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Siren Gold Limited

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FY2021 Annual Report · Siren Gold Limited
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Synairgen plc,
Mailpoint 810,
Southampton General Hospital,
Tremona Road,
Southampton,
SO16 6YD

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Breakthrough Science for 
Severe Viral Lung Infections

Stock symbol: LSE: SNG 
www.synairgen.com

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600 
 
 
 
 
 
Breakthrough 
science for severe 
viral lung infections

We are a specialist respiratory biotech 
company whose primary focus is 
developing our investigative inhaled IFN-β 
therapeutic (SNG001) for the treatment and 
prevention of severe viral lung infections, 
including COVID-19, as potentially the first 
host-directed, broad-spectrum antiviral 
treatment delivered directly into the lungs.

Corporate directory

Company details

Company number
5233429
Directors

Executive:  
Richard Marsden, Dr Phillip Monk, John Ward

Non-executive:  
Simon Shaw (Chairman), Iain Buchanan,  
Dr Bruce Campbell, Theodora Harold,  
Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE

Secretary
Simon Holden

Head Office and Registered office
Mailpoint 810, Southampton General Hospital, 
Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD

Telephone and fax
+44 (0) 2380 512 800

Website
www.synairgen.com 

E-mail
info@synairgen.com

Advisers

Independent auditor
BDO LLP
Level 12, Thames Tower, Station Road,  
Reading, RG1 1LX

Bankers
HSBC UK Bank plc
165 High Street, Southampton, SO14 2NZ

Financial public relations
Consilium Strategic Communications
85 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ

Nominated adviser and joint broker
finnCap Limited
One Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BL

Joint broker
Numis Securities Limited 
45 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BF 

Registrars
Link Group
10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street,  
Leeds LS1 4DL

Solicitors
Fieldfisher LLP
Riverbank House, 2 Swan Lane, London EC4R 3TT

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic report

Chairman’s Statement 

Strategic Report 

Governance

Synairgen’s Founders 

Directors 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Report of the Audit Committee 

Directors’ Report 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

3

4

15

16

18

22

27

28

30

Financial statements

Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the members of Synairgen plc 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Parent Company Balance Sheet 

Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements 

Other information

Glossary 

Corporate Directory 

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IBC

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Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plc 
 
 
Highlights (including post period-end)

Operational

Financial

>   Recruited 623 patients into the Company’s Phase 3 

SPRINTER trial, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 
conducted in 17 countries, to investigate the efficacy 
and safety of SNG001 in people hospitalised with 
COVID-19.

>   Loss from operations for the year ended 31 December 
2021 of £57.9 million (2020: £17.7 million), with R&D 
expenditure increasing from £15.5 million to £52.9 
million (2020: £15.5 million) on account of Phase 3 trial 
and manufacturing activities.

>   The research and development tax credit increased 

from £3.8 million to £9.2 million, resulting in a loss after 
tax of £48.7 million (2020: £13.9 million loss).

 >   Cash balances of £33.8 million at 31 December 2021 (31 

December 2020: £75.0 million).

–   The trial did not meet the primary endpoints, as 
previously announced. There was, however, an 
encouraging signal in reduction in the relative risk (RRR) 
of progression to severe disease or death within 35 days 
(26% reduction in the Intention-to-Treat (ITT) population 
and 36% reduction in the Per Protocol population). 

–   Further follow-on analyses indicated stronger treatment 

effects in high-risk patient sub-groups, with the 
strongest effect observed in patients with compromised 
respiratory function despite being on supplemental 
oxygen (44% reduction in the ITT population and 70% 
reduction in the Per Protocol population), who comprised 
approximately one-third of the overall trial population.

–   The data has further validated the favourable safety 

profile of SNG001.

>   Recruitment started and completed in the US 

Government’s Phase 2 ACTIV-2 trial conducted in the 
US to investigate SNG001 in people with COVID-19 at 
home, prior to hospitalisation.

–   The Data Safety Monitoring Board graduated SNG001 

from Phase 2 to Phase 3 in the ACTIV-2 trial, sponsored 
by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 
Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, 
and led by the NIAID-funded AIDS Clinical Trials Group 
(ACTG). The NIAID subsequently decided to cease the 
Phase 3 ACTIV-2 study.

>   In vitro studies confirmed potency against multiple 
variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus including Alpha, 
Beta and Gamma, followed early in 2022 by Delta and 
Omicron.

 >   Significant development and scale-up of manufacturing 

capability.

>   Strengthened its Board of Directors and senior 

leadership team.

22
Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600 
 
 
 
Chairman’s statement

“

We operate in an environment of 
political and market volatility against 
the ever-changing backdrop of 
COVID-19. Despite these challenges, 
we started and completed enrolment 
in SPRINTER, our first-ever Phase 3,  
double blind, placebo-controlled  
clinical trial, conducted in 17 
countries, with more than  
620 participants.

“

This year has marked significant progress for Synairgen 
and the development of our investigational candidate 
SNG001, inhaled interferon beta, for potential use in 
treating people with COVID-19. Built on a 15-year scientific 
foundation and strong rationale for use in COVID-19 and 
for other viruses that cause severe viral lung infections, 
the Synairgen team and our consultants, partners and 
advisers have been unwavering in their efforts to bring 
SNG001 to those patients who may benefit.

Our business has many challenges. We operate in an 
environment of political and market volatility against 
the ever-changing backdrop of COVID-19. Despite these 
challenges, we started and completed enrolment in 
SPRINTER, our first-ever Phase 3, double blind, placebo-
controlled clinical trial, conducted in 17 countries with more 
than 620 participants. It was obviously disappointing that 
the primary endpoints of the SPRINTER trial were not met, 
however we saw what we believe is an important signal in 
a key secondary endpoint towards a relative reduction in 
the risk of disease progression and death (36% in the Per 
Protocol population) compared with placebo, on top of 
current standard of care. Subsequent post hoc analyses 
of subgroups recognised to be at higher risk of disease 
progression (such as the elderly, those with co-morbidities 
associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes, and those 
who showed signs of respiratory compromise despite 
use of oxygen) suggest further investigation is warranted. 
Full details are contained in the Operating Review. These 
findings post hoc indicate which patients are most likely 
to benefit from SNG001 and, coupled with its favourable 
safety profile, have enabled Synairgen to refine the strategy 
for the SNG001 development programme.

Outside the clinic, our in vitro studies of SNG001 have 
shown it to be potent against all SARS-CoV-2 variants 
tested to date, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and 
Omicron.1 

There have been substantial and rapid improvements in 
the standard of care in the treatment and prevention of 
severe illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 which means that the 
majority of patients are discharged from hospital without 
the need for higher levels of care such as high flow oxygen 
or ventilation. However, there remains a need to further 
improve standard of care for COVID-19 patients at high 
risk of progressing to more severe disease or death. In 
2021, despite new therapies and successful vaccination 
programmes, deaths from COVID-19 still surpassed those 
of 2020.2 As such, Synairgen is actively seeking inclusion of 
SNG001 in a platform trial or other trials for hospitalised 
patients so that the encouraging signal seen in reducing 
the relative risk of disease progression and death in 
SPRINTER can be confirmed. 

During the year, the Board played an important role in 
working with the Company’s management team to make 
strategic and operational decisions. In September, I was 
delighted to welcome Theodora Harold to the Board as a 
non-executive director and chair of the Audit Committee. 
I thank all of our Board Members for their sound 
judgement, challenge and advice throughout the year.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our 
shareholders for their continued support, and Synairgen 
employees and partners for staying committed and 
focused through a year of challenge and change. 

As we look ahead and continue to learn more about 
this virus which has affected the world so significantly, 
our priority, using carefully managed resources and in 
collaboration with experts, is clear: to rapidly confirm 
the important signal we’ve found from the SPRINTER 
trial in COVID-19 and to investigate SNG001 in patients 
hospitalised with a range of seasonal viruses such as 
influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and para-
influenza. 

Simon Shaw
Chairman

24 May 2022

1 

 Synairgen. SNG001 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 variant infection in cell based 
assays. 2021-2.

2  CBS News, November 23, 2021.

3

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStrategic report

The directors present their Strategic Report for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Principal Activities and Strategy

Synairgen plc (the “Company”) is the 
holding company for Synairgen Research 
Limited, a UK-based respiratory drug 
discovery and development company, and 
Synairgen Inc. and Synairgen Research 
(Ireland) Limited, which were established 
in preparation for commercial activity in 
the US and European Union. Synairgen 
is developing a broad-spectrum inhaled 
antiviral for the treatment and prevention 
of severe viral lung infections and has 
recently completed a Phase 3 clinical 
trial for COVID-19 hospitalised patients. 
A glossary on pages 65 to 70 provides 
additional explanation of some of the more 
detailed scientific and clinical terminology 
referenced in this report. 

Operating Review

Introduction

There remains an urgent need for additional treatment 
options, with distinct mechanisms of action, for high-risk 
patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 and other viruses, 
particularly to prevent progression to severe disease 
or death. Vaccines, antibodies and antivirals have done 
much to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19, 
however there is growing evidence that protection from 

the virus afforded by vaccines is not comprehensive and 
may wane over time. Furthermore, there are limitations 
to many direct-acting COVID-19 therapeutics, particularly 
in respect of continuing efficacy against new variants as 
they emerge. Additional market research conducted by 
Synairgen also indicates that current therapies do not fully 
meet the current medical need.3

2021 Achievements

2021 was a significant year in which Synairgen made 
important progress investigating SNG001 for the 
possible treatment of COVID-19 in both the hospital 
and home settings. 

01

Started and completed recruitment into the 
Company’s Phase 3 SPRINTER trial, a double-blind, 
placebo-controlled trial conducted in  
17 countries to investigate the efficacy of  
SNG001 in 623 patients hospitalised with  
COVID-19.

02

Recruitment was started and completed in 
the US Government’s ACTIV-2 Phase 2 trial 
conducted in the US to investigate SNG001 
in people with COVID-19 at home, prior to 
hospitalisation.

03

In vitro studies confirmed potency against 
multiple variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus 
including Alpha, Beta and Gamma (followed 
early in 2022 by Delta and Omicron).

In addition, the Company focused on the regulatory, 
commercial and manufacturing activities that would 
be required to support use of SNG001 in hospitals 
following potential regulatory approval including 
expedited routes.

Topline SPRINTER Data

The topline data from the SPRINTER trial, announced in 
late February 2022, showed that the primary endpoints 
of earlier hospital discharge and recovery were not met, 
likely due to improvements in standard of care such as 

Courtesy: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

3 

 IQVIA market research. December 2021. 

4

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021vaccination programmes, the use of antivirals and anti-
inflamatories and changes in hospital practices since the 
beginning of the pandemic. The Company did observe 
an encouraging signal with respect to a reduction in the 
relative risk of patients progressing to severe disease or 
death (36% in the Per Protocol population4). Further post 
hoc analysis of this endpoint suggested that SNG001 
prevented disease progression in patient groups with 
recognised risk factors, such as older age, the existence 
of certain co-morbidities, and compromised respiratory 
function. The strongest effects were observed in patients 
with compromised respiratory function (high respiratory 
rate and low oxygen saturations) despite being on 
supplemental oxygen, who represented approximately 
one third of the patients in the trial, where SNG001 
significantly reduced the risk of progression compared to 
placebo (44% in the Intention-to-Treat population and 70% 
in the Per Protocol population) in this post hoc analysis.

Summary

Given the evolution of COVID-19, emergence of variants 
and the changing treatment landscape, and on the advice 
of our independent clinical and scientific advisers, we 
are actively seeking to have SNG001 included in further 
COVID-19 trials which would provide adequate statistical 
power to evaluate the encouraging effects we observed 
in SPRINTER, as well as further investigation of SNG001 in 
patients hospitalised with a range of seasonal viruses such 
as influenza, RSV and para-influenza. 

Despite the challenging environment outlined above, 
Synairgen continues to explore the potential of SNG001 in 
three settings:

1)   In people hospitalised with COVID-19, including 
in high-risk sub-populations such as those with 
compromised respiratory function, despite use of 
supplemental oxygen;

2)   For possible use as a broad-spectrum antiviral for 
people hospitalised with other severe viral lung 
infections caused by a range of ‘regular’ seasonal 
viruses; and,

3)   As a possible future pandemic preparedness option 

for government agencies.

4 

 The main reason patients were excluded from the Per Protocol 
population was failure to receive two full doses in the first three days 
of treatment.population was failure to receive two full doses in the 
first three days of treatment.

Rationale for SNG001 in COVID-19

There is a strong scientific rationale underpinning 
SNG001 for use in treating COVID-19, combined 
with a good safety profile and a growing body of 
encouraging clinical data which will help us better 
understand the role SNG001 can play in helping 
patients at risk of developing severe illness due to 
respiratory viruses.

Interferon beta (‘IFN-beta’) is a naturally-occurring protein 
orchestrating the body’s antiviral responses. Synairgen’s 
SNG001 is a formulation containing the fully glycosylated 
form of IFN-beta (IFN-beta-1a) for direct delivery to the 
lungs via specific nebulisers. It is near to pH neutral, and is 
free of mannitol, arginine and human serum albumin (which 
may be pharmacologically active in the airways), making 
SNG001 suitable for inhaled delivery direct to the site of 
infection.

There is strong evidence that deficiency in IFN-beta 
production by the lung could explain the enhanced 
susceptibility in higher-risk patient groups to developing 
severe lower respiratory tract (lung) disease during 
respiratory viral infections, including COVID-19.5

Viruses, including coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, have 
evolved mechanisms to suppress IFN-beta production, 
helping the virus to evade the innate immune system. 
The addition of IFN-beta before or during viral infection of 
lung cells in vitro either prevents or greatly reduces viral 
replication.6 The Company has conducted in vitro testing 
against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) including 
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron and shown 
potent antiviral activity at concentrations that are readily 
achievable following inhaled delivery of interferon beta.

Delivery via the inhaled route results in a high local 
concentration in the lungs, the site of the infection. We 
believe these concentrations could not be accomplished 
at the lining of the lungs via the injected route, and indeed 
recent studies have shown systemic use of IFN-beta through 
injection is ineffective in fighting COVID-19 in the lungs.7

5 

6 

7 

 Zheng Y, Zhuang MW, Han L, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome 
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) membrane (M) protein inhibits type I and 
III interferon production by targeting RIG-I/MDA-5 signaling. Signal 
Transduct Target Ther. 2020;5:299.

 Synairgen data on file.

 WHO Solidarity Trial Consortium. Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for 
Covid-19 — Interim WHO Solidarity Trial Results. N Engl J Med. 
2021;384:497–511.

5

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStrategic report
(continued)

 Courtesy: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

2021 clinical progress in COVID-19

Synairgen conducted a Phase 2 trial of SNG001 in 
people with COVID-19 in 2020, consisting of both a 
Hospital and a Home Cohort. The Hospital Cohort 
generated positive results with patients treated 
with SNG001 being twice as likely to recover over 
the treatment period compared to those receiving 
placebo. This was a clear signal that patients on 
drug recovered faster than those on placebo. 
There were also trends towards prevention of 
progression to severe disease or death and faster 
hospital discharge. This was a robust, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled trial conducted at nine specialist 
hospital sites in the UK in the first few months of 
the pandemic, at a time when hospital practices 
for COVID-19 were not yet established, and when 
patients were unvaccinated and were not treated 
with antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatments 
available in 2021. The data from the Hospital Cohort 
were peer reviewed and published in the Lancet 
Respiratory Medicine in November 2020.

Building on the positive results seen in the Hospital 
Cohort of the Phase 2 trial, the Company worked 
with regulatory authorities to design a larger 
Phase 3 trial (SPRINTER) to evaluate SNG001 in 
people hospitalised due to COVID-19 who required 
supplemental oxygen. 

Synairgen began recruitment into the SPRINTER trial in 
January 2021 and concluded recruitment in November 
2021. The SPRINTER trial was a global Phase 3, 
randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-site 
clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of inhaled 
SNG001 on top of standard of care for the treatment of 
adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 requiring treatment 
with supplemental oxygen by mask or nasal prongs. 
Patients requiring high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, non-
invasive ventilation, or endotracheal intubation (invasive 

6

ventilation) and patients that were vaccinated at time of 
randomisation were excluded (exclusion of vaccinated 
patients was later removed via protocol amendment). 
COVID-19 was confirmed using a validated molecular 
test for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The trial 
enrolled 623 patients, randomised (1:1) to treatment with 
inhaled SNG001 or placebo at more than 100 sites across 
the following 17 countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, 
Colombia, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, 
Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, the United 
Kingdom and the United States.

There was no difference between SNG001 and placebo 
in the hospital discharge or recovery primary endpoints 
in the trial, with the majority of patients discharged from 
hospital within the treatment period. We believe this 
is due to the improvements in standard of care driven 
by vaccines, the use of antivirals and anti-inflamatories 
and changes in hospital practices. For further context, 
when the Phase 2 trial was conducted in March 2020, 
systemic corticosteroids and antivirals for COVID-19 
were not routinely being used. Accordingly, no patients 
in the Phase 2 trial received any of these treatments 
for COVID-19. When the Phase 3 SPRINTER trial was 
conducted in 2021, there was considerably higher routine 
use of dexamethasone and remdesivir, meaning that 
almost 90% of SPRINTER patients were also being treated 
with systemic corticosteroids, around 20% were taking 
remdesivir, and around 30% of patients were vaccinated 
to some degree.

Nevertheless, a 36% reduction in the risk of disease 
progression or death (a key secondary endpoint) was 
observed in the Per Protocol population, which trended 
towards statistical significance (p=0.119), which we believe 
is an important signal. 

The potential importance of this signal triggered a more 
comprehensive, post hoc analysis of the SPRINTER 
data to ‘stress test’ the robustness of this encouraging 
observation. The analyses focused on the disease 
progression end point in high-risk groups, and showed 
a consistent trend in favour of SNG001 with respect to 
a reduction in the risk of progression to develop severe 
disease or death. The strongest treatment effect was in 
patients who, despite being on supplemental oxygen, 
had compromised respiratory function at baseline 
(low oxygen saturation or a high breathing rate). This 
group represented around one third of the overall trial 
population.

 >  Participants in the Per Protocol population with 

compromised respiratory function (oxygen saturation 

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021≤ 92% or respiratory rate ≥ 21 breaths/min at baseline) 
treated with SNG001 had a 70% reduction in the risk 
of progression to severe disease or death compared 
to placebo (Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) 0.23 
(0.06, 0.98); p = 0.046).

SNG001 was well tolerated in the SPRINTER trial with a 
favourable safety profile consistent with previous studies: 

 >  The proportion of patients with any treatment-

emergent adverse events (TEAE) related to study 
treatment was 22.6% for SNG001 vs. 25.4% for placebo.

 >  The proportion of patients with any serious TEAE was 

12.6% for SNG001 vs. 18.2% for placebo.

 >  The proportion of patients with a serious respiratory 
TEAE was 4.7% for SNG001 vs. 9.9% for placebo.

These findings are consistent with an effect on disease 
progression.

This trend seen with respect to prevention of progresssion 
to severe disease or death, supported by the post hoc 
analysis, provides a strong rationale to investigate SNG001 
in a further targeted COVID-19 trial, and more widely in 
patients hospitalised with a range of seasonal viruses 
such as influenza, RSV and para-influenza, which can lead 
to severe viral lung infections requiring hospitalisation. 
The stronger treatment effect observed in patients with 
compromised lung function at baseline in the post hoc 
analyses suggests that these patients should be targeted 
in future trials.

Home use of SNG001 in the  
US Government’s ACTIV-2 trial

SNG001 was also investigated during 2021 as part of 
the US National Institute of Health’s ACTIV programme 
to accelerate the development of the most promising 
COVID-19 treatments with the ultimate aim of identifying 
treatments which reduce reduce hospitalisations. The 
ACTIV-2 study, sponsored by the National Institute 
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the 
National Institutes of Health, and led by the NIAID-funded 
AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), tested a number of 
treatments in adults in an outpatient setting who had 
documented positive SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Phase 2 evaluation of SNG001 saw the recruitment of 
approximately 220 participants across US sites, in a home-
based setting, split between SNG001 and placebo. If an 
investigational agent showed promise by demonstrating 
safety and efficacy signals through 28 days following 
administration, it moved from Phase 2 to Phase 3, which 
was planned to include significantly more patients.

