value at cessation equal to their in-service shareholding requirement, with the required holding tapering to zero 
over a two year period. If the Executive Director holds less than the required number of relevant shares at any time, they 
will be required to retain all of those shares. 

 
 
 
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Performance targets and metrics
Performance targets for the annual bonus are set by the Remuneration Committee after taking into account the strategic 
needs of the business. A key component of the Group’s strategy is to develop cell and gene therapy products from pre-
clinical proof of concept through to the end of Phase I or Phase II clinical studies before partnering or out-licencing. 
Annual bonus targets for a particular year are therefore likely to include specific product development targets depending 
on the stage of development of each opportunity. The annual bonus objectives are also likely to include targets related 
to generating recurring revenues such as from manufacturing or development services to third parties.

The performance metrics for long term incentives are determined to ensure that the most appropriate targets are set 
for the Group’s situation at the time. The approach to performance measures for the awards to be granted in 2021 is 
set out on page 100. It is the Group’s current intention that up to 30% of the overall long term incentive opportunity 
may be based on the delivery of specific strategic milestones in the future. It is intended that there will continue to be 
a performance underpin, such that the awards will only vest to the extent that the Remuneration Committee considers 
that the overall performance of the business across the period justifies it. 

The Remuneration Committee retains the ability to adjust or set different performance measures if events occur (such 
as a change in strategy, a material acquisition and/or a divestment of a Group business, or a change in prevailing market 
conditions) which cause the Remuneration Committee to determine that the measures are no longer appropriate and 
that amendment is required so that they achieve their original purpose.

Operation of share plans
Awards and options may be adjusted in the event of a variation of share capital or other relevant event in accordance 
with the rules of the applicable share plan. The Group’s share plans may be operated in accordance with their terms, 
including that awards may be granted as cash based awards over a notional number of shares, and that share awards 
may be settled in whole or in part in cash at the election of the Remuneration Committee; the Remuneration Committee 
would only use these cash provisions for operational flexibility, for example if a regulatory restriction in any territory 
prevented the Company from offering shares to an Executive Director. Where a long term incentive award is granted 
as a “Market Value Option” as referred to in the “Approach to recruitment remuneration” section below, it may be settled 
on the basis that the participant receives for nil-cost a number of shares with a market value equal to the “gain” at 
exercise in the vested shares. 

Differences in remuneration policy for all employees
The structure of the reward package for the wider employee population is based on the principle that it should be 
sufficient to attract and retain the best talent and be competitive within the biotech sector, remunerating employees for 
their contribution linked to the Group’s holistic performance. 

All employees receive a base salary and are entitled to participate in benefits, including the Group’s defined contribution 
pension scheme to which the Group contributes.

In 2020, the Group introduced a Group-wide cash bonus scheme which will give employees at all levels the opportunity 
to share in the success of the Group by receiving a cash bonus linked to their grade level and their own personal 
performance. The maximum bonus receivable varies between the participating employees. 50% of the bonuses of the 
Executive Directors’ and Senior Executive Team are delivered in deferred shares, whereas all other staff receive 100% of 
their bonuses in cash.

Where possible, the Group also encourages employee share ownership through a number of share plans that allow 
employees to benefit from the Group’s success. Generally speaking, a much higher proportion of total remuneration 
for the Executive Directors is linked to business performance, compared to the rest of the employee population, so that 
remuneration will increase or decrease in line with business performance and to align the interests of Executive Directors 
and shareholders.

 
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Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
Each year the Remuneration Committee is briefed on the structure and quantum of the all-employee remuneration 
framework as well as throughout the year being informed about the context, challenges and opportunities relating to 
the remuneration of the wider workforce to enable the Remuneration Committee to consider the broader employee 
context when making Executive remuneration decisions. 

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  determines  the  overall  salary  increases  and  bonuses  for  all  employees,  other  than  the 
Executive  Directors,  the  Senior  Executive  Team  and  Company  Secretary  which  are  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
Remuneration Committee. The Group is committed to offering highly competitive reward packages for all employees. 
Every year, the Group benchmarks salaries and benefits against the local biotech and pharmaceutical market which 
informs the decision making process. The Chief Executive Officer discusses the overall increase in payroll cost and the 
total amount to be paid in bonuses with the Chair of the Remuneration Committee before implementing the salary 
increases and bonuses.

The  Remuneration  Committee  spent  considerable  time  in  the  second  half  of  2020  formulating  this  Remuneration 
Policy (set out on pages 114 to 123) which included canvassing the views of shareholders. While the Remuneration 
Committee has not consulted with employees when preparing this policy, the Remuneration Committee considers the 
pay and employment conditions of all other employees when setting and implementing the policy, and as noted above, 
the level of salary increase for the wider workforce is taken into account when determining any salary increase for 
Executive Directors. The Remuneration Committee acknowledges that by deciding not to share the policy, detailing 
Executive pay with the workforce until it had completed the consultation process with shareholders, it has not been in 
compliance with Provision 41 of the Corporate Governance Code. The Remuneration Committee intends to engage 
with the workforce on this once the new Remuneration Policy has been finalised.

Component and purpose

Operation

Maximum potential

Non-Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors’ fees 
and benefits
To compensate Non-Executive 
Directors for their services to the 
Group

The Chair’s fees are set by the Remuneration 
Committee.

The fees of other Non-Executive Directors are 
determined by the Board.

The Chair and Non-Executive Directors may be 
eligible to receive benefits such as the use of 
secretarial support, assistance with the preparation of 
tax returns, or other benefits that may be appropriate.

Travel and accommodation expenses in connection 
with attendance by the Chair and Non-Executive 
Directors at Board meetings (and any tax thereon) are 
paid by the Company.

The Chair and Non-Executive Directors do not 
participate in any of the Group’s incentive plans and 
do not receive pension contributions.

There is no overall maximum, but fees are set taking 
into account the responsibilities of the role and 
expected time commitment. 

Base fee and additional fees
Non-Executive Directors receive a base fee, with 
additional fees for chairing Board Committees and 
holding the office of Senior Independent Director. 
Supplementary fees may be paid for other 
responsibilities or time commitments.

Additional fees for Non-Executive Directors  
based outside the UK
An additional fee may be paid to any Non-Executive 
Director outside the UK to recognise the additional 
time commitment associated with their role. 

An additional fee of up to £50,000 per annum may be 
paid to any Non-Executive Director recruited from or 
based in the United States to reflect market levels of 
remuneration in the United States for Non-Executive 
Directors, subject to their agreement that the after tax 
amount of this additional fee will be applied in the 
acquisition of shares at market value which must be 
retained for at least 12 months from acquisition. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Total remuneration opportunity

The total remuneration for John Dawson and Stuart Paynter that could result from the proposed remuneration policy 
in 2021 under four different performance levels is shown below. 

Annual Bonus (including any amount 
deferred under the DBP)

LTIP

No bonus.

No award vesting.

Performance level
Minimum performance

Fixed pay

Fixed elements of remuneration 
only:
−  base salary – being the proposed 

salary for 2021

−  pension contribution or salary 
supplement – assuming a 
contribution/supplement rate of 
15%; and

−  benefits – benefits for 2020 as 
stated in the single figure table 
on page 111.

On-target performance

As above.

75% of salary (50% of maximum) 
awarded for achieving target 
performance.

Maximum performance

As above.

150% of salary awarded for 
achieving maximum performance.

Maximum performance plus an 
assumed 50% increase in the 
share price for the purposes of 
the LTIP

As above.

As above.

25% of maximum vesting for 
achieving target performance, 
being:
−  for John Dawson, equivalent to 

50% of salary; and

−  for Stuart Paynter equivalent to 

43.75% of salary.

100% vesting for achieving 
maximum performance, being:
−  for John Dawson equivalent to 

200% of salary; and

−  for Stuart Paynter equivalent to 

175% of salary.

100% vesting for achieving 
maximum performance plus an 
assumed 50% increase in the share 
price, being:
−  for John Dawson equivalent to 

300% of salary; and

−  for Stuart Paynter equivalent to 

262.5% of salary.

Approach to recruitment remuneration
The Remuneration Committee’s overarching principle for recruitment remuneration is to pay no more than is necessary 
to attract an Executive Director of the calibre required to shape and deliver the Group’s business strategy, recognising 
that the Group competes for talent with NASDAQ listed US biotechnology businesses. In determining each element of 
pay and the package as a whole upon recruitment, the Remuneration Committee will take into account all relevant 
factors including, but not limited to, the skills and experience of the individual, the market rate for an individual of that 
experience, as well as the importance of securing the best person for the role. As detailed in the policy table in order to 
take account of differences in competitive market practice between the UK and the United States (in particular, NASDAQ 
listed biotechnology businesses in the United States) the maximum annual bonus and the maximum long term incentive 
plan opportunity will depend on whether a new Executive Director is an Overseas Executive Director. The use of these 
maximum incentive opportunities for an incoming Overseas Executive Director will not be automatic. However, the 
Company strongly believes that having the ability to offer incentive opportunities up to these levels to an incoming 
Overseas Executive Director recruited from or based in the United States is critical to the business and is in the best 
interests of all shareholders.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The remuneration package of the new Executive Director will be subject to the principles and limits referred to below:

 — Base salary will be set at a level appropriate to the role and the experience of the Executive Director being appointed. 
This  may  include  agreement  on  future  increases  up  to  a  market  rate,  in  line  with  increased  experience  and/or 
responsibilities, subject to good performance, where it is considered appropriate.

 — Retirement and other benefits will be provided in line with the policy.

 —  The intention would be to offer Performance Shares Awards to an incoming Overseas Executive Director. However, 
because granting share options with a per share exercise price equal to the market value of a share at grant (“Market Value 
Options”) (typically without any performance conditions) is standard market practice in NASDAQ listed biotechnology 
businesses  the  recruitment  policy  includes  the  flexibility  to  grant  Performance  Shares  Awards  and/or  Market  Value 
Options albeit with any Market Value Option subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions typically assessed over 
a three-year performance period, as with Performance Shares Awards. In line with best practice in the UK for Executive 
Directors a two year holding period will also apply in line with the policy table. This flexibility in the recruitment policy 
would only be used if the Remuneration Committee considered this to be an absolute necessity for the recruitment of 
an Overseas Executive Director in the future. The overall maximum long term incentive opportunity would continue to 
be capped at up to 500% of base salary in Performance Shares Award equivalents, where a Market Value Option is valued 
at one-third of a Performance Shares Award. Included within that maximum, no more than 375% of base salary will be 
awarded in face-value terms in Market Value Options to any Executive Director in respect of a financial year.

 For the avoidance of doubt, these arrangements would be available for the ongoing remuneration package for an 
Overseas Executive Director and not just their initial awards. 

 — The Remuneration Committee will not offer non-performance related incentive payments (for example a “guaranteed 

sign-on bonus”).

 — Other elements may be included in the following circumstances:

· an interim appointment being made to fill an Executive Director role on a short term basis
·  if exceptional circumstances require that the Chair or a Non-Executive Director takes on an executive function on 
a short term basis
·  if an Executive Director is recruited at a time in the year when it would be inappropriate to provide a bonus or long 
term incentive award for that year as there would not be sufficient time to assess performance. Subject to the limit 
on variable remuneration set out below, the quantum in respect of the months employed during the year may be 
transferred to the subsequent year so that reward is provided on a fair and appropriate basis

·  if the Executive Director will be required to relocate in order to take up the position, it is the Group’s policy to allow reasonable 
relocation, travel and subsistence payments. Any such payments will be at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee

 — The  Remuneration  Committee  may  also  alter  the  performance  measures,  performance  period,  vesting  period, 
deferral  period  and  holding  period  of  the  annual  bonus,  deferred  bonus  awards  or  long  term  incentives  if  the 
Remuneration Committee determines that the circumstances of the recruitment merit such alteration. The rationale 
will be clearly explained in the following Directors’ Remuneration Report

 — The maximum level of short and long term incentive opportunity which may be granted (excluding “buyout” awards 
as referred to below) will follow the limits in the “policy table” on pages 115 to 116, as amended in the case of any 
Overseas Executive Director on the basis described above. 

Any share awards referred to in this section will be granted as far as possible under the Group’s existing share plans. If necessary, 
and subject to the limits referred to above, recruitment awards may be granted outside of these plans as permitted under the 
Listing Rules which allow for the grant of awards to facilitate, in unusual circumstances, the recruitment of an Executive Director.

Compensation for the forfeiture of any remuneration arrangements with a previous employer would be considered on 
a case-by-case basis. The Remuneration Committee will generally seek to structure such “buyout” awards or payments 
on a like for like basis to the remuneration arrangements forfeited. Any such payments or awards are limited to the 
expected value of the forfeited awards. Where considered appropriate, such special recruitment awards will be liable to 
forfeiture or “malus” and/or “clawback” on early departure.

Where a position is filled internally, any ongoing remuneration obligations or outstanding variable pay elements shall be 
allowed to continue according to the original terms.

Fees for new Non-Executive Directors will be in line with the policy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Service contracts and policy on payment for loss of office
Executive Directors’ service contracts are subject to 12 months’ notice from both the Group and from the Director. 
Executive Directors may be required to work during the notice period or be paid in lieu of notice if not required to work 
for the full notice period.

The details of service contracts and letters of appointment of those who served as Directors during the year are:

Service contracts
John Dawson
Stuart Paynter

Letters of appointment
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo
Dr. Roch Doliveux
Martin Diggle
Dr. Andrew Heath
Stuart Henderson
Dr. Heather Preston
Robert Ghenchev
Dr. Sam Rasty

10 October 2008
29 August 2017

Contract date
N/A
N/A

Date of appointment
1 February 2016
24 June 2020
4 October 2015
1 January 2016
1 June 2016
15 March 2018
24 June 2019
1 December 2020

Unexpired term at  
31 December 2020
12 months
12 months

Unexpired term at  
31 December 2020
N/A1
29 months
10 months
6 months
5 months
2 months
17 months
35 months

Notice period
12 months
12 months

Notice period
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months

1  Lorenzo Tallarigo retired from the Board on 23 June 2020.

All Directors are subject to re-election by shareholders on an annual basis.

The principles on which the determination of payments for loss of office will be approached are set out below:

Payment in 
lieu of notice

Policy
Contractual termination payments may not exceed the Director’s current salary and benefits (including pension contributions and any 
applicable salary supplement) for the notice period. Alternatively, the Company may continue to provide the relevant benefits. 

Annual 
Bonus

Deferred 
Bonus 
Awards

Long Term 
Incentives

This will be at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee on an individual basis and the decision as to whether or not to award a 
bonus in full or in part will be dependent on a number of factors, including the circumstances of the individual’s departure and their 
contribution to the business during the bonus period in question. Any bonus amounts paid will typically be pro-rated for time in service 
during the bonus period and will, subject to performance, be paid at the usual time (although the Remuneration Committee retains 
discretion to pay the bonus earlier in appropriate circumstances). The Remuneration Committee has discretion to pay the whole of any 
bonus earned for the year of departure and preceding year in cash. 

The extent to which any unvested award will vest will be determined in accordance with the applicable share plan rules.

Unvested awards will normally lapse on cessation of employment. However, if a participant leaves due to death, ill-health, injury, disability, 
the sale of his employer or any other reason at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, the Remuneration Committee shall 
determine whether the award will vest at cessation or at the normal date. In either case, this will be determined by the Remuneration 
Committee, taking into account, unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, the period of time elapsed from the date of 
grant to the date of cessation relative to the deferral period. Awards may then be exercised during such period as the Remuneration 
Committee determines. Awards which have already become exercisable at the date of cessation may be exercised for such period as the 
Remuneration Committee determines.

The treatment of long term incentive awards will be determined in accordance with the applicable share plan rules.

Unvested awards
Unvested long term incentive awards will normally lapse on cessation of employment. 
However, if a participant leaves due to death, ill-health, injury, disability, the sale of his employer or any other reason at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee, the Remuneration Committee shall determine whether the award will vest at cessation or continue until the end of 
the performance period. In either case, the extent of vesting will be determined by the Remuneration Committee taking into account the extent 
to which the performance condition is satisfied and, unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, the period of time elapsed 
from the date of grant to the date of cessation relative to the performance period. If the award continues, the holding period will ordinarily apply 
until its originally anticipated end date, although the Remuneration Committee has discretion to release the award at an earlier date.

Vested awards in a holding period
If an Executive Director ceases employment with the Group after an award has vested but before the end of its holding period, the 
award will continue to the end of the holding period (unless the cessation is for summary dismissal, in which case it will lapse). The 
award will be released to the extent it has vested by reference to the performance conditions. The Remuneration Committee retains 
discretion to release the award at cessation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Change  
of control

Policy

Unvested awards

The extent to which unvested deferred bonus awards and long term incentive awards will vest will be determined in accordance with 
the rules of the relevant plan.
− Deferred bonus awards will vest in full in the event of a takeover, merger or other relevant corporate event.
−  Long term incentive awards will vest early on a takeover, merger or other relevant corporate event. The Remuneration Committee will 

determine the level of vesting taking into account the extent to which the performance condition is satisfied and, unless the 
Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, the period of time elapsed from the date of grant to the date of the relevant event 
relative to the performance period.

Vested awards in a holding period
Vested long term incentive awards will be released on a takeover, merger or other relevant corporate event to the extent they have 
vested by reference to the performance conditions. 

Other 
payments

Payments may be made either in the event of a loss of office or a change of control under the Sharesave scheme, which is governed by 
its rules and the legislation relating to such tax qualifying plans. There is no discretionary treatment for leavers or on a change of control 
under this scheme.

In appropriate circumstances, payments may also be made in respect of accrued holiday, outplacement and legal fees and any other 
all-employee share plan.

In cases where an Executive Director was recruited from outside the UK and has been relocated to the UK as part of their appointment, 
the Company will pay reasonable repatriation costs for leavers at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion. The Remuneration 
Committee retains discretion to make additional exit payments where such payments are made in good faith in discharge of an existing 
legal obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation) or by way of settlement or compromise of any claim arising in 
connection with the termination of a Director’s office or employment.

Where a ‘buyout’ or other award is made in connection with recruitment, the leaver provisions would be determined no later than the 
time of the award. 

Existing contractual arrangements
The Remuneration Committee retains discretion to make any remuneration payment or payment for loss of office 
outside the policy in this report (including exercising any discretions available to it in connection with any such payment):

 — where the terms of the payment were agreed before the policy came into effect (provided that, in the case of any 
payment agreed after the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting, they are in line with the policy in place at the 
time the terms were agreed or were otherwise approved by shareholders); or

 — where  the  terms  of  the  payment  were  agreed  at  a  time  when  the  relevant  individual  was  not  a  Director  of  the 
Company and, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the payment was not in consideration of the individual 
becoming a Director of the Company; and

 — to satisfy contractual commitments under legacy remuneration arrangements.

For these purposes, “payments” includes the satisfaction of awards of variable remuneration and, in relation to an award 
over shares, the terms of the payment are agreed at the time the award is granted.

Statement of consideration of shareholder views
The Remuneration Committee greatly values the continued dialogue with shareholders and regularly engages with 
shareholders and representative bodies to take their views into account when setting and implementing the Company’s 
remuneration  policies.  The  Company  engaged  extensively  with  shareholders  and  their  proxy  advisors  on  the  2021 
Remuneration Policy review. More detail on the engagement with shareholders in 2021 can be found in the Remuneration 
Committee Chair’s letter on pages 96 to 103.

