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Breakthrough Science for 
Severe Viral Lung Infections

Annual Report and Accounts 2022

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

LSE: SNG
www.synairgen.com

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 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 
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), Dr Bruce Campbell,  
Dr Felicity Gabbay, Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE, 
Amanda Radford

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: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic report

Highlights 

Chairman’s Statement 

Strategic Report 

Governance

Board of Directors 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Report of the Audit Committee 

Directors’ Report 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

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 

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Other information

Glossary 

Corporate Directory 

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IBC

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Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plc 
 
 
Highlights (including post period-end)

Operational

Financial

>   Completed further analysis of data accumulated from 

>   Loss from operations for the year ended 31 December 

the more than 750 patients dosed to date with SNG001. 
Findings included:
––  Developmentofstratificationcriteriatotargetspecific

2022 of £20.3 million (2021: £57.9 million), with 
R&D expenditure decreasing to £14.9 million (2021: 
£52.9 million). 

>   Cash and deposit balances of £19.7 million at 

31 December 2022 (31 December 2021: £33.8 million).

patient populations in future clinical trials;

––  SNG001 reduced the risk of several recognised Long 

COVID symptoms;

––  Evidence of accelerated viral clearance of rhinovirus from 

the lung in COPD patients; and

–– Furtherdemonstrationofthewell-toleratedsafetyprofile

of SNG001.

>   Announced data from the US NIH-led ACTIV-2 Phase 
2 trial for SNG001 in COVID-19 which showed an 
encouraging reduction in hospitalisation with SNG001 
versus placebo in home-based patients.

>   Published data from the Phase 3 SPRINTER trial for 
SNG001 in hospitalised COVID-19 in the European 
Respiratory Journal Open Research in December 2022. 
Data from the trial, which did not meet primary or 
key secondary endpoints, included the observation of 
an encouraging signal in the reduction in progression 
to severe disease or death for patients treated with 
SNG001.

 >   Gained a deeper understanding of the extent of the 
mechanism of action of SNG001 as a host-directed, 
variant-agnostic antiviral agent:
–   Potent antiviral activity was shown in vitro against SARS-
CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma and Omicron Variants 
of Concern, addition to our existing in vitro studies which 
showed potent antiviral activity against a wide variety 
of seasonal respiratory and pandemic viruses including 
RSV,rhinovirus,variousinfluenzastrainsincludingH5N1
and MERS-CoV.

>   Undertook a thorough evaluation of clinical 

development options to map out a route to conducting 
a Phase 3 registrational programme required for a 
regulatory submission. 
–  IdentifiedaclinicaldevelopmentplanforSNG001
designed to address the unmet need in targeted, 
high-risk patient populations that appear to be most 
responsive to SNG001 in previous clinical trials, for 
example elderly patients and those with certain co-
morbidities. In addition, we plan to assess SNG001 in 
immunocompromised patients who are particularly 
vulnerable to respiratory viral infections, ventilated 
patientswithconfirmedviralpneumonia,andalsothose
who appear unable to clear virus and become long-term 
“shedders” and mutation hosts.

–   Plan will start with a series of focused, investigator-
led/Synairgen-sponsored studies, using existing 
resources, which are intended to lead towards a Phase 3 
registrational programme.

–   Preparation is underway for these focused trials to 

initiate in H2 2023.

22
Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s Statement

“

The Group’s work in 2022 has shown that  
there is a significant unmet need in the 
broader respiratory antiviral area, in 
addition to the need to find potential 
treatment solutions for future viral 
pandemics. Respiratory virus infections 
remain a leading cause of death globally.

“

2022 started with high hopes for the success of our 
Phase 3 clinical trial of SNG001 for the treatment of 
COVID-19 in hospitalised patients. Unfortunately, the trial 
did not meet its primary endpoints which was most likely 
due to improvements in standards of care and is further 
discussed in this report. However, the data did provide 
significantinsightsintothepatientgroupsthatappeared 
tobenefitmostfromSNG001.ThishasenabledSynairgen
to refocus on SNG001’s potential both in the hospital and 
the home environment as a broad-spectrum antiviral for 
thosemostatriskofsevererespiratoryproblems.This
obviously includes COVID-19, however the Group’s work 
in2022hasshownthatthereisasignificantunmetneed
in the broader respiratory antiviral area, in addition to the 
needtofindpotentialtreatmentsolutionsforfutureviral
pandemics. Respiratory virus infections remain a leading 
cause of death globally.

