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ReNeuron

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FY2015 Annual Report · ReNeuron
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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2015

ReNeuron Group plc

WHO WE ARE

We are a leading, clinical-stage stem  
cell business. Our primary objective  
is the development of novel stem cell  
therapies targeting areas of significant  
unmet or poorly met medical need.

CTX cells for Stroke 
Disability

CTX cells for Critical 
Limb Ischaemia

hRPCs for Retinitis 
Pigmentosa

CTX-derived  
Exosomes  

Our lead therapeutic 
candidate is our CTX 
stem cell therapy for the 
treatment of patients left 
disabled by the effects of 
a stroke. This treatment 
is currently in mid-stage 
clinical development.

Our second CTX stem 
cell candidate is for the 
treatment of critical limb 
ischaemia, a serious and 
common side effect of 
diabetes. This treatment 
is in early-stage clinical 
development.

Our hRPC stem cell 
candidate is for the 
treatment of retinitis 
pigmentosa, a blindness-
causing disease of the retina.  
This treatment is about to 
enter early-stage clinical 
development.

Exosomes are nanoparticles 
released by cells containing 
a number of active proteins 
and microRNAs. Our 
exosomes nanomedicine 
platform is generating 
promising early pre-clinical 
data in cancer.

Go to page 12 to read more >

Go to page 12 to read more >

Go to page 13 to read more >

Go to page 12 to read more >

Head to reneuron.com/products/products-technologies to read more on our products and technologies >

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015

 
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT/
Highlights

In this Report

CTX stem cell therapy candidate for stroke: 

Highlights  

•  Long term Phase I data presented confirming  

good safety profile and sustained improvements  
in neurological status and limb function

•  Phase II clinical trial ongoing – data expected during 

H1 2016

•  Phase II/III clinical trial planned to commence  

in H2 2016 

CTX stem cell therapy candidate for critical limb 
ischaemia: 

•  Phase I clinical trial ongoing – data expected during 

H1 2016

•  Phase II clinical trial planned to commence in mid 2016 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s Joint Statement 

Our Products and Technologies 

ReNeuron and the Development of Regenerative Medicine 

Developments in Regenerative Medicine  

and Advanced Therapies 

Business Review 

Risks and Uncertainties 

Financial Review 

hRPC stem cell therapy candidate for retinitis 
pigmentosa: 

Board of Directors 

Senior Management 

Advisers 

•  Orphan Drug Designation granted in both Europe  

Directors’ Report for the year ended 31 March 2015 

and the US

•  Fast Track Designation granted in the US
•  Regulatory approval obtained to commence Phase I/II 

clinical trial in the US

•  Phase II/III clinical trial planned to commence in 2017

Exosome nanomedicine platform generating 
promising early pre-clinical data in cancer and research 
collaboration extended with Benitic Biopharma to  
utilise exosomes as delivery system for gene therapy 
targeting cancer

Olav Hellebø appointed as CEO bringing substantial 
pharmaceutical commercial and business development 
experience

Strengthening of senior management team with 
appointments of a Chief Medical Officer, Head 
of Regulatory Affairs, Head of Research and VP 
Development & General Manager, Wales 

Placing approved to raise £68.4m, before expenses, 
funding lead therapeutic programmes through  
late-stage clinical development over next three years

Loss for the year of £8.91m (2014: £7.07m); cash outflow 
from operating activities of £8.25m (2014: £6.00m); cash, 
cash equivalents and bank deposits at 31 March 2015  
of £12.38m (2014: £20.92m)

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members  
of ReNeuron Group plc 

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income for the 
year ended 31 March 2015 

Group and Parent Company Statements of Financial 
Position as at 31 March 2015 

Group and Parent Company Statements of Changes 
in Equity as at 31 March 2015 

Group and Parent Company Statements of Cash Flows 
for the year ended 31 March 2015 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Glossary of Scientific Terms 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

Explanatory Notes to the Business  

of the Annual General Meeting 

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20152

STRATEGIC REPORT/
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s Joint Statement

In the past year we have commenced 
the treatment of patients in two new 
clinical trials with our CTX stem cell line 
and gained approval to commence our 
first clinical trial in the US with our hRPC 
stem cell line.

Overview
During the year under review, we have 
commenced dosing of patients in two  
new clinical trials in stroke disability  
and critical limb ischaemia, representing 
further significant milestones in the  
clinical development of ReNeuron’s  
CTX cell therapy candidates. Importantly,  
we have since gained regulatory approval 
to commence our first clinical trial in the 
US, a Phase I/II clinical trial of our hRPC cell 
therapy candidate for retinitis pigmentosa. 
We are also encouraged by the early pre-
clinical data generated with our exosome 
nanomedicine platform, targeting cancer. 

As the business continues to progress 
its therapeutic programmes towards 
commercialisation, we have greatly expanded 
senior management capability within the 
business to meet future operational needs. 
In this regard, we also look forward to the 
relocation of the business to our new, world-
class cell manufacturing and research facility 
in South Wales early next year. 

Finally, as a result of the recent fundraising, 
the business benefits from a very strong 
balance sheet, the backing of high calibre 
institutional investors and an experienced 
management team focused on the delivery 
of clinical data and associated value 
generation across all of the Company’s 
therapeutic programmes over the next three 
years. We continue to look forward to the 
future with high confidence.

John Berriman 
Chairman

Olav Hellebø 
Chief Executive Officer

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015Review of programmes
CTX for stroke disability
In April 2015, the clinical team from 
Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital 
presented long term follow-up data from 
the PISCES Phase I clinical trial with our 
CTX stem cell therapy candidate for stroke 
at the 2015 European Stroke Organisation 
Conference. There continued to be no cell-
related or immunological adverse events 
reported in any of the eleven patients 
treated in the study out to at least 24 
months post-treatment. The improvements 
in neurological status and limb function 
compared to pre-treatment baseline 
performance that were observed within 
three months of treatment were maintained 
throughout long term follow-up. These data 
are now being compiled for publication in  
a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal.

During the period, we commenced dosing 
in a UK multi-site Phase II clinical trial 
(PISCES II) to examine the efficacy of CTX 
in patients disabled by an ischaemic stroke. 
As a result of observed good safety profile 
of the treatment, the highest cell dose, 20 
million cells, from the PISCES study is being 
used in the ongoing Phase II study. As with 
the PISCES study, the Phase II clinical trial 
involves a single injection of CTX cells into 
the brain, adjacent to the area damaged  
by the stroke. 

Following a recent change to the study 
protocol and discussions with key opinion 
leaders in the field, we intend to curtail this 
study after the first patient cohort, where 
dosing is expected to have completed by 
the end of the year with a read out in the 
first half of 2016. At this point, and based on 
an overall assessment of the collective data 
from the Phase I and Phase II studies, we are 
planning to file an application to commence 
a controlled, pivotal Phase II/III clinical trial  
in the target stroke patient population.

hRPC for retinitis pigmentosa
In May 2015, we obtained regulatory 
approval from the US FDA to commence 
a Phase I/II clinical trial in the US with our 
Human Retinal Progenitor Cell (hRPC) 
therapy candidate for retinitis pigmentosa 
(RP). RP is a group of hereditary diseases 
of the eye that lead to progressive loss of 
sight due to cells in the retina becoming 
damaged and eventually dying. Pre-clinical 
studies carried out in disease models by our 
academic collaborators have demonstrated 
that, when transplanted into the retina, our 

hRPCs have the potential to preserve 
pre-existing photoreceptors, potentially 
reducing or halting further deterioration 
of vision. In addition, some of the hRPCs had 
both matured into apparently functional 
photoreceptors and engrafted into the 
photoreceptor layer, raising the possibility  
of a degree of reversal of the decline in 
vision associated with RP.

Shortly after the Phase I/II clinical trial 
approval, the FDA granted Fast Track 
designation to our hRPC programme 
targeting RP. Fast Track designation is an 
FDA programme intended to expedite the 
development and review of new drugs 
or biological products targeting unmet 
medical need where the diseases concerned 
are serious or life threatening. This, together 
with the Orphan Drug Designation already 
granted for the programme in both the US 
and Europe, provides accelerated clinical 
development and marketing authorisation 
review processes for our RP therapy as well 
as the potential for a significant period of 
market exclusivity once approved in these 
major territories.

The Phase I/II clinical trial will be conducted 
at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 
Boston, a world-renowned clinical centre 
for the treatment of retinal diseases. The 
trial design is an open-label, dose escalation 
study to evaluate the safety, tolerability 
and preliminary efficacy of our hRPC stem 
cell therapy candidate in 15 patients with 
advanced RP. We expect to be able to 
commence the study before the end of this 
year. Subject to the outcome of the Phase I/II 
study, we are planning to file an application 
to commence a pivotal Phase II/III clinical 
trial with our therapy for RP in 2017. This trial 
is expected to be the basis for subsequent 
marketing authorisation filings in both the 
US and Europe.

CTX for critical limb ischaemia
During the year under review, we also 
commenced dosing in a Phase I clinical trial 
of our CTX cell therapy candidate for critical 
limb ischaemia (CLI), a condition resulting in 
loss of blood flow to the lower limb which 
is common in diabetics and which can 
ultimately lead to amputation. This Phase I 
clinical trial is a single centre dose escalation 
safety study in nine patients with lower  
limb ischaemia and is being conducted  
at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland.  
Published pre-clinical studies have 
demonstrated the dose-dependent 

3

positive effects of our CTX cells in restoring 
microvasculature and blood flow to the  
limb extremities in animal models of lower 
limb ischaemia. Based on a recent review  
of our clinical development strategy for this 
indication, we intend to curtail this study at 
the middle dose level of 50 million cells and 
focus our resources on initiating a Phase II 
placebo-controlled clinical trial. The Phase I 
study is expected to have completed dosing 
by the end of this year and we expect to 
commence the Phase II study towards the 
middle of 2016. 

Exosome nanomedicine platform
During the period, we continued to advance 
our exosome nanomedicine programme. 
The field of nanomedicine is growing rapidly 
and ReNeuron is a first-mover in the field of 
exosome-based therapeutics. Exosomes are 
lipid-based nanoparticles secreted from all 
cells and which are believed to play a key 
role in the transfer of beneficial proteins and 
particularly non-coding RNAs from one cell 
to another. We aim to exploit the therapeutic 
potential of exosomes derived from our own 
proprietary stem cell lines and we have filed 
multiple patent applications covering the 
composition, manufacture and therapeutic 
use of our exosome nanomedicine platform. 

We have identified a novel mechanism by 
which exosomes from our CTX stem cells 
may inhibit the growth and migration of 
cancer cells in pre-clinical models of the 
disease. Studies suggest that the most highly 
expressed microRNA found within CTX-
derived exosomes may play a key role in the 
suppression of cancer cells by promoting 
cell differentiation into benign cell types,  
as well as cell cycle arrest. 

Early pre-clinical data 
using our exosome 
nanomedicine platform 
to target cancer is 
encouraging.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20154

STRATEGIC REPORT/
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s Joint Statement
continued

The Company is well 
placed to progress 
its therapeutic 
programmes towards 
commercialisation 
and associated value 
generation.

Based upon these promising preliminary 
findings, we aim to further investigate the 
mechanism of action and utility of our 
exosome nanomedicine platform in a range 
of potential cancer indications. Subject 
to further success with the pre-clinical 
development of this new therapeutic 
platform, we expect to be able to submit an 
application to commence an initial clinical 
trial with our first exosome nanomedicine 
candidate towards the end of 2016.

In June of this year, we extended our 
research collaboration with Australia-based 
Benitec Biopharma, a leader in the field of 
therapeutics focused on gene silencing. 
Following positive results in early studies,  
the collaboration is investigating the 
potential of our CTX-derived exosomes as 
a delivery system for Benitec’s proprietary 
gene silencing technology, targeting lung 
cancer and other drug resistant cancers.

Other activities
During the year, work commenced on 
the fit-out of our state-of-the-art cell 
manufacturing and research facility at 
Pencoed, near Cardiff in South Wales. This 
facility will incorporate robotic cell culture 
technology and, when fully licensed, will 
give us control over the supply of our CTX 
cell-based therapies, meeting late stage 
clinical trial and in-market demand for drug 
product at low cost of goods. As such, the 
Welsh facility represents a key value driver 
in ReNeuron’s commercial development 
strategy. We expect to be able to commence 
the phased relocation of the business to 
the new facility early next year. Our current 
outsourced cell manufacturing capacity 
remains sufficient for our clinical trial 
requirements until the Welsh facility  
comes on-stream.

As announced in April 2015, Bryan Morton, 
having served on the Board of the Company 
as a non-executive Director since 2008 and 
as Chairman since 2011, stepped down from 
the Board and was replaced as Chairman by 
John Berriman, a non-executive Director of 
the Company since 2011. Mark Docherty, a 
non-executive Director of the business since 
the Company’s flotation in 2005, will step 
down from the Board at the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company in September of 
this year. Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific 
Officer, a co-founder of ReNeuron and a 
Board member since the inception of the 
business, will also step down from the  
Board at the Annual General Meeting.  
His continuing role as Chief Scientific Officer  
at ReNeuron will focus on the Company’s 
third party research collaborations and  
other externally facing activities.

In order to manage the increasing breadth 
of the Company’s clinical, operational and 
commercial activities, we commenced 
a phased restructuring and broadening 
of the Company’s executive and non-
executive management during the period. 
In September 2014, Olav Hellebø, a highly 
experienced pharmaceutical executive, was 
appointed as the Company’s new Chief 
Executive Officer. Olav has broad commercial 
experience gained at both major 
pharmaceutical and small biotechnology 
companies, with particular experience of 
the clinical development, out-licensing, 
commercialisation and marketing of new 
therapeutics. Michael Hunt, who held the 
position of Chief Executive Officer since the 
Company’s flotation in July 2005, remains 
on ReNeuron’s Board as Chief Financial 
Officer, with responsibilities covering finance, 
public and investor relations and overall 
commercial and financial strategy.

During the year, and subsequently,  
we have significantly strengthened the 
senior management of the business, with 
the appointment of highly experienced 
executives into the positions of Chief 
Medical Officer, Head of Regulatory Affairs, 
Head of Research and VP Development & 
General Manager, Wales. 

Funding
On 10 July 2015, the Company announced a 
Placing to raise £68.4 million, before expenses. 
This financing, the largest ever secured by 
the Company, provides funding for the 
business for at least the next three years. 
It will enable us to take all of our current 
programmes into early or mid-stage clinical 
development and, subject to future clinical 
data and regulatory approvals, will enable us 
to take our therapeutic programmes in stroke 
and retinitis pigmentosa through late-stage 
clinical development to the point of first 
application for marketing authorisation.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20155

Our Strategy 

Financial summary
Cash outflow from operating activities was 
£8.25 million (2014: £6.00 million), largely 
reflecting the operating costs incurred 
during the period, less tax credits received. 
Capital expenditure was £0.38 million  
(2014: £0.12 million). Cash, cash equivalents 
and bank deposits totalled £12.38 million  
at the year-end (2014: £20.92 million).

Revenues in the year amounted to £30k 
(2014: £22k), being royalties from non-
therapeutic licensing activities. Grant income 
of £0.52 million (2014: £0.66 million) was  
also recognised. 

Mainly as a consequence of increases in 
research and development and general and 
administrative costs, the total comprehensive 
loss for the year increased to £8.91 million 
(2014: £7.07 million) in line with both internal 
and consensus analyst forecasts.

Summary and outlook
During the period under review, we 
have commenced dosing of patients in 
two new clinical trials in stroke disability 
and critical limb ischaemia, representing 
further significant milestones in the 
clinical development of ReNeuron’s CTX 
cell therapy candidates. Importantly, we 
have since gained regulatory approval to 
commence our first clinical trial in the US, 
a Phase I/II clinical trial of our hRPC cell 
therapy candidate for retinitis pigmentosa. 
We are also encouraged by the early pre-
clinical data generated with our exosome 
nanomedicine platform targeting cancer. 

Our aim is to develop best-in-class stem cell 
therapies in our areas of therapeutic focus. 

Our principal strategy is to gain early clinical validation for our stem cell therapy 
programmes via well-designed clinical trials in well-regulated territories. Ultimately,  
we expect to realise value for our technologies and therapeutic programmes via  
out-license or sale to commercial development partners at the appropriate points  
in their development. 

