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FY2023 Annual Report · Santander Bank Polska
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Annual Report
2023

Starpharma is a world leader in 
dendrimer technology for medical 
applications. As an innovative 
Australian biopharmaceutical 
company, Starpharma is focussed 
on developing and commercialising 
novel therapeutic products that 
address significant global healthcare 
needs. Starpharma boasts a strong 
portfolio of products, partnerships, 
and intellectual property.

Contents

Highlights

Chairman’s Report

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Enhancing Global Healthcare  
with Improved Medicines

Rethinking the Science Behind 
Oncology Treatments

Driving Innovation Through Strategic 
Partnerships with Leading Global 
Companies

Creating Medical Innovations That  
Make a Difference Worldwide

Environment, Social and Governance

3-Year Financial Summary

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report

01

02

04

06

07

13

14

16

18

20

33

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

62

Annual Financial Report

Independent Auditor’s Report

Shareholder Information

Intellectual Property Report

Corporate Directory

63

96

101

103

105

Starpharma Holdings Limited

ABN 20 078 532 180

Highlights

Expanded partnership with 
multinational pharmaceutical 
company, MSD, to explore the 
anti-cancer properties of DEP® 
Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

Expanded partnership with 
leading biotech, Genentech, 
applying Starpharma’s DEP® 
platform to a number of novel 
therapeutic modalities. 

Presented promising 
new clinical data on 
DEP® cabazitaxel in 
patients with advanced 
prostate cancer at the 
2022 European Society 
of Medical Oncology 
(ESMO) Congress.

Launched VIRALEZE™ 
antiviral nasal spray 
in Hong Kong and 
Macau through our 
new commercial 
partner, Hengan, 
shortly after entering 
a distribution 
agreement.

Commenced recruitment 
in the UK for a post-market 
clinical study of VIRALEZE™ 
nasal spray in patients with 
recently diagnosed COVID-19. 
The study has since recruited 
more than 90% of the target 
participants.

Completed recruitment of 
patients for all three in-house 
Phase 2 monotherapy clinical  
trials: DEP® cabazitaxel, DEP® 
docetaxel, and DEP® irinotecan.

DEP® HER2-zirconium, a 
HER2-targeted radiodiagnostic 
developed by Starpharma, 
demonstrated imaging benefits 
in a HER2+ breast cancer model.

New registrations were achieved 
for VIRALEZE™ nasal spray in 
Indonesia and Malaysia, bringing 
the number of countries where 
VIRALEZE™ is registered to more 
than 35 globally.

Newly developed internal DEP® 
Antibody-Drug Conjugate, 
HER2-targeted DEP® SN38, 
demonstrated significant anti-
tumour activity in a HER2+ human 
ovarian cancer model. 

Data on DEP® based AZD0466 
presented by AstraZeneca 
at three international cancer 
research conferences, including 
impressive preclinical data in small 
cell lung cancer at the American 
Association for Cancer Research 
(AACR) Annual Meeting.

Experienced executive and 
oncologist Dr Russell Basser 
appointed to Starpharma’s 
Board, and Justin Cahill 
appointed Chief Financial Officer 
and Company Secretary.

In recognition of 
Starpharma’s positive 
workplace and 
company culture, 
we were awarded 
Great Place to Work® 
certification.

Received a $7.1 million 
research and development 
(R&D) tax incentive refund 
in December 2022. 

01

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Chairman’s Report

Starpharma’s dendrimer platform continues  
to demonstrate outstanding versatility  
and optionality across its internal and  
partnered programs.

Rob Thomas AO
Chairman

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am 
pleased to present Starpharma’s 2023 
Annual Report to fellow shareholders.

First, let me acknowledge the 
disappointing share price performance 
that has significantly impacted our 
shareholders. The biotechnology 
industry has been extraordinarily  
difficult globally and we have not 
been immune to these sector-wide 
pressures. Our share price suffered 
disproportionately following 
AstraZeneca’s recent decision 
regarding the AZD0466 development. 
While such setbacks are not unexpected 
in our industry, AstraZeneca’s decision 
did not relate to Starpharma’s dendrimer 
platform and it has no impact on our 
other partnerships or internal DEP® 
programs. Notwithstanding this,  
the Board and management are very 
focused on improving shareholder 
returns. Assisting us in this endeavour 
is a strong cash position, further 
strengthened with the receipt of  
A$6.6 million from Mundipharma in 
August 2023. Starpharma’s strong 
balance sheet position excludes any 
licensing transactions from either our 
own internal drug candidates or existing 
multiple global partnerships.

Underpinning Starpharma is our 
steadfast pursuit to improve patient 
health worldwide, with innovation  
driving our people and products.  
We remain committed to bringing high-
quality healthcare products to patients 
and global markets, with a focus on 
cancer treatments. 

Our Company prides itself on having 
a strong portfolio of high-calibre 
partnerships with multinational 
pharmaceutical companies, multiple 
oncology drugs under development, 

and several anti-infective products 
in the market. The importance of this 
portfolio approach is even more 
apparent with the recent developments.

During the 2022-23 financial year, 
we were delighted to expand our 
international presence, achieving 
new registrations and launches for 
our marketed products, VIRALEZE™ 
Antiviral Nasal Spray and VivaGel® BV.

Starpharma’s dendrimer platform 
technology continues to demonstrate 
outstanding versatility and optionality, 
reflected in the diversity of our clinical 
programs and global partnerships.

Our dendrimer enhanced product 
(‘DEP®’) portfolio is strongly validated 
through our internal clinical programs 
and collaborative research with 
partners. Rethinking the science behind 
conventional chemotherapeutics and 
novel approaches to oncology, such 
as Antibody-Drug Conjugates and 
radiotheranostics, is central to what 
Starpharma’s scientists aim for  
every day. 

A key milestone achieved this year was 
the completion of the recruitment and 
treatment of patients for all three of our 
internal monotherapy clinical trials – 
DEP® cabazitaxel, DEP® docetaxel,  
and DEP® irinotecan. 

We have already seen promising 
responses in patients across these 
trials, including longer progression- 
free survival, significant tumour 
shrinkage, and an improved safety 
profile compared to published data 
on the original formulations of these 
oncology drugs. 

We were pleased to present additional 
interim results from the prostate cancer 
cohort of the Phase 2 DEP® cabazitaxel 

clinical trial at the European Society of 
Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress  
in September 2022, and we expect  
to report top-line results for both  
the Phase 2 DEP® cabazitaxel and  
DEP® docetaxel (monotherapy)  
trials in Q3 CY23. We will also present  
our clinical results at upcoming  
international conferences.

Our Phase 2 clinical trials of DEP® 
docetaxel in combination with 
gemcitabine, and DEP® irinotecan  
in combination with 5-FU/leucovorin 
continue enrolling patients and are 
nearing completion.

Alongside these clinical advancements, 
we also reported exciting results 
for a DEP® radiodiagnostic imaging 
candidate and a new DEP® ADC 
candidate – both of which target the 
HER2 receptor that is prevalent in  
many cancers, particularly breast  
and gastric cancers.

Our DEP® partnerships with MSD, 
Genentech, Chase Sun, and 
AstraZeneca are also key drivers  
of Starpharma’s DEP® portfolio.

AstraZeneca presented exciting 
clinical and nonclinical data on 
AZD0466 throughout the year at 
several international cancer research 
conferences, including in small cell  
lung cancer. Although AstraZeneca 
decided to discontinue the 
development of AZD0466, prompted 
by a small number of asymptomatic 
adverse events in haematological 
cancer trials, Starpharma’s multi-
product DEP® Licence Agreement  
with AstraZeneca remains on foot.  
We note that these events were unrelated  
to Starpharma’s dendrimer drug delivery 
technology. Interest in our dendrimer 
platform continues unabated.

02

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Starpharma’s DEP®-related 
collaborations with MSD and 
Genentech involve researching 
and developing dendrimer-drug 
candidates, including oncology 
therapeutics and ADCs. Our current 
programs with these companies were 
expanded during the year. 

As with our internal programs, the 
versatility and breadth of application  
of our dendrimer technology platform 
are invaluable for our partners.

And our impact does not stop at 
oncology. Over the past year, we 
have continued to increase the 
global footprint of our proprietary 
anti-infective dendrimer ‘SPL7013’ 
through new registrations and product 
launches. VIRALEZE™, an antiviral nasal 
spray for respiratory viruses, is now 
registered in more than 35 countries; 
and VivaGel® BV, a non-antibiotic gel 
for the treatment and prevention of 
bacterial vaginosis, is registered in 
more than 50 countries. VivaGel® BV  
is an Australian innovation that has  
the potential to reduce antibiotic use.

Revenue growth for these consumer 
products has yet to reflect the 
significant number of countries 
where they are registered; however, 
correcting this imbalance will be of 
particular focus going forward.

Starpharma continued progressing 
with its Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) principles and 
framework this year, guided by our 
genuine commitment to products and 
patient health, minimising our impact 
on the environment, supporting our 
people, and operating with good 
governance. Our ESG framework is 
based on our shared core values of 

Our company prides itself on having a deep 
portfolio of leading partnerships with global 
pharmaceutical companies, multiple oncology 
drugs under development, and several anti-
infective products in the market. 

teamwork, superior performance, 
innovation, integrity, and accountability. 
Our ESG Report 2023 has been released 
in parallel with our Annual Report and we 
encourage shareholders to review it.

In recognition of our team’s positive 
workplace and company culture,  
we were delighted to achieve Great 
Place to Work® certification for the 
2022-23 period.

We welcomed Dr Russell Basser to  
our Board as a non-executive director 
and thanked Ms Zita Peach, non-
executive director, for her service  
at last year’s annual shareholder 
meeting in November 2022. Zita made 
an outstanding contribution to the 
board over 11 years.

We also welcomed Mr Justin Cahill as 
Chief Financial Officer and Company 
Secretary in April 2023, after Mr Nigel 
Baade stepped down from the role 
in early 2023. We thank Nigel for his 
dedication to Starpharma over 17 years.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jackie 
Fairley, announced her intention to 
retire in 2024 after 17 years with the 
Company. I would like to sincerely thank 
Jackie, on behalf of the Board, for her 
vision, leadership, drive, and immense 
contribution throughout her time with 
Starpharma. Under her leadership 
and guidance, we have built a mature 

organisation with a strong portfolio of 
products, multiple global partnerships, 
clinical and pre-clinical assets, and 
deep intellectual property. Jackie will 
continue in the role until a successor 
is ready to commence – ensuring 
leadership and continuity over the 
transition period. 

This year has clearly been challenging  
and I thank all of our staff and our Board 
for their commitment. We look forward  
to 2024 and the milestones ahead 
including results from our multiple 
oncology products, expanding  
portfolio of commercial partnerships, 
and revenue growth.

Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would  
like to sincerely thank all our shareholders 
for their patience, the participants 
in our trials, our customers, and our 
business partners.

Starpharma remains resolutely focused 
on our pursuit of innovation to create 
a brighter and healthier future for 
individuals and communities worldwide. 

Rob Thomas AO 
Chairman

03

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Starpharma remains in a very strong position 
with a wide range of valuable assets, multiple 
global pharmaceutical partnerships, and a  
strong cash balance.

Dr Jackie Fairley
Chief Executive Officer

of the drugs upon which our products 
are based. For instance, our DEP® 
cabazitaxel treatment resulted in 
a longer progression-free survival 
(PFS) by ~30%, as well as substantial 
reductions in problematic side effects, 
such as myelosuppression, compared 
to published data on Jevtana®. 

DEP® irinotecan also showed significant 
advantages in both the monotherapy 
and combination cohorts. Clinical 
investigators from multiple sites have 
expressed how impressed they are with 
Starpharma's DEP® formulation, which 
they found to offer better tolerability 
and fewer severe side effects in 
patients, compared to the experience 
with standard irinotecan.

In all three trials, we observed 
encouraging efficacy results in treating 
patients with a range of cancer types, 
including prostate, ovarian, and breast 
cancers. Typically, patients who 
underwent treatment in these trials were 
very heavily pre-treated and progressed 
following several previous treatments.

Starpharma expects to report results 
from the DEP® cabazitaxel and DEP® 
docetaxel monotherapy Phase 2 trials  
in Q3 CY23. While finalising the 
enrolment, treatment and analyses 
of clinical trial results, we are also 
engaging in commercial partnership 
discussions for our three DEP® 
products consistent with Starpharma's 
DEP® commercialisation strategy.

Partnerships are a key part of 
Starpharma’s strategy, and we were 
delighted with the progress achieved 
this financial year. Our collaborations 
with major pharmaceutical companies, 
including MSD, Genentech, Chase 
Sun, and AstraZeneca, typically involve 
research, funding and knowledge 

Starpharma made significant progress 
across its portfolio during the 2023 
financial year. The Company remains 
in a very strong position with a wide 
range of valuable assets and multiple 
global pharmaceutical partnerships. 
Starpharma boasts a substantial  
cash reserve of $35.2 million (as at  
30 June 2023), ensuring funding to  
drive forward our product development 
and commercialisation strategies. 

Our team has remained steadfast 
and demonstrated an unwavering 
commitment to developing medical 
products that positively impact 
people's lives. 

Our dendrimer platform is the 
cornerstone of all our products and 
programs, including both the DEP® drug 
delivery and anti-infective portfolios. 
We utilise this technology to create 
and market novel products that benefit 
patients, healthcare professionals, 
commercial partners and shareholders.

Starpharma's DEP® platform is a 
dendrimer-based drug delivery 
technology that enhances the  
efficacy, safety and targeted delivery 
of various pharmaceuticals. The 
technology provides significant 
optionality and immense potential 
to improve treatments, particularly in 
cancer, by optimising drug properties 
and enabling targeted therapy. 

During FY23, our three internally 
developed clinical-stage DEP® 
assets made significant progress, 
with the monotherapy components 
now complete for all three products. 
Across our clinical programs, we 
have seen encouraging indications 
of efficacy and decreases in key side 
effects compared to reported adverse 
events for conventional formulations 

04

sharing to develop dendrimer-based 
pharmaceuticals in a number of areas, 
including oncology and Antibody-
Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Having these 
partnerships with some of the world’s 
largest pharmaceutical companies is a 
testament to the high regard for  
and value of our DEP® technology.

We were delighted to expand our 
partnered DEP® programs with both 
MSD and Genentech during the financial 
year, adding new programs of work, 
which continue to progress well.

Disappointingly, AstraZeneca recently 
advised us of its decision to discontinue 
the development of AZD0466, following 
an internal review of a small number of 
asymptomatic adverse events reported 
in its two clinical trials evaluating 
AZD0466 in haematological indications. 

Importantly, these adverse events  
were unrelated to Starpharma’s 
dendrimer technology and were 
isolated to the three highest dose 
groups in the trials, remembering the 
DEP® technology was needed for  
this product due to the inherent toxicity 
of the original, non-dendrimer version 
of the BCL-2/xL inhibitor. Starpharma’s 
multi-product DEP® Licence Agreement 
with AstraZeneca remains in effect  
and the Company looks forward to  
an ongoing and positive relationship 
with AstraZeneca.

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023The Phase 2 trial of DEP® irinotecan 
showed significant advancements.

Clinical investigators from multiple sites have 
expressed how impressed they are with Starpharma’s 
DEP® formulation.

We have also made great strides in our 
in-house research and development 
programs for radiotheranostics and 
ADCs. We were excited to announce 
key data for two new DEP® candidates: 
DEP® HER2-zirconium, a DEP® HER2-
targeted radiodiagnostic candidate 
and a HER2-targeted DEP® SN38 
ADC. Both have shown excellent 
performance in preclinical models, 
further demonstrating the broad utility 
and widespread benefits of our DEP® 
technology. Both candidates provide 
a compelling rationale for further 
development in these exciting areas.

As well as its encouraging results 
across multiple oncology approaches, 
including chemotherapeutics, ADCs 
and radiotheranostics, Starpharma’s 
DEP® platform has demonstrated 
versatile applicability in non-oncology 
molecules such as anti-infectives. 
The Company has a deep intellectual 
property portfolio and continues 
to expand the applications of its 
dendrimer platform and create new 
product candidates. Our recent 
progress in ADCs and radiotheranostics 
is a testament to this strategy. 

While continuing to advance our 
DEP® portfolio, Starpharma is also 
pursuing further product registrations 
and marketing partnerships for our 
anti-infective products – including 
VIRALEZE™ Antiviral Nasal Spray and 
VivaGel® BV. 

Over the past financial year, VIRALEZE™ 
has launched in Hong Kong and Macau, 
and new registrations have been 
obtained in Indonesia and Malaysia.  
A post-market clinical study commenced 
and is currently evaluating the antiviral 
performance of VIRALEZE™ in people 
with COVID-19. The study is progressing 
ahead of schedule, with more than 90% 
of participants enrolled to date. 

Partnerships are a key 
part of Starpharma’s 
strategy, and we were 
delighted with the 
progress achieved  
this financial year. 

We continue working with our 
VIRALEZE™ and VivaGel® BV partners 
to increase brand awareness and sales 
in their respective regions. We were 
pleased to receive A$6.6 million from 
Mundipharma in August 2023, as part of 
a VivaGel® BV settlement agreement.

Having announced my intention to 
retire in 2024, this will be my last Annual 
Report with Starpharma. I would like 
to take this opportunity to thank our 
shareholders, the Executive team,  
our Chair, Rob Thomas, my fellow 
Directors, and all our dedicated staff  
for their support throughout my time  
as CEO. I am extremely proud of the 
products we have developed together 
at Starpharma, which have had a 
positive impact on many patients’ lives. 
I believe the Company's programs  
and commercial partnerships will 
continue to thrive and deliver  
significant outcomes for patients  
and commercial returns for all 
stakeholders into the future. 

Looking ahead, we have several 
significant catalysts on the horizon. 
These include results and presentations 
from our oncology trials and the post-
market clinical study of VIRALEZE™. 
Along with these results, we are also 
anticipating a number of advances and 
milestones in our partner programs.

Starpharma’s highly skilled and 
motivated team is well-placed to 
capitalise on these upcoming catalysts, 
as we advance our current clinical 
assets and commercial partnerships.

The Company’s future is extremely 
bright and full of exciting opportunities.

Thank you, and I trust you will enjoy 
reading about Starpharma’s progress  
in this report. 

Dr Jackie Fairley
Chief Executive Officer

05

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Enhancing Global Healthcare  
with Improved Medicines

Our Portfolio

Starpharma’s technology is based 
on dendrimers, which are highly 
customisable and precisely engineered 
polymers that can be tailored for a 
wide range of applications across 
pharmaceuticals and medical products 
to achieve novel solutions and better 
therapeutic outcomes for patients. 

Dendrimer

Developers of products, clinicians and 
patients seek therapies and medical 
products that are more effective, less 
toxic, more precisely targeted, and 
better tolerated. 

Starpharma’s dendrimers possess 
unique characteristics such as their 
flexible size, highly branched structure, 
polyvalency, stability, and water 
solubility, which can be used to create 
more precise therapies using existing 
or novel drugs and an array of targeting 
agents, leading to products with highly 
beneficial outcomes in medical and 
pharmaceutical applications.

By leveraging our proprietary 
dendrimer technology, Starpharma 
strives to create innovative healthcare 
solutions that are both commercially 
attractive and beneficial to patients  
and healthcare providers. 

Starpharma invests in R&D to advance 
and develop commercial applications 
of its dendrimer technology and 
novel products. In parallel, the 
Company collaborates with global 
pharmaceutical companies to develop 
and commercialise products that utilise 
its dendrimer technology in return for 
licensing income and research funding. 
These collaborations also involve 
leveraging joint research and sharing  
of knowledge and expertise. 

DEP® pipeline

Products

Target indication

Preclinical

Phase 1

Phase 2

DEP® cabazitaxel

Prostate and other cancers

Phase 2 complete

DEP® irinotecan

Colorectal and other cancers

Phase 2 monotherapy complete

DEP® docetaxel

Pancreatic and other cancers

Phase 2 monotherapy complete

DEP® gemcitabine

Solid cancers

DEP® HER-2 ADC

Solid cancers

DEP® HER-2 radiotherapy

Solid cancers

DEP® HER-2 radiodiagnostic

Diagnostic

Partnerships

Various

Commercialised products

VIRALEZE™ Antiviral 
Nasal Spray

VivaGel® BV

VivaGel® Condom

06

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
 
Rethinking the Science Behind 
Oncology Treatments

DEP® Drug Delivery Platform

Benefits of our DEP® Platform

Starpharma has developed a unique 
and valuable delivery platform known as 
DEP® (Dendrimer Enhanced Product), 
which utilises dendrimers to improve the 
effectiveness and safety of conventional 
and new drugs. DEP® has been widely 
applied in oncology, but also has 
application to other classes of drugs, 
such as anti-infectives and antivirals. 
DEP® opens new possibilities for more 
controlled and precisely targeted drug 
delivery, increasing therapeutic and 
commercial opportunities and creating 
significant optionality. Additionally, the 
use of DEP® technology can create new 
intellectual property and an extended 
patent life for value-added versions of 
existing drugs.

Starpharma’s DEP® technology is  
highly versatile and flexible in 
application, enabling the Company 
to target a wide range of therapeutic 
modalities, including small molecules, 
peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids, 
such as mRNA. 

Internal DEP® Programs

Starpharma has developed an 
impressive pipeline of novel DEP® 
oncology assets. Its clinical-stage 
assets: DEP® cabazitaxel, DEP® 
docetaxel and DEP® irinotecan, are 
improved versions of commonly used 
chemotherapeutic drugs that have 
demonstrated improved anti-cancer 
effects and safety profiles. Additionally, 
Starpharma has a promising preclinical 

pipeline including DEP® Antibody-
Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and DEP® 
radiotheranostic products. 

“We have made significant progress 
in our DEP® clinical programs this 
year, completing recruitment in the 
monotherapy arms of all three in-house 
clinical trials. The oncologists involved 
in these studies continue to provide 
positive feedback, and the interim 
results are highly encouraging.  
We developed these products to 
improve the performance of available 
drugs and demonstrate the benefits 
of our dendrimer platform. We look 
forward to releasing more data from  
our Phase 2 DEP® trials.”

Dr Jeremy Paull, Vice President of 
Development and Regulatory Affairs

Improved Safety/Reduced  
Side Effects

Control release kinetics of drug to reduce  
Cmax related toxicities

Improved Efficacy/Performance

DEP® achieves drug targeting, improved PK  
and controlled release

New IP/Extended Patent Life

DEP® creates new intellectual property and  
extends patent life

Tumour Targeting

DEP® delivers 40-70x more drug in tumour  
cf. the original drug

Improved PK and Half-Life

Tuning of drug release and plasma half-life  
to improve performance

Improved Solubility

Highly water-soluble, removing the need  
for toxic excipients

Broad Applicability

Applicable to a wide range of therapeutic areas  
and treatment modalities (e.g., radiotheranostics, 
ADCS); DEP® is potentially applicable to ~70%  
of the top 200 pharmaceuticals (by sales)

07

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Rethinking the Science Behind  
Oncology Treatments continued

Clinical DEP® Programs

DEP® cabazitaxel

DEP® cabazitaxel is a patented nanoparticle formulation of  
the drug cabazitaxel, which is commonly used to treat prostate 
cancer under the tradename Jevtana®. Unlike conventional 
cabazitaxel, DEP® cabazitaxel is highly water-soluble and  
does not contain toxic excipients that can cause anaphylaxis, 
so patients do not need to be pre-medicated with steroids  
or antihistamines when using DEP® cabazitaxel.

Starpharma completed recruitment and 
patient treatment for the Phase 2 clinical 
trial of DEP® cabazitaxel during the 
financial year. 76 patients participated 
in the Phase 2 DEP® cabazitaxel 
trial, receiving treatment at leading 
oncology units in the UK and Australia.

Starpharma presented its preliminary 
findings from the prostate cancer 
cohort of the Phase 2 trial of DEP® 
cabazitaxel at the European Society of 
Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 
in September 2022. The preliminary 
findings indicated several benefits for 
patients with metastatic castration-
resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), 

including longer progression-free 
survival (PFS) and reduced incidence 
of key side effects compared to 
conventional cabazitaxel (Jevtana®). 

DEP® cabazitaxel demonstrated a 
median PFS of 3.9 months, over 30% 
longer than the reported 2.9 months 
for standard cabazitaxel. Additionally, 
mCRPC patients who received DEP® 
cabazitaxel had a significantly lower 
incidence of severe (Grade 3 or 4) 
treatment-related adverse events 
(7.5%) compared to published data 
on standard cabazitaxel (39.7%). 
None of the DEP® cabazitaxel treated 
mCRPC patients experienced severe 

Key interim efficacy and safety findings for  
DEP® cabazitaxel in prostate cancer,  
compared with published Jevtana®1 data

DEP® 
cabazitaxel 
(20 mg/m2)

Jevtana®1†* 
(20 mg/m2)

Longer progression-free survival 
(PFS) (median)

3.9 months

2.9 months

Key efficacy 
measures

PSA Reduction ≥ 50%

Partial Response#

Improved/stable Bone Disease

52.4%

18.2%

83.3%

29.5%

18.5%

Not 
reported

Key safety 
measures

Fewer grade 3/4 Treatment-Related 
Adverse Events

7.5%

39.7%

Less neutropenia ≥ Grade 3

16.0%

41.8%

30%+

DEP® cabazitaxel showed 30% longer 
progression-free survival and a lower 
incidence of side effects than standard 
cabazitaxel in prostate cancer patients.

hypersensitivity reactions, and steroid 
pre-medication was not required, 
unlike standard cabazitaxel. Only two 
DEP® cabazitaxel mCRPC patients 
needed prophylactic G-CSF, which 
is commonly necessary for prostate 
cancer patients treated with Jevtana®. 
The key efficacy and safety measures 
are reported in the adjacent table.

The Starpharma team and its specialist 
clinical research organisation (CRO)  
are finalising the patient data  
set and quality control procedures.  
The Company anticipates reporting  
top-line results from the Phase 2  
clinical trial in Q3 CY23, subject to final 
data verification and review. In parallel,  
Starpharma is also engaged in  
licensing activities and discussions  
with potential commercial partners  
for DEP® cabazitaxel.

PFS = Composite endpoint from date of 
randomisation to date of first tumour progression, 
PSA progression, or death. Note that the Jevtana® 
studies also included pain progression.

DEP® cabazitaxel N=25; Jevtana® N=580

1.  Eisenberger et al., PROSELICA. J Clin Oncol, 

2017, 35(28):3198-206.

#  Partial Response: ≥30% reduction in 

measurable target tumour size.

* 

Intent-to-treat population.

†  Safety population (received at least one dose).

08

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023DEP® docetaxel

DEP® docetaxel is a patented, dendrimer nanoparticle version of the anti-cancer 
drug, docetaxel, which is marketed as Taxotere®. Docetaxel is widely used to treat 
breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer. It is prescribed 
despite carrying a US FDA “Black box” warning for severe neutropenia and severe 
hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, resulting from the detergent 
polysorbate 80, used in its formulation. 

In contrast, Starpharma's DEP® 
docetaxel is water-soluble and 
detergent-free. This formulation helps 
to avoid hypersensitivity reactions, 
including anaphylaxis that occur with 
the marketed formulation. Because 
it does not contain the detergent 
polysorbate 80, patients undergoing 
DEP® docetaxel treatment do not  
need to be pre-medicated with 
steroids or antihistamines.

Starpharma’s DEP® docetaxel clinical 
program includes a monotherapy  
arm and two combination arms.  
The Company completed enrolling  
and treating patients in the monotherapy  
arm during FY23, with a total of 50 
patients having participated in this 
arm. The combination arms comprise 
the completed DEP® docetaxel plus 
nintedanib arm for lung cancer and 
the ongoing DEP® docetaxel plus 
gemcitabine arm, which is currently 
focused on pancreatic cancer.