In October 2021, the Data Safety Monitoring Board 
recommended graduation of SNG001, based on data 
from the Phase 2 trial, to Phase 3. As the Company and 
the ACTIV-2 team were preparing to initiate recruitment 
for Phase 3, the Omicron variant became the dominant 
variant in the US, causing a significant shift in the nature of 
the pandemic. In March 2022, due to the need to modify 
the study design in light of the emergence of the Omicron 
variant of SARS-CoV-2, the US National Institutes of Health 
(NIH) ACTIV-2 trial team asked Synairgen to temporarily 
pause preparation activities for ACTIV-2 Phase 3 until the 
timeline for the activation of SNG001 in the trial could 
be clarified. Several weeks later, the National Institutes 
of Health (NIH) halted all patient recruitment in ACTIV-2 
and discontinued all arms of the trial, including the one to 
evaluate SNG001.

As a result, discussions with NIH, NIAIDS and the ACTIV 
teams are ongoing to try to identify an appropriate clinical 
trial to continue the evaluation of SNG001 in the home 
environment. 

Adding to our finding from the Home Cohort of the 
Company’s Phase 2 trial in 2020, the ACTIV-2 trial also 
demonstrated that patients can successfully initiate 
treatment “remotely”, self-administering SNG001 at home 
with the support of a YouTube video. Importantly, patients 
can be initiated on SNG001 without the need for a face-
to-face meeting with a healthcare professional, reducing 
the burden on hospital facilities and minimising the risk of 
onward infection. 

We now anticipate receiving the Phase 2 data from 
the ACTIV-2 team in the summer of 2022, which will 
be factored into the SNG001 clinical development 
plan to further build the case that SNG001 may have 
an important role in combatting COVID-19 and future 
emerging virus threats.

7

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStrategic report
(continued)

Building Readiness for the Future

Over the course of 2021, in readiness for the possibility 
that our Phase 3 SPRINTER data would have been 
sufficient for regulatory submissions (which would 
require a high level of immediate activity to support use 
of SNG001 under expedited approval pathways), the 
Company began building its capabilities and capacity 
in the areas of regulatory, commercial, manufacturing, 
communications, quality and finance. 

This included strengthening its senior leadership team 
as well as establishing commercial and distribution 
partnerships and preparing the foundations for a US 
commercial organisation. With the SPRINTER data now 
analysed, the Company is carefully managing its team 
and cost base in order to progress the path for SNG001 
as rapidly as possible using the various avenues as 
described.

Leadership team

The Company senior management team was 
strengthened with newly created roles including:

 >  Richard Hennings: Richard joined in March 2021 

as Chief Commercial Officer, having previously held 
commercial leadership roles at Verona Pharma, Gilead 
Sciences, Novartis and AstraZeneca.

 >  Richard Francis: Richard joined in September 2021 
as Senior Vice President for CMC, bringing more 
than 35 years’ experience in the development, 
regulatory approval and commercialisation of many 
biopharmaceutical products including Cablivi®, 
Orthoclone OKT3®, Remicade®, and ReoPro®.

 >  Brooke Clarke: Brooke joined in September 2021 as 
Senior Vice President, Head of Communications, with 
more than 30 years of strategic communications and 
corporate affairs experience, including most recently 
leadership roles at Shire plc and Hikma plc. 

 >  Gareth Walters: Gareth joined in October 2021 as 
Chief Regulatory Officer and brings a wide range of 
experience from pre-clinical to commercialisation. He 
previously held senior regulatory and commercial roles 
at Chugai Pharmaceuticals and Roche.

 >  Helen Gearing: Helen joined in December 2021 as 
Senior Vice President for Finance. Prior to joining 
Synairgen, Helen was responsible for leading, building 
and scaling the finance function of Seqirus, a global 
leader in influenza vaccines, and prior to that was with 
GSK.

Regulatory 

In preparation for regulatory submissions in the US, 
Europe and the UK, Synairgen’s regulatory team continued 
engagement with the US Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA), the EMA and the MHRA on requirements and 
content for regulatory submissions.

With SNG001 having been granted Fast Track status from 
the FDA, the US was the priority focus of preparatory 
activities for a potential regulatory Emergency Use 
Authorisation submission and launch. 

With the SPRINTER data now analysed, we are exploring all 
avenues in order to expedite the development of SNG001.

Manufacturing & distribution

Manufacturing pharmaceutical products has been very 
challenging due to COVID-19, with shortages in key 
ingredients, components, equipment and manufacturing 
slots. Despite these challenges, Synairgen made good 
progress in commercial scale manufacturing processes 
for drug substance and drug product, and continued to 
build inventory, distribution, pre-commercialisation and 
commercialisation capabilities:

 >  Process Performance Qualification commercial scale 
manufacturing batches of the drug substance (the 
raw ingredient IFN-beta) with our partner Akron 
Biotechnology;

 >  Drug product in pre-filled glass syringes (the finished 
format, ready-to-use) in partnership with Catalent at 
commercial supportive scale following completion of 
Process Performance Qualification;

 >  Completed a commercial scale manufacturing batch 

and testing using polyethylene blow-fill-seal container 
technology to mitigate against the global supply chain 
shortages of medical grade glass and the reduction 
of available syringe filling manufacturing slots caused 
by the number of vaccines and therapeutics in 
development for COVID-19;

 >  Long-term stability studies for both drug substance 
and drug product initiated to support regulatory 
submissions; and,

 >  Built inventory of certain specific long-lead time items 

needed to administer the drug to patients.

The progress made in manufacturing during the year 
means the Company is in a good position to support 
further potential clinical trials in COVID-19 and for other 
viruses that cause hospitalisations.

8

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021In readiness for a possible regulatory authorisation 
in the US, the Company also made good progress in 
identifying potential COVID-19-experienced partners for 
in-market support activity such as pharmacovigilance and 
medical affairs to support healthcare professionals and 
patient support programmes. Synairgen also identified 
the required structure and roles for a US commercial 
organisation and these can be mobilised in the future as 
required but due to cost conservation, currently there is 
no requirement to deploy such US personnel.

Summary and Outlook

On the back of the data from the Phase 3 SPRINTER trial 
and subsequent analyses of different high-risk patient 
groups within the trial, we are encouraged that SNG001 
has the potential to show clinically important benefits in 
preventing disease progression and death. This data was 
well received at the recent ATS International Conference 
in San Francisco in mid-May 2022. We are now, working 
in haste, fully focussed on discussions with platform 
trial organisers and investigators, as well as regulatory 
authorities, the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and 
goverment bodies to identify and establish the optimal 
method of conducting further trials to confirm these 
findings and provide the Company with evidence required 
for a regulatory submission. In addition, building on our 
existing body of evidence, we are actively exploring the 
opportunity to collaborate and trial the product as a 
broad-spectrum, virus-agnostic treatment in patients 
hospitalised with a range of seasonal viruses such as 
influenza, RSV and para-influenza. 

Financial Review

The Financial Review should be read in conjunction with 
the consolidated financial statements of the Company 
and its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) and the notes 
thereto on pages 37 to 58. The consolidated financial 
statements are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted 
international accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements of the Company, set out on 
pages 59 to 64, are prepared in accordance with Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework.

Statement of Comprehensive Income

The loss from operations for the year ended 31 December 
2021 was £57.9 million (2020: £17.7 million) with research 
and development expenditure amounting to £52.9 million 
(2020: £15.5 million) and other administrative expenses of 
£5.0 million (2020: £2.2 million).

Clinical trial expenditure increased significantly during 
2021 as the Phase 3 SPRINTER trial commenced 
patient recruitment in January 2021. Other clinical trial 
expenditure included the completion of the SG016 Home 
trial and the ACTIV-2 trial, including some preparatory 
costs for the Phase 3 element of the trial. Alongside the 
clinical trial activity, regulatory activities were increased in 
preparation for potential regulatory submissions in 2022.

The remainder of the research and development 
expenditure has been focussed on upscaling SNG001 
manufacturing development activities and procuring 
long-lead time components. A number of drug substance 
commercial scale batches were completed during 2021, 
including three Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) 
batches. Two different drug product activities were 
advanced during the year, with PPQ batches of both 
pre-filled glass syringes and polyethylene blow-fill-seal 
containers being manufactured. The Company has also 
invested in the development of release assays at a US-
based supplier. The internal Chemistry Manufacturing and 
Controls (CMC) team has been strengthened during the 
year with a number of new senior hires. 

Other administrative expenses increased from £2.2 
million to £5.0 million. The increase was attributable 
firstly to the establishment of a commercial team and 
preparatory activities for a potential launch in 2022, and 
secondly, to the increase in administrative and financial 
personnel and professional costs to accommodate the 
increase in scale of the business.

The research and development tax credit increased from 
£3.8 million to £9.2 million on account of the increased 
qualifying project expenditure, primarily on the SPRINTER 
trial and manufacturing development activities. The credit 
equates to 17% of our 2021 research and development 
expenditure (2020: 25%). 

The loss after tax for 2021 was £48.7 million (2020: £13.9 
million) and the basic loss per share was 24.28p (2020: 
basic loss per share of 9.46p).

9

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStrategic report
(continued)

Statement of Financial Position and Cash Flows

At 31 December 2021, net assets amounted to £37.0 
million (2020: £85.1 million), including cash balances of 
£33.8 million (2020: £75.0 million).

The principal elements of the £41.2 million decrease 
during the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: £72.5 
million increase) in cash balances were:

 >  Cash outflows from operations before changes in 
working capital: £57.2 million (2020: £17.3 million), 
with the increase being attributable to the higher 
operating loss as discussed above;

 >  Changes in working capital: £12.2 million inflow 

(2020: £7.5 million outflow) on account of the reduction 
in trade and other receivables and the increase in 
trade and other payables as detailed below;

 >  Research and development tax credits received: 
£3.9 million (2020: £0.9 million) on account of the 
increased 2020 tax credit;

 >  Share issue proceeds (net of costs): £nil (2020: £97.9 

million); and,

 >  Net settlement of options: £nil (2020: £1.3 million 

outflow). 

The other significant changes in the statement of financial 
position were:

 >  Current tax receivable increased from £3.8 million to 
£9.1 million on account of the higher research and 
development tax credit receivable;

 >  Trade and other receivables decreased from £9.4 
million to £1.5 million on account of a reduction in 
manufacturing and clinical trial prepayments; and,

 >  Trade and other payables increased from £3.3 million 
to £7.6 million, reflecting the increased level of activity.

Section 172 statement

As required by section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, a 
director of a company must act in a way they consider, in 
good faith, would most likely promote the success of the 
company for the benefit of its shareholders. In doing this, 
the director must have regard, amongst other matters, to 
the:

a) 
b) 
c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

 Likely consequences of any decisions in the long term;
Interests of the Company’s employees;
 Need to foster the Company’s business relationships 
with suppliers, customers and others;
 Impact of the Company’s operations on the 
community and the environment;
 Desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation 
for high standards of business conduct; and,
 Need to act fairly between members of the Company.

As a Board, our aim is always to uphold the highest 
standards of governance and business conduct, taking 
decisions in the interests of the long-term sustainable 
success of the Company, generating value for our 
shareholders and contributing to wider society. We 
recognise that our business can only grow and prosper 
over the long term by understanding the views and needs 
of our stakeholders. Engaging with stakeholders is key to 
ensuring the Board has informed discussions and factors 
stakeholder interests into decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Board considers that the most important KPIs during 
the year under review are non-financial and relate to 
the progress of the clinical programmes, the scale up of 
SNG001 manufacturing and the status of preparation 
activities for potential launch, which are discussed in the 
preceding sections of this report.

The most important financial KPIs are the planned 
expenditure on the COVID-19 Phase 3 SPRINTER clinical 
trial and manufacturing scale-up, and the cash position 
of the Group. The actual expenditure on the COVID-19 
activities was below budget and the closing cash position 
was ahead of budget. These are further described in the 
financial review above.

10

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021The following table, in combination with the Corporate Governance Statement set out on pages 18 to 21 and the 
Company’s website (www.synairgen.com), sets out the framework of our engagement with key stakeholder groups.

Our stakeholders

Investors

The Group continues to consume cash resources and 
remains dependent upon securing funding through share 
issues. It is therefore critical that we have shareholders who 
will continue to invest in the Company over the longer term.

 > Business strategy
 > Operational performance
 >  Financial performance and  

cash requirements

 >  Enviromental, Social and 

Corporate Governance (ESG)

Material topics

How we engage

Employees

Synairgen has 30 employees (including executive directors) 
who are multi-skilled and many of them have worked for 
the Group for many years. They all play a key role in the 
business and it is vital that they all understand and support 
the key decisions taken in the running of the business.

 >  Operational targets and 

progress

 > Opportunities to share ideas
 >  Financial resources of the 

Group
 > Share price
 >  Working time flexibility and 

working from home

 >   RNS announcements
 > Website updates
	> 	Meetings after preliminary 
statement release and 
interims for institutional 
investors

 > AGM
 > Proactive Investor interviews
 >  Responses to investor 

questions

 >  Regular on-line full company  
meetings and a policy of 
open disclosure

 > On-line team meetings
 >  Open door policy to 
executive directors
 > Company intranet
 > Structured appraisal process
 >  Use of share-based 

incentives for employees

 >  Established a new set 
of cultural values and 
behaviours

 > Meetings with Founders
 >  Interaction on projects with 
scientists and clinicians

 > Regular project meetings

 > Operating facilities
 > Intellectual property
 > Joint projects
 > Published papers

 >  Supplier product  

development plans

 >  Our clinical trial  
and longer-term  
development needs

University of Southampton

Synairgen is a spin-out company from the University 
and still maintains many links with it, which benefit both 
parties. The University is Synairgen’s landlord and certain 
intellectual property is licensed from it.

Suppliers

We have a number of key long-term suppliers who play an 
important part in our development programmes and it is 
important that we understand their product/service devel-
opment plans and they understand our needs.

Customers (licensees)

Our customers are the large pharmaceutical and biotech 
companies who have the resources and infrastructure to 
take our products to market. It is therefore critical that we 
continue to interact with these companies at an early stage 
to make sure we are developing a product which they may 
wish to license.

 >  Programme development 

plans, including clinical trial 
designs

 >  Regular meetings at key 
respiratory conferences 
(ATS, ERS)

 > Clinical trial read-outs
 >  In-house and external  
competing products

Community

 >  New therapeutics  

 >  Interactions with 

We aim to develop therapeutics which pharmaceutical com-
panies can sell to the community and which governments 
will buy for stockpiling and it is therefore critical that there is 
an identified market need in the community.

development

 > Involvement in clinical trials

government agencies
 > Interactions with clinicians
 >  Patient data from clinical 

trials

11

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStrategic report
(continued)

Our stakeholders

Regulators

We work in a highly regulated sector and it is critical that we 
maintain full compliance with all appropriate regulations.

Material topics

How we engage

 > Clinical trial approvals
 >  Scientific advice for 
authorities on key 
development topics
 > Regulatory compliance

 >  Use of external consultants 

to make sure we are 
complying with regulations

 >  Interactions with Ethics 

Committees, MHRA, FDA, 
EMA and other regulatory 
agencies

Principal decisions in 2021

We have considered the decisions taken by the Board 
which will have an impact on the longer-term performance 
and prospects for the Company. The Board believes that 
three key decisions taken during the year fall into this 
category and were made with full consideration of both 
internal and external stakeholders:

 >  The decision to prepare for commercial launch, taking 
on key resources in advance of the results of the 
SPRINTER phase 3 trial

 >  The decision to invest in long lead time materials for 

fill-finish activities and inhaler devices

 >  The decision to establish a new release testing facility 

and accelerate other regulatory activities in advance of 
the SPRINTER trial results

Post period-end, the Board has considered the next 
strategic steps for the development of SNG001 both 
in COVID-19-related hospitalised patients and for the 
advancement of the product as a broad-spectrum 
antiviral in susceptible patients.

Principal risks and uncertainties

In addition to the fact that the Group has one drug 
(SNG001), albeit with a number of potential indications, 
and is therefore dependent on there being a successful 
outcome to its development, the Board considers that the 
principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group may be 
summarised as follows:

Ability to secure inclusion of SNG001 in an 
externally-funded clinical trial or platform study 
or the platform study does not complete

The SPRINTER Phase 3 trial showed an important signal 
in the ability of SNG001 to reduce progression to severe 
disease or death; the post hoc analyses suggest this effect 
is strongest in those with clinical signs of compromised 
respiratory function (defined as oxygen saturation of 
≤ 92% or respiratory rate ≥ 21 breaths/min). A larger 
trial is needed to confirm this finding and inclusion in a 
government or agency-funded clinical trial or platform trial 
represents the best opportunity for recruiting enough 
patients to further evaluate this endpoint. In the event of 
SNG001 not being selected for inclusion, or if it is included 
in a platform study which is terminated early under 
current circumstances, then there may be insufficient 
clinical data to secure an approval for the treatment of 
hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Ability to design and deliver an appropriate 
broad-spectrum clinical trial

The Group’s strategy includes developing SNG001 as a 
broad-spectrum antiviral for hospitalised patients. At this 
stage a clinical trial protocol is still at the development 
stage. There can be no guarantee at this stage that this 
trial will be approved by the regulatory agencies and that it 
will be possible to complete.

12

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Pre-clinical testing and/or clinical trials fail to 
generate positive data

There is a high failure rate in the development of 
pharmaceuticals and there is a substantial risk of adverse, 
undesirable, unintended or inconclusive results from 
pre-clinical testing or clinical trials, which may substantially 
delay, halt entirely or make uneconomic any further 
development of SNG001 (whether in the indication 
of COVID-19 or in others) and may prevent or limit its 
commercial use.

Clinical trials overrun

There are a number of factors which may lead to delays, 
including but not limited to: (i) delays to regulatory 
approvals; (ii) variations in labelling and other regulatory 
requirements between countries; (iii) dealing with protocol 
changes; (iv) difficulty in finding suitable sites and patients; 
and (v) incidence of COVID-19 declining or resolving in a 
COVID-19 trial.

If any of the above circumstances or events occur, then 
delays may impact the clinical development programme 
timetable, which in turn may also have cost and/or 
ultimately commercial implications.

The regulatory approval processes of the MHRA, 
EMA, FDA and other comparable regulatory 
agencies may be lengthy, time-consuming and 
unpredictable

The Group’s future success is dependent upon its ability 
to develop successfully, obtain regulatory approval for, 
and then successfully commercialise SNG001 which it 
may do independently or in partnership with another 
pharmaceutical company. Even if SNG001 is successful 
in clinical trials, there can be no assurance it will receive 
regulatory approval at all or in a timely manner. A drug 
which has received approval in one territory may not 
succeed in getting approval in other territories and 
regulators in different jurisdictions may seek different 
criteria and endpoints in order for regulatory approval and 
marketing authorisations to be granted. 

The Group takes the advice of specialist regulatory 
advisers and maintains on on-going dialogue with 
regulators.

Commercial risk

There can be no guarantee that the Group will succeed 
in securing and maintaining the necessary contractual 
relationships with licensing partners for its programmes 
under development. Even if programmes are successfully 
out-licensed and pharmaceutical products are brought to 
the market by a partner, there is no guarantee that such 
products will succeed in the marketplace.

There are a number of competing COVID-19 
therapeutics at different stages of regulatory 
approval

There are a number of competing therapeutics for 
COVID-19 and other antiviral applications at varying stages 
of regulatory approval, which may be brought to market 
more quickly than SNG001 or prove to be more effective, 
desirable or cheaper. Many of the Group’s competitors 
have substantially greater financial and other resources. 
There can therefore be no assurance that competitors will 
not succeed in developing products which would render 
SNG001 non-competitive or obsolete.

COVID-19 ceases to be a clinical issue

Standard of care treatments and vaccines have advanced 
significantly over the last 18 months. While there 
may be other variants of concern emerging in future 
months, the elimination of COVID-19, or the decrease 
in hospitalisation/ICU rates leading to a perception 
of reduced need for COVID-19 therapeutics, would 
remove one potential indication for SNG001 and result 
in the Group’s focus being solely on SNG001 as a 
broad-spectrum antiviral for use against other viruses 
causing severe respiratory infections and also for 
stockpiling for pandemic preparedness.

Synairgen is dependent on a small team 
of key personnel and scientific and clinical 
collaborators

The Group’s success is highly dependent on the expertise 
and experience of a small team of key personnel 
and scientific and clinical advisers/contractors. While 
the Group has entered into employment and other 
agreements with each of these key personnel, the 
retention of such personnel cannot be guaranteed. 
Should key personnel leave or no longer be party to 
agreements or collaborations with the Group, the Group’s 
business prospects, financial condition and/or results of 
operations could be adversely affected. 

To mitigate this risk, the Group has recruited additional 
staff and contracted with certain key partners to provide 
services to the Group, including CRO services, regulatory 
affairs consultants and clinical management services. 