As the business continues to progress 
its therapeutic programmes towards 
commercialisation, we have also expanded 
senior management capability within the 
business to meet future operational needs.  
In this regard, we look forward to the relocation 
of the business to our new, world-class cell 
manufacturing and research facility in South 
Wales early next year. As a prospective centre 
of excellence in automated cell therapy 
manufacture, we believe this facility will 
become a major element of ReNeuron’s  
overall value proposition. 

On page 54 of this report is the Notice of  
the 2015 Annual General Meeting (the AGM)  
to be held at 10.30 a.m. on the 24 September 
2015. A short explanation of the resolutions 
to be proposed at the AGM is set out on 
page 56. The Directors recommend that 
you vote in favour of the resolutions to be 
proposed at the AGM, as they intend to do 
in respect of their own beneficial holdings  
of ordinary shares.

Finally, as a result of the recent fundraising, 
the business benefits from a very strong 
balance sheet, the backing of high calibre 
institutional investors and an experienced 
management team focused on the delivery 
of clinical data and associated value 
generation across all of the Company’s 
therapeutic programmes over the next 
three years. We continue to look forward  
to the future with high confidence.

John Berriman 
Chairman

Olav Hellebø 
Chief Executive Officer

24 August 2015

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20156

STRATEGIC REPORT/
Our Products and Technologies

We have used our unique stem cell technologies 
to develop cell-based therapies for significant 
disease conditions where the cells can be readily 
administered “off-the-shelf” to any eligible patient 
without the need for additional drug treatments.

Our product pipeline
Using our unique and scalable stem cell technologies, we have created a pipeline of commercially focused stem cell therapy candidates 
addressing significant areas of unmet medical need. These therapeutic candidates are based around two core stem cell assets, our CTX 
neural cell line and our human retinal progenitor cells (hRPCs). Our exosome platform is yielding encouraging early pre-clinical data  
in cancer.

Pre-clinical

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

CTX cell line

Stroke Disability 

CTX cell line

Critical Limb Ischaemia

hRPC line

Retinitis Pigmentosa 

CTX-derived exosomes

In evaluation

ReNeuron’s stem cell products are 
allogeneic, enabling the treatment of many 
patients from the same cell bank in an off-
the-shelf manner. Our programmes have 
been built around our unique and highly 
efficient stem cell expansion technologies 
enabling, from a single tissue sample, the 
growth of selected human stem cells into 
banks of quality-assured stem cell lines. 
ReNeuron has developed a product variant 
of the CTX stem cell line which can be 
shipped to clinical sites and stored there 
in a cryopreserved form. This provides us 
with major commercial and competitive 
advantages in terms of the availability of  
a genuine off-the-shelf, low cost-of-goods  
cell-based treatment with a shelf life 
enabling shipping to, and storage at,  
clinical sites on a global basis.

CTX
CTX is an immortalised neural cell line which 
has been generated using our proprietary 
cell expansion and cell selection technology 
and then taken through a full manufacturing 
scale-up and quality-testing process. As CTX 
is derived from a single donor, there should 
be complete consistency between cell 
banks and no risk of the variability which  
can arise when multiple donors are needed 
for cell supply. 

All cells used in CTX-based treatments 
can simply be expanded from the existing 
banked and tested product. There will 
therefore be no need to re-derive and test 
new CTX cell lines for subsequent clinical 
trials or for the market.

We have developed a proprietary, 
cryopreserved variant of our lead CTX stem 
cell line enabling an extended shelf-life, 
(designated CTXcryo), to be used in all 
current and future CTX-based clinical  
trials and for eventual in-market use. 

Human retinal progenitor cells (hRPCs) 
hRPCs are cells that differentiate into 
components of the retina. These cells are 
used allogeneically and are grown using 
a patented low-oxygen cell expansion 
technology licensed from the Schepens Eye 
Research Institute at Harvard Medical School. 
Through our collaboration with Schepens 
we have developed the ability to scale 
hRPCs using this technology and we have 
established GMP-compliant hRPC cell  
banks to provide future drug product. 

CTX-derived exosomes
Cells often communicate via exosomes, 
nano-sized packages of information 
released by the cell for absorption by other 
cells in close proximity. These packages of 
information contain a variety of proteins, 
genetic material and other cargo which have 
the ability to induce functional changes 
in recipient cells. Under certain conditions, 
exosomes produced by stem cells 
initiate repair and regeneration. However 
depending on the state of the cell and its 
environmental stimuli, stem cells have the 
ability to communicate different information 
and induce different functional changes.  
We have therefore developed a technology 
by which a permanent stem cell line, already 
in clinical trials as a stem cell therapy, can 
be cultured under different environments 
to produce therapy specific agents and can 
be harvested at a commercially relevant 
scale. The ability to produce a commercially 
valuable therapeutic product from stem cell 
derived exosomes demands a standardised 
stem cell producer line appropriately 
sourced and isolated, manufactured to GMP, 
grown in serum-free conditions and (ideally) 
already having demonstrated patient 
safety. In the stem cell field, our CTX cell line 
uniquely meets all these conditions.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20157

CTX-derived Exosomes 
Indication: Potential 
cancer indications
We aim to further 
investigate the mechanism 
of action and utility of our 
exosome nanomedicine 
platform in a range 
of potential cancer 
indications.

Our product: CTX-derived 
exosomes
Exosomes are 
nanoparticles, released 
by cells, and contain a 
number of active proteins 
and microRNAs. They 
are believed to play a 
key role in cell-to-cell 
communication, modulate 
cellular immunity and 
promote the activation 
of regenerative or repair 
programs in diseased or 
injured cells. Our CTX cells 
release large amounts 
of exosomes when 
grown in the laboratory 
enabling us to purify 
and characterise them. 
We aim to use the CTX 
technology and exosome 
platform to expand our 
pipeline and we have 
filed a number of patents 
around composition, 
characterisation, 
manufacturing and 
therapeutic uses of the 
exosome platform. We are 
exploring the potential 
of our CTX cell-derived 
exosome platform and its 
role in targeting a range  
of cancers. 

Product overview

CTX cells for Stroke 
Disability
Indication: Stroke disability
A stroke occurs when 
blood flow leading to,  
or in, the brain is blocked 
(ischaemic stroke) or a 
blood vessel in the brain 
ruptures (haemorrhagic 
stroke), which can result in 
damage to the nerve cells 
in the brain and a loss of 
bodily functions. Stroke is 
the single largest cause 
of adult disability in the 
developed world. Over 
150,000 people suffer a 
stroke each year in the UK, 
and circa 800,000 people 
in the US. Approximately 
80% of these strokes are 
ischaemic in nature. 

Our product: CTX stem  
cell therapy candidate 
Our CTX stem cell therapy 
candidate for stroke 
disability comprises cells 
derived from our CTX 
neural stem cell line. As 
such, it is a standardised, 
clinical and commercial-
grade cell therapy product 
capable of treating 
all eligible patients 
presenting.

Our CTX stem cell therapy 
candidate has been shown 
to reverse the functional 
deficits associated with 
stroke disability when 
administered several weeks 
after the stroke event 
in relevant pre-clinical 
models. Long term data 
from our Phase I PISCES 
trial confirmed a good 
safety profile and evidence 
of sustained improvements 
in neurological status and 
limb function.

A phase II clinical trial is 
ongoing and involves a 
single injection of CTX cells 
into the brain, adjacent  
to the area damaged  
by the stroke. 

CTX cells for Critical 
Limb Ischaemia
Indication: Critical limb 
ischaemia (CLI)
Critical limb ischaemia 
is the severe ‘end stage’ 
manifestation of peripheral 
arterial disease and is 
caused by chronic lack of 
blood supply to the lower 
leg due to obstruction 
of blood flow in the 
peripheral arteries. 
It is common in diabetics 
and can ultimately lead to 
amputation, with 160,000 
legs amputated p.a. due  
to CLI in the US alone. 

Our product: CTX stem  
cell therapy candidate
The CTX stem cell therapy 
candidate for CLI also 
comprises cells derived 
from our CTX neural 
stem cell line. Published 
pre-clinical studies 
have demonstrated the 
dose-dependent positive 
effects of our CTX cells in 
restoring microvasculature 
and blood flow to the 
limb extremities in animal 
models of lower limb 
ischaemia.

Our CTX stem cells 
are administered 
via straightforward 
intramuscular injection.  
We have commenced 
dosing in a 9-patient Phase 
I dose escalation study in 
patients with lower limb 
ischaemia at a clinical 
site in Dundee, Scotland 
ahead of a larger placebo-
controlled Phase II efficacy 
study planned for 2016.

hRPCs for Retinitis 
Pigmentosa
Indication: Retinitis 
pigmentosa (RP)
Retinitis pigmentosa is an 
inherited, degenerative 
eye disease which causes 
severe vision impairment 
and often blindness due to 
loss of the photoreceptor 
cells found in the retina. The 
incidence of RP is 1:4000 in 
the US with an estimated 
treatment population of 
275,000 in the US and EU. 

Our product: hRPC stem 
cell therapy candidate
Our hRPC stem cell therapy 
candidate for RP has been 
developed in collaboration 
with the Schepens Eye 
Research Institute (an 
affiliate of Harvard Medical 
School in Boston, USA), the 
Institute for Ophthalmology, 
University College London 
and the Foundation 
Fighting Blindness (USA). 
Pre-clinical studies have 
demonstrated that, when 
transplanted into the 
retina, our hRPCs have the 
potential to preserve pre-
existing photoreceptors, 
potentially reducing or 
halting further deterioration 
of vision. In addition, some 
of the hRPCs had both 
matured into apparently 
functional photoreceptors 
and engrafted into the 
photoreceptor layer, raising 
the possibility of a degree 
of reversal of the decline in 
vision associated with RP. 

Our hRPCs have been 
granted Orphan Drug 
designation in the US 
and Europe and has just 
been granted Fast Track 
designation by the US FDA. 
Regulatory approval has 
been obtained from the 
FDA to commence a Phase 
I/II clinical trial in the US. 
This trial is expected to start 
before the end of 2015. 

Head to reneuron.com/products/products-technologies to read more on our products and technologies >

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20158

STRATEGIC REPORT/
ReNeuron and the Development of Regenerative Medicine

1981

2003

Researchers at  
King’s College  
London generate 
the UK’s first 
embryonic stem 
cell line.

1998

US scientists derive  
the first pluripotent 
human embryonic 
stem cell lines.

2005

ReNeuron 
admitted to 
London Stock 
Exchange’s AIM 
market.

First embryonic 
stem cells 
identified by 
Martin Evans in 
Cambridge in mice. 
Professor Evans 
won the 2007 
Nobel Prize.

Regenerative 
Medicine field

ReNeuron’s
Development

1997

ReNeuron founded 
as UK’s first stem 
cell company, based 
on patent and 
published scientific 
papers showing first 
evidence of major 
functional repair in 
the rodent central 
nervous system 
by transplants of a 
characterised neural 
stem cell line.

2004

UK Stem Cell Bank 
established to 
provide repository 
of human 
embryonic, foetal 
and adult stem 
cell lines.

2003

Proteins called 
Oct-4, Sox-2 and 
Nanog shown 
by Cambridge 
researchers to be 
essential for stem 
cells to retain their 
ability to turn into 
most cell types and 
to self-renew.

2006

Adult mouse cells 
reprogrammed by 
the addition of 4 
factors to generate 
pluripotent cell lines 
(induced pluripotent 
cells – IPSCs). Shinya 
Yamanaka of Kyoto 
University was 
awarded the 2012 
Nobel Prize for this.

2007

First human IPSC 
lines generated in 
Japan and USA.

2010

ReNeuron 
announces first 
patient treated  
in landmark 
stroke stem cell 
clinical trial. 

2012

First patent 
underpinning  
exosome  
platform filed.

2010

ReNeuron  
wins European 
Mediscience 
Breakthrough  
of the Year award.

2005

ReNeuron publishes 
initial pre-clinical 
safety and efficacy 
data with its 001 
stem cell therapy 
programme for 
stroke.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 20159

2008

Spanish and  
UK teams 
announce first 
tissue-engineered 
trachea successfully 
transplanted.

2012

UK Cell Therapy 
Catapult 
established to 
support growth  
of the UK cell 
therapy industry.

2012

Professor Sir 
John Gurdon 
at Cambridge 
awarded Nobel 
Prize jointly with 
Shinya Yamanaka 
for work on 
reprogramming 
cells.

2014

Teams led by Dieter 
Egli of the New York 
Stem Cell Foundation 
and Young Gie 
Chung from the 
CHA University in 
Seoul, South Korea, 
independently 
produce human 
embryonic stem cells 
from adult cells using 
therapeutic cloning.

2013
-2014

Faster access to 
medicines and 
early adoption 
schemes are 
announced in US, 
UK and Japan.

2013

£25.4 million 
equity financing 
completed.

2014

Commenced 
dosing of patients 
in Phase II stroke 
and Phase I CLI 
clinical trials.

2013

Pre-clinical 
data published 
showing positive 
effects of CTX 
cells in restoring 
microvasculature 
and blood flow to 
the limb extremities 
in animal models 
of lower limb 
ischaemia.

2014

Appointment  
of Olav Hellebø  
as CEO.

2014

Work commences  
on design and  
fit-out of new R&D  
& manufacturing 
facility in South 
Wales. 

2015

Long term Phase I 
data from stroke 
trial presented 
confirming good 
safety profile 
and sustained 
improvements in 
neurological status 
and limb function.

2013

ReNeuron receives 
European and 
US Orphan Drug 
Designation 
for retinitis 
pigmentosa 
stem cell therapy 
candidate.

2013

Widespread media 
coverage of data from 
stroke trial which 
shows no safety 
concerns and evidence 
of sustained reductions 
in neurological 
impairment and 
spasticity.

2014

Masayo Takahashi 
at the Riken centre 
for developmental 
biology in Japan, 
treats the world’s 
first recipient 
with an induced 
pluripotent stem 
cell product as part 
of a trial to treat a 
form of age-related 
blindness.

2015

£68.4 million  
equity financing.

2015

US FDA approves 
Phase I/II clinical trial 
with hRPC therapy 
candidate for RP 
and grants it Fast 
Track designation  
in the US.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201510

STRATEGIC REPORT/
Developments in Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Therapies

The Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Therapies 
fields, comprising cell therapies, tissue engineering,  
gene and gene-modified cell therapies and genome 
editing, are rapidly maturing. The industry, comprising 
over 500 companies world-wide, has reached critical  
mass while regulators are supporting the sector  
across the globe.

1,000,000+ 

blood stem cell transplants performed worldwide.

$5.6bn 

In 2013-2014, cell and gene therapy companies 
raised over $5.6 billion in funding.

•  The European Medicines Agency (EMA)  
  has introduced the concept of ‘Adaptive  
  Licensing’, also known as staggered  
  approval or progressive licensing.  
  This involves planned early marketing   
  authorisation in a restricted population  
followed by evidence gathering and    
later expansion of this authorisation  
  across broader patient populations.  
  Although several procedures already  
  exist to aid EU early marketing (e.g.  
  conditional marketing authorisation,    
  centralised compassionate use), an  
  Adaptive Licensing Pilot project is  
  underway in which EMA will support    
  companies with promising therapies  
  to find the quickest way to supply  
  medicines to those in need.

•  In the US the Food and Drug  
  Administration (FDA) has introduced    
‘Breakthrough Therapy Designation’,  
for product candidates treating a serious  

  or life threatening disease or condition.  
It may be granted when preliminary    
  clinical evidence indicates that a therapy  
  has substantial improvement on clinical  
  endpoints over existing therapies.  

If a drug is designated as a breakthrough  
  therapy, FDA will expedite the development 
  and review of the drug. 

Currently, the vast majority of treatments for 
chronic and/or life-threatening diseases are 
palliative. Others delay disease progression 
and the onset of complications associated 
with the underlying illness. The result is 
a healthcare system burdened by costly 
treatments for an ageing population.

Regenerative Medicine and Advanced 
Therapies offer the prospect of curing or 
significantly changing the course of chronic 
diseases and thus significantly improving 
the economics of current healthcare. 