During the trial, encouraging efficacy 
signals have been observed in 
patients with pancreatic cancer, 
gastro-oesophageal cancer, and 
cholangiocarcinoma, including 
prolonged stable disease and 
significant tumour shrinkage. It is 
worth noting that patients in this trial 
had limited treatment options having 
already undergone multiple failed 
treatments, including taxanes. 

Patients treated with DEP® docetaxel 
did not experience any hypersensitivity 
reactions, including anaphylaxis. 
Furthermore, compared with 
conventional docetaxel, there have 
been notably fewer common side 
effects, such as hair loss, mouth  
ulcers, and oedema. Bone marrow 
toxicity, specifically neutropenia,  
was also less frequent and less severe. 

Severe hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis 
and neutropenia are serious toxicities 
associated with conventional  
docetaxel – both of which can be  
dose-limiting and potentially fatal.

Starpharma is continuing final patient 
recruitment for the DEP® docetaxel  
and gemcitabine combination arm,  
and the Company anticipates 
releasing the Phase 2 DEP® docetaxel 
monotherapy data in Q3 CY23.  
In parallel, Starpharma is involved in 
licensing discussions and activities  
for DEP® docetaxel along with our  
other two clinical oncology products,  
DEP® cabazitaxel and DEP® irinotecan. 

09

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Rethinking the Science Behind  
Oncology Treatments continued

DEP® irinotecan

DEP® irinotecan is a patented nanoparticle formulation of 
SN38, the biologically active metabolite of the drug irinotecan, 
which is widely used in cancer therapy, especially in colorectal 
cancer, and marketed as Camptosar®. Unlike conventional 
irinotecan, DEP® irinotecan does not require metabolic 
conversion in the liver, which can lead to variable clinical 
efficacy and toxicity among patients, including gastrointestinal 
complications such as nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhoea. 
By eliminating the need for metabolic conversion, DEP® 
irinotecan allows for direct dosing of SN38 and avoids these 
gastrointestinal adverse effects.

In the June 2023 quarter, Starpharma 
completed enrolment for the Phase 
2 monotherapy clinical trial of DEP® 
irinotecan, with 88 patients having 
participated in the monotherapy arm. 
In addition to monotherapy, the DEP® 
irinotecan trial includes a combination 
arm utilising DEP® irinotecan plus  
5-FU/leucovorin, similar to the ‘FOLFIRI’ 
treatment for advanced bowel and 
gastric cancers. Patient recruitment  
is ongoing and progressing well for  
the combination arm.

Encouraging efficacy signals have  
been observed in multiple tumour 
types with DEP® irinotecan, including 
colorectal, platinum-resistant ovarian, 
gastrointestinal, and breast, and  

in heavily pre-treated patients,  
some of whom have failed to  
respond to previous treatment  
with standard irinotecan.

Additionally, DEP® irinotecan has 
demonstrated a significantly better 
tolerability profile compared to 
published data on conventional 
irinotecan. Approximately 20-40% 
of patients treated with conventional 
irinotecan experience severe, 
debilitating diarrhoea (seven or more 
bowel movements per day), frequently 
leading to hospitalisation. However, 
during treatment with DEP® irinotecan, 
there have been no reports of severe 
diarrhoea and clinicians report very 
good tolerability in their patients.

“I am impressed with the data on Starpharma's novel dendrimer formulation of the 
irinotecan active metabolite, SN38. In our patients, DEP® irinotecan has shown 
excellent tolerability and very encouraging efficacy. Compared to conventional 
irinotecan, tolerability for DEP® irinotecan is much improved. Based on the  
trial data, I believe DEP® irinotecan represents a well-tolerated and promising 
treatment alternative for patients with colorectal cancer, and potentially others, 
including platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.” 

Dr Natalie Cook, Principal Investigator, a Senior Lecturer in Experimental  
Cancer Medicine and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at the  
University of Manchester and Christie Hospital in Manchester, UK

10

Patient case study:  
71-year-old woman  
with heavily pre-treated, 
advanced, platinum-
resistant ovarian cancer.

The patient’s cancer had 
progressed before enrolment 
in the DEP® irinotecan study, 
following extensive surgery and 
39 treatment cycles with five 
different anti-cancer therapies.

The patient’s cancer was 
resistant to platinum therapy 
with multiple metastases, 
including in the liver.

Following treatment with 
DEP® irinotecan, the patient 
achieved the following 
responses:

•  ~60% reduction (partial 

response) in combined size 
of all tumour lesions after 
eight cycles of treatment.

•  Up to 52% reduction  
in tumour biomarkers.

BASELINE

POST TREATMENT

55% reduction in the size 
of tumour lesion following 
treatment with DEP® 
irinotecan.

Ovarian cancer is a common 
cancer with a low five-year 
survival rate of only ~17% for 
advanced cases.

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023DEP® Pipeline

In addition to its three clinical-stage 
DEP® products, Starpharma is also 
developing new DEP® therapies in 
research areas like radiotheranostics 
and Antibody-Drug Conjugates 

(ADCs). In FY23, Starpharma presented 
preclinical data from two studies that 
demonstrate the advantages of using 
its DEP® technology in these fields. 

DEP® HER2-zirconium shows radio imaging benefits

DEP® HER2-zirconium is a radiodiagnostic product that 
belongs to the rapidly growing “radiotheranostic” category 
– which includes both radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic 
products. DEP® HER2-zirconium is designed to specifically 
diagnose, stage, and monitor HER2+ cancers with greater 
sensitivity, meaning patients suffering from these cancers 
could be diagnosed earlier, more accurately, and monitored 
more closely during cancer treatment. 

In July 2023, the Company reported 
results from a study where DEP® 
HER2-zirconium demonstrated 
imaging benefits in a HER2+ breast 
cancer model, including a favourable 
biodistribution profile, with excellent 
imaging contrast between tumour  
and normal tissues.

These study results are promising as 
they confirm the optimised binding 
properties of DEP® HER2-zirconium 
for targeted delivery and preferential 
uptake by cancer cells and support 
a precision medicine approach for 
cancer patients. The combined 
effect of the novel pharmacological 
properties of DEP® HER2-zirconium 
gives it an advantage in promoting 
selective tumour cell entry and  
supports its targeted delivery 
mechanism to tumour cells, leaving 
normal cells relatively untouched.

Preferential tumour accumulation  
of DEP® HER2-zirconium

30

25

20

15

10

5

g
/
e
s
o
d
d
e
t
c
e
n
%

I

j

0

Tu m o ur

Blo o d

Tumour:Blood ratio >40:1

S ple e n
Liver
Kid n e ys

H e art

Lun g s

C olo n

B o n e

“Translated clinically, this DEP® technology has the potential to detect cancer cells at 
very low levels and better guide therapeutic decisions at earlier stages and at levels 
that were previously undetectable by current radiological methods. This has several 
advantages, including dose optimisation and better identifying the minimal dose level 
for an efficacious response, thereby minimising toxicity and promoting the quality of 
life and care of cancer patients undergoing therapy.”

Dr Paul Wabnitz (MD, FRACP), Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology Specialist

11

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
 
Rethinking the Science Behind  
Oncology Treatments continued

HER2-targeted DEP® ADC demonstrates significant  
anti-tumour activity in an ovarian cancer model

HER2-targeted DEP® SN38 ADC is a DEP® ADC utilising SN38 
that targets the HER2 receptor. Starpharma presented new 
preclinical data for this candidate during FY23 showing notable 
anti-tumour activity and enhanced survival rates compared to 
the marketed ADC product Enhertu® in a HER2+ human ovarian 
cancer xenograft model.

Effect of HER2-targeted DEP® 
SN38 ADC vs. Enhertu® on Tumour 
Volume Over Time

Treatment Days

1,000

800

600

400

200

)
3

m
m

(

l

e
m
u
o
V
r
o
m
u
T

0

0

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Days

Vehicle (saline)
Control dendrimer-SN38
Enhertu®
HER2-targeted DEP® SN38 ADC
p<0.0001 for HER2-targeted DEP® 
SN38 ADC vs all other groups

Starpharma’s HER2-targeted DEP® 
SN38 ADC has been designed with  
a higher Drug-to-Antibody Ratio  
(DAR) or drug loading than currently  
marketed ADCs. The DAR of ADCs  
is important for their therapeutic 
efficacy, pharmacokinetics and 
therapeutic index. 

The key advantages of Starpharma’s 
DEP® platform for ADCs include:

•  Ability to achieve higher DAR, 
and higher drug loading than 
conventional ADCs.

•  Greater flexibility in terms of linker 
strategies to precisely control  
drug release profiles.

•  Capacity to widen the therapeutic 

index of toxic drug payloads.

•  Ability to penetrate deeply into 

tumours, binding strongly to target 
cells, and internalise for enhanced 
performance.

•  Enhanced efficacy leading to 

enhanced survival.

•  Flexibility in terms of compatible 

targeting agents, including biologics 
(whole antibodies and fragments), 
small molecules, peptides and  
other approaches.

12

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
 
Driving Innovation Through Strategic  
Partnerships with Leading Global Companies

Partnered DEP® Programs

At Starpharma, collaborations and 
partnerships are key to our business 
strategy. The Company is using its 
dendrimer technology to develop and 
bring to market innovative products 
that cater to critical clinical needs and 
generate value for all stakeholders. 
Starpharma’s partnerships span the 
globe and involve some of the world's 
largest pharmaceutical companies, 
including MSD, Genentech, and 
AstraZeneca. Through these funded 
partnerships, we collaborate closely on 
joint research and knowledge transfer, 
and they have access to our DEP® 
platform technology to progress their 
product research and development.

Starpharma made important progress 
in its DEP® partnerships during 
the financial year by expanding its 
programs with MSD and Genentech. 
These partnerships involve utilising 
Starpharma's DEP® platform in various 
innovative therapeutic modalities, 
including Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

In late July 2023, AstraZeneca announced  
it had made the decision to discontinue 
the development of AZD0466, following 
an internal review of its haematology 
portfolio. AstraZeneca confirmed that 
the asymptomatic adverse events 
leading to this decision were not  
related to the dendrimer component  
of AZD0466. Starpharma’s DEP® 
Licence Agreement with AstraZeneca 
remains on foot.

Partnered DEP® programs

Two DEP® ADC Research Agreements  
with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc.)

Two DEP® Research Agreements  
with Genentech 

DEP® anti-infective research  
partnership with Chase Sun

Multi-product DEP® licence  
with AstraZeneca

“We are excited to collaborate with highly engaged global pharmaceutical 
partners who are utilising our cutting-edge dendrimer platform technology to 
yield superior results. These partnerships provide external validation, affirming 
the value of our technology. Our DEP® partnerships reinforce the clinical and 
commercial potential of our DEP® platform to develop products that benefit 
patients worldwide.”

Dr Tony Eglezos, Vice President of Business Development

Starpharma’s partnerships 
span the globe and involve 
some of the world’s largest 
pharmaceutical companies.

13

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Creating Medical Innovations  
That Make a Difference Worldwide

Anti-Infective Product Portfolio

Starpharma’s commitment to advancing 
healthcare also extends to the ever-
growing challenges of infectious 
diseases. The Company has developed 
an innovative proprietary dendrimer 
called SPL7013, which has a physical 
mechanism of action and anti-infective 
properties. Starpharma has successfully 

VIRALEZE™ Antiviral Nasal Spray

developed and launched three 
innovative products containing SPL7013 
in various international markets.

gel for the treatment and prevention of 
recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV); and 
VivaGel® Condom, an antiviral condom.

Starpharma’s marketed SPL7013 product 
range includes VIRALEZE™, a broad 
spectrum antiviral nasal spray for cold/
respiratory viruses; VivaGel® BV, a topical 

Starpharma’s SPL7013 Nasal Spray, VIRALEZE™, is a broad-spectrum antiviral nasal 
spray that is registered in over 35 countries. It is intended to provide a protective 
barrier in the nose, which traps and blocks cold/respiratory viruses.  
The nasal spray contains SPL7013, which has been shown in multiple laboratory  
and nonclinical studies to trap and block a broad spectrum of cold/respiratory 
viruses, helping to prevent their adhesion, multiplication and spread.

Ongoing commercialisation  
in global markets 

During FY23, VIRALEZE™ was launched  
in new markets, including Hong Kong 
and Macau, through a network of  
retail stores, online and other channels 
such as Mannings and PARKnSHOP.  
The product’s launch in these regions 
came after Starpharma signed a sales 
and distribution agreement with  
Hengan Group and was supported  
by marketing activities.

In addition to Hong Kong and Macau, 
VIRALEZE™ continues to be marketed in 
various jurisdictions, including Vietnam, 
the UK and Europe. Starpharma’s 
distribution partner in Vietnam, Nam 

Thanh Medical, markets VIRALEZE™ 
nationwide through Long Chau 
Pharmacy, one of the country’s largest 
pharmacy chains with approximately 
1,000 bricks and mortar stores.  
During FY23, Starpharma expanded its 
e-commerce channels in the UK, making 
VIRALEZE™ available to consumers in 
the UK through a dedicated VIRALEZE™ 
product website and Amazon UK,  
as well as pharmacies. 

This year, Starpharma also achieved 
registration for the product in Malaysia 
and Indonesia, bringing the total  
number of countries where VIRALEZE™  
is registered to more than 35.  
The Company continues to pursue 
registration and commercialisation 

14

opportunities in new markets, focusing 
on commercially attractive markets with 
rapid regulatory pathways. Starpharma 
remains focused on increasing brand 
awareness and sales globally in 
conjunction with its growing network 
 of partners. In Australia, the review by 
the Therapeutic Goods Administration 
(TGA) for the SPL7013 nasal spray as a 
medical device is ongoing.

A post-market clinical study  
in patients with COVID-19

Recruitment for a post-market  
clinical study of VIRALEZE™ in COVID-19 
patients commenced in the UK in 
December 2022. The study has 
recruited ahead of schedule with more 
than 90% of participants now enrolled. 
It will provide valuable clinical data on 
the antiviral performance of VIRALEZE™ 
in non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients. 
This data will support marketing and 
commercial activities and build upon 
the product's extensive in-market 
experience. Additionally, the study  
will generate clinical safety and efficacy 
data relevant to new European medical 
device regulations. The study's  
design was developed with extensive 
specialist clinical advice and is based  
on other similar clinical studies of  
topical nasal sprays.

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023VivaGel® Portfolio

VivaGel® BV, an Australian innovation, is a novel, non-antibiotic gel developed by 
Starpharma for both the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the prevention  
of recurrent BV and its symptoms. VivaGel® BV is registered in over 50 countries and  
has been commercialised under different brand names in multiple markets, including 
the UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

BV is a prevalent condition that affects 
an estimated one in three women 
globally and can potentially impact 
recurrent sufferers’ reproductive 
health. Although antibiotics are 
commonly used to treat BV, they have 
side effects and pose a risk of antibiotic 
resistance – and there is a growing 
demand for alternative approaches, 
such as VivaGel® BV, which can also be 
used to prevent recurrent BV.

VivaGel® BV continues to be marketed 
in multiple jurisdictions, including by 
Starpharma’s partner Aspen in Australia 
and New Zealand. Marketing campaigns 
by partners to build brand awareness 
and sales are ongoing, including for 
consumer and healthcare professional 
audiences. 

In August 2023, Starpharma 
announced it had negotiated a 
commercial settlement agreement 
with Mundipharma relating to VivaGel® 
BV. Under the settlement, Starpharma 
received a A$6.6 million cash  
payment from Mundipharma and 

terminated its VivaGel® BV licence  
and supply agreements with 
Mundipharma, regaining all commercial 
rights to VivaGel® BV, enabling 
Starpharma to sign new marketing 
arrangements for the product. 
Starpharma is well positioned to sign 
new commercial agreements for 
VivaGel® BV with other healthcare 
companies in these territories, with 
commercial interest already expressed 
in the product.

In the US, a formal dispute resolution 
process is ongoing with the Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) for VivaGel® 
BV. The Company is preparing to 
lodge a further submission to the FDA, 
including precedents of other FDA 
approvals, with the timing of lodgement 
now governed by the publication and 
incorporation of relevant precedent 
information, which is being gathered. 

Starpharma’s VivaGel® Condom 
continues to be marketed by Okamoto 
in Japan, with Okamoto also pursuing 
approvals in other Asian countries.

 VivaGel® BV is registered in

50+ countries 

including the UK, Europe,  
Southeast Asia, South Africa,  
Australia, and New Zealand.

15

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Environment, Social and Governance

At Starpharma, we recognise our 
important role as a biopharmaceutical 
company to improve patient outcomes. 
A key part of this is shaping the future 
of our industry to ensure it grows 
sustainably. We are committed to 
developing innovative products that  
will positively impact society. 

To ensure that we remain forward-
thinking, we continually strive to 
improve our sustainability practices.  
Our corporate governance 
principles and Code of Conduct 
provide a framework for ethical and 
responsible behaviour at all levels of 
our organisation, from the Board and 
management to all other employees.

Starpharma publishes an Environment, 
Social and Governance (ESG) Report 
each year alongside its Annual Report. 
Our ESG Report presents Starpharma's 
ESG framework and practices,  
covering four main areas: Environment, 
Our People, Products and Patient 
Health, and Governance. 

Developing innovative therapies to enhance 
patient wellbeing, with a commitment to 
responsible and ethical practices that adhere  
to global regulatory standards.

It also details the sustainability-
related risks and opportunities that 
are important to Starpharma and our 
stakeholders. Our focus is on the 
evolving, perceived and potential issues 
arising during pharmaceutical product 
research and development, registration, 
supply and commercialisation. 

Environment

Starpharma has established formal 
policies and procedures, including  
an Environmental Policy and a Climate 
Change Position Statement, to  
operate responsibly and minimise  
the environmental impact of our work, 
including operations, research and 
development, and product marketing. 

We have implemented measures to 
manage water consumption, waste 
and recycling, and greenhouse gas 
emissions. Our staff understand  
and comply with these initiatives. 
Although our global environmental  
risk exposure is small, Starpharma  
will continue to monitor, report  
and take action wherever necessary  
to mitigate our impact.

Our People

We take pride in our innovative, 
accountable, high-performing and 
ethical culture. Our set of Valued 
Behaviours promotes effective 
collaboration among all employees 
who know and appreciate how the 
broader community benefits from  
our work.

We strive to create a workplace that 
prioritises equality, safety, health and 
wellbeing. We have implemented a 
comprehensive suite of policies and 
procedures to ensure these outcomes.

Great Place to Work® 
certification

Starpharma was delighted 
to achieve Great Place 
to Work® certification for 
2022-23. This recognition 
is a testament to our team’s 
positive workplace and company 
culture and our celebration of inclusivity 
and diversity. 

We take great pride in the fact that our 
employees come from 19 countries 
of birth, and we have, for some time, 
achieved an equal gender split across 
all levels of the Company. This is a 
testament to our global mindset and 
the importance of embracing diversity 
within our organisation.

16

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Products and Patient Health

Governance

Starpharma is committed to providing 
consumers and patients with safe 
access to our products at all stages  
of the development process. 

Our products undergo rigorous 
development and evaluation, including 
preclinical testing and clinical trials, and 
are labelled and marketed pursuant to 
high-quality standards and regulations 
specific to each geographic region. 
The Company conducts post-market 
surveillance and vigilance activities  
on all marketed products.

Although Starpharma has a relatively 
small number of suppliers, we prioritise 
responsible and ethical practices across 
our operations. We expect our suppliers 
to uphold high ethical standards and 
source from sustainable vendors.

Starpharma is committed to the 
principles underpinning best practices 
in corporate governance, emphasising 
general corporate compliance and 
ethical business, financial and social 
practices. Our robust corporate 
governance policies serve as a guide  
for our Company's actions and 
decision-making.

Starpharma’s ESG Report 2023  
provides further insights into the 
Company’s framework for ESG, the 
practices, policies and procedures  
we have put in place, and our long-term 
goals, objectives and commitments  
to continuous improvement.

Starpharma’s ESG Report 2023  
can be viewed on our website:  
www.starpharma.com.

Starpharma’s products undergo rigorous 
development and evaluation, including 
preclinical testing and clinical trials, and 
are marketed according to high quality 
standards and regulations specific to 
each geographic region.

17

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 20233-Year Financial Summary

Revenue

Other income

Total revenue and other income

Expenditure, including the cost of goods sold

Loss for the period

Net operating cash outflows

Net investing and financing cash inflows (outflows)

Cash and cash equivalents at end-of-year

FY23 
$M

4.2

0.1

4.3

(19.9)

(15.6)

(13.5)

(1.3)

35.2

FY22 
$M

4.9

0.3

5.2

(21.4)

(16.2)

(13.2)

2.4

49.9

FY21 
$M

2.2

1.3

3.5

(23.2)

(19.7)

(14.8)

46.1

60.5

Overview of FY23 Financial Results

Starpharma concluded FY23 in a 
strong financial position with a cash 
balance of $35.2 million. Net operating 
cash outflows for the year were $13.5 
million. This excludes A$6.6 million 
received from Mundipharma in August 
2023 following the recent commercial 
settlement for VivaGel® BV.

Revenue for FY23 was $4.2 million 
(FY22: $4.7 million), which included  
$2.9 million from VIRALEZE™ and 
VivaGel® product sales, royalties, 
licensing revenue, and research revenue  
from commercial partners as well as 
interest income of $1.3 million.

The FY23 loss after tax of $15.6 million 
continued to trend downwards  
(FY22: $16.2 million). Expenditure 
included investment in research and 
product development associated 
with the internal DEP® drug delivery 
programs, including DEP® cabazitaxel, 
DEP® docetaxel, DEP® irinotecan, DEP® 
ADCs, and DEP® radiotheranostics, as 
well as the post-market clinical study  
of VIRALEZE™.

Starpharma received a $7.1 million R&D 
tax incentive refund in December 2022, 
with an anticipated R&D tax incentive 
refund of $7.6 million expected in FY24.

Starpharma concluded  
FY23 in a strong financial 
position with a cash 
balance of $35.2 million, 
and in August 2023, 
Starpharma received  
$6.6 million from 
Mundipharma.

18

Annual Report 2023

Starpharma Holdings Limited

Starpharma Holdings Limited

Annual Report 2023

19

Directors’ Report

Your directors have pleasure in presenting this report on the consolidated entity (referred to hereafter as the “group”, “company”, 
or “Starpharma”) consisting of Starpharma Holdings Limited (the “Parent Entity”) and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, 
the year ended 30 June 2023.

Directors

The following persons were directors of Starpharma Holdings Limited at the date of this report and during the whole of the 
financial year:

R B Thomas (Chairman)

L Cheng

D J McIntyre

J R Davies

J K Fairley (Chief Executive Officer)

R Basser

R Basser was appointed as a director on 20 February 2023

Z Peach resigned as a director on 29 November 2022

Information on Directors

Robert B Thomas AO

BEc, MSAA, SF Fin, FAICD, FRSN 

Independent non-executive director (appointed 4 December 2013) and Chairman from 13 June 2014

Experience:

Mr Thomas has a strong background in financial services and capital markets and is a non-executive 
director of several Australian listed companies. Formerly Mr Thomas was a Partner of Potter Partners 
(now UBS) where he was also Head of Research.

Mr Thomas is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of County NatWest Securities and then 
became CEO and then Chairman of Citibank Corporate and Investment Bank in Australia. Mr Thomas 
has also held the position of Chairman at Australian Wealth Management Ltd (ultimately IOOF Ltd), 
TAL (Australia’s largest life insurance company) and HeartWare® International Inc, the second largest 
global manufacturer of left ventricular assist heart pumps. Mr Thomas is currently a non-executive 
director of ASX-listed Biotron Limited and Clarity Pharmaceuticals Limited. Mr Thomas is also Chair 
of AusBio Ltd, Grahger Retail Securities, Co-Chair of the State Library of NSW Foundation and a 
director of O’Connell Street Associates. 

For many years Mr Thomas was regarded as one of Australia’s leading financial analysts and  regularly  
lectured with Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA). He has considerable expertise in  
Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) and capital markets including advising on the floats of Commonwealth 
Bank of Australia and Qantas, and vast experience in Audit and Risk Management. Mr Thomas is also 
approved under the NSW prequalification scheme for Audit and Risk Committee Independent 
Chairs and Members for government/public sector agencies and has previously served as the 
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee of Virgin Australia Limited (for 11 years), HeartWare® 
International Inc, REVA Medical Limited and the State Library of NSW. 

Mr Thomas holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, a Diploma of Business (Accounting) 
from Swinburne and is a fellow of FINSIA. Mr Thomas is also a Master Stockbroker, a Fellow of the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales.

Committee membership:

Member of Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Other current directorships 
of ASX listed entities:

Member of Audit and Risk Committee.

Biotron Limited and Clarity Pharmaceuticals Limited.

20

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Directorships of other 
ASX listed entities within 
last three years: 

None.

Specific skills and 
experience areas:

In addition to Mr Thomas’ significant finance and M&A/capital markets experience, Mr Thomas’ 
non-executive roles with various ASX listed companies have deepened his skills and experience in 
relation to accounting/corporate finance; audit and risk; governance; licensing and commercialisation 
of innovation; strategy and risk management; occupational health & safety (“OH&S”); and remuneration. 
He has also had significant experience with US-based companies as they progress from research 
to commercialisation.

Interests in Starpharma 
Holdings Limited:

950,000 ordinary shares.

Jacinth (Jackie) K Fairley 

BSc, BVSc (Hons), MBA, GAICD, FTSE 

Chief Executive Officer and director (appointed 1 July 2006)

Experience:

Dr Jackie Fairley has more than 30 years of operational experience in the pharmaceutical and 
biotechnology industries working in senior management roles with companies including CSL 
Limited (CSL) and Faulding (now Pfizer). In those roles Dr Fairley had responsibilities which included 
clinical, regulatory, business development, product development management and general 
management. At Faulding Dr Fairley was responsible for global product development, regulatory 
affairs and business development for Faulding’s hospital business which operated in more than  
60 countries. 

Dr Fairley holds first class honours degrees in Science (pharmacology and pathology) and 
Veterinary Science from Melbourne University and was a practicing veterinary surgeon prior 
to joining CSL. Whilst at CSL Dr Fairley obtained a Master of Business Administration from the 
Melbourne Business School, where she was the recipient of the prestigious Clemenger Medal.  
Dr Fairley is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Dr Fairley is a non-executive director of the listed investment company Mirrabooka Investments 
Limited and a member of the Invest Victoria Advisory Board (IVAB) and Carnegie Venture Capital’s 
investment Committee. Dr Fairley has previously served on the Melbourne Business School 
Board, the Australian Federal Government’s Commonwealth Science Council and Pharmaceutical 
Industry Working Group, and the Australian Federal Ministerial Biotechnology Advisory Council.

Committees:

Attends Board Committee meetings by invitation.

Other current directorships 
of ASX listed entities:

Mirrabooka Investments Limited.

Directorships of other 
ASX listed entities within 
the last three years: 

None.

Specific skills and 
experience areas:

With more than 30 years’ experience in executive roles up to and including as CEO and executive 
director of ASX listed and unlisted pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Dr Fairley’s 
experience covers all key areas described in the Board skills matrix. In particular, Dr Fairley has 
significant leadership skills in healthcare and scientific research; pharmaceutical development; 
international experience; licensing and commercialisation of innovation; business development; 
strategy and risk management; and M&A/capital markets.

Interests in Starpharma 
Holdings Limited:

4,055,434 ordinary shares.

6,280,125 employee performance rights.

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Directors’ Report continued

Information on Directors continued

David McIntyre 

CPA, LL.B., MBA and B. Econs (Acc) 

Independent non-executive director (appointed 1 March 2020)

Experience:

Mr McIntyre has more than 20 years of executive experience including 18 years in the life sciences 
sector, having held various C-suite level roles at Tessa Therapeutics, Inc., AVITA Therapeutics, Inc., 
HeartWare® International, Inc., and Braeburn, Inc. 