13

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStrategic report
(continued)

Manufacturing complexity

Intellectual property

The commercial success of the Group depends on 
its ability to obtain patent and other protection for 
its pharmaceutical discoveries in the US, Europe and 
elsewhere and to preserve the confidentiality of its 
know-how. There is no guarantee that patent applications 
will succeed or be broad enough to provide protection 
for the Group’s intellectual property rights and exclude 
competitors with similar pharmaceutical products. 
The success of the Group is also dependent on non-
infringement of patents, or other intellectual property 
rights, held by third parties. Competitors and third parties 
may hold intellectual property rights which the Group may 
not be able to license upon favourable terms, potentially 
inhibiting the Group’s ability to develop and exploit its 
own products. Litigation may be necessary to protect 
the Group’s intellectual property, which may result in 
substantial costs.

The Group seeks to reduce this risk by seeking patent 
attorney advice that patent protection will be available 
prior to investing in a project, by seeking patent protection 
where appropriate, and by minimising disclosure to third 
parties.

Funding risk

The Group continues to consume cash resources. 
Until the Group generates positive net cash inflows 
from successful out-licensing transactions and 
commercialisation of its products, it remains dependent 
upon securing funding through the injection of equity 
capital or from collaborations with pharmaceutical 
companies. The Group may not be able to generate 
positive net cash flows in the future or attract such 
additional funding required on suitable terms, or at the 
time it is needed. In such circumstances, the Group’s 
programmes may be delayed or cancelled and the 
business operations curtailed.

The Group seeks to reduce this risk through tight financial 
control, prioritising programmes which will generate the 
best returns, and keeping shareholders informed on 
progress. 

SNG001 is a biological product with inherent batch to 
batch variation. SNG001 drug substance is being fill/
finished into blow-filled-seal containers for the first 
time and therefore there is no safety data yet for this 
presentation. Further product comparability studies from 
multiple manufacturing sites for both drug substance 
and drug product must be conducted and there is no 
guarantee that the results will meet the requirements 
of regulatory agencies. Manufacturing issues could 
substantially increase our costs and limit supply of 
SNG001 for clinical trials and commercial sales.

The Group has sought to mitigate the risk with the new 
blow-filled-seal drug product by also progressing pre-filled 
glass syringes.

The Group is dependent on third party supply, 
manufacturing and clinical service relationships

In common with other drug developers of similar size, 
the Group engages the expertise and resources of third 
parties in a number of key areas including: (i) the conduct 
of clinical trials (Parexel); (ii) the manufacture, scale-up, 
fill/finish, analytical testing and supply of SNG001 (Akron 
Biotechnology, Catalent and Woodstock Sterile Solutions); 
and (iii) the manufacture and supply of the nebuliser 
(Aerogen). Critical and complex aspects of the Group’s 
business, including ownership of the drug substance 
cell line, are therefore in the hands of third parties over 
whom the Group has limited control. The Group cannot 
guarantee that those third parties or their suppliers 
(including suppliers of raw materials and components 
necessary for manufacturing activities) will be able to 
perform their contractual and regulatory obligations 
satisfactorily or on time. 

Default, delay, non-compliance with law and regulation 
or other sub-optimal performance by a third party 
would adversely affect the Group’s business plans and 
prospects.

Regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical products 
tend to make the substitution of counterparties costly and 
time-consuming. Alternative suppliers may not be able 
to manufacture products effectively, on time or obtain 
the necessary manufacturing licences from applicable 
regulatory authorities.

The Group seeks to minimise risk by holding regular 
meetings with key suppliers and the use of internal staff, 
project managers and other consultants to manage the 
relationships. 

14

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Insurance risk

The Group may not be able to procure adequate 
insurance cover to enable it to continue its operations.

Cyber-attack or IT systems failure

The Group is at risk of cyber-attack or IT systems failure 
to it or its key suppliers, which would cause operational 
harm, including potential theft or loss of data.

The Group seeks to minimise this risk by retaining the 
services of external IT advisers and pursuing suitable 
back-up and security policies.

On behalf of the Board

Richard Marsden
Chief Executive Officer

24 May 2022

Synairgen’s Founders

Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE is MRC Clinical Professor of 
Immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton.

On behalf of the Board

Richard Marsden
Chief Executive Officer

24 May 2022

Prof. Donna Davies is Professor of Respiratory Cell and 
Molecular Biology at the University of Southampton.

On behalf of the Board

Richard Marsden
Chief Executive Officer

24 May 2022

Prof. Ratko Djukanovic is Professor of Medicine at the 
University of Southampton.

15

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcBoard of Directors

Simon Shaw
Non-executive 
Chairman

Richard Marsden
Chief Executive 
Officer

Simon Shaw joined Synairgen as executive Chairman on 
its inception in June 2003 and became non-executive 
Chairman in October of that year. He is Group Chief 
Financial Officer of Savills plc. He was Chief Financial 
Officer of Gyrus Group PLC from 2003 until its sale to 
Olympus Corporation in 2008, having previously been 
Chief Operating Officer of Profile Therapeutics plc 
between 1998 and 2003. Between 1991 and 1997 he was 
a corporate financier, latterly at Hambros Bank Limited. He 
is a Chartered Accountant. 

Richard Marsden joined Synairgen in a consulting role 
as General Manager in November 2003, was appointed 
to the Board as Managing Director in June 2004, and 
was appointed Chief Executive Officer in September 
2009. Between 1998 and 2003 he worked as Projects 
Manager and Cystic Fibrosis Business Development 
Manager at Profile Therapeutics plc, where he managed 
the Cystic Fibrosis business and played a major role 
in the development of its proprietary pharmaceutical 
unit, Profile Pharma Limited. Prior to this, he worked 
for Zimmer Limited, Genentech (UK) Limited and Roche 
Products Limited.

Dr Phillip Monk
Chief Scientific 
Officer

John Ward
Chief Financial 
Officer

Phillip Monk joined Synairgen in October 2006 as Head of 
Bioscience Development and was appointed to the Board 
as Chief Scientific Officer in September 2009. Phillip was 
previously Director of the Respiratory and Inflammation 
Biology group at Cambridge Antibody Technology (‘CAT’). 
Prior to joining CAT, he worked at Bayer AG within the 
respiratory disease therapeutic area, focusing on the 
development of novel therapies for asthma, COPD and 
cystic fibrosis. 

John Ward joined Synairgen in October 2004 as Finance 
Director and was appointed Chief Financial Officer 
in March 2021. From December 1999 to July 2004 he 
was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of 
Profile Therapeutics plc and was appointed to the Profile 
Therapeutics board in March 2003. From 1996 to 1999 he 
was Finance Director of Rapid Deployment Group Limited, 
the UK holding company for the healthcare operations of 
Ventiv Health, Inc. Prior to joining Rapid Deployment he 
was a Director of Corporate Finance at Price Waterhouse. 
He is a Chartered Accountant.

16

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Iain Buchanan
Non-executive 
Director

Dr Bruce Campbell
Non-executive 
Director

Iain Buchanan was appointed as a non-executive 
director in June 2010 and brings more than 40 years 
of management experience in the pharmaceutical and 
biotech industries. Most recently he was CEO of NOXXON 
Pharma AG based in Berlin and previously he was CEO of 
Novexel S.A. based in Paris. He joined Novexel from Vertex 
Pharmaceuticals where he established the European 
affiliate. Prior to Vertex, Iain managed the international 
licensee business of Cilag AG - a subsidiary of Johnson 
and Johnson - based in Switzerland. Iain serves as a non-
executive director for Allecra Therapeutics GmbH and for 
Celloryx AG. 

Bruce Campbell joined Synairgen as a non-executive 
director in April 2006. He has 50 years of drug 
development experience and has developed many 
drugs in a wide range of indications which are now 
on the market. He currently acts as a consultant to 
various companies including BenevolentAI and Syncona. 
Formerly he was Senior VP of International Development 
at Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (‘Neurocrine’). Prior to 
joining Neurocrine he worked for 27 years at Servier 
(United Kingdom), latterly as Scientific Director. In 
addition, he has also been a director and European 
Chairman of the Drug Information Association, a member 
of the European ICH Safety Working Party and a scientific 
advisor to IP Group plc. 

Theodora Harold
Non-executive 
Director

Prof. Sir Stephen 
Holgate CBE
Non-executive 
Director

Theodora Harold joined Synairgen in September 2021 as a 
non-executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee. 
Theodora has over 20 years’ experience with both private 
and listed biotech SMEs and has originated and executed 
multiple business development and licensing transactions. 
Theo has also been instrumental in raising significant 
equity for the sector during her career. Theodora 
is currently CEO of Crescendo Biologics Ltd, having 
previously held both CFO and CBO roles there. She was 
also on the founding teams of both MISSION Therapeutics 
and PsiOxus Therapeutics where she was CFO, as well 
as having held executive roles with companies such as 
Cytomyx Holdings Plc and Orthomimetics. Theo qualified 
as Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers 
and read Classics at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Stephen Holgate is a co-founder of Synairgen and 
was appointed a non-executive director in June 2003. 
After qualifying in Medicine at Charing Cross Hospital 
Medical School, London he has pursued an academic 
career leading to his appointment in 1987 to his current 
position as Medical Research Council Clinical Professor of 
Immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton. 
His research interests have been largely focused on 
the cellular and molecular mechanisms of asthma that 
has involved use of both epidemiological and genetic 
approaches. He has published over 1,300 papers in peer-
reviewed literature. He is Trustee and Chair of the Grants 
Panel of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s 
Charity, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Chair 
of The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research and 
Member of the Natural Environment Research Council. He 
serves on a number of Advisory Committees in industry 
and the Research Councils. 

17

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcCorporate Governance Statement

The Board of directors of the Company (the ‘Board’) is 
accountable to the Company’s shareholders for good 
corporate governance and it is the objective of the Board 
to attain and maintain a high standard of corporate 
governance. As Chairman, it is my primary responsibility 
to lead the Board effectively and to oversee the adoption, 
delivery and communication of the Company’s corporate 
governance model. 

In September 2018, the Board adopted the Quoted 
Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code (‘QCA 
Code’). On our website (www.synairgen.com/investors/
corporate-governance-statement/) we set out how we 
seek to comply with the ten principles of the QCA Code. 
The following sections of the Corporate Governance 
Statement explain how the QCA Code is applied by the 
Company. 

In 2021, we undertook a formal Board performance 
review, and intend undertaking such reviews on an annual 
basis going forward.

Board of directors

On 31 December 2021, the Board consisted of me, as 
the non-executive Chairman, three executive directors 
(Richard Marsden, Dr Phillip Monk and John Ward), and 
four non-executive directors (Iain Buchanan, Dr Bruce 
Campbell, Theodora Harold and Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate).

The responsibilities of the non-executive Chairman 
and the Chief Executive Officer are clearly divided. The 
non-executive directors bring relevant experience from 
different backgrounds and receive a fixed fee for their 
services and reimbursement of reasonable expenses 
incurred in attending meetings. 

Brief curriculum vitae details about the directors are given 
on pages 16 and 17. The key experience, skills, qualities 
and capabilities that each director brings to the Board are 
summarised below:

Simon Shaw
Simon is an experienced public company director, having 
fulfilled both the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Chief 
Operating Officer for listed companies. He has life science 
company experience and in addition to his skills as a 
Chairman, contributes strong financial and corporate 
finance skills. As an executive director of a FTSE 250 
company, he keeps his skill set in these areas up to date.

Richard Marsden
Richard has worked in several roles within the life sciences 
sector and has experience of sales and marketing, clinical 
trials, project management, business development and 
general management. He is actively involved in the design 
and management of clinical trials and leads the Company’s 
business development activities. He maintains and 
develops his skill sets in these areas by regular interaction 
with the Company’s expert advisers and key opinion 
leaders (KOLs).

Dr Phillip Monk
Phillip is a leading scientist in respiratory biology, with 
experience of managing teams of scientists and taking 
drugs through pre-clinical and early clinical trials. His 
particular contribution to the Board is championing the 
identification and management of new opportunities up to 
the clinical stage, and maximising value from clinical trials, 
particularly with reference to biomarker and statistical 
analysis. Phillip regularly interacts with expert advisers/
KOLs and attends key relevant medical conferences.

John Ward
John is a Chartered Accountant who has worked for more 
than 20 years as Finance Director and Company Secretary 
in the life sciences sector, with experience gained in 
private and quoted companies. From his time at Price 
Waterhouse he also has corporate finance experience. 
He keeps his skill set up to date by attending appropriate 
courses run by accountancy firms and the ICAEW.

Iain Buchanan
Iain has 40 years’ management experience in the 
pharmaceutical and biotech sector. Iain keeps his skill set 
up to date through his involvement with several other life 
sciences boards.

Dr Bruce Campbell
Bruce has 50 years’ drug development experience. He has 
particular expertise in pre-clinical development. Bruce 
keeps his skill set up to date through his involvement with 
several other life sciences companies either as a director 
or consultant.

Theodora Harold
Theodora has over 20 years’ experience in the biotech 
sector and is currently CEO of Crescendo Biologics Ltd. 
She was previously part of the founding management 
teams of PsiOxus Therapeutics Ltd and Mission 
Therapeutics Ltd, and was previously a non-executive 
director of Chronos Therapeutics Ltd. Theodora qualified 
as a chartered accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

18

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate
Stephen is a leading academic in respiratory medicine, 
combining an outstanding knowledge of base and 
clinical science. He has experience of working with many 
pharmaceutical companies and guides the Board on 
developments in the respiratory sector. Stephen keeps 
up to date through his ongoing involvement with many 
industry and government-related organisations as an 
advisor.

The Board puts all directors up for re-election on an 
annual basis to enable shareholders to confirm their 
support for the directors and that, in the case of the 
non-executives, they are considered by shareholders 
as remaining functionally independent.

The Company does not have a Senior Independent 
Director which we believe is appropriate at this stage of 
the Company’s development.

All eight members of the Board bring relevant sector 
experience in life sciences. Five members of the Board 
have capital markets experience from other companies. 
The Board has expertise in the following key areas: capital 
markets; discovery and pre-clinical respiratory projects; 
clinical development; business development/licensing 
and finance. The Board believes that its blend of relevant 
experience, skills and personal qualities and capabilities is 
sufficient to enable it to successfully execute the current 
phase of its strategy.

Simon Holden is the Company Secretary. Simon is a 
corporate lawyer by background and fulfils the role of 
secretary for several other quoted companies, on the 
Main Market and AIM. The Company Secretary reports 
directly to the Chairman on governance matters.

Prior to October  2021, non-executive directors were 
required to attend six scheduled bi-monthly Board 
meetings (‘Scheduled Board meetings’) per annum and 
committee or Scientific Advisory Board meetings. Non-
executive directors are required to be available at other 
times as required for face-to-face and telephone meetings 
with the executive team. With effect from 1 October 2021, 
due to the increased operational efforts of the Company, 
both domestically and internationally, the Board met once 
a month for Scheduled Board meetings and continues 
to do so. All members of the executive team work for the 
Company on a full-time basis and have no non-executive 
directorships with other companies.

The Board continues to note that nearly all its directors 
have been in post for more than nine years but 
nevertheless considers that they remain functionally 
independent, in that they remain fully committed to 
promoting the success of the Company for the benefit of 
shareholders as a whole. Theodora Harold was appointed 
as an independent non-executive director in September 
2021 with a view to bringing a new perspective to the 
Board together with her expertise in life sciences and 
biotech. We will continue to develop the Board, by seeking 
to attract high quality independent directors, once the 
next phase of the Company’s development is clarified.

The Board retains full and effective control of the Group. 
This includes responsibility for determining the Group’s 
strategy and for approving budgets and business plans 
to fulfil this strategy. With effect from October 2021, 
Scheduled Board meetings take place on a monthly 
basis and the Board also meets on any other occasions it 
considers necessary. During the year ended 31 December 
2021, the Board met seven times for Scheduled Board 
meetings and eight times for unscheduled Board 
meetings. At each meeting, there was an opportunity for 
the non-executive directors to discuss matters without 
the executive directors present.

It is the duty of the Chairman to ensure that all directors 
are properly briefed on issues arising at Board meetings. 
Prior to each Board meeting, directors are sent an agenda 
and Board papers for each agenda item to be discussed. 
Additional information is provided when requested by the 
Board or individual directors.

The Company Secretary is responsible to the Board for 
ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that 
the applicable rules and regulations are complied with. 
All directors have access to the advice and services of the 
Company Secretary, and independent professional advice, 
if required, at the Company’s expense. Removal of the 
Company Secretary would be a matter for the Board.

Board performance

A Board evaluation process led by the Chairman took 
place in March 2021. It is intended that an evaluation be 
carried out annually so the Board can regularly address 
its effectiveness. The process completed in March 2021 
identified that the principal areas for the Board to address 
were succession planning and Board diversity. It has been 
agreed that composition of the Board should reflect a mix 
of individuals with relevant knowledge, independence, 
competence, industry experience and diversity of 
perspectives to generate effective challenge, discussion 
and objective decision-making. 

19

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcCorporate Governance Statement
(continued)

Remuneration and Nomination Committee
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee 
currently comprises Iain Buchanan (Chairperson), Dr 
Bruce Campbell and Simon Shaw. The committee is 
responsible for making recommendations to the Board on 
remuneration policy for executive directors and the terms 
of their service contracts, with the aim of ensuring that 
their remuneration, including any share options and other 
awards, is based on their own performance and that of 
the Group generally. The committee administers the Long-
Term Incentive Plans and approves grants under these 
schemes. It also advises on the remuneration policy for 
the Group’s employees. The committee is responsible for 
all senior appointments that are made within the Group. 

During 2021, the committee met five times with two 
members attending all meetings and one member 
attending four times. The Directors’ Remuneration Report 
is detailed on pages 22 to 26.

Scientific Advisory Board
The Company established a Scientific Advisory Board 
(SAB) in 2016. The purpose of the SAB is to provide 
strategic advice and input on scientific aspects of 
Synairgen’s research and development projects.

The SAB currently comprises Dr Phillip Monk (Chairman), 
Iain Buchanan, Dr Bruce Campbell, and Synairgen’s three 
academic founders (Professors Sir Stephen Holgate, 
Donna Davies and Ratko Djukanovic). Other external 
experts and Synairgen employees attend meetings as 
required. Dr Bruce Campbell is responsible for feeding 
back the outputs from the SAB to the Board.

Business model and strategy

As detailed in the Strategic Report on page 4, Synairgen’s 
strategy is to develop SNG001 as a broad- spectrum 
inhaled antiviral treatment. The key challenges in 
execution are set out in the section of the Strategic Report 
entitled Principal risks and uncertainties.

Corporate culture

In 2022, we reviewed and updated our purpose and 
company values to continue to foster a supportive 
and collaborative culture that furthers our purpose 
of “restoring lives with pandemic-ready respiratory 
treatments we can all believe in.” 

The Company made several key appointments to its 
senior management team during 2021, the details of 
which can be seen on the Company’s website (https://
www.synairgen.com/about/team), in addition to the 
appointment of Theodora Harold as an independent 
non-executive director. The Board believes that with 
these appointments, it has the necessary blend of skills, 
experience, personal qualities and capabilities, but will 
continue to evaluate its performance and seek to address 
any concerns which are raised.

A review of the Chairman’s performance was also carried 
out in March 2021 by the completion of a questionnaire 
by other Board members, which concluded that the 
Chairman was carrying out his duties diligently. It is 
intended, going forward, that this internal review will be 
carried out on an annual basis.

Board committees

As appropriate, the Board has delegated certain 
responsibilities to Board committees.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee currently comprises Theodora 
Harold (Chairperson), Simon Shaw and Iain Buchanan. 
Theodora became the Chairperson of the committee 
on her appointment to the Board, Simon Shaw having 
previously fulfilled the role. 

The committee has primary responsibility for ensuring 
that the financial performance of the Group is properly 
measured and reported on and it reviews the interim 
financial information and annual financial statements 
before they are submitted to the Board. The committee 
reviews accounting policies and material accounting 
judgements. The committee also reviews, and reports on, 
reports from the Group’s auditors relating to the Group’s 
accounting controls. It makes recommendations to the 
Board on the appointment of auditors and the audit fee. 
The committee monitors the scope, results and cost-
effectiveness of the audit. It has unrestricted access to 
the Group’s auditors. In certain circumstances up until 
31 December 2021, after which the Company became an 
Other Entity of Public Interest (as further described on 
page 27), it was permitted by the Board for the auditors to 
supply non-audit services (in the provision of tax advice, 
or on specific projects where they can add value, without 
affecting their Audit Independence). 