Recognising the potential for developing 
fields such as Regenerative Medicine to play 
a major role in addressing the healthcare 
cost implications of an increasingly elderly 
population, Governments and their 
regulatory agencies are taking steps to 
support expedited approvals of regenerative 
medicine products:

•  In the UK, the Medicines and Health  
  care products Regulatory Agency  

(MHRA) introduced the “Early Access  

  to Medicines Scheme (EAMS)” in  
  April 2014. This is designed to allow  
  patients with life-threatening or severely  
  debilitating conditions with high unmet  
  need to access medicines that do not  
  yet have marketing authorisation.  
  MHRA will evaluate early clinical data    
  and may designate a promising therapy  
  “Promising innovative medicine (PIM)”.  
  With this designation, on completion  
  of Phase III trials (or Phase II trials in  
  exceptional circumstances), a scientific  
  review by MHRA will result in an EAMS  
  opinion and the product may be made  
  available to patients in need prior to  
  marketing authorisation.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11

Bringing together ReNeuron’s 
world class research and 
development activities

25,000 sq ft 

The ground floor of the new facility will provide  
the Company with more than 25,000 square feet  
of state-of-the-art research and development laboratories.

During the year, work commenced on the fit-out of our  
new state-of-the-art cell manufacturing and research facility  
at Pencoed Technology Park, near Cardiff in South Wales.

This facility will incorporate robotic cell culture technology 
and, when fully licensed, will give us full control over the 
manufacture and supply of our CTX cell-based therapies, 
meeting late stage clinical trial and in-market demand for 
drug product at low cost of goods. As such, the Welsh facility 
represents a key value driver in ReNeuron’s commercial 
development strategy. 

ReNeuron plans to commence the phased relocation  
of its operations to the new facility in early 2016, when  
the conversion of the existing building is expected to be 
complete. The ground floor of the facility will provide the 
Company with more than 25,000 square feet of state-of-
the-art research and development laboratories, GMP clean 
rooms designed for automated cell culture, and office 
accommodation, with scope to expand further if required  
in the future.

•  In Japan, infrastructure changes  

include  radical amendments to both  
  regulation and reimbursement that will  
  significantly benefit stem cell therapy   
  commercialisation in Japan. New laws  
  were introduced in November 2014  
  to allow provisional marketing  
  authorisation (with conditions) once  
  clinical studies can confirm probable    
  benefit and safety in a small patient  
  population. This will bring promising    
  medicines to patients whilst more  
  comprehensive clinical data is being    
  generated to achieve a full marketing   
  authorisation. 

Meanwhile, the commercial potential  
of Regenerative Medicine and Advanced 
Therapies has become clear. A significant 
number of regenerative medicine products 
are already commercially and clinically 
successful. In 2013-2014, cell and gene 
therapy companies raised over $5.6  
billion in funding, with 378 products  
in clinical development and 66 therapies  
now approved. 

Visit reneuron.com/news to read 
our latest news >

(Source of data – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine)

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
12

STRATEGIC REPORT/
Business Review

CTX cells for Stroke Disability

Stroke, caused by a disruption in the 
flow of blood to the brain, is the third 
most deadly disease in the developed 
world and the leading cause of serious 
disability – approximately 150,000 people 
suffer a stroke in the UK each year and 
approximately 800,000 in the US. 

Ischaemic stroke accounts for about 80% 
of strokes and results from an inadequate 
supply of blood and oxygen to the brain 
due to blockage of an artery, such as by a 
blood clot. The lack of treatment options 
represents an enormous gap in medical care 
given its high incidence and severity, and 
approximately one half of all stroke survivors 
are left with permanent disabilities as a 
result of the damage caused to brain  
tissue arising from the stroke. 

The market
Between 2012 and 2030, total stroke-related 
costs in the US are projected to triple, from 
$71.6 billion to $184.1 billion. Treatments 
for stroke are currently limited to the acute 
phase, three to four hours after a stroke 
event. Our CTX stem cell therapy candidate 
for stroke (CTX) is aimed at the post-stroke 
rehabilitation period for which there are 
currently no therapies available, with the 
target of improving recovery and functional 
abilities such that patients can lead a more 
productive life.

We have undertaken a detailed health 
economics analysis to identify the stroke 
sub-population where administration  
of CTX could be justified in terms of  
both clinical and cost effectiveness. 

This analysis indicates a potential market 
in the US of $1.1 – $2.3 billion and a similar 
amount in Europe. 

Progress to date
Long term data from the PISCES Phase I 
trial in stroke patients were reported at the 
European Stroke Association in Glasgow 
in April 2015. The treatment continued to 
show a good safety profile and sustained 
reductions in neurological impairment 
and spasticity lasting out to two years post 
treatment. In August 2014 we commenced  
a Phase II clinical trial in sites across the 
UK. The trial will recruit disabled patients 
between 2 and 12 months after their stroke. 
Patients will be monitored on a number  
of validated stroke efficacy measures up  
to six months post-treatment. 

CTX cells for Critical Limb Ischaemia (CLI)

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one 
of the most common vascular diseases, 
affecting one in three people over the age 
of 70. CLI is the most severe end-stage 
form of PAD.

Changes in arterial vessels disturb the 
normal flow of blood. Such changes include 
atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the 
arteries, which is caused by the build-up 
of fat and cholesterol depositions on their 
inside walls. This build up narrows the vessels 
and causes ischaemia, the inadequate 
blood (and thus oxygen) flow to the body’s 
tissues. CLI is the most severe form of PAD, 
caused by chronic inflammatory processes 
associated with atherosclerosis. 

It is a common side-effect of diabetes, as well 
as strokes and obesity. There are estimated 
to be over 1 million people in the US with 
CLI. The condition is characterised by pain 
at rest and lesions of the leg. There are no 
effective therapies and as many as 50% of 
CLI patients currently have no treatment 
option other than limb amputation.

The market
There are approximately 160,000 
amputations as a result of PAD and the 
estimated costs per patient are >US$90,000 
over 2 years and >US$0.5 million over a 
patient’s lifetime. There are no treatments 
other than surgery for CLI patients and  
20-50% are ineligible for this.

Available data shows that, in 2008, the total 
cost of inpatient treatment specifically for 
PAD in the USA was $14.3 billion, of which 
71% related to the treatment of CLI.

Progress to date
A number of pre-clinical studies have shown 
the dose-dependent positive effects of our 
CTX cells in restoring microvasculature and 
blood flow to the limb extremities in animal 
models of lower limb ischaemia. A Phase I 
dose escalation clinical trial is ongoing in 
Scotland in which CTX cells are administered 
via straightforward intramuscular injection 
into the affected lower limb of patients 
with PAD. Progression into a larger 
placebo-controlled Phase II efficacy study  
is planned during 2016, assuming the  
Phase I primary safety end-point is met.

Exosomes

Exosomes are nano-sized (30-100nm) 
vesicles, secreted by cells in response  
to stimuli. They play a key role in cell-to-
cell communication, modulate cellular 
immunity and promote the activation 
of regenerative or repair processes in 
diseased or injured cells through the 
delivery and transfer of their cargo. 

Our researchers have identified two distinct 
exosome populations from the CTX clinical 
product. Each population characterised by 
a unique composition of bioactive nucleic 
acids and proteins. Evaluation of each 
product has demonstrated in vitro and  

in vivo effects that suggest therapeutic 
benefit in cancer.

Our CTX stem cell line is a potent producer 
of exosomes and we have therefore 
generated a strong intellectual property 
portfolio relating to this process.

Exosome-based therapies also offer a 
number of advantages over cell-based 
therapies for some indications. They are 
easier to manufacture, less immunogenic 
and can be standardised and tested in  
terms of dose and biological activity  
in a similar manner to conventional 

bio-pharmacological products. As such,  
they may be more readily developed as  
‘off the shelf’ therapeutic products.

Progress to date
The bench-to-clinic translation of CTX cell-
derived exosome products is well underway. 
Having generated promising early pre-clinical 
results in in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, 
we are currently conducting pre-clinical 
studies in a range of further cancer models 
as well as conducting good manufacturing 
practice (GMP) manufacturing optimisation 
work. We expect to be able to apply for 
approval to commence a first-in-man  
clinical study by the end of 2016.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
13

hRPCs for 
Retinitis 
Pigmentosa (RP)

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of 
inherited diseases of the retina that 
all lead to a gradual and progressive 
reduction in vision caused by the  
death of photoreceptor cells. 

It is the most common inherited cause of blindness in  
people between the ages of 20 and 60. RP is typically  
diagnosed in adolescents and young adults and most  
sufferers will be legally blind by the age of 40. 

The market
Retinitis pigmentosa affects approximately 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 
people, with an estimated 1.5 million patients worldwide, 
including more than 100,000 patients in the United States  
and approximately 180,000 patients in the EU.

There are no treatments currently available for RP, and two 
of the few approaches in development only target a small 
subpopulation of the RP patient population with specific  
genetic mutations. Our human retinal progenitor cell (hRPC) 
programme is expected to be applicable to the broad, 
heterogeneous RP patient population. 

hRPCs also represent an alternative and potentially highly 
advantageous cell therapy approach to other degenerative 
conditions of the retina, such as age-related macular degeneration 
(AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, where the unmet medical  
need also remains high. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in 
people over 60 in the US. Our hRPC based therapy for RP has been 
granted Orphan Drug Designation in both Europe and the US, 
providing the potential for 10 and 7 year market exclusivity  
post-approval of the therapy in these territories, respectively.

Progress to date
Pre-clinical studies carried out in disease models by our 
academic collaborators demonstrated that, when transplanted 
into the retina, our hRPCs help to preserve pre-existing 
photoreceptors, potentially reducing or halting further 
deterioration of vision. In addition, some of the hRPCs had 
both matured into apparently functional photoreceptors and 
engrafted into the photoreceptive layer, raising the possibility  
of a degree of reversal of the decline in vision associated with RP.

In April 2015 the Company filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) 
application with the US FDA to commence a Phase I/II clinical trial 
with hRPCs in patients with RP. The IND was approved in May 2015 
and the clinical trial is expected to commence at Massachusetts 
Eye and Ear in Boston later this year. The FDA has also awarded  
Fast Track designation to the programme. This designation is 
intended to expedite the development and review of new  
drugs or biological products targeting unmet medical need 
where the diseases concerned are serious or life threatening. 
Massachusetts Eye and Ear is a world-renowned clinical centre  
for the treatment of retinal diseases and the Phase I/II clinical study 
will be conducted with leading retinal clinicians Dr Eric Pierce,  
PI and Dr Dean Elliot, surgeon.

1.5m 

There are an estimated 1.5 million 
patients affected with retinitis 
pigmentosa worldwide.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201514

STRATEGIC REPORT/
Risks and Uncertainties

A number of specific committees exist in the Group which meet regularly to review progress and agree actions encompassing research 
activities, development programmes, and wider business and commercial issues. Through these committees, and through formal Board 
meetings, the Directors are able to continuously monitor, evaluate and mitigate the potential impact of the principal risks facing the  
Group as it develops.

Description of Risk

Clinical and regulatory risk

Competition and  
intellectual property

Manufacturing risk

Financial risk

There are significant inherent risks in developing stem cell therapies for commercialisation 
due to the long and complex development process. Any therapy which we wish to offer 
commercially to the public must be put through extensive research, pre-clinical and clinical 
development all of which takes several years and is extremely costly. We may fail to develop  
a drug candidate successfully because we cannot demonstrate in clinical trials that it is safe 
and efficacious. 

In addition, the complexity and multijurisdictional nature of the regulatory processes  
could result in either delays in achieving regulatory approval or non-approval. If a product  
is approved, the regulators may impose additional requirements, for example, restrictions  
on the therapy’s indicated uses or the levels of reimbursement receivable, that could impact  
on its commercial viability. Once approved, the product and its manufacture will continue to  
be reviewed by the regulators and may be withdrawn or restricted.

Intellectual property protection remains fundamental to our strategy of developing novel 
drug candidates. Our ability to stop others making a drug, using it or selling the invention 
or proprietary rights by obtaining and maintaining protection is critical to our success. 
We manage a portfolio of patents and patent applications which underpin our research 
and development programmes. We invest significantly in maintaining and protecting this 
intellectual property to reduce the risks over the validity and enforceability of our patents. 
However, the patent position is always uncertain and often involves complex legal issues. 
Therefore, there is a risk that intellectual property may become invalid or expire before, or 
soon after, commercialisation of a drug product and we may be blocked by other companies’ 
patents and intellectual property.

Our ability to successfully scale-up production processes to viable clinical trial or commercial 
levels is vital to the commercial viability of any product. Availability of raw materials is extremely 
important to ensure that manufacturing campaigns are performed on schedule and therefore 
dual sourcing is used where possible. Product manufacture is subject to continual regulatory 
control and products must be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practice. 
Any changes to the approved process may require further regulatory approval which may 
incur substantial cost and delays. These potential issues could adversely impact on the results 
from operations and our cash liquidity.

The financial risks faced by the Group include foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and risk 
associated with cash held on deposit with financial institutions. The Board reviews and agrees 
policies for managing each of these risks. The Group’s main objectives in using financial 
instruments are the maximisation of returns from funds held on deposit, balanced with the 
need to safeguard the assets of the business. The Group does not enter into forward currency 
contracts. The Group holds currency in US dollars and Euros to cover immediate and medium 
term expenses in those currencies. 

In addition, and in common with other small biotechnology companies, the Group is subject to a number of other risks and uncertainties, 
which include:
•  the early stage of development of the business;
•  availability and terms of capital needed to sustain operations, and failure to secure partnerships that will fund late stage trials  
  and commercial exploitation;
•  competition from other companies and market acceptance of its products;
•  its reliance on consultants, contractors and personnel at third-party research institutions; and
•  the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, in particular during the planned relocation to the new facility in South Wales.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201515

Financial Review

The business benefits from a very  
strong balance sheet and the backing 
of high calibre institutional investors 
with funding for at least the next  
three years.

Cashflow
Cash outflow from operating activities was 
£8.25 million (2014: £6.00 million), largely 
reflecting the operating costs incurred 
during the period, less tax credits received. 
Capital expenditure was £0.38 million  
(2014: £0.12 million). Cash, cash equivalents 
and bank deposits totalled £12.38 million  
at the year-end (2014: £20.92 million).

Subsequent to the financial year end, and 
as mentioned in the Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer’s Joint Statement, the 
Company announced that it expected 
to raise £68.4 million, before expenses, 
by means of a Placing to shareholders. 
Following completion of the Placing, the 
Directors expect that the Group’s financial 
resources will be sufficient to support 
operations for at least the next three years. 
Consequently, the going concern basis has 
been adopted in the preparation of these 
financial statements.

Michael Hunt 
Chief Financial Officer

24 August 2015

General and administrative expenses 
increased to £3.69 million (2014: £2.82 
million) primarily due to the Board 
reconfiguration, increased staff recruitment 
activity and project management costs 
associated with the prospective relocation 
of the business to South Wales. These 
costs include staff costs for executive, 
administrative and finance employees, 
facilities and occupancy costs and legal, 
accounting and professional fees. Increases 
in the dilapidation and redundancy 
provisions ahead of relocation to the South 
Wales facility amounted to £0.24 million 
(2014: £0.21 million).

The Company continues to increase its 
permanent staff headcount to conduct the 
increasing scale of its research and clinical 
development activities and to provide 
managerial support to those activities. 
Non-cash charges arising from share-based 
payments under IFRS 2 were £0.47 million 
(2014: £0.44 million).

Finance income
Finance income, which represents income 
received from the Group’s cash and 
investments was £0.09 million (2014: £0.15 
million). This income reduced in line with  
the reduction in average cash balances.

Taxation
The total tax credit for the period was £1.40 
million, composed of an accrual of £1.27 
million for a research and development tax 
credit for the period (2014: £0.75 million) and 
a further credit of £0.13 million agreed for 
the year to 31 March 2014. 

Outcome
As a result of the above, the total 
comprehensive loss for the year increased  
to £8.91 million (2014: £7.07 million) in  
line with both internal and consensus 
analyst forecasts.

Michael Hunt 
Chief Financial Officer

Revenues
Revenues in the year amounted to £30k 
(2014: £22k), being royalties from non-
therapeutic licensing activities. Grant income 
of £0.52 million (2014: £0.66 million) was also 
recognised. 