 
 
 
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4 Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 December 2020

The Directors present their Annual Report and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 
2020 as set out on pages 144 to 147. This report should be read in conjunction with the Corporate Governance Report 
on pages 80 to 85. Discussions regarding financial information contained in this Annual Report may contain forward-
looking statements with respect to certain of the plans, current goals and expectations relating to the future financial 
condition, business performance and results of the Group and Company. By their nature, all forward looking statements 
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the 
Group and Company. Readers are cautioned that, as a result, the actual future financial condition, business performance 
and  results  of  the  Group  may  differ  materially  from  the  plans,  goals  and  expectations  expressed  or  implied  in  such 
forward looking statements.

Strategic Report
The Strategic Report including the outlook for 2021 on page 37, is on pages 15 to 67. The Directors consider that the 
Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable. In reaching this conclusion,  
the Audit Committee initially discussed the requirements with the Group’s auditors when discussing the strategy for  
the 2020 audit, and the full Board have had an opportunity to review and comment on the contents of the report. Since 
the Board met seven times for routine meetings in 2020 the Directors consider that they are sufficiently well informed 
to be able to make this judgement.

Key financial performance indicators (KPIs)
Key financial performance indicators are outlined in the Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 42 to 50.

Corporate Governance
The Group’s statement on corporate governance is included in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 80 to 95.

Risk management
The Group’s exposure to risks is set out on pages 70 to 77 (Principal risks, uncertainties and risk management) and on 
page 159 (note 3: financial risk management).

Dividends
The Directors do not recommend payment of a dividend (2019: £nil).

Directors
Details of the Directors of the Company who were in office during the year and up to the date of signing the financial 
statements are detailed on pages 78 to 79 and page 82. The contracts of employment of the Executive Directors are 
subject to a twelve months’ notice period. The Directors’ remuneration and their interests in the share capital of the 
Company at 31 December 2020 are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 113.

Appointment and replacement of Directors
Directors may be appointed by an ordinary resolution at any general meeting of shareholders, or may be appointed by 
the existing Directors, provided that any Director so appointed shall retire at the next AGM and may offer themselves 
for re-election. In order to ensure that the Company complies with the Corporate Governance Code all Directors will 
retire at each AGM and may offer themselves for re-election. A Director may be removed in the following ways: by an 
ordinary  resolution  at  a  general  meeting;  if  he  or  she  is  prohibited  by  law  from  being  a  Director;  in  the  event  of 
bankruptcy; if he or she is suffering from specified mental disorders; if he or she is absent without consent for more 
than  six  months;  or  by  request  in  writing  by  all  the  other  Directors.  Any  Director  may  appoint  another  Director  or 
another person approved by the other Directors as an alternate Director.

 
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Directors’ third party indemnity provision
The Group maintains a qualifying third party indemnity insurance policy to provide cover for legal action against its 
Directors. This was in force throughout 2020 and up to the date of approval of the financial statements.

Share capital

Structure of the Company’s capital
At 31 December 2020, the Company had 83,320,585 ordinary shares in issue, all allotted and fully paid. There are no 
restrictions on the transfer of shares in the Company or on voting rights. All shares are admitted to trading on the 
premium segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Rights to issue and buy back shares
Each year at the AGM the Directors seek rights to allot shares. The authority, when granted, lasts for 15 months or until 
the conclusion of the next AGM if sooner. At the last AGM held remotely on 23 June 2020, authority was given to allot 
up to 25,661,692 shares (that number being one third of total issued share capital of the Company at the time), subject 
to the normal pre-emption rights reserved to shareholders contained in the Companies Act 2006, and to allot up to a 
further 25,661,692 shares, solely in a rights issue. Authority was also given, subject to certain conditions, to waive pre-
emption rights over up to 7,698,504 shares, being 10% of the shares then in issue. No rights have been granted to the 
Directors to buy back shares.

Substantial shareholdings
At 15 March 2021, the latest practical date prior to approval of the Directors’ Report, the Company had been notified of 
the following shareholdings amounting to 3% or more of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

Shareholder
Vulpes Investment Management
Novo Holdings
M&G Investments
Liontrust Asset Management
Nine Ten Capital
Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management
Mr. S M H Shah
Artisan Partners

Number of ordinary shares
9,768,615
8,253,000
7,134,434
4,132,643
3,117,228
3,086,179
2,898,750
2,620,800

Percentage of issued share capital
11.9%
10.0%
8.7%
5.0%
3.8%
3.7%
3.5%
3.2%

No other person has reported an interest in the ordinary shares of the Company required to be notified to the Company. 
No person holds shares carrying special rights with regard to control of the Company.

 
 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Employees
In accordance with s172 of the Companies Act 2006, the Group communicates and consults regularly with employees 
throughout  the  year.  During  2020,  the  Group  established  a  Workforce  Engagement  Panel  comprising  employees 
representing all levels and functions across the Group. In addition, the Group has designated Non-Executive Director, 
Stuart Henderson, for gathering the views of the workforce and will oversee employee engagement between the Board 
and the workforce. Employees’ involvement in the Group’s performance is encouraged, with all employees eligible to 
participate in the Group’s Sharesave Scheme, share option scheme or the LTIP. All employees who have completed 
probation participate in discretionary bonus schemes.

The Group’s aim for all members of staff and applicants for employment is to fit the qualifications, aptitude and ability of 
each individual to the appropriate job, and to provide equal opportunity regardless of sex, religion or ethnic origin. The 
Group does all that is practicable to meet its responsibility towards the employment and training of disabled people.

Further details on employees, health and safety, environmental matters and corporate social responsibility are in the 
ESG statement on pages 51 to 66.

Employee share schemes
The Group has established an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) to hold shares purchased in order to settle shares awarded 
to Executive Directors and other senior managers under the 2013 Deferred Bonus Plan. The EBT currently holds 93,726 
shares with a value of £965,000 at year end on which all the related options have vested. The EBT also administers the 
2015 Deferred Bonus Plan in as far as subscribing for and applying the share capital for nil cost options in the Company 
exercised by Senior Management. Settlement of the funds occurs through the Group. At the end of 2020 bonuses to 
Senior Management with a value of £667,000 vested and will be converted to nil cost options during 2021. Refer note 
25 of the consolidated financial statements for further information.

Agreements that take effect, alter, or terminate because of a takeover bid or on change of control
There  are  no  such  agreements  that  the  Directors  consider  are  material.  There  are  no  agreements  providing  for 
compensation for loss of office for Directors or employees in the event of a takeover bid.

Going concern
The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are described in the primary statements and 
notes to these financial statements. 

The  Group  made  a  loss  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  of  £6.2  million,  but  generated  net  cash  flows  from 
operating activities for the year of £3.1 million. Furthermore, the Group raised an additional £38.3 million in cash through 
a successful equity fundraise in June 2020. The Group ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of £46.7 million.

 
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In considering the basis of preparation of the Annual Report and financial statements, the Directors have prepared cash 
flow forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, based in the 
first  instance  on  the  Group’s  2021  annual  budget  and  forecasts  for  2022.  These  cash  flow  forecasts  also  take  into 
consideration severe but plausible downside scenarios including:

 — A substantial revenue downside affecting the core LentiVector® platform business,

 — No revenues from new customers,

 — Significant decreases in forecasted existing customer milestone and royalty revenues,

 — The impacts of COVID-19 on the Group and its customers including expected revenues from existing customers 

under long term contracts.

The Board has confidence in the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for the following reasons: 

 —  As noted above the Group has cash balances of £46.7 million at the end of December 2020 and £65.9 million at the 

end of March 2021, 

 — The Group has the ability to control capital expenditure costs and lower other operational spend, as necessary,

 — A  large  proportion  of  2021  forecasted  revenues  are  covered  by  binding  purchase  orders  and  rolling  customer 

forecasts which give additional certainty to revenues over the next 12 months, 

 — The  Group  has  key  worker  status  which  allows  continuity  of  providing  services  to  the  Group’s  financially  stable 

customer base throughout the lockdown period, 

 — The Group’s history of being able to access capital markets.

The Directors have also considered the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. Although Brexit has 
significantly affected the fiscal, monetary and regulatory landscape in the UK, the Group has assessed its impact on its 
operations to be minor. Further information regarding this issue is provided on page 76.

Taking account of the matters described above, the Directors are confident that the Group will have sufficient funds to 
continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements 
and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis. 

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Viability Statement

Assessment of prospects
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Directors have assessed the prospects of the Group over 
the three years to December 2023. They believe three years to be appropriate due to the inherent significant uncertainties 
of forecasting within and beyond this time horizon given the nature of the business sector in which the Group operates. 
The assessment has been informed by refreshing in 2020, the strategy adopted by the Board in 2016, and the evolution 
of the business over the last twelve months.

The Group’s strategy is to exploit its LentiVector® platform to develop cell and gene therapy products in its own portfolio 
and to support the development of other companies’ products. The Group is generating growing revenues and other 
operating income from licensing its platform technology, generating upfront receipts and royalties, and from fees for 
providing process development and bioprocessing services to other companies. Over the three years to December 
2023 the Directors believe that revenues from licensing its  technology to third parties and from providing process 
development and bioprocessing services to its partners will be sufficient to support a sustainable Group.

The following factors are considered both in the formulation of the Group’s strategy, and in the assessment of the 
Group’s prospects over the 3 year period:

 — The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group, including emerging risks as they are identified (such as 

climate change), and the Group’s response to these.

 — The prevailing economic climate and global economy, competitor activity, market dynamics and changing customer 

behaviours.

 — The potential short and longer term economic impact of Brexit.

 — How  the  Group  can  best  position  itself  to  take  advantage  of  the  current  opportunities  within  the  cell  and  gene 

therapy, and adenovirus markets.

 — Opportunities for further product and technology investment and innovation.

 — The resilience afforded by the Group’s enviable technology platform and innovation capabilities.

Assessment of viability
The Group has experienced an incredibly challenging, yet transformative twelve months since the pandemic hit the UK 
in March 2020, ranging from initial implementation of cash preservation steps, through to rapid recruitment and bringing 
on-stream extra GMP suites to become an instrumental part of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine supply 
chain.  During  this  period,  the  robustness  of  the  Group’s  operations  and  the  long  term  nature  of  our  customers’ 
investments  has  been  proven,  and  through  the  inspiring  innovation  and  integrity  of  our  employees  the  Group  has 
added new LentiVector® platform customers such as Juno/Bristol Myers Squibb and Beam Therapeutics, successfully 
raised £38.3 million in equity finance, appointed a new Chair and further strengthened the Board. 

The financial viability of the Group has been assessed, taking into account the Group’s current financial position, its 
market  leading  expertise  in  the  use  of  Lentiviral  vectors  in  cell  and  gene  therapy,  and  its  more  recently  developed 
capabilities in adenovirus vaccine production, and assumes the group continues to execute on its growth strategy. This 
assessment has been made using long range financial planning assumptions, augmented by the preparation of more 
detailed cash flow forecasts over the period to the end of 2022 that also consider the impact of severe but plausible 
downside scenarios, including scenarios arising from the Group’s principal risks as outlined on pages 70 to 77. 

In modelling these downside scenarios, the Group has considered the principal risks that are most likely to have a direct 
and material impact on the viability of the Group. These risks are outlined below. It’s important to note that while each 
risk could adversely affect the Group’s financial performance, as the Group’s customer product portfolio expands its 
resilience  to  individual  product  setbacks  and  its  reliance  on  securing  individual  new  products  reduces.  Hence,  the 
combination  of  downside  risks  that  would  need  to  crystalize  to  make  the  business  unviable  becomes  increasingly 
remote. In addition, there are significant upside opportunities that aren’t assumed in the Group’s financial plans, so the 
scenarios modelled are considered realistically balanced.

 
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Scenario
No revenues from  
new customers 

Risk
Business development risk

Description
The Group is unable to attract new customers, or existing customers do not 
add additional products to their existing programmes.

A substantial downside affecting 
the core LentiVector® platform 
business

Collaborator and partner risk

Bioprocessing revenue risk

COVID-19

Significant decreases in 
forecasted existing customer 
milestones and royalties 

Pharmaceutical and product 
development risks

Customers discontinue their existing programmes or transfer them to other 
suppliers. 
The Group is unable to produce batches for customers meeting the required 
specification.
New and existing customers discontinue or delay their programmes due to 
uncertainty around the future impact of the global pandemic.
Customers terminate or delay their existing programmes due to the products 
under development not meeting safety and efficacy requirements.

In addition to the above, there is also a risk that in an increasingly competitive market the Group is unable to access 
sufficient capital to maximise the value from its leading position. While the Group has no requirement to raise additional 
capital  in  the  near  term  to  fund  its  current  operating  activities,  it  continues  to  assess  whether  additional  capital  is 
required  to  make  further  beneficial  investments  in  pursuit  of  the  Group’s  long  term  growth  strategy  to  maximise 
shareholder value. 

Management also needs to ensure that costs stay flexible and can be aligned with revenues which can sometimes be 
lumpy, or could potentially stop quickly in the case of a vaccine for a pandemic. However, over the last twelve months 
the business has demonstrated that it has solid foundations, and the necessary controls in place to successfully manage 
its financial resources dynamically and effectively.

As  mentioned  above,  the  hypothetical  downside  scenarios  modelled  over  the  period  to  the  end  of  2022  were 
purposefully severe whilst remaining realistically plausible, with the aim of creating outcomes that could threaten the 
viability of the Group. However, in the event of these scenarios arising there are various options available to the Group 
to maintain its liquidity and continue its operations e.g. (i) accessing new external funding; (ii) more radical short term 
cost reduction actions; and (iii) reducing capital expenditure. 

Over the longer 3 year viability assessment period, assuming the Group continues to execute its hybrid growth strategy 
it has strong prospects for revenue  growth arising from its expanding customer product portfolio and increasingly 
broad spectrum of capabilities, and as such the Directors are confident in the ongoing viability of the business.

Conclusion
The  Directors  anticipate  that  the  Group  has  strong  prospects  for  attracting  and  fulfilling  the  demands  from  more 
customer programmes, and in doing so being able to continue the recent growth in customer activity for the foreseeable 
future. The Group’s financial forecasts reflect these assumptions and therefore the Directors have concluded that there 
is a reasonable expectation, although not a certainty, that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the three-year period to December 2023. 

 
 
 
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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Amendment of the Company’s articles of association
Amendment of the Company’s articles may be made by special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders.

Compliance with Listing Rule 9.8.4R
The Directors have reviewed the requirements of LR 9.8.4R. The majority of these do not apply to the Group but the 
following are applicable.

Listing Rule
LR 9.8.4 (5) and (6)

LR 9.8.4 (7) and (8)

Information required
Arrangement under which a 
Director has waived current or 
future emoluments.
Allotment of shares other than to 
existing shareholders in 
proportion to holdings.

Response
Martin Diggle and Robert Ghenchev elected to receive no fees for their 
services as Directors (page 108).

Allotment of shares on exercise of options by employees under approved 
share schemes (note 23, page 175).
Allotment of shares in accordance with the equity fundraise in June 2020  
(page 125)

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 Group and parent Company financial statements 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

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 accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and applicable law and have elected to 
prepare the parent Company financial statements on the same basis. In addition, the Group financial statements are 
required under the UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules to be prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and parent Company and of the Group’s 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 estimates that are reasonable, relevant and reliable; 

 — state whether they have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, International Financial 
Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union;

 — assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters 

related to going concern; and 

 — use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company 

or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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 are responsible for 
such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  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 Report that complies with that law and those regulations. 

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

 
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Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the Annual Report and financial statements 
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 Strategic 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.

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors
In  accordance  with  s418  of  the  Companies  Act  2006,  so  far  as  each  Director  is  aware,  there  is  no  relevant  audit 
information of which the Group and Company’s auditors are unaware, and each Director has taken all the steps that he 
ought to have taken as a Director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that 
the Group and Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Independent auditors
The  auditors,  KPMG  LLP,  have  indicated  their  willingness  to  continue  in  office  and  a  resolution  concerning  their 
reappointment will be proposed at the AGM.

Greenhouse gas emissions report
Details on greenhouse gas emissions are set out in the ESG Report in the Strategic Report on page 60.

Statement of employee engagement
Details of the actions that has been taken during the financial year in order to keep employees informed of matters 
of concern and awareness of the financial and economic factors affecting the performance of the Group is described 
in Group’s Stakeholders section of the Strategic Report for Employees on pages 22 and 23.

Statement of engagement with suppliers, customers and others
The statement of how the Directors has engaged with suppliers, customers and others is described in the Group’s 
Stakeholders section of the Strategic Report on pages 22 and page 23, with a working example in action on pages 
24 and 25.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Thursday, 27 May 2021 at our Windrush Court laboratories and offices but the Group encourages 
shareholders to attend the AGM by webcast and vote by proxy.

By order of the Board

Stuart Paynter
Director

15 April 2021

 
 
 
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Independent auditors’ report 
To the members of Oxford Biomedica plc

1. Our opinion is unmodified
We have audited the financial statements of Oxford Biomedica plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 
2020 which comprise the consolidated and Company statements of financial position, the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated and Company statements of changes in equity, and consolidated and Company 
statements of cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes, including the accounting policies in note 1.

In our opinion:
 — the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and parent Company’s affairs as at  

31 December 2020 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended; 

 — the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting standards 

in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; 

 — the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of, and as applied in accordance with the provisions of, the Companies 
Act 2006; and

 — the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, 

as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation to the extent applicable.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our  responsibilities  are  described  below.  We  believe  that  the  audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  a  sufficient  and 
appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee.

We were first appointed as auditor by the shareholders on 29 May 2018. The period of total uninterrupted engagement 
is for the three financial years ended 31 December 2020. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we 
remain independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as 
applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services prohibited by that standard were provided. 

Overview

Materiality: Group financial statements as a whole £716k (2019: £520k) 0.82% (2019: 0.81%) of revenue

Coverage: 100% (2019: 100%) of group revenue

Key audit matters vs 2019

Event driven 

New: Contract revenue recognition 

Recurring risks 

Bioprocessing revenue recognition 
Going concern 
Recoverability of parent Company’s investment in and loan due from subsidiaries 

The uncertain customer claim was settled in the year and therefore not been separately identified in our audit report 
this year. 

 
 
 
 
 
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2. Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the 
financial statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to 
fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of 
resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. We summarise below the key audit matters, 
in decreasing order of audit significance, in arriving at our audit opinion above, together with our key audit procedures 
to address those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. These matters 
were addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose of, 
our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental 
to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

Contract revenue recognition

(Customer license revenues  
£9.4 million)

Refer to  
page 88 (Audit Committee Report), 
pages 150 – 151 (accounting policy) 
and pages 160 – 161 (financial 
disclosures).

Bioprocessing revenue 
recognition and related  
contract liabilities

(£1.4 million; 2019: £1.8 million)

Refer to  
page 89 (Audit Committee Report) 
and page 158 (critical accounting 
judgements and estimates – 
estimation).

The risk
Accounting treatment

The Group enters into a number of 
multiple element contracts with differing 
terms. There are inherent judgements 
required to be made by the Group in the 
following areas:

 — Identification of performance obligations 
of the contract, primarily the licence 
fees and milestones, 

 — Assessing the allocation of the total 

transaction price to each performance 
obligation with reference to their 
standalone selling price, and

 — Whether revenue for each performance 
obligation satisfies the criteria for 
recognition over time or at a point  
in time. 