During 2021, the committee met twice with all members 
in attendance. The Audit Committee Report is detailed on 
page 27.

20

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021We have articulated these new values and supporting 
behaviours as follows:

1. 

2. 

3. 

 Together We Pioneer: We pioneer by breaking 
through barriers, being open and supportive and by 
accentuating the positive.

 Together We Care: We care in the way we put patients 
first, by inspiring passion in others and by always 
being respectful.

 Together We Deliver: We deliver by embracing 
uncertainty, by “making it happen” and by being the 
difference we want to see.

These values and behaviours were developed in 
collaboration with all employees, led by an employee 
committee, and are being incorporated into the annual 
performance review process. Through the new company 
intranet and regular company meetings, we are also 
focused on finding, sharing and celebrating stories of 
these values and behaviours in action.

Internal control and risk management

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

The main features of the internal control system are as 
follows:

 >  A control environment exists through the close 
management of the business by the executive 
directors. The Group has a defined organisational 
structure with delineated approval limits. Controls are 
implemented and monitored by personnel with the 
necessary qualifications and experience;

 > A list of matters reserved for Board approval;

 >  Monthly management reporting and analysis of 

Investor relations

variances;

The directors seek to build a mutual understanding of 
objectives between the Company and its shareholders 
by meetings with major institutional investors and 
analysts after the Company’s preliminary announcement 
of its year-end results and its interim results. For 
private investors, we conduct interviews via Proactive 
Investor and maintain dedicated subcontract resource 
to answer direct queries, in addition to the activities of 
the newly recruited SVP Head of Communications. The 
Company also maintains investor relations pages on its 
website (www.synairgen.com) to increase the amount of 
information available to investors. 

There is an opportunity at the Annual General Meeting 
for shareholders to question the Chairman, the 
Chairpersons of the Audit and Remuneration and 
Nomination committees, and the executive directors. 
Notice of the meeting is sent to shareholders at least 21 
clear days before the meeting. Shareholders are given the 
opportunity to vote on each separate issue. The Company 
counts all proxy votes and indicates the level of proxies 
lodged on each resolution, after it has been dealt with by a 
show of hands or otherwise via poll. Details of the proxies 
lodged are also published on the Company’s website. 
Details of the resolutions and explanations thereto are 
included with the notice. 

 > Regular financial reforecasts;

 >  Financial risks for each major transaction are identified 

and evaluated by the Board; and

 >  Standard financial controls operate to ensure that the 
assets of the Group are safeguarded and that proper 
accounting records are maintained.

The Company maintains a summary risk register which is 
reviewed by the Board on an annual basis. The principal 
risks and uncertainties facing the Group, with mitigation 
strategies, are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 12 
to 15. Project risk management is continually evaluated 
by weekly project meetings and other management tools. 
IT risk is covered at bi-annual meetings with external IT 
advisers. A Health and Safety report is reviewed by the 
Board.

Simon Shaw
Chairman

24 May 2022

21

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Remuneration Report

In September 2018 the Company adopted the QCA 
Corporate Governance Code which includes the 
requirement to prepare a remuneration committee 
report. This report includes and complies with the 
disclosure obligations of the AIM Rules.

As outlined in the Strategic Review, 2021 was a significant 
year for the Group with considerable progress on its drug 
pipeline including its SNG001 treatment for possible use 
in COVID-19. However, in light of the developments in 2022 
with regards to the SPRINTER trial results, the Company 
does not consider it appropriate to award any bonuses to 
executive directors in respect of 2021.

Remuneration Committee

The Company’s remuneration policy is the responsibility 
of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee (the 
‘Committee’), which was established in October 2004. 
The terms of reference of the Committee are outlined in 
the Corporate Governance Statement on page 20. The 
members of the Committee are Iain Buchanan (Chairman), 
Dr Bruce Campbell and Simon Shaw. 

of the highest calibre to run the Group. Its policy is to 
ensure that the executive remuneration packages of 
executive directors and the fee of the Chairman are 
appropriate given performance, scale of responsibility, 
experience, and consideration of the remuneration 
packages for similar executive positions in companies 
it considers to be comparable. Packages are structured 
to motivate executives to achieve the highest level 
of performance in line with the best interests of 
shareholders. A significant element of the total 
remuneration package, in the form of bonus and Long-
Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) awards, is performance driven. 

Executive remuneration currently comprises a base 
salary, an annual performance-related bonus, LTIP 
participation, a 6% pension contribution either to the 
executive director’s individual money purchase scheme 
or, as a salary supplement (after deducting an amount to 
reflect employer’s NICs to ensure that the overall cost to 
the employer is not increased) and other typical benefits 
including family private health cover, permanent health 
and life assurance. 

The Committee, which is required to meet at least twice a 
year, met five times during the year ended 31 December 
2021 and considered the pay of the executive directors 
and ensured it understood pay arrangements more 
broadly across the Group. The Chief Executive Officer and 
certain executives may be invited to attend meetings of 
the Committee to assist it with its deliberations, but no 
executive is present when his or her own remuneration is 
discussed.

During the year, the Committee has been advised on 
director remuneration by its retained independent 
remuneration adviser, FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP. 
No other advice has been provided to the Group by this 
firm during the year. 

During 2021, a benchmarking exercise was undertaken 
across the workforce. Salaries and benefits have therefore 
been reviewed with effect from 1 January 2021, taking 
into account Group and individual performance, external 
benchmark information and internal relativities. As a 
consequence of this review, executive director salaries 
were increased by 12%, which was consistent with the 
level awarded to staff generally. Given the significant 
accomplishments made in 2020, this award is considered 
merit-based and modest when benchmarked against 
equivalently-sized companies, demonstrating that the 
Committee is being conscious of the need to both show 
restraint and ensure that colleagues are appropriately 
but not excessively paid in a sector currently subject to 
intense skills shortages. 

Remuneration policy

(i) Executive remuneration
The Committee has a duty to establish a remuneration 
policy which will enable it to attract and retain individuals 

Given the pace of developments at the Company and 
the need to hire below Board level executives on higher 
salaries than those of our long-serving executive directors, 
the salaries were reviewed again from 1 August 2021 and 
increased as set out below. 

1 January 2021 to 31 July 2021

From 1 August 2021

Salary per annum 
(£000)

Maximum bonus as 
a % of salary

Salary per annum 
(£000)

Maximum bonus as 
a % of salary

217

157

169

100%

100%

100%

310

225

225

100%

100%

100%

Richard Marsden

Dr Phillip Monk

John Ward

22

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021The executive directors’ pension contributions were 
initially frozen as at 1 January 2021 at 9% of 2020 salaries, 
but subsequently reduced to 6% of salary (with effect from 
1 August 2021) to align with colleagues generally. If the 
recipient takes cash in lieu of a contribution to a registered 
pension, the amount payable is reduced to ensure that 
the total cost to the employer (inclusive of employers’ 
NICs) is not increased.

No salary increases took effect on 1 January 2022 and 
none are anticipated for 2022.

Executive directors are also rewarded for improvements 
in the performance of the Group sustained over a 
period of years in the form of LTIP awards granted on a 
discretionary basis by the Committee.

Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 
2021 is set out on page 26 of this document.

(ii)  Chairman and non-executive director 

remuneration

Following an external review of peer group companies 
and in light of the increased time commitments set out 
on page 19 with reference to the change to monthly 
Scheduled Board meetings, with effect from 1 October 
2021 the fee payable to the Chairman increased from 
£45,000 to £85,000 per annum, a fee for the non-
executive directors increased from £25,000 to £45,000 
(noting that this fee for non-executive directors had not 
increased since 2014) and a fee of £5,000 will continue 
to be paid to non-executive directors who chair either 
the Audit or Remuneration and Nomination committees. 
Of the on-going £275,000 per annum aggregate 
remuneration payable to the Chairman and non-executive 
directors, £200,000 is remuneration for their appointed 
services and £75,000 is ascribed to special services 
performed beyond their normal duties on account of the 
increased frequency of Board meetings.

(iii) Annual bonus plan 
The Company operates a discretionary bonus scheme 
for executive directors for delivery of exceptional 
performance against pre-set relevant corporate 
objectives, which are subject to malus and clawback 
provisions within an overall cap of 100% of salary. No 
bonuses were awarded in respect of 2021.

(iv) Equity-based incentive schemes
The Committee strongly believes that long-term equity-
based incentive schemes increase the focus of employees 
in improving Group performance, while at the same time 
providing a strong incentive for retaining and attracting 
individuals of a high calibre. 

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

The Synairgen LTIP, comprising conditional (performance-
related) share awards (technically structured as nominal 
cost options, pursuant to which participants must pay 1p 
per share on the exercise of their awards) is the sole long-
term incentive vehicle for executive directors. 

Senior executives and other employees may be granted an 
award, which will normally vest if demanding performance 
conditions are achieved over a three-year period and if the 
grantee remains an employee of the Group. 

Grants under the LTIP in any financial year are capped at a 
maximum of 100% of base salary. 

As indicated in last year’s report, an LTIP award was made 
in June 2021 during the six week period following the 
preliminary announcement of the results for the year 
ended 31 December 2020, with each of Richard Marsden, 
Phillip Monk and John Ward being granted awards over 
shares worth 100% of salary with performance conditions 
as set out below. 

The Committee intends to make a similar LTIP award (the 
2022 award) during the six-week period following the 
preliminary announcement of the results for the year 
ended 31 December 2021, with each of Richard Marsden, 
Phillip Monk and John Ward being granted awards over 
shares worth up to 100% of salary with vesting and 
performance conditions similar to the 2021 LTIP award. 
Recognising the significant fall in share price in 2022, 
consistent with good practice, the Committee will bear 
this in mind when determining the number of shares over 
which the 2022 award should be granted.

Executive directors are expected to retain no fewer than 
50% of shares acquired upon vesting of awards under the 
LTIP, net of shares sold to pay taxes, until such time as, in 
combination with any other shares the executives may 
have acquired, they hold shares with a value equivalent to 
100% of base salary. 

All awards will lapse at the end of the applicable 
performance period to the extent that the applicable 
performance conditions have not been satisfied with no 
opportunity for retesting. In the event of a “good leaver” 
event or a change of control of the Company, the LTIP 
awards may vest early, but only to the extent that, in the 
opinion of the Committee, the performance conditions 
have been satisfied at that time. The awards will generally 
also be subject to a time pro-rated reduction to reflect the 
reduced period of time between the grant of the awards 
and the time of vesting although this reduction may not 
be applied in certain cases.

23

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Remuneration Report
(continued)

Performance conditions for the 2018-2021 LTIP 
awards

The performance conditions for all four awards were the 
same. The awards are subject to two conditions. Firstly, 
awards will only vest to the extent that the percentage 
increase in the total shareholder return (‘TSR’, being the 
return earned by a shareholder over the performance 
period in terms of change in the share price and assuming 
re-investment of any dividends in more shares at the 
prevailing price on the relevant ex-dividend date) of the 
Company over the three year performance period is equal 
or greater than the percentage increase in the techMARK 
Mediscience™ Index over the same period as follows: 

TSR growth over the performance 
period less percentage increase 
in the techMARK Mediscience™ 
Index over the same period

Vesting percentage of total 
number of shares subject to 
award

Less than 10%

10%

20% 

30% 

0%

25%

50%

100%

Performance between the steps

Pro-rata on a straight-line 
basis

Secondly, no award will vest unless the average annual 
growth in the TSR of the Company over the performance 
period is equal to or greater than RPI plus 2% or, for more 
than 75% of an award to vest, annual average TSR must 
exceed RPI by at least 5% rather than 2%.

During the year the 2018 LTIP award and, post period-end, 
the 2019 LTIP award both vested in full, having met all the 
performance conditions.

24

TSR Performance
The latest guidelines from the QCA encourage 
companies to include a chart showing its TSR 
performance over the preceding 10 years relative 
to a recognised index. While the Company has 
principally focused on the techMARK Mediscience™ 
Index, it does not formally publish a TSR based 
index, so the AIM100 has been used below. This is a 
statutory chart, and the Committee recognises that 
the share price has fallen following the year-end. 

Synairgen

AIM 100

1
1
0
2
r
e
b
m
e
c
e
D
1
3
t
a
0
0
1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r

,

n
r
u
t
e
R
r
e
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
S
l

l

a
t
o
T

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

1
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

2
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

3
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

4
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

5
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

6
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
0
3

7
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
9
2

8
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

9
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

0
2
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

1
2
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

Source: Datastream (a Refinitiv Product)

(v) Service contracts and letters of appointment
The executive directors have entered into service 
agreements which can be terminated on six months’ 
notice by either party. As reported last year, in February 
2021, Richard Marsden’s notice period was amended 
from six months to 12 months from either party.

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the executive 
directors did not hold any non-executive directorships 
with other companies.

The Chairman and non-executive directors have entered 
into letters of appointment for an initial fixed period 
of 12 months, which renew automatically for a further 
12-month period on the anniversary of commencement. 
The appointment can be terminated on three months’ 
notice by either party.

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ interests in share options

The interests of directors in share options over ordinary shares during the year were as follows:

Synairgen Long-Term Incentive Plans

Date of grant

Richard Marsden

21 September 2011

5 April 2018

4 April 2019

18 June 2020

4 June 2021

Dr Phillip Monk

21 September 2011

5 April 2018

4 April 2019

18 June 2020

4 June 2021

John Ward

21 September 2011

5 April 2018

4 April 2019

18 June 2020

4 June 2021

At  
1 January  
2021 

Granted 
 during  
the year

Exercised  
during  
the year

At  
31 December 
2021

Exercise  
price

Earliest  
exercise  
date

Expiry  
date

538,063

880,903

772,167

490,817

–

–

–

–

–

135,626

400,212

636,208

557,679

354,483

–

–

–

–

–

97,953

489,148

685,147

600,575

381,749

–

–

–

–

–

105,487

(538,063)

–

–

–

–

–

880,903

772,167

490,817

135,626

(400,212)

–

–

–

–

–

636,208

557,679

354,483

97,953

(489,148)

–

–

–

–

–

685,147

600,575

381,749

105,487

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

21 Sept 2014

20 Sept 2021

5 April 2021

4 April 2028

4 April 2022

3 April 2029

18 June 2023

17 June 2030

4 June 2024

3 June 2031

21 Sept 2014

20 Sept 2021

5 April 2021

4 April 2028

4 April 2022

3 April 2029

18 June 2023

17 June 2030

4 June 2024

3 June 2031

21 Sept 2014

20 Sept 2021

5 April 2021

4 April 2028

4 April 2022

3 April 2029

18 June 2023

17 June 2030

4 June 2024

3 June 2031

There were no other options granted to directors or which were exercised or lapsed during the year. 

The mid-market price of the Company’s shares at 31 December 2021 was 208.0p. During the year then ended, the mid-
market price ranged from 98.0p to 212.6p. On 24 May 2022 the closing price was 34.8p.

Audited information

The following section (Directors’ remuneration) contains the disclosures required by Schedule 5 to the Large and 
Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, forms part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 and has been audited by the Company’s auditor, BDO LLP.

25

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Remuneration Report
(continued)

Directors’ remuneration

The remuneration received by directors who served during the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 was as 
follows:

Year ended 31 December 2021

Year ended 31 December 2020

Salary/fee
£000

Notes

Bonus
£000

Benefits 
(iii)
£000

Total 
(excl. 
pension)
£000

Pension 
(iv)
£000

Total 
(incl. 
pension)
£000

Total 
(excl. 
pension)
£000

Total 
(incl. 
pension)
£000

Pension
£000

Executive directors

Richard Marsden

(i)

Dr Phillip Monk

John Ward

Non-executive  
directors

Simon Shaw

Iain Buchanan

Dr Bruce Campbell

Theodora Harold

Prof. Sir Stephen 
Holgate

Total

(ii)

256

185

192

55

35

30

13

30

796

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2

2

3

–

–

–

–

–

7

258

187

195

55

35

30

13

30

16

15

12

–

–

–

–

–

274

202

207

55

35

30

13

30

398

289

311

45

30

25

–

25

17

13

13

–

–

–

–

–

415

302

324

45

30

25

–

25

803

43

846

1,1,123

43

1,1,166

(i) 

 Richard Marsden was the highest paid director during the year ended 31 December 2021, earning a total of £274,000 as set out above. In addition, 
he made a gain (before tax and NICs) on the exercise of 538,063 options amounting to £748,000 and Dr Monk and Mr Ward made gains of 
£556,000 and £680,000 on the exercise of 400,212 and 489,148 options respectively. Since 2015, none of the executive directors have sold any 
shares other than to fund the exercise costs and related taxes arising from the exercise of share options. 

(ii)  Theodora Harold was appointed as a non-executive director on 30 September 2021.

(iii)   The Company permits employees, including executive directors, to change their pension provision through an election under a flexible benefits 

arrangement. The reported numbers are before any personal elections.

In respect of key management personnel (the three executive directors), for the year ended 31 December 2021, the 
total share-based payment amounted to £250,000 (2020: £152,000) and total social security costs were £212,000 
(2020: £200,000).

On behalf of the Board

Iain Buchanan
Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee

24 May 2022

26

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Report of the Audit Committee
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Constitution and membership

The Audit Committee (the ‘Committee’) has primary 
responsibility for ensuring that the financial performance 
of the Group is properly measured and reported on. It was 
established in October 2004 and its terms of reference 
are outlined in the Corporate Governance Statement on 
page 20. 

With effect from her appointment as a director of the 
Company on 30 September 2021, Theodora Harold 
became Chair of the Committee in place of Simon Shaw. 
At the same time Dr Bruce Campbell stood down from 
the Committee. For the remainder of the year under 
review and at the date of this report the members of 
the Committee are Theodora Harold (Chairman), Iain 
Buchanan and Simon Shaw. 

Matters covered by the Committee

The Committee, which is required to meet at least twice a 
year, met twice during the year ended 31 December 2021, 
with all members attending all meetings, and covered the 
following matters:

 >  Mar 2020: audit completion meeting for the 2020 

year-end audit including reviews of: the support for 
Synairgen plc’s investment in Synairgen Research 
Limited; the financial forecast to support the Group’s 
ability to account on a going concern basis; the 
auditor’s report on the audit; and the annual report.

 >  September 2021: interim report completion meeting 

for 2021, including agreement of scope and materiality 
and reviews of: the financial forecast to support the 
Group’s ability to account on a going concern basis; the 
report from the Company’s auditors; and the interim 
statement.

BDO, the Company’s auditors, were present at all 
meetings. John Ward, the Group’s Chief Financial 
Officer, was present at all meetings except for when his 
performance was being discussed by the Committee.

Auditor independence

As set out in the Corporate Governance Statement on 
page 20, in certain circumstances it was permitted by 
the Board for the auditors to supply non-audit services 
(in the provision of tax advice, or on specific projects 
where they can add value). The Committee has approved 
and monitored the application of this policy in order to 
safeguard auditor objectivity and independence. The 
overall fees paid to the auditors for tax advice during the 
year (as detailed in note 4 to the Financial Statements) 
amounted to £252,000. £65,000 of these fees relate 
to UK and international tax compliance services. The 
majority of the remaining tax advice was for international 
tax planning advice in preparation for a potential launch. 
While the Committee notes that the non-audit fees are in 
excess of the audit fees, it has confirmed that the amount 
of the audit fees are not material to BDO or the audit 
partner concerned. The Committee therefore considers 
that the amount of non-audit fees does not impair the 
independence of BDO as auditor. 

As of 1 January 2022 the Company became an Other 
Entity of Public Interest (OEPI) on account of its average 
market capitalisation at 1 January 2020, 2021 and 2022 
exceeding Euro 200 million and one of the consequences 
of this was that from that date the auditors are no longer 
permitted to provide non-audit services. As a result, the 
Group completed an orderly transfer of taxation and 
company secretarial services to other providers by 31 
December 2021.

Post 31 December 2021, the Committee has met twice:

Internal audit function

 >  January 2022: planning meeting for the 2021 year-
end audit, including agreement of audit scope, 
materiality, areas of audit focus, audit fees and auditor 
independence.

 >  May 2022 for the audit completion meeting for the 

2021 year-end audit including reviews of: the support 
for Synairgen plc’s investment in Synairgen Research 
Limited; the financial forecast to support the Group’s 
ability to account on a going concern basis; the 
accounting for clinical trial costs; the research and 
development tax audit; the auditor’s report on the 
audit; and the annual report.