Operating expenses
Research and development costs increased 
to £7.25 million (2014: £5.83 million) 
and accounted for 66% of net operating 
expenses (2014: 67%). Research and 
development costs include staff costs 
for personnel engaged on research and 
development activities; sub-contracted 
clinical research costs; clinical trial and 
regulatory affairs costs, and the costs of cell 
manufacturing, quality assurance, quality 
control and shipping activities. The increase 
of £1.42 million during the period was 
as a result of increased clinical trial costs, 
manufacturing process development costs 
and cell manufacturing costs. Pre-clinical 
research costs reduced in the period, 
reflecting the further progression of the 
Company’s therapeutic programmes into 
their clinical development phase.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201516

Board of Directors

John Berriman BSc MSc
Non-executive Chairman

Olav Hellebø BBA MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Michael Hunt BSc ACA
Chief Financial Officer

John Berriman was appointed to the Board 
in July 2011 and became Chairman in 
March 2015. He is the Chairman of Autifony 
Therapeutics Ltd and past Chairman of 
Heptares Therapeutics Ltd (sold to Sosei 
in February 2015) and Algeta ASA (sold to 
Bayer AG in 2014 and previously listed on 
the Oslo stock exchange). He is also a non-
executive Director of Cytos AG (listed on  
the SIX Swiss exchange). Until its sale to 
Amgen in the spring of 2012 he was a 
Director of Micromet Inc. (listed on NASDAQ). 
Previously he was a Director of Abingworth 
Management, an international healthcare 
venture capital firm.

Olav Hellebø was appointed as Chief 
Executive Officer in September 2014. Prior  
to ReNeuron, he held the role of CEO at 
Clavis Pharma ASA, a Norwegian, oncology 
focused, listed biotechnology company.  
At Clavis, he built a multi-national leadership 
team, taking the company’s lead programme 
through Phase III clinical development as 
well as completing substantial fundraising 
and out-licensing transactions for the 
business. Prior to Clavis, he headed up the 
global biologics franchise at UCB Pharma 
and was head of the UK commercial 
operations of Novartis. 

Michael Hunt joined ReNeuron in 2001. 
Between 2005 and 2014 he served as CEO, 
leading the business through its early 
development to its current position as 
one of the global, clinical stage leaders in 
the regenerative medicine field. He was 
appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2014. 
Prior to ReNeuron, he spent six years at 
Biocompatibles International plc (sold to 
BTG plc) where he held a number of senior 
financial and general management positions. 
His early industrial career was spent at Bunzl 
plc. He is a founding member and co-chair 
of the European Section of the Alliance 
for Regenerative Medicine and sits on the 
BioIndustry Association’s Cell Therapy and 
Regenerative Medicine Advisory Committee 
and its Finance and Tax Advisory Committee. 
He is also a member of the Cell Therapy 
Catapult’s Advisory Panel.

Dr John Sinden BA MA Ph.D
Chief Scientific Officer

Simon Cartmell BSc MSc
Non-executive Director

Dr Tim Corn MSc FFPM FRCPsych
Non-executive Director

Dr. Sinden is a scientific co-founder of 
ReNeuron and joined as Chief Scientific 
Officer in October 1998. Prior to ReNeuron, 
he was Reader in Neurobiology of 
Behaviour at the Institute of Psychiatry at 
Kings College London. He graduated in 
Psychology from the University of Sydney 
and completed a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from 
the University of Paris at the College de 
France. He subsequently held post-doctoral 
appointments at Oxford University and the 
Institute of Psychiatry prior to joining the 
permanent staff of the Institute in 1987. 

Simon Cartmell was appointed to the Board 
in July 2011. He was, until June 2010, Chief 
Executive Officer of ApaTech Ltd, which he 
built into a world leader in orthobiologics. Its 
sale to Baxter International Inc was completed 
in March 2010. Prior to ApaTech he was Chief 
Executive Officer of Celltech Pharmaceuticals 
and a Director of Celltech Group plc before 
which he was Chief Operating Officer of 
Vanguard Medica plc. His early career was 
spent at Glaxo plc in multiple senior UK 
and global commercial strategy, product 
development, supply chain, marketing, sales 
and business development roles. 

Dr Tim Corn was appointed to the Board  
in June 2012. He is Chief Medical Officer  
at EUSA Pharma International, a division  
of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and was formally  
Chief Medical Officer at EUSA Pharma Inc.,  
until its acquisition by Jazz in 2012, and  
Chief Medical Officer at Zeneus Pharma, 
which was acquired by Cephalon Inc in 2006. 
In addition, he serves as Chair of the Board  
of Trustees of the Neuro Foundation, and 
non-executive Director on the Board of 
Circassia Pharmaceuticals. 

Mark Docherty BEng FCA
Non-executive Director

Professor Sir Chris Evans OBE
Non-executive Director

Dr Paul Harper BSc Ph.D
Non-executive Director

Mark Docherty was appointed to the Board 
in March 2003. He is Finance and Corporate 
Director of FKD Therapies Oy, a Finnish based 
gene therapy company whose lead product 
for bladder cancer is in clinical development. 
He is Director of FinvectorVision Therapies 
Limited, a specialist gene therapy 
manufacturer and Geschäftsführer of DHP 
Private Equity GmbH a specialist private 
equity house. He was a founding Director  
of Merlin Biosciences Limited (now Excalibur 
Fund Managers Limited) and was actively 
involved in the structuring and financing 
of many of the Merlin portfolio companies 
including ReNeuron. 

Professor Sir Chris Evans OBE was appointed 
to the Board in August 2013. Sir Chris was 
the Founder and Chairman of Excalibur 
Group, and is a highly successful scientist 
and entrepreneur, having built over 50 
medical companies and created over $5 
billion of value for investors with $3 billion of 
cash exits. He is the Founder of Chiroscience, 
Celsis, Biovex, Merlin, Vectura and Piramed. 
He has also raised $2 billion for cancer 
research projects. More recently, he has 
established Arthurian Life Sciences Ltd to 
provide management services to the Wales  
Life Sciences Investment Fund.

Dr Paul Harper was appointed to the Board  
in August 2005. He initially pursued a career  
in drug discovery and development with  
Glaxo Group Research as Head of 
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Johnson & 
Johnson Limited as Director of Research & 
Development and with Unipath plc. This was 
followed by work in a number of start-up 
companies and SMEs as Chief Executive 
Officer or adviser. These included, as Chief 
Executive Officer, preparing Cambridge 
Antibody Technology Ltd for flotation on 
the London Stock Exchange and founding 
Provensis Limited to develop a drug device 
product. 

GOVERNANCE/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015Senior Management

Randolph Corteling Ph.D
Head of Research

Sharon Grimster FSB AFIChemE BSc DMS
VP Development & General Manager, Wales

Advisers

17

Dr Randolph Corteling joined ReNeuron in  
2007 and was appointed Head of Research  
in April 2015. He received his first degree  
(BSc Pharmacology (Hons)) from the 
University of East London in 1997. He then 
spent 3 years as a Research associate at 
Novartis pharmaceuticals in West Sussex, 
before undertaking a PhD in Medical and 
Surgical Sciences under the supervision  
of Prof. Ian Hall at Nottingham University.  
He then subsequently spent 3 years as a 
Heart and Stroke Foundation postdoctoral 
fellow at the University of Calgary, Canada 
before joining ReNeuron as a senior  
member of the research team in 2007.

Sharon Grimster joined ReNeuron in 2013 
and was appointed as VP Development & 
General Manager, Wales in April 2015. She 
has significant experience in pharmaceutical 
development and she has a particular 
expertise in biologics manufacturing. Prior 
to working at ReNeuron, she held senior 
team roles at F-star and Antisoma, where she 
was responsible for a range of development 
functions, including project management, 
regulatory affairs, manufacturing, quality 
and general operations. She started her 
pharmaceutical career at Celltech, where 
she led teams in project management, 
manufacturing and research.

Olav Hellebø BBA MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Michael Hunt BSc ACA
Chief Financial Officer

Dr John Sinden BA MA Ph.D
Chief Scientific Officer

See opposite page for biography.

Dr Julian Howell MBBS FRCS FFPM MBA
Chief Medical Officer

Shaun Stapleton BSc (Hons) MTOPRA
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dr Julian Howell has held a number of 
leadership roles in clinical development 
during the last 15 years, bringing small 
molecules and biological products through 
all phases of clinical development in Europe 
and the US. He joins ReNeuron from Shield 
Therapeutics, where he held the role  
of Group Medical Director. Prior to that,  
he led the clinical team at ProStrakan, 
contributing to multiple US and EU new 
product approvals in oncology supportive 
care, GI and pain treatments. He gained 
medical and surgical qualifications in the 
UK and worked in the UK health service 
before completing an MBA at Cranfield 
University and joining the pharmaceutical 
industry, initially at SmithKlineBeecham and 
subsequently in senior clinical and medical 
affairs roles at Roche, Chiron and Pharmion.

Shaun Stapleton joins ReNeuron from 
RRG (a Voisin Consulting Life Sciences 
Company) where he was a Director and 
Vice President of Regulatory Science. He 
supported clients on a number of global 
development and registration projects, 
including advanced therapies and orphan 
drugs. Having graduated in Biochemistry 
from Imperial College, London, he began his 
career in research with the Imperial Cancer 
Research Fund, before moving into the 
pharmaceutical industry. He held positions of 
increasing responsibility in regulatory affairs 
at Sterling Winthrop, Eli Lilly and Boehringer 
Ingelheim before becoming Senior Director 
of Regulatory Affairs at Ipsen, where he 
managed regulatory input into development 
programmes globally, securing new product 
approvals in the US, EU and internationally  
in the neurology, endocrinology and 
oncology therapeutic areas.

Company Secretary  
and registered office
Michael Hunt
10 Nugent Road
Surrey Research Park
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7AF

Principal banker
Barclays Bank plc
PO Box 326
28 Chesterton Road
Cambridge
CB4 3UT

Patent agents
Gill, Jennings & Every
Broadgate House
7 Eldon Street
London
EC2M 7LH

Nominated Adviser
Cenkos Securities plc
6-8 Tokenhouse Yard
London
EC2R 7AS

Financial PR Consultants
Buchanan
107 Cheapside
London
EC2V 6DN

Registrars
Computershare Services plc
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE

Solicitors
Covington & Burling LLP
265 Strand
London
WC2R 1BH

Independent Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and
Statutory Auditors
One Reading Central
23 Forbury Rd
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 3JH

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201518

Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 March 2015

The Directors present their report and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2015.

Presentation of financial statements
The Group accounts include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings made up to 31 March 2015.

Results and dividends
The results for the year are given in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income set out on page 30. The Directors do not recommend  
the payment of a dividend (2014: £nil).

Post balance sheet event
On 10 July 2015, the Company announced a Placing to raise £68.4 million, before expenses (see note 23 of the financial statements  
for details). 

Research and development
During the year the Group incurred research and development costs of £7,250,000 (2014: £5,829,000) all charged to the Statement  
of Comprehensive Income. 

Directors and Directors’ interests
The Directors who held office during the year and up to the signing of the financial statements are listed below:

John Berriman, Non–executive Chairman
Olav Hellebø, Chief Executive Officer (appointed 8 September 2014)
Michael Hunt, Chief Financial Officer
Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer
Simon Cartmell, Non–executive Director
Dr Tim Corn, Non-executive Director
Mark Docherty, Non-executive Director
Professor Sir Chris Evans, Non-executive Director
Dr Paul Harper, Non-executive Director
Bryan Morton, Non-executive Chairman (resigned 31 March 2015)

Directors’ emoluments

Salaries 
and fees 
£’000 
31 
164 
205 
182 
30 
26 
18 
25 
24 
43 
748 

Bonuses 
£’000 
– 
61 
93 
45 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
199 

Benefits 
in kind 
£’000 
– 
1 
2 
3 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
6 

2015 
Pension 
2015 
Total  contributions 
£’000 
£’000 
– 
31 
16 
226 
19 
300 
19 
230 
– 
30 
– 
26 
– 
18 
– 
25 
– 
24 
– 
43 
54 
953 

2014
Pension
contributions
£’000
–
–
19
18
–
–
–
–
–
–
37

2014 
Total 
£’000 
29 
– 
265 
231 
29 
26 
18 
17 
24 
34 
673 

John Berriman 
Olav Hellebø 
Michael Hunt 
Dr John Sinden 
Simon Cartmell 
Dr Tim Corn 
Mark Docherty 
Professor Sir Chris Evans 
Dr Paul Harper 
Bryan Morton 
Total 

Benefits in kind are private medical insurance and professional subscriptions.

Directors’ emoluments include amounts payable to third parties in respect of fees as described in note 29 of the financial statements.

The emoluments of Bryan Morton include £8,000 in respect of payments made in lieu of notice.

GOVERNANCE/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19

Directors’ emoluments continued
The Directors held the following interests in the Ordinary shares of the Company:

John Berriman 
Olav Hellebø 
Michael Hunt 
Dr John Sinden 
Simon Cartmell 
Dr Tim Corn 
Mark Docherty 
Professor Sir Chris Evans 
Dr Paul Harper 
Bryan Morton 

Ordinary shares of 1p each  

2015 
Number 
725,000 
322,778 
1,508,471 
2,305,794 
787,500 
200,000 
944,854 
24,010,525 
451,709 
1,015,909 

2014 
Number 
725,000 
– 
1,253,023 
2,211,902 
787,500 
200,000 
944,854 
24,010,525 
451,709 
1,015,909 

Warrants (see below) 
2014
Number
125,000
–
125,000
125,000
187,500
–
125,000
–
50,000
125,000

2015 
Number 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

The Warrants of the Company entitled the holder to subscribe for Ordinary shares at a price of 6.0 pence per share up to 20 April 2014.  
The Warrants expired on that date with none having been exercised.

The Directors held the following interests in options over shares of the Company:

John Berriman

Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Olav Hellebø

Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Note 
8 

10 

12 

14 

Note 
15 

15 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
480,073 

575,249 

600,000 

– 

1,655,322 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
– 

– 

– 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

– 

– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
480,073 

575,249 

600,000 

600,000 

600,000 

600,000 

2,255,322 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
7,246,376 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
7,246,376 

– 

– 

8,309,180 

8,309,180 

15,555,556 

15,555,556 

Exercise 
price 
3.75p 

2.87p 

3.6p 

3.45p 

Exercise
period*
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

Exercise 
price 
1.0p 

1.0p 

Exercise
period*
September 2017
  – September 2024
September 2017
  – September 2024

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
20

Directors’ Report
continued

Directors’ emoluments continued
Michael Hunt

Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
approved 
Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
927,727 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
(927,727) 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

Note 
1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

5 

5 

6 

7 

9 

11 

13 

13 

15 

15 

1,117,928 

(1,117,928) 

2,272,950 

567,586 

567,586 

989,806 

989,806 

347,808 

1,095,079 

1,772,728 

2,071,066 

2,916,667 

3,181,818 

694,500 

3,263,833 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
– 

– 

2,272,950 

567,586 

567,586 

989,806 

989,806 

347,808 

1,095,079 

1,772,728 

2,071,066 

2,916,667 

3,181,818 

694,500 

3,263,833 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Exercise 
price 
4.4p 

4.4p 

11.0p 

4.4p 

6.61p 

10.61p 

18.94p 

Exercise
period*
 August 2005
– July 2014
 August 2006
– July 2014
 August 2008
– August 2015
 August 2009
– August 2016
 August 2010
– August 2016
 August 2010
– August 2017
 August 2010
– August 2017
 August 2011
– August 2019
 August 2011
– August 2020
 August 2012
– August 2019
 August 2013
– August 2020
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024
September 2017
  – September 2024

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1,715,333 

1,715,333 

2,347,167 

2,347,167 

22,776,888 

(2,045,655) 

4,062,500 

24,793,733 

GOVERNANCE/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
21

Directors’ emoluments continued
John Sinden

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
927,727 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
(927,727) 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

Note 
1 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
– 

– 

2,272,950 

567,586 

567,586 

989,806 

989,806 

347,808 

1,216,834 

1,713,637 

1,918,782 

2,336,389 

2,450,758 

1,364,638 

961,751 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,715,333 

1,715,333 

659,667 

659,667 

Exercise 
price 
4.4p 

4.4p 

11.0p 

4.4p 

4.4p 

10.61p 

18.94p 

Exercise
period*
 August 2005
– July 2014
 August 2006
– July 2014
 August 2008
– August 2015
 August 2009
– August 2016
 August 2010
– August 2016
 August 2010
– August 2017
 August 2010
– August 2017
 August 2011
– August 2019
 August 2011
– August 2020
 August 2012
– August 2019
 August 2013
– August 2020
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024
September 2017
  – September 2024