Working closely with our partners, including academic 
institutions, diagnostic and medical device companies, 
advisors, and our strong team of researchers, scientists 
and regulatory experts, and building on the substantial 
body of trial evidence we have for SNG001, the team spent 
much of the year advancing the clinical development plans 
topursuethisgoal.Theseareintheprocessofbeing

discussed with potential trial sites and investigators with a 
view to commencing later this year. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board 
of Directors for their unwavering support during this 
challengingtime.Theirguidanceandexpertisehavebeen
invaluable in helping us navigate both the challenges and 
analysis of the opportunities. I would also like to note the 
retirementofTheoHaroldandIainBuchanan,bothof
whomhavemadesignificantcontributionstoSynairgen.
At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Amanda 
RadfordandFlicGabbaytoourBoardofDirectors.Their
experience and insight will be instrumental in helping us 
achieve our goals. 

I am proud of the dedication and hard work of our entire 
team in a particularly challenging year, and I am excited for 
our future progress in developing this novel treatment for 
a wide range of viral respiratory diseases. 

Simon Shaw
Chairman

26 April 2023 

3

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcStrategic Report

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, 
Synairgen Inc. and Synairgen Research 
(Ireland) Limited (together, the ‘Group’ or 
‘Synairgen’).

Synairgen is developing SNG001, an 
investigative formulation of inhaled 
interferon beta (‘IFN-β’), for the possible 
treatment and prevention of severe viral 
lung infections in high-risk patient groups. 
The development plan is outlined below in 
the Operational Review.

A glossary on pages 69 to 75 provides 
additional explanation of the more 
detailed scientific and clinical terminology 
referenced in this report.

Operational Review

Overview

2022 was an important year for Synairgen, providing the 
Groupwithinsightsanddatathathavehelpedrefineand
clarify the potential for SNG001. 

Inthefirstquarterof2022, the Group received the 
disappointingnewsthatthePhase3SPRINTERtrial

of SNG001 in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 did 
not meet the trial’s primary endpoints. Following the 
announcement of the topline results, post hoc analyses 
subsequently showed positive trends in subsets of higher 
riskpatientgroupswithinthetrial.Throughthisworkand
months of investigation, both in-house and with clinical 
collaborators on both sides of the Atlantic, we have 
established a number of ways forward for the SNG001 
development programme. We are embarking on these 
with renewed vigour in 2023.

From a clinical perspective, alongside the safety data 
accumulatedtodatefromthemorethan750patients
dosed with SNG001, we gained important new insights 
aboutthespecificpatientpopulationstotargetinfuture
clinical trials, particularly in relation to the potential for 
reducing the risk of disease progression - whether in the 
hospital setting or the home environment. We can also 
seefromtheSPRINTERtrialthatSNG001mayhavea
positiveeffectinreducing the risk of several recognised 
Long COVID symptoms. Finally, a further analysis during 
theyearoftheSG015Phase2trialinpatientswithCOPD
showed accelerated viral clearance of human rhinovirus in 
patients receiving SNG001 compared to placebo. 

On the non-clinical side, we learned more about the 
mechanism of action of SNG001 as a host-directed, 
variant-agnostic antiviral agent. Adding to our existing in 
vitro studies which showed potent antiviral activity against 
a wide variety of seasonal respiratory and pandemic 
viruses including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (‘RSV’), 
rhinovirus,variousinfluenzastrainsincludingH5N1 and 
MERS-CoV, we showed potential antiviral activity in further 
in vitro studies against SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, Gamma, 
Delta and Omicron Variants of Concern.1

Themarketcontextisclear:there are no approved 
antiviral therapies for the majority of hospitalised adult 
patients due to respiratory viral lung infections, and 
thepandemichashighlightedthesignificantissuesfor
health systems and patients as a result. In the US alone, 
approximately three million people are hospitalised every 
year due to viral lung infections such as rhinovirus, RSV, 
COVID-19,influenzaandothers.2

Bronchialcilia,SEM(P580/0140)

4

1 

2 

 Synairgenonfile.