Depending on the outcome of the 
judgements made on each of the areas 
described above, there is a risk that 
revenue is recognised in the wrong period.

The risk is new compared to 2019 as a result 
of the contracts entered into in the year.

Subjective estimate

Bioprocessing revenue relates to the 
manufacture of lentiviral vectors and is 
recognised over time. Bioprocessing of 
lentiviral vectors is complex, such that 
batches may fail to meet the required 
specifications due to contamination or 
inadequate yield. Therefore, there is a risk 
that amounts recognised as revenue over 
time will subsequently be reversed. 

Management uses historical data to 
estimate a refund liability (bioprocessing 
contract liability) for future batch failures  
at the balance sheet date. The effect  
of this matter is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the value 
of the refund liability has a high degree  
of estimation uncertainty, with a potential 
range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for the financial statements 
as a whole.

Our response
We performed the detailed tests below rather than seeking to rely 
on any of the Group’s controls because our knowledge of the 
design of these controls indicated that we would not be able to 
obtain the required evidence to support reliance on controls. Our 
procedures included:

 — Accounting analysis: Evaluation of the Group’s revenue 

accounting policy against the accounting standard.

 — Testing application: Assessing and challenging management’s 
judgements made, in line with accounting policies and with 
reference to significant contracts, including:

•  Assessment of the goods or services promised in the contract  

and whether they are distinct and therefore separate 
performance obligations, 

•  Assessment of the stand-alone selling prices of individual 
components, through benchmarking across the other 
customer contracts, and 

•  Assessment of the contract terms against the requirements  

of the accounting standard to determined the timing of 
revenue recognition, over time or at a point in time. 

Our results: We found the Group’s treatment of revenues derived 
from new contracts entered into to be acceptable. 

We performed the detailed tests below rather than seeking to rely on 
any of the Group’s controls because our knowledge of the design of 
these controls indicated that we would not be able to obtain the required 
evidence to support reliance on controls. Our procedures included:

 — Accounting analysis: Assessing the assumptions made by the 
Group in determining their estimate of future batch failures.

 — Personnel interviews: Corroborating reasonableness of 

assumptions with individuals in the technical team, including the 
Qualified Person, who holds the regulatory license for releasing 
finished products.  

 — Historical comparisons: Evaluating the accuracy of the failure 
rate as previously recognised, based on developments through 
the year.

 — Sensitivity analysis: Performing sensitivity analysis to assess 

the reasonable range of potential outcomes.

 — Assessing transparency: Assessing the adequacy of the 

Group’s disclosures about the estimation uncertainty involved in 
the recognition of the bioprocessing contract liability.

Our results: We found the resulting estimate of the bioprocessing 
refund liability to be acceptable (2019: acceptable).

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Independent auditors’ report 
To the members of Oxford Biomedica plc

The risk

Our response

Going concern 

Disclosure quality

Refer to  
page 88 (Audit Committee Report) 
and page 148 (accounting policy)

Recoverability of parent 
Company’s investment in and 
intercompany loans due from 
subsidiaries

(£166.4 million; 2019: £146.8 million)

Refer to  
page 154 (accounting policy) and 
page 167 (financial disclosures).

The financial statements explain how 
management has formed a judgement that  
it is appropriate to adopt the going concern 
basis of preparation for the Group and 
parent Company.  

Their judgement is based on the evaluation 
of the inherent risks to the Group and 
Company’s business model and how those 
risks might affect the Group’s and 
Company’s financial resources or ability to 
continue operations over a period of at 
least a year from the date of approval of 
the financial statements

The risk most likely to adversely affect the 
Group’s and Company’s available financial 
resources over this period is the ability  
to mitigate and control expenditures due 
to the non-materialisation of expected 
revenues in the LentiVector® business, no 
revenues from new customers, non-
materialisation of expected revenues 
from existing customer milestone and 
royalty revenues, and uncertainties around 
the expected revenues from existing 
customers under long term contracts. 

The risk for our audit is whether or not 
those risks are such that they amount  
to a material uncertainty that may cast 
significant doubt about the ability to 
continue as a going concern. Had they 
been such, then that fact would have been 
required to have been disclosed.  

Low risk, high value

The carrying amount of the parent 
Company’s investment in the sole trading 
subsidiary represents 87.34% of the 
Company’s total assets. 

Its recoverability is not at a high risk  
of significant misstatement or subject  
to significant judgement. However,  
due to its materiality in the context of  
the parent Company financial statements, 
this is considered to be the area that had 
the greatest effect on our overall parent 
Company audit.

We considered whether these risks could plausibly affect the 
liquidity in the going concern period by assessing the Directors’ 
sensitivities over the level of available financial resources indicated 
by the Group’s financial forecasts taking account of severe, but 
plausible, adverse effects that could arise from these risks 
individually and collectively. Our procedures also included: 

 — Benchmarking assumptions: Critically assessing the Group’s 
revenue downside scenario, comparing to prior results and our 
wider knowledge of the business and markets served.

 — Evaluating Directors’ intent: Evaluating the achievability  
of the actions the Directors consider they would take to 
improve the position should the risks materialise, which 
included reductions in employee related costs, discretionary 
project spend and capital expenditure in the forecast period, 
taking into account the extent to which the Directors can 
control the timing and outcome of these.

 — Assessing transparency: Considering whether the going 

concern disclosure in note 1 to the financial statements gives a 
full and accurate description of the Directors’ assessment of 
going concern, including the identified risks, and related 
downsides.

Our results: We found the group's judgement that there  
was no material uncertainty to be disclosed to be appropriate (2019: 
disclosure of a material uncertainty).

We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on any of  
the Group's controls because the nature of the account balance 
meant that detailed testing is inherently the most effective means of 
obtaining audit evidence. Our procedures included: 

 — Test of details: Confirming the mathematical integrity of the 

company’s value in use model

 — Comparing the carrying amount of the investment to the value  
in use of the Group’s cash flow forecasts, being an indication  
of its recoverable amount.

 — Comparing the carrying amount of the investment and loans 
owed by Group undertakings with the expected value of the 
business based on the Group’s market capitalisation.

 — Historical comparisons: Assessing cashflow forecasts against 
historical results achieved in the year and in previous years to 
assess historical reliability of the forecasts.

 — Sensitivity analysis: Performing sensitivity analysis to evaluate  
the impact of reasonably possible changes to key assumptions. 

Our results: The results of our testing were satisfactory and we 
considered the valuation of the parent Company’s investment  
in and intercompany loans due from subsidiaries to be acceptable 
(2019: acceptable).

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
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3. Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit
Materiality for the group financial statements as a whole was set at £716k (2019: £520k), determined with reference to 
a benchmark of group revenue of which it represents 0.82% (2019: 0.81%). 

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at £182k (2019: £180k), determined with 
reference to a benchmark of Company total assets, of which it represents 0.10% (2019: 0.12%). 

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures on individual account balances and disclosures were performed to 
a lower threshold, performance materiality, so as to reduce to an acceptable level the risk that individually immaterial 
misstatements in individual account balances add up to a material amount across the financial statements as a whole. 

Performance materiality was set at 65% (2019: 65%) of materiality for the financial statements as a whole, which equates 
to £465k (2019: £338k) for the group and £117k (2019: £117k) for the parent Company. We applied this percentage in 
our determination of performance materiality based on the level of identified misstatements and control deficiencies 
identified during the prior period. 

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £36k 
(2019: £26k), in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Of the Group’s 2 (2019: 3) reporting components, we subjected 2 (2019: 2) to full scope audits for group purposes. The 
components within the scope of our work accounted for 100% of Group revenues, Group profit before tax and Group 
total assets (2019: all 100%) and were audited by one engagement team (2019: one engagement team).

£716k
Whole financialstatements materiality 
(2019: £520k)

£465k
Whole financialstatements performance 
materiality (2019: £338k)

£680k 
Range of materiality at 2 components 
(£182k – £680k) (2019: £180k – £484k)

  Revenue

 Group materiality

£36k 
Misstatements reported to  
the audit committee (2019: £26k)

Revenue
£87,728k (2019: £64,060k)

Group materiality
£716k (2019: £520k)

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6
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To the members of Oxford Biomedica plc

4. Going concern
The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the 
Group or the Company or to cease their operations, and as they have concluded that the Group’s and the Company’s 
financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material uncertainties that 
could have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of 
approval of the financial statements (“the going concern period”).

An explanation of how we evaluated management’s assessment of going concern is set out in the related key audit 
matter in section 2 of this report. Our conclusions based on this work are:

 — we consider that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial 

statements is appropriate;

 — we have not identified, and concur with the Directors’ assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty related to 
events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s or Company's ability 
to continue as a going concern for the going concern period;

 — we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the Directors’ statement in note 1 to the financial 
statements  on  the  use  of  the  going  concern  basis  of  accounting  with  no  material  uncertainties  that  may  cast 
significant doubt over the Group and Company’s use of that basis for the going concern period; and

 — the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on pages 126–127 is materially consistent with the financial 

statements and our audit knowledge. 

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that 
are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the above conclusions are not a 
guarantee that the Group or the Company will continue in operation. 

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
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5. Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – ability to detect

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud
To  identify  risks  of  material  misstatement  due  to  fraud  (“fraud  risks”)  we  assessed  events  or  conditions  that  could 
indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment 
procedures included:

 — Enquiring of management, the Directors and the Audit Committee and inspection of policy documentation as to the 
Group’s  high-level  policies  and  procedures  to  prevent  and  detect  fraud,  including  the  Group’s  channel  for 
“whistleblowing”, as well as whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

 — Reading Board, Audit Committee and other relevant meeting minutes.

 — Considering remuneration incentive schemes and performance targets for management and the Directors.

 — Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships. 

We  communicated  identified  fraud  risks  throughout  the  audit  team  and  remained  alert  to  any  indications  of  fraud 
throughout the audit. 

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account possible incentives and pressures to increase the Group’s 
stock price or earnings trend, our overall knowledge of the control environment and the nature of revenues that involve 
subjective estimates and judgements, we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls 
and the risk of fraudulent revenue recognition. In particular the risk that the judgements taken in recognising contract 
revenue are inappropriate and that bioprocessing and process development revenues are recorded in the wrong period 
through the percentage of completion derived at the year end reporting date, and the risk that Group management 
may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries, and the risk of bias in the accounting estimate relating 
to the bioprocessing refund liability. 

We did not identify any additional fraud risks.

We performed procedures including:

 — Assessing the judgements made by the Group in recognition of contract revenues, as described in more detail in 

section 2 of our audit report. 

 — Assessing the accuracy and appropriateness of underlying data and assumptions used to determine the percentage 
of  completion  of  bioprocessing  batches  and  process  development  work  packages  in  progress  at  the  year  end 
reporting date.

 — Assessing whether credit notes issued after the year end report date were indicative of inappropriate revenues having 

been recognised in the year.

 — Identifying journal entries and other adjustments to test based on risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to 
supporting documentation. These included those posted with key words included in the description, those posted 
to  seldom  used  accounts  and  those  posted  to  unusual  account  combinations,  including  those  with  entries  to 
revenue, estimates and cash with an unexpected double entry. 

 — Evaluated the business purpose of significant unusual transactions.

 — Assessing significant accounting estimates for bias.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8
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Independent auditors’ report 
To the members of Oxford Biomedica plc

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to non-compliance with laws and regulations
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial 
statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through discussion with management, including 
legal counsel, and the Directors (as required by auditing standards), and discussed with management, including legal 
counsel, and the Directors the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. 

We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-
compliance throughout the audit.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly,  the  Group  is  subject  to  laws  and  regulations  that  directly  affect  the  financial  statements  including  financial 
reporting legislation (including related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation legislation 
and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related 
financial statement items. 

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could 
have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines 
or litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: healthcare regulations, such 
as good manufacturing practice (GMP), good clinical practice (GCP) and good laboratory practice (GLP) standards for 
laboratories and manufacturing facilities (through audits by the MHRA), health and safety, anti-bribery, employment law, 
regulatory capital and liquidity and certain aspects of company legislation recognising the financial nature of the Group’s 
activities and regulated nature of the industry in which it operates.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to 
enquiry of management, including legal counsel, and the Directors and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, 
if any. Therefore if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, 
an audit will not detect that breach. 

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches of law or regulation
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material 
misstatements  in  the  financial  statements,  even  though  we  have  properly  planned  and  performed  our  audit  in 
accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is 
from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures 
required by auditing standards would identify it. 

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, 
forgery,  intentional  omissions,  misrepresentations,  or  the  override  of  internal  controls.  Our  audit  procedures  are 
designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot 
be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
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6. We have nothing to report on the other information in the Annual Report
The Directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements 
audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit 
knowledge. Based solely on that work we have not identified material misstatements in the other information.

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report 
Based solely on our work on the other information: 

 — we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report; 

 — in our opinion the information given in those reports for the financial year is consistent with the financial statements; 

and 

 — in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006. 

Disclosures of emerging and principal risks and longer-term viability 
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a material inconsistency between the Directors’ 
disclosures in respect of emerging and principal risks and the viability statement, and the financial statements and our 
audit knowledge. 

 — Based on those procedures, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to: 

 — the  Directors’  confirmation  within  the  viability  statement  (pages  128–129)  that  they  have  carried  out  a  robust 
assessment of the emerging and principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency and liquidity;

 — the Principal risks, uncertainties and risk management disclosures describing these risks and how emerging risks are 

identified, and explaining how they are being managed and mitigated; and 

 — the Directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what 
period they have done so and why they considered that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether 
they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions. 

We are also required to review the viability statement, set out on pages 128–129 under the Listing Rules. Based on the 
above procedures, we have concluded that the above disclosures are materially consistent with the financial statements 
and our audit knowledge.

Our  work  is  limited  to  assessing  these  matters  in  the  context  of  only  the  knowledge  acquired  during  our  financial 
statements audit. As we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes 
that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of anything to 
report on these statements is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s longer-term viability.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0
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Independent auditors’ report 
To the members of Oxford Biomedica plc

Corporate governance disclosures 
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a material inconsistency between the Directors’ 
corporate governance disclosures and the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Based on those procedures, we have concluded that each of the following is materially consistent with the financial 
statements and our audit knowledge: 

 — the Directors’ statement that they consider that the Annual Report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, 
balanced and understandable, and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position 
and performance, business model and strategy; 

 — the section of the annual report describing the work of the Audit Committee, including the significant issues that the 

Audit Committee considered in relation to the financial statements, and how these issues were addressed; and

 — the section of the Annual Report that describes the review of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and 

internal control systems.

We are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Group’s compliance with the 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules for our review. We have nothing to 
report in this respect.

7.  We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report by exception
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 

been received from branches not visited by us; or 

 — the parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not 

in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

 — certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

 — we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

8. Respective responsibilities

Directors’ responsibilities 
As explained more fully in their statement set out on pages 130–131, the Directors are responsible for: the preparation 
of the financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they 
determine  is  necessary  to  enable  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  that  are  free  from  material  misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative 
but to do so. 

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

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

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

1
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William Smith (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants

2 Forbury Place 
33 Forbury Road 
Reading 
RG1 3AD

15 April 2021

 
 
 
 
Oxford Biomedica enter 2021 and beyond with a rapid 
growth, a proven strategy, experienced leadership and 
financial strength. 

With an ever increasing number of partner programmes 
and continued broader market growth in cell and  
gene therapy, the future has never looked more exciting 
and the Group is well positioned to maximise the 
opportunities ahead.

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  8 

1  Saving lives
2   Questions and answers
 The Group’s COVID-19  
vaccine journey
  12  Market overview

  15  Strategic Report
  16   Group at a glance
  18  Product pipeline
  20  The Group’s business model
  22  The Group’s stakeholders
  26    Operational highlights  
delivered in 2020
 Financial highlights  
delivered in 2020
  28  Chair’s statement
  30 

  27 

 Chief Executive Officer’s and  
2020 performance review

 Delivery of 2020 objectives

  38  Management team
  40 
  41  Objectives set for 2021
 Financial review
  42 
 Environmental, Social and 
  51 
Governance Report
 Non-financial statement

  67 

  69  Corporate Governance 
  70 

  Principal risks, uncertainties  
and risk management 

  78  Board of Directors
  80  Corporate Governance Report
  96  Directors’ Remuneration Report
  124  Directors’ Report

 132 

 Independent auditors’ 
report

 143  Group financial statements
  144 

 Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income
 Statement of financial 
positions

  145 

  146  Statements of cash flows
  147 

 Statements of changes in  
equity attributable to owners  
of the parent
 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

  148 

 185  Other matters
 Glossary
  185 
 188  Advisers and contact details

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
4 Group financial statements

4
1

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Research and development costs
Bioprocessing costs
Administrative expenses
Other operating income
Change in fair value of asset held at 
fair value through profit and loss
Operating loss 
Finance income
Finance costs
Loss before tax
Taxation
Loss and total comprehensive 
expense for the year

Note

4

4

4

6

6

8

9, 27

There was no other comprehensive income or loss.

The loss for the year is attributable to the owners of the parent.

2020
£’000
87,728
(41,655)
46,073
(29,749)
(10,720)
(11.262)
795

(831)
(5,694)
34
(912)
(6,572)
327

2019
£’000
64,060
(35,723)
28,337
(22,546)
(7,378)
(11,881)
884

(1,883)
(14,467)
104
(6,526)
(20,889)
4,823

(6,245)

(16,066)

 
 
Group financial statements
Statement of financial positions
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments and loans in subsidiary
Trade and other receivables
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Assets at fair value through profit and loss
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Deferred income
Lease liabilities

Net current assets/(liabilities)
Non-current liabilities
Provisions
Contract Liabilities
Deferred income
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Net assets
Equity attributable to owners  
of the parent
Ordinary shares
Share premium account
Other reserves
Accumulated losses
Total equity

Note

11

12

14

16

22

15

13

16

8

17

18

19

19

31

20

19

19

31

22

23

24

28

27

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Group

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

Company
2020 
£’000

2019
£’000

73
 72,304
–
3,605
–
 75,982

6,912
239
 53,926
126
46,743
 107,946

19,716
 27,258
1,006
4,475
 52,455
55,491

5,839
1,003
2,515
9,370
–
 18,727
112,746

95
61,932
–
3,605
359
65,991

2,579
2,719
30,045 
5,351
16,243
56,937

14,297
13,156
1,006
482
28,941
27,996 

5,086
1,695
3,310
7,907
359
18,357
75,630

–
–
 166,388
–
–
166,388

–
–
–
–
23,630
23,630

134

–
–
134
23,496

–
–
–
–
–
–
189,884

–
–
 146,761
–
359 
147,120

–
–
–
–
2
2

109

–
–
109
(107)

–
–
–
–
–
–
147,013

41,161
258,017
2,291
(188,723)
112,746

38,416
222,618
2,291
(187,695)
75,630

41,161
258,017
16,849
(126,143)
189,884

38,416
222,618
11,072
(125,093)
147,013

The Company’s registered number is 03252665.

The Company made a loss for the year of £2,242,000 (2019: £2,016,000).