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1.0p 

1 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

5 

5 

6 

7 

9 

11 

13 

13 

15 

15 

1,110,382 

(1,110,382) 

2,272,950 

567,586 

567,586 

989,806 

989,806 

347,808 

1,216,834 

1,713,637 

1,918,782 

2,336,389 

2,450,758 

1,364,638 

961,751 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
approved 
Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
approved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Simon Cartmell   

Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 

19,736,440 

(2,038,109) 

2,375,000 

20,073,331 

Note 
8 

10 

12 

14 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
480,073 

575,249 

600,000 

– 

1,655,322 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

– 

– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
480,073 

575,249 

600,000 

600,000 

600,000 

600,000 

2,255,322 

Exercise 
price 
3.75p 

2.87p 

3.6p 

3.45p 

Exercise
period*
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
22

Directors’ Report
continued

Directors’ emoluments continued
Dr Tim Corn 

Options –  
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Mark Docherty

Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Professor Sir Chris Evans

Options - 
unapproved 
Options - 
unapproved 

Note 
10 

12 

14 

Note 
3 

4 

4 

8 

10 

12 

14 

Note 
12 

14 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
575,249 

500,000 

– 

1,075,249 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
296,942 

260,797 

319,605 

480,073 

575,249 

500,000 

– 

2,432,666 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
500,000 

– 

500,000 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

– 

– 

– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
575,249 

– 

500,000 

500,000 

500,000 

500,000 

1,575,249 

Exercise 
price 
2.87p 

3.6p 

3.45p 

Exercise
period*
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
296,942 

260,797 

319,605 

480,073 

575,249 

500,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

500,000 

500,000 

500,000 

2,932,666 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
500,000 

500,000 

500,000 

500,000 

1,000,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

– 

– 

Exercise 
price 
10.61p 

Exercise
period**

 August 2010
– August 2017
 August 2012
– August 2019
 August 2013
– August 2020
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

4.22p 

3.85p 

3.75p 

2.87p 

3.6p 

3.45p 

Exercise 
price 
3.6p 

3.45p 

Exercise
period*
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

GOVERNANCE/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
23

Exercise 
price 
11.0p 

4.4p 

10.61p 

4.22p 

3.85p 

3.75p 

2.87p 

3.6p 

3.45p 

Exercise
period*
 August 2008
– August 2015
 August 2009
– August 2016
 August 2010
– August 2017
 August 2012
– August 2019
 August 2013
– August 2020
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
 – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

Exercise 
price 
4.22p 

Exercise
period***

 August 2012
– August 2019
 August 2013
– August 2020
 September 2014
  – September 2021
September 2015
  – September 2022
September 2016
  – September 2023
September 2017
  – September 2024

3.85p 

3.75p 

2.87p 

3.6p 

3.45p 

Directors’ emoluments continued
Dr Paul Harper

Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options –  
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Bryan Morton

Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 
Options – 
unapproved 

Note 
2 

2 

3 

4 

4 

8 

10 

12 

14 

Note 
4 

4 

8 

10 

12 

14 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
113,648 

113,517 

296,942 

260,797 

319,605 

480,073 

575,249 

500,000 

– 

2,659,831 

At  
1 April 
2014 
Number 
260,797 

319,605 

480,073 

575,249 

700,000 

– 

2,335,724 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
113,648 

113,517 

296,942 

260,797 

319,605 

480,073 

575,249 

500,000 

At 
31 March 
2015 
Number 
260,797 

319,605 

480,073 

575,249 

700,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

700,000 

700,000 

700,000 

3,035,724 

500,000 

500,000 

500,000 

3,159,831 

Lapsed 
during  
the year 
Number 
– 

Granted 
during 
the year 
Number  
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

*   The exercise periods indicate the earliest dates for which the options are exercisable subject to meeting the performance conditions disclosed overleaf.
**   Mark Docherty’s share options will become exercisable when he steps down from the Board at the Annual General Meeting (where not already exercisable  

at that date) and must be exercised within 9 months of his resignation.

*** Bryan Morton’s share options became exercisable on his resignation (where not already exercisable at that date) and must be exercised within 9 months  

of his resignation.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
24

Directors’ Report
continued

Directors’ emoluments continued
Note 1:
These options were issued following the Group’s Admission to the AIM market. They replaced an earlier award which had been conditional 
on the successful Admission; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable.

Note 2:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
Phase I/II trials; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable.

Note 3:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the successful completion of an initial clinical trial of a ReNeuron  
cell therapy; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable.

Note 4:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
a second clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable.

Note 5:
These options have been issued in accordance with the Group’s Deferred Share-based Bonus Plan in respect of corporate and personal 
objectives achieved in the financial year ending 31 March 2009 and carry no further performance conditions; at 31 March 2015 these 
options were exercisable.

Note 6:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions 
below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a second clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the FTSE All-Share Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index  
in any given three year period from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the  
three year period, the options will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance 
period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 7:
These options were issued subject to the performance conditions below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a second clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period from 
date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options will vest 
pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 8:
These options were issued subject a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
a third clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable.

Note 9:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a third clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

GOVERNANCE/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
25

Directors’ emoluments continued
Note 10:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fourth 
clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

Note 11:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fourth clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 12:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fifth 
clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

Note 13:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fifth clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 14:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a sixth 
clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

Note 15:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable.

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a sixth clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Qualifying third party indemnity
Certain Directors benefited from qualifying third party indemnity provisions in place during the year and at the date of this report.

Policy and practice on payment of creditors
It is the Group’s policy to agree payment terms with all suppliers in advance of the supply of goods and services and to adhere to those 
payment terms. Trade payables of the Group at the year-end as a proportion of amounts invoiced by suppliers during the year represent  
56 days (2014: 73 days). 

The Company had no trade payables at the year-end (2014: nil).

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201526

Directors’ Report
continued

Corporate Governance 
As an AIM-listed Company, ReNeuron is not required to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code (2012), the set of recommended 
corporate governance principles for UK public companies issued by the Financial Reporting Council. However, the Directors support high 
standards of Corporate Governance and have established a set of corporate governance principles which they regard as appropriate for  
the stage of development of the Group. For example, the Company has adopted a share dealing code for Directors and senior employees 
on substantially the same terms as AIM’s model code on Directors’ dealings in Company shares.

The Board has established an Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nominations Committee with formally delegated  
duties and responsibilities. Dr Paul Harper chairs the Audit Committee, Simon Cartmell chairs the Remuneration Committee and John 
Berriman chairs the Nominations Committee.

Dr Harper is not regarded as independent due to his length of tenure as a Director of the Parent Company. However, the Board believes  
Dr Harper’s specific skills and experience makes him the best choice for the role of Audit Committee Chairman.

The Audit Committee normally meets twice a year and has responsibility for, amongst other things, planning and reviewing the annual 
report and accounts and interim statements and involving, where appropriate, the external auditors. The Committee also approves external 
auditors’ fees and ensures the auditors’ independence as well as focusing on compliance with legal requirements and accounting standards.

It is also responsible for ensuring that an effective system of internal controls is maintained. The ultimate responsibility for reviewing and 
approving the annual financial statements and interim statements remains with the Board.

The Remuneration Committee, which meets as required, but at least once a year, has responsibility for making recommendations to the 
Board on the compensation of senior executives and determining, within agreed terms of reference, the specific remuneration packages  
for each of the executive Directors. It also supervises the Share Option Scheme and sets performance conditions for options granted under 
the Share Option Scheme.

The Nominations Committee, which meets as required, but at least once a year, has responsibility for reviewing the size and composition  
of the Board, the appointment of replacement or additional Directors and making appropriate recommendations to the Board.

Communications
The Group places a high priority on regular communications with its various stakeholder groups and aims to ensure that all 
communications concerning the Group’s activities are clear, fair and accurate. The Group maintains a regularly updated website.  
Users can register to be alerted when announcements or details of presentations and events are posted onto the website.

Beyond the Annual General Meeting, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer meet regularly with investors and analysts  
to provide them with updates on the Group’s business and to obtain feedback regarding the market’s expectations of the Group.

Health and safety and the environment
The Group is committed to providing a safe environment for its staff and all other parties for which the Group has a legal or moral 
responsibility in this area. The Group operates a Health and Safety Committee which meets monthly to monitor, review and make decisions 
concerning health and safety matters. The Group’s health and safety policies and procedures are enshrined in the Group’s documented 
quality systems, which encompass all aspects of the Group’s day-to-day operations.

The Group is aware of its corporate responsibilities concerning the impact of its activities on the environment, and seeks to minimise  
this impact wherever possible. Through the various procedures and systems it operates, the Group ensures full compliance with health  
and safety and environmental legislation relevant to its activities.

GOVERNANCE/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
27

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared  
the Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted  
by 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 the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period.  
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed  

and explained in the financial statements; and

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

in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that 
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company  
and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors  
are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Group website www.reneuron.com. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ statement on disclosure of information to auditors
In accordance with Section 418 of the Companies Act, in the case of each of the persons who are Directors at the time when the report  
is approved, the following applies:

•  so far as each Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the 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 audit information 

and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Independent Auditors
The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution concerning their  
re-appointment will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of Covington & Burling LLP, 265 Strand, London, WC2R 1BH  
on 24 September 2015 at 10.30 a.m. The Notice of the Annual General Meeting is enclosed on page 54 of this document.

By order of the Board

Michael Hunt
Director

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201528

Independent Auditors’ Report 
to the Members of ReNeuron Group plc

Report on the financial statements
Our opinion
In our opinion:
•  ReNeuron Group plc’s Group financial statements and Company financial statements (the “financial statements") give a true and fair view 
of the state of the Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2015 and of the Group’s loss and the Group’s and the Company’s 
cash flows for the year then ended;

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)  

as adopted by the European Union;

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

as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

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

What we have audited
ReNeuron Group plc’s financial statements comprise:
•  the Group and Parent Company Statements of Financial Position as at 31 March 2015;
•  the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended;
•  the Group and Parent Company Statements of Cash Flows for the year then ended;
•  the Group and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity for the year then ended; and
•  the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs  
as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions  
of the Companies Act 2006.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the Directors have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect  
of significant accounting estimates. In making such estimates, they have made assumptions and considered future events.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Other matters on which we are required to report by exception
Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or

•   the Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration  
specified by law are not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201529

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Our responsibilities and those of the Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 27, the Directors are responsible for the preparation  
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (ISAs (UK & Ireland)). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3  
of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our 
prior consent in writing.

What an audit of financial statements involves
We conducted our audit in accordance with ISAs (UK & Ireland). An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures  
in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, 
whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: 
•  whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied 

and adequately disclosed; 

•  the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and
•  the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the Directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, 
and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide  
a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive 
procedures or a combination of both. 

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report and Accounts to identify material inconsistencies 
with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially 
inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material 
misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Sam Taylor (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Reading

24 August 2015

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
30

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income 
for the year ended 31 March 2015

Revenue: royalty income 
Other income: grants 
Research and development costs 
General and administrative costs 
Operating loss 
Finance income 
Loss before income tax 
Income tax credit 
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year  

Note 
5  

6  
6  

7 

10  

2015 
£’000 
30  
519  
(7,250) 
(3,693) 
(10,394) 
91  
(10,303) 
1,397  
(8,906) 

2014
£’000
22
662
(5,829)
(2,824)
(7,969)
149
(7,820)
754
(7,066)

Loss and total comprehensive loss attributable to equity owners of the Company  

(8,906) 

(7,066)

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share 

12  

(0.5p) 

(0.5p)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group and Parent Company Statements of Financial Position
as at 31 March 2015

Assets
Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Investment in subsidiaries 
Trade and other receivables 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Income tax receivable 
Investments – bank deposit 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Equity 
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Merger reserve 
Accumulated losses 
Total equity 

Liabilities
Non-current liabilities 
Provisions 
Financial liabilities: finance leases 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Financial liabilities: finance leases 

Total liabilities 
Total equity and liabilities 

Note 

13  
14  
15  
16  

16  

17 
18  

23  

20  
21 

19  
21  

2015 
£’000 

161  
1,591  
– 
281  
2,033  

400  
1,272  
–  
12,382  
14,054  
16,087  

17,888  
46,267  
8,964  
2,223  
(62,206) 
13,136  

605  
1  
606  

2,344  
1  
2,345  
2,951  
16,087  

Group  
2014 
£’000 

225 
1,272 
– 
275 
1,772 

676 
754 
6,000 
14,917 
22,347 
24,119 

17,888 
46,267 
8,964 
2,223 
(53,625) 
21,717 

364 
2 
366 

2,035 
1 
2,036 
2,402 
24,119 

2015 
£’000 

– 
– 
68,415  
– 
68,415  

– 
– 
– 
4,956  
4,956  
73,371  

17,888  
46,267  
8,964  
1,858  
(7,096) 
67,881  

– 
– 
–  

5,490  
– 
5,490  
5,490  
73,371  

31

Company 
2014
£’000

–
–
64,524
–
64,524

3
–
–
9,425
9,428
73,952

17,888
46,267
8,964
1,858
(6,512)
68,465

–
–
–

5,487
–
5,487
5,487
73,952

The financial statements on pages 30 to 52 were approved by the Board of Directors on 24 August 2015 and were signed on their behalf by:

Michael Hunt
Director

Company Registered Number 05474163  

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
32

Group and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity
as at 31 March 2015

Group 
As at 1 April 2013 
Issue of Ordinary shares 
Costs of share issue 
Credit on share-based payment 
Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss   
As at 31 March 2014 
Credit on share-based payment 
Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss   
As at 31 March 2015 

Company 
As at 1 April 2013 
Issue of Ordinary shares 
Costs of share issue 
Credit on share-based payment 
Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss   
As at 31 March 2014 
Credit on share-based payment 
Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss   
As at 31 March 2015 

Share 
capital 
£’000 
7,748  
10,140 
– 
– 
– 
17,888 
– 
– 
17,888  

Share 
capital 
£’000 
7,748  
10,140 
– 
– 
– 
17,888 
– 
– 
17,888  

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000 
32,972  
15,210 
(1,915) 
– 
– 
46,267 
– 
– 
46,267  

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000 
32,972  
15,210 
(1,915) 
– 
– 
46,267 
– 
– 
46,267  

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000 
8,964  
– 
– 
– 
– 
8,964 
– 
– 
8,964  

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000 
8,964  
– 
– 
– 
– 
8,964 
– 
– 
8,964  

Merger  Accumulated 
losses 
reserve 
£’000 
£’000 
(46,999) 
2,223  
– 
– 
– 
– 
440 
– 
(7,066) 
– 
(53,625) 
2,223 
325  
– 
(8,906) 
– 
(62,206) 
2,223  

Merger  Accumulated 
losses 
reserve 
£’000 
£’000 
(6,147) 
1,858  
– 
– 
– 
– 
440 
– 
(805) 
– 
(6,512) 
1,858 
325  
– 
(909) 
– 
(7,096) 
1,858  

Total
equity
£’000
4,908 
25,350
(1,915)
440
(7,066)
21,717
325 
(8,906)
13,136 

Total
equity
£’000
45,395 
25,350
(1,915)
440
(805)
68,465
325 
(909)
67,881 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group and Parent Company Statements of Cash Flows 
for the year ended 31 March 2015

Cash used in operating activities 
Income tax credit received 
Cash used in operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Capital expenditure 
Purchase of intangible asset 
Loans provided to subsidiaries 
Interest received 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Finance lease principal payments 
Proceeds from issuance of Ordinary shares 
Costs of share issue 
Bank deposit matured/(placed) 
Net cash generated from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year  

Note 
26 

2015 
£’000 
(9,124) 
879  
(8,245) 

(61) 
(319) 
– 
91 
(289)  

(1) 
– 
– 
6,000 
5,999  

(2,535) 
14,917 
12,382  

Group  
2014 
£’000 
(6,718) 
714 
(6,004) 

(121) 
– 
– 
61 
(60) 

(1) 
25,350 
(1,915) 
(6,000) 
17,434 

11,370 
3,547 
14,917 

2015 
£’000 
(795) 
– 
(795) 

– 
– 
(3,702) 
28  
(3,674) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
–  

(4,469) 
9,425  
4,956  

33

Company 
2014
£’000
(593)
–
(593)

–
–
(16,344)
50
(16,294)

–
25,350
(1,915)
–
23,435

6,548
2,877
9,425

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. General information
ReNeuron Group plc (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”) research and develop therapies using stem cells.  
The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England with registered number 05474163 and its shares  
are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.