 IQVIAmarketresearchQ42022;Sources:USCDC,HCUP,IQVIA
ClaimsData,PubMed;dataonfile

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Ourworkin2022hasshownthatthereisasignificant
unmet need in this broader antiviral area, in addition to 
theneedtofindpotentialtreatmentsolutionsforfuture
viral pandemics. Our clinical work over many trials to date 
indicates that SNG001 has potential utility against a wide 
spectrum of respiratory viruses in certain high-risk patient 
groups.

Clinical Development Outlook

TheGroupanditsclinical advisors believe that based on 
the safety data and body of pre-clinical and clinical data 
forSNG001ithasthepotentialtobethefirstinhaled
broad-spectrum antiviral for the patients who are at high 
risk of disease progression. 

Development Plan

Thisaccumulatednon-clinicalandclinicaldata,together
with third-party research and feedback from the clinical 
community, has strengthened our conviction that SNG001 
has potential as a broad-spectrum antiviral which could 
be directed towards certain types of patients infected 
withawiderangeofrespiratoryviruses.TheSynairgen
team, and our collaborators and advisors, have assessed 
manydifferentoptionsforanoptimalclinicaldevelopment
programme, and have mapped out a series of focused 
clinicaltrialstoconfirmthesignalswehaveseenand
investigate SNG001 against this wide spectrum of 
respiratoryvirusesinspecifichigh-riskpatientgroups.

Mindful of the insights gained in 2022 and the challenges 
outlined, Synairgen continues to explore the potential of 
SNG001inthreesettings:

1)   For use as a broad-spectrum antiviral in people 
hospitalised with severe viral lung infections, 
particularly those in high-risk groups; 

2)   Topreventprogressionofdisease/hospitalisationin
high-risk patient groups with a range of respiratory 
viruses in the home setting; and 

3)   As a possible future pandemic preparedness option 

for government agencies.

Wearenowprogressingprotocolsspecifictothreemain
opportunities for the next stage of the development 
programmenamelyinthepatientpopulationsidentified:
in the elderly (who were most at risk during the 
pandemic);immunocompromised (such as patients taking 
chemotherapy for whom even a common cold can delay 
effectivetreatmentoftheirunderlyingdisease);and
otherpatientswhomaybenefitmostfromtheuseof
SNG001 (including ventilated patients withconfirmedviral
pneumonia and those who appear unable to clear virus 
andbecomelongterm“shedders”andmutationhosts).
Bothindividuallyandcollectively,thesearesignificant
unaddressed market opportunities. 

Thedevelopmentofabroad-spectrumantiviraltreatment
hasbeenasignificantchallengeinthefieldofantiviral
research.Thesearchforabroad-spectrumantiviral
treatment can be traced back several decades, with a 
growing recognition of the need for a treatment that can 
effectivelytargetawiderangeofdifferentviralinfections.

In recent years, there has been increased recognition in 
the importance of developing broad-spectrum antivirals 
that target the host cell rather than the virus itself. 
However, despite this growing interest, there is currently 
no precedent for a broad-spectrum antiviral clinical 
development programme. 

Many of the platform trials that emerged during the 
COVID-19 pandemic have completed or wound down in 
part due to lower rates of severe illness or changes in 
funding. Synairgen has been and remains in contact with 
the relevant platform trial investigators and will continue 
to evaluate options should they arise; in parallel, wanting 
to move forward at pace, we believe that implementing 
our own clinical development plan as quickly as possible 
will provide promising opportunities to collect appropriate 
and meaningful data to support an eventual regulatory 
submission. 

Over the past year, the Group has undertaken a thorough 
evaluation of clinical development options with the aim of 
conducting a Phase 3 registrational programme required 
for a regulatory submission. As there is no precedent 
for a broad-spectrum antiviral clinical development 
programme, designing and determining a clinical 
pathway is complex as there are multiple viruses being 
targetedfordifferenthigh-riskpatientgroups.Ithasbeen
determined that to achieve this aim, a multi-staged clinical 
development plan is required. 