The financial statements on pages 144 to 184 were approved by the Board of Directors on 15 April 2021 and were 
signed on its behalf by:

John Dawson
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
4
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6 Group financial statements
Statements of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Cash flows  
from operating activities
Cash used in operations
Tax credit received
Net cash generated from/(used in) 
operating activities

Cash flows  
from investing activities
Purchases of property,  
plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of property, 
plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal  
of investment assets
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows  
from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of  
ordinary share capital
Costs of share issues
Proceeds from the exercise  
of warrants
Loan to subsidiary
Interest paid
Redemption fee
Payment of lease liabilities 
Loans repaid
Net cash generated  
from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash 
and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents  
at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents  
at 31 December

Note

29

12

23, 24

24

23

Group

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

Company
2020 
£’000

2019
£’000

(3,889)
7,005

(6,636)
3,128

( 1,858)
–

( 1,301)
–

3,116

(3,508)

(1,858)

(1,301)

(13,358)

(25,774)

–

2

2,523
34
(10,801)

6,270
104
(19,398)

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–

41,060
(1,724)

–
–
–
–
(1,151)
–

54,132
(769)

1,345
–
(2,513)
(866)
(835)
(43,589)

41,060
(1,724)

–
(13,850)
–
–
–
–

54,132
(769)

1,345
(53,416)
–
–
–
–

 38,185

6,905

25,486

1,292

30,500

(16,001)

23,628

16,243

32,244

2

17

46,743

16,243

23,630

(9)

11

2

 
 
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Group financial statements
Statements of changes in equity attributable to owners of the parent
for the year ended 31 December 2020 

Ordinary 
shares 
£’000
33,034

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000
172,074

Notes

Reserves

Merger 
£’000
2,291

Treasury 
£’000
–

Warrant 
£’000
1,218

Accumulated
losses
£’000
(173,876)

Total 
equity
£’000
34,741

Group
At 1 January 2019
Year ended 31 December 2019:
Loss for the year
Total comprehensive expense for the year
Transactions with owners:
Share options

Proceeds from shares issued
Value of employee services
Issue of shares excluding options
Exercise of warrants
Cost of share issues
At 31 December 2019

Year ended 31 December 2020:
Loss for the year
Total comprehensive expense for the year
Transactions with owners:
Share options

Proceeds from shares issued
Value of employee services
Deferred tax on share options
Issue of shares excluding options
Cost of share issues
Transfer of share premium related to warrants 2
At 31 December 2020

Company
At 1 January 2019
Year ended 31 December 2019:
Loss for the year
Total comprehensive expense for the year
Transactions with owners:
Share options

Proceeds from shares issued
Credit in relation to employee share schemes

Issue of shares excluding options
Exercise of warrants
Cost of share issues 
At 31 December 2019

Year ended 31 December 2020:
Loss for the year
Total comprehensive expense for the year
Share options

Proceeds from shares issued
Credit in relation to employee share schemes

Issue of shares excluding options
Cost of share issues
Transfer of share premium related to warrants 2
At 31 December 2020

23, 24

 27

8

23, 24

24

24

Notes

10

23, 24

25, 26

23, 24

24

10

23, 24

25, 26

23, 24

24

24

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

(16,066)
(16,066)

(16,066)
(16,066)

–
–
–
(1,218)
–
–

–
2,247
–
–
–
(187,695)

 657
2,247
53,475
1,345
(769)
75,630

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(6,245)
(6,245)

(6,245)
(6,245)

(26)
3,752
273
–
–
1,218
(188,723)

1.060
3,752
 273
40,000
(1,724)
–
112,746

–
–
–
–
–
2,291

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
2,291

–
–

–
–

–
–

23, 24

 26, 27

23, 24

24

162
–
3,875
1,345
–
38,416

495
–
49,600
1,218
(769)
222,618

–
–

–
–

245
–
–
2,500
–
–
41,161

Ordinary 
shares 
£’000
33,034

841
–
–
37,500
(1,724)
(1,218)
258,017

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000
172,074

Reserves

Merger 
£’000
1,580

Warrant 
£’000
1,218

Accumulated
losses
£’000
(123,077)

Other 
£’000
7,933

Total 
equity
£’000
92,762

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

(2,016)
(2,016)

(2,016)
(2,016)

162
–
3,875
1,345

38,416

495
–
49,600
1,218
(769)
222,618

–
–

–
–

245
–
2,500
–
–
41,161

841
–
37,500
(1,724)
(1,218)
258,017

–
–
–
–
–
1,580

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
1,580

–
–
–
(1,218)
–
–

–
1,559
–
–
–
9,492

–
–
–
–
–
(125,093)

657
1,559
53,475
1,345
(769)
147,013

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

(2,242)
(2,242)

(2,242)
(2,242)

–
5,777 1
–
–
–
15,269

(26)
–
–
–
1,218
(126,143)

1,060
5,777
40,000
(1,724)
–
189,884

Note 1 – In 2020, the Company recognized a £3.4 million increase in its investment in its operating subsidiary Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd (refer note 14 of the financial statements)  
due to equity settled share based payments granted to employees and service providers in subsidiaries. Of the £3.4 million, £2.7million relates to amounts which should have been 
recognised at 31 December 2019. In addition £700,000 of deferred bonus that was included in the 2019 consolidated balance sheet has been recognised within group equity in the 
current period. The prior year balance sheet has not been adjusted on the grounds that the Directors do not believe this item is qualitatively material to users  
of the financial statements, it has no impact on distributable reserves of the Company. The disclosure relating to such share based payment awards is detailed in Note 25 of the of the 
accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2 –During the period the Directors reviewed their presentation of share premium and found that the share premium has been overstated following the issue of warrants in the 
comparative period – to correct this they have transferred £1,218,000 from share premium to retained earnings.

 
 
 
 
8
4
1

Group financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

1, Accounting policies
Oxford  Biomedica  plc  (Oxford  Biomedica  or  the  Company)  is  a  public  company  limited  by  shares,  incorporated  and 
domiciled in England, and listed on the London Stock Exchange. The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2020 comprise the results of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings (together referred to as the Group).

The Company’s principal subsidiary is Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited.

The Group is a cell and gene therapy research, development and bioprocessing business providing services to third 
parties as well as performing internal research and development for its own purposes. The Group currently has no 
marketed pharmaceutical products.

Basis of preparation
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These 
policies have been consistently applied to all the financial years presented, unless otherwise stated.

The  Group  and  parent  Company  financial  statements  were  prepared  in  accordance  with  international  accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and these Group financial statements were 
also in accordance with international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 
as it applies in the European Union. As more fully explained in the Directors’ Report on pages 124 to 136 and below, the 
going concern basis has been adopted in preparing the financial statements.

A summary of the more important Group accounting policies are set out below.

The  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  the  use  of  certain  critical  accounting 
estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting 
policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or where assumptions and estimates are 
significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 2.

Going concern
The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are described in the primary statements and 
notes to these financial statements. 

The  Group  made  a  loss  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  of  £6.2  million,  but  generated  net  cash  flows  from 
operating activities for the year of £3.1 million. Furthermore, the Group raised an additional £38.3 million in cash through 
a successful equity fundraise in June 2020. The Group ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of £46.7 million.

In considering the basis of preparation of the Annual Report and financial statements, the Directors have prepared cash 
flow forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, based in the 
first  instance  on  the  Group’s  2021  annual  budget  and  forecasts  for  2022.  These  cash  flow  forecasts  also  take  into 
consideration severe but plausible downside scenarios including:

 — A substantial revenue downside affecting the core LentiVector® platform business,

 — No revenues from new customers,

 — Significant decreases in forecasted existing customer milestone and royalty revenues,

 — The impacts of COVID-19 on the Group and its customers including expected revenues from existing customers 

under long term contracts.

The Board has confidence in the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for the following reasons: 

 —  As noted above the Group has cash balances of £46.7 million at the end of December 2020 and £65.9 million at the 

end of March 2021, 

 — The Group has the ability to control capital expenditure costs and lower other operational spend, as necessary,

 
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 — A  large  proportion  of  2021  forecasted  revenues  are  covered  by  binding  purchase  orders  and  rolling  customer 

forecasts which give additional certainty to revenues over the next 12 months, 

 — The  Group  has  key  worker  status  which  allows  continuity  of  providing  services  to  the  Group’s  financially  stable 

customer base throughout the lockdown period, 

 — The Group’s history of being able to access capital markets.

The Directors have also considered the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. Although Brexit has 
significantly affected the fiscal, monetary and regulatory landscape in the UK, the Group has assessed its impact on its 
operations to be minor. Further information regarding this issue is provided on page 76.

Taking account of the matters described above, the Directors are confident that the Group will have sufficient funds to 
continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements 
and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis. 

Accounting developments
The Group has adopted the following IFRSs in these financial statements. 

 — IFRS 16: Leases. This has been adopted using the modified retrospective method and as a result the comparatives 

have not been restated and are reported under IAS 17.

 — IFRIC 23: Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments. 

 — Amendments to IAS 19: Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement. 

 — Amendments to IAS 28: Long term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures. 

 — Amendments to IFRS 9: Prepayments Features with Negative Compensation

 — Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle. 

Of  these  standards  that  became  effective  from  1  January  2019,  only  IFRS  16  had  a  material  impact  on  the  Group 
financial statements.

Basis of consolidation
The  consolidated  financial  statements  comprise  the  Company  and  its  subsidiary  undertakings  for  the  year  to  
31 December each year. Subsidiaries are entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by the Group. Subsidiaries are 
consolidated from the date at which control is transferred to the Group. Control exists where the Group has the power 
to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The Group does 
not currently have any associates.

All intragroup transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the 
fair value of the assets transferred, equity instruments issued, and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange.

Identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured 
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any minority interest. Any excess of the 
cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as 
goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is 
recognised directly in the statement of comprehensive income. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial 
statements of subsidiaries to bring accounting policies used into line with those of the Group.

The  Group  and  Company  have  elected  not  to  apply  IFRS  3  ’Business  combinations’  retrospectively  to  business 
combinations which took place prior to 1 January 2004, namely the acquisition in 1996 of 100% of the issued share 
capital of Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited that has been accounted for by the merger accounting method.

 
 
 
 
0 Group financial statements

5
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the transaction date. 
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are retranslated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the Statement 
of  financial  position  date.  Differences  arising  due  to  exchange  rate  fluctuations  are  taken  to  the  statement  of 
comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

Revenue
Revenue comprises income derived from bioprocessing of clinical product for partners, fees charged for providing 
development services to partners, product and technology licence transactions, royalties, options, and funded research 
and development programmes.

Platform
Bioprocessing of clinical/commercial product for partners is recognised on a percentage of completion basis over time 
as the processes are carried out. Progress is determined based on the achievement of verifiable stages of the process. 
The gross amount due from customers on all partnerships in progress for which costs incurred plus recognised profits 
exceed progress billings is presented separately as a contract asset within the note to Trade and Other receivables as 
presented in the Statement of financial position.

Consideration received in excess of the stage of completion will be deferred until such time as it is appropriate to 
recognise the revenue.

Revenues  for  providing  process  development  activities  to  partners  are  recognised  during  the  period  in  which  the 
service is rendered on a percentage of completion basis.

Technology licences that have been established by the Group have all been determined as “right to use” licences, rather 
than “right to access” licences. As such, the revenue from these licences is recognised at the point in time at which the 
licence transfers to the customer.

The granting of the technology licences to the Group’s background intellectual property and know-how constitutes a 
“right to use” licence as our customers are able to conduct development work on the licence independent of the 
Group.  The  Group  is  incentivised  separately  for  its  performance  obligations  in  relation  to  development  work  and 
milestone payments. The criteria for recognising these technology licences as “right to access” licences has therefore 
not been met.

Milestones relating to bioprocessing or process development activities have been identified as separate performance 
obligations as they involve the transfer of a distinct good or service, determined with reference to conditions stipulated 
in the relevant agreements or contracts. Each milestone is determined as either binary or non-binary.

Milestones that are considered to be binary relate to the achievement of specific events rather than the provision of, for 
example, support. Milestones related to the achievement of specific deliverables are considered to be binary Milestones 
and will be recognised in full once it is deemed highly probable that the obligation will be met.

Milestones related to the provision of support services are considered to be non-binary Milestones and are recognised 
on a percentage of completion basis, but taking into account the likelihood of achievement of the deliverable. Amounts 
receivable on delivery of a milestone performance obligation represents variable consideration and have been allocated 
to the relevant performance obligation.

Options to technology licences are considered to form part of the technology licence performance obligation and as 
such are recognised when the customer exercises the option to obtain that licence. Options to technology licences are 
not considered to be material rights.

Non-cash consideration is recognised at fair value through profit and loss. As required by IFRS 15, stock and fixed assets 
received in partial lieu of cash payments from customers for commercial development services and bioprocessing 
batches are recognised at the fair value of the goods/services provided in relation those stock and fixed assets for 
revenue  recognition  purposes,  with  a  corresponding  entry  being  passed  within  cost  of  goods  and  depreciation  to 
account for the cost of these items.

 
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Product
Product licences that have been established by the Group have all been determined as “right to use” licences, rather 
than “right to access” licences. As such, the revenue from these licences is recognised at the point in time at which the 
licence transfers to the customer.

The granting of the product licences to the Group’s background intellectual property and know-how constitutes a 
“right to use” licence as our customers are able to conduct development work on the licence independent of the 
Group.  The  Group  is  incentivised  separately  for  its  performance  obligations  in  relation  to  development  work  and 
milestone payments. The criteria for recognising these technology licences as “right to access” licences has therefore 
not been met.

Amounts receivable in respect of milestone payments are considered to be separate performance obligations which 
are binary and will be recognised in full once it is deemed highly probable that the specific performance obligations 
stipulated in the licence agreement have been met. Payments linked to “success” such as regulatory filing or approval, 
or achievement of specified sales volumes, are recognised in full when the relevant event has occurred.

Non-binary milestones are recognised on a percentage of completion basis in the period in which related costs are 
incurred, or over the estimated period to completion of the relevant phase of development or associated clinical trials. 
Amounts receivable on delivery of a milestone performance obligation represents variable consideration and have been 
allocated to the relevant performance obligation.

Royalty revenue is recognised as the underlying sales occur.

Research and development revenue and associated costs are recognised over time. Progress is determined based on 
the cost-to-cost method.

Cost of sales
Cost of sales comprises the cost of bioprocessing clinical product for partners, the cost of customer development 
project activities, and royalties arising on partners’ licences.

The cost of customer development project activities includes the labour costs, overheads and other directly attributable 
material and third party costs. Costs are recognised as incurred. 

The cost of bioprocessing clinical product for partners includes the raw materials, labour costs, overheads and other 
directly attributable third party costs. Costs are recognised as incurred. 

The Group’s products and technologies include technology elements that are licensed from third parties. Royalties 
arising  from  such  partners’  licences  are  treated  as  cost  of  sales.  Where  royalties  due  have  not  been  paid  they  are 
included in accruals. Where revenue is spread over a number of accounting periods, the royalty attributable to the 
deferred revenue is included in prepayments.

Research, development and bioprocessing
Research, development and bioprocessing expenditure is charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the 
period in which it is incurred.

Employee benefit costs
Employee benefit costs, notably holiday pay and contributions to the Group’s defined contribution pension plan, are 
charged to the statement of comprehensive income on an accruals basis. The assets of the pension scheme are held 
separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds. The Group does not offer any other post-
retirement benefits.

 
 
 
 
2 Group financial statements

5
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Share based payments
The Group’s employee share option schemes, long term incentive plans, a Sharesave scheme and deferred bonus plans 
allow group employees to acquire shares of the Company subject to certain criteria. The fair value of options granted 
is recognised as an expense of employment in the statement of comprehensive income with a corresponding increase 
in  equity.  The  fair  value  is  measured  at  the  date  of  grant  and  spread  over  the  period  during  which  the  employees 
become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of options granted under the share option schemes and 
share  save  scheme  is  measured  using  the  Black-Scholes  model.  The  fair  value  of  options  granted  under  the  LTIP 
schemes, which includes market condition performance criteria, is measured using a Monte Carlo model taking into 
account the performance conditions under which the options were granted. The fair value of options granted under 
the deferred bonus plan is based on the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant of these options.

At  each  financial  year  end,  the  Group  revises  its  estimate  of  the  number  of  options  that  are  expected  to  become 
exercisable based on forfeiture such that at the end of the vesting period the cumulative charge reflects the actual 
options that have vested, with no charge for those options which were forfeit prior to vesting. When share options are 
exercised the proceeds received are credited to equity.

Options over the Company’s shares have been awarded to employees of Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd. In accordance 
with IFRS 2 ’Share-based Payments’, the expense in respect of these awards is recognised in the subsidiaries’ financial 
statements. In accordance with IFRS 2 the Company has treated the awards as a capital contribution to the subsidiaries, 
resulting in an increase in the cost of investment and a corresponding credit to reserves.

Employee Benefit Trust
The Oxford Biomedica Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) has been set up to hold market-purchased shares to settle the 
2013  Deferred  Bonus  Share  Awards  made  to  Executive  Directors  and  employees.  Within  the  Company  financial 
statements,  the  investment  in  the  Oxford  Biomedica  Employee  Trust  forms  part  of  the  Investments  and  loans  in 
subsidiary taking the form of a loan to subsidiaries. The EBT is consolidated within the Group financial statements.

Leases

As a lessee
At  commencement  or  on  modification  of  a  contract  that  contains  a  lease  component,  the  Group  allocates  the 
consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of its relative stand-alone prices. However, for the 
leases of property the Group has elected to separate non-lease components and account for the lease and non-lease 
components as a single lease component.

The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use 
asset  is  initially  measured  at  cost,  which  comprises  the  initial  amount  of  the  lease  liability  adjusted  for  any  lease 
payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs 
to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or site on which it is located less any 
lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to 
the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Group by the end of the 
lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group will exercise a purchase option. In that case the 
right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis 
as those of property and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if 
any, and adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement 
date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s 
incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

The  Group  determines  its  incremental  borrowing  rate  by  obtaining  relevant  interest  rates  from  external  financing 
sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and the type of the asset leased.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise fixed payments.

 
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The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is re-measured if:

 — there is a change in the Group’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual future lease payments;

 — the Group changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination options; or

 — there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment.

If a lease liability is re-measured, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, 
or is recorded in the Profit or Loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

The Group presents right-of-use assets in ’property, plant and equipment’ and lease liabilities as a category on the face 
of the Statement of Financial Position.

Short term or low-value leases
The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of short term and low-value lease. The 
Group recognises lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Grants
Income from government and other grants is recognised over the period necessary to match them with the related 
costs which they are intended to compensate. Grant income is included as other operating income within the statement 
of comprehensive income, and the related costs are included within research, development and bioprocessing costs, 
and  administrative  expenses.  Where  grant  income  received  exceeds  grant  income  recognised,  it  is  included  within 
deferred income on the Statement of financial position, whilst where grant income recognised exceeds grant income 
received, it is included within accrued income on the Statement of financial position.

Finance income and costs
Finance income and costs comprise interest income and interest payable during the year, calculated using the effective 
interest rate method. It also includes the revaluation of external loans denominated in a foreign currency.

Taxation
In  2020  and  before,  the  Group  was  entitled  to  claim  tax  credits  in  the  United  Kingdom  for  certain  research  and 
development  expenditure.  The  Group  receives  a  Research  and  Development  Expenditure  Credit  (‘RDEC’)  which  is 
accounted for  as a reduction in research and development costs in the statement of comprehensive income, and 
within trade and other receivables in the Statement of financial position. The credit is paid in arrears once tax returns 
have been filed and agreed.