Mr McIntyre’s experience also includes seven years as a Partner at Apple Tree Partners, a multi-
billion-dollar life science venture capital and growth equity fund, giving him a deep knowledge of, 
and extensive contacts in, the US pharma, medical device and biotech markets. During this time, 
Mr McIntyre served as a non-executive director of several US life science companies.

Prior to entering life sciences, Mr McIntyre practiced as a senior attorney at Baker & McKenzie and 
KPMG specialising in M&A, initial public offerings, and corporate law and also held various senior 
finance roles in both multinational companies and small growth companies.

Mr McIntyre is based in the US and brings to the table an international lens on life science licensing 
and commercialisation, marketing and business and development, and M&A/capital markets.  
Mr McIntyre has significant experience in the areas of accounting/corporate finance, audit and risk, 
strategy and risk management.

Mr McIntyre holds a Bachelor of Economics (Accounting) from the University of Sydney, Australia, 
a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master of Business 
Administration from Duke University Fuqua School of Business (Fuqua Scholar) from Durham,  
North Carolina, in the US. Mr McIntyre is a Certified Practising Accountant and is also admitted  
as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and of the High Court of Australia.

Committee membership:

Chair of Audit and Risk Committee.

Other current directorships 
of ASX listed entities: 

None.

Directorships of other 
ASX listed entities within 
the last three years: 

Specific skills and 
experience areas:

Redflex Holdings Limited.

With more than 20 years of executive experience including 18 years in the life science sector, 
Mr McIntyre’s experience covers all key areas described in the Board skills matrix. In particular, 
Mr McIntyre has substantial expertise in accounting/corporate finance, audit and risk; M&A/
capital markets; governance; licensing and commercialisation of innovation; strategy and risk 
management, having held executive roles including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating 
Officer. He has also had significant experience with US-based companies in the medical device, 
biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector.

Interests in Starpharma 
Holdings Limited:

16,240 ordinary shares.

22

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Lynda Cheng 

B.Com, LLB (Hons), GAICD 

Independent non-executive director (appointed 1 August 2021)

Experience:

Ms Cheng has a strong background in finance with more than 25 years of experience as a finance 
executive including more than 15 years at Visy Industries/Pratt Holdings and 10 years in investment 
banking. She has significant commercial and international corporate expertise including 
experience in financial services, manufacturing, export finance, infrastructure, education as well as 
market entry, growth and technology. 

Ms Cheng is currently Director of Corporate Development and Mergers & Acquisitions at Visy 
Industries / Pratt Holdings and has held various other roles in the group including CFO. Ms Cheng’s 
earlier roles include as a lawyer at Blake Dawson, before moving into investment banking with J.P. 
Morgan in its Melbourne, Sydney, San Francisco and New York offices. 

Ms Cheng is currently an independent, non-executive member of the board of directors at JRJJ 
Capital, the parent company of Merricks Capital, in an observer/advisory capacity. Ms Cheng 
previously served as a non-executive director of Export Finance Australia, a member of the 
Australian Government’s International Development Policy Expert Panel and Deputy Chair and 
Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk committee of South East Water. 

Ms Cheng holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Commerce degree, majoring in actuarial studies 
and economics, from the University of Melbourne, and is a graduate member of the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors.

Committee membership:

Member of Audit and Risk Committee.

Member of Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Other current directorships 
of ASX listed entities:

None.

Directorships of other 
ASX listed entities within 
the last three years:

None.

Specific skills and 
experience areas:

With over 25 years’ experience as a finance executive, including substantial international 
experience and several non-executive directorships, Ms Cheng’s experience covers the majority 
of key areas described in Starpharma’s Board skills matrix. In particular, she has substantial 
expertise in accounting/corporate finance, audit and risk; M&A/capital markets; strategy and 
risk management; governance; as well as business development. Ms Cheng has had involvement 
in the commercialisation of new innovations during her tenure at South East Water and also while 
working with disruptive technology companies in Silicon Valley. 

Interests in Starpharma 
Holdings Limited:

60,000 ordinary shares.

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Directors’ Report continued

Information on Directors continued

Jeff R Davies 

PhD, BSc (Hons) 

Independent non-executive director (appointed 1 April 2022)

Experience:

Dr Davies is a former CSL executive with over 35 years of biopharmaceutical experience, holding 
senior executive roles at CSL, including Executive Vice President & General Manager at CSL for  
the Asia-Pacific region, and Global Head of Plasma Product Research and Development at  
CSL-Behring, Switzerland.

As Executive Vice President & General Manager at CSL for the Asia-Pacific region, Dr Davies had 
overall P&L responsibility for the commercial and operational aspects of the business and oversaw 
the pharmaceutical, plasma, vaccine, and diagnostic businesses in Australia, New Zealand, China, 
and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

As the Global Head of CSL-Behring’s Plasma Product Research and Development portfolios,  
Dr Davies oversaw and played an important role in the development of leading products, including 
the multi-billion-dollar Privigen® immunoglobulin product. Dr Davies was part of CSL’s due 
diligence teams, which led to the acquisitions of the Plasma Fractionation businesses of Swiss  
Red Cross (2000) and Aventis Behring (2003), thus transforming CSL into a global company.

Dr Davies is a partner and founding director of Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence, a 
pharmaceutical consulting firm. Dr Davies has held a number of senior industry board and advisory 
roles, including representation on the Pharmaceutical Industry Council, the Australian Red Cross 
Advisory Board and Medicines Australia.

Dr Davies holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Monash University and is a graduate of the London 
Business School’s Senior Executive Program.

Committee membership:

Member of Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Other current directorships 
of ASX listed entities: 

None.

Directorships of other 
ASX listed entities within 
the last three years: 

None.

Specific skills and 
experience areas:

With over 35 years of experience within the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr Davies is an 
accomplished executive skilled in R&D, product development and commercialisation strategy; 
business development, manufacturing and clinical and regulatory affairs. Dr Davies has significant 
leadership skills and experience in commercialising scientific research for healthcare products. 

Interests in Starpharma 
Holdings Limited:

50,000 ordinary shares.

24

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Russell Basser 

MB.BS FRACP MD 

Independent non-executive director (appointed 20 February 2023)

Experience:

Dr Basser is a medical oncologist and former corporate executive with over 30 years of 
international medical and biopharmaceutical experience, including 21 years at CSL. 

Dr Basser has substantial expertise in international drug and vaccine development, having held 
multiple senior executive roles at CSL, including Senior Vice President (SVP) of Research and 
Development at CSL Seqirus; Chief Medical Officer at CSL Limited/CSL Behring; and SVP of 
Global Clinical Research and Development at CSL Behring/CSL Limited. During his time at CSL, 
Dr Basser was responsible for globalising CSL’s Clinical Research and Development group and 
for conception and execution of CSL’s clinical trial strategies across a broad range of therapeutic 
areas from Phase 1 to commercialisation. Dr Basser was a founding member of CSL Seqirus’ executive 
leadership team in 2015 as SVP of Research and Development until his retirement in April 2022. 
Prior to joining CSL, Dr Basser was a practicing medical oncologist at the Royal Melbourne and 
Western Hospitals and had an appointment at the Ludwig institute for Cancer Research. 

Committee membership:

Member of Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Other current directorships 
of ASX listed entities: 

None.

Directorships of other 
ASX listed entities within 
the last three years: 

None.

Specific skills and 
experience areas:

With over 20 years of executive experience in the biotechnology industry and 10 years as 
a practicing clinical oncologist, Dr Basser has significant leadership skills and experience in 
healthcare/scientific research; pharmaceutical product development; international executive 
experience and skills in regulation/public policy; commercialisation of innovation; business 
development; governance; strategy; and risk management.

Interests in Starpharma 
Holdings Limited:

Nil.

Company Secretary

Mr Nigel Baade held the position since 2013 until his resignation as Company Secretary on 1 February 2023 (Mr Baade resigned 
from the Company on 31 March 2023). Ms Tracy Weimar was appointed to the position of interim Company Secretary on  
1 February 2023. Ms Weimar is a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), with over 20 years of commercial,  
company secretarial and non-executive director experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. 

Mr Justin Cahill commenced his position as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary on 3 April 2023. Mr Cahill has extensive 
corporate finance and leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical, food and agricultural sectors for both  
ASX-listed and private companies. 

Principal Activities

The principal activities of the group consist of research, development and commercialisation of dendrimer products for 
pharmaceutical, life-science and other applications. Activities within the group are directed towards the development of 
precisely defined nano-scale materials, including the development of VivaGel® for the management and prevention of bacterial 
vaginosis, and as an antiviral condom coating, and VIRALEZE™ – an antiviral nasal spray. Starpharma is also applying its proprietary 
dendrimers to drug delivery to create improved pharmaceuticals and has developed the valuable DEP® delivery platform.

Result

The financial report for the group for the financial year ended 30 June 2023, and the results herein, have been prepared 
in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards.

The consolidated loss after income tax attributable to ordinary shareholders for the financial year ended 30 June 2023 was 
$15,638,000 (2022: $16,154,000), with revenue for the year of $4,208,000 (2022: $4,899,000). The net operating cash outflows 
for the year were $13,533,000 (2022: $13,162,000). The cash balance at 30 June 2023 was $35,180,000 (June 2022: $49,918,000).

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Directors’ Report continued

Dividends and Distributions

No dividends were paid or declared during the period and no dividends are recommended in respect to the financial year ended 
30 June 2023 (2022: Nil).

Review of Operations

Key activities until the date of this report include:

DEP® Drug Delivery Programs

Starpharma’s Phase 2 clinical trial of DEP® cabazitaxel completed the enrolment and treatment of patients, with 76 participants 
enrolled. Encouraging efficacy signals following treatment with DEP® cabazitaxel have been observed, including significant 
tumour shrinkage and tumour biomarker reductions, in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced cancers, including prostate, 
ovarian, gastro-oesophageal, cholangiocarcinoma and head and neck cancer. In September 2022, Starpharma presented 
promising results from the prostate cancer cohort at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.

The Phase 2 monotherapy arm of the DEP® docetaxel trial also completed the enrolment and treatment of patients. 50 patients 
were recruited and treated with DEP® docetaxel in the monotherapy arm, and encouraging efficacy signals, including prolonged 
stable disease and significant tumour shrinkage, have been observed in heavily pre-treated patients with multiple cancer types, 
including pancreatic cancer, gastro-oesophageal cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. 

Starpharma completed patient enrolment in the monotherapy arm of the Phase 2 clinical trial of DEP® irinotecan, with 88 patients 
having participated in the monotherapy arm. Encouraging results have been seen in patients with multiple cancer types, including 
colorectal, platinum-resistant ovarian, gastrointestinal, and breast cancer, with durable responses for up to 72 weeks.

Starpharma also progressed the combination arms of the DEP® irinotecan (5-FU/leucovorin) and DEP® docetaxel (gemcitabine) 
Phase 2 trials, with recruitment ongoing. 

In parallel with completing these Phase 2 programs, Starpharma continued to build its pipeline of DEP® assets by advancing  
the development of two products in DEP® radiotheranostics and DEP® Antibody-Drug Conjugates. 

Starpharma announced the development of a HER2-targeted DEP® SN38 ADC, which demonstrated significant anti-tumour 
activity and improved survival in a HER2+ human ovarian cancer xenograft model, compared with a marketed HER2-ADC, Enhertu®.

In June 2023, Starpharma announced that DEP® HER2-zirconium, a HER2-targeted radiodiagnostic, demonstrated imaging 
benefits in a HER2+ breast cancer model. The demonstrated benefits included a favourable biodistribution profile, excellent 
imaging contrast between tumour and normal tissues, rapid uptake, high levels of tumour accumulation, and rapid clearance.

Starpharma partnered with the University of Queensland’s Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals 
(AMTAR Hub) to advance the research and development of Starpharma’s targeted DEP® radiotheranostic products – which 
includes both DEP® radiodiagnostics and DEP® radiotherapeutics. 

Starpharma’s partners include some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, such as MSD, Genentech, Chase Sun 
and AstraZeneca. During the financial year, Starpharma expanded its DEP® programs with MSD and Genentech to include 
new programs of work. Starpharma’s partnered programs apply the Company’s DEP® platform technology to several novel 
therapeutic modalities, including ADCs.

In late July 2023, AstraZeneca announced it had made the decision to discontinue the development of AZD0466, following an 
internal review of their haematology portfolio. AstraZeneca confirmed that the asymptomatic adverse events leading to this 
decision were not related to the dendrimer component of AZD0466. Starpharma’s DEP® Licence Agreement with AstraZeneca 
remains in effect. 

Starpharma continues to undertake business development partnering activities for its DEP® platform, with active commercial 
discussions underway in a number of areas including DEP® radiotheranostics and DEP® ADCs. 

26

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Marketed Products

VIRALEZE™ Antiviral Nasal Spray

During the financial year, Starpharma’s antiviral nasal spray, VIRALEZE™, was launched in new markets, including Hong Kong and 
Macau, through an extensive network of retail stores, online and other channels. The launch followed the signing of a sales and 
distribution agreement with Hengan Group and was supported by marketing activities.

Marketing of VIRALEZE™ continued in multiple jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, the UK and Europe. Starpharma 
expanded its e-commerce channels in the UK, making VIRALEZE™ available through a dedicated product website and Amazon UK. 

Starpharma achieved registration for VIRALEZE™ in Malaysia and Indonesia, bringing the number of countries where VIRALEZE™  
is registered to more than 35, and submitted regulatory applications in other jurisdictions during the year. 

Starpharma commenced a post-market clinical study of VIRALEZE™ in the UK in December 2022. The study will provide valuable 
clinical data on the antiviral performance of VIRALEZE™ in COVID-19-positive individuals. The study has recruited more than 90%  
of planned participants to date.

Starpharma presented new data on the efficacy of VIRALEZE™ against SARS-CoV-2 omicron infection in an animal challenge model 
at Respi DART, an international virology conference, in December 2022. These data, which were generated at Scripps Research in 
the US, showed that VIRALEZE™ was able to eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 omicron virus by more than 99.99% in the lung and trachea of 
animals that were exposed to the virus, even when VIRALEZE™ was administered after exposure.

VIRALEZE™ is not approved for use or supply in Australia. The review by the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) for the SPL7013 nasal 
spray as a medical device is ongoing.

VivaGel® Portfolio

Starpharma’s VivaGel® BV product continued to be marketed in multiple jurisdictions by its partners. Marketing campaigns by 
partners to build brand awareness and sales are ongoing, including for consumer and professional healthcare audiences. 

After the end of the reporting period, Starpharma terminated its VivaGel® BV license and supply agreements with Mundipharma, 
enabling Starpharma to sign new marketing arrangements for the product. A cash settlement payment of US$4.25M (A$6.56M) 
was subsequently received from Mundipharma.

In the US, a formal dispute resolution process is ongoing with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for VivaGel® BV. As part 
of this process, Starpharma has received extensive external advice, met the FDA on multiple occasions, and made a number of 
submissions of data and analyses to the regulator. The Company is preparing to lodge a further submission to the FDA, including 
precedents of other FDA approvals, with the timing of lodgement now governed by the publication and incorporation of relevant 
precedent information. 

Starpharma’s VivaGel® Condom continues to be marketed by Okamoto in Japan.

Key Personnel Changes 

Ms Zita Peach retired from the Board in November 2022 after 11 years. Mr Nigel Baade resigned from the CFO/Company 
Secretary role in early 2023, after nearly 17 years.

In February 2023, Starpharma welcomed medical oncologist and former senior executive Dr Russell Basser as a non-executive 
director to the Board. Dr Basser has substantial expertise in international drug and vaccine development, having held multiple 
senior executive roles at CSL.

In February 2023, Starpharma appointed Ms Tracy Weimar as interim Company Secretary. Ms Weimar has over 20 years of 
commercial, company secretarial and non-executive directorship experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry 
across large and small-cap companies. 

In April 2023, Mr Justin Cahill joined Starpharma as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Company Secretary. Mr Cahill has extensive 
corporate finance and leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical, food, and agricultural sectors with several private and 
ASX-listed companies, including CSL. 

In June 2023, Dr Jackie Fairley advised the Board of her intention to retire as CEO in 2024 after 17 years in the role. A search 
process is underway and Dr Fairley, the Board and the senior executive team are working closely to ensure a seamless transition.

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Directors’ Report continued

Matters Subsequent to the End of the Financial Year

On 14 August 2023, Starpharma received a cash payment of US$4.25M (A$6.56M) from Mundipharma, following the signing of a 
commercial settlement agreement related to VivaGel® BV. Under the settlement, in addition to the cash payment, Starpharma 
terminated its VivaGel® BV license and supply agreements with Mundipharma, regaining all commercial rights to VivaGel® BV, 
enabling Starpharma to sign new marketing arrangements for the product.

On 31 July 2023, Starpharma announced that AstraZeneca had made the decision to discontinue the development of AZD0466, 
following an internal review of their haematology portfolio. AstraZeneca confirmed that the asymptomatic adverse events 
leading to this decision were not related to the dendrimer component of AZD0466. Starpharma’s DEP® Licence Agreement with 
AstraZeneca remains in effect.

Strategy, Future Developments and Prospects

Starpharma aims to create value for its shareholders through the clinical and commercial development of its proprietary products 
based on its patented dendrimer technology in pharmaceutical and healthcare applications. The company’s key focus is to 
advance its product pipeline, including internal and partnered DEP® programs and to advance commercial opportunities for 
VivaGel® and VIRALEZE™. Starpharma intends to achieve this by continuing to utilise a combination of internally funded and 
partnered programs across its dendrimer portfolio. The company commercialises its development pipeline with corporate 
partners via licensing and sales and distribution agreements at various stages in a product’s development lifecycle, depending 
on the product, patent opportunity, a partner’s commercial strategy and relative strength of product and market expertise, 
comparison of current and future potential returns, and the risks involved in advancing the product to the next value inflection  
point or milestone.

Starpharma’s strategy remains consistent with previous years. Starpharma has extensive scientific expertise, a strong intellectual 
property portfolio, a deep product portfolio, and a culture and ability to innovate. 

Proceedings on Behalf of the Company

No proceedings have been brought or intervened in on behalf of the Company with leave of the Court under section 237 of the 
Corporations Act 2001.

Review of Financials

Income statement 

Revenue 

Cost of goods sold

Other income

Research and product development expense

Commercial and regulatory operating expense

Corporate, administration and finance expense

Loss for the period

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

4,208

(1,120)

135

(11,239)

(3,854)

(3,768)

4,899

(2,776)

263

(11,680)

(3,568)

(3,292)

(15,638)

(16,154)

28

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Income statement

The reported loss for the period was $15,638,000 (2022: $16,154,000).

Revenue for the year was $4,208,000 (2022: $4,899,000), comprising $2,939,000 (2022: $4,682,000) for product sales,  
royalties, licensing revenue, and research revenue from commercial partners, and interest income of $1,269,000 (2022: $217,000). 
Revenue received from commercial partners during the year was predominately product sales and royalties from VIRALEZE™  
and VivaGel® products. 

Other income of $135,000 (2022: $263,000) primarily relates to proceeds received from an insurance claim. For the prior year, 
other income included Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant funding for the development of VIRALEZE™. 

Research and product development expense of $11,239,000 (2022: $11,680,000) includes the costs of the internal DEP® drug 
delivery programs including DEP® docetaxel, DEP® cabazitaxel, and DEP® irinotecan, DEP® ADCs and DEP® radiotheranostics, 
and the VIRALEZE™ post market study. A contra research and development expense of $7,631,000 (2022: $7,261,000) has been 
recognised for activities eligible under the Australian Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive program.

Commercial and regulatory operating expense includes the expenditure related to the commercialisation of VivaGel®, VIRALEZE™ 
and the DEP® portfolio, including business development, marketing, regulatory, supply chain and quality assurance activities.

Corporate, administration and finance expense includes corporate costs, gains/losses on foreign currency held, and interest 
expense on borrowings. The increase over the prior year primarily reflects interest on borrowings, and a foreign currency movement 
on foreign currencies held between the periods, with a higher gain in the prior corresponding period.

Balance sheet

At 30 June 2023 the group’s cash position was $35,180,000 (June 2022: $49,918,000). Trade and other receivables of $9,169,000 
(June 2022: $7,916,000) includes $7,244,000 (June 2022: $6,747,000) receivable from the Australian Government under the R&D 
tax incentive program. Current borrowings include the $4,000,000 Invest Victoria R&D loan from Treasury Corporation of Victoria 
and a $778,000 loan to finance the Company’s insurance premiums. 

Statement of cash flows

The net operating cash outflows for the year were $13,533,000 (2022: $13,162,000). 

Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per share

2023

($0.04)

2022

($0.04)

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Directors’ Report continued

Risk Management

The group is subject to business risks typical of companies operating 
in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors at the development 
and early commercialisation phase. Any investment in these sectors 
is considered high-risk. Company management has implemented a 
risk management and internal control system in order to manage the 
group’s material business risks. 

The company’s risk management system comprises four steps:  
1) risk identification, 2) analysis, 3) implementation of mitigation  
controls and actions, and 4) monitoring and reporting of identified risks.

The Audit and Risk Committee, on behalf of the Board, monitors the  
risk management system to ensure it is operating effectively and 
receives reports on material risks. The material and specific risks of  
the industry sector and the group identified through the company’s  
risk management system include, but are not limited to:

•  Scientific, technical and clinical – product development requires a 

high level of scientific rigour, the outcomes of which cannot be known 
beforehand. Activities are experimental in nature, so the risk of failure, 
unexpected outcomes or delay are material. 

1

Identify

2

Analyse

Risk
Management
Process

4

Monitor
& Report

3

Actions &
Controls

•  Key development activities, including clinical trials, are undertaken by specialist contract research organisations, and there  

are risks in designing and completing those activities, including managing the quality and timelines of these activities. 

•  Regulatory – company products and their testing may not be approved, or may be delayed, amended or withdrawn, by regulatory 

bodies (e.g. US Food and Drug Administration) whose approvals are necessary before products can be sold in market. 
Changes in the regulatory environment may also impact product development and commercialisation. Breach of regulations, 
local or international law, or industry codes of conduct may subject the company to financial penalty and reputational damage.

•  Financial – the group currently, and since inception, does not receive sufficient recurrent income to cover operating expenses. 
Although current cash reserves are sound, there is no certainty that additional capital funding may not be required in the future, 
and no assurance can be given that such funding will be available if required.

•  Intellectual property (IP) – commercial success requires the ability to develop, obtain and maintain commercially valuable 
patents, trade secrets and confidential information. Securing, defending and maintaining IP across multiple countries and 
preventing the infringement of the group’s exclusive rights involves managing complex legal, scientific and factual issues. 
The company must also operate without infringing upon the IP of others.

•  Commercialisation – the company predominately relies upon corporate and or commercial partners to market, distribute and 

in some cases finalise development and registration of its products, on its behalf. There are risks in establishing and maintaining 
these relationships, and with the manner in which partners execute and deliver on these agreements.

•  Product manufacturing and supply – the company is required to manufacture and supply product under certain licensing 

and distribution agreements, and under highly stringent quality and regulatory requirements. The manufacture of product is 
undertaken by specialist, regulatory approved, third party contract manufacturing organisations experienced in the sector. 
There is a risk of quality/failure of manufacture and a risk that supply chain disruptions lead to manufacturing and supply delays/
interruptions, which could impact profitability and/or damage relationships with partners. Further, changes in economic 
circumstances may increase the cost and availability of product, negatively impacting the business.

•  Product acceptance and competitiveness – a developed product may not be considered by key opinion leaders (e.g. doctors), 
reimbursement authorities (e.g. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listing) or the end customer to be an effective alternative to 
products already on market, or other products may be preferred.

30

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023•  Product liability – a claim or product recall may significantly impact the company. Insurance, at an acceptable cost, may not 
be available or be adequate to cover liability claims or any product recall costs (if any) if a product is found to be unsafe.

•  Key personnel – the company’s success and achievements against timelines depend on key members of its highly qualified, 
specialised and experienced management and scientific teams. The ability to retain and attract such personnel is important.

•  Grant and R&D incentives – the company may undertake R&D activities part-funded by incentive programs (e.g. R&D tax 
incentive) and under other competitive grants. There is no certainty that grants or incentive programs will continue to be 
available to the company, and changes in government policy may reduce their applicability.

•  Cyber security and data protection – the company recognises the increasing risk associated with cyber security and the 

potential impact on business operations.

•  Environment and climate change impact – the company continues to identify and manage any material risks and opportunities 
presented by a changing global climate. Currently, the impact of climate change has been assessed to not be a material risk 
on the company’s business activities. The company is committed to reducing and minimising its environmental impact across 
the business and value chain to support more sustainable operations and to improve human health. 

In accordance with good business practice in the pharmaceutical industry, the group’s management actively and routinely 
employs a variety of risk management strategies. These are broadly described in the Corporate Governance Statement available 
at http://www.starpharma.com/corporate_governance.

Health and Safety

The Board, Chief Executive Officer and senior management team of the group are committed to providing and maintaining a 
safe and healthy working environment for the company’s employees and anyone entering its premises or with connections to 
the company’s business operations. Employees are encouraged to actively participate in the management of occupational 
health and safety (OH&S) issues. The company has adopted an OH&S Policy and has an established OH&S Committee as part 
of its overall approach to workplace safety. The OH&S Committee provides a forum for management and employees to consult 
on health and safety matters. The primary role of the OH&S Committee is to coordinate the development and implementation 
of the OH&S Policy and procedures, to consider any work-related safety matters or incidents, and to ensure compliance with 
relevant legislation and guidelines. The OH&S Committee includes representatives of management and employees from each 
operational area generally in proportion to the number of people working in the area and the perceived safety risks associated 
with working in that area. 

The OH&S Committee meets on a regular basis over the year. Updates on OH&S matters are provided at Board meetings.

Environment and Regulation

The group is subject to environmental regulations and other licences in respect of its research and development facilities and 
there are adequate systems in place to ensure compliance with relevant federal, state and local environmental regulations.  
The Board is not aware of any breach of applicable environmental regulations by the group. There were no significant changes  
in laws or regulations during the 2023 financial year or since the end of the year affecting the business activities of the group,  
and the Board is not aware of any such changes in the near future.

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Directors’ Report continued

Meetings of Directors

The number of meetings of the company’s Board of Directors and of each committee held during the year ended 30 June 2023, 
and the numbers of meetings attended by each director were:

Directors

R B Thomas

J K Fairley

Z Peach1

D J McIntyre

L Cheng

J R Davies

R Basser2

Board

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Remuneration 
and Nomination 
Committee

8 of 8

8 of 8

3 of 3

7 of 8

8 of 8

7 of 8

3 of 4

3 of 3

N/A

2 of 2

3 of 3

3 of 3

N/A

N/A

3 of 3

N/A

2 of 2

N/A

3 of 3

2 of 3

0 of 1

The table above illustrates the number of meetings attended compared with the number of meetings held during the period 
that the director held office or was a member of the committee. “N/A” denotes that the director is not a member of the 
relevant committee.

1.  Z Peach retired from the Board following the Company AGM in November 2022.

2.  R Basser was appointed as a non-executive director on 20 February 2023. Mr Basser had leave pre-arranged prior to his appointment  

as a non-executive director, which meant he was unable to attend one Board and one Remuneration and Nomination Committee meeting.

32

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Remuneration Report

The remuneration report for the year ended 30 June 2023 sets out remuneration information for non-executive directors, 
executive directors and other key management personnel of the group. The remuneration report is presented under  
the following sections:

1. 