TheGroupisnowadvancingaclinicaldevelopment
plan for SNG001 designed to address the unmet need 
in targeted patient populations that appear to be 
most responsive to SNG001 in previous clinical trials, 
as well as in immunocompromised patients who are 
particularly vulnerable to respiratory viral infections and 
also ventilated patients withconfirmedviralpneumonia. 
Thisplanwillstartwithaseriesoffocused,investigator-
led/Synairgen-sponsored studies that build a pathway 
towards a Phase 3 registrational programme. Preparation 
is underway for these focused trials to start in H2 2023. 

5

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcStrategic Report
(continued)

Clinical Need
Severe viral lung infections can be caused by a variety of 
viruses,includinginfluenza,coronaviruses,RSV,rhinovirus,
andadenovirus,amongothers.Theseinfectionscan
lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, 
acuterespiratorydistresssyndrome(ARDS),anddeath,
particularly in vulnerable, high-risk populations such as 
elderly individuals, those with COPD and asthma, and 
people with weakened immune systems.

Rationale for SNG001 as a Broad-
spectrum Antiviral

ThereisastrongscientificrationaleunderpinningSNG001
for use in treating patients infected with a broad range of 
respiratory viruses, combined with itssafetyprofileand
a growing body of encouraging clinical and non-clinical 
data which has helped us better understand the potential 
role SNG001 might play in treating patients at risk of 
developing severe illness due to these respiratory viruses. 

In the US, severe viral lung infections are responsible for 
upwards of three million hospitalisations annually, at a 
costof$50billion.3

Currentantiviraltreatmentsarelimitedintheirefficacy,as
theyaretypicallyspecifictoasinglevirus.Forexample,
whilecertainantiviralsareeffectiveagainstinfluenza,
theyarenoteffectiveagainstothervirusesthatcancause
severe lung infections, such as coronaviruses or RSV. 

Thishighlightstheneedforabroad-spectrumantiviral
thatcaneffectivelytreatarangeofdifferentvirallung
infections,regardlessofthespecificviruscausingthe
infection. A broad-spectrum antiviral would be a valuable 
addition to the healthcare arsenal, as it would improve 
outcomes for patients and reduce the spread of viral 
infections in healthcare settings. Additionally, a broad-
spectrum antiviral would be useful in the event of a 
pandemic caused by a novel virus, as it would provide a 
treatmentoptioneveniftheaetiologyofthespecificvirus
is not yet known. 

In summary, the need for a broad-spectrum antiviral 
to treat severe viral lung infections is driven by the high 
incidence of severe lung infections caused by a variety 
ofdifferentviruses,thelimitednumberandefficacyof
current antivirals, and the potential to improve outcomes 
for patients and reduce the spread of viral infections.

Theannualcost of hospitalisations for severe lung 
infections illustrates the substantial market opportunity 
foraneffective broad-spectrum antiviral to treat such 
infections.

TheGrouphasconductedin vitro testing of SNG001 
against a broad range of respiratory viruses ranging from 
seasonalcoldandfluviruseslikeRSVandrhinovirus;
highlypathogenicvirusessuchasH5N1,aformof‘birdflu’,
MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern including 
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron.4 In vitro tests 
have shown potent antiviral activity at concentrations 
that are readily achievable following inhaled delivery of 
interferon beta. 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-βthroughinjectionisineffectivein
fightingCOVID-19inthelungs.5

2022 Clinical Summary and Progress

SPRINTER – Investigating SNG001 in the 
hospitalised environment

SPRINTER(SG018;NCT04732949)wasaglobal,
randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind 
clinicaltrialassessingtheefficacyandsafety
of inhaled SNG001 for the treatment of adults 
hospitalised due to COVID-19 who required 
treatmentwithsupplementaloxygen.Thetrial
recruited a total of 623 patients who were 
randomisedtoreceiveSNG001(n=309)orplacebo
(n=314)ontopofstandardofcare.

Synairgen announced in February 2022 that the Phase 
3SPRINTERtrialdidnotmeettheprimaryendpointsof
dischargefromhospitalandrecovery.Therewas,however,
an encouraging signal in the key secondary endpoint 
ofreductionintherelativerisk(RRR)ofprogressionto
severediseaseordeathwithin35daysincludinga25.7%
reductionintheIntention-to-Treatpopulationand36.3%

 HartnettJ.InfluenzaOtherRespirViruses.2022;16:906–915;Pastula
STet.al.,OFID,2017,ofw270; ZhouJAet.al.,CID,2020,70(5):773-779;
Disease Burden of Flu | CDC; Preliminary Medicare COVID-19 Data 
Snapshot(Dec2021);ICERReport:SpecialAssessmentofOutpatient
TreatmentsforCOVID-19(Feb2022).