2. Accounting policies and 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 of the financial years presented for both the Group and the Company. The accounting policies relate to the  
Group unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the 
European Union, the interpretations of International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and the Companies Act 2006 
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 

These financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings made up  
to 31 March 2015.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is 
measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus 
costs directly attributable to the acquisition. 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. The excess  
of the cost of 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.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses  
are also eliminated but considered an impairment indicator of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed 
where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

The Group elected not to apply IFRS 3 ‘Business combinations’ retrospectively to business combinations which took place prior to  
1 April 2006 that have been accounted for by the merger accounting method.

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The key areas that require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgements about matters that are inherently uncertain are:

a) Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that sufficient funds will be available for  
the Company and Group to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. More details are set out in note 3.

b) Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group assesses whether there are any indicators of impairment for all non-financial assets at each reporting date. Other non-financial 
assets are tested for impairment when there are indicators that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. These indicators include  
the progress towards and outcome of clinical trials and the Group’s funding position.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
35

2. Accounting policies and basis of preparation continued
Foreign currency translation
The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling  (£), which is the Company’s functional and presentational 
currency. Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the 
transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end 
exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income in the year in which they occur.

Revenue
Revenue represents income received from royalties arising from collaborations with third parties and is recognised when they fall due  
to the Group.

Research and development expenditure
Capitalisation of expenditure on product development commences from the point at which technical feasibility and commercial viability 
of the product can be demonstrated and the Group is satisfied that it is probable that future economic benefits will result from the product 
once completed. No such costs have been capitalised to date, given the early stage of the Company’s intellectual property.

Expenditure on research and development activities that do not meet the above criteria, including ongoing costs associated with  
acquired intellectual property rights and intellectual property rights generated internally by the Group, is charged to the Statement  
of Comprehensive Income as incurred.

Pension benefits
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable for the year are charged to the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either  
accruals or prepayments in the Statement of Financial Position. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions  
have been paid.

Leases
Leasing arrangements which transfer to the Group substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership of assets are treated as finance 
leases, as if the asset had been purchased outright. The assets are included within the relevant category of property, plant and equipment 
and the capital elements of the leasing commitments are shown as obligations under finance leases. Assets held under finance leases are 
depreciated over the lower of their useful life and the terms of the lease. The interest element of the lease rental is included in the Group 
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

All other leases are considered operating leases, the costs of which are charged to the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income  
on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Benefits such as rent-free periods, and amounts received or receivable as incentives to take  
on operating leases, are spread on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Government and other grants
Revenue grants are credited to other operating income within the Group’s Statement of Comprehensive Income, assessed by the level  
of expenditure incurred on the specific grant project, when it is reasonably certain that amounts will not need to be repaid.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
36

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

2. Accounting policies and basis of preparation continued
Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of equity-settled, share-based compensation plans. The fair value of share-based payments under such 
schemes is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest  
and adjusted for the effect of market-based vesting conditions. Vesting periods are estimated to be two years for options issued under  
the deferred bonus and four years for other schemes. 

The fair value calculation of share-based payments requires several assumptions and estimates as disclosed in note 25. The calculation uses 
the Black-Scholes model. At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews its estimate of the number of options that are expected to vest and 
recognises any revision to original estimates in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

For equity-settled share based payments where employees of subsidiary undertakings are rewarded with shares issued by the Parent 
Company, a capital contribution is recorded in the subsidiary, with a corresponding increase in the investment in the Parent Company.

Warrants
Where warrants have been issued together with Ordinary shares, the proportion of the proceeds received that relates to the warrants  
is credited to reserves.

Where warrants have been issued as recompense for services supplied, the fair value of warrants is charged to the Statement  
of Comprehensive Income over the period the services are received and a corresponding credit is made to reserves.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets relating to intellectual property rights acquired through licensing or assigning patents and know-how are carried at 
historical cost less accumulated amortisation and any provision for impairment. Milestone payments associated with these rights are 
capitalised when incurred. Where a finite useful life of the acquired intangible asset cannot be determined, the asset is not subject to 
amortisation but is tested for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. No amortisation other than historical impairment has been charged to date as the products 
underpinned by the intellectual property rights are not yet available for commercial use.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Cost includes the original purchase 
price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. Depreciation is calculated 
so as to write off the cost less their estimated residual values, on a straight-line basis over the expected useful economic lives of the assets 
concerned. The principal annual periods used for this purpose are:

Leasehold improvements  
Plant and equipment 
Computer equipment 

Term of the lease
3-8 years
3-5 years 

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less any provision for impairment. Any monies paid to subsidiaries are deemed to be  
a capital contribution.

Current income tax
The credit for current income tax is based on the results for the year, adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed.  
It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the financial year end.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither 
accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted 
by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary 
differences can be utilised.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201537

2. Accounting policies and basis of preparation continued
Bank deposits, cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the cash flow statement and the Statements of Financial Position include cash in hand and deposits held  
on call with banks with original maturities of three months or less. Bank deposits with original maturities in excess of three months are 
classed as investments and are stated at cost.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recorded at fair value when goods or services have been received from a supplier.

Capital redemption reserve
S733 Companies Act 2006 provides that where shares of a company are redeemed or purchased wholly out of the Company’s profits,  
or by a fresh issue, the amount by which the Company’s issued share capital is diminished on cancellation of the shares shall be transferred 
to a reserve called the ‘capital redemption reserve’. It also provides that the reduction of the Company’s share capital shall be treated as  
if the capital redemption reserve were paid-up capital of the Company.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has an obligation as a result of past events, for which it is probable that an outflow of resources 
will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. 

Contractual milestone payments
The Group is expected to incur future contractual milestone payments linked to the future development of its therapeutic programmes. 
These costs will be recognised as and when a contractual milestone is expected to have been achieved.

Accounting developments
The following new standards, new interpretations and amendments to standards and interpretations are applicable for the first time  
for the financial year ended 31 March 2015. None of them has any impact on the financial statements of the Group:

•  Amendment to IAS 1 “Financial Statement Presentation”;
•  IFRS 10, “Consolidated Financial Statements”;
•  IFRS 11, “Joint Arrangements”;
•  IFRS 12, “Disclosures of Interests in Other Entities”;
•  IAS 27 (Revised 2011), “Separate Financial Statements”;;
•  IAS 28 (Revised 2011), “Associates and Joint Ventures”;
•  Amendments to IFRS 10, 11 and 12 on transition guidance;
•  Amendments to IFRS 10, 12 and IAS 27 on consolidation for investment entities;
•  Amendment to IAS 39, “Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement”, on novation of derivatives and hedge accounting.

There are a number of new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not 
been adopted early by the Group. The future introduction of these standards is not expected to have a material impact on the financial 
statements of the Group.

3. Going concern
The Group is expected to incur significant further costs as it continues to develop its therapies and technologies through clinical 
development and as it establishes a cell manufacturing and development facility in South Wales.

Subsequent to the financial year end the Company has announced that it has raised £68.4 million, before expenses, by means of a Placing 
to shareholders. Following completion of the Placing, the Directors expect that the Group’s financial resources will be sufficient to support 
operations until 2019. Consequently, the going concern basis has been adopted in the preparation of these financial statements.

4. Segment analysis
The Group has identified the Chief Executive Officer as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). The CODM manages the business  
as one segment, the development of cell-based therapies and all activities and assets are based in the UK. Since this is the only reporting 
segment, no further information is included. The information used internally by the CODM is the same as that disclosed in the financial 
statements. 

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
38

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

5. Revenue
Revenue represents income received from royalties arising from collaborations with third parties. The Group’s revenue derives wholly from 
assets in the United Kingdom. All revenue is derived from customers in the United States of America.

6. Operating expenses

Loss before income tax is stated after charging: 
Research and development costs: 
Employee benefits (note 9) 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 13) 
Other expenses 
Total research and development costs 
General and administrative costs: 
Employee benefits (note 9) 
Legal and professional fees 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 13) 
Operating lease charges: 
– land and buildings 
Dilapidations provision (note 20) 
Redundancy provision (note 20) 
Other expenses 
Total general and administrative costs 
Total research and development costs and general and administrative costs 

During the year the Group obtained services from the Group’s auditors and its associates as detailed below:

Services provided by the Group’s auditors 
Fees payable to the Group’s auditors: 
– for the audit of the Parent Company and consolidated financial statements 
– for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 
Total 

7. Finance income

Finance income on short-term bank deposits 
Unwind of discount on deposit (note 16) 
Total 

2015 
£’000 

2,260 
35 
4,955 
7,250 

1,263 
399 
90 

264 
100 
141 
1,436 
3,693 
10,943 

2015 
£’000 

19 
21 
40 

2015 
£’000 
91 
– 
91 

2014
£’000

1,513
83
4,233
5,829

1,074
366
29

243
100
114
898
2,824
8,653

2014
£’000

18
21
39

2014
£’000
61
88
149

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39

8. Directors’ emoluments
The Directors of the Company have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group  
and they therefore comprise key management personnel as defined by IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures.

Aggregate emoluments of Directors: 
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 
Pension contributions 

Share-based payments 
Directors’ emoluments including share-based payments 

2015 
£’000 

945 
54 
999 
334 
1,333 

2014
£’000

673
37
710
267
977 

Two Directors (2014: two) had retirement benefits accruing to them under defined contribution pension schemes in respect  
of qualifying services.

None of the Directors exercised share options during the year (2014: none).

Directors’ emoluments include amounts payable to third parties as described in note 29.

9. Employee information
The monthly average number of persons (including executive Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:

By activity: 
Research and development 
Administration 

Group 
Staff costs: 
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Share-based payment charge 
Pension costs 

2015 
Number 

2014
Number

27 
6 
33 

2015 
£’000 

2,600 
315 
473 
135 
3,523 

21
6
27

2014
£’000

1,795
246
440
106
2,587

The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes for UK employees and Directors. The assets of the schemes are held in separate 
funds and are administered independently of the Group. The total pension cost during the year was £135,000 (2014: £106,000). There were 
no prepaid or accrued contributions to the scheme at the year-end (2014: nil).

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

10. Income tax credit on loss on ordinary activities

United Kingdom research and development tax credit at 14.5% (2014: 11.0%) 

No corporation tax liability arises on the results for the year due to the loss incurred. 

2015 
£’000 
1,397 

2014
£’000
754

As a loss-making Small and Medium-sized Enterprise, the Group is entitled to research and development tax credits at 14.5% (2014: 11.0%) 
on 225% of qualifying expenditure for the year to 31 March 2015.

The tax credit compares with the loss for the year as follows:

Loss before income tax 
Loss before income tax multiplied by the UK small profits rate of tax for small companies of 20% (2014: 20%) 
Effects of: 
– difference between depreciation and capital allowances 
– other short term timing differences 
– expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
– losses not recognised 
– adjustments In respect of prior year 
Tax credit 

2015 
£’000 
10,303 
2,061 

27 
(48) 
(1) 
(517) 
(125) 
1,397 

2014
£’000
7,820
1,564

(32)
–
(56)
(722)
–
754

No deferred tax asset has been recognised by the Group or Company as there are currently no foreseeable trading profits. 

The potential deferred tax assets/(liabilities) of the Group are as follows:

Tax effect of timing differences because of: 
Accelerated capital allowances 
Short term timing differences not recognised 
Losses carried forward 

The potential deferred tax assets of the Company are as follows:

Tax effect of timing differences because of: 
Losses carried forward 

  Amount not 
recognised 
2015 
£’000 

Amount not
recognised
2014
£’000

(126) 
121 
11,303 
11,298 

(79)
122
10,325
10,368

  Amount not 
recognised 
2015 
£’000 

Amount not
recognised
2014
£’000

716 

534

11. Loss for the financial year
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Parent Company’s Statement of Comprehensive Income for the current year 
has not been presented in these financial statements. The Parent Company’s loss and total comprehensive loss for the financial year was 
£909,000 (2014: £805,000). 

12. Basic and diluted loss per Ordinary share
The basic and diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the financial year of £8,906,000 (2014: £7,066,000) by  
1,788,827,700 shares (2014: 1,424,978,475 shares), being the weighted average number of 1p Ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Potential Ordinary shares are not treated as dilutive as the entity is loss making.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41

Total
£’000

2,648
124
(50)
2,722

2,435
112
(50)
2,497

225 

2,722
61
(293)
2,490

2,497
125
(293)
2,329

161

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000 

Computer 
equipment 
£’000 

1,635 
– 
– 
1,635 

1,514 
62 
– 
1,576 

59 

1,635 
– 
– 
1,635 

1,576 
59 
– 
1,635 

– 

893 
78 
(50) 
921 

811 
26 
(50) 
787 

134 

921 
50 
(229) 
742 

787 
37 
(229) 
595 

147 

120 
46 
– 
166 

110 
24 
– 
134 

32 

166 
11 
(64) 
113 

134 
29 
(64) 
99 

14 

13. Property, plant and equipment

Group 
Cost: 
At 1 April 2013 
Additions  
Disposals 
At 31 March 2014 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 April 2013 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2014 
Net book amount: 
At 31 March 2014 

Cost: 
At 1 April 2014 
Additions  
Disposals 
At 31 March 2015 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 April 2014 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
At 31 March 2015 
Net book amount: 
At 31 March 2015 

The figures stated above include plant and equipment held under finance leases at cost of £3,000 (2014:£3,000), depreciation of £1,000 
(2014: £nil) and net book value of £2,000 (2014: £3,000).

The Company had no property, plant or equipment at 31 March 2015 (2014: £nil).

14. Intangible assets

At 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014:
Cost 
Accumulated amortisation and impairment 
Net book amount at 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014 
Additions 
Net book amount at 31 March 2015 

Intellectual 
property 
rights not 
amortised 
£’000 

5,824 
4,552 
1,272 
319 
1,591 

Licence 
fees 
£’000 

1,884 
1,884 
– 
– 
– 

Total
£’000

7,708
6,436
1,272
319
1,591

As at 31 March 2015, the carrying amount of intangible assets relates to in-licensed intellectual property including key patents concerning 
the use of neural stem cells in certain therapeutic areas targeted by the Group. These cells are currently in use in both the clinical and 
pre-clinical programmes undertaken by the Group. As the products are not ready for commercial use they do not have a finite useful life, 
therefore it is not appropriate to amortise them. 

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

14. Intangible assets continued
The carrying amount of the intangible assets has been reviewed for impairment by considering the fair value less costs to sell. It is not 
appropriate to perform a discounted cash flow calculation to assess its value in use given they are not ready for commercial use.  
The carrying value of the asset is considered appropriate based on the current market capitalisation value of the business. The market 
capitalisation of the business was c.£91.8 million at 30 June 2015.

The addition in current year relates to a milestone payment made in respect to the intellectual property acquired by way of a cross-licence 
from a third party in 2005.

The Company holds no intangible assets.

15. Investments in subsidiaries
Company 

Net book amount 
At start of the year 
Investment in subsidiary 
Capital contribution arising from share-based payments 
Net book amount at 31 March  

2015 
£’000 
64,524 
3,702 
189 
68,415 

2014
£’000
48,006
16,344
174
64,524

The Company has invested in ReNeuron Limited to allow it to carry on the trade of the Group. A capital contribution arises where  
share-based payments are provided to employees of subsidiary undertakings settled with equity to be issued by the Company.

Taking into account the market capitalisation of the Group, the prospect of its therapies and the investor appetite for this sector,  
there has been no impairment to investments in subsidiaries in the year.