Current tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) 
using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted, or substantially enacted, by the Statement of financial position date.

Deferred tax is calculated in respect of all temporary differences identified at the Statement of financial position date. 
Temporary differences are differences between the carrying amount of the Group’s assets and liabilities and their tax 
base. Deferred tax liabilities may be offset against deferred tax assets within the same taxable entity or qualifying local 
tax group. Any remaining deferred tax asset is recognised only when, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be 
regarded as probable that there will be suitable taxable profits within the same jurisdiction in the foreseeable future 
against which the deductible temporary difference can be utilised.

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset is realised 
or liability settled, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the Statement of 
financial position date.

Measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequence expected to fall from the manner in 
which the asset or liability is recovered or settled.

 
 
 
 
4 Group financial statements

5
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, together with any incidental expenses of acquisition, less depreciation. 
Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and any costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working 
condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of property, plant and equipment less their estimated residual values on 
a straight-line basis over the expected useful economic lives of the assets concerned. Depreciation of an asset begins 
when it is available for use. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are:

Freehold property
Leasehold improvements

Office equipment and computers
Bioprocessing and laboratory equipment

10%
10% 
(or the remaining lease term if shorter)
20 – 33%
20%

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed annually. Residual values are set at zero and will be reassessed 
should the asset’s selling price exceed its net book value.

The bioprocessing plants are reviewed annually for impairment triggers and, where necessary, a full impairment review 
is performed.

Assets under construction are capitalised throughout the course of the construction period with depreciation starting 
once the asset is available for use.

Assets capitalised under a category of fixed assets may be transferred to another category within fixed assets if, upon 
review, it is identified that the asset is more appropriately identifiable with that other category of fixed asset.

Intangibles
Where the intangible asset has a finite life, amortisation is charged on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful 
economic  life  from  the  time  it  becomes  available  for  use.  Where  the  useful  life  of  the  intangible  asset  cannot  be 
determined, the asset is carried at cost but tested annually for impairment. Intangible assets are amortised over the 
length of the patent life; current lives range from 5 to 19 years.

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments are carried at cost less any provision made for impairment. Options over the Company’s shares have been 
awarded to employees of subsidiary companies. In accordance with IFRS2, the Company treats the value of these 
awards as a capital contribution to the subsidiaries, resulting in an increase in the cost of investment.

Investments in subsidiary undertakings, including shares and loans, are carried at cost less any impairment provision. 
Such investments are subject to review, and any impairment is charged to the statement of comprehensive income.

At each year end the Directors review the carrying value of the Company’s investment in subsidiaries. Where there is a 
material  and  sustained  shortfall  in  the  market  capitalisation,  or  a  significant  and  sustained  change  in  the  business 
resulting in a decrease in market capitalisation, the Directors consider this to be a trigger of an impairment review as set 
out in IAS 36, and the carrying value of the Company’s investments in subsidiaries is adjusted. The Directors consider 
that reference to the market capitalisation of the Group is an appropriate external measure of the value of the Company’s 
subsidiaries for this purpose.

At  year  end  the  Directors  will  assess  the  requirement  to  write  back  a  portion  or  all  of  any  impairment  previously 
recognised on its investment in subsidiaries. Factors which will be taken into account with regard to this decision will 
be the Groups track record of improved financial results across the last three to four years, as well as the expectation of 
future impairments being required after a write back was accounted for.

 
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Financial assets

Assets at fair value through profit and loss
The gain or loss on Assets at fair value through profit and loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Investments
Other investments held by the Group are classified as at fair value through profit and loss.

Bank deposits
Bank deposits with original maturities between three months and twelve months are included in current assets and are 
valued at amortised cost. 

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average 
method. It excludes borrowing costs. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, 
less applicable variable selling expenses.

Trade receivables
Trade  receivables  are  recognised  initially  at  the  transaction  price  as  these  assets  do  not  have  significant  financing 
components and are subsequently measured at amortised cost. The Group recognises loss allowances for receivables 
under the expected credit loss model as established by evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts 
due according to the original terms of the receivables. 

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, bank deposits repayable on demand, and other short term highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Deposits
Deposits consist of amounts held in escrow and is included within other receivables within the Statement of financial 
position until such time as the restrictions relating to those amounts have been lifted.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method. Trade payables are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they 
are presented as non-current liabilities.

Contract liabilities 
Contract liabilities primarily relate to the advance consideration received from customers for commercial development 
work and bioprocessing batches, as well as options and funded research and development activities. 

Deferred income
Deferred income primarily relates to the advance consideration received for grants and lease incentives. 

 
 
 
 
6 Group financial statements

5
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Provisions
Provisions for dilapidation costs and other potential liabilities are recognised when the Group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the 
obligation; and the amount has been reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. 

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditure expected to be required to settle the obligation using 
a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific 
to the obligations. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.

Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Costs of share issues are charged to the share premium account.

Merger reserve
A merger reserve is used where more than 90% of the shares in a subsidiary are acquired and the consideration includes 
the issue of new shares by the Company, thereby attracting merger relief under s612 and s613 of the Companies Act 2006.

2, Critical accounting judgements and estimates
In applying the Group’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgements and assumptions concerning 
the future in a number of areas. Actual results may be different from those estimated using these judgements and 
assumptions. The key sources of estimation uncertainty and the critical accounting judgements that have a significant 
risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are 
discussed below.

Key accounting matters

Judgements

Contract revenues: Identification of performance obligations, allocation of revenue and timing of revenue recognition 
The Group has identified three key areas of judgement within the collaboration agreements entered into during the 
period.  Firstly,  in  relation  to  the  number  of  distinct  performance  obligations  contained  within  each  collaboration 
agreement; secondly the fair value allocation of revenue to each performance obligation; and thirdly the timing of 
revenue recognition based on the achievement of the relevant performance obligation. The sales royalties contained 
within the collaboration agreements qualify for the royalty exemption available under IFRS 15 and will only be recognised 
as the underlying sales are made even though the performance obligation, in terms of the technology license, has 
already been met.

Number of distinct performance obligations
Upon review of certain customer contracts and preparation of accounting papers setting out the accounting treatment 
as per IFRS 15, the Group is required to exercise judgement in identifying the distinct performance obligations contained 
within the contract. These have been identified as being:

 — The granting of the technology licences

 — Milestones relating to bioprocessing or process development activities

 
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The fair value allocation of revenue to each performance obligation
Because there is no readily available market price for many of the performance obligations contained in the customer 
contracts,  the  Group  exercises  judgment  in  estimating  the  stand  alone  selling  price  of  each  of  these  performance 
obligations. Key areas of judgement are assessed to be:

 — The stand alone selling price of technology licences. The Group assesses the stand alone selling price of licences in 
terms the stand alone selling price of previously recognised customer technology licences, but also the size of the 
market of the target indication and other market related observable inputs, 

 — The  stand  alone  selling  price  of  bioprocessing  batches.  The  Group  assesses  the  stand  alone  selling  price  of  the 

batches in terms the stand alone selling price of its other customer contract batch selling prices,

 — The stand alone selling price in terms of the annual full time equivalent rate to charge for process development 
activities.  The  Group  assesses  the  full  time  equivalent  rate  in  terms  the  stand  alone  equivalent  rate  of  its  other 
customer contract equivalent rates,

Timing of revenue recognition: technology licence revenues
One of the key judgemental areas identified within the collaboration agreements is the timing of recognition of licence 
revenue based on the achievement of the relevant performance obligation. The individual factors and aspects relating to 
licence revenue is assessed as part of the IFRS 15 accounting paper prepared for each agreement and a judgement is 
made as to whether the licence fee performance obligation related to the granting of the licence to the customer has 
been achieved. If it was judged that the performance obligations on licences granted in 2020 had not been met, revenues 
would  have  been  £9.4  million  lower  with  the  revenue  expected  to  be  recognised  in  future  when  the  performance 
obligations were deemed to have been met.

Customer contract with varying bioprocessing batch prices
During 2020 the Group entered into a supply agreement with a customer for the supply of bioprocessing batches 
where the batch price will vary across the period of the contract. The Group has deemed that the series guidance within 
IFRS  15  applies  and  has  therefore  recognised  revenue  based  on  averaging  the  batch  price  over  the  period  of  the 
contract where the series guidance applies. If the revenue had been recognised based on an actual batch price, revenues 
would have been £2.4 million higher with a corresponding decrease in revenues in future years.

Estimations
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, 
that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within  
the next financial year, are discussed below. The nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from 
those estimates.

 
 
 
 
8 Group financial statements

5
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Percentage of completion of bioprocessing batch revenues
Bioprocessing of clinical/commercial product for partners is recognised on a percentage of completion basis over time 
as the processes are carried out. Progress is determined based on the achievement of verifiable stages of the bioprocessing 
process. Revenues are recognised on a percentage of completion basis and as such require estimation in terms of the 
assessment of the correct stage of completion including the expected costs of completion for that specific bioprocessing 
batch. The value of the revenue recognised and the related contract asset raised with regard to the bioprocessing batches 
which remain in progress at year end is £21,260,000. If the assessed percentage of completion was 10 percentage points 
higher or lower, revenue recognised in the period would have been £2,126,000 higher or lower.

Percentage of completion of fixed price process development revenues
As it satisfies its performance obligations the Group recognises revenue and the related contract asset with regard to 
fixed price process development work packages. Revenues are recognised on a percentage of completion basis and as 
such require estimation in terms of the assessment of the correct percentage of completion for that specific process 
development work package. The value of the revenue recognised and the related contract asset raised with regard to 
the work packages which remain in progress at year end is £6,677,000. If the assessed percentage of completion was 10 
percentage points higher or lower, revenue recognised in the period would have been £667,000 higher or lower.

Stock and equipment received in lieu of cash payment for bioprocessing and development services
During 2020, as part of its supply and development agreements with customers, the Group received certain stock items 
and fixed assets in partial lieu of cash payments from customers. As required by IFRS 15, the Group has valued the 
commercial  development  services  and  bioprocessing  batches  it  has  provided  at  their  market  value  for  revenue 
recognition purposes, with a corresponding entry being passed within cost of goods, depreciation and operating lease 
payments to account for the cost of these items. The value of revenue recognised during 2020 related to these items 
amounts to £3.3 million (2019: nil).

Provision for out of specification bioprocessing batches
Bioprocessing of clinical/commercial product for partners is recognised on a percentage of completion basis over time 
as the processes are carried out. Progress is determined based on the achievement of verifiable stages of the process. 

As the Group has now been bioprocessing product across a number of years, and also in a commercial capacity, the 
Group has assessed the need to include an estimate of bioprocessed product for which revenue has previously been 
recognised and which may be reversed should the product go out of specification during the remaining period over 
which the product is bioprocessed. In calculating this estimate the Group has looked at historical rates of out of specification 
batches across the last four years, and has applied the percentage of out of specification batches to total batches produced 
across  the  assessed  period  to  the  revenue  recognised  on  batches  which  have  not  yet  completed  the  bioprocessing 
process at year end. This estimate, based on the historical percentage, may be significantly higher or lower depending on 
the number of bioprocessing batches actually going out of specification in future. If the historical percentage had been 
10% higher or lower, the estimate would be £137,000 higher or lower. The estimate will increase or decrease based on the 
number of bioprocessing batches undertaken, the percentage of completion of those bioprocessing batches, and the 
number of batches which go out of specification over the assessment period.

Consequently, bioprocessing revenue of £1.4 million (2019: £1.8 million) has not been recognised during 2020 with the 
corresponding credit to contract liabilities (note 19). This revenue will be recognised as the batches complete bioprocessing.

 
9
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3, Financial risk management

Financial risk factors
The  Group  has  a  simple  corporate  structure  with  the  Company  and  its  only  operating  subsidiary  both  being  UK 
domiciled. Monitoring of financial risk is part of the Board’s ongoing risk management, the effectiveness of which is 
reviewed annually. The Group’s agreed policies are implemented by the Chief Financial Officer, who submits reports at 
each Board meeting. The Group does not use financial derivatives, and it is the Group’s policy not to undertake any 
trading in financial instruments.

(a) Foreign exchange risk
In 2020 the Group’s revenues were mostly receivable in Sterling and US Dollars, and certain of its expenditures were 
payable in Euros and US Dollars. The majority of operating costs are denominated in Sterling. A 10% difference in the 
£/$ exchange rate would have had an impact of approximately £1,351,000 (2019: £1,373,000) over the year and would 
lead to an unrealised foreign exchange gain/loss of £nil million (2019: £4.3 million) on any outstanding loan balance.

The Group also has exposure to the £/€ exchange rate due to the need to fund certain expenditure denominated in 
Euros. Had the £/€ exchange rate been 10% different, the impact on cost in 2020 would have been approximately 
£228,000 (2019: £343,000). The Group’s policy is to hold the majority of its funds in Sterling and US Dollars. No other 
hedging of foreign currency cash flows is undertaken.

(b) Interest rate risk
The Group’s policy is to maximise interest receivable on deposits, subject to maintaining access to sufficient liquid funds 
to meet day to day operational requirements and preserving the security of invested funds. With the current low level 
of bank interest rates, interest receivable on bank deposits in 2020 was just £34,000 (2019: £104,000).

On 28 June 2019 the Group repaid its $55 million (£43.6 million) loan facility with Oaktree Capital Management (“Oaktree”) 
financed through £53.5 million of equity issued to Novo Holdings in May 2019. The loan facility was fully repaid at a cost 
of £43.6 million plus a redemption fee of £0.9 million, and the security over the assets of the Group was removed.

If interest rates had been 1% higher in 2020 the impact on cash interest paid would have been £nil (2019: £215,000).

(c) Credit risks
Cash balances are mainly held on short term deposits with financial institutions with a credit rating of at least A, in line 
with the Group’s policy to minimise the risk of loss.

Trade debtors are monitored to minimise the risk of loss (note 16).

Derivative financial instruments and hedging
There were no material derivatives at 31 December 2020 or 31 December 2019 which have required separation, and 
hedge accounting has not been used.

Fair value estimates
The fair value of short term deposits with a maturity of one year or less is assumed to be the book value.

Capital Management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in 
order to provide returns to shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders, and to maintain an optimal capital structure 
to minimise the cost of capital. 

Group
Net debt
Equity
Debt/equity

Note 1: Represents Cash balance only as no debt.

2020  
£’000
(46,743)1
115,071
(41%)

2019  
£’000
(16,243)1
75,630
(21%)

 
 
 
 
0 Group financial statements

6
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

4, Segmental analysis

Segmental reporting
The  chief  operating  decision-maker  has  been  identified  as  the  Senior  Executive  Team  (SET),  comprising  the  Executive 
Directors, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Technical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, Chief Business Officer, Chief Operations 
Officer, Chief People Officer and General Counsel. The SET monitors the performance of the Group in two business segments:

(i)   Platform  –  this  segment  consists  of  the  revenue  generating  bioprocessing  and  process  development  activities 
undertaken  for  third  parties  (i.e  the  partner  programmes  CDMO  business).  It  also  includes  internal  technology 
developments and technical intellectual property within the LentiVector® platform.

(ii)  Product – this segment consists of the clinical and pre-clinical development of in vivo and ex vivo cell and gene 

therapy products (gene therapeutics) which are owned by the Group.

Revenues, other operating income and operating loss by segment
Revenues, Operating EBITDA and Operating loss represent our measures of segment profit and loss as they are a primary 
measure used for the purpose of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of segments.
Total  
£’000
87,728
795
 7,339
(12,203)
(831)
 (5,694)
(878)
 (6,572)

2020
Revenue
Other operating income
Operating EBITDA¹
Depreciation, amortisation and share based payment
Change in fair value of asset held at fair value through profit and loss
Operating profit/(loss)
Net finance cost
Loss before tax

Platform 
 £’000
87,117
795
 13,857
(11,048)
(831)
 1,979

Product 
£’000
611
–
 (6,518)
(1,155)
–
 (7,673)

2019
Revenue
Other operating income
Operating EBITDA¹
Depreciation, amortisation and share based payment
Revaluation of investments
Operating profit
Net finance cost
Loss before tax

Platform 
 £’000
50,997
884
(11,699)
(6,584)
(1,883)
(20,166)

Product 
£’000
13,063
–
6,458
(759)
–
5,699

Total  
£’000
64,060
884
(5,241)
(7,343)
(1,883)
(14,467)
(6,422)
(20,889)

1   Operating EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, revaluation of investments and Assets at fair value through profit and loss, and Share Based Payments) is a 
non-GAAP measure often used as a surrogate for operational cash flow as it excludes from operating profit or loss all non-cash items, including the charge for share based payments 
options. A reconciliation to GAAP measures is provided on page 42.

Other  operating  income  of  £0.8  million  (2019:  £0.9  million)  includes  grant  income  to  develop  our  supply  chain 
capabilities of £0.8 million (2019: £0.9 million) and is included within the Platform segment. 

Costs are allocated to the segments on a specific basis as far as possible. Costs which cannot readily be allocated 
specifically are apportioned between the segments using relevant metrics such as headcount or direct costs.

A geographical split of operating loss is not provided because this information is not received or reviewed by the chief 
operating decision-maker and the origin of all revenues is the United Kingdom.

A segmental or geographical split of assets and liabilities is not provided because this information is not received or 
reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker. All assets are located within the United Kingdom.

 
 
 
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Disaggregation of revenue 
Revenue is disaggregated by the type of revenue which is generated by the commercial arrangement. Revenue shown 
in the table below is denominated in GBP and is generated in the UK. 

2020
Bioprocessing/Commercial development 
Licence fees, milestones and royalties
Total 

2019
Bioprocessing/Commercial development 
Licence fees, milestones and royalties
Total 

Platform 
 £’000
 67,893
19,224
 87,117

Platform 
 £’000
45,715
5,282
50,997

Product 
£’000
611
–
611

Product 
£’000
1,553
11,510
13,063

Total  
£’000
 68,504
19,224
 87,728

Total  
£’000
47,268
16,792
64,060

Revenue by geographical location
The  Group’s  revenue  derives  wholly  from  assets  located  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Analysed  by  location  the  Group’s 
revenues derive predominantly from Europe:

Revenue by customer location
Europe
Rest of world
Total revenue

2020  
£’000
52,817
 34,911
 87,728

2019  
£’000
46,602
17,458
64,060

In 2020 AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Juno/Bristol Myers Squibb each generated more than 10% of the Group’s revenues. 
In 2019 Novartis, Sio Gene Therapies (formerly Axovant Gene Therapies) and Orchard Therapeutics each generated 
more than 10% of the Group’s revenues. The change year on year is due to the volume of activities for new customers, 
AstraZeneca and Juno/Bristol Myers Squibb, and a decrease in the level of development and manufacturing activities 
for Orchard therapeutics. Sio Gene Therapies (formerly Axovant Gene Therapies) is not included in 2020 as no further 
significant licences or milestones were achieved (2019: £11.5 million). 

 
 
 
 
2 Group financial statements

6
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

5, Employees and directors

The monthly average number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:

By activity
Office and management
Research, development  
and bioprocessing
Total

Employee benefit costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs (note 30)
Share based payments (note 25)
Total employee benefit costs

Key management compensation
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Share based payments
Total

2020  
Number
46

563
609

2020 
£’000
35,909
4,486
2,244
3,030
 45,669

2020  
£’000
3,177
1,038
 207
1,804
6,226

2019 
Number
38

462
500

2019  
£’000
27,438
2,861
1,769
1,559
33,627

2019  
£’000
3,417
512
186
869
4,984

The key management figures above include Executive and Non-Executive Directors and the other members of the 
Senior Executive Team. Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors, including the highest paid 
Director, is provided in the audited part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 105 which forms part of these 
financial statements.