4

5 

Synairgenonfile.

 WHOSolidarityTrialConsortium.RepurposedAntiviralDrugs
for Covid-19 –InterimWHOSolidarityTrialResults.NEnglJMed.
2021;384:497–511.

3 

6

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Lunglining,SEM(P580/0175)

reduction in the Per Protocol population (though neither 
wasstatisticallysignificant).

Toassessthestrengthofthissignalandidentify
specificpatientpopulationsthatmightbenefitmost
from treatment, post hoc analyses were performed on 
groups of patients recognised to be at greater risk of 
developingseverediseaseinhospital.Theseanalyses
includedpatients≥65yearsold,thosewithco-morbidities
associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes and those 
who,atbaseline,despitereceivinglowflowoxygen,had
clinicalsignsofcompromisedrespiratoryfunction(defined
asoxygensaturationof≤92%orrespiratoryrate≥21
breaths/min).

Theseanalysesshowedstrongertreatmenteffectswith
SNG001 in high-risk patient subgroups, with the strongest 
effectobservedinthosewhohadclinicalsignsof
compromised respiratory function. In these patients, who 
representedapproximatelyone-thirdoftheSPRINTER
trialpopulation,SNG001significantlyreducedtherisk
of progression to severe disease or death compared to 
placeboby70%inthePerProtocolpopulation(OddsRatio
(95%ConfidenceInterval)0.23(0.06,0.98);p=0.046).

Thedatafromthispivotaltrialwaspresentedatthe
ClinicalTrialsSymposiumoftheAmericanThoracicSociety
2022(ATS2022)InternationalConferenceinSanFrancisco,
California in May 2022 and appeared in the peer-reviewed 
EuropeanRespiratoryJournalOpenResearch(ERJOR)in
December 2022. 

In addition to this, Long COVID symptoms and patient 
reported outcome measures were assessed as a 
secondaryendpointoftheSPRINTERtrialatfollow-
up visits via telephone/video call on Day 60 and 90. 
Patients on SNG001 saw the relative risk of fatigue/
malaisereduced[RRR=35.4%],oneofthemostcommon
symptoms of Long COVID. 

ACTIV-2 – Investigating antiviral treatments 
in the home environment

In October 2022, Synairgen received the positive 
toplineresultsforoutcomesthrough28daysof
follow-up from the Phase 2 evaluation of SNG001 
from the US National Institute of Allergy and 
InfectiousDiseases(NIAID)ACTIV-2trial(Protocol
ACTIV-2/A5401:“AdaptivePlatformTreatmentTrial
forOutpatientswithCOVID-19[AdaptoutCOVID]”;
AppendixB).Thistrialwasestablishedtoinvestigate
potential therapies in adults experiencing mild to 
moderate COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting. 
Based on the study results, the Independent Data 
SafetyMonitoringBoardforACTIV-2recommended
SNG001 advance from Phase 2 into Phase 3 but in 
March 2022, the NIH decided to halt all participant 
recruitmentinthetrialduetothesignificantshiftin
the nature of the pandemic. At that point, the Phase 
3 component, including SNG001, was halted.

Overall SNG001 was well-tolerated and there was no 
statisticallysignificantdifferencebetweenSNG001and
placebo with respect to the primary safety outcome 
measure,andtherewerenostatisticallysignificant
differencesintheotherprimaryoutcomesnamelytimeto
symptom improvement or viral clearance. It is notable that 
one patient was hospitalised in the SNG001 treatment 
group compared with seven in the placebo group (1/110 
SNG001versus7/110placebo,representingan86%
relativeriskreductionp=0.07).WhilethePhase2stage
of the trial was not powered to prove this, the promising 
decrease in hospitalisations in patients that received 
SNG001 may be important, especially combined with a 
goodsafetyprofile. 

ThedatafromtheACTIV-2trialwaspresentedatthe
Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections 
Conference(CROI)inFebruary2023byDrWilliamFischer
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 
have been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed 
journal. 