Introduction

2.  Remuneration governance

3.  Non-executive director remuneration policy

4.  Executive remuneration policy

(a)  Approach to setting and reviewing remuneration

(b)  Remuneration principles and strategy

(c)  Details of executive equity incentive plans

(d)  Grant of equity incentives to KMP executives in FY23 

5.  Executive remuneration outcomes, including link to performance

6.  Details of remuneration

7.  Executive employment agreements

8.  Additional disclosures relating to employee equity schemes

1. Introduction

Remuneration strategy 

Starpharma aims to ensure that its remuneration strategy aligns the interests of its executives and employees with those of its 
shareholders. In framing its remuneration strategy, the Board is conscious that Starpharma only has a small number of employees 
(~45) so endeavours to keep its remuneration relatively straightforward. Starpharma’s staff are required to have specialist 
knowledge and experience allowing them to develop products over the medium to long term. The fact that Starpharma operates 
in a global pharmaceutical industry environment also influences its remuneration strategy.

The structure of remuneration comprises fixed remuneration, short-term incentives (“STI”) in both cash and equity, and equity-
based long-term incentives (“LTI”). Starpharma’s remuneration structure is transparent and based on Key Performance Indicators 
(“KPIs”), which are designed to align with the interests of shareholders and to reward performance across multi-year timeframes 
related to product development value-adding milestones. In some cases, the Board may exercise discretion to take account of 
events and circumstances not envisaged.

The Remuneration and Nominations Committee and Board explicitly considered the FY23 share price underperformance in 
determining the STI cash bonus and STI deferred equity incentives for FY23, and in setting appropriate remuneration for directors 
and executives for the forward year.

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Remuneration Report continued

1. Introduction continued

Key management personnel 

The remuneration report details the remuneration arrangements for key management personnel (“KMP”) who are defined as those 
persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the major activities of the group, directly or 
indirectly, including any director (whether executive or otherwise) of the parent.

The table below outlines the KMP of the group during the financial year ended 30 June 2023. The individuals were KMP for the 
entire financial year, except where indicated in the table below. For the purposes of this report, the term “KMP executives” includes 
the executive director and Other KMP executives of the group. “Other KMP executives” refers to KMP executives excluding the 
CEO. Profiles for each of the directors and company secretary can be found at the beginning of the Directors’ Report.

(i) Non-executive directors

R B Thomas

Z Peach

D J McIntyre

L Cheng

J R Davies

R Basser

Non-executive Chairman

Non-executive Director, resigned 29 November 2022

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director, appointed 20 February 2023

(ii) Executive director

J K Fairley

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO)

(iii) Other KMP executives

 N J Baade

 J W Cahill

 A Eglezos

 J R Paull

Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary, resigned 31 March 2023

Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary, appointed 3 April 2023

VP, Business Development 

VP, Development & Regulatory Affairs

34

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 20232. Remuneration Governance

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee, consisting of at least three independent non-executive directors, advises the 
Board on remuneration policies and practices generally, and makes specific recommendations on remuneration packages and 
other terms of employment for non-executive directors, KMP executives and other senior executives. Where required, external 
remuneration advice may be sought by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee or the Board. 

Specifically, the Board approves the remuneration arrangements of the CEO including awards made under the STI and LTI 
plans, following recommendations from the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. The Board approves, having regard 
to recommendations made by the CEO to the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, the level of remuneration, including 
STI and LTI awards, for executives. The Board also sets the aggregate fee pool for non-executive directors (which is subject to 
shareholder approval) and non-executive director fee levels. 

The company’s remuneration structure aims to:

•  attract and retain exceptional people to lead and manage the group and to support internal development of executive talent 

within the group, recognising that Starpharma is operating in a competitive global pharmaceutical industry environment;

•  align KMP executive remuneration structures to shareholders returns, as executives are set both short-term and long-term 

performance targets, which are linked to the core activities necessary to build competitive advantages and shareholder value; 

•  motivate and reward superior performance by the executive team whilst aligning performance elements/KPIs to the interests 

of shareholders; and

•  create a respectful culture based on superior performance and innovation through appropriately structured individual 

assessments.

Benchmarking

Extensive salary and remuneration benchmarking is undertaken by Starpharma each year for executive staff and non-executive 
positions. Starpharma benchmarks fixed and total remuneration against employment positions of comparable specialisation, 
size and responsibility within the industry. Fixed remuneration is supplemented by providing incentives (variable remuneration) 
to reward superior performance.

Performance reviews

At the beginning of a performance period all staff have KPIs set specific to their role. At the conclusion of the performance period 
a performance review against these KPIs is conducted and this feeds into the annual salary review process. The performance 
reviews consider behavioural and cultural aspects of performance, as well as objective planning and professional and personal 
development. The objective of the salary review is to ensure that all employees are appropriately remunerated based on 
performance, that remuneration is competitive within the relevant industry sector, and that increases in employees’ skills and 
responsibilities are recognised. As part of the process, each employee’s performance is assessed against their pre-agreed 
individual KPIs and/or business unit performance and corporate KPIs and this assessment determines, subject to business 
considerations such as cash availability, if an incentive award is payable and, if so, at what level. During the year a performance 
review of all staff took place in accordance with this process.

Use of remuneration consultants

If remuneration consultants are to be engaged to provide remuneration recommendations as defined in section 9B of the 
Corporations Act 2001, they are to be engaged by, and report directly to, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. 
No remuneration consultants were engaged to provide such remuneration services during the financial year.

Voting at the company’s 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Of the votes cast on the company’s remuneration report for the 2022 financial year, 90% were in favour of the resolution. 

As part of the group’s commitment to continuous improvement, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the 
Board consider comments made by shareholders and proxy advisers in respect of remuneration-related issues. Members 
of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee routinely engage with proxy advisers to discuss a range of governance and 
remuneration matters.

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Remuneration Report continued

2. Remuneration Governance continued

Starpharma remuneration process summary 

Board
Has overall responsibility for oversight of Starpharma’s remuneration policy and its principles and processes, and ensures 
appropriate benchmarking and the group’s ability to pay are considered in remuneration-related decision-making. 

Following recommendations from the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, the Board considers and approves: 

•  Starpharma’s executive remuneration policy; 

•  the remuneration packages of the CEO and other senior executives; 

•  the ‘at-risk’ components of executive remuneration packages, including the structure and operation of equity-based
  plans; and

•  the remuneration of non-executive directors. 

Oversee
&
Approve

Inform
&
Recommend

Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Reviews and recommends the following to the Board: 

•  Starpharma’s executive remuneration policies; 

•  specific remuneration recommendations for the 
  CEO and other senior executives; 

•  remuneration for non-executive directors;

•  design of incentive plans; and

•  impacts of external market factors. 

Support
& Advise

Engage
& Oversee

Remuneration consultants 
and other external advisers
Where required, support the 
Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee by providing independent 
advice on matters including: 

•  benchmarking data; 

•  legal and regulatory advice on 

remuneration-related issues for 

  directors and executives; and

•  advice on incentive plans. 

Oversee
&
Approve

Inform
&
Recommend

CEO
Reviews and recommends remuneration arrangements 
and outcomes of performance assessments to 
the Remuneration and Nomination Committee 
for senior executives.

Further information on the Remuneration and Nomination Committee’s role, responsibilities and membership is outlined in the 
charter available at http://www.starpharma.com/corporate_governance.

36

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
Trading in company securities 

The trading of shares issued to participants under any of the company’s employee equity plans is governed by the 
company’s securities dealing policy. All employees and directors are prohibited from entering into any hedging arrangements 
over unvested securities and from margin lending on Starpharma securities. Further information regarding the company’s 
dealing in securities policy is set out in the Corporate Governance Statement, and the policy is available at  
http://www.starpharma.com/corporate_governance.

Clawback of remuneration 

In the reasonable opinion of the Board, if a KMP executive has acted fraudulently or dishonestly, the Board may determine 
that any equity right (including an exercisable, vested right) should lapse.

3. Non-executive Director Remuneration Policy

Determination of fees and the maximum aggregate fee pool

The Board seeks to set non-executive directors’ fees at a level which provides the group with the ability to attract and retain  
non-executive directors of the highest calibre with relevant professional expertise. The fees also reflect the demands which are 
made on, and the responsibilities of, the non-executive directors, whilst incurring a cost which is acceptable to shareholders.

Non-executive directors’ fees and the aggregate fee pool are reviewed annually by the Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee against fees paid to non-executive directors in a group of comparable peer companies within the pharma/
biotechnology sector and relevant companies in the broader ASX-listed market. The Chairman’s fees are determined by  
the Remuneration and Nomination Committee independently of the fees of non-executive directors based on the same role, 
again using benchmarking data from comparable companies in the biotechnology sector. The Board is ultimately responsible 
for approving any changes to non-executive director fees upon consideration of recommendations put forward by the 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

The company’s constitution and the ASX listing rules specify that the non-executive directors’ maximum aggregate fee pool 
shall be determined from time to time by a general meeting of shareholders. The latest determination was at the AGM held on 
20 November 2014 when shareholders approved an aggregate fee pool of $550,000. The Board will not seek any increase 
in the non-executive directors’ maximum fee pool at the 2023 AGM.

Fee policy

Non-executive directors’ fees consist of base fees and committee fees. The payment of committee fees recognises the additional 
time, responsibility and commitment required by non-executive directors who serve on board committees. The Chairman of the 
Board is a member of all committees but does not receive any committee fees in addition to the base fee.

Non-executive directors did not receive bonuses or forms of equity securities, or any performance-related remuneration 
during the financial year. Statutory superannuation contributions are required under the Australian superannuation guarantee 
legislation to be paid on any fees paid to Australian directors. There are no retirement allowances paid to non-executive directors. 
The non-executive directors’ fees reported below include any statutory superannuation contributions.

Fees paid in FY23

The aggregate amount paid to non-executive directors for the year ended 30 June 2023 was $436,119 (2022: $399,699). The details 
of remuneration for each non-executive director for the years ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 are outlined in the tables 
in section 6.

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Remuneration Report continued

3. Non-executive Director Remuneration Policy continued

Proposed fee adjustments for FY24

From 1 July 2023, non-executive director fees will be subject to a modest increase of 2.6%. Included in this increase is an increase 
in the compulsory superannuation contribution from 10.5% in FY23 to 11% in FY24. 

 Annual non-executive directors’ fees

Board fees

Chair (no additional fees for serving on Board committees)

Deputy chair

Base fee for other non-executive directors

Committee fees

Audit and Risk Committee

Remuneration and Nomination Committee

Chair

Member

Chair

Member

Proposed fees 
from 1 July 2023  
$

Actual fees to 
30 June 2023  
$

136,948

73,000

71,540

11,500

5,500

11,500

5,500

134,000

73,000

70,000

11,000

5,000

11,000

5,000

4. Executive Remuneration Policy

(a) Approach to setting and reviewing remuneration

The group aims to reward executives with a level and mix of remuneration appropriate to their position, skills, experience and 
responsibilities, whilst being market competitive and enabling the company to retain staff and at the same time structuring awards 
which conserve cash reserves.

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee, together with the Board, actively reviews the group’s remuneration structure, 
and benchmarks the overall package and proportion of fixed remuneration, short-term incentives and long-term incentives 
against relevant industry comparators to ensure the policy objectives are met and are in line with good corporate practice for 
Starpharma’s size, industry and stage of development. Remuneration levels are considered annually through the remuneration 
review, which considers industry benchmarks and the performance of the group and the individual. Other factors taken into 
account in determining remuneration include a demonstrated record of performance and the group’s ability to pay. In the  
case of executives, the CEO provides recommendations to the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Starpharma undertakes remuneration benchmarking each year with reference to multiple industry peers, together with, where 
appropriate, other benchmarking reports which apply to specific positions. A group of peer companies from within the pharma/
biotechnology sector are included in the benchmarking exercise. In the benchmarking conducted for FY23, the peer companies 
included Bionomics, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, Clinuvel, Immutep, Impedimed, Imugene, Incannex Healthcare, Mayne Pharma, 
Medical Developments International, Mesoblast, Monash IVF, Nanosonics, Neuren, Opthea, Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals, 
Pharmaxis, Polynovo, Race Oncology, Rhythm Biosciences, Telix, and 4DMedical. Starpharma typically reviews and develops 
this benchmark list of peer companies annually to add and remove companies based on their current operations, their size, 
market capitalisation, and the complexity of their business. For some executive roles it may be necessary to add or modify the 
composition of the peer group to ensure comparable roles are benchmarked.

In reviewing the benchmarking data and determining the level of CEO pay, the Board considers the experience and calibre 
of its CEO in comparison to Starpharma’s industry peers, ensuring that remuneration is commensurate with talent, skills and 
experience. There are no guaranteed base pay increases or bonuses in any executive contracts.

 The CEO has a maximum cash bonus entitlement as a component of STI, which for FY23 was $265,756, representing a target of 
15% of total remuneration. Other executives do not have a pre-specified maximum cash bonus entitlement; however, bonuses 
are awarded from a target shared pool for executives as a percentage of total fixed remuneration, based on personal and business 
unit KPIs and subject to cash availability. The Remuneration and Nomination Committee considers that this approach provides 
flexibility in rewarding superior executive performance and is appropriate for the size of the company at this time, enabling it to 
manage its cash reserves as required. For FY23, the STI target cash bonus pool for other bonus eligible KMP executives was 24% 
of fixed remuneration to align with the strategy to balance the STI ‘at risk’ portions of remuneration for Other KMP executives 
between cash and equity.

38

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023(b) Remuneration principles and strategy

The group’s executive remuneration strategy is designed to attract, motivate and retain high-performing individuals and align 
the interests of executives with shareholders, recognising it is operating in the international pharmaceutical industry, and is 
summarised below.

Remuneration strategy linkages to group objectives

Align the interests of executives with shareholders:

Attract, motivate and retain high performing individuals:

•  The remuneration framework incorporates “at risk” 

components, which are determined by performance, 
through STI and LTI.

•  The remuneration offering is competitive for companies 
of similar size and complexity within the industry through 
benchmarking.

•  Performance is assessed against a suite of measures 
relevant to the success of the group and generating 
growth and returns for shareholders.

•  The mix of short and longer-term remuneration encourages 

retention and performance across multiple years as 
appropriate for the lifecycle of the group.

Component

Vehicle

Purpose

Link to performance

Fixed remuneration

Base salary, superannuation 
contributions and other 
benefits (breakdown of 
fixed remuneration is at the 
executive’s discretion).

To provide competitive 
fixed remuneration set 
with reference to the role, 
market and experience.

Group and individual 
performance are considered 
during the annual remuneration 
review.

Short-term incentives (STI)

Cash and equity 

(Performance period 
of less than 3 years) 

The equity instrument is 
currently performance 
rights, which is based on a 
performance assessment, 
with a 1-year performance 
period and deferred vesting 
of a further one year, subject 
to continued employment. 

Rewards executives for their 
contribution to achievement 
of business outcomes. 
Deferred equity acts as a 
retention tool and aligns with 
interests of shareholders.

Long-term incentives (LTI) 

Equity

(Performance period 
of 3 years or more)

The equity instrument is 
currently performance 
rights with a 3-year 
performance period.

Rewards executives for their 
contribution to the creation 
of shareholder value over 
the longer term, acts as a 
retention tool and aligns with 
interests of shareholders.

The target remuneration mix is outlined in the diagrams below. 

Target Remuneration Mix

Allocation of cash bonuses 
and vesting of equity linked 
to internal KPIs, both business 
unit and corporate, over 
the medium term, which 
are important drivers of 
value and typical within the 
biotechnology industry. 
For example, achievement 
of specified development, 
clinical, regulatory and 
commercial milestones.

Vesting of grants are 
dependent on internal 
measures, both business unit 
and corporate over the longer 
term; and total shareholder 
return (TSR) relative to the  
S&P/ASX300 Index.

LTI Equity
40%

CEO

Total Fixed
35%

LTI Equity
30%

OTHER
KMP
EXEC

Total Fixed
50%

STI
Cash Bonus
& Equity
25%

STI
Cash Bonus
& Equity
20%

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Remuneration Report continued

4. Executive Remuneration Policy continued

(b) Remuneration principles and strategy continued

The STI and LTI components of remuneration are variable and are linked to pre-determined performance conditions, such as 
KPIs, that are designed to reward executives based on the company’s performance, the performance of the relevant business 
unit and demonstrated individual superior performance. The details are outlined on pages 40 to 44 of this report.

To achieve the target remuneration mix, the below performance pay structure was applied in FY23 and is consistent with the 
prior year. 

FIXED

STI – CASH

Performance
Review

STI – EQUITY

Performance
Review

Deferral
Date

Face Value
of Equity @
3−month
VWAP to
30 June

LTI – EQUITY

AGM Date (shareholder approval)

Apr – June

Year 1
July – June

Year 2
July – June

Year 3
July – June

Performance
Review

Vesting
Date

(c) Details of executive equity incentive plans

Starpharma Short-Term Incentives (STI) – includes cash bonus and short-term equity

The group operates an annual STI program available to executives comprised of cash and equity incentives. The STI is ‘at risk’ 
remuneration and subject to achieving clearly defined KPIs. 

Who participates?

Executives.

How are STIs delivered?

Cash bonus and performance rights, both based on a 1-year performance period, with the 
performance rights conditional upon a deferred vesting date of a further one year, subject to 
continued employment. 

Providing some rights that vest in the short term allows the company to preserve cash by offering 
equity as a short-term incentive in addition to smaller cash bonuses. This is common practice for 
companies at a similar stage of their lifecycle.

During FY23 the CEO and executives were awarded STI equity with a 1-year performance 
period (1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023), with a deferred vesting date of 30 June 2024 dependent 
on continued employment to the vesting date. 

What is the STI opportunity?  The STI opportunity is a target of ~25% and ~20% of total remuneration for the CEO and Other KMP 

executives, respectively. The CEO STI opportunity for FY23 was 20% or ~ 80% of the 25% target, 
comprising of a cash component (67%) and an equity component (33%). The STI cash opportunity 
component was equivalent to 24% of total fixed remuneration. 

Other KMP executives were awarded STI equity for the 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 performance 
period based on the achievement of their pre-determined KPIs.

In FY23, Other KMP executives had an average target STI opportunity of 20% of total remuneration. 
The cash bonuses awarded to Other KMP executives in FY23 equated to an average of 14% of total 
remuneration or an average of 25% (excluding a sign on bonus payable to Mr Cahill) of total fixed 
remuneration, based on achievements in the year. 

40

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023What are the STI 
performance conditions 
for FY23? 

Actual STI payments awarded to each executive depend on the extent to which they meet 
specific KPIs set at the beginning of the period. The KPIs are typical of a biotechnology company 
at Starpharma’s stage of development and may include corporate KPIs and business unit KPIs 
relating to strategic and operational objectives. Details of the corporate KPIs for performance, 
which was assessed during FY23, are explained in section 5 of the remuneration report. Given the 
company’s stage of development, financial metrics (such as earnings per share) are not entirely 
relevant in linking pay to performance.

The proportion of performance measures applicable in determining STI awards for the CEO 
and other executives are noted in the table below: 

Corporate KPIs

Business units KPIs

STI cash bonus

CEO 100%

Other executives 100%

STI performance rights

CEO 100%  
Other executives 30%

Other executives 70%

Details regarding LTI performance conditions are contained on page 42.

How is performance 
assessed?

For the CEO, at the end of each performance period (typically annually), after consideration of 
actual performance against KPIs, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee recommends 
for Board approval of the amount of STI to be paid from the maximum entitlement.

For executives other than the CEO, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee seeks 
recommendations from the CEO and then makes recommendations to the Board.

When is performance 
assessed and when are 
awards paid or vested?

The performance period aligns with the financial year. Performance is assessed following the end 
of the financial year to allow for timely disclosure of performance-related awards in the annual 
remuneration report. This is usually within two months of the end of the financial year. 

The STI cash component is paid approximately three months following the end of the financial 
year and once the performance assessment review is complete.

For STI equity, a proportion of rights, based on the performance assessment, will be available 
(deferred) to vest on 30 June of the following year, subject to continued employment at that date. 
Any rights forfeited based on the performance assessment will be forfeited within the first three 
months of the new financial year following the performance assessment. 

Once performance rights have vested, KMP executives can elect to convert vested rights into 
shares during prescribed exercise windows throughout future periods. The maximum period for 
exercising vested rights is 15 years from the grant date.

Is performance against 
KPIs disclosed?

Whilst the company’s policy is not to disclose commercially sensitive information, consistent with 
best practice disclosure obligations, it will retrospectively disclose the achievement of corporate 
KPIs to the extent commercially practicable.

Specific metrics are applied to each KPI to assist in the assessment undertaken for each 
performance period. In some cases, the Board may exercise discretion to take account of events 
and circumstances not envisaged when a KPI was set. 

Contractual entitlement?

Only the CEO has a STI cash bonus entitlement whereby the maximum amount achievable is set. 
There is no predetermined STI equity entitlement. No other executive service agreements contain 
any contractual entitlement to STI cash or equity.

What happens if an 
executive leaves?

If an employee ceases employment, all unvested rights lapse.

In certain circumstances the Board may determine the accelerated vesting of rights if the 
employee ceases employment due to death, illness, permanent disability, redundancy or 
any other exceptional circumstance approved by the Board. The Board determination is after 
considering the portion of the performance period that has elapsed and the extent to which 
performance conditions have been met.

What happens on 
a change of control?

Board discretion, after considering the portion of the performance period that has elapsed 
and the extent to which performance conditions have been met.

What happens in the case 
of fraud/dishonesty?

If, in the opinion of the Board, an employee has acted fraudulently or dishonestly, the Board may 
determine that any unvested right granted to that employee, or any vested right, not exercised, 
would lapse.

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Remuneration Report continued

4. Executive Remuneration Policy continued

(c) Details of executive equity incentive plans continued

Starpharma Short-Term Incentives (STI) – includes cash bonus and short-term equity continued

Re-testing

There is no re-testing of KPIs in subsequent years if performance conditions are not met.

How is the conversion 
of performance rights 
to shares satisfied?

The conversion of performance rights is currently satisfied by the issue of new shares, rather than a 
purchase of shares on market, to conserve the company’s cash reserves. This is common practice 
for companies at a similar stage of their lifecycle. This is reviewed periodically and purchases of 
shares on market may be undertaken in the future if appropriate.

Are performance rights 
eligible for dividends?

Performance rights – whether unvested, or vested and not exercised, are not eligible to 
receive dividends.

Starpharma Long-Term Incentives (LTI) – Equity

Participation in these plans is at the Board’s discretion. For key appointments, an initial allocation of long-term equity incentives 
may be offered as a component of the initial employment agreement. The LTI is ‘at-risk’ remuneration and subject to achieving 
the relevant KPIs. 

Who participates?

Executives.

How are LTIs delivered?

Performance rights with a performance/vesting period of 3 years or more. The LTI performance 
rights awarded during FY23 have 3-year performance periods for all executives.

What is the  
LTI opportunity?

The CEO’s LTI opportunity for FY23 was 40% of total remuneration. For Other KMP executives, 
the LTI opportunity for FY23 was 30% of total remuneration. As outlined in section 4 of the 
remuneration report, the target LTI opportunity is 40% and 30% of total remuneration for the 
CEO and Other KMP executives, respectively.

What are the LTI 
performance conditions 
for the performance 
period to 30 June 2023?

Corporate KPIs reflect long-term (3-year) strategic, operational and financial management 
objectives. These relate to key value creating events and significant milestones that are linked 
to Starpharma’s business areas. For the 3-year performance period to 30 June 2023 these were:

•  the monetisation of the VivaGel® and DEP® drug delivery portfolios represented by the 

generation of revenue, or value from assets sales(s), through the completion of a number of 
commercial deals that build shareholder value; and 

•  optimisation of returns from VivaGel® revenue, development of new DEP® candidates and/or 

the licensing (and/or asset sales) of DEP® candidates.

Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the specific performance metrics within these 
KPIs, Starpharma will retrospectively disclose achievement of corporate KPIs to the extent 
commercially practicable in the Annual Report. 

In maintaining the link between executive remuneration outcomes and the returns to shareholders, 
relative total shareholder return (TSR) is considered a relevant performance condition in respect 
of LTIs. The relative TSR hurdle reflects Starpharma’s TSR compared to the S&P/ASX300 
Accumulation Index (Index), and includes share price growth, and any dividends and capital 
returns. The Board has chosen this Index for the TSR comparator group as it provides an external, 
market-based performance measure to which the company’s performance can be compared 
in relative terms. The Index is considered appropriate as it provides a comparison of shareholder 
returns that is relevant to investors, and reflects the aspiration of the company. 

The Board considers that the Index is a more appropriate comparator than a customised group 
of peer companies due to the inherent volatility of each of these companies, typical within the 
biotechnology industry. In the past, the performance of Starpharma’s industry peers has been 
particularly volatile, with a number of companies experiencing significant decreases in market 
capitalisation, and a number going through some type of corporate activity (e.g. takeovers) or 
are no longer ASX listed. Given that the relative TSR is measured over a 3-year period, the Index 
is favoured as a more stable and appropriate comparator. Also, the published S&P/ASX 200 
Healthcare Index was considered as a possible comparator, however, was determined to be 
inappropriate given its concentrated composition including CSL Limited and other large service 
oriented companies, such as private hospitals. Each year, the Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee and the Board review the suitability of the Index as a comparator. 

42

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023What are the LTI 
performance conditions 
for the performance 
period to 30 June 2023? 
continued

To achieve the full relative TSR performance condition, Starpharma’s TSR must achieve 10% 
per annum (or 30% over 3 years) above the Index, which is considered a realistic stretch target.

The table below sets out the percentage of performance rights that will vest depending on the 
company’s TSR compared to the Index over the relevant period.

Annualised Starpharma TSR compared 
with the Index

Percentage of rights subject to the relative 
TSR performance condition which vest

Below Index

Equal to Index

0%

50%

Between Index and Index + 9.99%

Pro rata basis from 51% to 99%

At least 10% per annum above Index  
(or ≥ 30% over 3 years)

100%

For example, if the TSR of the Index is 10% per annum, then Starpharma would need to achieve  
a TSR of 20% per annum or more for all of the relative TSR-related performance rights to vest. 
 The above hurdle recognises the return that investors expect when investing in the biotechnology 
sector. The Board considers an additional return of 10% per annum (or 30% over 3 years) above  
the Index to be a realistic stretch target for all relative TSR rights to vest. 

The performance measures applicable in determining LTI awards for the CEO and other executives 
and the relative proportions are noted in the table below:

Corporate KPIs

CEO

Other executives

70%

15%

TSR

30%

15%

Business unit KPIs

N/A

70%

The Board considers 30% and 15% of LTI equity as the appropriate portion for relative TSR for 
the CEO and other executives, respectively. In determining the percentages for FY23, the Board 
considered input from investors and proxy advisers to arrive at a level that was considered 
meaningful as a measure of performance, and sufficient to be relevant. 

The relative TSR performance measure does not allow for a portion of the award to vest at 
below median performance, which is consistent with good market practice. Additionally, the 
Board maintains absolute discretion in finalising remuneration outcomes for incentive-based 
awards to the CEO and other executives. The Board may exercise its discretion (either up or 
down) to take into account the impacts of external market conditions outside the control of 
management. The Board is cognisant of ensuring fairness and that any exercise of discretion 
reinforces Starpharma’s strategy and remuneration policy. Accordingly, in the event that the Index 
has performed particularly poorly, the Board may exercise its discretion to prevent excessive 
executive awards in years of poor shareholder returns.

At the end of each performance period, after consideration of actual performance against 
KPIs, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee recommends the amount of LTIs to vest 
to the CEO for approval by the Board. For executives other than the CEO, the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee seeks recommendations from the CEO, and then makes recommendations 
to the Board.

Relative TSR is calculated independently by a professional services firm with specialist expertise.

How is performance 
assessed?

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Remuneration Report continued

4. Executive Remuneration Policy continued

(c) Details of executive equity incentive plans continued

Starpharma Long-Term Incentives (LTI) – Equity continued

When is performance 
assessed and when are 
awards paid or vest?

The performance period aligns with the financial year. Performance is assessed following the end 
of the financial year to allow for the timely disclosure of performance-related awards in the annual 
remuneration report. This is usually within two months of the end of the financial year. 