The Group does not have an internal audit function, but 
the Committee considers that this is appropriate, given 
the size and relative lack of complexity of the Group at 
this stage in its development. The Committee keeps this 
matter under review annually. 

On behalf of the Board

Theodora Harold
Chair of the Audit Committee

24 May 2022

27

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Report

The directors present their report and the audited 
financial statements for Synairgen plc (the ‘Company’) and 
its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) for the year ended 
31 December 2021. 

Treasury policy and financial risk management

The Group’s treasury and financial risk management 
policies are set out in note 16 to the financial statements 
on pages 53 and 54.

Dividends

The directors do not propose the payment of a dividend.

Substantial shareholdings

As at 24 May 2022, the Company had been advised of the 
following shareholder with an interest of 3% or more in its 
ordinary share capital:

Name of shareholder

Number of  
ordinary shares

% of  
share capital

TFG Asset 
Management UK LLP

Directors

52,401,577

26.0%

The directors of the Company during the year ended 31 
December 2021 were:

Executive directors:
Richard Marsden (Chief Executive Officer)
Dr Phillip Monk (Chief Scientific Officer)
John Ward (Chief Financial Officer)

Non-executive directors:
Simon Shaw (Chairman)
Iain Buchanan 
Dr Bruce Campbell
Theodora Harold (appointed 30 September 2021)
Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE

The review of future developments is covered in the 
Outlook section of the Strategic Report. Details of 
directors’ remuneration and share options are given in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Research and development

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group has 
invested £52,857,000 (2020: £15,495,000) in research and 
development activities and a review of this expenditure 
is included in the Strategic Report. The outcome of the 
Phase 3 clinical trial was announced after the year-end 
and is discussed in both the Strategic Report and note 21 
to the financial statements on page 58.

Going concern

The directors have prepared financial forecasts to 
estimate the likely cash requirements of the Group over 
the period to 30 June 2023, given its stage of development 
and lack of recurring revenues. In preparing these 
financial forecasts, the directors have made certain 
assumptions with regards to the timing and amount of 
future expenditure over which they have control and also 
the timing of receipt of the research and development tax 
credit from HMRC. The directors have taken a prudent 
view in preparing these forecasts.

The Group’s available resources are sufficient to cover 
the Group’s plans to engage with government bodies 
and contribute labelled drug product towards a platform 
study, design a broad-spectrum antiviral clinical trial, 
engage with pharmaceutical companies regarding 
collaboration/outlicensing opportunities for that broad 
indication and engage with existing and potential investors 
in the Group regarding a public equity raise, if required 
(full details of these plans can be found in the Strategic 
Report). Regardless of the outcome of these plans, 
which are uncertain, the Group’s available resources are 
sufficient to cover existing committed costs and the costs 
of these planned activities until at least 30 June 2023.

After due consideration of these forecasts and current 
cash resources, the directors consider that the Group has 
adequate financial resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future (being a period of at 
least 12 months from the date of this report) and, for this 
reason, the financial statements have been prepared on a 
going concern basis.

28

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Directors’ interests in ordinary shares

The directors, who held office at 31 December 2021, 
had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the 
Company:

At  
31 December 2021

At  
1 January 2021

Number of shares Number of shares

995,771

423,934

734,092

754,667

244,600

514,907

1,531,239

1,531,239

112,741

322,830

–

112,741

322,830

n/a

Richard Marsden (i)

Dr Phillip Monk

John Ward

Simon Shaw (ii)

Iain Buchanan

Dr Bruce Campbell (iii)

Theodora Harold (iv) 

Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate (v)

886,931

886,931

(i) 

(ii) 

 Richard Marsden’s shareholding includes 184,821 shares held in his 
pension plan.

 Simon Shaw’s shareholding includes 105,516 shares held in his 
pension plan.

(iii)   Dr Bruce Campbell’s shareholding includes 40,299 owned by his wife, 

Susan Campbell.

(iv)   Theodora Harold had no shareholding in the Company at her date of 

appointment (30 September 2021).

(v) 

 Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate’s shareholding includes 1,923 shares owned 
by his wife, Elizabeth Holgate.

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance

Qualifying indemnity insurance cover has been arranged 
in respect of the personal liabilities which may be incurred 
by directors and officers of the Group during the course 
of their service with the Group. This insurance has been in 
place during the year and to the date of this report.

Auditors

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

By order of the Board

Simon Holden
Company Secretary

24 May 2022

29

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcStatement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the 
Annual Report and the Financial Statements 

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

Website Publication

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

By order of the Board

Simon Holden
Company Secretary

24 May 2022

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
directors have elected to prepare the Group financial 
statements in accordance with UK adopted international 
accounting standards in conformity with the requirements 
of the Companies Act 2006 and the Company financial 
statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards and applicable law). Under company law the 
directors must not approve the financial statements 
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company 
and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. The 
directors are also required to prepare financial statements 
in accordance with the rules of the London Stock 
Exchange for companies trading securities on AIM. 

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

 >  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently;

 >  Make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

 >  State whether the Group financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with international 
accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the 
Company financial statements in accordance with 
United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and 
applicable law), subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 
and,

 >  Prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business.

30

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Synairgen plc

Opinion on the financial statements

In our opinion:

 >  the financial statements give a true and fair view of 

the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2021 and of the Group’s loss 
for the year then ended;

 >  the Group financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK adopted international 
accounting standards;

 >  the Parent Company financial statements have been 

properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

 >  the financial statements have been prepared in 

accordance with the requirements of the Companies 
Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements of Synairgen 
plc  (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the 
‘Group’) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which 
comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in 
Equity, the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, 
the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Parent 
Company Balance Sheet, the Parent Company Statement 
of Changes in Equity and the notes to the Consolidated 
and Parent Company financial statements, including a 
summary of significant accounting policies. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in the preparation of the Group financial statements is 
applicable law and UK adopted international accounting 
standards. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company 
financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting 
Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further 
described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
the financial statements section of our report. We believe 
that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Independence

We remain independent of the Group and the Parent 
Company in accordance with the ethical requirements 
that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 
in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded 
that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 
is appropriate. Our evaluation of the Directors’ 
assessment of the Group and the Parent Company’s 
ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting included evaluating the following:

 >  The Directors’ method for assessing going concern, 
including the relevance and reliability of underlying 
data used to make the assessment, and whether 
assumptions and changes to assumptions from prior 
years are appropriate and where relevant consistent 
with each other. The assumptions were assessed 
against the Group’s development plans and committed 
expenditure.

 >  The Directors’ plans for future actions in relation to 

the going concern assessment including whether such 
plans are feasible in the circumstances.

 >  The Directors’ stress-testing of the forecasts to the 
extent of reasonable worst-case scenarios, solely in 
relation to their estimates of planned operational costs 
which are not fixed.

 >  The adequacy and appropriateness of disclosures in 
the financial statements regarding the going concern 
assessment.

We carried out the above procedures through using our 
understanding of the business model, objectives, strategies 
and related business risk, the measurement and review of 
the entity’s financial performance, forecasting and budgeting 
processes and the entity’s risk assessment process. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not 
identified any material uncertainties relating to events 
or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast 
significant doubt on the entiy’s ability to continue as a 
going concern for a period of at least twelve months from 
when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the 
Directors with respect to going concern are described in 
the relevant sections of this report.

31

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcIndependent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc
(continued)

Overview

Coverage

Key audit matters

Materiality

100% (2020: 100%) of Group loss before tax
100% (2020: 100%) of Group total assets

Clinical trial and manufacturing cost accounting 

2021 
✓ 

2020

✓

Group financial statements as a whole
£2,300,000 (2020: £900,000) based on 4% (2020: 5%) of the loss before tax.

An overview of the scope of our audit

Key audit matters

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

Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an 
understanding of the Group and its environment, 
including the Group’s system of internal control, and 
assessing the risks of material misstatement in the 
financial statements. We also addressed the risk of 
management override of internal controls, including 
assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the 
Directors that may have represented a risk of material 
misstatement.

The Group’s operations are based solely in Southampton, 
United Kingdom. 

Synairgen plc and Synairgen Research Limited, are 
considered significant components and were subject 
to full-scope audits by the group audit team. Other 
subsidiaries incorporated in 2021 for planned operations 
in 2022 onwards, were considered to be not significant 
based on their size and risk.

32

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021 
Key audit matter 

Clinical  
trial and 
manufacturing 
cost accounting

The accounting 
policy in respect 
of the accounting 
for manufacturing 
activities is 
included within 
the Inventories 
accounting policy 
on page 43; 
the accounting 
policy in respect 
of research and 
development 
activities is 
included within 
the Research and 
development 
accounting policy 
on page 42; 
significant balance 
sheet items 
in relation to 
clinical trial and 
manufacturing 
activities are 
included in notes 
13 & 15.

Due to the nature of clinical 
trials, drug manufacturing 
processes and general research, 
it is often difficult to estimate 
the length of time a particular 
research process is going to 
take. This is reinforced by the 
fact that such activities are often 
contracted to third parties.

As a result, it can be challenging 
for the entity to measure what 
costs have been incurred in 
relation to outsourced research 
and manufacturing at a 
particular point in time and as 
such, based on billings received, 
whether project accruals and 
prepayments recorded are 
reasonably estimated.

Our audit risk was focused 
on whether the relevant 
expenditure has been 
appropriately included in the 
income statement, whether 
the expenditure included 
is complete and whether 
prepayments and accruals were 
appropriately calculated and 
recognised.

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit 
matter

We have assessed the key terms of all material ongoing 
third party research and drug manufacturing agreements 
to understand the nature of the goods or services provided, 
the total contracted costs and, where relevant, milestone 
payments. 

We tested a sample of invoices received in accordance with 
the research and drug manufacturing agreements and 
considered their content to determine the correct accounting 
treatment and if the expenditure was appropriately recorded 
within the financial statements. 

We selected the largest suppliers by turnover and obtained 
third-party supplier confirmations of the liability at year end. 

We tested the completeness of management’s calculation 
of the accruals position by selecting a sample of significant 
purchase orders raised in the final quarter of the year and 
checking that, based on evidence such as invoices received 
and third party confirmations, the associated costs had been 
recognised in the appropriate accounting period.

We also considered the completeness of related accruals 
through testing a sample of invoices recorded post year 
end checking that, based on the terms of the service, they 
had been accounted for in the correct period. In addition, 
we inspected board meeting minutes for evidence of any 
significant contracts entered that might require cost accruals 
that had not been recognised.

Key observations:
We consider the Group’s related accounting policies to have 
been appropriately applied, in the recording of research and 
development expenditure, related prepayments and accruals 
in the financial statements.

33

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcIndependent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc
(continued)

Our application of materiality

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning 
and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect 
of misstatements. We consider materiality to be the 
magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, 
could influence the economic decisions of reasonable 
users that are taken on the basis of the financial 
statements. 

In order to reduce to an appropriately low level the 
probability that any misstatements exceed materiality, 

we use a lower materiality level, performance materiality, 
to determine the extent of testing needed. Importantly, 
misstatements below these levels will not necessarily be 
evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the 
nature of identified misstatements, and the particular 
circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their 
effect on the financial statements as a whole. 

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

Materiality

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

2021
£000

2,300

2020
£000

900

2021
£000

1,420

2020
£000

550

Basis for determining materiality

4% (2020: 5%) of loss before tax

Rationale for the benchmark applied

Loss before tax is considered to be 
one of the principal considerations for 
the users of the financial statements in 
assessing the financial performance of 
the Group.

Due to the increased activity during the 
year, we have lowered our percentage 
threshold applied.

60% of Group 
materiality

60% of Group  
materiality

Capped 60% (2020: 60%) of Group 
materiality given the assessment of the 
components aggregation risk.

Performance materiality

1,725

675

1,065

415

Basis for determining performance  
materiality

75% of materiality based on a low expected total value of known and likely 
misstatements.

Component materiality
Aside from the Parent company, there is only one 
additional significant component – being the trading 
subsidiary Synairgen Research Limited. The materiality for 
this component was set at £2,000,000 (2020: £800,000), 
based on 90% (2020: 90%) of Group materiality. In 
the audit of this component, we further applied a 
performance materiality level of 75% of the component 
materiality to our testing to ensure that the risk of errors 
exceeding component materiality was appropriately 
mitigated.

Reporting threshold  
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would 
report to them all individual audit differences in excess 
of £46,000 (2020: £18,000). We also agreed to report 
differences below this threshold that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Other information
The directors are responsible for the other information. 
The other information comprises the information included 
in the Annual Report and Accounts other than the 
financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover 
the other information and, except to the extent otherwise 
explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form 
of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is 
to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained 
in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to 
be materially misstated. If we identify such material 
inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, 
we are required to determine whether this gives rise 
to a material misstatement in the financial statements 
themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, 
we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

34

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Other Companies Act 2006 reporting

Based on the responsibilities described below and our work performed during the course of the audit, we are required 
by the Companies Act 2006 and ISAs (UK) to report on certain opinions and matters as described below. 

Strategic report and 
Directors’ report 

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

Matters on which we are 
required to report by 
exception

 >  the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors’ report for the 

financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with 
the financial statements; and

 >  the Strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in accord-

ance with applicable legal requirements.

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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 
the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

 >  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or 
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 
visited by us; or

 >  the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the  

accounting records and returns; or

 >  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
 >   we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our 

audit.

Responsibilities of Directors

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

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, 
and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is 
not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance 
with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement 
when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of 
these financial statements.

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting 
irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-
compliance with laws and regulations. We design 
procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined 
above, to detect material misstatements in respect 
of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which 
our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, 
including fraud, is detailed below.

35

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcIndependent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc
(continued)

We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to 
a material misstatement in the Group financial statements 
and the susceptibility of the entity’s financial statements 
to material misstatement, including fraud. Our procedures 
included, but were not limited to:

inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed 
and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected 
in the financial statements, the less likely we are to 
become aware of it.

 >  Evaluation of management incentives and 

opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the 
financial statements including management override;

 >  This evaluation involved a particular focus on the 
judgements and estimates inherent in clinical trial 
accounting and exercising professional scepticism 
in considering the impact of those estimates 
and judgements on the reported results and key 
performance measures such as the loss before tax;

 >  The evaluation also involved gaining an understanding 
of management remuneration schemes and the extent 
to which remuneration is influenced by reported 
results;

 >  Discussions with Directors and the Audit Committee 
regarding known or suspected instances of non-
compliance with laws and regulations;

 >  Discussions with Directors and the Audit Committee 
regarding known or suspected instances of fraud;

 >  Obtaining and understanding of controls designed to 

prevent and detect irregularities;

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

Use of our report

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

Ian Oliver (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor
Reading
United Kingdom

 >  Review of board meeting minutes for any evidence 

24 May 2022

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

of fraud or non-compliance with laws and 
regulations including Companies Act 2006; AIM 
listing requirements; financial reporting framework; 
health and safety; taxation regulations; and drug 
development regulatory authorities; and

 >  Testing of journal entries to accounts that are 

considered to carry a greater risk of fraud as part of 
our planned audit approach.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and 
regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement 
team members and remained alert to any indications 
of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations 
throughout the audit.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks 
of material misstatement in the financial statements, 
recognising that the risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of 
not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, 
misrepresentations or through collusion. There are 

36

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 21Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Research and development expenditure

Other administrative expenses

Total administrative expenses and loss from operations

Finance income

Finance expense

Loss before tax

Tax

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to equity 
holders of the parent 

Loss per ordinary share

Basic and diluted loss per share (pence)

Year ended
31 December 2021
£000

Year ended
31 December 2020
£000

Notes

(52,857)

(5,009)

(57,866)

11

(2)

(57,857)

9,194

(15,495)

(2,246)

(17,741)

19

(10)

(17,732)

3,816

(48,663)

(13,916)

(24.28)p

(9.46)p

6

6

7

8

37

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcConsolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2020

Issue of ordinary shares

Transaction costs in respect of share issues

Recognition of share–based payments

Net settlement of share options

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year

At 31 December 2020

Issue of ordinary shares

Recognition of share–based payments

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year

Share
capital
£000
18a

1,094

905

–

–

–

–

Share 
premium
£000
18b

28,262

100,170

(3,187)

–

–

–

Merger
reserve
£000
18c

Retained
deficit
£000
18d

483

(27,586)

Total
£000

2,253

101,075

(3,187)

207

–

–

207

(1,291)

(1,291)

(13,916)

(13,916)

–

–

–

–

–

1,999

125,245

483

(42,586)

85,141

14

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

508

14

508

(48,663)

(48,663)

At 31 December 2021

2,013

125,245

483

(90,741)

37,000

38

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2021

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Current assets

Inventories

Current tax receivable

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Total liabilities

Total net assets

Equity

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Retained deficit

Total equity

Notes

31 December 2021
£000

31 December 2020
£000

9

10

11

12

7

13

14

15

11

17

17

18

18

53

173

–

226

–

9,055

1,530

33,827

44,412

44,638

(7,638)

–

(7,638)

37,000

2,013

125,245

483

 (90,741)

37,000

44

250

94

388

41

3,771

9,372

74,976

88,160

88,548

(3,279)

(128)

(3,407)

85,141

1,999

125,245

483

(42,586)

85,141

The financial statements on pages 37 to 58 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 24 May 
2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Richard Marsden
Chief Executive Officer

John Ward
Chief Financial Officer

39

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcConsolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss before tax

Adjustments for:

Finance income

Finance expense

Lease adjustment

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Amortisation of intangible fixed assets

Share-based payment charge

Year
ended
31 December 2021
£000

Year
ended
31 December 2020
£000

Notes

(57,857)

(17,732)

(11)

2

(4)

92

94

9

508

(19)

10

–

90

161

9

207

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital

(57,167)

(17,274)

Decrease in inventories

Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Cash used in operations

Tax credit received

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Purchase of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares

Transaction costs in respect of share issues

Net settlement of share options

Principal paid on lease liabilities

Interest paid on lease liabilities

Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities

(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

14

41

7,841

4,359

(44,926)

3,910

(41,016)

12

(18)

(15)

(21)

14

–

–

(124)

(2)

(112)

(41,149)

74,976

33,827

–

(9,244)

1,789

(24,729)

910

(23,819)

31

(37) 

(39)

(45)

101,075

(3,187)

(1,291)

(196)

(15)

96,386

72,522

2,454

74,976

40

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021

1. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with UK adopted international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

Effective 1 January 2023 – not yet adopted by UKEB 

 >  Amendments to IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as 

Current or Non-current

 >  Amendments to IAS 12 – Deferred Tax Related to 

Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

 >  Amendments to IAS 8 – Definition of Accounting 

Estimates

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those 
of the previous financial year.

 >  Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 – 

Disclosure of Accounting Policies

New standards, interpretations and 
amendments adopted from 1 January 2021 

With effect from 1 January 2021, the Group adopted the 
amendments to existing standards set out below that are 
effective for an annual period that begins on or after 1 
January 2021:

 >  Amendments to IFRS 4 - Insurance Contracts

 >  Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 

16 – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

 >  Amendments to IFRS 16 - COVID-19-Related Rent 

Concessions

The adoption of these amendments has not had a 
material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts 
reported in the Group’s financial statements.

New standards, interpretations and 
amendments not yet effective

At the date of approval of these Group financial 
statements, the Company had not yet applied the 
following new and revised IFRSs that have been issued but 
are not yet effective:

Effective 1 January 2022 – adopted by UK 
Endorsement Board (UKEB):

 >  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 
(Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IFRS 16 and IAS 41)

 >  Amendments to IAS 16 – Proceeds before Intended 

Use

 >  Amendments to IAS 37 – Onerous Contracts – Cost of 

Fulfilling a Contract

 >  Amendments to IFRS 3 – References to Conceptual 

Framework

Effective 1 January 2023 – adopted by UKEB:

 >  IFRS 17 – Insurance contracts

The Company does not expect the adoption of these 
IFRS amendments will have a material impact on the 
Company in the current or future reporting periods and 
on foreseeable future transactions.

The Group financial statements are presented in Sterling.

Going concern

The directors have prepared financial forecasts to 
estimate the likely cash requirements of the Group over 
the period to 30 June 2023, given its stage of development 
and lack of recurring revenues. In preparing these 
financial forecasts, the directors have made certain 
assumptions with regards to the timing and amount of 
future expenditure over which they have control and also 
the timing of receipt of the research and development tax 
credit from HMRC. The directors have taken a prudent 
view in preparing these forecasts. 