The Company had no employees during the year (2019: zero).

6, Finance income and costs

Group
Finance income:
Bank interest receivable
Total finance income

Finance costs:
Unwinding of discount in provisions (note 20)
Revaluation of liabilities in foreign currency
Interest payable
Total finance costs
Net finance costs

2020  
£’000

34
34

(38)
–
(874)
(912)
(878)

2019 
£’000

104
104

(57)
(969)
(5,500)
(6,526)
(6,422)

On 28 June 2019 the Group repaid its $55 million (£43.6 million) loan facility with Oaktree Capital Management (“Oaktree”) 
financed through £53.5 million of equity issued to Novo Holdings in May 2019. The loan facility was fully repaid at a cost 
of £43.6 million plus a redemption fee of £0.9 million, and the security over the assets of the Group was removed.

Up to 29 June 2019, interest payable consisted of the cash interest paid on the Oaktree loan facility at 9.0% plus US$ 
three month LIBOR, subject to a minimum of 1%. 

 
 
7, Expenses by nature

Employee benefit costs
Depreciation of property, plant  
and equipment
Amortisation

Raw materials and consumables 
used in bioprocessing
Operating lease payments
Net loss on foreign exchange

Notes

5

12

11

3
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Group

2020
£’000
 45,669

9,598
22

 11,971
173
(627)

2019
£’000
33,627

5,765
22

13,374
104
(255)

Company
2020
£’000
494

2019
£’000
382

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

Company  employee  benefit  costs  of  £494,000  (2019:  £382,000)  relates  to  non-executive  costs  paid  by  Oxford 
Biomedica UK Ltd and recharged to the Company.

Depreciation is charged to cost of goods, research and development, and bioprocessing costs in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

During the year the Group (including its subsidiaries) obtained services from the Group’s auditors and their associates 
as detailed below:

Services provided  
by the Group’s auditors
Fees payable for the audit of the parent company and consolidated financial statements
Fees payable for other services:

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries
Additional fees relating to prior year audit
Review of interim results
Audit related assurance services 
and grant income audits

Total

Group

2020
£’000
50

235
98
35

–
418

2019
£’000
25

165
26
20

94
330

 
 
 
 
  
4 Group financial statements

6
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

8, Taxation
During  2019  and  before  the  Group  was  entitled  to  claim  tax  credits  in  the  United  Kingdom  under  the  Small  company 
scheme for certain research and development expenditure. During 2020 the Group ceased being eligible to claim a research 
and development tax credits under the Government’s small company scheme.

Current tax
United Kingdom corporation tax research and development credit
Corporation tax

Adjustments in respect of prior periods:
United Kingdom corporation tax research and development credit
Current tax

Deferred tax
Relating to the origination of timing allowances
Deferred Tax (note 22)

Taxation Credit

Group

2020
£’000
–
(1,140)
(1,140)

1,467
327

–
–

2019
£’000
5,018
–
5,018

(473)
4,545

278
278

327

4,823

The amount of £1,140,000 included as part of the £327,000 taxation credit within the statement of comprehensive 
income for the year ended 31 December 2020 comprises the corporation tax payable on the amount claimed as a 
Large  Company  Tax  credit  (RDEC)  within  research  and  development  expenses  in  the  statement  of  comprehensive 
income. 

The  adjustment  of  current  tax  in  respect  of  the  prior  year  of  £1,467,000  (2019:  £473,000)  relates  to  a  higher  than 
anticipated tax receipt received in 2020 (£473,000), and an expected tax repayment relating to prior years (£994,000). 
The 2019 sum of £5,018,000 represents the Small company tax credit receivable by the Group in that year.

The United Kingdom corporation tax research and development credit is paid in arrears once tax returns have been filed 
and agreed. The tax credit recognised in the financial statements but not yet received is included in current tax assets 
in the Statement of financial position.

During 2020 the Group recognised £273,000 of current tax relating to tax relief obtained on exercise of share options 
directly within equity.

The Company has no tax liability, nor is it entitled to tax credits (2019: £nil).

 
 
 
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The tax credit for the year is lower (2019: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are 
explained below:

Loss on ordinary activities before tax
Loss on ordinary activities before tax multiplied 
by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2018: 19%)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
R&D relief mark-up on expenses
Income not taxable

Current tax relief less than accounting charge on share options
Recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses
Amounts not recognised
Deferred tax not recognised
Origination and reversal of timing differences on deferred tax
Taxable gains on disposal of shares
Tax losses carried forward to future periods
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
Total tax credit /(charge) for the year

Group

2020
£’000
 (6,572)

2019
£’000
(20,889)

 1,249

3,969

(1,046)
–
26

(277)
–
–
 (753)
15
(354)
–
1,467
327

(464)
2,434
–

(20)
682
(33)
(288)
–
(937)
(47)
(473)
4,823

Company
2020
£’000
(1,883)

358

(18)
–
–

–
–
41
–
(386)
(354)
 –
–
(359)

2019
£’000
(1,246)

 237

–
–
–

–
–
90
–
–
603
 (160)
–
770

At 31 December 2020, the Group had tax losses to be carried forward of approximately £89.3 million (2019: £84.2 million). 
Of the Group tax losses, £89.3 million (2019: £84.2 million) arose in the United Kingdom. 

9, Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
The basic loss per share of 7.81p (2019: earnings of 22.10p) has been calculated by dividing the loss for the period by 
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year ended 31 December 2020 (79,944,911; 2019: 72,709,944).

The Group made a loss for the period ended 31 December 2020. There is therefore no difference between the basic 
loss per ordinary share and the diluted loss per ordinary share in the period.

10, Loss for the financial year
As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company’s statement of comprehensive income has not 
been included in these financial statements. The Company’s loss for the year was £2,242,000 (2019: £2,016,000).

11, Intangible assets

Cost at 1 January and 31 December

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 January
Amortisation charge for the year
At 31 December

Net book amount at 31 December

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

5,636

5,636

5,541
22
5,563

73

5,519
22
5,541

95

Intangible assets comprise intellectual property rights. The Group has not capitalised any internally generated intangible 
assets.

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
6 Group financial statements

6
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

12, Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 January 2020
Additions at cost
Reclassification
Change in estimate
At 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Reclassification
At 31 December 2020

Freehold
property
£’000

Leasehold 
improvements
£’000

Office 
equipment and 
computers
£’000

Bioprocessing 
and Laboratory 
equipment
£’000

Right of use 
asset 
£’000

21,427
1,678
226
–
23,331

8,360
2,084
–
10,444

21,908
 4,659
652
–
 27,219

1,679
1,840
–
3,519

7,395
 1,484
227
–
 9,106

3,054
1,556
–
4,610

20,174
 5,537
(1,105)
–
 24,606

6,440
2,737
–
9,177

11,400
6.361
–
251
 18,012

839
1,381
–
2,220

Total
£’000

82,304
19,719
–
251
 102,274

20,372
9,598
–
29,970

Net book amount at 31 December 2020

12,887

 23,700

 4,496

 15,429

 15,792

 72,304

Freehold
property
£’000

Leasehold 
improvements
£’000

Office 
equipment and 
computers
£’000

Bioprocessing 
and Laboratory 
equipment
£’000

Right of use 
asset 
£’000

Cost
At 1 January 2019
Adoption of IFRS 16 (Leases)
Additions at cost
Reclassification
Disposals
At 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2019
Adoption of IFRS 16 (Leases)
Charge for the year
Reclassification
Disposals
At 31 December 2019

21,283
–
144
–
–
21,427

6,324
–
2,036
–
–
8,360

7,735
(1,263)
15,436
–
–
21,908

1,450
(188)
417
–
–
1,679

Net book amount at 31 December 2019

13,067

20,229

5,088
–
2,681
(374)
–
7,395

2,416
–
877
(239)
–
3,054

4,341

12,337
–
7,513
374
(50)
20,174

4,462
–
1,784
239
(45)
6,440

–
7,618
3,782
–
–
11,400

–
188
651
–
–
839

13,734

10,561

61,932

Leasehold improvements are capital improvements to buildings which the Group leases. Bioprocessing and laboratory 
equipment is equipment purchased for our laboratory and bioprocessing processes, and are generally movable from 
one facility to another.

The Company had no property, plant and equipment at 31 December 2020 or 31 December 2019. 

Total
£’000

46,443
6,355
29,556
–
(50)
82,304

14,652
–
5,765

(45)
20,372

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13, Assets at fair value through profit and loss

Assets at fair value through profit and loss: Group
At 1 January
Reclassification of investment as asset at fair value through profit and loss 
Additions
Costs to sell asset at fair value through profit and loss
Sale of shares
Change in fair value of available-for-sale asset
At 31 December

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2020
£’000
2,719
–
874
–
(2,523)
(831)
239

2019
£’000
–
10,966
–
(94 )
( 6,270)
( 1,883 )
2,719

Additions in 2020 relate to a contract asset milestone which was met in 2019 with the shares received in 2020 as part 
of a non-cash consideration. 

During the first half of 2019 the Group determined that the equity held in Orchard Therapeutics met the definition of 
an  Asset  at  fair  value  through  profit  and  loss  under  IFRS  5.  As  such,  the  equity  investment  was  reclassified  from 
Investments held at fair value through profit and loss (non-current assets) to Assets at fair value through profit and loss 
(current assets).

14, Investments and loans in subsidiaries

Shares in group undertakings 
At 1 January and 31 December

Loans to group undertakings
At 1 January
Loan advanced in the year
At 31 December
Total investments in shares and loans to group undertakings

Accumulated impairment
At 1 January and 31 December
Net book amount at 31 December

Capital contribution in respect of employee share schemes
At 1 January
Additions in the year (note 26 and 27)
At 31 December

Total investments

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

15,182

15,182

248,152
13,850
262,002
277,184

194,736
53,416
248,152
263,334

126,065
151,119

126,065
137,269

9,492
5,777
15,269

7,933
1,559
9,492

166,388

146,761

The application of the expected credit loss model has had no significant impact on the level of impairment of the loan 
to  group  undertakings  as  the  market  value  of  the  Group,  of  which  Oxford  Biomedica  (UK)  Ltd.  as  the  operational 
company makes up almost all of the value, considerably exceeds the value of the loan and investment made by the 
parent company.

The loan from Oxford Biomedica plc to Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited is unsecured and interest free. The loan is not 
due for repayment within 12 months of the year end.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8 Group financial statements

6
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Interests in subsidiary undertakings

Country of 
incorporation

Description of  
shares held

Proportion of nominal value 
of issued shares held by the 
Group and Company

Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited

Great Britain

1p ordinary shares

Oxford Biomedica (Ireland) Limited

 Ireland

1p ordinary shares

Oxxon Therapeutics Limited

Great Britain

1p ordinary shares

100%

100%

100%

Nature of business
Gene therapy research  
and development

Product release

Dormant

The registered office of both Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd and Oxxon Therapeutics Limited is Windrush Court, Transport Way, 
Oxford, OX4 6LT. The registered office of Oxford Biomedica (Ireland) Ltd is Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, DO2 T380, Ireland.

In addition, the Group set up the Oxford Biomedica Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) to hold market-purchased shares to 
settle the 2013 deferred bonus share awards made to Executive Directors and employees (note 25).

All of the above subsidiaries have been consolidated in these financial statements.

At each year end the Directors review the carrying value of the Company’s investment in subsidiaries. Where there is a 
material  and  sustained  shortfall  in  the  market  capitalisation,  or  a  significant  and  sustained  change  in  the  business 
resulting in a decrease in market capitalisation, the Directors consider this to be a trigger of an impairment review as set 
out in IAS 36, and the carrying value of the Company’s investments in subsidiaries is adjusted. The Directors consider 
that reference to the market capitalisation of the Group is an appropriate external measure of the value of the Group 
for this purpose. Cumulative impairment of £126.0 million has been recognised up to 31 December 2020.

15, Inventories

Group
Raw Materials
Total inventory

2020
£’000
6,912
6,912

2019
£’000
2,579
2,579

 Inventories constitute raw materials held for commercial bioprocessing purposes.

During the year, the Group wrote down £134,000 (2019: £171,000) of inventory which is not expected to be used in 
production or sold onwards. The Company holds no inventories.

 
 
 
 
16, Trade and other receivables

Current
Trade receivables
Contract assets
Other receivables
Other tax receivable
Prepayments
Total trade and other receivables

9
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Group

2020
£’000
27,214
 16,508
4,163
3,412
2,629
 53,926

2019
£’000
12,766
13,406
563
1,537
1,773
30,045

Company
2020
£’000
–
–
–
–
–
–

2019
£’000
–
–
–
–
–
–

Non-current trade and other receivables constitute other receivables of £3,605,000 (2019: £3,605,000) which consists 
of deposits held in escrow as part of the Windrush Innovation Centre and Oxbox lease arrangements.

The fair value of trade and other receivables are the current book values. The Group has performed an impairment 
assessment under IFRS 9 and has concluded that the application of the expected credit loss model has had an immaterial 
impact on the level of impairment of receivables.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
US Dollar

2020
£’000
 57,517
14
 57,531

2019
£’000
25,939
7,711
33,650

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable above. The Group 
does not hold any collateral as security.

Trade receivables 
Included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are debtors with a carrying amount of £9,502,000 (2019: £7,472,000) 
which were past due at the reporting date and of which £9,460,000 has been received after the reporting date.

Ageing of past due but not impaired trade receivables: 

0–30 days
30–60 days
60+ days

2020
£’000
 9,502
 21
–
 9,523

2019
£’000
1,142
–
6,330
7,472

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0 Group financial statements

7
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Contract assets 
Contract assets relates to the Group’s rights to consideration for work completed but not invoiced at the reporting date 
for commercial development work and bioprocessing batches. The contract assets are transferred to receivables when 
the rights become unconditional. This usually occurs when the Group issues an invoice to the customer.

The balance of £16.5 million (2019: £13.4 million) mainly relates to commercial development milestones which have 
been accrued as the specific conditions stipulated in the licence agreement have been met, commercial development 
work orders accrued on a percentage complete basis which will be invoiced as the related work package completes 
and bioprocessing batches accrued on a percentage of completion basis which will be invoiced as the manufacturing 
of the batch is completed.

Contract assets have increased from £13.4 million at the end of 2019 to £16.5 million at the end of 2020 due to the 
increased  levels  of  bioprocessing  and  commercial  development  activities  undertaken  during  the  year  leading  to  a 
higher level of consideration for work completed but not yet billed.

A portion of contract assets relates to fixed price process development work packages which are recognised on a 
percentage of completion basis and as such requires estimation in terms of the assessment of the correct percentage 
of completion for that specific work package. The value of the contract asset raised with regard to these work packages 
is £6,677,000. If the assessed percentage of completion was 1 percentage point higher or lower, revenue recognised in 
the period would have been £67,000 higher or lower.

The Group performed an impairment assessment under IFRS 9 and has concluded that the application of the expected 
credit loss model has had an immaterial impact on the level of impairment on contract assets. We have noted there has 
been no change in the time frame for a right to consideration to become unconditional and the performance obligation 
to be satisfied.

17, Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand 

18, Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other taxation and social security
Accruals
Total trade and other payables

Group

2020
£’000
46,743

2019
£’000
16,243

Company
2020
£’000
23,630

2019
£’000
2

Group

2020
£’000
7,777
1,585
10,354
19,716

2019
£’000
7,311
1,042
5,944
14,297

Company
2020
£’000
–
–
134
134

2019
£’000
–
–
 109
 109

 
 
 
1
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19, Contract liabilities and deferred income
Contract liabilities and deferred income arise when the Group has received payment for services in excess of the stage 
of completion of the services being provided.

Contract liabilities and deferred income have increased from £14.9 million at the end of 2019 to £28.3 million at the end of 
2020 due to funds received in advance for future bioprocessing and process development activities. Of the £14.9 million 
balance included in the statement of financial position at the end of 2019, £11.6 million has been recognised as revenue 
during the 2020 financial year. 

Contract liabilities consists primarily of deferred bioprocessing and process development revenues, which are expected 
to be released as the related performance obligations are satisfied over the period as described below:

Years
Contract liabilities
Bioprocessing income
Process development income
Licence fees and Milestones
Deferred Income
Lease incentives
Grant

0–1 
£’000
 27,258
24,327
 2,914
17
1,006
–
1,006

1–3 
£’000
50
–
–
50
2,515
–
2,515

3–5 
£’000
948
–
–
948
–
–
–

5–10 
£’000
5
–
–
5
–
–
–

Total
 28,261
24,327
 2,914
1,020
3,521
–
3,521

Included within bioprocessing contract liabilities is revenue of £1.4 million which has not been recognised during 
2020  (2019:  £1.8  million)  relating  to  the  estimate  of  out  of  specification  batches  (see  note  2:  ’Estimations’  for 
additional information). 

Deferred income relates to grant funding received from the UK Government for capital equipment purchased as part 
of the Oxbox bioprocessing facility expansion. The income will be recognised over the period over which the purchased 
assets are depreciated. 

The Company had no contract liabilities or deferred income in 2020 or 2019.

20, Provisions

At 1 January
Unwinding of discount
New provision
Change in estimate
Additional provision recognised
At 31 December

Current
Non-current
Total provisions

2020
£’000
5,086
38
–
251
464
5,839

2020
£’000
–
5,839
5,839

2019
£’000
1,287
58
3,741
–
–
5,086

2019
£’000
–
5,086
5,086

Provisions are exclusively in respect of dilapidations. The dilapidations provisions relate to anticipated costs of restoring 
the  leasehold  Yarnton,  Oxbox,  Windrush  Innovation  Centre  and  Corporate  Office  properties  in  Oxford,  UK  to  their 
original condition at the end of the lease terms in 2024, 2033, 2028 and 2030 respectively, discounted using the rate 
per the Bank of England nominal yield curve. The equivalent rate was used in 2019. The provisions will be utilised at the 
end of the leases if they are not renewed.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 Group financial statements

7
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

21, Financial instruments
The Group and Company’s financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, 
assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  and  loss,  and  trade  and  other  payables.  Additional  disclosures  are  set  out  in  the 
Corporate Governance Report and in note 3 relating to risk management.

The Group had the following financial instruments at 31 December each year:

Cash and cash equivalents (note 17)
Trade receivables and other receivables (note 16)
Assets at fair value through profit and loss (note 13)
Trade and other payables excluding tax (note 18)

Financial assets at fair value 
through profit and loss

2020
£’000
–
–
239
–
239

2019
£’000
–
–
2,719
–
2,719

Cash and  
receivables
2020
£’000
46,743
 54,902
–
–
101,645

2019
£’000
16,243
31,877
–
– 
48,120

Amortised costs, loans  
and other liabilities

2020
£’000
–
–
–
18,131
18,131

2019
£’000
–
–
–
13,255
13,255

Floating rate instant access deposits earned interest at prevailing bank rates.

Sterling
US Dollars

2020

2019
Year average Year average
Weighted 
average rate
0.55%
1.62%

Weighted 
average rate
0.01%
0.00%

Assessment of financial assets by credit risk rating:
Cash and cash equivalents are held with reputable banks with a low assessed risk of default.