For LTI equity, the rights will vest on 30 September following the performance assessment. 
Once vested, KMP executives can elect to convert vested rights into shares during prescribed 
exercise windows throughout future periods. The maximum period for the exercise of vested 
rights is 15 years from the grant date.

Is performance against 
KPIs disclosed?

Same as for STI.

Contractual entitlement?

There are no predetermined LTI equity entitlements.

What happens if an 
executive leaves?

What happens on 
a change of control? 

Same as for STI.

Same as for STI.

What happens in the 
case of fraud/dishonesty? 

Same as for STI.

Re-testing

How is the conversion 
of performance rights 
to shares satisfied?

Are performance rights 
eligible for dividends?

Same as for STI.

Same as for STI.

Same as for STI.

(d) Grant of equity incentives to KMP executives in FY23

In FY23, the Board determined the number of rights granted for STI and LTI equity based on the face value of rights (see below) 
and the target remuneration mix as set out on page 39. 

Starpharma uses and reports face value for determining the allocation of equity as it provides transparency on the value of 
the allocations compared with fair value. This practice reflects the increasingly accepted view by industry that presenting 
remuneration equity at face value provides a more accurate representation of the true value of that equity and for users to 
understand the value of these awards.

The face value of each right is based on the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the company’s shares traded on the 
ASX over the 3-month period to 30 June 2023, which reflects the beginning of the performance period. The 3-month period has 
been determined to be the appropriate duration for the calculation of the VWAP as it limits any unintended consequences of 
short-term volatility in the company’s share price and is consistent with the duration used in the calculation of TSR for the relative 
TSR performance condition. The face value is not adjusted for changes (increases or decreases) in share price post 30 June, 
which has been the practice since 2015. The face value for each right was $0.7665. 

44

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023The below tables summarise the equity incentives granted in FY23:

Deferred STI equity

LTI equity

Performance period

1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 

1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025

Deferral period

12 months from end of 
performance period

Not applicable

Vesting date

30 June 2024

30 September 2025

Face value per right

Based on 3-month VWAP to 30 June 2022 of $0.7665

Method for calculating number 
of rights

Total value of grant at face value divided by the face value per right

J K Fairley  
(CEO and 
Managing Director)

Face value of grant

Number of rights

Fair value per AASB2#

$174,708

227,930

$118,820

Performance conditions

100% corporate KPIs

J Paull  
(Other KMP executives)

Face value of grant

Number of rights

Fair value per AASB2† 

Performance conditions

N J Baade  
A Eglezos  
(Other KMP executives)

Face value of grant

Number of rights

Fair value per AASB2†

Performance conditions

Other vesting conditions

$698,834

911,721

$408,734

70% corporate KPIs  
30% relative TSR

$217,686

284,000

$161,336

$54,422

71,000

$42,998

70% business unit KPIs  
30% corporate KPIs

70% business unit KPIs  
15% corporate KPIs  
15% relative TSR

$49,823

65,000

$39,364

$199,290

260,000

$147,702

70% business unit KPIs  
30% corporate KPIs

70% business unit KPIs  
15% corporate KPIs  
15% relative TSR

Remains employed until the vesting date  
and has not engaged in fraud or dishonesty

#  The grant date to calculate the fair value of the award under AASB2 is the AGM date when shareholders approved the grant of the rights. 

†  The grant date to calculate the fair value of the award under AASB2 is the date when the performance rights were granted.

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Remuneration Report continued

5. Executive Remuneration Outcomes, Including Link to Performance

Given the company’s stage of development, financial metrics (such as profitability) are not necessarily an appropriate measure 
of executive performance. The company’s remuneration policy aligns executive reward with the interests of shareholders. 
The primary focus is on growth in shareholder value through achievement of development, regulatory and commercial milestones, 
and therefore performance goals are not necessarily linked to typical financial performance measures utilised by companies 
operating in other market segments. However, the Board recognises that share price performance is clearly relevant to the 
extent that it reflects shareholder returns, and as such Starpharma’s TSR relative to the S&P/ASX300 Index is used as a relevant 
metric for portions of executive equity awards. Details of share price, earnings and the impact of share price performance on 
the vesting of certain performance rights over the last 5 years is detailed in the table below. No dividends have been paid in 
the last 5 years.

Closing share price 30 June

Share price high

Share price low

FY23

$0.31

$0.85

$0.27

FY22

$0.74

$1.55

$0.62

FY21

$1.50

$2.52

$1.02

FY20

$1.13

$1.43

FY19

$1.36

$1.66

$0.62

$0.87

Profit/(Loss) for the year ($M)

(15.6)

(16.2)

(19.7)

(14.7)

(14.3)

Number of performance rights forfeited by CEO based on 
share price performance for the period ending 30 June 
 (or otherwise in the FY)

% of performance rights forfeited by CEO based on share 
price performance (as a percentage of total performance 
rights) for the period ending 30 June (or otherwise in the FY)

191,152

161,039

22,293

–

–

22%

25%

3%

0%

0%

Fixed remuneration

The average increase in KMP executive fixed remuneration for FY23 was 3.6% (FY22: 2.7%). The increases in the total fixed remuneration 
package for individual KMP executives were between 3.5% and 3.7% for the year.

Performance-related pay

In the assessment of STI and LTI KPIs, the Board took into account the significant achievements obtained in the performance 
periods and the effort and dedication required to accomplish these milestones. These achievements include those listed  
on pages 48 to 50.

Short-term incentives (STI)

Summary of performance pay related to FY23 for the CEO

Maximum available

STI awarded

% awarded

STI cash  
($)

STI equity  
(# of rights)

$265,756

227,930

$140,850

120,803

53%

53%

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board determined that the CEO had achieved a performance assessment 
of 53% of STI awards for the performance period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, based on the annual review of actual performance 
against predetermined KPIs. These targets were set by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board at the 
beginning of the performance period and align to the company’s strategic, operational and financial objectives. STI equity 
awards for the CEO in FY23 were based on the scorecard measures and weightings as disclosed below.

46

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Summary of performance pay related to FY23 for Other KMP executives

For STI awards for Other KMP executives, the CEO assesses the Other KMP executives’ performance against predetermined 
KPIs relevant to their business unit. These business unit KPIs relate directly to specific elements of the corporate KPIs, 
with 30% of STI equity awards based on the percentage achievement of corporate KPIs as disclosed above. The achievement 
of corporate KPIs requires significant input and strong performance from the executive team. The CEO makes recommendations 
to the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board in respect of the STI performance assessment and amounts to 
be awarded. 

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board determined that Other KMP executives had achieved an average 
performance assessment of 71% of STI awards (between 65% and 78%) for the performance period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. 
STI equity awards to Other KMP executives for FY23 were consistent with their performance assessment. 

Long-term incentives (LTI)

Summary of performance pay for the CEO for the three years ended 30 June 2023 

Maximum available

LTI achieved

KPIs for 3 years to 30 June 2023

Relative TSR for 3 years to 30 June 2023

Total LTI achieved

% achieved

LTI equity  
(# of rights)

637,173 

% achieved

51.4%

0%

229,382 

 0% 

229,382

36.0%

Performance assessment of relative TSR for the three years ended 30 June 2023

The company’s total shareholder return (TSR) was benchmarked against the performance of the S&P/ASX300 Index for the  
three-year performance period ended 30 June 2023. The company’s TSR over the period was (65.5%) compared with an Index 
TSR over the period of 21.4%. The company’s annualised TSR for the period was (29.9%) compared to the S&P/ASX300 Index’s 
annualised TSR of 6.7%. As a result, 0% relative TSR component vested based on the prescribed sliding scale as set out on page 43. 
The TSR calculations were performed by an independent professional services firm.

The table below provides a summary of the achievement of annualised TSR performance:

Performance period

Starpharma annualised TSR

Index annualised TSR

Starpharma over/(under) performance of Index (annualised over 3 years)

% of relative TSR awarded

3 years to 
30 June 2023

3 years to 
30 June 2022

(29.9%)

6.7%

(36.6%)

0%

(15.6%)

(0.3%)

(15.3%)

0%

Summary of performance pay for Other KMP executives for the three years ended 30 June 2023 

For LTI awards for Other KMP executives, the CEO assesses their performance against predetermined KPIs relevant to their 
business unit. These business unit KPIs relate directly to specific elements of the corporate KPIs, with 15% of LTI equity awards 
based on the percentage achievement of corporate KPIs, and the remaining 15% based on relative TSR (as disclosed above).  
The achievement of corporate KPIs requires significant input and superior performance from the executive team. The CEO 
makes recommendations to the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board in respect of the LTI performance 
assessment and amounts to be awarded. 

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board determined that Other KMP executives had achieved a performance 
assessment of between 78% and 83% (average 81%) for business unit KPIs for the performance period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023 
for determining LTI awards.

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Remuneration Report continued

5. Executive Remuneration Outcomes, Including Link to Performance continued

Long-term incentives (LTI) continued

Summary of performance pay for Other KMP executives for the three years ended 30 June 2023 continued

STI performance assessment

Performance category

Metric

Development, registration 
and commercialisation 
of VIRALEZE™

Continue commercial roll-out of VIRALEZE™ and further 
development activities to support regulatory and marketing 
activities and sales.

Regulatory and 
commercialisation 
activities for VivaGel® BV 

Advance further VivaGel® BV registrations in multiple countries, 
with priority given to major markets and facilitate partners to roll out 
and launch the product in multiple markets, pursue partnerships  
for remaining unlicensed countries, and optimise returns.

Clinical stage internal 
DEP® programs

Preclinical DEP® 
candidate(s)

Partnered DEP®  
programs

Capital management, 
culture and leadership

Progress internal clinical DEP® programs into and through clinical 
development (or sign a licence, as appropriate) with a focus on 
expediting outcomes and building value, which may be through 
additional indications and/or combinations.

Advance additional internal DEP® product candidates through 
preclinical development (or sign a licence, as appropriate).

Secure new DEP® partnered programs and support and further 
develop existing partnered DEP® programs and/or expanded 
field/products and/or progress with new partnering deals/licences.

Manage the company’s finances in a prudent manner to create 
value, increase recurrent revenues and maintain and enhance the 
reputation for corporate responsibility and effectively manage 
organisational culture and people to achieve superior performance.

Performance period 
1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

Weighting

Satisfied

25%

Partially met

5%

Partially met

23%

Partially met

14%

Partially met

25%

Partially met

8%

Partially met

100%

In making this STI assessment, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board considered the following factors, 
with other commercially sensitive matters also taken into account.

•  Ongoing VIRALEZE™ regulatory and commercial activities, including:

 – Achieved VIRALEZE™ registrations in Indonesia and Malaysia, bringing the total number of countries where the product is 
registered to more than 35, including across the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Additional regulatory submissions 
were made in other regions during the year. 

 – Supported the launch and commercialisation of VIRALEZE™ in Hong Kong and Macau, following signing of a sales and 

distribution agreement with Hengan Group. 

 – Supported commercial partners with marketing materials, timely launches and product supply.

 – Expanded Starpharma’s e-commerce channels for VIRALEZE™ in the UK, making VIRALEZE™ available through a dedicated 

product website and Amazon UK.

 – Progressed discussions with other potential commercial partners for VIRALEZE™.

 – Commenced recruitment for a post-market clinical study of VIRALEZE™ in COVID-19 patients in the UK in December 2022 
after receiving all requisite regulatory and ethics approvals. Recruitment is more than 90% complete at the end of FY23. 

 – Generated new data at Scripps Research in the US on the efficacy of VIRALEZE™ against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection 
in an animal challenge model. These data were presented at the international virology conference Respi DART in Mexico in 
December 2022. 

48

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023•  Ongoing VivaGel® BV regulatory and commercial activities, including:

 – Continued to support both Aspen and Mundipharma supply, sales and marketing activities in their licensed regions. 

 – Provided support to Mundipharma for additional VivaGel® BV registrations and planned product launches in the Middle East 

and Southeast Asia, with product supplied and launch activities advanced. 

 – Supported marketing campaigns by Aspen to build brand awareness and sales in Australia and New Zealand, including  

for consumer and healthcare professional audiences. 

 – Continued to pursue registrations in other territories including in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 

 – Supported commercial partners with marketing materials, technical input and ongoing product supply.

 – Continued to pursue FDA approval for VivaGel® BV, working with a team of expert regulatory advisers, lawyers and 

statisticians to progress a formal review, including detailed submissions. The formal FDA review is ongoing.

•  Progress with internal clinical-stage DEP® assets, including:

 – Completed recruitment and treatment for the Phase 2 DEP® cabazitaxel trial. Interim results from the prostate cancer cohort 

were presented at the ESMO Congress in September 2022.

 – Completed recruitment and treatment for the Phase 2 DEP® docetaxel monotherapy trial.

 – Completed recruitment for the Phase 2 DEP® irinotecan monotherapy trial. 

 – Progressed the ongoing combination arms of both the Phase 2 DEP® docetaxel plus gemcitabine trial and the Phase 2 DEP® 

irinotecan plus 5-FU/leucovorin trial with these nearing completion. 

 – Partnering discussions for all three DEP® candidates with commercial discussions across a range of regions.

•  Develop the preclinical DEP® pipeline:

 – Progressed DEP® radiotheranostic candidates, targeted and untargeted, and released new data on DEP® HER2-zirconium, 

a radiodiagnostic, showing benefits in a HER2+ breast cancer model. 

 – Progressed DEP® Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) candidates, including HER2-targeted DEP® ADC, which demonstrated 

significant anti-tumour activity and improved survival in a HER2+ ovarian cancer model.

•  Progressed existing and cultivated new partnered DEP® programs, including:

 – Progressed partnered DEP® programs, including with MSD, Genentech, and Chase Sun.

 – Supported AstraZeneca in their development activities for AZD0466.

 – Expanded DEP® programs with both MSD and Genentech during the financial year. 

 – Undertook business development activities and commercial discussions with new potential partners for DEP® drug delivery 

programs in a number of research areas, including oncology and non-oncology areas, ADCs and radiotheranostics.

LTI performance assessment

Performance category

Metric

Financial KPIs for 
VivaGel® BV and DEP®

Business KPIs for 
VivaGel® and DEP® 

Monetisation of the SPL7013, VivaGel® and DEP® Drug Delivery 
portfolios represented by the generation of revenue, or value 
from asset sale(s), through the completion of a number of 
commercial deals that build shareholder value.

Optimisation of returns from VivaGel® revenue, represented 
by programs to maximise product returns to Starpharma; 
development of new DEP® candidates; and/or licensing  
(and/or asset sales) of DEP® candidates.

Performance period  
1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023

Weighting

Satisfied

40%

Partially met

30%

Partially met 

Relative TSR

Starpharma’s TSR compared to the performance of the S&P/
ASX300 Index over a 3-year period.

30%

Not met

100%

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Remuneration Report continued

5. Executive Remuneration Outcomes, Including Link to Performance continued

Long-term incentives (LTI) continued

Summary of performance pay for Other KMP executives for the three years ended 30 June 2023 continued

In making this LTI assessment, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Board considered the following factors, 
with other commercially sensitive matters not disclosed also taken into account. 

 – Fully developed and launched a new product, VIRALEZE™ nasal spray, in Europe, Vietnam, Italy, the UK, Hong Kong and Macau 

during the period. 

 – Signed sales and distribution arrangements for VIRALEZE™ nasal spray with commercial partners in the UK, Italy, Vietnam,  

the Middle East and Hong Kong and Macau. 

 – Achieved new registrations of VivaGel® BV, including in Asia and the Middle East. In Europe and Australia, achieved approval for 

a second BV indication, for the prevention of recurrent BV. 

 – VivaGel® BV commercialisation expanded with new product launches in additional countries in Asia and Africa. A new VivaGel® 

condom range was launched by Okamoto in Japan, targeting younger demographics. 

 – Signed and commenced a DEP® Research Agreement with MSD whereby Starpharma designs and synthesises a number of 

dendrimer-based Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and provides them to MSD for testing and characterisation. 

 – Signed and commenced a second DEP® Research Agreement with MSD whereby Starpharma designs and synthesises a 

number of additional DEP® dendrimer conjugates and provides them to MSD for testing and characterisation. 

 – Signed and commenced a new DEP® Research Agreement with Genentech to evaluate DEP® drug conjugates. 

 – Expanded the DEP® Agreement with Genentech within six months, adding an additional DEP® program.

 – Supported AstraZeneca’s development of AZD0466. AstraZeneca significantly expanded the clinical program for its DEP® 
product, AZD0466, during the period. However, on 31 July 2023, Starpharma announced that AstraZeneca had made the 
decision to discontinue the development of AZD0466, following an internal review of their haematology portfolio. AstraZeneca 
confirmed the asymptomatic events leading to this decision were not related to the dendrimer component of AZD0466. 
Starpharma’s DEP® Licence Agreement with AstraZeneca remains in effect.

 – Signed and commenced a new DEP® partnership with Chinese company Chase Sun to develop several DEP® nanoparticle 

formulations of an anti-infective drug with the view of enhancing its performance and expanding its therapeutic utility.

 – Completed recruitment for all three in-house Phase 2 DEP® clinical trials of DEP® cabazitaxel, DEP® docetaxel (monotherapy), 

and DEP® irinotecan (monotherapy). Encouraging efficacy signals have been observed in each trial. Undertook ongoing 
commercial discussions with potential licensees for each product.

 – Interim results from the prostate cancer cohort of the Phase 2 DEP® cabazitaxel trial were presented at the ESMO Congress  

in September 2022.

 – Expanded market potential for all internal clinical-stage DEP® candidates by adding new indications and progressed value-
adding combination studies to Phase 2 trials: DEP® docetaxel plus gemcitabine, and DEP® irinotecan plus 5-FU/leucovorin.

 – Completed the pre-clinical development activities for DEP® gemcitabine.

 – Undertook partnering discussions, which are ongoing, for internal DEP® candidates, both clinical and preclinical-stage, with 

licences to be sought at the most appropriate time to maximise commercial value.

 – Initiated DEP® radiotheranostic and DEP® ADC commercial discussions following positive preclinical results.

 – Developed and progressed DEP® radiotheranostic candidates, targeted and untargeted, including DEP® lutetium, 

DEP® HER2-lutetium and DEP® zirconium. Generated and released data highlighting the benefits of DEP® applied to 
radiotheranostics. 

 – Developed and progressed DEP® ADCs candidates, including HER2-targeted DEP® SN38 ADC. Generated and reported data 

showcasing the benefits afforded by DEP® in ADCs.

•  Relative TSR:

 – Not met: The company’s TSR was tested against the performance of the S&P/ASX300 Index for the three-year performance 

period ended 30 June 2023. The company’s annualised TSR for this period was (29.9%) compared to the S&P/ASX300 
Index’s annualised TSR of 6.7%, resulting in (36.6%) underperformance to the Index.

 The relative TSR is calculated independently by a professional services firm and more information regarding the relative TSR 
hurdle is provided on page 32.

50

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
6. Details of Remuneration

The following tables show details of the remuneration received by the directors and the key management personnel of the group 
for the current and previous financial year. As required by the Accounting Standards, the value of performance rights included in 
the remuneration tables relates to the fair value of the performance rights (which may include performance rights granted in prior 
years), rather than their face value.

R
e
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2023

Short-term benefits

Post-
employ-
ment

Cash salary 
and fees†  
$

Cash 
bonus#*  
$

Non-
monetary 
benefits  
$

Super-
annuation  
$

Termination 
benefits>  
$

Name

Non-executive 
directors

R B Thomas

Z Peach‡

R Basser^

D J McIntyre

L Cheng

J R Davies

Executive director

 121,267 

 32,212 

24,442 

 81,000 

75,581

67,873

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

12,733

3,382 

2,566

 –

7,936

7,127

Long-term 
benefits

Long 
service 
leave  
$

Share-
based 
payments

Perform-
ance 
rights#  
$

Total  
$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 134,000 

35,594

27,008

81,000

83,517

75,000

15,593

313,601

1,070,744

J K Fairley

534,289

140,850

41,115

25,296

Other KMP executives

N J Baade~

A Eglezos

J R Paull

J W Cahill +

Totals

186,699

–

18,294

18,972

109,353

–

5

333,323

266,873

73,000

7,260

25,296

229,994 

75,000

44,909

34,296

71,250 

50,000

–

6,324

–

–

–

7,091

141,895

521,415

9,298

167,099

560,596

123

–

127,697

1,691,480

338,850

111,578

143,928

109,353

32,105

622,600 3,049,894

†  Increases in overall total fixed remuneration packages for KMP executives were 3.7% or less (average 3.5%) in FY23. Executives may elect to salary 
sacrifice part of their total fixed remuneration package. Cash salary and fees represents gross salary earned less any salary sacrifice amounts.  
The two forms of salary sacrifice in FY23 were leasing a motor vehicle under a novation arrangement, and the use of a car park. These amounts  
are reported in non-monetary benefits, and these amounts for cash salary and fees may vary from one year to the next, depending on the  
elections chosen.

#  All performance-related remuneration, including cash bonuses and performance rights granted, are determined to be an ‘at risk’ component  

of total remuneration. 

*  The cash bonus reported relates to amounts assessed to be paid for the performance period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. The actual cash 

payment for FY23 performance related bonuses will occur in FY24, except for a $25,000 sign-on bonus paid to J W Cahill in FY23.

>  Terminations benefits relate to annual leave and long service leave entitlements upon resignation.

‡  Z Peach resigned from the Board on 29 November 2022.

^  R Basser was appointed to the Board on 20 February 2023.

~  N J Baade resigned 31 March 2023.

+  J W Cahill commenced employment on 3 April 2023.

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Remuneration Report continued

6. Details of Remuneration continued

2022

Name

Non-executive directors

R B Thomas

Z Peach

P R Turvey^

D J McIntyre

L Cheng

J R Davies

Executive director

J K Fairley

Other KMP executives 

N J Baade

A Eglezos

D J Owen~

J R Paull

Totals

Short-term benefits

Post-
employment

Long-term 
benefits

Share-
based 
payments

Cash salary 
and fees†  
$

Cash 
bonus#*  
$

Non-
monetary 
benefits  
$

Super-
annuation  
$

Long 
service 
leave  
$

Performance 
rights#  
$

 121,818 

 78,182 

6,307 

 81,000 

66,374

17,045

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

12,182

7,818 

631

 –

6,637

1,705

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

Total  
$

 134,000 

86,000

6,938

81,000

73,011

18,750

515,804

179,738

40,928

23,568

14,576

497,470

1,272,084

227,510

257,763

215,430

75,000

73,000

 – 

32,976

8,288

19,459

230,858 

75,000

40,692

27,468

23,568

19,640

27,468

6,952

5,220

192,073

561,979

191,633

559,472

(12,962)

(198,339) 

43,228

8,214

214,733

596,965

1,818,091

402,738

142,343

150,685

22,000

897,570

3,433,427

†  Increases in overall total fixed remuneration packages for KMP executives were 2.90% and below (average 2.70%) in FY22. Executives may  
elect to salary sacrifice part of their total fixed remuneration package. Cash salary and fees represents gross salary earned less any salary 
sacrifice amounts. The two forms of salary sacrifice in FY22 were leasing a motor vehicle under a novation arrangement, and the use of a car 
park. These amounts are reported in non-monetary benefits, and these amounts for cash salary and fees may vary from one year to the next, 
depending on the elections chosen.

#  All performance-related remuneration, including cash bonuses and performance rights granted, are determined to be an ‘at risk’ component of 

total remuneration. 

*  The cash bonus reported relates to amounts assessed to be paid for the performance period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. The actual cash 

payment of the bonuses will occur in FY23.

^  P R Turvey resigned from the Board on 29 July 2021.

~  D J Owen resigned 6 May 2022.

Details of executive remuneration mix

The relative proportions of remuneration for FY23 that are linked to performance and those that are fixed are as follows:

CEO

J K Fairley

Target

Actual

Other KMP executives

Target

N J Baade1

A Eglezos

J R Paull

J W Cahill2

Actual

Actual

Actual

Actual

Fixed 
remuneration

At risk – STI  
cash

At risk – STI  
equity1

At risk – STI  
total

At risk – LTI  
equity1

35%

57%

50%

98%

59%

57%

61%

13%

–

14%

13%

39%

25%

7%

2%

5%

5%

–

40%

20%

20%

2%

19%

18%

39%

23%

30%

–%

22%

25%

–

1.  N J Baade resigned on 31 March 2023. There was no STI cash awarded to N J Baade for FY23.

2.  J W Cahill commenced on 3 April 2023. STI cash includes a sign-on bonus and pro-rata STI for FY23 performance. There were no performance 

rights issued.

52

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Non-statutory executive remuneration 

The non-statutory executive remuneration is the remuneration earned by KMP executives in FY23 and is set out below with 
calculations of equity value both at the vesting date and based on the face value at the beginning of the relevant performance 
period. Starpharma discloses non-statutory remuneration voluntarily because it includes the face value of equity that vested 
in FY23. For LTI equity, the reported value reflects the KMP executive performance over three years including the impact of 
movement in the share price over the three-year period.

The table differs from the remuneration details prepared above in this section 6 of this report, which are prepared in accordance 
with statutory obligations and accounting standards and presents the expensing of the fair value of performance rights over their 
vesting period, and may include the expensing of rights that may not ultimately vest into ordinary shares.

2023

Name

STI equity 
vested 
in FY23 
based on 
share price 
at vesting 
date4 
$

STI equity 
vested 
in FY23 
based on 
face value3 
$

LTI equity 
vested 
in FY23 
based on 
share price 
at vesting 
date4 
$

LTI equity 
vested 
in FY23 
based on 
face value3 
$

Fixed 
remun-
eration1 
$

STI cash 
paid in 
FY232 
$

Total non-
statutory 
remun-
eration 
earned 
based on 
face value 
of equity3 
$

Total non-
statutory 
remun-
eration 
earned 
based on 
share price 
at vesting 
date4 
$

Total 
remun-
eration per 
accounting 
standards5 
$

J K Fairley

600,700

179,738

122,295

19,685

258,324

118,310

1,161,057

918,433 1,070,744,

N J Baade6

223,965

73,000

–

–

131,584

60,264

428,549

357,229

333,323

A Eglezos

299,429

73,000

38,447

6,188

129,987

59,533

540,863

438,150

521,415

J R Paull

309,199

75,000

42,755

6,882

147,596

67,598

574,550

458,679

560,596

J W Cahill7

77,574

25,000

–

–

–

–

102,574

102,754

127,697

1.  Base salary, superannuation and non-monetary benefits such as novated motor vehicle lease and car park benefits.

2.  STI cash paid during the financial year. The amount disclosed for FY23 reflects cash bonuses awarded for the FY22 performance period, except 

for a $25,000 sign-on bonus paid to J W Cahill in FY23.

3.  Value of equity rights that vested during the year, based on the face value of the performance rights based on the 3-month VWAP prior to the 

start of the relevant performance period (1 July). Vested rights will remain as rights in subsequent periods until exercised. The STI equity was granted 
in FY22 and the LTI equity was granted in FY20.

4.  Value of equity rights that vested during the year, based on the opening price on the date of vesting. Vested rights will remain as rights in subsequent 

periods until exercised. The STI equity was granted in FY22 and the LTI equity was granted in FY20.

5.  In accordance with statutory obligations and accounting standards in section 6 of this report, which includes expensing of rights over their entire 

vesting period, and rights that may not ultimately vest into ordinary shares.

6.   N J Baade resigned 31 March 2023.

7.  J W Cahill commenced 3 April 2023.

Equity awards and share price 

The total non-statutory remuneration based on the vesting date share price is lower than the total remuneration per accounting 
standards and the non-statutory remuneration based on face value. The lower amount is primarily driven by the value attached  
to the equity awards that vested in FY23.