The Group’s available resources are sufficient to cover 
the Group’s plans to engage with government bodies 
and contribute labelled drug product towards a platform 
study, design a broad-spectrum antiviral clinical trial, 
engage with pharmaceutical companies regarding 
collaboration/outlicensing opportunities for that broad 
indication and engage with existing and potential investors 
in the Group regarding a public equity raise, if required 
(full details of these plans can be found in the Strategic 
Report). Regardless of the outcome of these plans, 
which are uncertain, the Group’s available resources are 
sufficient to cover existing committed costs and the costs 
of these planned activities until at least 30 June 2023.

After due consideration of these forecasts and current 
cash resources, the directors consider that the Group has 
adequate financial resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future (being a period of at 
least 12 months from the date of this report) and, for this 
reason, the financial statements have been prepared on a 
going concern basis.

41

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate 
the financial statements of the Company and entities 
controlled by the Company (as detailed in note 4 to the 
Parent Company Financial Statements on page 63) made 
up to the reporting date. All intra-group transactions, 
balances, income and expenses are eliminated on 
consolidation. The formation of the Group arose from 
merger accounting and as the business combination 
took place prior to 1 July 2006, the date of transition to 
IFRS, the transaction has not been restated as permitted 
by IFRS 1 “First-time Adoption of International Financial 
Reporting”.

Revenue 

Revenue is stated net of value added tax. 

The Group’s licensing and collaboration agreement 
with Pharmaxis in respect of the jointly developed 
LOXL2 inhibitors was renegotiated in December 2017. 
No substantive performance obligations on the Group 
remained at 1 January 2020. Revenue from other amounts 
which may be received in future under this agreement, 
will be recognised when a reliable estimate can be made, 
which is likely to be when the partner’s income has been 
earned and the Group’s share is contractually due. 

Research and development

All ongoing research expenditure is currently expensed in 
the period in which it is incurred. 

Due to the regulatory and other uncertainties inherent 
in the development of the Group’s products, the criteria 
for development costs to be recognised as an asset, as 
set out in IAS 38 “Intangible Assets”, are not met until a 
product has been submitted for regulatory approval and 
it is probable that future economic benefit will flow to 
the Group. The Group currently has no such qualifying 
expenditure.

Employee benefits

All employee benefit costs, notably salaries, holiday 
pay, bonuses and contributions to personal defined 
contribution pension schemes are charged to the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income on an 
accruals basis.

Share-based payments

Where equity-settled share options are awarded to 
employees, the fair value of the options at the date 
of grant is charged to the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income over the vesting period. Non-
market vesting conditions are taken into account by 
adjusting the number of equity instruments expected 
to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the 
cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period 
is based on the number of options that eventually vest. 
Non-vesting conditions and market vesting conditions 
are factored into the fair value of the options granted. 
As long as all other vesting conditions are satisfied, a 
charge is made irrespective of whether the market vesting 
conditions are satisfied. The cumulative expense is not 
adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition.

Where vested share options are exercised by the 
participants but settled by the Company net of shares 
withheld to meet the participant’s tax and NIC liabilities 
(‘net settlement’), the payment to meet such tax and NIC 
liabilities is treated as a deduction to equity to the extent 
that the payment equates to the settlement date fair value 
of the shares withheld, and in the consolidated statement 
of cash flows is included within cash flows from financing 
activities. 

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are stated at cost less any accumulated 
amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. 
Patent costs are amortised over ten years on a straight-
line basis and the amortisation cost is charged to research 
and development expenditure in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income. 

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less 
any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated 
impairment losses. Depreciation is provided on a 
straight-line basis at rates calculated to write off the cost 
of property, plant and equipment less their estimated 
residual value over their expected useful lives, which are 
as follows:

Computer equipment: 
Laboratory and clinical equipment: 

3 years
5 years

42

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment 
are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be 
recoverable.

Financial liabilities
The Group classifies its financial liabilities as financial 
liabilities held at amortised cost. Trade payables are 
initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried 
at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Inventories

Inventories of products approved for sale are stated at the 
lower of cost and net realisable value. 

Raw materials inventory purchased and associated 
processing/manufacturing costs, related to therapeutics 
produced for clinical trial purposes or commercial use 
ahead of regulatory approval, are expensed as incurred 
through research and development expenditure.

Where inventory manufacturers invoice in advance of 
the manufacturing activities, the invoice is recorded as a 
prepayment within trade and other receivables.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on 
the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position 
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets
The Group classifies its financial assets as financial assets 
held at amortised cost.

These assets arise principally from the provision of goods 
and services to customers (e.g. trade receivables), but 
also incorporate other types of financial assets where 
the objective is to hold these assets in order to collect 
contractual cash flows and the contractual cash flows are 
solely payments of principal and interest. They are initially 
recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to their acquisition or issue, and are 
subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method, less provision for impairment. 

The Group’s financial assets measured at amortised cost 
comprise trade and other receivables, other financial 
assets and cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated 
statement of financial position. Cash and cash equivalents 
includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, 
other short term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less.

Leases

All leases are accounted for by recognising a right-of-use 
asset and a lease liability except for leases of low value 
assets and leases with a duration of 12 months or less.

Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the 
contractual payments due to the lessor over the lease 
term, with the discount rate determined by reference to 
the rate inherent in the lease unless (as is typically the 
case) this is not readily determinable, in which case the 
Group’s incremental borrowing rate on commencement 
of the lease is used. Variable lease payments are only 
included in the measurement of the lease liability if they 
depend on an index or rate. In such cases, the initial 
measurement of the lease liability assumes the variable 
element will remain unchanged throughout the lease 
term. Other variable lease payments are expensed in the 
period to which they relate.

On initial recognition, the carrying value of the lease 
liability also includes: amounts expected to be payable 
under any residual value guarantee; the exercise price 
of any purchase option granted in favour of the Group if 
it is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and any 
penalties payable for terminating the lease, if the term of 
the lease has been estimated on the basis of termination 
option being exercised.

Right-of-use assets are initially measured at the amount 
of the lease liability, reduced for any lease incentives 
received, and increased for: lease payments made at or 
before commencement of the lease; initial direct costs 
incurred; and the amount of any provision recognised 
where the Group is contractually required to dismantle, 
remove or restore the leased asset.

Subsequent to initial measurement, lease liabilities 
increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate 
on the balance outstanding and are reduced for lease 
payments made. Right-of-use assets are amortised on a 
straight-line basis over the remaining term of the lease or 
over the remaining economic life of the asset if, rarely, this 
is judged to be shorter than the lease term.

43

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

2.  Critical accounting estimates and 

judgements

Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and 
judgements are continually evaluated by management 
based on available information and experience. As the 
use of estimates is inherent in financial reporting, actual 
results could differ from these estimates.

The directors consider that the research and development 
tax credit recognised in respect of 2021, which amounts 
to £9.2 million (2020: £3.8 million), is a critical accounting 
estimate on account of its size and the judgements 
involved in determining which elements of expenditure 
qualify to be included in the credit.

3.  Segmental analysis

The Group operates in one area of activity, namely drug 
discovery and development. All assets of the Group are 
located within the United Kingdom, with the exception of 
some manufacturing work in progress assets. All losses 
were generated in the United Kingdom.

1. Accounting policies (continued)

For contracts that both convey a right to the Group to use 
an identified asset and require services to be provided to 
the Group by the lessor, the Group has elected to account 
for the entire contract as a lease, i.e. it does not allocate 
any amount of the contractual payments to, and account 
separately for, any services provided by the supplier as 
part of the contract.

Taxation

Income tax is recognised or provided at amounts 
expected to be recovered or to be paid using the tax rates 
and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted at the reporting date. Research and development 
tax credits are included as current tax receivable under 
current assets.

Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all 
temporary differences that have originated but not 
reversed by the reporting date except for differences 
arising on:

 >  Investments in subsidiaries where the Group is able to 
control the timing of the reversal of the difference and 
it is probable that the difference could not reverse in 
the foreseeable future; and,

 >  The initial recognition of an asset or liability in a 

transaction which is not a business combination and at 
the time of the transaction affects neither accounting 
nor taxable profit.

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

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those 
instances where it is probable that a taxable profit will be 
available against which the temporary difference can be 
utilised. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

44

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

4.  Loss from operations

The loss from operations has been arrived at after charging:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Amortisation of intangible assets

Operating lease rentals payable (out of IFRS16 scope):

Land and buildings

Other operating lease rentals 

The fees for the Group’s auditor, BDO LLP, for services provided are analysed below:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Group and 
Company financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services:

The audit of the Company’s UK subsidiary, pursuant to legislation

Audit-related assurance services 

Tax compliance services

Tax advisory services

Company secretarial services

Total fees

2021
£000

92

94

9

31

39

2021
£000

40

26

8

65

187

6

332

2020
£000

90

161

9

–

–

2020
£000

25

16

7

9

37

–

94

45

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

5.  Employee benefit expense

The average monthly number of employees (including executive directors) was:

Research

Administration

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs – defined contribution plans 

Total cash-settled remuneration

Accrued holiday pay

Share-based payment

Total remuneration

2021

2020

15

9

24

2021
£000

1,725

413

196

2,334

18

508

2,860

14

4

18

2020
£000

1,530

291

124

1,945

59

207

2,211

For the purpose of presentation in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, remuneration costs of 
£1,458,000 (2020: £1,116,000) are included in research and development expenditure and £1,402,000 (2020: £1,095,000) 
are included in other administrative expenses.

Key management compensation
The directors represent the key management personnel and details of their remuneration are given in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

In respect of directors’ remuneration, the disclosures required by Schedule 5 to the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 are included in the detailed disclosures in the 
audited section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 26, which are ascribed as forming part of these financial 
statements.

46

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

6.  Finance income and expense

Finance income represents bank interest receivable.

Finance expense represents interest expense on lease liabilities.

7.  Taxation

Current tax

UK corporation tax credit on loss for the year

Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total income tax credit

2021
£000

(9,055)

(139)

(9,194)

2020
£000

(3,771)

(45)

(3,816)

The tax assessed on the loss on ordinary activities for the year is different to the standard rate of corporation tax in the 
UK of 19% (2020: 19%). The differences are reconciled below:

Loss on ordinary activities before tax

Loss on ordinary activities before tax multiplied by the standard rate of 
corporation tax in the UK

Effects of:

Tax relief on share option exercises

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Enhanced research and development relief

Variable rates on tax losses surrendered for research and development tax credit

Temporary differences

Movement in unrecognised losses

Adjustment in respect of previous years

Total tax credit for the current year

Deferred taxation

2021
£000

(57,857)

(10,993)

(377)

97

(6,707)

2,810

13

6,102

(139)

(9,194)

2020
£000

(17,732)

(3,369)

(277)

39

(2,940)

1,170

10

1,596

(45)

(3,816)

Changes in tax rates and factors affecting the future tax charge 
The Finance Act 2021, which was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021, increased the main UK corporation tax rate to 
25% from 1 April 2023 from its existing rate of 19% and therefore the rate used to calculate any deferred tax balances at 
31 December 2021 has increased from 19% to 25%.

47

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

7.   Taxation (continued)

Recognised deferred taxation

Accelerated capital allowances

Other temporary differences

Trading losses

Charge for the year

2021
£000

43

(43)

–

–

2020
£000

(3)

(18)

21

–

Unrecognised deferred taxation
At 31 December 2021 the Group has trading losses carried forward which are available for offset against future profits 
of the Group amounting to £54,490,000 (2020: £24,254,000) and non-trading losses of £3,456,000 (2020: £2,847,000). 
At 31 December 2021 the Group has an unrecognised deferred tax asset in respect of these losses of £14,486,000 
(2020: £5,149,000). The full utilisation of these losses in the foreseeable future is uncertain and no deferred tax asset 
has therefore been recognised.

In addition to the deferred tax asset on losses, the Group has a potential future tax deduction on share options of 
£13,078,000 (2020: £8,921,000) and a deferred tax asset of £3,270,000 (2020: £1,695,000) thereon. The additional tax 
deduction will crystallise at the point the options are exercised. As the utilisation of this additional deduction against 
taxable profits in the Group is uncertain, no deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the future tax 
deduction on share options.

The movement on the unrecognised deferred tax asset comprises the following:

Unrecognised deferred tax asset at the start of the year

Change in tax rate

Movement in the year

Unrecognised deferred tax asset at the year-end 

8.  Loss per ordinary share

Loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent company (£000)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (000)

Basic and diluted loss per share (pence) 

2021
£000

(6,844)

(2,161)

(8,751)

(17,756)

2021

(48,663)

200,442

(24.28)

2020
£000

(3,289)

(387)

(3,168)

(6,844)

2020

(13,916)

147,120

(9.46)

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent company by 
the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of 
calculating the diluted earnings per ordinary share are identical to those used for basic loss per share. This is because 
the exercise of share options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share and is therefore antidilutive 
under the terms of IAS 33. 

48

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

9.  Intangible assets 

Cost

At 1 January 2020

Additions

At 31 December 2020

Additions

At 31 December 2021

Amortisation

At 1 January 2020

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2020

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2021

Net book amount

At 31 December 2021

At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2020

Patent costs
£000

212

37

249

18

267

196

9

205

9

214

53

44

16

At 31 December 2021 £53,000 (31 December 2020: £44,000) of the net book amount relates to interferon beta patent 
costs. 

49

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

10.  Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2020

Additions 

At 31 December 2020

Additions 

At 31 December 2021

Depreciation

At 1 January 2020

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2020

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2021

Net book value

At 31 December 2021

At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2020

11.  Leases

Computer 
equipment
£000

Laboratory and 
clinical equipment
£000

51

8

59

15

74

42

5

47

9

56

18

12

9

523

31

554

–

554

231

85

316

83

399

155

238

292

Total
£000

574

39

613

15

628

273

90

363

92

455

173

250

301

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group had one lease with its landlord, the University of Southampton, 
which provides the Group with office space and access to laboratory equipment. A two-year lease was entered into with 
effect from 1 August 2019. From 1 August 2021 the Group has continued to make payments on the same basis pending 
renegotiation of the lease. Costs since 1 August 2021 are accounted for as a short-term lease applying paragraph 6 of 
IFRS 16 (i.e. by not recognising a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset).

For the two-year lease discussed above, the lease liability was measured at the present value of the contractual 
payments due to the lessor over the lease term using a discount rate of 5%, which was an estimate of the discount rate 
applicable to a property lease. 

Land and 
buildings
£000

Plant and 
machinery
£000

127

(80)

47

(47)

–

128

(81)

47

(47)

–

Total
£000

255

(161)

94

(94)

–

Right-of-use assets

At 1 January 2020

Depreciation

At 31 December 2020

Depreciation

At 31 December 2021

50

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

Lease liabilities

At 1 January 2020

Interest expense related to lease liabilities

Lease payments

At 31 December 2020

Interest expense related to lease liabilities

Lease adjustment

Lease payments

At 31 December 2021

Lease liabilities

At 31 December 2021 

At 31 December 2020 

Analysis of lease expense

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Land and buildings

Plant and machinery

Lease adjustments

Short-term lease expense

Charge to operating loss

Interest expense related to lease liabilities

Charge to loss before taxation for leases

12. Inventories

Raw materials and consumables

Raw materials comprised the Group’s BioBank.

Land and 
buildings
£000

Plant and 
machinery
£000

164

5

(105)

64

1

(2)

(63)

–

164

5

(105)

64

1

(2)

(63)

–

Total
£000

328

10

(210)

128

2

(4)

(126)

–

Up to 
3 months
£000

Between 3 and 
12 months
£000

Between 1 and 
2 years
£000

–

42

–

86

2021
£000

47

47

(4)

70

160

2

162

2021
£000

–

–

–

2020
£000

80

81

–

–

161

10

171

2020
£000

41

51

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

13. Trade and other receivables

Amounts receivable within one year:

Other tax and social security

Prepayments and accrued income

14. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash available on demand

2021
£000

556

974

1,530

2021
£000

33,827

At 31 December 2021, £5,004,000 was on 35 days’ notice (2020: £5,000,000 on 35 days’ notice).

15. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Social security and other taxes

Accrued expenses and deferred income

2021
£000

4,157

410

3,071

7,638

2020
£000

551

8,821

9,372

2020
£000

74,976

2020
£000

1,541

224

1,514

3,279

52

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

16. Financial instruments

Financial assets

Amortised cost

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents (less than one year)

Total 

Financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Trade and other payables (less than one year)

Lease liabilities (less than one year)

Total

Notes 

2021
Book and fair value
£000

2020
Book and fair value
£000

(i)

(ii)

–

33,827

33,827

7,228

–

7,228

1

74,976

74,977

3,055

128

3,183

(i) 

 Trade and other receivables shown above excludes prepayments and other taxes, which are not a contractual 
right to receive cash, amounting to £1,530,000 (2020: £9,371,000).

(ii)   Trade and other payables shown above excludes amounts due in respect of social security and other taxes, 

which are not a contractual obligation to pay cash, amounting to £410,000 (2020: £224,000).

The objective of holding financial instruments is to have access to finance for the Group’s operations and to manage 
related risks. The main risks arising from holding these instruments are interest rate risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and 
currency risk. 

Interest rate risk
The Group’s deposit balances are subject to the risk of fluctuating base rates. Interest rate risk profile of financial assets, 
excluding short-term debtors:

Euro

Sterling

US Dollar

2021
Floating rate 
financial assets 
£000

2020
Floating rate 
financial assets 
£000

816

30,020

2,991

33,827

2,297

67,216

5,463

74,976

Sensitivity analysis
It is estimated that an increase of a quarter of one percentage point in interest rates would have decreased the Group’s 
loss before taxation by approximately £126,000 (2020: £46,000). 

Liquidity risk
The Group’s policy is to maintain adequate cash resources to meet liabilities as they fall due. All Group payable balances 
as at 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020 fall due for payment within one year. Cash balances are placed on 
deposit for varying periods with reputable banking institutions to ensure there is limited risk of capital loss. The Group 
does not maintain an overdraft facility.

53

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plc 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

16. Financial instruments (continued)

Credit risk
The Group’s credit risk is attributable to its banking deposits. The Group follows a risk-averse policy of treasury 
management. Sterling deposits are held with one or more approved UK-based financial institutions (HSBC UK Bank plc 
and National Westminster Bank Plc, which at 31 December 2021 had good short term credit ratings, being at least F1 
for Fitch, P-1 for Moody’s and A-1 for Standard and Poor’s) and in the Institutional Cash Series plc Institutional Sterling 
Liquidity Fund managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited (rated at 31 December 2021 as AAAmmf 
by Fitch, Aaa-mf by Moody’s and AAAm by Standard and Poor’s). The Group’s primary treasury objective is to minimise 
exposure to potential capital losses while at the same time securing prevailing market rates. The Group seeks to lessen 
risk by placing its cash deposits with the three above institutions.

Currency risk
During the year under review, the Group was exposed to Euro and US Dollar currency movement as some of the 
manufacturing costs and clinical trial costs are denominated in these currencies. To naturally hedge against currency 
movement, the Group purchases these currencies in advance of payment due dates.

Capital structure and funding

The Group is funded by equity capital, reflecting the early-stage nature of its discovery and development programmes.

The Group considers its capital to be its total equity, which at 31 December 2021 amounted to £37.0 million (2020: 
£85.1 million). The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern in order to provide returns to equity holders of the Company and benefits to other stakeholders and 
to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group manages this objective through tight 
control of its cash resources and, upon reaching significant drug development programme milestones (to decrease 
investment risk), by raising additional equity from shareholders to meet its forecast future cash requirements.

Cash and cash equivalents held by the Group at 31 December 2021 amounted to £33.8 million and comprised short-
term deposits (with original maturities of greater than three months and less than one year) and cash and cash 
equivalents as shown below:

Short-term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Net funds

2021
£m

–

33.8

33.8

2020
£m

–

75.0

75.0

2019
£m

–

2.5

2.5

2018
£m

–

5.3

5.3

31 Dec

2017
£m

2.0

4.9

6.9

The Group did not have any bank borrowings as at 31 December 2021 (2020: £nil).

There have been ten significant issues of shares raising a total (net of costs) of £127.6 million, with the most recent two 
raising £97.9 million in March and October 2020. The other major sources of funding received by the Group from the 
formation of the business until 31 December 2021 have been: revenues from licensing transactions of £9.3 million, 
research and development tax credits of £9.4 million, bank interest of £1.8 million, and revenues from collaborative work 
of £0.8 million.