All trade receivables are assessed as having a low credit risk rating as the debt is owed by blue chip pharmaceutical 
groups  in  the  top  10  in  the  world  by  market  capitalisation,  and  by  biotechnology  companies  with  sufficient  cash 
reserves  to  satisfy  their  obligations.  There  has  been  no  change  in  the  determined  risk  during  2020,  therefore  no 
reconciliation between the 2019 and 2020 closing debtor balance assessed by risk of default has been provided. The 
opening and closing position was low (2019: low).

Other receivables are rent deposits held in separately administered bank accounts with covenants limiting their use and 
are as such assessed as having a low risk of default.

Fair value
The Directors consider that the fair values of the Group’s financial instruments do not differ significantly from their 
book values.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
Euro
US Dollar

2020
£’000
 37,299
 439
 9,005
46,743

2019
£’000
5,454
–
10,789
16,243

Financial assets classified as level 1 in hierarchy
The investment asset represented by ordinary shares in Orchard Therapeutics is classified as at fair value through profit 
and loss. Please refer to note 13 for further information.

 
 
 
Reconciliation of external loan liability

At 1 January
Interest payable
Foreign exchange movement
Cash interest paid
Redemption fee
Oaktree loan repayment
At 31 December

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2020
£’000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2019
£’000
41,153
4,819
969
(2,486)
(866)
(43,589)
–

Reconciliation of movements of liabilities to cash flows  
arising from financing activities

Liabilities

Equity

Total

Balance at 1 January 2020
Changes from financing cash flows
Share options – Proceeds from shares issued
Issue of shares excluding options
Cost of share issues
Payment of lease liabilities
Transfer of share premium related to warrants
Total changes from financing cash flows

Other changes:
Additions
Interest
Closing balance at 31 December 2020

Exposure to Liquidity Risk

Lease 
liabilities
£’000
8,389

Share  
capital
£’000
38,416

Share 
Premium
£’000
222,618

Total
£’000
269,423

1,086
40,000
(1,724)
(1,151)
(1,218)
36,993

245
2,500
–
–
–
2,745

841
37,500
(1,724)
–
(1,218)
35,399

–
–
41,161

–
–
258,017

 5,733
 874
313,023

–
–
–
 (1,151)
–
 (1,151)

 5,733
 874
 13,845

Carrying 
Amount 
£’000

Total
£’000

2 months  
or less
£’000

2–12  
months 
£’000

1–2 years 
£’000

2–5 years 
£’000

>5 years
£’000

Contractual Cash flows

Non derivative financial liabilities: 
Lease Liabilities

 13,845 

 18,732 

 – 

 5,357 

 1,548 

 4,418 

 7,409 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 Group financial statements

7
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

22, Deferred taxation
The Company and the Group have recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 
2019. In light of the Group’s history of losses, recovery of the whole deferred tax asset is not sufficiently certain, and 
therefore a deferred tax asset has been recognised only to the extent that there is a deferred tax liability. The deferred 
tax  liability  as  at  31  December  2020  comprised  fixed  asset  temporary  differences.  The  deferred  tax  liability  as  at  
31 December 2019 comprised expected future taxable gains on the sale of the Orchard investment asset.

A  reduction  in  the  UK  corporation  tax  rate  from  19%  to  17%  (effective  1  April  2020)  was  substantively  enacted  on  
6 September 2016, and the UK deferred tax asset/(liability) as at 31 December 2019 was calculated based on this rate.

The March 2020 Budget announced that the corporation tax rate of 19% would continue to apply with effect from  
1 April 2020 and therefore the corporation tax rate would no longer reduce to 17%. This change was substantively 
enacted on 17 March 2020. As a result, the company’s future current tax liability is expected to be subject to the 19% 
corporation  tax  rate.  Accordingly,  the  deferred  tax  balances  as  at  31  December  2020  have  been  measured  at  the 
corporation tax rate of 19%.

Group – recognised
Deferred tax (assets)/liabilities – recognised

At 1 January 2020
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2019
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
At 31 December 2019

Company – recognised
Deferred tax (assets)/liabilities – not recognised

At 1 January 2020
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2019
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
At 31 December 2019

Group – not recognised 
Deferred tax (assets)/liabilities – not recognised

At 1 January 2020
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2019
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
At 31 December 2019

Tax losses
£’000

Revaluation of 
investments
£’000

(359)
359
–

(1,129)
770
(359)

359
(359)
–

1,408
(1,049)
359

Tax losses
£’000

Revaluation of 
investments
£’000

359
(359)
–

1,129
(770)
359

–
–
–

–
–
–

Tax 
depreciation
£’000

Loan 
relationships
£’000

Provisions
£’000

Tax losses
£’000

Share options
£’000

Total
£’000

–
–
–

279
(279)
–

Total
£’000

359
(359)
–

1,129
(770)
359

Total
£’000

(62)
62
–

(786)
724
(62)

(1,218)
(49)
(1,267)

(1,132)
(86)
(1,218)

(441)
235
(206)

(138)
(303)
(441)

 (15,874)
 (1,569)
(17,443)

 (15,936)
 (448)
 (15,874)

(1,664)
(1,575)
(3,239)

(1,712)
48
(1,664)

 (19,259)
 (2,896)
(22,155)

(19,164)
(95)
(19,259)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23, Ordinary shares

Group and Company 
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 50p each
At 1 January – 76,859,131 (2019: 66,103,528 post consolidation) shares
Allotted for cash in placing and subscription – 5,000,000 (2019: 7,750,936) shares
Allotted on exercise of warrants – nil (2019: 2,689,686) shares
Allotted on exercise of share options – 461,454 (2019: 315,917)
At 31 December – 82,320,585 (2019: 76,859,131) shares

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2020
£’000

38,416
2,500
–
245
41,161

2019
£’000

33,034
3,875
1,345
162
38,416

On 19 June 2020, the Group announced an equity fundraising of 5,000,000 new ordinary shares at a price of £8.00 
per share. Gross proceeds from the fundraising were £40.0 million; net proceeds were £38.3 million.
In April 2019, Oaktree exercised its warrants which were then converted into 2,689,686 ordinary shares of 50p each. 
Proceeds from the shares issued were £1.3 million.

On 28 May 2019, the Group announced that Novo Holdings had subscribed to 6,568,024 new ordinary shares at a price of 
£6.90. Novo Holdings also exercised in full its option to subscribe to a further 1,181,976 new ordinary shares at a price of 
£6.90 on 29 May 2019. Gross proceeds from the fundraising were £53.5 million; net proceeds were £52.8 million.

24, Share premium account

Group and Company 
At 1 January
Premium on shares issued for cash in placing and subscription
Premium on exercise of warrants
Transfer of share premium related to warrants
Premium on exercise of share options
Costs associated with the issue of shares
At 31 December

2020
£’000
222,618
37,500
–
(1,218)
841
(1,724)
258,017

2019
£’000
172,074
49,600
1,218
–
495
(769)
222,618

During the period the Directors reviewed their presentation of share premium and found that the share premium has 
been  overstated  following  the  issue  of  warrants  in  the  comparative  period  –  to  correct  this  they  have  transferred 
£1,218,000 from share premium to retained earnings.

 
 
 
 
6 Group financial statements

7
1

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

25, Options over shares of Oxford Biomedica plc
The Company has outstanding share options that were issued under the following schemes:

 — The 2007 Share Option Scheme (approved February 2007)

 — The 2015 Executive Share Option Scheme (approved May 2015)

 — The 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) (approved February 2007)

 — The 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) (approved May 2015)

 — The 2013 Deferred Bonus Plan (approved February 2014)

 — The 2015 Deferred Bonus Plan (approved May 2015)

 — The 2015 Sharesave scheme (approved May 2015)

Share  options  are  granted  to  Executive  Directors  and  selected  senior  managers  under  the  Company’s  Long  Term 
Incentive Plans (LTIP), Deferred Bonus Plans, and to other employees under the Share Option Schemes and Sharesave 
scheme. All option grants are at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee.

Options granted under the 2007 and 2015 LTIPs to Directors and other senior managers are subject to both revenue 
and market condition performance criteria and will vest only if, at the third anniversary of the grant, the performance 
criteria have been met. Failure to meet the minimum performance criteria by the third anniversary results in all the 
granted options lapsing.

The performance criteria are described in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. LTIP awards made to date are exercisable 
at either par or a nil cost on the third anniversary of the date of grant, and lapse 10 years after being granted. For 
Directors, options granted in 2019 and 2020 also have a 2 year holding period post vesting.

Options granted under the 2007 Share Option Scheme have fixed exercise prices based on the market price at the date 
of grant. They are not subject to market condition performance criteria and the lives of the options are ten years, after 
which the options expire. Options granted prior to 2012 cannot normally be exercised before the third anniversary of 
the date of grant. Options granted under the 2007 Scheme during 2012 to 2014, with one exception, vest in tranches 
of 25% from the first to fourth anniversaries of the grant dates.

Options granted under the 2015 Executive Share Option Scheme have fixed exercise prices based on the market price 
at the date of grant. They are not subject to market condition performance criteria and the lives of the options are ten 
years, after which the options expire. Options granted under the 2015 Scheme cannot normally be exercised before the 
third anniversary of the date of grant.

Options granted under the 2015 Sharesave Scheme have fixed exercise prices based on the market price at the date of 
grant. They are not subject to market condition performance criteria and the lives of the options are four years, after 
which the options expire and the cash saved is returned. Options cannot be exercised before the third anniversary of 
the date of grant.

 
7
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Share options outstanding at 31 December 2019 have the following expiry date and exercise prices:

Options granted to employees under the Oxford Biomedica 2007 and 2015 Share Option Schemes

2020 Number of shares
5,829
10,888
21,562
25,870
49,5611
78,3621
176,5621
225,0731
441,3361
573,3181
1,608,361

2019 Number of shares
9,718
13,608
24,525
34,302
69,7681
130,7941
305,3601
237,1041
459,5861
–
1,284,765

Exercise price per share
270p to 290p
115p to 155p
80p to 140p
100p to 200p
490p
275p
495p
502p to 904p
618p to 705p
760p to 817p

Date from which exercisable
Vested
Vested
Vested
Vested
Vested
Vested
13/07/20
15/02/2018 to 07/08/2021
04/01/2022 to 12/9/2022
26/06/2023 to 05/10/2023

Expiry date
15/03/21 to 04/10/21
08/05/22 to 21/12/22
22/05/23 to 19/11/23
03/06/24 to 17/10/24
13/03/25 to 10/06/25
16/05/26 to 13/10/26
13/07/27
15/02/2028 to 07 08 2028
04/01/2022 to 12/09/2029
26/06/2030 to 05/10/2030

Note 1 – Options granted under the 2015 Executive share option scheme.

Options granted to employees under the Oxford Biomedica 2015 Sharesave scheme

2020 Number of shares
–
17,225
67,849
258,882
165,724
509,680

2019 Number of shares
66,864
73,443
75,845
268,781
–
484,933

Exercise price per share
145p
330p
725p
422p
672p

Date from which exercisable
13/10/19
12/10/20
10/10/21
09/10/22
31/10/23

Options granted under the Oxford Biomedica 2007 and 2015 Long Term Incentive Plans

Expiry date
12/04/20
12/04/21
10/04/22
09/04/23
31/04/24

2020 Number of shares
139,000
66,679
34,539
93,535
108,395
143,2942
191,1951,2
298,3231,2
286,8691,2
1,361,829

2019 Number of shares
142,000
66,679
89,082
113,158
122,344
218,1811,2
191,1951,2
298,3231,2
–
1,240,962

3,479,870

3,010,660

Exercise price per share
50p
50p
50p
0p
0p
0p
0p
0p
0p

Date from which exercisable
Vested
Vested
Vested
Vested
Vested
 Vested
15/02/2021 to 07/08/2021
18/04/2022 to 12/09/2022
26/06/2023

Expiry date
30/06/22
12/06/23
20/6/24 to 17/10/24
10/01/25
16/05/26
17/07/27 to 25/09/27
15/02/2021 to 7/8/2021
18/04/2029 to 12/09/2029
26/06/2030

Note 1 – These LTIP awards will vest provided that performance conditions specified in the Directors’ Remuneration Report are met. 
Note 2 – Options granted under the 2015 LTIP.

 
 
 
 
 
8 Group financial statements

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Deferred Share Awards
The Executive Directors and certain other senior managers have been awarded deferred bonuses in the form of share 
options. These options are exercisable at nil p on either the first three anniversaries of the grant or the third anniversary 
of the grant dependent on the option conditions. Options with a value of £667,000 vested during 2020 (2019: £688,000).

The options granted under the 2013 Deferred Bonus Plan will be satisfied by market-purchased shares held by the 
Oxford Biomedica Employee Benefit Trust (EBT). As at 31 December 2019, all shares held by the EBT had vested. The 
EBT is consolidated at year end with the shares held in trust until the exercise of the option. During the year no shares 
(2019: nil) from the EBT were exercised.

The options granted under the 2015 Deferred Bonus Plan will be satisfied by new issue shares at the time of exercise.

Options granted to employees under the Oxford Biomedica 2013 and 2015 Deferred Bonus Plan

2020 Number of shares
93,725
28,924
48,082
32,544
39,642
83,909
68,035
394,861

2019 Number of shares

93,725
78,907
66,592
53,900
48,422
86,320
–
427,866

Exercise price per share
0p
0p
0p
0p
0p
0p
0p

Date from which exercisable
Exercisable
Exercisable
Exercisable
Exercisable
07/08/19 to 07/08/21
18/04/20 to 18/04/22
20/06/21 to 20/06/23

Expiry date
15/06/24 and 14/10/24
04/05/25
14/05/26
11/07/27
07/08/28
18/04/29
20/06/30

National insurance liability
Certain options granted to UK employees could give rise to a national insurance (NI) liability on exercise. A liability of 
£1,043,000 (2019: £529,000) is included in accruals for the potential NI liability accrued to 31 December on exercisable 
options that were above water, based on the year-end share price of 1,030p (2019: 645p) per share.

26, Share based payments

Sharesave Scheme awards  
(Model used: Black Scholes)
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Vesting period (years)
Total number of shares under option
Expected volatility (weighted average)
Expected life (years)
Risk free rate (weighted average)
Fair value per option

Share options  
(Model used: Black Scholes)
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Vesting period (years)
Total number of shares under option
Expected volatility (weighted average)
Expected life (years)
Risk free rate (weighted average)
Fair value per option

Options awarded  
13 Oct 2020
810.00p
672.16p
3
165,724
47.45%
3
(0.09)%
310.11p

Options awarded 
05 Oct 2020
845.00p
817.20p
3
5,568
47.42%
3
(0.07%)%
285.10p

Options awarded 
26 Jun 2020
748p
760p
3
577,953
53.22%
3
(0.07)%
268.00p

 
LTIP awards  
(Model used: Monte Carlo)
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Vesting period (years)
Total number of shares under option
Expected volatility (weighted average)
Expected life (years)
Risk free rate (weighted average)
Fair value per option

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LTIPs awarded  
26 Jun 2020
748p
0p
3
285,869
53.22%
3
(0.07)%
558.50p

The tables below show the movements in the Share Option Scheme, Sharesave scheme and the LTIP during the year, 
together with the related weighted average exercise prices.

Excluding the LTIP and Deferred Bonus awards which are exercisable at par/nil value, the weighted average exercise 
price for options granted during the year was 740.7p (2019: 597.8p).

482,073 options were exercised in 2020 (2019: 315,917), including 51,057 of deferred bonus options (2019: 14,664). The 
total charge for the year relating to employee share-based payment plans was £3,752,000 (2019: £1,559,000), all of 
which related to equity-settled share based payment transactions.

Share options excluding LTIP
Outstanding at 1 January
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December
Exercisable and where market price exceeds  
exercise price at 31 December

Number
1,769,698
749,245
(58,429)
(323,794)
 (18,176)

2,118,041

385,859

385,859

LTIP awards (options exercisable at par value 1p or nil cost)
Outstanding at 1 January
Granted
Expired
Exercised

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December

2020
Weighted average  
exercise price
419.2p
602.8p
654.9p
243.0p
673.8p

2019
Weighted average  
exercise price
419.2p
602.8p
654.9p
243.0p
673.8p

Number
1,421,117
770,299
(125,373)
(253,718)
(42,627)

548.7p

1,769,698

384.5p

349,579

384.5p

349,579

2020 
Number
1,240,962
286,869
 (58,780)
(107,222)

1,361,829

585,442

548.7p

263.1p

263.1p

2019 
Number
1,028,263
313,429
(45,874)
(54,856)

1,240,962

421,186

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0 Group financial statements

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Range of exercise prices
LTIP:
Exercisable at par or at nil cost
Deferred bonus:
Exercisable at par or at nil cost
Options:
50p to 150p
150p to 250p
250p to 350p
350p to 650p
650+p

27, Accumulated losses

At 1 January
Loss for the year
Share based payments
Deferred tax on share options
Transfer of share premium related to warrants
Exercise of nil cost option
At 31 December

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

Number 
of shares

2020
Weighted  
average  
remaining  
life (years) 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

Number 
of shares

2019
Weighted  
average  
remaining  
life (years)

8.8p

1,361,829

0p

394,861

103p
181p
284p
459p
754p

35,459
22,861
101,416
495,566
1,462,739
3,874,731

6.7

6.5

2.9
2.7
5.3
7.5
8.8

12p

1,240,962

0p

427,866

129p
180p
293p
628p
–

111,418
27,881
213,955
1,416,444
–
3,438,526

6.8

6.6

5.6
3.7
6.6
8.7
–

Group

2020
£’000
(187,695)
 (6,245)
3,752 1
273
1,218 2
(26)
(188,723)

2019
£’000
(173,876)
(16,066)
2,247
–
–
–
(187,695)

Company
2020
£’000
(125,093)
(2,242)
–
–
1,218 2
(26)
(126,143)

2019
£’000
(123,077)
(2,016)
–
–
–
–
(125,093)

Note 1 –  The credit to accumulated losses is made up out of the charge for the year relating to employee share-based payment plans of £2,363,000 (2019: £1,559,000) (note 25), £1,389,000 

(2019: £688,000) related to the vesting of deferred share awards made to executive directors and senior managers.

Note 2 –  During the period the Directors reviewed their presentation of share premium and found that the share premium has been overstated following the issue of warrants in the 

comparative period – to correct this they have transferred £1,218,000 from share premium to retained earnings.

Neither the Company nor its subsidiary undertakings had reserves available for distribution at 31 December 2020 or  
31 December 2019.

28, Other reserves

Group

At 1 January 2020
At 31 December 2020

Group

At 1 January 2019
Exercise of warrants
At 31 December 2019

Warrant 
reserve
£’000

–
–

Warrant 
reserve
£’000

1,218
(1,218)
–

Merger 
reserve
£’000

2,291
2,291

Merger 
reserve
£’000

2,291
–
2,291

Total
£’000

2,291
2,291

Total
£’000

3,509
(1,218)
2,291

 
 
 
 
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Merger reserve
The  Group  merger  reserve  at  31  December  2020  and  2019  comprised  £711,000  arising  from  the  consolidation  of 
Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd using the merger method of accounting in 1996, and £1,580,000 from the application of 
merger relief to the purchase of Oxxon Therapeutics Limited in 2007.