The Company’s investments comprise interests in Group undertakings, details of which are shown below:

Name of undertaking 
Country of incorporation 

Description of shares held 

Proportion of nominal value of shares held by the Company   

ReNeuron 
Holdings 
Limited 
England 
and Wales 
£0.10 
Ordinary 
shares 
100% 

ReNeuron 
Limited  
England 
and Wales 

£0.001 
Ordinary 
shares 
100% 

£0.10 
Ordinary 
shares 
100% 

ReNeuron 
(UK) 
Limited 
England 
and Wales 
£0.10 
Ordinary 
shares 
100% 

ReNeuron,
Inc. 
Delaware
USA
$0.001
Common
stock
100%

ReNeuron Limited is the principal trading company in the Group. The other subsidiaries are dormant.

ReNeuron Limited, ReNeuron Holdings Limited and ReNeuron, Inc., are held directly by ReNeuron Group plc. ReNeuron (UK) Limited is held 
directly by ReNeuron Holdings Limited. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
43

2015 
£’000 

208 
192 
400 

229 
52 
281 
681 

2015 
£’000 
– 

2015 
£’000 
12,382 

2015 
£’000 
1,059 
91 
1,194 
– 
2,344 

Group  
2014 
£’000 

2015 
£’000 

Company
2014
£’000

386 
290 
676 

223 
52 
275 
951 

Group  
2014 
£’000 
6,000 

Group  
2014 
£’000 
14,917 

Group  
2014 
£’000 
1,159 
75 
801 
– 
2,035 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

2015 
£’000 
– 

2015 
£’000 
4,956 

2015 
£’000 
3 
– 
– 
5,487 
5,490 

3
–
3

–
–
–
3

Company
2014
£’000
–

Company
2014
£’000
9,425

Company
2014
£’000
3
–
–
5,484
5,487

16. Trade and other receivables

Current: 
Receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

Non-current: 
Lease deposit repayable in 2016 at current value 
Other receivables 

Total trade and other receivables 

The classes within trade and other receivables do not include impaired assets. 

17. Current asset investments

Bank deposit matured February 2015 

18. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand 

19. Trade and other payables

Trade payables 
Taxation and social security 
Accruals 
Amounts owed to Group undertakings 
Total payables falling due within one year   

Amounts owed by the Company to Group undertakings are not interest bearing and have no fixed repayment date.  

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

20. Provisions

Balance as at 1 April 
Charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Balance as at 31 March 

Building dilapidations 
Restructuring 

Due within one year 
Due after more than one year 

2015 
£’000 
364 
241 
605 

350 
255 
605 

595 
10 
605 

Group
2014
£’000
150
214
364

250
114
364

–
364
364

The provision in respect of building dilapidations is expected to be utilised on exit of the premises in Guildford in early 2016. 

The Group intends to relocate its business from Guildford to Pencoed, South Wales in early 2016. Existing employees of the business have 
been offered terms to incentivise their relocation with the business. However, it is expected that some employees will leave when the 
Guildford office closes. The financial statements include a provision of £255,000 (2014: £114,000) being the estimated cost of restructuring 
payments to be made on closure to those staff employed by the Company at 31 March 2015.

The Company had no provisions at 31 March 2015 (2014: nil).

21. Finance leases
Future minimum payments under finance leases:

Within one year 
In more than one year but not more than five years 
Total gross payments 
Less finance charges included above 
Present value of payments 

2015 
£’000 
1 
1 
2 
– 
2 

Group
2014
£’000
1
2
3
–
3

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45

22. Financial risk management
Capital management
The Group’s key objective in managing its capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern. In particular it has sought and 
obtained equity funding alongside non-dilutive grant support and collaborations to pursue its programmes. The Group strives to optimise 
the balance of cash spend between research and development and general and administrative expenses and, in so doing, maximise 
progress for all pipeline products.

Risk
The financial risks faced by the Group include liquidity and credit risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency risk.

Liquidity and credit risk
The Group seeks to maximise the returns from funds held on deposit balanced with the need to safeguard the assets of the business.  
All cash balances and short-term investments are held at leading banking institutions. Barclays Bank plc in the UK is rated A-2 for short-term 
deposits by S&P and BlackRock Institutional Cash Series plc in Ireland is rated AAAm by S&P. 

At 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014 no current asset receivables were aged over three months. No receivables were impaired.  
The lease deposit is discounted; other receivables are not discounted.

Interest rate risk
A portion of the Company’s cash resources had been placed on fixed deposit, originally for a period of one year, to secure a fixed and 
immediately higher interest rate. This deposit matured in February 2015. The Directors do not currently consider it necessary to use 
derivative financial instruments to hedge the Group’s exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.

Foreign currency risk
The Group holds part of its cash resources in US dollars and euros to cover payments committed in the immediate future. At 31 March 2015 
cash of £894,000 (2014: £286,000) was held in these currencies. Creditors of the Group include £208,000 denominated in US dollars and 
£147,000 denominated in euro. All of the Group’s receivables are denominated in pounds sterling. 

At 31 March 2015, if pounds sterling had weakened/strengthened by 5% against the US dollar with all other variables held constant,  
the recalculated post-tax loss for the year would have been £15,000 (2014: £4,000) higher/lower. 

At 31 March 2015, if pounds sterling had weakened/strengthened by 5% against the euro with all other variables held constant,  
the recalculated post-tax loss for the year would have been £10,000 (2014: £3,000) higher/lower. 

The Group has not entered into forward currency contracts.

Ageing profile of the Group’s financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities consist of:

Finance leases – due in more than one year 
Finance leases – due in one year or less 
Trade and other payables 

Currency profile of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents

Currency 
Pounds Sterling  
United States Dollar 
Euro 

2015 
£’000 
1 
1 
2,253 
2,255 

2015 
£’000 
11,488 
528 
366 
12,382 

Group
2014
£’000
2
1
1,960
1,963

Group
2014
£’000
14,631
158
128
14,917

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

22. Financial risk management continued
Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
The following table provides a comparison by category of the carrying amounts and the fair value of the Group’s financial assets and 
liabilities at 31 March 2015. Fair value is the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in an arm’s length transaction 
between informed and willing parties, other than a forced or liquidation sale and excludes accrued interest. 

Investments – bank deposit 
Cash at bank and in hand 
Receivables: non-current 
Receivables: current 
(Trade and other payables) 

23. Share capital

Authorised 
Issued and fully paid 
1,788,827,700 Ordinary shares of 1p each (2014: 1,788,827,700 of 1p each) 

Book value 
£’000 
– 
12,382 
281 
208 
(2,253) 

2015  

Fair value 
£’000 
– 
12,382 
281 
208 
(2,253) 

Book value 
£’000 
6,000 
14,917 
275 
386 
(1,960) 

2014
Fair value
£’000
6,000
14,917
275
386
(1,960)

2015 
£’000 
Unlimited 

2014
£’000
Unlimited

17,888 

17,888

On 8 August 2013 the Company issued 29,033,000 Ordinary shares at 2.5p per share and on 9 August 2013 the Company issued 
984,967,000 Ordinary shares at 2.5p per share. In total the Company raised £25,350,000.

On 21 August 2015 the Company issued 40,000,000 Ordinary shares at 5.0p per share and on 24 August 2015 the Company issued 
1,327,411,939 Ordinary shares at 5.0p per share. In total the Company raised £68,371,000. Following these issues the total number  
of Ordinary shares of 1p each in ReNeuron in issue was 3,156,239,639.

24. Warrants
In April 2012 investors subscribing for Ordinary shares were issued with 134,037,500 Warrants to subscribe for further Ordinary shares  
at a price of 6 pence per share. Warrants were exercisable up to 20 April 2014. All of these warrants lapsed with no new shares having  
been issued.

Warrant instrument with Novavest Growth Fund Limited
Novavest Growth Fund Limited has the right to subscribe for 58,239 ReNeuron Limited Ordinary shares at a price of £17.16 per Ordinary 
share. Pursuant to a put/call agreement dated 6 November 2000, on exercise of such warrant, shares acquired by Novavest in ReNeuron 
Limited will be exchanged for 582,390 Ordinary shares of ReNeuron (UK) Limited. The Company intends in due course to enter into an 
agreement with Novavest whereby if the warrant is exercised, the ReNeuron Limited shares acquired by Novavest are exchanged directly 
for 582,390 Ordinary shares of the Company.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47

25. Share options
The Group operates share option schemes for Directors and employees of Group companies and specific consultants. Options have been 
issued through a combination of an Inland Revenue approved Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) scheme and unapproved schemes. 

The award of share options to executive Directors and employees of the Group are made in accordance with the Group’s Deferred  
Share-based Bonus Plan and Long Term Incentive Plan.

Total options existing over 1p Ordinary shares in companies in the Group as at 31 March 2015 are summarised below. At 31 March 2015,  
the total outstanding options represented 6.1% of the total shares in issue.

Date of 
Grant 
 August 2005 
 August 2005 
 August 2006 
 August 2006 
 August 2007 
 August 2007 
 August 2009 
 August 2009 
 August 2009 
 August 2010 
 August 2010 
 August 2010 
 September 2011 
 September 2011 
September 2012 
September 2012 
September 2013 
September 2013 
September 2014 
September 2014 
Total 

Number 
  of options at 
  1 April 2014 
5,220,238 
6,136,966 
2,349,807 
1,135,172 
4,295,756 
1,979,612 
2,894,845 
2,236,933 
3,486,365 
3,093,772 
1,723,185 
5,777,665 
5,160,784 
8,001,944 
7,771,618 
7,708,030 
8,595,000 
8,670,139 

As at 
Lapsed 
31 March 
during 
2015 
the year 
– 
(5,220,238) 
5,909,671 
(227,295) 
2,179,531 
(170,276) 
1,135,172 
– 
4,087,897 
(207,859) 
1,979,612 
– 
2,490,610 
(404,235) 
2,236,933 
– 
3,486,365 
– 
2,422,603 
(671,169) 
1,723,185 
– 
4,989,848 
(787,817) 
4,170,634 
(990,150) 
7,224,167 
(777,777) 
6,644,129 
(1,127,489) 
6,776,212 
(931,818) 
7,395,000 
(1,200,000) 
(722,222) 
7,947,917 
(250,000)  10,425,000 
25,134,723 
  86,237,831  35,809,723 (13,688,345)  108,359,209 

Granted 
during 
the year 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–  10,675,000 
–  25,134,723 

– 

Exercise 
price 
4.4p 
11.0p 
4.41p 
6.61p 
10.6p 
18.94p 
4.22p 
1.0p 
1.0p 
3.85p 
1.0p 
1.0p 
3.75p 
1.0p 
2.87p 
1.0p 
3.6p 
1.0p 
3.45p 
1.0p 

Note 
1 
2 
2 
2 
3 
3 
4 
5 
6 
3 
5 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

Date 
from which 
exercisable* 
August 2005 
August 2008 
August 2009 
August 2009 
August 2010 
August 2010 
August 2012 
August 2011 
August 2012 
August 2013 
August 2012 
August 2013 
September 2014 
September 2014 
September 2015 
September 2015 
September 2016 
September 2016 
September 2017 
September 2017 

Date of
expiry**

July 2014
August 2015
August 2016
August 2016
August 2017
August 2017
August 2019
August 2019
August 2019
August 2020
August 2020
August 2020
September 2021
September 2021
September 2022
September 2022
September 2023
September 2023
September 2024
September 2024

 The exercise periods indicate the earliest dates for which the options are exercisable subject to meeting the performance conditions disclosed below. 

*  
**   All options lapse in full if they are not exercised by the date of expiry.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
48

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

25. Share options continued
Note 1:
These options were issued following the Group’s Admission to the AIM market. They replaced an earlier award which had been conditional 
on the successful Admission; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable. 

Note 2:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
Phase I/II trials; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable. 

Note 3:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the successful completion of an initial clinical trial of a ReNeuron  
cell therapy; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable. 

Note 4:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
a second clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable. 

Note 5:
These options have been issued in accordance with the Group’s Deferred Share-based Bonus Plan in respect of corporate and personal 
objectives achieved in the financial year ending 31 March 2009 and carry no further performance conditions; at 31 March 2015 these 
options were exercisable. 

Note 6:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions 
below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a second clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the FTSE All-Share Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index  
in any given three year period from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the  
three year period, the options will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance 
period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 7:
These options were issued subject to the performance conditions below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a second clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period from 
date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options will vest 
pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 8:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
a third clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were exercisable. 

Note 9:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a third clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
49

25. Share options continued
Note 10:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fourth 
clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

Note 11:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fourth clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 12:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
a fifth clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

Note 13:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a fifth clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Note 14:
These options were issued subject to a performance condition, being the first patient administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in  
a sixth clinical trial; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

Note 15:
These options were awarded in accordance with the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and are subject to the performance conditions  
set out below; at 31 March 2015 these options were not exercisable. 

i)  The first patient is administered with a ReNeuron cell therapy in a sixth clinical trial;
ii)  The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Company must exceed that of the AIM Healthcare Index in any given three year period  
from date of grant. Where the TSR ranks between median and upper quartile of the index over the three year period, the options  
will vest pro-rata between 25% and 100%. Where the TSR ranks below the median in the performance period, no options will vest;

iii)  The business must have operated within its internal financial budgets throughout the period to vesting;
iv)  The business must be a going concern (under the accepted accounting definition) at the time of any exercise of an option.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
50

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

25. Share options continued
Fair value charge
Fair value charges for share options have been prepared based on a Black-Scholes model with the following key assumptions:

Date of grant 
August 2011 
August 2011 
September 2012 
September 2012 
September 2013 
September 2013 
September 2014 
September 2014 

Exercise 
price 
Pence 
4.310 
1.000 
3.300 
1.000 
3.600 
1.000 
3.450 
1.000 

Share price 
at date 
of grant 
Pence 
4.500 
4.500 
3.300 
3.300 
3.600 
3.600 
3.450 
3.600 

Risk free 
rate 
% 
2.41 
2.41 
1.65 
1.65 
2.94 
2.94 
2.54 
2.54 

Assumed 
time to 
exercise 
Years 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 

Assumed 
volatility 
% 
104.6 
104.6 
98.7 
98.7 
83.8 
83.8 
61.3 
61.3 

Fair value
per option
Pence
3.470
4.080
3.510
4.020
2.420
3.050
1.850
2.740

The risk free rate is taken from the average yields on government gilt edged stock. No dividends are assumed. The assumed vesting period 
is 4 years. No lapses are assumed until they take place. Assumed volatility is based on historical experience up to the date of the grant.

The weighted average exercise prices for options were as follows:

2015  

Number 

Weighted 
average 
of options  exercise price 
Pence 
3.78 
– 
1.73 
3.51 
3.13 

‘000 
86,238 
– 
35,809 
(13,688) 
108,359 

2014
Weighted
average
exercise price
Pence
4.46
–
2.31
3.12
3.78

Number 
of options 
‘000 
63,985 
5,275 
17,415 
(437) 
86,238 

28,336 

7.14 

28,171 

7.36

Outstanding at 1 April 
Adjusted 
Granted 
Lapsed 
Outstanding at 31 March 

Exercisable at 31 March 

The share price on 31 March 2015 was 3.6 pence (2014: 3.1p).

The pattern of exercise price and life is shown below:

Range of 
exercise 
prices 
1p 
Up to 10p 
10p to 20p 
Total 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
1p 
3.6p 
12.2p 

Number 
of options 
59,519,349 
36,862,679 
11,977,180 
   108,359,208 

2015  

Weighted average 
 remaining life (years)   
Contractual 
7.82 
7.25 
1.43 

Expected 
2.07 
2.46 
1.43 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
1p 
3.8p 
12.1p 

2014

Weighted average
 remaining life (years)

Expected 
2.56 
2.42 
2.43 

Contractual
7.62
6.40
2.43

Number 
of options 
37,604,261 
36,221,236 
12,412,334 
86,237,831 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
51

Year ended 
 31 March 
2015 
£’000 
(10,303) 

Group  

Year ended 
 31 March 
2014 
£’000 
(7,820) 

Year ended 
 31 March 
2015 
£’000 
(908) 

Company 
Year ended
 31 March
2014
£’000
(805)

(91) 
125  
241  
325  

270  
309  
(9,124) 

(149) 
112 
214 
440 

(387) 
872 
(6,718) 

(28) 
– 
– 
135  

3  
3  
(795) 

2015 
£’000 
60 
60 

(50)
–
–
266

(2)
(2)
(593)

Group
2014
£’000
241
241

26. Cash used in operating activities

Loss before income tax 
Adjustment for: 

Interest received 

  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
  Provisions movement 
  Share-based payment charges 

Changes in working capital: 
  Receivables 
  Payables 
Cash used in operating activities 

27. Financial commitments
The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year 
Total lease commitments 

The operating lease commitment is in respect of the lease of offices and laboratories in Guildford.