54

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

17.  Share capital, share premium and share-based payment

At 1 January 2020

Notes

Number 
of shares

109,433,442

Issue of ordinary shares

(i) – (v)

90,480,960

Costs of issue of shares

At 31 December 2020

Issue of ordinary shares

At 31 December 2021

–

199,914,402

(vi)

1,427,423

201,341,825

Ordinary shares 
of 1p each 
£000

1,094

905

–

1,999

14

2,013

Share 
Premium
£000

28,262

Total
£000

29,356

100,170

101,075

(3,187)

(3,187)

125,245

127,244

–

14

125,245

127,258

(i) 

 A total of 40,000,000 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 30 March 2020 (10,943,295 ordinary shares) and 
15 April 2020 (29,056,705 ordinary shares) at a premium of 34p to fund COVID-19 clinical trial activity and drug 
manufacturing and other supply chain considerations, and also to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet.
(ii)   A total of 49,753,026 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 19 October 2020 (14,943,300 ordinary shares) and 4 
November 2020 (34,809,726 ordinary shares) at a premium of 174p to fund: a Phase III clinical trial in COVID-19 
patients; the scale up of SNG001 manufacturing and devices; the generation of additional data to support SNG001 
clinical development, manufacturing processes and regulatory activities; the strengthening of the Company’s 
balance sheet; and the net settlement of options.

(iii)  534,172 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 19 October 2020 at par following the exercise and net settlement of 

share options under the Company’s LTIP.

(iv)  177,300 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 21 October 2020 at par following the exercise of share options under 

the Company’s LTIP.

(v)   16,462 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 22 October 2020 at par following the exercise of share options under 

the Company’s LTIP.

(vi)  1,427,423 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 19 August 2021 at par following the exercise of share options under 

the Company’s LTIP.

At the Company’s 2015 Annual General Meeting held on 22 June 2015 shareholders passed a special resolution 
removing the restriction on the Company’s share capital and amending the articles of association of the Company so 
that the number of shares the Company can allot and issue became unlimited.

All issued shares are fully paid.

55

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

17.  Share capital, share premium and share-based payment (continued)

Options

At 31 December 2021 there were options outstanding over 8,517,282 un-issued ordinary shares, equivalent to 4.2% of 
the issued share capital, as follows:

Date of grant

5 April 2018 (LTIP) (i)

4 April 2019 (LTIP) (ii)

18 June 2020 (LTIP) (iii)

4 June 2021 (LTIP) (iii)

4 June 2021 (LTIP) (iv)

20 October 2021 (LTIP) (iii)

13 December 2021 (LTIP) (iii)

Number of shares

Exercise price

2,822,316

2,632,146

1,756,722

705,890

117,647

428,502

54,059

8,517,282

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

Earliest exercise 
date

Latest 
exercise date

5 Apr 2021

4 Apr 2028

4 Apr 2022

3 Apr 2029

18 Jun 2023

17 Jun 2030

4 Jun 2024

3 Jun 2031

4 Jun 2022

3 Jun 2031

20 Oct 2024

19 Oct 2031

13 Dec 2024

12 Dec 2031

Notes

(i)  These options vested in full during the year.

(ii)  These options vested in full post period-end.

(iii)  The vesting performance conditions for these options are detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 

page 24. 

(iv) The performance conditions for these options are outlined in the note (ii) to the table on page 57.

The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash. The movement in the 
number of share options is set out below:

Outstanding at start of year

Granted during the year

Exercised during the year

Lapsed during the year

Number of outstanding options at year-end

 2021
Weighted average 
exercise price

1.0p

1.0p

1.0p

1.0p

1.0p

Number

8,671,279

1,314,286

(1,427,423)

(40,860)

8,517,282

2020
Weighted average 
exercise price

1.6p

1.0p

1.0p

23.5p

1.0p

Number

8,487,515

1,767,985

(1,371,456)

(212,765)

8,671,279

At 31 December 2021, 2,822,316 share options were capable of being exercised, with an exercise price of 1p (2020: 
1,431,282, with an exercise price of 1p). The options outstanding at 31 December 2021 had a weighted average 
remaining contractual life of 7.5 years (2020: 6.9 years). Vesting conditions are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report and in note (ii) to the following table.

56

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

The Group uses a number of share-based incentive schemes as detailed above and in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 23 and 24. The fair value per award granted and the assumptions are as follows:

Date of grant

Type of 
award

Number of 
shares

Exercise 
price (p)

Share price 
at date of 
grant (p)

Fair value 
per option 
(p)

Award life 
(years)

Risk free 
rate

Expected 
volatility 
rate

Performance 
conditions

5 Apr 2018

LTIP (i)

2,822,316

4 Apr 2019

LTIP (i)

2,632,146

18 Jun 2020

LTIP (i)

1,756,722

4 Jun 2021

LTIP (i)

705,890

4 Jun 2021

LTIP (ii)

117,647

20 Oct 21

LTIP (i)

428,502

13 Dec 21

LTIP (i)

54,059

8,517,282

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

13.0p

12.5p

39.5p

7.5p

6.2p

25.8p

160.1p

138.4p

160.1p

159.2p

167.0p

149.2p

190.0p

168.5p

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

0.90%

0.70%

0.00%

0.14%

0.14%

0.64%

0.32%

56%

59%

80%

Market

Market

Market

133%

Market

133% Non-market

142%

146%

Market

Market

The Company has applied IFRS 2 to all the above share-based payments and the following comments apply to these 
options:

(i)  Stochastic valuation methodology was used for these awards.

(ii)   Black-Scholes valuation methodology was used for this award, which vests upon the achievement of future 

commercial revenue targets. At 31 December 2021 £55,000 has been accrued for this non-market option, in line 
with our latest assumption that this grant will vest.

(iii)  Expected dividend yield is nil, consistent with the directors’ view that the Group’s model is to generate value through 

capital growth rather than payment of dividends.

(iv)  The risk-free rate is equal to the prevailing UK Gilts rate at grant date that most closely matches the expected term 

of the grant.

(v)   Volatility for the grants made in 2018 and 2019 was calculated by reviewing share price movement over the period 
of three years prior to grant, excluding any large share price movements (as these were not considered to be 
representative of future expectations of volatility). Volatility for the grants made in 2020 and 2021 were calculated by 
reviewing share price movement over the period of three years prior to grant with no adjustments.

(vi)  The charge for the year ended 31 December 2021 for share-based payment amounted to £508,000 (2020: 

£207,000). In 2020, an amount of £1,291,000 was debited directly to reserves following the net settlement of share 
options in order to satisfy scheme participants’ tax and NI liabilities on options exercised.

57

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

18. Capital and reserves

18a Share capital
Share capital represents the nominal value of shares issued.

18b Share premium
Share premium represents amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value less the related costs of 
share issues.

18c Merger reserve
The merger reserve represents the reserve arising on the acquisition of Synairgen Research Limited on 11 October 
2004 via a share for share exchange accounted for as a Group reconstruction using merger accounting under UK GAAP.

18d Retained deficit
The retained deficit represents cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, adjusted for cumulative recognised share-based payments.

19. Related party transactions and balances

Details of key management personnel and their compensation are given in note 5 and on page 26 of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. A list of the Company’s subsidiaries is shown in note 4 to the Parent Company Financial 
Statements.

20. Other commitments

At 31 December 2021 the Group had entered into non-cancellable purchase commitments amounting to £3.3 million 
(2020: £9.7 million) in respect of manufacturing-related activities.

21. Events after the reporting date

On 21 February 2022 the Company announced that the Phase 3 SPRINTER clinical trial in hospitalised COVID-19 
patients had not met its primary or key secondary endpoints. The trial results were determined to be a non-adjusting 
subsequent event because both the trial database lock and the ensuing results generation took place in February 
2022; therefore, no impairment indicator existed at 31 December 2021. As a consequence of the trial result the 
Group has carefully reviewed its cost commitments and curtailed those which are no longer necessary for immediate 
commercialisation. There are no balance sheet item carrying values at 31 December 2021 which could be adversely 
impacted by this event in future periods.

58

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Parent Company Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2021
Company number: 5233429

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Retained deficit

Shareholders’ funds 

Notes

31 December 2021
£000

31 December 2020
£000

4

5

6

92,262

51,059

135

33,447

33,582

(127)

33,455

125,717

2,013

125,245

(1,541)

125,717

143

74,694

74,837

(93)

74,744

125,803

1,999

125,245

(1,441)

125,803

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company’s profit and loss account has not been included 
in these financial statements. The Company’s loss for the year ended 31 December 2021 was £608,000 (2020: loss of 
£404,000).

The financial statements on pages 59 to 64 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 24 May 
2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Richard Marsden 
Chief Executive Officer

John Ward 
Chief Financial Officer

59

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcParent Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2020

Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss

Issue of ordinary shares

Transaction costs in respect of share issue

Share-based payment credit

Net settlement of share options

At 31 December 2020

Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss

Issue of ordinary shares

Share-based payment credit

At 31 December 2021

Share
capital
£000

1,094

–

905

–

–

–

Share 
premium
£000

28,262

–

100,170

(3,187)

–

–

1,999

125,245

–

14

–

–

–

–

Retained
earnings/ 
(deficit)
£000

Shareholders’ 
funds
£000

47

(404)

–

–

207

(1,291)

(1,441)

(608)

–

508

29,403

(404)

101,075

(3,187)

207

(1,291)

125,803

(608)

14

508

2,013

125,245

(1,541)

125,717

60

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021

1. Accounting policies

Limited. The directors have taken a prudent view in 
preparing these forecasts. 

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework (‘FRS 101’).

Disclosure exemptions adopted
In preparing these financial statements the Company has 
taken advantage of all disclosure exemptions conferred 
by FRS 101. Therefore these financial statements do not 
include:

 >  Certain comparative information as otherwise 

required by international accounting standards in 
conformity with the Companies Act 2006;

 > Certain disclosures regarding the Company’s capital;

 > A statement of cash flows;

 >  The effect of future accounting standards not yet 

adopted;

 >  The disclosure of the remuneration of key 

management personnel; and,

 >  Disclosures of related party transactions with other 

wholly-owned members of the Synairgen plc group of 
companies.

In addition, and in accordance with FRS 101, further 
disclosure exemptions have been adopted because 
equivalent disclosures are included in the Company’s 
consolidated financial statements. These financial 
statements do not include certain disclosures in respect 
of:

 > share-based payments; or

 > financial instruments. 

Going Concern
The directors have prepared financial forecasts to 
estimate the likely cash requirements over the period 
to 30 June 2023 of the Company and its subsidiaries, to 
which the Company has confirmed its intention to provide 
financial support for a period of not less than 12 months 
from the date that its financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2021 are signed, given their stage of 
development and lack of recurring revenues. 

In preparing these financial forecasts, the directors have 
made certain assumptions with regards to the timing 
and amount of future expenditure over which they have 
control and also the timing of receipt of the research and 
development tax credit from HMRC to Synairgen Research 

The Company’s available resources are sufficient to 
cover the Group’s plans to engage with government 
bodies and contribute labelled drug product towards a 
platform study, design a broad-spectrum antiviral clinical 
trial, engage with pharmaceutical companies regarding 
collaboration/outlicensing opportunities for that broad 
indication and engage with existing and potential investors 
in the Group regarding a public equity raise, if required 
(full details of these plans can be found in the Strategic 
Report). Regardless of the outcome of these plans, 
which are uncertain, the Group’s available resources are 
sufficient to cover existing committed costs and the costs 
of these planned activities until at least 30 June 2023.

After due consideration of these forecasts and current 
cash resources, the directors consider that the Company 
has adequate financial resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future (being a 
period of at least 12 months from the date of this report) 
and, for this reason, the financial statements have been 
prepared on a going concern basis.

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

Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Investments in subsidiary undertakings where the 
Company has control are stated at cost less any provision 
for impairment. 

Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised 
on the Company’s balance sheet when the Company 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument. 

Financial assets
The Company classifies its financial assets as financial 
assets held at amortised cost.

These assets incorporate types of financial assets where 
the objective is to hold these assets in order to collect 
contractual cash flows and the contractual cash flows are 
solely payments of principal and interest. They are initially 
recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to their acquisition or issue, and are 
subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method, less provision for impairment. 

61

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

1.  Accounting policies (continued)

2.  Critical accounting estimates and 

The Company’s financial assets measured at amortised 
cost comprise debtors and cash and cash equivalents in 
the balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents includes 
cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and 
other short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less.

Financial liabilities
The Company classifies its financial liabilities as financial 
liabilities held at amortised cost. Trade creditors are 
initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried 
at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Share-based payments

When the Company grants options over equity 
instruments directly to the employees of a subsidiary 
undertaking, the effect of the share-based payment is 
capitalised as part of the investment in the subsidiary as 
a capital contribution, with a corresponding increase in 
equity.

Taxation

The charge for taxation is based on the loss for the period 
and takes into account taxation deferred.

Current tax is measured at amounts expected to be paid 
using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted 
or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 
Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all 
timing differences that have originated but not reversed 
by the balance sheet date, except that the recognition 
of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that the 
Company anticipates making sufficient taxable profits in 
the future to absorb the reversal of the underlying timing 
differences. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

Share capital

The Company’s ordinary shares are classified as equity 
instruments. Financial instruments issued by the 
Company are classified as equity only to the extent that 
they do not meet the definition of a financial liability or 
financial asset.

judgements

Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and 
judgements are continually evaluated by management 
based on available information and experience. As the 
use of estimates is inherent in financial reporting, actual 
results could differ from these estimates.

The Company holds a significant investment in its 
subsidiary, Synairgen Research Limited, of £92.3 million 
(2020: £51.1 million). 

At 31 December 2021, the directors considered 
indicators of impairment by reference to Synairgen 
Research Limited’s fair value less costs to sell, inter alia, 
by reference to the AIM market capitalisation of the 
Group (since all Group intellectual property is owned by 
Synairgen Research Limited) at that date of £419 million 
and no impairment indicator was identified. The Group’s 
market capitalisation reduced significantly following the 
February 2022 announcement of the SPRINTER clinical 
trial results. This is a critical judgement as it represents 
a significant post balance sheet event. The directors 
have concluded this to be a non-adjusting post balance 
sheet event because both the trial data base lock and the 
ensuing results generation took place in February 2022.
It is recognised that market capitalisation at any point 
in time is not a reliable proxy for fundamental valuation, 
however, if the Group were to reassess impairment of the 
investment in subsidiaries as at 24 May 2022, solely based 
on the market capitalisation at that date of £70.1 million, a 
potential impairment of £22.2 million would be indicated. 
The direction of the SNG001 programme, including 
assessments of the addressable market for the product 
will become clearer through 2022, such that the Group will 
be in a position to utilise the fundamental discounted cash 
flow valuation methodology as part of the assessment 
of the recoverable value of this asset for impairment 
assessment at 31 December 2022.

62

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

3.  Profit and loss account 

The only employees of the Company during 2021 and 2020 were the three executive directors. Their aggregate 
remuneration, which is borne by the Company’s subsidiary undertaking Synairgen Research Limited, comprised: 

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs – defined contribution plans 

Total cash-settled remuneration

Accrued holiday pay

Share-based payment

Total remuneration

2021
£000

621

210

53

884

(4)

250

1,130

2020
£000

956

196

59

1,211

43

152

1,406

In respect of directors’ remuneration, the disclosures required by Schedule 5 to the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 are included in the detailed disclosures in the 
audited section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 26, which are ascribed as forming part of these financial 
statements.

Auditor’s remuneration is disclosed in note 4 to the Group accounts on page 45.

4. Investments

At 1 January 2021

Capital contribution for the year

Subsidiary share-based payment

At 31 December 2021

Investment in 
subsidiary 
undertakings
£000

140

–

–

140

Capital 
contribution
£000

50,919

40,695

508

92,122

Total
£000

51,059

40,695

508

92,262

At 31 December 2021, the Company has an investment in the following subsidiary undertakings:

Name of company

Registered address

Proportion of voting rights and 
ordinary share capital held

Synairgen Research Limited

Mailpoint 810, Southampton 
General Hospital, Tremona 
Road, Southampton 
SO16 6YD

Synairgen Research (Ireland) 
Limited

12 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, 
Ireland

Synairgen Inc.

155 Federal Street, Suite 700, 
Boston, MA 02210, USA

100%

100%

100%

Nature of business

Drug discovery and 
development

Pharmaceutical 
commercialisation

Pharmaceutical 
commercialisation

63

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcNotes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

5.  Debtors

Other tax and social security

Prepayments and accrued income

Amounts due from subsidiary undertaking

All amounts fall due for payment within one year.

6.  Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Accruals and deferred income

2021
£000

7

128

–

135

2021
£000

26

101

127

2020
£000

29

97

17

143

2020
£000

33

60

93

7.  Share capital and share premium

Details of the Company’s share capital, share premium, share option schemes and LTIP can be found in note 17 to the 
Group accounts on pages 55 to 57. 

8. Events after the reporting date

On 21 February 2022 the Company announced that the Phase 3 SPRINTER clinical trial in hospitalised COVID-19 patients 
being conducted by its subsidiary Synairgen Research Limited had not met its primary or key secondary endpoints. 
The trial results were determined to be a non-adjusting subsequent event because both the trial database lock and the 
ensuing results generation took place in February 2022; therefore, no impairment indicator existed at 31 December 
2021. The potential impact on the value of the Company’s investment in Synairgen Research Limited, in future periods, 
is illustrated in Note 2 on page 62. There are no other balance sheet item carrying values at 31 December 2021 which 
could be adversely impacted by this event in future periods.

64

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Glossary

Accelerating 
COVID-19 Therapeutic 
Interventions and 
Vaccines (ACTIV) 
programme
NIH’s ACTIV programme is 
a public-private partnership 
to develop a coordinated 
research strategy to speed 
up the development of the 
most promising treatments 
and vaccine candidates for 
COVID-19 

ACTIV-2
A master protocol designed 
for evaluating multiple 
investigational agents 
compared to placebo 
in adults with mild to 
moderate COVID-19, not 
requiring hospitalisation 

Acute
An acute disease is a 
disease with a rapid onset 
and/or a short course

Adverse Event
An adverse event (AE) can 
be any unfavourable and 
unintended sign (including 
an abnormal laboratory 
finding), symptom, or 
disease temporally 
associated with the use of 
a medicinal (investigational) 
product, whether or not 
related to the medicinal 
(investigational) product

Aerogen-Ultra
A portable mesh nebuliser 
manufactured by Aerogen 
that allows for continuous 
delivery of inhaled drugs to 
the airways 

Airways (or bronchial 
tubes) 
The tubes that carry air in 
and out of the lungs

Allergen
A usually harmless 
substance capable of 
triggering a response 
that starts in the immune 
system and results in an 
allergic reaction

Antibiotic
A drug that inhibits 
bacterial growth or kills 
bacteria

Antiviral
Any substance that can 
either destroy viruses or 
suppress their growth

Apoptosis
A naturally-occurring form 
of programmed cell death

Assay
A laboratory test to 
determine parameters 
such as the strength of a 
solution, the proportion of 
a compound in a mixture, 
the potency of a drug or 
the purity of a preparation

Asthma
A disorder in which 
the airways become 
episodically narrowed, 
leading to wheeze, 
shortness of breath, cough 
and chest tightness

AZD-9412
Inhaled Interferon Beta-1a 
formulation (aka SNG001) 
used for the AstraZeneca 
INEXAS study. See INEXAS

Bacteria
Single-cell organisms that 
are found everywhere 
and are the cause of many 
diseases

BioBank
A collection of samples 
from clinically-
characterised volunteers 
comprising blood, induced 
sputum, bronchial biopsies 
and epithelial cells. These 
samples are used to 
develop the complex 
in vitro human disease 
models

Biomarker
A biochemical feature or 
facet that can be used to 
measure the progress of 
disease or the effects of 
treatment

Biologics License 
Application (BLA)
A request for permission 
to introduce, or deliver for 
introduction, a biologic 
product into interstate 
commerce. Regulated by 
the FDA

Breathlessness, Cough 
and Sputum Scale (BCSS)
A three-item questionnaire 
rating breathlessness, 
cough and sputum on a 
5-point Likert scale from 0 
(no symptoms) to 4 (severe 
symptoms)

Brief Pain Inventory – 
Short Form
A nine item self-
administered questionnaire 
used to evaluate the severity 
of a patient’s pain and the 
impact of this pain on the 
patient’s daily functioning

British Thoracic Society 
(BTS) Step classification 
system
A stepwise treatment 
regime (from steps 1 to 
5, with 5 being the most 
severe) for treating asthma 
in Britain aiming to achieve 
optimum control without 
excessive medication

Broad-spectrum antiviral
An agent that acts against 
a wide range of disease-
causing viruses