Details of remuneration: cash bonuses, shares, and performance rights 

For each cash bonus and grant of equity included in the tables on pages 51 to 57, the percentage of the available bonus or grant 
that was paid, or that vested, in the financial year, and the percentage that was forfeited because the person did not meet the 
service and performance objectives, is set out below. Performance rights vest over the specified periods provided vesting 
criteria are met. No rights will vest if the conditions are not satisfied, hence the minimum value of the rights yet to vest is nil.  
The maximum value of the rights yet to vest has been determined as the amount of the grant date fair value of the rights that is  
yet to be expensed. The CEO was awarded 53% of her maximum cash bonus entitlement of $140,850 in FY23, with the balance  
of 47% forfeited as described above in the report. STI cash bonuses for Other KMP executives are paid at the absolute discretion 
of the Board based on an individual’s performance within the year, hence there is no component forfeited to report.

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Remuneration Report continued

6. Details of Remuneration continued

Details of remuneration: cash bonuses, shares, and performance rights continued

Grant date fair 
value of rights 
granted during 
20231,2  
$

527,554 

Name

J K Fairley

N J Baade

187,066

J R Paull

204,334

A Eglezos

187,066

Financial year 
granted

Vested  
%

Forfeited  
%

Financial years 
in which rights 
may vest

2023

2023

2022

2022

2021

2021

2020

2019

2023

2023

2022

2022

2021

2021

2020

2019

2023

2023

2022

2022

2021

2021

2020

2019

2023

2023

2022

2022

2021

2021

2020

2019

–

–

70%

–

78%

–

38%

65%

42%

–

–

–

83%

53%

67%

82%

–

–

78%

–

86%

–

69%

84%

–

–

77%

–

86%

–

66%

81%

47%

30/06/2024

–

30/06/2026

30%

30/06/2023

–

30/06/2025

22%

64%

62%

35%

58%

100%

100%

100%

17%

47%

33%

18%

30/06/2022

30/06/2024

30/06/2023

30/06/2022

30/06/2024

30/06/2026

30/06/2023

30/06/2025

30/06/2022

30/06/2024

30/06/2023

30/06/2022

30%

30/06/2024

–

30/06/2026

22%

30/06/2023

–

30/06/2025

14%

34%

31%

16%

39%

30/06/2022

30/06/2024

30/06/2023

30/06/2022

30/06/2024

–

30/06/2026

23%

30/06/2023

–

30/06/2025

14%

37%

34%

19%

30/06/2022

30/06/2024

30/06/2023

30/06/2022

Performance 
rights

Maximum fair 
value yet to 
vest  
$

62,975

377,054

37,729

258,115

–

10,828

30,964

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

30,313

148,832

13,769

90,690

–

54,362

11,772

–

24,169

136,254

12,381

83,034

–

40,313

10,414

–

1.  The value at grant date calculated in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payments of performance rights granted during the year as part 

of remuneration.

2.  The maximum value of performance rights is determined at grant date and is amortised over the applicable vesting period. The amount which will 
be included in a given KMP executive’s remuneration for a given year is consistent with this amortised amount. No performance rights will vest if 
the conditions are not satisfied, hence the minimum value yet to vest is nil.

54

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Details of related party transactions

Services from entities controlled by KMP

Subsidiary, Starpharma Pty Ltd, paid $13,236 for consulting services in FY23 to Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence Pty Ltd, 
which Starpharma non-executive director Dr Jeff Davies is also a director and shareholder. The consulting services were provided 
by principals other than Dr Jeff Davies and were on normal commercial terms.

There are no other related party transactions with KMP that are not otherwise disclosed within this remuneration report.

7. Executive Employment Agreements

Remuneration and other terms of employment for executives are formalised in employment agreements which set out duties, 
rights and responsibilities, and entitlements on termination. All executives also have a formal position description for their role. 

Major provisions of the agreements relating to remuneration are set out below for those KMP executives who are employed 
at the date of this report.

CEO and Managing Director (J K Fairley)
•  No fixed term of agreement.

•  Base salary, inclusive of superannuation, per annum as at 30 June 2023 of $597,616, to be reviewed annually by the Remuneration 

and Nomination Committee.

•  A cash bonus up to $265,756 for the year to 30 June 2023 allocated proportionately on the achievement of predetermined KPIs.

•  The CEO is entitled to participate in a STI and LTI equity plan, subject to receiving any required or appropriate shareholder approval. 

•  Fringe benefits consist of on-site car parking.

The CEO’s termination provisions are as follows:

Notice period

Payment in 
lieu of notice

Resignation

12 months

Termination 
for cause

None

N/A

None

12 months

Termination 
without cause, 
including 
redundancy

6 months 
payment in  
lieu of notice 
with 6-month 
notice period

N/A 

N/A

Termination in 
cases of death, 
disablement 
or other cause 
approved by 
the Board

Treatment of equity STI

Treatment of LTI

Unvested awards forfeited

Unvested awards forfeited

Unvested awards (including an 
exercisable, vested right) forfeited 

Unvested awards (including an 
exercisable, vested right) forfeited 

Unvested awards lapse unless 
the Board determines otherwise 
after considering the portion of 
the performance period that has 
elapsed and the extent to which 
performance conditions have 
been met. Vesting of the rights 
may be accelerated in this case.

Unvested awards lapse, unless 
the Board determines otherwise 
after considering the portion of 
the performance period that has 
elapsed and the extent to which 
performance conditions have 
been met. Vesting of the rights 
may be accelerated in this case.

Unvested awards lapse unless 
the Board determines otherwise 
after considering the portion of 
the performance period that has 
elapsed and the extent to which 
performance conditions have 
been met. Vesting of the rights 
may be accelerated in this case.

Unvested awards lapse, unless 
the Board determines otherwise 
after considering the portion of 
the performance period that has 
elapsed and the extent to which 
performance conditions have 
been met. Vesting of the rights 
may be accelerated in this case.

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Remuneration Report continued

7. Executive Employment Agreements continued

Other KMP executives

Standard executive termination provisions are as follows: 

Resignation

Termination for cause

Notice period

3 months

None

Payment in 
lieu of notice

Treatment 
of equity STI

Treatment of LTI

N/A

None

Same as for CEO Same as for CEO

Same as for CEO Same as for CEO

Same as for CEO Same as for CEO

Termination without cause, 
including redundancy

Typically 3 months 
(range 3-6 months)

3 months  
(3-6 months)

Termination in cases of death, disablement, 
or other cause approved by the Board 

N/A

N/A

Same as for CEO Same as for CEO

There are no loans, or other transactions, to the CEO or Other KMP executives.

8. Additional Disclosures Relating to Employee Equity Schemes

Ordinary shares

The number of ordinary shares in the company provided as remuneration during the financial year to any of the directors or the 
key management personnel of the group, including their close family members and entities related to them, are set out below. 
The table may also reflect changes to shareholdings which are unrelated to remuneration.

2023  

Name

Directors

R B Thomas

J K Fairley

Z Peach1

D J McIntyre

L Cheng

J R Davies

R Basser2

Other KMP executives

N J Baade3

A Eglezos

J R Paull

J W Cahill4

Balance at the 
start of the year

 Granted during 
the year as 
compensation

On exercise of 
performance 
rights during 
the year

Other changes 
during the 
year*

Balance at the 
end of the year

900,000

 3,975,434

 57,449

 16,240

60,000

 50,000

–

 354,300

 267,542

 41,106

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,275,425

–

–

–

 50,000

950,000

 80,000

 4,055,434

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 57,449

 16,240

60,000

 50,000

–

N/A

 267,542

 41,106

–

*  Other changes relate to market transactions.

1.  Resigned as non-executive director on 29 November 2022.

2.  Appointed as non-executive director on 20 February 2023.

3.  Resigned on 31 March 2023.

4.  Appointed 3 April 2023.

56

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
 
Performance rights

The number of rights over ordinary shares in the company provided as remuneration during the financial year to any of the 
executive directors and the KMP executives, including their close family members and entities related to them, are set out below. 
No non-executive director held performance rights in FY23 or the prior year.

2023  

Name

Directors

J K Fairley

Other KMP executives

N J Baade1

A Eglezos

J R Paull

J W Cahill2

Granted 
during the 
year as 
compen-
sation

Balance at 
the start of 
the year

Exercised 
during the 
year

Other 
changes 
during the 
year#

Balance at 
the end of 
the year

Vested and 
exercisable 
at the end of 
the year

Total 
unvested

5,502,890

1,139,696

–

(362,416) 

 6,280,170 

 4,108,613

 2,171,512 

 1,526,065 

325,000

(1,275,425)

(575,640) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,520,533 

 325,000 

1,730,129 

 355,000 

–

 – 

–

–

–

(58,243) 

 1,787,290 

 1,166,210 

 621,080 

(58,905) 

2,026,224 

1,347,624

678,600 

– 

 – 

 – 

– 

#  Other changes during the year relate to the forfeiture of rights.

1.  Resigned on 31 March 2023.

2.  Appointed 3 April 2023.

The market value at vesting date of performance rights that vested during 2023 was $338,461 (2022: $1,330,125). The decrease 
in market value reflects a lower share price at date of vesting. No other shares were issued on the vesting of performance rights 
provided as remuneration to any of the directors or any KMP of the group in the current year.

The market value is calculated using the opening share price on the respective vesting/exercise date or forfeit date.

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Remuneration Report continued

8. Additional Disclosures Relating to Employee Equity Schemes continued

Dilutionary impact of performance rights on issue

As at 30 June 2023 there were 17,548,885 performance rights on issue, representing 4.3% of the 410,493,077 shares on issue (SOI) 
at 30 June 2023. There were 10,093,639 rights which were held by KMP, representing 2.5% of SOI, of which 6,280,125 (1.5% of SOI) 
were approved by shareholders.

The terms and conditions of the grant of performance rights to the directors or the key management personnel of the group 
in the current year or which impact future years are as follows:

Grant date

Vesting date

Number of 
rights granted

Performance  
measure

Fair value 
per right at 
grant date

% vested

17 October 2019

30 September 2022

537,200

Achievement of KPIs

17 October 2019

30 September 2022

94,800

TSR

21 November 2019

30 September 2022

375,758

Achievement of KPIs

21 November 2019

30 September 2022

161,039

TSR

30 October 2020

30 September 2023

637,704

Achievement of KPIs

30 October 2020

30 September 2023

112,536

TSR

20 November 2020

30 September 2023

446,021

Achievement of KPIs

20 November 2020

30 September 2023

191,152

TSR

25 October 2021

30 June 2023

115,400

Achievement of KPIs

25 October 2021

30 September 2024

392,360

Achievement of KPIs

25 October 2021

30 September 2024

69,240

TSR

30 November 2021

30 June 2023

374,954

Achievement of KPIs

30 November 2021

30 September 2024

118,406

TSR

27 October 2022

30 June 2024

201,000

Achievement of KPIs

27 October 2022

30 September 2025

683,400

Achievement of KPIs

27 October 2022

30 September 2025

120,600

TSR

29 November 2022

30 June 2024

227,930

Achievement of KPIs

29 November 2022

30 September 2025

638,205

Achievement of KPIs

29 November 2022

30 September 2025

273,516

TSR

$1.15

$0.71

$1.29

$0.85

$1.47

$1.20

$1.32

$0.96

$1.14

$1.14

$0.62

$1.09

$0.60

$0.61

$0.61

$0.36

$0.52

$0.52

$0.28

60

0

54

0

15

0

0

0

 40 

0

0

18

0

14

0

0

0

0

0

Information of the performance measures

Achievement of KPIs:

The achievement of certain key business performance indicators linked to matters which the 
Board believes are key drivers of shareholder value.

Relative TSR (TSR):

As set out on page 42 of the remuneration report. 

– End of remuneration report –

58

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
Directors’ Report continued

Shares Under Rights

Unissued ordinary shares of Starpharma Holdings Limited under the Employee Performance Rights Plan at the date of this report 
are as follows:

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11 Nov 2015

11 Nov 2015

19 Nov 2015

19 Nov 2015

13 Oct 2016

13 Oct 2016

29 Nov 2016

29 Nov 2016

10 Aug 2017

10 Aug 2017

29 Nov 2017

29 Nov 2017

16 Aug 2018

16 Aug 2018

2 Nov 2018

2 Nov 2018

29 Nov 2018

29 Nov 2018

17 Oct 2019

17 Oct 2019

21 Nov 2019

21 Nov 2019

30 Oct 2020

30 Oct 2020

30 Oct 2020

20 Nov 2020

20 Nov 2020

20 Nov 2020

25 Oct 2021

25 Oct 2021

30 Nov 2021

30 Nov 2021

27 Oct 2022

27 Oct 2022

29 Nov 2022

29 Nov 2022

Vesting date

30 Sep 2018

30 Jun 2017

30 Sep 2018

30 Jun 2017

30 Jun 2018

30 Sep 2019

30 Jun 2018

30 Sep 2019

30 Jun 2019

30 Sep 2020

30 Jun 2019

30 Sep 2020

30 Jun 2020

30 Sep 2021

30 Jun 2020

30 Sep 2021

30 Jun 2020 

30 Sep 2021

30 Jun 2021

30 Sep 2022

30 Jun 2021

30 Sep 2022

30 Jun 2021

30 Jun 2022

30 Sep 2023

30 Jun 2021

30 Jun 2022

30 Sep 2023

30 Jun 2023

30 Sep 2024

30 Jun 2023

30 Sep 2023

30 Jun 2023

30 Sep 2025

30 Jun 2024

30 Sep 2025

Performance rights and the resultant shares are granted for nil consideration.

Number of 
rights granted

Balance of rights 
at date of report

2,076,800

519,200

893,851

219,395

594,450

2,377,800

223,022

876,978

694,120

2,776,480

224,121

895,879

203,500

814,000

259,147

1,036,587

134,980

539,921

459,767

1,839,067

134,199

536,797

567,083

548,270

539,347

127,625

836,260

181,001

148,438

651,823

172,842

846,281

246,396

966,339

197,226

736,665

82,931

314,651

87,200

323,016

112,708

350,253

168,514

758,002

101,320

203,983

287,288

271,246

2,193,080

1,500,400

176,755

159,293

637,173

373,333

176,755

124,249

 637,173

244,157

1,493,334

1,053,014

98,672

394,688

809,887

3,39,546

227,930

911,721

69,070

 394,688

699,675

2,798,698

227,930

911,721

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Directors’ Report continued

Insurance of Officers

During the financial year, Starpharma Holdings Limited paid a premium to insure the directors and executive officers of the company 
and related bodies corporate against certain liabilities and expenses. 

In accordance with normal commercial practice, the disclosure of the amount of premium payable, and the nature of the liabilities 
and expenses covered by the policy, is prohibited by a confidentiality clause in the relevant insurance contract.

Shares Issued on the Exercise of Vested Rights

The following ordinary shares of Starpharma Holdings Limited were issued during the year to the date of this report on the exercise 
of vested performance rights granted under the Employee Performance Rights Plan. The shares are issued for nil consideration.

Date rights granted

11 Nov 2015

13 Oct 2016

10 Aug 2017

16 Aug 2018

2 Nov 2018

17 Oct 2019

30 Oct 2020

27 Oct 2022

Issue price of shares 
(Exercise price of right)

Number of  
shares issued

$ –

$ –

$ – 

$ – 

$ – 

$ –

$ –

$ –

301,182

359,590

354,270

159,808

72,000

422,511

285,389

27,300

Audit and Non-Audit Services

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor (PricewaterhouseCoopers) for audit services provided during the year are 
set out below. There were no non-audit services provided by the auditor during the financial year. 

During the year, the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor (PricewaterhouseCoopers) 
of the company, its related practices and non-related audit firms.

Assurance services

Audit or review of financial reports of the entity or any entity in the group under the 
Corporations Act 2001

2023  
$

2022  
$

169,218

155,250

No other taxation or advisory services have been provided by the auditor in either the current or prior year.

60

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Auditor’s Independence Declaration

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is set out on 
page 62.

Rounding of Amounts

The company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191,  
issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the “rounding off’’ of amounts in the directors’ report. 
Amounts in the directors’ report have been rounded off in accordance with that Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars,  
or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office in accordance with section 327 of the Corporations Act 2001.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

Robert B Thomas AO 
Chairman

Melbourne, 24 August 2023

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Auditor’s Independence Declaration

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

As lead auditor for the audit of Starpharma Holdings Limited for the year ended 30 June 2023, I
declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been:

(a) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in

relation to the audit; and

(b) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of Starpharma Holdings Limited and the entity it controlled during the
period.

Brad Peake
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers

Melbourne
24 August 2023

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

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Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023 
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Annual Financial Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

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65

66

67

68

69

95

96

These financial statements are the consolidated financial statements for the consolidated entity consisting of 
Starpharma Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, “the group”). The financial statements are presented 
in dollars denominated in Australian currency. Starpharma Holdings Limited is a public company limited by shares, 
incorporated and domiciled in the state of Victoria, Australia.

Its registered office and principal place of business is:

Starpharma Holdings Limited 
4-6 Southampton Crescent 
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067 
Australia

A description of the nature of the group’s operations and its principal activities is included on pages 4 to 17 and 25 to 29, 
which are not part of this financial report.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the directors on 24 August 2023. The directors have the power to 
amend and reissue the financial report.

Through the use of the internet, Starpharma ensures that corporate reporting is timely and complete. All recent  
press releases, financial reports and other information are available on the group’s website (www.starpharma.com),  
as well as ASX announcements and releases available via the Australian Securities Exchange (www2.asx.com.au/markets/
trade-our-cash-market/historical-announcements).

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Consolidated Income Statement
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Continuing operations

Revenue 

Cost of goods sold

Other income 

Research and product development expense (net of R&D tax incentive)

Commercial and regulatory operating expense

Corporate, administration and finance expense 

Loss before income tax

Income tax expense

Notes

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

5

5

6

6

6

7

4,208

(1,120)

135

(11,239)

(3,854)

(3,768)

4,899

(2,776)

263

(11,680)

(3,568)

(3,292)

(15,638)

(16,154)

– 

– 

Loss from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the company

(15,638)

(16,154)

Loss per share for loss from continuing operations 
attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company

Basic loss per share 

Diluted loss per share 

26

26

$

($0.04)

($0.04)

$

($0.04)

($0.04)

The above consolidated income statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

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Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

(15,638)

(16,154)

–

–

–

–

(15,638)

(16,154)

The above consolidated statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

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Consolidated Balance Sheet
AS AT 30 JUNE 2023

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables 

Inventories

Total current assets 

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment 

Right-of-use assets

Total non-current assets 

Total assets

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Provision for employee benefits

Deferred income

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Provision for employee benefits

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets

Equity 

Contributed capital 

Reserves 

Accumulated losses

Total equity 

Notes

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

8

9

10

11

14

12

13

14

15

5

13

14

15

16

17

18

35,180 

9,169 

2,773 

47,122 

1,584 

3,380 

4,964 

49,918 

7,916 

2,824 

60,658 

1,336 

4,181 

5,517 

52,086 

66,175 

7,667 

4,778

744 

1,281 

3 

7,731 

–

695 

1,339 

466 

14,473 

10,231 

–

2,750 

48 

2,798 

17,271 

4,000 

3,494 

57 

7,551 

17,782 

34,815 

48,393 

240,715 

240,669 

28,299 

(234,199)

34,815 

26,285 

(218,561)

48,393 

The above consolidated balance sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

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Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Contributed 
capital  
$’000

Reserves  
$’000

Accumulated 
losses  
$’000

Total  
equity  
$’000

Notes

240,630 

24,077 

(202,407)

62,300

Balance at 1 July 2021

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Total comprehensive income (loss) 
for the year

Transactions with owners, 
recorded directly in equity:

Employee share plans

Employee performance rights plan

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 30 June 2022

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Total comprehensive income (loss) 
for the year

Transactions with owners, 
recorded directly in equity:

Employee share plans

Employee performance rights plan

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 30 June 2023

16

17

16

17

–

–

–

39

–

39 

–

–

–

–

2,208

2,208 

(16,154)

(16,154)

–

–

(16,154)

(16,154)

–

–

 – 

39

2,208

2,247 

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26,285

(218,561)

48,393

–

–

–

46

–

46 

–

–

–

–

2,014

2,014 

(15,638)

(15,638)

–

–

(15,638)

(15,638)

–

–

 – 

46

2,014

2,060

240,715 

28,299 

(234,199)

34,815 

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from trade and other debtors (inclusive of GST)

Grant income and R&D tax incentives (inclusive of GST)

Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST)

Interest received 

Interest paid

Notes

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

3,085 

7,146 

4,846 

8,165 

(24,681)

(26,292)

1,194 

(277)

166 

(47)

Net cash outflows from operating activities

25

(13,533)

(13,162)

Cash flow from investing activities

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from the sale of financial assets

Net cash outflows from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Lease repayments 

Net cash inflows (outflows) from financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

(621)

11 

(610)

– 

(695)

(695)

(837)

1 

(836)

4,000 

(772)

3,228 

(14,838)

(10,770)

49,918 

60,500 

100 

188 

35,180 

49,918 

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

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Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
30 JUNE 2023

1. Significant Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. 
These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The financial statements are 
for the consolidated entity consisting of Starpharma Holdings Limited (“the company” or “parent entity”) and its subsidiaries 
(collectively, “the group” or “the consolidated entity”).

(a) Basis of preparation

These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and 
Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 2001. Starpharma Holdings Limited 
is a for-profit entity for the purpose of preparing the financial statements.

(i) Compliance with IFRS

The consolidated financial statements of the group also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued 
by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

(ii) New and amended standards adopted by the group

The group has applied the following standards and amendments for the first time for the annual reporting period commencing 
1 July 2022:

•  AASB 2020-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Annual Improvements 2018–2020 and Other Amendments 

[AASB 1, AASB 3, AASB 9, AASB 116, AASB 137 & AASB 141].

The amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not expected 
to significantly affect the current or future periods. 

(iii) Early adoption of standards

The group has not elected to apply any pronouncements before their operative date in the annual reporting period beginning 
1 July 2022.

(iv) Historical cost convention

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of 
available-for-sale financial assets, financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit 
or loss, certain classes of property, plant and equipment and investment property.

(v) Critical accounting estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management 
to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of 
judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed 
in note 3.

(vi) Going concern

For the year ended 30 June 2023, the group has incurred losses from continuing operations of $15,638,000 (2022: $16,154,000) 
and experienced net cash outflows of $13,533,000 from operations (2022: $13,162,000), as disclosed in the income statement and 
statement of cash flows, respectively. The group is in the development and early commercialisation phase, and given the entity’s 
strategic plans, the directors are satisfied regarding the availability of working capital for the period up to at least 31 August 2024. 
Accordingly, the directors have prepared the financial report on a going concern basis in the belief that the consolidated entity 
will realise its assets and settle its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business and for at least the amounts stated 
in the financial report.

(b) Principles of consolidation

(i) Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of the group as at 30 June 2023 
and the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. 

Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the group has control. The group controls an entity when 
the group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those 
returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which 
control is transferred to the group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. The group has one subsidiary, 
Starpharma Pty Limited.

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1. Significant Accounting Policies continued

(b) Principles of consolidation continued

(i) Subsidiaries continued

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. 
Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. 
Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted 
by the group.

(c) Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision 
maker. The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the 
operating segments, has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer.

(d) Foreign currency translation

(i) Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (‘the functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in 
Australian dollars, which is the company’s functional and presentation currency.

(ii) Transactions and balances

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 profit or loss. 

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings are presented in the income statement, within finance costs. All other 
foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in the income statement on a net basis within other income or other expenses.

(e) Revenue recognition

The accounting policies for the group’s revenue from contracts with customers are explained in note 5.

(f) Government grants

Grants from the Australian Government are recognised at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant 
will be received and the group will comply with all relevant conditions. Government grants relating to costs are deferred 
and recognised in the income statement over the period necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to 
compensate. All government grants, with the exception of the Australian Government Research and Development Tax Incentive 
(note 3(ii)), are recorded in the income statement within Other Income (note 5).

(g) Income tax

The income tax expense or revenue for the period is the tax payable on the current period’s taxable income based on the applicable 
income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences 
and to unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences at the tax rates expected 
to apply when the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, based on those tax rates which are enacted or substantively 
enacted for each jurisdiction. The relevant tax rates are applied to the cumulative amounts of deductible and taxable temporary 
differences to measure the deferred tax asset or liability. An exception is made for certain temporary differences arising from the 
initial recognition of an asset or a liability. No deferred tax asset or liability is recognised in relation to these temporary differences 
if they arose in a transaction, other than a business combination, that at the time of the transaction did not affect either accounting 
profit or taxable profit or loss. Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses 
only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses. Deferred tax 
liabilities and assets are not recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of investments 
in controlled entities where the parent entity is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it 
is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Current and deferred tax balances attributable to 
amounts recognised directly in other comprehensive income or equity are also recognised directly in other comprehensive 
income or equity, respectively. The company and its wholly-owned Australian controlled entity, Starpharma Pty Limited, are not 
consolidated for tax purposes.

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Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 2023(i) Investment allowances and similar tax incentives

Companies within the group may be entitled to claim special tax deductions for investments in qualifying assets or in relation 
to qualifying expenditure (e.g. investment allowances). The group accounts for such allowances as tax credits, which means that 
the allowance reduces income tax payable and current tax expense. A deferred tax asset is recognised for unclaimed tax credits 
that are carried forward as deferred tax assets.

(h) Leases

The group’s leasing policy is described in note 14.

(i) Impairment of assets

Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite life are not subject to amortisation. They are tested annually for 
impairment or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. Other assets are 
tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. 
An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. 
The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purposes of 
assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows which 
are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash generating units).

( j) Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held 
with financial institutions, and other short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash 
and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The amount of significant cash and cash equivalents not available 
for use is disclosed in note 8.

(k) Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method, less any allowance for expected credit loss. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 to 60 days. 
They are presented as current assets unless collection is not expected for more than 12 months after the reporting date. 
Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The group applies the AASB 9 simplified approach to 
measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables and contract assets. 
To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables and contract assets are grouped based on shared credit risk 
characteristics and the days past due. An expected credit loss is recognised when there is objective evidence that the group 
will not be able to collect the relevant receivable. 

(l) Inventories

Raw materials, work in progress and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes 
expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing condition and location. Costs are assigned 
to individual items of inventory on the basis of weighted average costs. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after 
deducting rebates and discounts. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less 
the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

(m) Investments and other financial assets

(i) Classification

The group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories: 

•  those to be measured subsequently at fair value, and

•  those to be measured at amortised cost.

The classification depends on the each entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms 
of the cash flows.

The group reclassifies debt investments when and only when its business model for managing those assets changes.

(ii) Loans and other receivables

Loans and other receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an 
active market. They are included in current assets, except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the reporting 
date which are classified as non-current assets. Loans and receivables are included in trade and other receivables (note 9) 
in the balance sheet.

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Annual Report 2023Starpharma Holdings LimitedDirectors’ ReportRemuneration ReportAuditor’s Independence DeclarationConsolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsDirectors’ DeclarationIndependent Auditor’s ReportShareholder InformationIntellectual  Property ReportCorporate Directory 
 
 
 
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies continued

(n) Property, plant and equipment and leasehold improvements

Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly 
attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a 
separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the 
group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of any component accounted for as a separate 
asset is derecognised when replaced. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to profit or loss during the financial period  
in which they are incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost or revalued amounts, 
net of the residual values, over their estimated useful lives. The expected useful lives are two to 20 years. The assets’ residual 
values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. An asset’s carrying amount is 
written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable 
amount. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These are included  
in profit or loss. 

The cost of improvements to or on leasehold properties is amortised over the remaining term of the premises lease 
(being 4.5 years at the reporting date) or the estimated useful life of the improvement to the group, whichever is shorter.

(o) Intangible assets

(i) Patents and licences

Costs associated with patents are expensed as incurred. Licences and acquired patents with a finite useful life are carried at cost 
less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the 
cost of licences and patents over the period of the expected benefit, which is up to 20 years. As at the reporting date no patents 
or licences are recognised as intangible assets. 