On 31 March 2014 the Company signed an Agreement for Lease with the Welsh Ministers. Pursuant to this agreement the Company  
has committed to enter into a 10 year lease over circa 25,700 square foot for premises in South Wales for a rent of £12.50 per square foot 
with the initial rent being reduced over 3 years to provide a reduction equivalent to 15 months rent. The lease will take effect when the 
construction and fit out of offices, laboratories and a GMP production facility has been completed at the premises.

The Company had no financial commitments at 31 March 2015 (2014: £nil).

The Group is expected to incur future contractual milestone payments linked to the future development of its therapeutic programmes. 
These costs will be recognised when each contractual milestone has been achieved.

28. Contingent liabilities 
The Group had no contingent liabilities as at 31 March 2015 (2014: £nil).

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

29. Related party disclosures
Aesclepius Consulting Limited charged fees of £19,000 (2014: £19,000) in respect of services provided by Dr Tim Corn.

Arthurian Life Sciences Limited charged fees of £nil (2014: £500,000) for strategic assistance and £25,000 (2014 : £16,667) in respect  
of services provided by Professor Sir Chris Evans.

Biomedicon Limited charged fees of £17,000 (2014: £17,000) in respect of services provided by Dr Paul Harper.

Bryan Morton Limited charged fees of £33,125 (2014: £26,500) in respect of services provided by Bryan Morton.

XKE Capital Llp charged fees of £18,496 (2014: £18,083) in respect of services provided by Mark Docherty.

Parent Company and subsidiaries
The Parent Company is responsible for financing and setting Group strategy. ReNeuron Limited carries out the Group strategy, employs 
all staff including the Directors and owns and manages all of the Group’s intellectual property. The proceeds of the issue of shares by the 
Parent Company are passed when required to ReNeuron Limited as a loan. ReNeuron Limited makes payments including the expenses  
of the Parent Company.

Company: transactions with subsidiaries 
Purchases and staff: 
Parent Company expenses paid by subsidiary 
Transactions involving Parent Company shares: 
Share options 
Cash management: 
Loans to subsidiary 

Company 
Year-end balance of loan to subsidiary 

2015 
£’000 

798 

189 

2014
£’000

591

174

3,702 

16,344

2015 
£’000 
60,082 

2014
£’000
56,380

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Glossary of Scientific Terms

53

Cell banking
A process for the controlled preparation of a cell therapy product, 
resulting in a large number of vials of frozen cells.

Cell line
Cells that can be sustained or grown in a laboratory culture 
medium. Cell lines may comprise a family of cells isolated from 
a single tissue or organ or may be clonally derived from a single 
ancestor cell.

Cell therapy
A process by which healthy cells are introduced into a tissue  
or an organ to reconstruct or promote regeneration in order  
to treat disease.

Critical limb ischaemia
Critical limb ischaemia is the end-stage of peripheral arterial 
disease, where a progressive decrease in blood flow to limbs  
can lead to gangrene and amputation.

Cryopreservation 
A process where cells, whole tissues, or any other substances 
susceptible to damage caused by chemical reactivity or time,  
are preserved by cooling to sub-zero temperatures.

Nanoparticles 
Particles between 1-100nm in size. A particle being a small  
object that behaves like a whole unit with respect to its  
transport and properties.   

Neural stem cells
Cells within the brain which can both make more of themselves 
and also mature into neurons, oligodendrocytes and glia 
(supporting cells).

Neurodegenerative
A varied assortment of CNS disorders characterised by gradual  
and progressive loss of neural tissue.

Neurons
A nervous system cell able to conduct electrical impulses.

Peripheral arterial disease
A condition in which reduced blood supply to the limbs causes 
cramping, chronic pain, and in extreme cases loss of limb.

Phase I clinical trial
The assessment of the safety of a biologically active substance  
in patients or healthy volunteers.

Diabetes
A disease characterised by absolute or relative insulin insufficiency 
and high blood sugar.

Phase II clinical trial
A clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment  
or drug for the condition it is intended to treat.

Differentiation
The maturation of a stem cell into a functional cell.

Exosomes 
Cell-derived vesicles (typically between 30-100nm in diameter)  
that contain a number of active proteins and/or microRNAs.

Immortalised cell line
A population of cells from a multicellular organism which  
would normally not proliferate indefinitely but, due to mutation, 
have evaded normal cellular senescence and instead can  
keep undergoing division. The cells can therefore be grown  
for prolonged periods in vitro.

Indication
The use for which a drug or therapy is intended.

Ischaemic stroke
The most common type of stroke (over 80% of cases) which 
happens when a clot blocks an artery that carries blood  
to the brain. 

MicroRNAs 
Small non-coding RNA molecules (21-25 nucleotides in length), 
which function in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional  
regulation of gene expression.

Phase III clinical trial
A large scale clinical trial of a treatment or drug that in Phase I  
and Phase II has been shown to be both efficacious and safe.

Photoreceptors 
Sensory cells found in the eye which respond to light.

Regenerative medicine
A newer approach in medicine aimed at restoring function  
to damaged body organs and tissues.

Retinal disease
A general term which describes any damage to the light sensing 
membrane in the eye that can affect vision.

Retinitis pigmentosa
The name given to a group of inherited diseases of the retina  
that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision. 

Stem cell
A cell that is both able to reproduce itself and, depending on its 
stage of development, to generate all or certain other cell types 
within the body or within the organ from which it is derived.

Stroke
Damage to a group of nerve cells in the brain due to interrupted 
blood flow, caused by a blood clot or blood vessel bursting. 
Depending on the area of the brain that is damaged, a stroke  
can cause coma, paralysis, speech problems and dementia.

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 201554

Notice of Annual General Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, the Annual General Meeting of ReNeuron Group plc (incorporated and registered in England and Wales  
with registered no. 5474163) (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of Covington & Burling LLP, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH  
on 24 September 2015 at 10.30 a.m. to consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, of which Resolutions 1 to 6 will be 
proposed as ordinary resolutions and Resolution 7 will be proposed as a special resolution.

ORDINARY BUSINESS
1.  To receive and adopt the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2015 and the Directors’ Report, 

and the Independent Auditors’ Report on those accounts.

2.  To reappoint as a Director, Michael Hunt, who is retiring by rotation in accordance with Article 122 of the Company’s Articles  

of Association and who, being eligible, is offering himself for reappointment.

3.  To reappoint as a Director, Dr Tim Corn, who is retiring by rotation in accordance with Article 122 of the Company’s Articles  

of Association and who, being eligible, is offering himself for reappointment.

4.  To reappoint as a Director, Olav Hellebø, who having been appointed since the previous annual general meeting is retiring in 

accordance with Article 114 of the Company’s Articles of Association and who being eligible is offering himself for reappointment.

5.  To reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company from the conclusion of this Annual General Meeting until the 

conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company at which accounts are laid and to authorise the Directors to determine 
the remuneration of the auditors.

SPECIAL BUSINESS
6.  That the Directors of the Company be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised, pursuant to section 551 of the 

Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 Act”) to:

(a)  allot Ordinary shares and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into Ordinary shares, in the Company  

(all of which shares and rights are hereafter referred to as “Relevant Securities”) representing up to £10,520,798 in nominal value  
in aggregate of shares; and

(b)  allot Relevant Securities (other than pursuant to paragraph (a) above) representing up to £10,520,798 in nominal value in aggregate 
of shares in connection with a rights issue, open offer, scrip dividend, scheme or other pre-emptive offer to holders of Ordinary 
shares where such issue, offer, dividend, scheme or other allotment is proportionate (as nearly as may be) to the respective number 
of Ordinary shares held by them on a fixed record date (but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may 
deem necessary or expedient to deal with legal or practical problems under the laws of any overseas territory, the requirements 
of any regulatory body or any stock exchange in any territory, in relation to fractional entitlements, or any other matter which the 
Directors consider merits any such exclusion or other arrangements),

provided that in each case such authority shall expire (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general 
meeting) 15 months after the date of the passing of this resolution or at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the 
Company following the passing of this resolution, whichever occurs first, save that the Company may before such expiry, variation  
or revocation make an offer or agreement which would or might require such relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry, 
variation or revocation and the Directors may allot relevant securities pursuant to such an offer or agreement as if the authority 
conferred hereby had not expired or been varied or revoked.

7.  That the Directors are hereby empowered pursuant to section 570 of the 2006 Act:

(a)  subject to and conditionally upon the passing of Resolution 6 to allot equity securities (as defined by section 560 of the 2006 Act) 
for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 6 as if section 561 of the 2006 Act did not apply to such allotment; and

(b)  to sell Ordinary shares if, immediately before such sale, such shares are held as treasury shares (within the meaning of section 724  

of the 2006 Act) as if section 561 of the 2006 Act did not apply to such sale, 

provided that such powers:

(1)  shall be limited to:

(i)  the allotment of equity securities (or sale of Ordinary shares) representing up to £10,520,798 in nominal value in aggregate  

of shares pursuant to the authority conferred by paragraph (b) of Resolution 6;

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
55

(ii)  the allotment of equity securities (or sale of Ordinary shares) representing up to £3,156,239 in nominal value in aggregate  
of shares in connection with the grant of options (or other rights to acquire Ordinary shares) in accordance with the rules  
of the Company’s share options schemes (as varied from time to time) or otherwise to employees, consultants and/or Directors 
of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries; and

(iii)  the allotment of equity securities (or sale of Ordinary shares), otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) (inclusive) 

above, representing up to £3,156,239 in nominal value in aggregate of shares; and

(2)  shall expire 15 months after the passing of this resolution or at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company 
following the passing of this resolution, whichever occurs first, but so that the Company may before such expiry, revocation or 
variation make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted (or Ordinary shares to be sold) 
after such expiry, revocation or variation and the Directors may allot equity securities (or sell Ordinary shares) in pursuance of such 
offer or agreement as if such powers had not expired or been revoked or varied.

24 August 2015
By Order of the Board

Michael Hunt
Company Secretary

Registered office
10 Nugent Road
Surrey Research Park
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7AF

NOTES
(1)  In this Notice “Ordinary shares” shall mean Ordinary shares in the capital of the Company, having a nominal value of 1 pence per share.
(2)  A shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is also entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend, speak and vote on  
a show of hands and on a poll instead of him or her. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. Where a shareholder appoints 
more than one proxy, each proxy must be appointed in respect of different shares comprised in his or her shareholding which must  
be identified on the proxy form. Each such proxy will have the right to vote on a poll in respect of the number of votes attaching to  
the number of shares in respect of which the proxy has been appointed. Where more than one joint shareholder purports to appoint  
a proxy in respect of the same shares, only the appointment by the most senior shareholder will be accepted as determined by the 
order in which their names appear in the Company’s register of members. If you wish your proxy to speak at the meeting, you should 
appoint a proxy other than the chairman of the meeting and give your instructions to that proxy.

(3)  A corporation which is a shareholder may appoint one or more corporate representatives who have one vote each on a show of hands 
and otherwise may exercise on behalf of the shareholder all of its powers as a shareholder provided that they do not do so in different 
ways in respect of the same shares.

(4)  To be effective, an instrument appointing a proxy and any authority under which it is executed (or a notarially certified copy of such 
authority) must be deposited at the offices of Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY, 
at not later than 10.30 a.m. on 22 September 2015 except that should the meeting be adjourned, such deposit may be made not 
later than 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting, provided that the Directors may in their discretion determine that 
in calculating any such period no account shall be taken at any day that is not a working day. A Form of Proxy is enclosed with this 
notice. Shareholders who intend to appoint more than one proxy may photocopy the Form of Proxy prior to completion. Alternatively, 
additional Forms of Proxy may be obtained by contacting Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1272. The Forms of 
Proxy should be returned in the same envelope and each should indicate that it is one of more than one appointments being made. 
Completion and return of the Form of Proxy will not preclude shareholders from attending and voting in person at the meeting.
(5)  A “Vote Withheld” option has been included on the Form of Proxy. The legal effect of choosing the “Vote Withheld” option on any 
resolution is that the shareholder concerned will be treated as not having voted on the relevant resolution. The number of votes  
in respect of which there are abstentions will however be counted and recorded, but disregarded in calculating the number of votes  
for or against each resolution.

(6)  In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, the Company specifies that only those shareholders 

registered in the register of members of the Company as at the close of business on the day which is two working days before the day 
of the meeting shall be entitled to attend, or vote (whether in person or by proxy) at the meeting in respect of the number of shares 
registered in their names at the relevant time. Changes after the relevant time will be disregarded in determining the rights of any 
person to attend or vote at the meeting.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
56

Explanatory Notes to the Business of the Annual General Meeting

Resolution 1 
The Company’s Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended on 31 March 2015 and the Directors’ Report and the 
Independent Auditors’ Report on those accounts will be presented to shareholders for approval.

Resolutions 2 and 3 
Article 122 of the Company’s Articles of Association requires that at every annual general meeting of the Company at least one third  
of the Directors for the time being retire from office by rotation and that all Directors holding office at the start of business on the date 
of this Notice of Annual General Meeting and who also held office at the time of both of the two immediately preceding annual general 
meetings and did not retire at either such meeting, shall retire from office and shall be counted in the number required to retire at the 
Annual General Meeting. Having so retired by rotation in accordance with Article 122, each of the following Directors is standing  
for reappointment by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting:

•  Michael Hunt, who is a Director of the Company; and

•  Dr Tim Corn, who is a Non-executive Director of the Company.

It is noted that each of Mark Docherty and Dr John Sinden have confirmed to the Company that they wish to retire at the meeting  
and not offer themselves for re-election and these retirements which shall take effect from the conclusion of the meeting, have been 
included for the purposes of calculating the number of the Directors who are to retire by rotation in accordance with Article 122  
of the Company's Articles of Association. 

Resolution 4 
In accordance with Article 114 of the Company’s Articles of Association, every Director who has been appointed since the last annual 
general meeting of the Company is required to retire from office. Olav Hellebø, having been appointed as a Director since the last annual 
general meeting therefore retires and, being eligible, offers himself for reappointment by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

Resolution 5 
At every annual general meeting at which accounts are presented to shareholders, the Company is required to appoint an auditor to 
serve until the next such annual general meeting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have confirmed that they are willing to continue as the 
Company’s auditors for the next financial year. The Company’s shareholders are asked to reappoint them and to authorise the Directors  
to determine their remuneration, which will, in accordance with the Company’s practice concerning good corporate governance,  
be subject to the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Resolution 6 
This resolution seeks to authorise the Directors to allot shares, subject to the normal pre-emption rights reserved to shareholders 
contained in the 2006 Act. The Investment Association (IA) regards as routine a request by a company seeking an annual authority  
to allot new shares in an amount of up to a third of the existing issued share capital. In addition, the IA will also regard as routine a  
request for authority to allot up to a further third of the existing issued share capital provided such additional third is reserved for fully  
pre-emptive rights issues. Resolution 6 seeks to reflect the spirit of the IA’s recommendations, though sub-paragraph (b) of Resolution 
6 covers a broader range of offers, issues and allotments. The limits imposed under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of Resolution 6 each 
represent one third of the existing issued share capital of the Company.

Resolution 7 
Pursuant to section 561 of the 2006 Act existing shareholders of the Company have a right of pre-emption in relation to future issues 
of shares. Sub-paragraph (1)(i) of Resolution 7 allows the disapplication of pre-emption rights to allow the issue of shares to existing 
shareholders, for example, by way of a rights issue or open offer. The limit imposed in respect of the grant of options pursuant to  
sub-paragraph 1(ii) of Resolution 7 represents 10 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of the Company. The limit imposed in 
respect of the general disapplication pursuant to sub-paragraph 1(iii) of Resolution 7 represents 10 per cent. of the existing issued  
share capital of the Company. The Directors consider it important that they have the authorities set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(ii) and  
(1)(iii), which would allow them to grant options and issue shares to incentivise employees, Directors and consultants and to issue  
shares generally for other purposes.

ReNeuron Group plc Annual Report & Accounts 2015 
 
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