TobuildontheresultsoftheACTIV-2trial,oneofthe
clinical opportunities we are investigating for SNG001 
is its use in the home environment to help prevent 
hospitalisation in high-risk patients with a wide range of 
viral lung infections. 

7

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcStrategic Report
(continued)

SG015 COPD trial virology

In early 2020, due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, 
Synairgen’sSG015(NCT03570359)trialinCOPD
patients was paused with 109 out of the targeted 
120 patients recruited. An interim analysis of 
the data was reported in September 2020 which 
demonstrated that SNG001 boosted lung antiviral 
responses as assessed using sputum biomarkers 
andasignificantimprovementinthelungfunctionof
exacerbating patients.

In September 2022, Synairgen reported positive data 
from post hoc assessments of lung sputum samples from 
SG015whichshowedthatSNG001acceleratedclearance
of rhinovirus (which approximately half of the trial 
participantshad)fromthelungs.Thisbuildsonexisting
data supporting SNG001’s mechanism of action. 

Manufacturing

As we look ahead to delivering the clinical development 
programme, we have made the strategic decision to focus 
ourmanufacturingeffortsonthesupplyofadditionalpre-
filledsyringedrugproductandplaceboforclinicaltrials.
While we remain committed to exploring new packaging 
options,suchasblow-fill-seal delivery, we believe that 
at this time it is important to prioritise the production 
ofSNG001tofulfilcurrentrequirements,usingcurrent
proven process and materials.

Outlook

Underpinned by the encouraging data accumulated to 
date for SNG001 and that respiratory virus infections 
remain a leading cause of death globally, we remain 
excitedbyitspotentialtobethefirstinhaledbroad-
spectrum antiviral for patients at high risk of disease 
progression, in both the hospital and home environment. 
Basedonthesignificantclinicalneedandtheinsights
gained from our clinical and pre-clinical data, the Group 
will advance its clinical development plan for SNG001 with 
a series of focused, investigator-led/Synairgen-sponsored 
studies, commencing in H2 2023 utilising existing 
cash resources, to build a pathway towards a Phase 3 
registrational programme.

We continue to gather valuable insights from studies 
conducted and look forward to presenting our latest 
analysisofthePhase3SPRINTERtrialdataatISIRVand
ATSinMayandupdatingallourshareholdersonour
progress in due course.

8

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Financial Review

equatesto16%ofour2022researchanddevelopment
expenditure(2021:17%).

TheFinancialReviewshouldbereadinconjunctionwith
theconsolidatedfinancialstatementsoftheCompany
anditssubsidiaries(togetherthe‘Group’)andthenotes
thereto on pages 39 to 60.Theconsolidatedfinancial
statements are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted 
international accounting standards. 

ThefinancialstatementsoftheCompany,setouton
pages 61 to 68, are prepared in accordance with Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income 

Thelossfromoperationsfortheyearended31December
2022was£20.3million(2021:£57.9millionloss)with
research and development expenditure amounting to 
£14.9million(2021:£52.9million)andotheradministrative
expensesof£5.4million(2021:£5.0million).

Research and development expenditure continued to be 
focused on clinical trials and manufacturing activities.

ClinicaltrialexpenditureonSPRINTER,SG015and
SG016 reduced markedly compared to 2021. Additional 
preparatorycostsfortheACTIV-2Phase3studywere
incurred in 2022 prior to the trial being halted. 

Manufacturing activities (including procurement of long 
leadtimeitems)alsoreducedsignificantlyin2022withthe
main area of expenditure being on outsourced activities, 
including blow-fill-seal drug product development, release 
testing, stability testing and comparison testing, with all 
costs being expensed to the income statement. 

Other administrative expenses, which comprises all 
expenses which are not research and development 
expenditure,of£5.4millionin2022remainedbroadly
inlinewiththetotalexpenditureof£5.0millionin
2021.Therewasgreaterexpenditureonmedicalaffairs
and corporate communications in 2022 compared to 
2021 when there was a greater expenditure on pre-
commercialisation activities. 

Interest receivable increased from £nil to £0.2 million as 
deposit interest rates increased during the second half of 
2022. 