(ii) Research and development

Research and development expenditure is expensed as incurred except that costs incurred on development projects, relating to 
the design and testing of new or improved products, are recognised as intangible assets when it is probable that the project will, 
after considering its commercial and technical feasibility, be completed and generate future economic benefits and its costs can 
be measured reliably. To date no research and development costs have been recognised as intangible assets.

(p) Trade and other payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the group prior to the end of the financial year which 
are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 to 45 days of recognition. Trade and other payables are 
presented as current liabilities unless payment is not due within 12 months from the reporting date.

(q) Provisions

Provisions for legal claims, service claims and make good obligations are recognised when the group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of past events, and it is more probable than not that an outflow of resources will be required 
to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. 
Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by 
considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to  
any one item in the same class of obligations may be small. Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s  
best estimate for the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the balance date. The discount rate used to 
determine the present value reflects current market assessment of the time, value of money, and the risks specific to the  
liability. The increase of the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

72

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 2023(r) Employee benefits

(i) Short-term obligations

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual and long service leave expected to be settled within 
12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service are recognised in respect of employees’ 
services up to the period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. The liability 
for annual and long service leave is recognised in the provision for employee benefits. All other short-term employee benefit 
obligations are presented as payables.

(ii) Superannuation and pension benefits

Group companies make the statutory superannuation guarantee contribution in respect of each employee to their nominated 
complying superannuation or pension fund. In certain circumstances pursuant to an employee’s employment contract the 
group companies may also be required to make additional superannuation or pension contributions and/or agree to make salary 
sacrifice superannuation or pension contributions in addition to the statutory guarantee contribution. The relevant entities’ legal 
or constructive obligation is limited to the above contributions. Contributions to the employees’ superannuation or pension 
plans are recognised as an expense as they become payable. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent  
that a cash refund or reduction in future payments is available.

(iii) Share-based payments

Share-based compensation benefits are offered to employees via an Employee Performance Rights Plan and an Employee Share 
Plan ($1,000 Plan). Information relating to these plans is set out in note 27 and in the remuneration report under the directors’ report.

The fair value of performance rights granted is recognised as an employee benefit expense with a corresponding increase in 
equity. The fair value of employee services received, measured by reference to the grant date fair value, is recognised over the 
vesting period. Depending on the performance measure of the right vesting, the fair value at grant date represents either a volume 
weighted average price (VWAP) of shares leading up to the grant date, or a value calculated using a hybrid Monte-Carlo-trinomial 
option pricing model taking into account the absolute total shareholder return (TSR) target, the term of the right, the share price at 
grant date, the risk-free rate, the expected dividend yield, expected share price volatility, the volatility of the relevant index, and  
the correlation between the share price and that index. The fair value excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions  
(for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number 
of performance rights that are expected to become exercisable. At each reporting date, the entity revises its estimate of the 
number of performance rights that are expected to become exercisable. The employee benefit expense recognised in each  
period takes into account the most recent estimate. The impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, is recognised in the 
income statement with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

Under the Employee Share Plan ($1,000 Plan), shares are issued to employees for no cash consideration and vest at the earlier of 
three years or cessation of employment. On this date, the market value of the shares issued is recognised as an employee benefits 
expense with a corresponding increase in equity.

(iv) Bonus payments

The group recognises a liability and an expense for employee bonuses based on a formula that takes into consideration 
performance criteria that have been set. The group recognises a provision where contractually obliged or where there is a past 
practice that has created a constructive obligation.

For non-cash incentives where equity is granted, please refer to note 27 and the remuneration report under the directors’ report.

(v) Termination benefits

Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated before the normal retirement date, or when an employee 
accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The group recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably 
committed to either terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility 
of withdrawal or providing termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. Benefits falling 
due more than 12 months after the end of the reporting period are discounted to present value.

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1. Significant Accounting Policies continued

(s) Borrowings

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount is recognised 
in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method. 

Borrowings are removed from the balance sheet when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or 
expired. The difference between the carrying amount of a financial liability that has been extinguished or transferred to another 
party and the consideration paid, including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed, is recognised in profit or loss 
as other income or finance costs.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability 
for at least 12 months after the reporting period.

(t) Contributed equity

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or performance 
rights are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of 
new shares or performance rights, for the acquisition of a business, are not included in the cost of the acquisition as part of the 
purchase consideration.

(u) Dividends

Provision is made for the amount of any dividend declared, being appropriately authorised and no longer at the discretion 
of the entity, on or before the end of the reporting period but not distributed at the end of the reporting period.

(v) Earnings per share

(i) Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the company, excluding any costs of servicing 
equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, 
adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year and excluding treasury shares.

(ii) Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the 
after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted 
average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential 
ordinary shares.

(w) Goods and services tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable 
from the taxation authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense. 
Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable from, or payable to, the taxation authority 
and are included with other receivables or payables in the balance sheet. Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST 
components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation 
authority are presented as operating cash flows.

(x) Rounding of amounts

The company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191, issued 
by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the financial statements. 
Amounts in the financial statements have been rounded off in accordance with that Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, 
or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.

74

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 2023(y) Parent entity financial information

The financial information for the parent entity disclosed in note 28 has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated 
financial statements, except as set out below.

(i) Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint venture entities

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint venture entities are accounted for at cost in the financial statements of the parent 
entity. Dividends received from associates are recognised in the parent entity’s profit or loss when its right to receive the dividend 
is established.

(ii) Share-based payments

The grant by the parent entity of rights over its equity instruments to the employees of subsidiary undertakings in the group 
is treated as a capital contribution to that subsidiary undertaking. The fair value of employee services received, measured by 
reference to the grant date fair value, is recognised over the vesting period as an increase to investment in subsidiary undertakings, 
with a corresponding credit to equity.

2. Financial Risk Management 

The group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks; including market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The group’s overall 
financial risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse 
effects on the financial performance of the group. The Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary, 
under the guidance of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board, have responsibility for the financial risk management program.

(a) Market risk

(i) Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities are denominated in a 
currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. The group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk 
arising from currency exposures to major currencies including United States dollars (US$) and Great British pounds (£). 

On the basis of the nature of these transactions, the group does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge such exposures 
but maintains cash and deposits in Australian dollars, United States dollars and Great British pounds. The directors regularly monitor 
the potential impact of movements in foreign exchange exposure.

The exposure to foreign currency risk at the reporting date calculated using the closing exchange rate as at 30 June 2023 
for US$ of $0.6634 and for £ of $0.5243 was as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other payables

Group sensitivity

30 June 2023  
US$  
$’000

30 June 2022  
US$  
$’000

30 June 2023  
£ 
£’000

30 June 2022  
£  
£’000

328

382

171

1,325

22

867

510

–

2,363

352

56

2,136

The group is mainly exposed to US$ and £ on foreign currencies held, receivable and payable. The following table details the group’s 
sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in the Australian dollar against the US$ or £. A positive number indicates a favourable 
movement; that is an increase in profit or reduction in the loss.

Impact on profit/(loss) on a movement of

Australian dollar strengthens (increases)  
against the foreign currency by 10%

Australian dollar weakens (decreases)  
against the foreign currency by 10%

30 June 2023  
$’000  
US$

30 June 2022  
$’000  
US$

30 June 2023  
£’000  
£

30 June 2022  
£’000  
£

(74)

90

(63)

77

321

277

(393)

(338)

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Annual Report 2023Starpharma Holdings LimitedDirectors’ ReportRemuneration ReportAuditor’s Independence DeclarationConsolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsDirectors’ DeclarationIndependent Auditor’s ReportShareholder InformationIntellectual  Property ReportCorporate Directory 
 
 
 
 
2. Financial Risk Management continued

(a) Market risk continued

(ii) Cash flow interest rate risk

The group holds interest bearing assets and therefore the income and operating cash flows are exposed to market interest rates.

At the end of the reporting period, the group had the following value of term and at call deposits. Refer to note 8 for 
additional information.

Term deposits and deposits at call

Group sensitivity

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

33,519

45,792

 At 30 June 2023, if interest rates changed by 50 basis points (0.50%) either higher or lower from the year end rates with all other 
variables held constant, group profit for the year would have been $168,000 higher or lower (2022 – change of 50 bps: $229,000 
higher/lower) due to either higher or lower interest income from cash or cash equivalents. 

(b) Credit risk

Credit risk is managed on a group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents with banks and financial institutions,  
as well as credit exposures from sales and distribution, product supply, licensing and royalty agreements. Credit risk for cash  
and deposits with banks and financial institutions is managed by maximising deposits held under major Australian banks.  
All cash and deposits are held with the National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Other than government 
grants, tax incentives and taxes receivable, third party receivables largely consist of customer receivables from leading 
multinational organisations. 

(c) Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash reserves and marketable securities. The directors regularly 
monitor the cash position of the group, giving consideration to the level of expenditure and future capital commitments.

(d) Fair value estimation

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement for disclosure purposes. 
The carrying value less impairment provision of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values 
due to their short-term nature. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future 
contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the group for similar financial instruments.

3. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations 
of future events that may have a financial impact on the entity and that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, 
seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment 
to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

(i) Income taxes

The group is subject to income taxes in Australia. There are transactions and calculations undertaken during the ordinary course 
of business for which the ultimate tax determination may be uncertain. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different 
from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the current and deferred tax provisions in the period in 
which such determination is made. The group has not recognised deferred tax assets or liabilities, including from carried forward 
losses, due to the realisation of such benefits being uncertain. The utilisation of tax losses also depends on the ability of the entity 
to satisfy certain tests at the time the losses are sought to be recouped.

(ii) Australian Government Research & Development Tax Incentive

The group’s eligible research and development activities qualify for the Australian Government R&D Tax Incentive. Management 
has assessed these activities and expenditure to determine which are likely to be eligible under the incentive scheme. For the 
period to 30 June 2023, the group has recorded a contra research and development expense of $7,631,000 (2022: $7,261,000). 
The total R&D Tax Incentive receivable recorded at 30 June 2023 is $7,244,000 (2022: $6,747,000).

76

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 20234. Segment Information

The group has determined that on the basis of internal reporting and monitoring to the Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief 
operating decision maker, the group operates in one business segment, being the discovery, development and commercialisation 
of dendrimers for pharmaceutical, life science and other applications.

5. Revenue and Other Income

Revenue from contracts with customers

Interest revenue

Total revenue from continuing operations

Other income

Total revenue and other income from continuing operations

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

2,939 

1,269 

4,208 

135 

4,343 

4,682 

217 

4,899 

263 

5,162 

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers

Revenue from contracts with customers includes licensing revenue, products sales, royalties, and research revenue from partners. 

Total revenue from contracts with customers for the year was $2,939,000 (2022: $4,682,000), which is predominately product sales 
and royalties on VIRALEZE™ and VivaGel® products.

Assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers

The group has recognised the following current assets and current liabilities related to contracts with customers:

Trade and other receivables 

Contract liabilities 

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

604

(3)

519

(466)

Customer trade and other receivables as at 30 June 2023 are $604,000. 

Contract liabilities for the prior year included $435,000 for potential VivaGel® BV product discounts, that were dependent on 
product registrations in certain countries. The liability for product discounts was no longer probable at the reporting date.

Performance obligations

Revenue is recognised when the company satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the promised good 
or service to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange 
for the goods or services. Information about the company’s performance obligations are summarised below:

(i) Licensing revenue and royalties

Typically, a licence granted by the company provides the customer with the right to use, but not own, the company’s intellectual 
property as it exists at the point in time the licence is granted. The company may receive signature payments, milestone 
payments for specific development (such as clinical or regulatory) or commercial-based outcomes and/or sales-based royalties 
as consideration for the licence. The performance obligation(s) for a licence are usually satisfied upon, or soon after, the granting 
of the licence to the partner. Signature payments are normally fixed, where-as development and commercial milestones are 
variable consideration as they are dependent on the achievement of certain events in the future. The company’s estimate of 
variable consideration will only be recognised to the extent it is highly probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur  
in future periods. 

Royalties based on sales of product are recognised when the customer’s sales of product occur. Where consideration includes 
guaranteed minimum royalties, they are recognised when the licence is granted or when they are no longer subject to constraint. 

Milestones payments are generally due within 30 to 60 days from timing of the milestone event. Royalties are generally due 
30 to 60 days after the end of the defined royalty reporting period.

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5. Revenue and Other Income continued

Performance obligations continued

(ii) Product sales

The performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery of the goods. Payment is on normal commercial terms, which may 
include prepayment and/or payment within 30 to 60 days from delivery. Some contracts provide customers with a right of return 
for product non-conformance, or discounts based on product shelf-life, which may give rise to variable consideration subject 
to constraint. 

(iii) Research revenue

The performance obligation is satisfied over time upon completion of outlined deliverables and payment is generally due within 
30 to 60 days of achievement of each deliverable.

Other income

Other income of $135,000 (2022: $258,000) primarily relates to proceeds received from an insurance claim. For the prior year, 
other income included Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant funding for the development of VIRALEZE™.

6. Expenses

Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense includes the following items:

R&D tax incentive (contra expense)1

Employee benefits expenses (including share-based payments)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

(7,631)

10,334 

392 

802 

(7,261)

10,427 

355 

723 

1.  Included within the research and product development expense line item in the consolidated income statement.

78

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 20237. Income Tax Expense

(a) Income tax expense/(credit)

Current tax/deferred tax

Total income tax expense

Income tax attributable to continuing operations

(b) Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable

Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense

Tax at the Australian tax rate of 30% (2022: 30%)

Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income:

Eligible expenses claimed under R&D tax incentive

Share-based payments

Sundry items

Future income tax benefits not brought to account

Income tax expense

(c) Tax losses

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised 
(as recovery is currently not probable)

Potential tax benefit

(d) Unrecognised temporary differences

Temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised 
(as recovery is currently not probable)

Unrecognised deferred tax relating to the temporary differences

(e) Deferred tax liabilities

Unrecognised deferred tax liabilities relating to the above temporary differences:

Lease right-of-use assets

Property, plant and equipment

Sundry items

Total deferred tax liabilities

Set-off of deferred tax assets pursuant to set-off provisions

Net deferred tax liabilities

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

–

–

–

(15,638)

(4,691)

2,706

618

64

1,431

–

–

–

–

(16,154)

(4,846)

2,475

674

(122)

1,822

–

i

F
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a
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c
a

i

135,502

40,650

131,620

39,486

l

S

t
a
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s

5,068

1,520

5,282

1,585

1,014

356

4

1,374

(1,374)

–

1,254

261

4

1,519

(1,519)

–

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Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities have been set off as there is a legally recognised right to set off current tax assets 
and liabilities, and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the relevant tax authority. Deferred tax 
assets are mainly attributable to unused tax losses. Potential future income tax benefits attributable to tax losses carried forward 
have not been brought to account at 30 June 2023 because the directors do not presently believe that it is appropriate to regard 
realisation of the future income tax benefit as probable. Similarly, future benefits attributable to net temporary differences have 
not been brought to account as the directors do not regard the realisation of such benefits as probable.

Realisation of the benefit of tax losses would be subject to the group satisfying the conditions for deductibility imposed by tax 
legislation and no subsequent changes in tax legislation adversely affecting the group. The group has made an assessment  
as to the satisfaction of deductibility conditions at 30 June 2023, which it believes will be satisfied.

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8. Current Assets – Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and on hand

Term deposits and deposits at call

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

1,661 

33,519 

35,180 

4,126 

45,792 

49,918 

Cash at bank and on hand

The cash at bank and on hand is non-interest bearing, and includes foreign currencies held.

Term deposits and deposits at call

The term deposits have maturities of three months or less. Funds in deposits at call allow the group to withdraw funds on demand.

Deposits not available

There is $1,198,000 (2022: $1,163,000) of term deposits not available for use due to funds being utilised as security for a bank 
guarantee on the company’s property lease, and for a finance lease facility.

Interest rate risk

Current receivables are non-interest bearing.

Floating 
interest 
rate

30 June 2023

Notes

 $’000 

Fixed interest maturing

1 year or 
less  
$’000

1 to 5 years  
$’000

More than 
5 years  
$’000

Non-
interest 
bearing

$’000

Total 
 $’000 

Contractual 
cash flows

Financial assets

Cash and deposits 

Receivables 

8

9

3,022

30,498

 –

 –

3,022

30,498

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,660

35,180

9,169

9,169

10,829

44,349

N/A

9,169

9,169

Weighted average interest rate 

4.3%

4.7%

–%

–%

–%

Financial liabilities

Payables

Lease liabilities

Borrowings

12

14

13

Weighted average interest rate

 –

 –

4,778

4,778

4.1%

 –

744

–

744

4.1%

 –

2,750

–

2,750

4.2%

–

–

–

–

7,667

–

–

7,667

3,494

4,778

7,667

3,494

4,778

7,667

15,939

15,939

–%

–%

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Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 2023Floating 
interest 
rate

30 June 2022

Notes

 $’000 

Fixed interest maturing

1 year or 
less  
$’000

1 to 5 years  
$’000

More than  
5 years  
$’000

Non-
interest 
bearing

$’000 

Total  
$’000 

Contractual 
cash flows

Financial assets

Cash and deposits 

Receivables 

8

9

6,597

39,195

 –

 –

6,597

39,195

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,126

7,916

49,918

7,916

12,042

57,834

N/A

7,916

7,916

Weighted average interest rate 

1.0%

1.6%

–%

–%

–%

Financial liabilities

Payables

Lease liabilities

Borrowings

12

14

13

Weighted average interest rate

 –

 –

4,000

4,000

1.0%

 –

695

–

695

4.1%

 –

3,125

–

3,125

4.2%

–

369

–

369

7,731

–

–

7,731

4,189

7,731

4,189

4,000

4,000

7,731

15,920

15,920

4.4%

–%

9. Current Assets – Trade and Other Receivables

Trade and grant receivables

Interest receivables

Prepayments

Other receivables

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

7,857 

128

934 

250 

9,169 

7,285 

53 

80 

498 

7,916 

Trade and grant receivables

Trade and grant receivables primarily comprise of $7,244,000 (2022: $6,747,000) of expenditure reimbursable under the 
Australian Government’s Research & Development tax incentive scheme, with the balance related to customer receivables. 
Customer receivables are subject to normal terms of settlement within 30 to 60 days.

Prepayments

Prepayments primarily relate to insurance premiums paid in advance.

Other receivables

Other receivables comprise GST/VAT and other taxes refundable and sundry debtors, and are subject to normal terms of settlement 
within 30 to 90 days. 

Credit risk

The group considers that there is no significant credit risk with respect to trade and other receivables. Grant receivables are with 
government bodies and trade receivables are from large companies. 

Impaired receivables

As at 30 June 2023, there were no material trade and grant receivables that were past due (2022: nil). The group applies the 
accounting policy in note 1(k) to trade receivables. Under the expected credit loss model, no receivables are considered 
impaired at 30 June 2023 (2022: nil).

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10. Inventories

Current assets

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

2,578 

– 

195 

2,316 

249 

259 

2,773 

2,824 

Assigning costs to inventories

The costs of individual items of inventory are determined using the weighted average cost method. See note 1(l) for detail 
on the group’s accounting policy for inventories.

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

Inventories recognised as an expense during the year ended 30 June 2023 amounted to $1,120,000 (2022: $2,776,000). 
These were included in cost of goods sold.

Write-downs of inventories to net realisable value amounted to $16,000 (2022: $nil). These were included in cost of goods sold.

Raw materials

Raw materials consist of the key raw materials and components used in the manufacture of commercial products, including 
VIRALEZE™ and VivaGel®.

Finished goods

Finished goods are products that are subject to a customer purchase order, have completed production, or are awaiting delivery 
to the customer.

82

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 202311. Non-Current Assets – Property, Plant and Equipment

Plant and 
equipment  
$’000

Leasehold 
improvements  
$’000

At 30 June 2021

Cost

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book amount

Year ended 30 June 2022

Opening net book amount

Additions

Disposals

Reclassify as right-of-use asset

Depreciation 

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2022

Cost

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book amount

Year ended 30 June 2023

Opening net book amount

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation 

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2023

Cost

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book amount

4,412

(3,113)

1,299

1,299

754

(6)

(462)

(288)

1,297

4,623

(3,326)

1,297

1,297

558

(3)

(349)

1,503

3,936

(2,433)

1,503

659

(585)

74

74

32

–

–

(67)

39

691

(652)

39

39

84

–

(42)

81

776

(695)

81

Total  
$’000

5,071

(3,698)

1,373

1,373

786

(6)

(462)

(355)

1,336

5,314

(3,978)

1,336

1,336

642

(3)

(391)

1,584

4,712

(3,128)

1,584

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12. Current Liabilities – Trade and Other Payables

Trade payables and accruals

Other payables

Trade payables and accruals

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

6,615 

1,052

7,667 

6,762 

969 

7,731 

The majority of trade payables are related to expenditure associated with the group’s research and product development programs.

13. Current Liabilities – Borrowings

Borrowings of $4,000,000 (2022: $4,000,000) relate to an Invest Victoria low-interest R&D cash flow loan with Treasury 
Corporation of Victoria. The loan initiative supports innovative Victorian entities to invest in research and development activities. 
The facility matures in October 2023 and is secured against the current year R&D tax incentive receivable. The interest rate was 
4.3% per annum at the reporting date.

Borrowings of $777,534 (2022: $nil) relate to an insurance premium loan maturing December 2023, interest rate 3.0%.

14. Current and Non-Current Assets/Liabilities – Leases

The balance sheet shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Right-of-use assets

Premises

Plant and equipment

Lease liabilities

Current

Non-current

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

2,950

430

3,380

744

2,750

3,494

3,606

575

4,181

695

3,494

4,189

The group leases premises (laboratory and offices space) until 19 December 2027. The group also leases scientific equipment 
generally over a three to five year term.

The consolidated income statement includes the following amounts relating to leases:

Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets

Premises

Plant and equipment

Total depreciation charge of right-of-use assets

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Expense relating to leases of low-value assets

Expense relating to variable lease payments not included in lease liabilities

Total cash outflow for leases

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

655

146

801

156

7

91

851

594

129

723

42

4

60

814

84

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 202315. Current and Non-Current Liabilities – Provision for Employee Benefits

Leave obligations

Current

Non-current

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

1,281

48

1,329

1,339

57

1,396

The leave obligations represent the group’s liability for employee long service leave and annual leave. The current portion of 
this liability includes all of the accrued annual leave, and the unconditional entitlements to long service leave where employees 
have completed the required period of service. However, based on past experience, the group does not expect all employees 
to take the full amount of current accrued leave or require payment of the entire amount within 12 months from the reporting 
date. Current leave obligations expected to be settled after the date which is 12 months from the reporting date is $919,000 
(2022: $979,000).

Refer to note 1(r) for further information.

16. Contributed Equity

(a) Share capital

Share capital

2023  
Shares

2022  
Shares

2023 
 $’000

2022 
 $’000

Ordinary shares – fully paid

410,493,077

408,443,407

240,715

240,669

(b) Movements in ordinary share capital

Date

Details

1 Jul 2022

27 Oct 2022

Employee performance rights plan share issue

1 Feb 2023

Employee share plan ($1,000) issue

17 Mar 2023

Employee performance rights plan share issue

5 May 2023

Employee performance rights plan share issue

Number 
of shares

408,443,407

409,040

67,620

339,710

1,233,300

Issue price

$ –

$ 0.68

$ –

$ –

$’000

240,669

–

46

–

–

Balance at 30 June 2023

410,493,077

240,715

Date

Details

1 Jul 2021

13 Sep 2021

Employee performance rights plan share issue

1 Nov 2021

Employee performance rights plan share issue

1 Feb 2022

Employee share plan ($1,000) issue

1 Feb 2022

Employee performance rights plan share issue

17 Mar 2022

Employee performance rights plan share issue

27 May 2022

Employee performance rights plan share issue

Number 
of  shares

406,078,026

Issue price

$’000

240,630

159,857

442,272

37,128

691,850

35,281

998,993

$ –

$ –

$ 1.07

$ –

$ –

$ –

–

–

39

–

–

–

Balance at 30 June 2022

408,443,407

240,669

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16. Contributed Equity continued

(c) Ordinary shares

As at 30 June 2023 there were 410,493,077 issued ordinary shares. Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends 
and the proceeds on winding up of the company in proportion to the number of, and amounts paid on, the shares held. On a 
show of hands every holder of ordinary shares present at a duly convened shareholder meeting in person or by proxy is entitled 
to one vote, and upon a poll each share is entitled to one vote. Ordinary shares have no par value and the company does not have 
authorised capital. There is no current on-market share buy-back.

(d) Employee Share Plan ($1,000 Plan)

Information relating to the Employee Share Plan, including details of shares issued under the plan, is set out in note 27.

(e) Employee Performance Rights Plan

Information relating to the Employee Performance Rights Plan, including details of rights issued under the plan, is set out in note 27.

(f) Capital risk management

The group’s and the parent entity’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard their ability to continue as a going concern, 
so that they can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. In order to maintain or adjust 
the capital structure, the group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue 
new shares or sell assets.

17. Reserves 

(a) Reserves

Share-based payments reserve

(b) Movement in reserves

Share-based payments reserve

Balance at 1 July

Performance right expense

Balance at 30 June

30 June 2023  
$’000 

30 June 2022 
 $’000 

28,299 

28,299 

26,285 

26,285 

30 June 2023  
$’000 

30 June 2022  
$’000 

26,285

2,014

28,299

24,077

2,208

26,285

(c) Nature and purpose of reserves

The share-based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value of options and performance rights granted.

18. Accumulated Losses

Accumulated losses balance at 1 July

Net loss for the year

Accumulated losses balance at 30 June

30 June 2023  
$’000 

30 June 2022  
$’000

(218,561)

(202,407)

(15,638)

(16,154)

(234,199)

(218,561)

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Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 202319. Related Party Transactions 

(a) Parent entity and subsidiaries

The parent entity of the group is Starpharma Holdings Limited. Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 24.

(b) Key management personnel compensation

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Other long-term benefits

Termination benefits

Share-based payments

30 June 2023  
$

30 June 2022  
$

2,141,908

2,363,172

143,928

32,105

109,353

150,685

22,000

622,600

897,570

3,049,894

3,433,427

Detailed remuneration disclosures are provided in the remuneration report on page 31.

(c) Transactions with group entities

There are related party transactions within the group between the parent and subsidiaries. Transactions include funds advanced 
to/from entities and the associated interest charge, and management and services fees. All transactions were made on an  
arm’s length basis.

(d) Transactions with other related parties

The group paid $13,236 for consulting services to Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence Pty Ltd, which Starpharma  
non-executive director Dr Jeff Davies is also a director and shareholder. The consulting services were provided by principals 
other than Dr Jeff Davies and were on normal commercial terms.

20. Remuneration of Auditors

During the year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia (PwC) 
as auditor of the parent entity, its related practices and non-related audit firms: 

30 June 2023  
$

30 June 2022  
$

Auditors of the group – PwC

Audit and review of financial reports of the entity or any entity in the consolidated entity

169,218

155,250

Other assurance services

Total services provided by PwC

–

6,630

169,218

161,880

21. Events Occurring After the Balance Sheet Date

On 14 August 2023, Starpharma received a payment from Mundipharma for US$4.25 million (A$6.56 million), in return,  
Starpharma terminated its VivaGel® BV license and supply agreement with Mundipharma, regaining all commercial rights to 
VivaGel® BV, enabling Starpharma to sign new marketing arrangement for the product. The financial effects of this commercial 
agreement have not been recognised at 30 June 2023.

On 31 July 2023, Starpharma announced that AstraZeneca had made the decision to discontinue the development of AZD0466, 
following an internal review of their haematology portfolio. AstraZeneca confirmed that the asymptomatic adverse events 
leading to this decision were not related to the dendrimer component of AZD0466. Starpharma’s DEP® Licence Agreement  
with AstraZeneca remains in effect.