Warrant reserve
On  28  June  2019  the  Group  repaid  its  $55  million  (£43.6  million)  loan  facility  with  Oaktree  Capital  Management 
(“Oaktree”) financed through £53.5 million of equity issued to Novo Holdings in May 2019. The loan facility was fully 
repaid at a cost of £43.6 million plus a redemption fee of £0.9 million which forms part of interest payable within finance 
costs in the statement of comprehensive income, and the security over the assets of the Group was removed.

Under  the  Oaktree  loan  agreement  the  Company  issued  134,351,226  (2,687,024  post  consolidation)  warrants  to 
Oaktree, equivalent to 4.4% of the enlarged Group’s share capital. The warrants were exercisable at the nominal share 
price of 1p and could be exercised at any time over the following ten years. The warrants were fair valued at £1.2 million 
net of related expenses and this amount was credited to the warrant reserve. A further 2,661 warrants were issued to 
Oaktree since then due to equity fundraisings by the Company.

On  18  April  2019,  Oaktree  exercised  its  warrants  representing  2,689,686  ordinary  shares  of  50p  each  for  total 
consideration of £1,344,843. The exercise price of the warrants was 50p per warrant. Upon exercise the warrant reserve 
was released to share premium.

Company
At 1 January 2020
Credit in relation to employee share schemes
At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2019
Credit in relation to employee share schemes
At 31 December 2019

Warrant
reserve
£’000
–
–
–

1,218
(1,218)
–

Merger
reserve
£’000
1,580
–
1,580

1,580
–
1,580

Share
Scheme
Reserve
£’000
9,492
5,777 1
15,269

7,933
1,559
9,492

Total
£’000
11,072
5,777
16,849

10,731
341
11,072

Options over the Company’s shares have been awarded to employees of Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd. In accordance 
with IFRS 2 ’Share-based Payment’ the expense in respect of these awards is recognised in the subsidiaries’ financial 
statements (see note 26). In accordance with IFRS 2 the Company has treated the awards as a capital contribution to 
the subsidiaries, resulting in an increase in the cost of investment of £5,777,000 (2019: £1,559,000) (see note 14) and a 
corresponding credit to reserves.

Note 1 – In 2020, the Company recognized a £3.4 million increase in its investment in its operating subsidiary Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd (refer note 14 of the financial statements) due  
to equity settled share based payments granted to employees and service providers in subsidiaries. Of the £3.4 million, £2.7million relates to amounts which should have been recognised 
at 31 December 2019. In addition £700,000 of deferred bonus that was included in the 2019 consolidated balance sheet has been recognised within group equity in the current period. 
The prior year balance sheet has not been adjusted on the grounds that the Directors do not believe this item is qualitatively material to users of the financial statements, it has no impact 
on distributable reserves of the Company. The disclosure relating to such share based payment awards is detailed in Note 25.

 
 
 
 
2 Group financial statements

8
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

29, Cash flows from operating activities
Reconciliation of loss before tax to net cash used in operations:

Continuing operations
Operating loss
Adjustment for:
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Loss on disposal of property plant and equipment
Charge in relation to employee share schemes
Non-cash loss/(gains)

Changes in working capital:

Increase in trade and other receivables
Increase in trade and other payables
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income
Increase/(decrease) in contract liabilities
Increase in provisions
(Increase)/decrease in inventory

Net cash used in operations

Group

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

Company
2020
£’000

2019
£’000

 (5,694)

(14,467)

(1,883)

(1,246)

9,817
22
–
3,289
831

 (25,893)
5,419
(795)
 13,410
38
(4,333)
 (3,889)

5,765
22
3
2,247
1,883

(4,586)
2,868
1,533
(3,634)
58
1,672
(6,636)

–
–
–
–
–

–
25
–
–
–
–
(1,858)

–
–
–
–
–

–
 (55)
–

–
–
 (1,301)

30, Pension commitments
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its directors and employees. The assets of the scheme 
are held in independently administered funds. The pension cost charge of £2,244,000 (2019: £1,769,000) represents 
amounts payable by the Group to the scheme. Contributions of £308,000 (2019: £253,000), included in accruals, were 
payable to the scheme at the year-end.

31, Leases
The Group leases land and buildings and IT equipment. Information about leases for which the Group is a lessee is 
presented below:

Right-of-use assets:

Group 
Balance at 1 January 2020
Additions
Change in estimate
Depreciation charge for the period
Balance at 31 December 2020

Property 
£’000
10,419
2,670
251
(1,079)
12,261

Equipment 
£’000
–
 3,691
–
(249)
 3,442

IT equipment 
£’000
142
–
–
(53)
89

Total 
£’000
10,561
6,361
251
 (1,381)
15,792

 
 
Lease liabilities:

Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows
Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years
Total undiscounted cash flows at 31 December 2020

Lease liabilities included in the Statement of Financial Position
Current
Non-current
Total lease liabilities at 31 December 2020

Amounts recognised in the profit or loss
2020 – Leases under IFRS 16
Interest on lease liabilities
Expense relating to short term leases
2019 – Leases under IFRS 16
Interest on lease liabilities
Expense relating to short term leases

Amounts recognised in the statement of cash flows
Total cash outflow for leases

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31 December 2020 
£’000

 5,357
5,966
7,409
 18,732

31 December 2020 
£’000
 4,475
9,370
 13,845

31 December 2020 
£’000

 874
247

654
137

31 December 2020 
£’000
 1,151

 
 
 
 
 
4 Group financial statements

8
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2020

32, Contingent liabilities and capital commitments
The Group had commitments of £176,000 for capital expenditure for leasehold improvements, plant and equipment 
not provided for in the financial statements at 31 December 2020 (2019: £1,946,000). 

33, Related party transactions

Identity of related parties
The Group consists of a parent, Oxford Biomedica plc, one wholly-owned trading subsidiary (Oxford Biomedica (UK) 
Limited), the principal trading company, and two dormant subsidiaries, Oxxon Therapeutics Limited which was acquired 
and became dormant in 2007 when its assets and trade were transferred to Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited, and Oxford 
Biomedica (Ireland) Ltd which was incorporated in 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company. The 
registered address for the Company and all of its UK subsidiaries is Windrush Court, Transport Way, Oxford OX4 6LT. 
The registered office of Oxford Biomedica (Ireland) Ltd is Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, DO2 T380, Ireland.

The parent company is responsible for financing and setting Group strategy. Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited carries out 
the Group strategy, employs all the UK staff including the Executive Directors, and owns and manages all of the Group’s 
intellectual property. The proceeds from the issue of shares by the parent are passed from Oxford Biomedica plc to 
Oxford  Biomedica  (UK)  Limited  as  a  loan,  and  Oxford  Biomedica  (UK)  Limited  manages  Group  funds  and  makes 
payments, including the expenses of the parent company.

Company: transactions with subsidiaries
Purchases:
Parent company expenses paid by subsidiary

Cash management:
Cash loaned by parent to subsidiary

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

(1,150)

(1,413)

15,000

54,829

The loan from Oxford Biomedica plc to Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited is unsecured and interest free. The loan is not 
due for repayment within 12 months of the year end. The year-end balance on the loan was:

Company: year-end balance of loan
Loan to subsidiary

2020
£’000
262,002

2019
£’000
248,152

The investment in the subsidiary, of which the loan forms part, has been impaired by £126 million (note 14) in previous years.

In addition to the transactions above, options over the Company’s shares have been awarded to employees of subsidiary 
companies. In accordance with IFRS 2, the Company has treated the awards as a capital contribution to the subsidiaries, 
resulting in a cumulative increase in the cost of investment of £11,855,000 (2019: £9,492,000).

There were no transactions (2019: none) with Oxxon Therapeutics Limited.

Company: transactions with related parties
There is an outstanding balance of £nil (2019: £5,417) owed to Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo at year end. There were no other 
outstanding  balances  in  respect  of  transactions  with  Directors  and  connected  persons  at  31  December  2020  
(2019: none). Key person remuneration can be seen in note 5 of the financial statements.

 
 
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SAR 421869: Usher syndrome type 1B
SAR  421869  is  a  gene-based  therapy  for  the  treatment  
of Usher syndrome 1B. The disease is caused by a mutation 
of the gene encoding myosin VIIA (MY07A), which leads to 
progressive retinitis pigmentosa combined with a congenital 
hearing defect. SAR 421869 intends to address vision loss 
due to retinitis pigmentosa by using the Group’s LentiVector® 
platform™ technology to deliver a corrected version of the 
MYO7A gene. A single administration of the product could 
provide long term or potentially permanent correction.

OXB-302 (CAR-T 5T4): cancer
OXB-302  aims  to  destroy  cancerous  cells  expressing  the 
5T4  tumour  antigen.  It  uses  the  Group’s  LentiVector® 
platform™ to deliver a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) to 
target the 5T4 tumour antigen expressed on the surface of 
most solid tumours and some haematological malignancies.

Other matters 
Glossary

Oxford Biomedica specific terminology

LentiVector® platform
Oxford  Biomedica’s  LentiVector®  platform  technology  is 
an advanced lentiviral vector based gene delivery system 
which  is  designed  to  overcome  the  safety  and  delivery 
problems  associated  with  earlier  generations  of  vector 
systems. The technology can stably deliver genes into cells 
with up to 100% efficiency and can integrate genes into 
non-dividing  cells  including  neurons  in  the  brain  and 
retinal cells in the eye. In such cell types, studies suggest 
that gene expression could be maintained indefinitely. The 
LentiVector® platform technology also has a larger capacity 
than  most  other  vector  systems  and  can  accommodate 
multiple therapeutic genes.

AXO-Lenti-PD (formerly OXB-102: Parkinson’s disease)
Axo-Lenti-PD (formerly OXB-102) is a gene-based treatment 
for  Parkinson’s  disease,  a  progressive  movement  disorder 
caused by the degeneration of dopamine producing nerve 
cells in the brain. OXB-102 uses the Company’s LentiVector® 
platform technology to deliver the genes for three enzymes 
that are required for the synthesis of dopamine. The product 
is administered locally to the region of the brain called the 
striatum,  converting  cells  into  a  replacement  dopamine 
factory within the brain, thus replacing the patient’s own lost 
source of the neurotransmitter.

SAR 422459: Stargardt disease
SAR  422459  is  a  gene-based  therapy  for  the  treatment  
of Stargardt disease. The disease is caused by a mutation 
of  the  ABCR  gene  which  leads  to  the  degeneration  of 
photoreceptors in the retina and vision loss. SAR 422459 
uses  the  Group’s  LentiVector®  platform  technology  to 
deliver  a  corrected  version  of  the  ABCR  gene.  A  single 
administration of the product directly to the retina could 
provide long term or potentially permanent correction.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6
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Other matters 
Glossary

Terminology not specific to Oxford Biomedica

Biologics License Application (BLA)
The BLA is a request for permission to introduce or deliver 
for introduction, a biological product into the US market.

BREEAM
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental 
Assessment  Method),  first  published  by  the  Building 
Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990, is the world's longest 
established method of assessing, rating, and certifying the 
sustainability of buildings.

CAR-T therapy
Adoptive  transfer  of  T  cells  expressing  Chimeric  Antigen 
Receptors  (CAR)  is  an  anti-cancer  therapeutic  as  CAR 
modified T cells can be engineered to target virtually any 
tumour associated antigen.

CDMO  
(Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation)
A CDMO is a company that serves other companies in the 
pharmaceutical  industry  on  a  contract  basis  to  provide 
comprehensive services from drug development through 
to drug manufacturing.

Cell therapy
Cell therapy is defined as the administration of live whole 
cells  in  a  patient  for  the  treatment  of  a  disease  often  in  
an ex vivo setting.

Clinical trials (testing in humans)
Clinical trials involving new drugs are commonly classified 
into three phases. Each phase of the drug approval process 
is treated as a separate clinical trial. The drug-development 
process  will  normally  proceed  through  the  phases  over 
many  years.  If  the  drug  successfully  passes  through  all 
phases it may be approved by the regulatory authorities:

 — Phase I: screening for safety

 — Phase  II:  establishing  the  efficacy  of  the  drug,  usually 

against a placebo

 — Phase III: final confirmation of safety and efficacy

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls)
To appropriately manufacture a pharmaceutical or biologic 
product,  specific  manufacturing  processes,  product 
characteristics,  and  product  testing  must  be  defined  in 
order  to  ensure  that  the  product  is  safe,  effective  and 
consistent between batches. These activities are known as 
CMC, chemistry, manufacturing and controls.

CTL019
CTL019 is a CAR-T cell therapy for patients with B cell 
cancers  such  as  acute  lymphoblastic  leukemia  (ALL),  
B  cell  non-Hodgkin  lymphoma  (NHL),  adult  disease 
chronic  lymphocytic  leukemia  (CLL)  and  diffuse  large  
B cell lymphoma.

DLBCL
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a cancer of B cells, 
a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. 
It  is  the  most  common  type  of  non-Hodgkin  lymphoma 
among adults.

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic  acid  (DNA)  is  a  molecule  that  carries 
genetic information.

EMA 
European  Medicines  Agency  (EMA)  is  an  agency  of  the 
European Union in charge of the evaluation and supervision 
of medicinal products.

Ex Vivo
Latin  term  used  to  describe  biological  events  that  take 
place outside the bodies of living organisms.

FDA
US  Food  and  Drug  Administration  (FDA)  is  responsible  
for  protecting  the  public  health  by  assuring  the  safety, 
effectiveness, quality, and security of human and veterinary 
drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical 
devices.

Gene therapy
Gene  therapy  is  the  use  of  DNA  to  treat  disease  by 
delivering  therapeutic  DNA  into  a  patient’s  cells  which  
can be in an ex vivo or in vivo setting. The most common 
form of gene therapy involves using DNA that encodes  
a  functional,  therapeutic  gene  to  replace  a  mutated 
gene. Other forms involve directly correcting a mutation,  
or  using  DNA  that  encodes  a  therapeutic  protein  drug  
to provide treatment.

GxP, GMP, GCP, GLP
GxP  is  a  general  term  for  Good  (Anything)  Practice.  
GMP,  GCP  and  GLP  are  the  practices  required  to  
conform  to  guidelines  laid  down  by  relevant  agencies  
for manufacturing, clinical and laboratory activities.

In Vitro
Latin term (for within the glass) refers to the technique of 
performing a given procedure in a controlled environment 
outside of a living organism.

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In Vivo
Latin  term  used  to  describe  biological  events  that  take 
place inside the bodies of living organisms.

IP
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creative work which can 
be  treated  as  an  asset  or  physical  property.  Intellectual 
property rights fall principally into four main areas; copyright, 
trademarks, design rights and patents.

Lentiviral vectors
Gene delivery vector based on lentiviruses.

MSAT
Manufacturing Science and Technology.

r/r paediatric ALL
Relapsed or refractory (r/r) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 
(ALL)  is  a  type  of  cancer  in  which  the  bone  marrow  in 
children  and  young  adults  make  too  many  immature  
B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that are resistant 
to treatment.

UK Corporate Governance Code
The UK Corporate Governance Code is published by the UK 
Financial Reporting Council and sets out standards of good 
practice in relationship to board leadership and effectiveness, 
remuneration, accountability and relations with shareholders.

Viral vectors
Are tools commonly based on viruses used by molecular 
biologists to deliver genetic material into cells.

MHRA
Medicines  and  Healthcare  products  Regulatory  Agency 
(MHRA)  is  an  executive  agency  of  the  Department  of 
Health  and  Social  Care  in  the  United  Kingdom  which  
is  responsible  for  ensuring  that  medicines  and  medical 
devices work and are acceptably safe.

Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

The  Oxford  AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine,  formerly 
known as AZD1222, was co-invented by the University of 
Oxford and its spin-out company, Vaccitech. The Oxford 
AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine  uses  a  replication-
deficient  chimpanzee  viral  vector  based  on  a  weakened 
version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes 
infections  in  chimpanzees  and  contains  the  genetic 
material  of  the  SARS-CoV-2  virus  spike  protein.  After 
vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming 
the  immune  system  to  attack  the  SARS-CoV-2  virus  if  it 
later infects the body.

The  Oxford  AstraZeneca  COVID-19  vaccine  has  already 
been  granted  a  conditional  marketing  authorisation  or 
emergency use by the World Health Organisation (WHO) 
and by more than 50 countries, spanning four continents 
including in the EU, a number of Latin American countries, 
India, Australia, Canada and the UK.

Pre-clinical studies
Pre-clinical  studies  (also  known  as  non-clinical  studies)  
is the stage of research that takes place before clinical trials 
can  begin  during  which  important  feasibility,  iterative 
testing and drug safety data is collected.

Definitions of non-GAAP measures

Operating EBITDA 
(Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, 
revaluation  of  investments  and  share  base  payments)  
is a non-GAAP measure and is often used as a surrogate 
for operational Cash flow.

Operating EBIDA
Operating EBIDA is an internal measure used by the Group, 
defined  as  Operating  EBITDA  with  the  R&D  tax  credit 
included.

Gross income
Gross  income  is  the  aggregate  of  Revenue  and  Other 
operating income.

Adjusted Operating expenses
Being Operating expenses before Depreciation, Amortisation 
and Share based payments and the revaluation of investments.

Cash burn
Cash burn is net cash generated from operations plus net 
interest paid plus capital expenditure.

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
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Other matters 
Advisers and contact details

Advisers

Contact details

Oxford Biomedica plc 
Headquarters:
Windrush Court
Transport Way 
Oxford OX4 6LT 
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 783 000

Other locations:
Harrow House
County Trading Estate 
Transport Way 
Cowley 
Oxford OX4 6LX 
United Kingdom

Unit 5
Oxford Industrial Park 
Yarnton 
Oxford OX5 1QU 
United Kingdom

Oxbox
Unit A, Plot 7000 
Alec Issigonis Way 
Oxford Business Park North 
Oxford OX4 2JZ 
United Kingdom

Corporate Office 
Building 9400 
Oxford Business Park 
Garsington Road 
Cowley 
Oxford OX4 2HN 
United Kingdom

enquiries@oxb.com 
www.oxb.com

Financial adviser and broker
Peel Hunt
7th Floor 
100 Liverpool Street 
London EC2M 2AT 
United Kingdom

Financial adviser and joint broker
WG Partners
85 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7NQ 
United Kingdom

Financial and corporate 
communications
Consilium Strategic Communications
41 Lothbury 
London EC2R 7HG 
United Kingdom

Registered independent auditors
KPMG LLP
2 Forbury Place 
33 Forbury Road 
Reading 
RG1 3AD 
United Kingdom

Solicitors
Covington & Burling LLP
265 Strand 
London WC2R 1BH 
United Kingdom

Registrars
Link Group
10th Floor 
Central Square 
29 Wellington Street 
Leeds LS1 4DL 
United Kingdom

Company secretary 
and registered office
Natalie Walter
Windrush Court 
Transport Way 
Oxford OX4 6LT 
United Kingdom

Oxford Biomedica plc  |  Annual report and accounts 2020

 
This report and its messaging has been 
designed and produced by scientific 
branding specialists thinkerdoer.

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Location and laboratory photography  
by Philip Gatward / thinkerdoer  
except pages 1 and 6 (© David Levene /   
The Guardian), the COVID-19 vaccine 
image on page 31 (Catherine Isted)  
and page 32 (© Andre Camara /   
The Times). Lifestyle photography  
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Oxford Biomedica plc
Windrush Court, Transport Way 
Oxford OX4 6LT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 783 000 
enquiries@oxb.com

www.oxb.com