Bronchodilators
Medicines which relax 
the muscles around 
the airways, helping the 
airways to open up, so 
making it easier to breathe. 
There are several types 
of bronchodilators, of 
which short-acting beta-
agonist drugs are the most 
commonly used

Bronchospasm
A sudden contraction of 
airway smooth muscle 
resulting in a narrowing of 
the airways

Candidate
A candidate drug is a 
compound (e.g. small 
molecule, antibody, etc.) 
with strong therapeutic 
potential and whose 
activity and specificity have 
been optimised

CAT
The COPD Assessment 
Test (CAT) is a patient-
completed questionnaire, 
which assists patients 
and their physicians in 
quantifying the impact 
of COPD on the patient’s 
health and quality of life

Chronic bronchitis
An inflammation of the 
airways accompanied by 
coughing and production 
of phlegm. The symptoms 
are present for at least 
three months in each of 
two consecutive years. See 
COPD

Chronic disease
A persistent or long-lasting 
condition

65

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcGlossary
(continued)

Clinical Trial 
Authorisation or CTA 
An authorisation from 
the MHRA (see below) to 
conduct a clinical trial

Collagen
The main structural protein 
found in skin and other 
connective tissues

Community Acquired 
Pneumonia (CAP)
Pneumonia that is acquired 
outside of the hospital 
setting

Contract Research 
Organisation (CRO)
A company that 
provides support to the 
pharmaceutical industry 
in the form of research 
services outsourced on a 
contract basis

COPD
Chronic Obstructive 
Pulmonary Disease covers 
two conditions: chronic 
bronchitis and emphysema. 
COPD usually results from 
long-term exposure of 
irritants to the lungs, of 
which the most prevalent 
is tobacco smoke. Unlike 
asthma, where airflow 
obstruction varies, in COPD 
airflow obstruction is 
usually irreversible 

Coronavirus
A virus that can cause 
respiratory disease such 
as the common cold or 
SARS (depending on the 
type of coronavirus) and 
gastroenteritis 

naturally by the adrenal 
glands

COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 is 
a respiratory illness caused 
by SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 symptom 
assessment
A self-reported assessment 
of the presence of 
COVID-19 symptoms 

DNA
Nucleic acid that carries 
genetic information in the 
cell

Double-blind
A double-blind study is 
one in which neither the 
patients nor the clinical 
staff know who is receiving 
a particular treatment

Drug Product
The formulated drug 
substance with excipients. 
These excipients do 
not have a therapeutic 
effect but can influence 
the delivery of the drug 
substance. The drug 
product is typically the final 
marketed dosage form 
of the drug substance for 
example a tablet or capsule 

Drug Substance
The unformulated active 
pharmaceutical ingredient 

DSMC
A Data Safety Monitoring 
Committee (DSMC) reviews 
and assesses safety 
information from a clinical 
trial

Corticosteroids
Commonly referred to as 
steroids, corticosteroids are 
a type of anti-inflammatory 
drug. Corticosteroids 
closely resemble cortisol, 
a hormone produced 

Emphysema
A destructive process 
involving the air spaces 
(alveoli) of the lungs, which 
leads to over-inflation of the 
lung and, when sufficiently 
advanced, causes 

breathlessness and lack of 
oxygenation of blood. See 
COPD

Endpoints (primary and 
secondary)
The primary endpoint of a 
clinical trial is the outcome 
or outcomes (based 
on the drug’s expected 
effects) that establish the 
effectiveness, and/or safety 
features, of the drug. It is 
the endpoint for which the 
trial is powered. Secondary 
endpoints are additional 
endpoints, preferably also 
pre-specified, for which the 
trial may not be powered. 
These may be selected to 
demonstrate additional 
effects after success on the 
primary endpoint

Eosinophil
A type of white blood cell 
that has a role in allergy 
and asthma

Epithelium 
In the lung, the epithelium 
is a thin layer of cells which 
lines airway tubes in order 
to protect and regulate the 
tissue underneath

Emergency Use 
Authorisation (EUA)
Authorization by the FDA 
of unapproved medical 
products or unapproved 
uses of approved medical 
products to be used in an 
emergency to diagnose, 
treat, or prevent serious or 
life-threatening diseases

European Medicines 
Agency (EMA)
The EMA evaluate and 
supervise medicines for the 
benefit of public and animal 
health in the European 
Union (EU)

66

EuroQuol 5 Dimension 5 
Level (Eq-5D-5L)
A self-assessed, health 
related, quality of life 
questionnaire. The scale 
measures quality of life on 
a five-component scale 
including mobility, self-
care, usual activities, pain/
discomfort, and anxiety/
depression. The responses 
record five levels of severity 

Exacerbation
A rapid deterioration of a 
chronic disease that makes 
the symptoms worse 

Ex vivo
Ex vivo refers to 
experimentation or 
measurements done in, or 
on, tissue from an organism 
in an external environment 
with minimal alteration 
of natural conditions. A 
primary advantage of 
using ex vivo tissues is the 
ability to perform tests or 
measurements that would 
otherwise not be possible 
or ethical in living subjects

Fast Track Designation
A designation by the 
United States Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) 
of an investigational drug 
for expedited review to 
facilitate development of 
drugs to treat a serious or 
life-threatening condition to 
fill an unmet medical need

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Interferon beta (IFN-β)
Interferon beta is a natural 
protein found in the body 
which helps to regulate 
the immune system and 
fight off viruses. IFN-β is 
currently marketed by a 
number of companies as 
an injectable therapy for 
the treatment of multiple 
sclerosis

Influenza 
A contagious viral infection 
of the respiratory tract, 
leading to fever, headaches, 
sore throat, congestion of 
the nose and body aches

Intention to Treat (ITT)
All patients that were 
enrolled and randomly 
assigned to a treatment 
arm 

Investigational New Drug 
(IND)
A drug developed by the 
sponsor that is ready for 
clinical trials in humans 

In vitro
Carried out in the 
laboratory, e.g. in a test 
tube or culture plate

In vitro model (complex)
A research model which 
contains more than one cell 
type and allows the study 
of interactions between 
different cell types and 
‘test’ agents relevant to the 
disease or a therapy

Long acting beta agonist
An asthma drug that acts to 
relax (open) the airways for 
12 or more hours

Long COVID
Long COVID (Post-COVID-19 
syndrome) is defined as 
“signs and symptoms that 
develop during or following 
an infection consistent with 
COVID-19, that continue for 
more than 12 weeks and 
are not explained by an 
alternative diagnosis”

Lower airway
The airway tubes in the 
lung running from the 
throat down, ending in the 
air spaces (alveoli) where 
gas exchange occurs

Macrophages
Phagocytic (i.e. cells that 
can engulf other cells and 
cell components) white 
blood cells involved in 
cellular clearance and 
inflammation 

Managed Access 
Programme
A programme through 
which physicians can 
prescribe, within their 
professional responsibility, 
a yet unapproved 
treatment for patients with 
serious or life-threatening 
diseases or conditions

MHRA
The Medicines and 
Healthcare Products 
Regulatory Agency; a 
UK government body 
tasked with ensuring that 
medicines and medical 
devices work and are safe

Morbidity
Incidence or prevalence of 
a disease

FDA
USA Food and Drug 
Administration. An 
American body that is 
responsible for protecting 
public health by ensuring 
the safety, efficacy, and 
security of human and 
veterinary drugs, biological 
products, and medical 
devices; and by ensuring 
the safety of America’s 
food supply, cosmetics, 
and products that emit 
radiation

FEV1
Forced Expiratory Volume 
in the first second. The 
volume of air that can be 
forced out in one second 
after taking a deep breath, 
an important measure of 
pulmonary function

Fibroblast
A fibroblast is a type of 
cell that synthesizes the 
extracellular matrix and 
collagen, the structural 
framework for animal 
tissues, and plays a critical 
role in wound healing

Fibrosis
The thickening and scarring 
of connective tissue, usually 
as a result of injury

BIOFIRE®FILMARRAY®
A system which enables 
rapid simultaneous testing 
for a panel of viruses and 
bacteria in patient samples 
and was used by Synairgen 
in SG015

Functional Assessment of 
Chronic Illness Therapy – 
Fatigue (FACIT-F) 
A 13-item tool that 
measures an individual’s 
level of fatigue during their 
usual daily activities over 
the past week. The level 
of fatigue is measured on 
a four-point Likert scale (4 
= not at all fatigued to 0 = 
very much fatigued) 

Generalised Anxiety 
Disorder Assessment 
(GAD-7)
A seven-item instrument 
that is used to measure 
or assess the severity 
of generalised anxiety 
disorder (GAD)

Gene
A hereditary unit consisting 
of a sequence of DNA that 
determines a particular 
characteristic of a living 
organism 

Idiopathic Pulmonary 
Fibrosis (IPF)
A disease in which tissue 
deep in the lungs becomes 
thick and stiff, or scarred, 
over time by unknown 
cause. The formation of 
scar tissue is called fibrosis. 
It usually affects middle-
aged and older people

I-neb
A nebuliser manufactured 
by Philips that delivers 
inhaled drugs to the airway 

INEXAS
AstraZeneca’s Phase IIa 
study entitled ‘A Study 
in Asthma Patients to 
Evaluate Efficacy, Safety 
and Tolerability of 14 
Days Once Daily Inhaled 
Interferon Beta-1a After 
the Onset of Symptoms of 
an Upper Respiratory Tract 
Infection’

67

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcGlossary
(continued)

Mucus
A gelatinous substance 
normally produced by the 
airway cells to protect and 
hydrate the airway surface 
from harmful agents 

Parainfluenza
A virus that can cause 
the common cold. 
Parainfluenza is also 
responsible for 75% of 
croup cases in children

Patent Cooperation 
Treaty or PCT
A system by which a patent 
application can be filed in 
many different countries at 
once. A single international 
application is filed initially 
at a receiving office. After 
a search and publication, 
the application may be 
converted to a series of 
national applications in 
different countries 

Pathway
A signalling pathway is a 
group of molecules that 
work together in a cell to 
control one or more cell 
functions 

Patient Health 
Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
PHQ-9 is a self-assessed 
nine question form used 
to screen depression and 
monitor changes in signs/
symptoms of depression 

Peak expiratory flow
A lung function test that 
measures a person’s ability 
to breathe out air

Per Protocol Analysis
The Per Protocol 
population is usually 
defined as all patients 
completing the study 
without major protocol 
deviations – that is, those 
who followed the rules of 
the study. Analysis of the 
data from this population 
is known as Per Protocol 
analysis

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A disease affecting nerves 
in the brain and spinal cord, 
causing problems with 
muscle movement, balance 
and vision

NIAIDS
The NIAIDS, the National 
Institute of Allergy and 
Infectious Diseases, is 
one of the 27 institutes 
and centres that make up 
the National Institutes of 
Health, an agency of the 
United States Department 
of Health and Human 
Services

National Early Warning 
Score (NEWS2) 
A system for scoring 
the physiological 
measurements that are 
routinely recorded at 
the patient’s bedside; 
respiration rate, oxygen 
saturation, systolic blood 
pressure, pulse rate, level 
of consciousness or new 
confusion and temperature

National Institute of 
Health and Research 
(NIHR)
UK funding body for health 
and care research

Pandemic influenza
An influenza pandemic 
occurs when a new 
influenza virus appears 
against which the human 
population has no 
immunity, resulting in 
epidemics worldwide with 
enormous number of 
deaths and illness 

68

Phase 1 Clinical Trial
A study conducted in 
volunteers to determine 
the biological effects of a 
drug, especially safety and 
tolerability

Phase 2 Clinical Trial
A study in patients with the 
aim of making a preliminary 
determination of the 
efficacy of a drug to provide 
proof of concept and/or to 
study drug dose ranges

Phase 2a Clinical Trial
Used to describe a Phase 
II clinical trial evaluating 
efficacy, adverse effects 
and safety risks

Phase 2b Clinical Trial
Used to describe a 
subsequent Phase II clinical 
trial that also evaluates 
dosage tolerance and 
optimal dosage frequency 
in a larger number of 
patients than enrolled in a 
Phase IIa trial 

Phase 3 Clinical Trial 
A full scale clinical trial to 
determine drug efficacy 
and safety prior to seeking 
marketing approval

Phlegm
See Sputum

Placebo
An inactive substance 
or preparation used as 
a control/ comparator 
(in a clinical trial for 
example) to determine the 
effectiveness of a medicinal 
drug

Placebo-controlled
Placebo-controlled is a 
trial in which there are 
two (or more) groups. 
One group receives the 
active treatment, the 
other is given the placebo. 
Everything else is identical 
between the two groups, 
so that any difference 
in their outcome can be 
attributed to the treatment

Platform Trial
A type of prospective, 
disease-focused, adaptive, 
randomized clinical trial 
that compares multiple, 
simultaneous and 
possibly differently timed 
interventions against a 
single, constant control 
group

Pre-clinical
A stage of drug 
development preceding 
human clinical trials

Primary endpoint
The most important 
measure (endpoint) 
assessed in a clinical trial

Prognostic biomarker
A biomarker that can 
predict the future course of 
a disease or response to a 
therapy

Prophylaxis
A measure taken for the 
prevention of a disease or 
condition

Protein
Large molecules made of 
smaller biological units 
known as ‘amino acids’. 
Proteins are responsible for 
the majority of the function 
and much of the structure 
of living things, including 
humans

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Process Performance 
Qualification (PPQ)
The process qualification 
combining the facility, 
utilities, equipment 
(each qualified), and 
the trained personnel 
with the commercial 
manufacturing process, 
control procedures, and 
components to produce 
commercial batches of drug

Pulmonary
Relating to, functioning 
like, or associated with the 
lungs

Randomisation
The random assignment of 
patients in a clinical trial to 
different treatment groups 
(e.g. active drug or placebo)

Rhinovirus
Rhinoviruses are the most 
common viral infective 
agents in humans. The 
most well-known disease 
caused by rhinoviruses is 
the common cold

RNA
Nucleic acid that is involved 
in protein synthesis and 
transmission of genetic 
information

Safety study
See Phase I Clinical Trial

SARS-CoV-2
Severe Acute Respiratory 
Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 is 
the virus strain that causes 
COVID-19

Seasonal Influenza
Seasonal influenza is 
a yearly outbreak of 
influenza infection, caused 
by influenza virus. The 
seasonal influenza is 
somewhat different every 
year, as influenza viruses 
are always changing

Secondary/exploratory 
endpoint
The second most important 
(or additional) measure (or 
endpoint) assessed in a 
clinical trial

Severe asthma
Asthma which requires 
treatment with high dose 
inhaled corticosteroids plus 
a second controller (and/
or oral corticosteroids) to 
prevent it from becoming 
‘uncontrolled’ or which 
remains ‘uncontrolled’ 
despite this therapy

SG005
A randomised, double-
blinded, placebo-controlled 
Phase II study, comparing 
the efficacy and safety of 
inhaled IFN-β to placebo 
administered to asthmatic 
subjects after the onset of 
a respiratory viral infection 
for the prevention or 
attenuation of asthma 
symptoms caused by 
respiratory viruses

SG015
A randomised, double-
blinded, placebo-controlled 
study, in COPD patients 
with and without a 
confirmed respiratory virus 
infection assessing anti-
viral biomarker responses 
of inhaled SNG001 
compared to placebo

SG016 Home Study
Synairgen’s Phase 2 
randomised, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled trial to 
determine the safety and 
efficacy of inhaled SNG001 
(IFN-β1a for nebulisation) 
for the treatment of 
patients with confirmed 
SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 
home environment 

SG016 Hospital Study 
Synairgen’s Phase 2 
randomised, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled trial to 
determine the safety and 
efficacy of inhaled SNG001 
(IFN-β1a for nebulisation) 
for the treatment of 
patients with confirmed 
SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 
hospital setting 

SG018 SPRINTER Study
Synairgen’s Phase 3 
Trial (SG018) evaluating 
inhaled interferon beta 
in hospitalised COVID-19 
patients. A randomised 
double blind placebo-
controlled study being 
conducted in approximately 
20 countries enrolling 
a total of 610 COVID-19 
patients

SNG001
A formulation of Interferon 
Beta-1a delivered to the 
lung using a nebuliser

Sputum
The thick mucus which is 
coughed up by a person. 
Sputum contains cells 
and soluble substances 
secreted into the airways 
(bronchi), some of which 
can mediate disease 
if present in amounts 
different to normal. Sputum 
is also commonly called 
phlegm

Standard of Care
A diagnostic and treatment 
process that a clinician 
should follow for a certain 
type of patient, illness, 
or clinical circumstance; 
how similarly qualified 
practitioners would have 
managed the patient’s care 
under the same or similar 
circumstances

Statistical Power
Statistical Power is the 
probability that a statistical 
test will detect differences 
when they truly exist

Steroids
A group of chemicals that 
is produced naturally in 
the body by the adrenal 
gland. In asthma, steroids 
are given by inhalation or 
by mouth to reduce the 
inflammation of the airways

Systemic absorption
The fraction of drug that 
reaches the systemic 
circulation

Toxicology
The study of the nature and 
mechanisms of deleterious 
effects of chemicals on 
humans, animals and other 
biological systems

Translational medicine 
The process of converting 
a scientific discovery 
into something that aims 
to improve the health 
of individuals and the 
community

Type I IFNs
A classification of interferon 
that includes IFN-β

United States National 
Institute of Health (US 
NIH) 
The medical research 
agency of the USA

Upper airway
The tubes in the nose and 
neck which conduct air into 
the lung

69

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2021 Synairgen plcVirus
A virus is a non-living small 
particle that infects cells 
in biological organisms. 
Viruses can reproduce only 
by invading and controlling 
other cells as they lack the 
cellular machinery for self-
reproduction

World Health 
Organisation (WHO)
A United Nations 
body responsible for 
international public health

World Health 
Organisation (WHO) 
Ordinal Scale for Clinical 
Improvement (OSCI)
A scale used to measure 
clinical improvement in 
patients from a score of 0; 
uninfected to 8; death 

Glossary
(continued)

Variant
It is normal for viruses 
to change and evolve as 
they spread between 
people over time. When 
these changes become 
significantly different from 
the original virus, they are 
known as “variants” 

Variant of Concern (VOC)
A variant is considered 
a variant of interest if it 
has mutations that are 
suspected or known to 
cause significant changes, 
and is circulating widely 
(e.g., known to cause 
many clusters of infected 
people, or found in many 
countries). There are 
many variants of interest 
that WHO is continuing 
to monitor in case they 
become variants of concern

A variant of interest 
becomes a variant of 
concern if it is known 
to spread more easily, 
cause more severe 
disease, escape the body’s 
immune response, change 
clinical presentation, or 
decrease effectiveness 
of known tools – such as 
public health measures, 
diagnostics, treatments 
and vaccines

Virus or Variant Agnostic
Not targeted or effective 
against any one or several 
viruses or variants, but 
targeted or effective 
against all viruses or 
variants

70

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 17Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2021Breakthrough 
science for severe 
viral lung infections

We are a specialist respiratory biotech 
company whose primary focus is 
developing our investigative inhaled IFN-β 
therapeutic (SNG001) for the treatment and 
prevention of severe viral lung infections, 
including COVID-19, as potentially the first 
host-directed, broad-spectrum antiviral 
treatment delivered directly into the lungs.

Corporate directory

Company details

Company number
5233429
Directors

Executive:  
Richard Marsden, Dr Phillip Monk, John Ward

Non-executive:  
Simon Shaw (Chairman), Iain Buchanan,  
Dr Bruce Campbell, Theodora Harold,  
Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE

Secretary
Simon Holden

Head Office and Registered office
Mailpoint 810, Southampton General Hospital, 
Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD

Telephone and fax
+44 (0) 2380 512 800

Website
www.synairgen.com 

E-mail
info@synairgen.com

Advisers

Independent auditor
BDO LLP
Level 12, Thames Tower, Station Road,  
Reading, RG1 1LX

Bankers
HSBC UK Bank plc
165 High Street, Southampton, SO14 2NZ

Financial public relations
Consilium Strategic Communications
85 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ

Nominated adviser and joint broker
finnCap Limited
One Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BL

Joint broker
Numis Securities Limited 
45 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BF 

Registrars
Link Group
10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street,  
Leeds LS1 4DL

Solicitors
Fieldfisher LLP
Riverbank House, 2 Swan Lane, London EC4R 3TT

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600S
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Synairgen plc,
Mailpoint 810,
Southampton General Hospital,
Tremona Road,
Southampton,
SO16 6YD

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Breakthrough Science for 
Severe Viral Lung Infections

Stock symbol: LSE: SNG 
www.synairgen.com

Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 46989Proof Event: 18Black Line Level: 10Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual ReportT: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600