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22. Commitments 

(a) Capital commitments

There is no material capital expenditure contracted not recognised as liabilities at the reporting date (2022: nil).

(b) Termination commitments

The service contracts of key management personnel include benefits payable by the group on termination of the employee’s 
contract. Refer to the remuneration report for details of these commitments. 

23. Contingencies

Starpharma has licensed VivaGel® BV in the US to ITF Pharma and is eligible to receive up to US$101 million in regulatory approval 
and commercialisation milestones, plus royalties on net sales. Upon receipt of cash proceeds under the licence, Starpharma is 
required to pay a small proportion of its receipts to an investment bank which advised on the competitive licence process, up to 
a maximum of US$1.35 million over the life of the licence (2022: US$1.35 million).

Starpharma engaged a number of service providers to develop and assist with the implementation of a full direct to market 
commercialisation plan for VIRALEZE™ antiviral nasal spray. In order to preserve capital, Starpharma negotiated to defer a 
majority of the fee to a service provider, subject to future VIRALEZE™ sales performance and licensing proceeds. The maximum 
amount payable under the arrangement at 30 June 2022 was A$1.2 million. The obligation under the arrangement has now ceased, 
with no further amount payable.

The company has no contingent assets at 30 June 2023 (2022: nil).

24. Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries in accordance 
with the accounting policy described in note 1(b).

Name of entity

Country of incorporation

Class of shares

Equity holding

2023  
%

2022  
%

Starpharma Pty Limited

Australia

Ordinary

100.00%

100.00%

25. Reconciliation of Profit After Income Tax to Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities

Operating profit/(loss) after tax

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

Non-cash employee benefits: share-based payments

Net gain/(loss) on sale of property, plant and equipment

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions 
and disposals of entities: 

Decrease/(increase) in receivables and other assets

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

Increase/(decrease) increase in trade creditors

Increase in employee provisions

Increase/(decrease) in deferred income

(Decrease)/increase in other liabilities

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

(15,638)

(16,154)

1,193

(100)

2,060

(6)

(1,257)

51

(84)

(67)

(463)

778

1,079

(188)

2,247

(6)

629

(1,103)

289

(9)

54

–

Net cash outflows from operating activities

(13,533)

(13,162)

88

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 202326. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings/(loss) per share/Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

Total earnings/(loss) per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company ($)

(0.04)

(0.04)

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

Reconciliations of earnings/(loss) used in calculating earnings per share

Profit/(loss) attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company used in calculating 
basic earnings/(loss) per share: ($’000)

(15,638)

(16,154)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating 
basic earnings/(loss) per share

409,035,257

406,900,098

As at 30 June 2023 the company had on issue 17,548,885 (30 June 2022: 15,784,044) performance rights. The rights are not included 
in the determination of basic earnings per share. The rights are also not included in the determination of diluted earnings per share. 
They are not considered dilutive as their conversion would not increase loss per share from continuing operations. 

27. Share-Based Payments

Performance rights

(a) Employee Performance Rights Plan

In 2010 the Board approved the introduction of the Employee Performance Rights Plan (Plan), which was subsequently approved 
by shareholders at the 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020 Annual General Meetings. All executives and staff, including the Chief Executive 
Officer, are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan allows for the issue of performance rights (being rights to receive fully paid 
ordinary shares subject to continued employment with the company and the satisfaction of certain performance hurdles over a 
specified period). Performance rights are granted under the Plan for no consideration. The objective of the Plan is to assist in the 
recruitment, reward, retention and motivation of employees of the company.

(b) Fair value of performance rights granted

The weighted average assessed fair value at grant date of performance rights granted during the year ended 30 June 2023  
was $0.57 per right (2022: $1.09). There were 5,189,084 performance rights granted in the current year (2022: 2,360,027).

The estimated fair value at grant date of rights with a total shareholder return (TSR) performance measure has been valued using 
a hybrid Monte-Carlo-trinomial option pricing model taking into account the absolute TSR target, the term of the right, the share 
price at grant date, the risk-free rate, the expected dividend yield, expected share price volatility, the volatility of the relevant 
index, and the correlation between the share price and that index. All other rights incorporate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 
measures, and the fair value at grant date of these rights, represents a volume weighted average price (VWAP) of shares leading 
up to the grant date.

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27. Share-Based Payments continued

Performance Rights continued

(b) Fair value of performance rights granted continued

Set out below are summaries of performance rights:

2023

Grant date

11 Nov 2015

11 Nov 2015

Vesting date

30 Jun 2017 

30 Sep 2018

19 Nov 2015

30 Jun 2017 

19 Nov 2015

30 Sep 2018

13 Oct 2016

30 Jun 2018

13 Oct 2016

30 Sep 2019

29 Nov 2016

30 Jun 2018

29 Nov 2016

30 Sep 2019

10 Aug 2017

30 Jun 2019

10 Aug 2017

30 Sep 2020

29 Nov 2017

30 Jun 2019

29 Nov 2017

30 Sep 2020

16 Aug 2018

30 Jun 2020

16 Aug 2018

30 Sep 2021

2 Nov 2018

2 Nov 2018

30 Jun 2020

30 Sep 2021

29 Nov 2018

30 Jun 2020

29 Nov 2018

30 Sep 2021

17 Oct 2019

30 Jun 2021

17 Oct 2019

30 Sep 2022

21 Nov 2019

30 Jun 2021

21 Nov 2019

30 Sep 2022

30 Oct 2020

30 Jun 2021

30 Oct 2020

30 Jun 2022

30 Oct 2020

30 Sep 2023

20 Nov 2020

30 Jun 2021

20 Nov 2020

30 Jun 2022

20 Nov 2020

30 Sep 2023

25 Oct 2021

30 Jun 2023

25 Oct 2021

30 Sep 2024

30 Nov 2021

30 Jun 2023

30 Nov 2021

30 Sep 2024

27 Oct 2022

30 Jun 2024

27 Oct 2022

30 Sep 2025

29 Nov 2022

30 Jun 2024

29 Nov 2022

30 Sep 2025

Balance at start 
of the year  
Number

Granted during 
the year  
Number

Converted 
during the year  
Number

Forfeited 
during the year  
Number

Balance at end 
of the year1  
Number

185,750

782,404

181,001

836,260

211,876

947,975

172,842

846,281

302,268

1,264,737

197,226

736,665

116,378

441,012

87,200

395,016

112,708

350,253

212,629

1,339,175

101,320

536,797

365,085

389,122

1,712,160

176,755

124,249

637,173

305,673

1,222,694

98,672

394,688

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

58,125

243,057

–

–

63,438

296,152

–

–

55,872

298,398

–

–

33,447

126,361

–

72,000

–

–

44,115

378,396

–

–

77,797

110,756

96,836

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

809,887

3,239,546

227,930

911,721

27,300

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

202,777

–

332,814

–

7,120

127,625

539,347

181,001

836,260

148,438

651,823

172,842

846,281

246,396

966,339

197,226

736,665

82,931

314,651

87,200

323,016

112,708

350,253

168,514

758,002

101,320

203,983

287,288

271,246

114,924

1,500,400

–

–

–

61,516

169,680

29,602

–

82,912

176,755

124,249

637,173

244,157

1,053,014

69,070

394,688

699,675

440,848

2,798,698

–

–

227,930

911,721

Total

15,784,044

5,189,084

1,982,050

1,442,193

17,548,885

1.  Unvested rights at the end of the year are not available for employees to exercise into shares.

90

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 20232022

Grant date

Vesting date

11 Nov 2015

30 Jun 2017 

11 Nov 2015

30 Sep 2018

19 Nov 2015

30 Jun 2017 

19 Nov 2015

30 Sep 2018

13 Oct 2016

30 Jun 2018

13 Oct 2016

30 Sep 2019

29 Nov 2016

30 Jun 2018

29 Nov 2016

30 Sep 2019

10 Aug 2017

30 Jun 2019

10 Aug 2017

30 Sep 2020

29 Nov 2017

30 Jun 2019

29 Nov 2017

30 Sep 2020

16 Aug 2018

30 Jun 2020

16 Aug 2018

30 Sep 2021

2 Nov 2018

30 Jun 2020

2 Nov 2018

30 Sep 2021

29 Nov 2018

30 Jun 2020

29 Nov 2018

30 Sep 2021

17 Oct 2019

30 Jun 2021

17 Oct 2019

30 Sep 2022

21 Nov 2019

30 Jun 2021

21 Nov 2019

30 Sep 2022

30 Oct 2020

30 Jun 2021

30 Oct 2020

30 Jun 2022

30 Oct 2020

30 Sep 2023

20 Nov 2020

30 Jun 2021

20 Nov 2020

30 Jun 2022

20 Nov 2020

30 Sep 2023

25 Oct 2021

30 Jun 2023

25 Oct 2021

30 Sep 2024

30 Nov 2021

30 Jun 2023

30 Nov 2021

30 Sep 2024

Balance at start 
of the year  
Number

Granted during 
the year  
Number

Converted 
during the year  
Number

Forfeited 
during the year  
Number

Balance at end 
of the year1  
Number

245,625

1,051,794

181,001

836,260

277,314

1,323,372

172,842

846,281

409,980

1,741,547

197,226

736,665

170,356

814,000

97,600

780,609

112,708

539,921

379,034

1,701,175

101,320

536,797

561,459

536,878

2,147,512

176,755

159,293

637,173

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

373,333

1,493,334

98,672

394,688

59,875

269,390

–

–

65,438

375,397

–

–

107,712

476,810

–

–

53,978

210,623

10,400

335,851

–

–

166,405

–

–

–

196,374

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

162,365

–

49,742

–

189,668

–

362,000

–

–

–

147,756

435,352

–

35,044

–

185,750

782,404

181,001

836,260

211,876

947,975

172,842

846,281

302,268

1,264,737

197,226

736,665

116,378

441,012

87,200

395,016

112,708

350,253

212,629

1,339,175

101,320

536,797

365,085

389,122

1,712,160

176,755

124,249

637,173

67,660

305,673

270,640

1,222,694

–

–

98,672

394,688

Total

17,472,497

2,360,027

2,328,253

1,720,227

15,784,044

1.  Unvested rights at the end of the year are not available for employees to exercise into shares.

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Annual Report 2023Starpharma Holdings LimitedDirectors’ ReportRemuneration ReportAuditor’s Independence DeclarationConsolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsDirectors’ DeclarationIndependent Auditor’s ReportShareholder InformationIntellectual  Property ReportCorporate Directory 
 
 
 
 
27. Share-Based Payments continued

Performance Rights continued

(b) Fair value of performance rights granted continued

Information used in assessing the fair value of performance rights granted during the year ended 30 June 2023 is as follows:

Right grant date

Number of rights granted

Vesting date

Performance measure

Expected price volatility of the company’s shares

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Share price at grant date

Assessed fair value

Right grant date

Number of rights granted

Vesting date

Performance measure

Expected price volatility of the company’s shares

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Share price at grant date

Assessed fair value

27 October 2022

27 October 2022

27 October 2022

809,887

3,097,706

141,840

30 June 2024

30 September 2025

30 September 2025

KPIs

60%

3.49%

– 

$0.61

$0.61

KPIs

60%

3.33%

– 

$0.61

$0.61

TSR

60%

3.33%

–

$0.61

$0.36

29 November 2022

29 November 2022

29 November 2022

227,930

638,205

273,516

30 June 2024

30 September 2025

30 September 2025

KPIs

60%

3.40%

– 

$0.52

$0.52

KPIs

60%

3.22%

– 

$0.52

$0.52

TSR

60%

3.22%

– 

$0.52

$0.28

Share price volatility and the risk-free interest rate are obtained through an independent valuation.

92

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 2023Information used in assessing the fair value of performance rights granted during the year ended 30 June 2022 is as follows:

Right grant date

Number of rights granted

Vesting date

Performance measure

Expected price volatility of the company’s shares

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Share price at grant date

Assessed fair value

Right grant date

Number of rights granted

Vesting date

Performance measure

Expected price volatility of the company’s shares

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Share price at grant date

Assessed fair value

Shares

(a) Employee Share Plan ($1,000 Plan)

25 October 2021

25 October 2021

25 October 2021

373,333

1,401,054

92,280

30 June 2023

30 September 2024

30 September 2024

KPIs

60%

0.26%

– 

$1.14

$1.14

KPIs

60%

0.65%

– 

$1.14

$1.14

TSR

60%

0.65%

–

$1.14

$0.62

30 November 2021

30 November 2021

30 November 2021

98,672

276,282

118,406

30 June 2023

30 September 2024

30 September 2024

KPIs

60%

0.37%

– 

$1.09

$1.09

KPIs

60%

0.83%

– 

$1.09

$1.09

TSR

60%

0.83%

– 

$1.09

$0.60

All staff are eligible to participate in the Starpharma Employee Share Plan ($1,000 Plan). The objective of the $1,000 Plan is to 
assist in the reward, retention and motivation of employees of the group. An annual allocation of up to $1,000 of shares may be 
granted and taxed on a concessional basis. Shares are granted under the $1,000 Plan for no consideration and are escrowed  
for three years whilst participants are employed by the group.

(b) Fair value of shares granted

The weighted average fair value at grant date of shares granted under the $1,000 Plan during the year ended 30 June 2023 
was $0.68 per share (2022: $1.07 per share). The fair value at grant date is determined by the share price on the date of grant. 
These shares were granted for no consideration. There was no allocation of shares under the plan to key management personnel.

Information used in assessing the fair value of shares granted during the year ended 30 June 2023 is as follows:

Share grant date

Number of shares granted

Share price at grant date

Assessed fair value

Information used in assessing the fair value of shares granted during the year ended 30 June 2022 is as follows:

Share grant date

Number of shares granted

Share price at grant date

Assessed fair value

1 February 2023

67,620

$0.68

$0.68

1 February 2022

37,128

$1.07

$1.07

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Annual Report 2023Starpharma Holdings LimitedDirectors’ ReportRemuneration ReportAuditor’s Independence DeclarationConsolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsDirectors’ DeclarationIndependent Auditor’s ReportShareholder InformationIntellectual  Property ReportCorporate Directory 
 
 
 
 
27. Share-Based Payments continued

Expenses arising from share-based payment transactions

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognised during the period were as follows:

Employee shares issued

Employee performance rights

28. Parent Entity Financial Information

(a) Summary financial information

The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts:

Balance sheet

Current assets

Total assets 

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity 

Contributed equity 

Reserves 

Accumulated losses

Loss for the year

Total comprehensive income

(b) Contingencies of the parent entity

The parent entity has no contingent assets or liabilities at 30 June 2023 (2022: nil).

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

46

2,014

2,060

39

2,208

2,247

Parent entity

30 June 2023  
$’000

30 June 2022  
$’000

33,374

33,374

1,744

1,744

44,890

44,890

779

779

240,715

240,669

27,790

25,776

(236,875)

(222,334)

(14,541)

(14,541)

(13,583)

(13,583)

94

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued30 JUNE 2023Directors’ Declaration
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

In the directors’ opinion:

(a)  the financial statements and notes set out on pages 63 to 94 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i)  complying with accounting standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting 

requirements; and

(ii)  giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2023 and of its performance  

for the financial year ended on that date; and

(b)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due 

and payable. 

Note 1(a) confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board.

The directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by section 
295A of the Corporations Act 2001.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

Robert B Thomas AO 
Chairman

Melbourne,  
24 August 2023

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Annual Report 2023Starpharma Holdings LimitedDirectors’ ReportRemuneration ReportAuditor’s Independence DeclarationConsolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsDirectors’ DeclarationIndependent Auditor’s ReportShareholder InformationIntellectual  Property ReportCorporate Directory 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report
TO THE MEMBERS OF STARPHARMA HOLDINGS LIMITED

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of Starpharma Holdings Limited

Report on the audit of the financial report

Our opinion

In our opinion:

The accompanying financial report of Starpharma Holdings Limited (the Company) and its controlled
entity (together the Group) is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(a) giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2023 and of its

financial performance for the year then ended

(b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

What we have audited
The Group financial report comprises:

●
●
●
●
●
●

●

the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2023
the consolidated income statement for the year then ended
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended
the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended
the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended
the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include significant accounting policies
and other explanatory information
the directors’ declaration.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial
report section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our opinion.

Independence
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional & Ethical
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence
Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

96

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Our audit approach

An audit is designed to provide reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from
material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of
users taken on the basis of the financial report.

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an
opinion on the financial report as a whole, taking into account the geographic and management
structure of the Group, its accounting processes and controls and the industry in which it operates.

Materiality

Audit scope

● For the purpose of our audit we used overall
Group materiality of $781,000, which
represents approximately 5% of the Group’s
loss before income tax.

● Our audit focused on where the Group made

subjective judgements; for example, significant
accounting estimates involving assumptions and
inherently uncertain future events.

● We applied this threshold, together with

● All audit procedures are performed by PwC

qualitative considerations, to determine the
scope of our audit and the nature, timing and
extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate
the effect of misstatements on the financial
report as a whole.

Australia, consistent with the location of Group
management and financial records.

● We tailored the scope of our audit taking into

account the accounting processes and controls,
and the industry in which the Group operates.

● We chose Group loss before income tax

because, in our view, it is the benchmark
against which the performance of the Group is
most commonly measured.

● We utilised a 5% threshold based on our

professional judgement, noting it is within the
range of commonly acceptable thresholds.

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Independent Auditor’s Report continued
TO THE MEMBERS OF STARPHARMA HOLDINGS LIMITED

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in
our audit of the financial report for the current period. The key audit matters were addressed in the
context of our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do
not provide a separate opinion on these matters. Further, any commentary on the outcomes of a
particular audit procedure is made in that context.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit
matter

Research and Development Tax Incentive
(Refer to note 3 critical accounting estimates and
judgements, note 6 expenses and note 9 current
assets - trade and other receivables)

We have performed the following procedures to
assess the Group’s estimate of the R&D Tax Incentive
receivable as at 30 June 2023:

The Group’s research and development (R&D)
activities are eligible for a refundable tax offset under
an Australian Government Tax Incentive. The Group
has assessed these activities and related expenditure
to determine their eligibility under the incentive
scheme.

The R&D Tax Incentive receivable recorded as at 30
June 2023 was $7.24 million and $7.63 million was
recognised as contra R&D expense in the income
statement for the period ended 30 June 2023.

This is a key audit matter due to:

●

●

the significance of the amount receivable as
at 30 June 2023; and

the degree of judgement and interpretation
of the R&D tax legislation required by the
Group to assess the eligibility of the R&D
expenditure under the scheme.

●

●

●

●

●

●

compared the estimate recorded in the
financial statements as at 30 June 2022 to
the amount of cash received after lodgement
of the R&D Tax Incentive claim to assess
historical accuracy of the estimate.

compared the nature of the underlying R&D
expenditure included in the current year
estimate to the prior year estimate.

assessed the nature of a sample of expenses
against the eligibility criteria of the R&D Tax
Incentive programme.

agreed a sample of eligible expenditure in
the estimate to the general ledger or other
underlying accounting records.

obtained copies of correspondence with the
company’s external tax advisor and agreed
the advice to the R&D Tax Incentive
calculation for the current financial year.

evaluated the reasonableness of the
disclosure against the requirements of
Australian Accounting Standards.

98

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the
information included in the annual report for the year ended 30 June 2023, but does not include the
financial report and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon through our opinion on the financial report. We
have issued a separate opinion on the remuneration report.

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial
report or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of
this auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we
are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a
true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001
and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the
financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to
fraud or error.

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an
audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic
decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial report.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board website at:
https://www.auasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/ar1_2020.pdf. This description forms part of
our auditor's report.

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Independent Auditor’s Report continued
TO THE MEMBERS OF STARPHARMA HOLDINGS LIMITED

Report on the remuneration report

Our opinion on the remuneration report

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 33 to 58 of the directors’ report for the
year ended 30 June 2023.

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Starpharma Holdings Limited for the year ended 30 June
2023 complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Responsibilities

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the
remuneration report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with
Australian Auditing Standards.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Brad Peake
Partner

Melbourne
24 August 2023

100

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Shareholder Information

Supplementary information as required by ASX listing requirements.

A. Distribution of Equity Shareholders

Equity security holders by size of holding as at 11 August 2023:

1 –1,000

1,001–5,000

5,001–10,000

10,001–100,000

100,001 and over

Total

There were 3,031 holders of less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares.

B. Equity Security Holders

The names of the 20 largest holders of quoted equity securities as at 11 August 2023:

Name

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

National Nominees Limited

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd ACF Clearstream

T & N Argyrides Investments P/L 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5

6.

7.

8. Mr Kingsley Bryan Bartholomew

9.

Applecross Secretarial Services Pty Ltd 

10. Ms Jacinth Fairley

11.

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd  

12. Mr Peter Murray Jackson

13. HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited – A/C 2

14. Dollar Coin Investments Pty Ltd 

15. Bell Potter Nominees Ltd

16.

17.

Evelyn Family Beneficiary Pty Ltd

Peppertree Custodian Services Pty Ltd  

18. Mr Nigel James Baade 

19. Mr Thomas Harrington Mann 

20. Mr David Michael Hosey + Mrs Andrea Jane Hosey 

Class of equity security

Shares

2,256

2,688

1,103

1,732

303

8,082

Performance 
rights

–

1

–

10

33

47

Ordinary shares

Number held

Percentage of 
issued shares

122,237,260

37,825,457

29,722,931

20,532,433

5,752,680

5,064,744

5,060,000

3,427,025

3,361,550

3,252,386

2,814,519

2,620,000

2,564,149

2,007,501

2,000,000

1,679,537

1,644,450

1,629,725

1,567,617

1,477,652

29.78

9.21

7.24

5.00

1.40

1.23

1.23

0.83

0.82

0.79

0.69

0.64

0.62

0.49

0.49

0.41

0.40

0.40

0.38

0.36

256,241,616

62.42

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Shareholder Information continued

B. Equity Security Holders continued

Name

Employee performance rights

C. Substantial Holders

Substantial shareholders with a shareholding greater than 5% as at 18 August 2023:

Name

Allan Gray Australia Pty Ltd

Allianz SE

M&G Plc

FIL Limited

ICM Investment Management Ltd

D. Voting Rights

Unquoted equity securities 
over ordinary shares

Number 
on issue

Number 
of holders

17,548,885

42

Ordinary shares

Number held

51,965,719

48,480,000

26,114,235

25,777,420

21,361,682

Percentage of 
issue shares

12.7

11.8

6.4 

6.3

5.2

The voting rights attached to each class of equity securities are set out below:

(a)  Ordinary shares 

 On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in person or by proxy shall have one vote 
and on a poll each share shall have one vote.

(b)  Performance rights 

No voting rights.

102

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Intellectual Property Report

The Starpharma patent portfolio currently has around 20 active patent families with over 200 granted patents and more than 
70 patent applications pending.

Key patents within the Starpharma portfolio as at 31 July 2023:

Priority date and 
publication number

Patents granted

Applications pending

30 March 2001  
WO02/079299

USA

Title

VivaGel® patent portfolio

Agents for the Prevention 
& Treatment of Sexually 
Transmitted Diseases

Microbicidal Dendrimer 
Composition Delivery 
System (Condom related)

18 October 2005  
WO2007/045009

Australia, Canada, Europe, 
Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, 
Mexico, New Zealand, Russian 
Federation, South Korea, 
Taiwan, USA

Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, 
Europe, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, 
Mexico, Russia, South Korea, USA

India

Method of Treatment or 
Prophylaxis of Bacterial Vaginosis

16 May 2011  
WO2012/000891

Method of Treatment or 
Prophylaxis of Infection of the 
Eye

13 September 2012  
WO2014/043576

Canada, China, Europe, Hong 
Kong, India, Japan, USA

Drug Delivery patent portfolio (includes DEP® patents)

Macromolecules Compounds 
having Controlled Stoichiometry

25 October 2005  
WO2007/048190

Australia, Canada, Europe, USA

Modified Macromolecules

20 January 2006  
WO2007/082331

Australia, Canada, China, Europe, 
Hong Kong, India, Japan, USA

Targeted Polylysine Dendrimer 
Therapeutic Agent

11 August 2006  
WO2008/017125

China, Europe, India, USA

Macromolecules  
(Drug linkers)

6 June 2011  
WO2012/167309

Dendrimer Drug Conjugates 
(DEP-Insulin/GLP1)

6 June 2014  
WO 2015/184510

Australia, Brazil, Canada,  
China, Europe, Hong Kong,  
Japan, South Korea, USA

India, USA 

Europe, USA

India

Therapeutic Dendrimer  
(DEP-Cabazitaxel)

19 July 2018  
WO2020/014750

USA

Dendrimer for Therapy and 
Imaging (DEP-radiotheranostic)

29 November 2018 
 WO2020/107078

Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, 
Europe, India, Indonesia, Japan, 
Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, 
Singapore, South Africa, 
South Korea 

Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, 
Europe, India, Indonesia, 
Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, 
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, 
South Africa, South Korea, USA

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Intellectual Property Report continued

Title

Priority date and 
publication number

Patents granted

Applications pending

Drug Delivery patent portfolio (includes DEP® patents) continued

Therapeutic Dendrimer  
(DEP-Irinotecan)

 20 November 2018  
WO2020/102852

Therapeutic Dendrimer 
(DEP-GEM)

26 September 2019  
WO2021/056077

Targeted Dendrimer Conjugates  
(DEP-targeted)

28 August 2019 
WO2021/035310

Method of Prophylaxis 
of Coronavirus Infection

15 April 2020  
WO/2021/207790

Australia

Dendrimer-drug conjugates 
(Remdesivir)

31 August 2020  
WO2022/040761

Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, 
China, Europe, India, Indonesia, 
Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, 
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, 
South Africa, South Korea, 
UAE, USA

Australia, Canada, China, 
Europe, India, Indonesia, Japan, 
Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, 
South Africa, UAE, USA

Australia, Brazil Canada, China, 
Europe, India, Japan, Malaysia, 
Korea, Singapore, USA

China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, 
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South 
Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, 
United States

Europe, India, United States

Starpharma actively protects its trademark rights with filings and registrations in key markets. The primary marks protected 
are STARPHARMA, VIVAGEL, DEP and VIRALEZE. 

104

Starpharma Holdings LimitedAnnual Report 2023Solicitors

DLA Piper  
80 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

Stock Exchange Listing

ASX Limited  
Level 4, North Tower, Rialto,  
525 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

ASX Code: SPL

Starpharma’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)  
trade under the code SPHRY (CUSIP number 855563102). 
Each Starpharma ADR is equivalent to 10 ordinary shares 
of Starpharma as traded on the ASX. The Bank of New York 
Mellon is the depositary bank.

Starpharma’s ADRs are listed on OTCQX International  
(www.otcmarkets.com), a premium market tier in the US  
for international exchange-listed companies operated  
by OTC Markets Group.

Website

www.starpharma.com

Corporate Directory

Company Name

Starpharma Holdings Limited 
ABN 20 078 532 180

Directors

R B Thomas AO – Chairman

J K Fairley – Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

D J McIntyre

L Cheng

J R Davies

R Basser

Company Secretary

Justin Cahill 
Tracy Weimar

Registered Office

4-6 Southampton Crescent 
Abbotsford VIC 3067 Australia

Telephone +61 3 8532 2700

Postal Address

PO Box 2022 
Preston VIC 3072 Australia

Share Register 

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited 
452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford VIC 3067 Australia

GPO Box 2975 
Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia

1300 850 505 (within Australia) 
+613 9415 4000 (outside Australia) 
www.computershare.com

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers 
2 Riverside Quay 
Southbank VIC 3006 Australia

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Starpharma Holdings Limited

ABN 20 078 532 180

4-6 Southampton Crescent
Abbotsford
VIC 3067 Australia

Telephone +61 3 8532 2700

www.starpharma.com