Theresearchanddevelopmenttaxcreditdecreasedfrom
£9.2millionto£2.4millioninlinewithreducedqualifying
researchanddevelopmentexpenditure.Thecredit

Thelossaftertaxfor2022was£17.6million(2021:£48.7
million)andthebasiclosspersharewas8.76p(2021:basic
losspershareof24.28p).

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and 
Cash Flows

At 31 December 2022, net assets amounted to £20.3 
million(2021:£37.0million),includingcashanddeposit
balances of £19.7 million, comprising cash and cash 
equivalentsof£15.9millionandotherfinancialassets–
bankdepositsof£3.8million,(2021:£33.8millioncash
andcashequivalents).

Theprincipalelementsofthe£14.1milliondecrease
duringtheyearended31December2022(2021:£41.2
milliondecrease)incashanddepositbalanceswere:

 >  Cashoutflowsfromoperationsbeforechangesin

workingcapital:£19.3million(2021:£57.2million),with
the reduction being attributable to the lower research 
and development expenditure as explained above; 

 >  Changesinworkingcapital:£4.1millionoutflow(2021:
£12.2millioninflow),onaccountofthereductionin
trade and other payables as discussed below. In 2021 
there was a reduction in trade and other receivables of 
some£7.8millionandanincreaseintradeandother
payablesof£4.4million;

 > Interest received £0.1 million (2021:£nil);and

 >  Researchanddevelopmenttaxcreditsreceived:£9.1
million(2021:£3.9million)onaccountofreceiptofthe
2021 tax credit. 

TheothersignificantchangesintheStatementofFinancial
Positionwere:

 >  Current tax receivable decreased from £9.1 million 

to£2.4milliononaccountofthelowerresearchand
development tax credit receivable; and 

 >  Tradeandotherpayablesdecreasedfrom£7.6million
to£3.3millionastradepayablesreducedfrom£4.2
millionto£0.5millioninlinewiththereductioninthe
level of operating expenditure. 

9

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)

TheBoardconsidersthatthemostimportantKPIsduring
theyearunderreviewarenon-financialandrelatetothe
progress of the clinical programmes and the advancement 
of manufacturing activities, which are discussed 
elsewhere in this report.

ThemostimportantfinancialKPIsaretheresearchand
developmentexpenditureonthePhase3SPRINTER
clinical trial and on-going manufacturing activities, and the 
cash position of the Group. Cash and deposit balances 
reducedfrom£33.8millionto£19.7millionprincipally
on account of the planned research and development 
expenditure.Thefinancialresultsarediscussedinthe
Financial Review above.

Strategic Report
(continued)

Parent Company Balance Sheet 

Company-only impairment of investment in subsidiary

Following the announcement of the results of Synairgen 
ResearchLimited’sPhase3SPRINTERtrialon21February
2022, the share price of Synairgen plc (the Parent 
Company)fell84%fromitsclosingpriceof171.0pon
Friday18February2022toaclosingpriceof27.2pon
21 February and for the remainder of 2022 closed at a 
rangeofbetween12.4pand35.0p.Thefallinshareprice
is an indicator of possible impairment in the carrying 
value of the Parent Company’s investment in Synairgen 
Research Limited. We have therefore assessed the 
recoverable amount of this investment using a value in 
use methodology which has been calculated by applying 
a pre-tax 14.9%discountratetotheriskadjustedpost
taxcashflowsprojectedtoarisefromtheSNG001
programme as a broad spectrum antiviral. As a result 
of this review, we have recognised an impairment loss, 
a non-cash charge, of £66.2 million. It should be noted 
that this impairment review exercise is for accounting 
purposes; therefore it does not seek to derive a market 
valuation for the Company or its programmes. 

Determining the estimated recoverable amount of 
Synairgen Research Limited is judgemental in nature 
and requires the use of certain estimated inputs that 
represent key sources of estimation uncertainty. 

Furtherdetailscanbefoundinnote4oftheParent
Companyfinancialstatements.

10

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022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 
companyforthebenefitofitsshareholders.Indoingthis,
the director must have regard, amongst other matters, to 
the:

a)  Likely consequences of any decisions in the long-term;
b)  Interests of the Company’s employees;
c) 

 Need to foster the Company’s business relationships 
with suppliers, customers and others;

d)   Impact of the Company’s operations on the 

community and the environment;

e)   Desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation 

for high standards of business conduct; and

f)  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.

11

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcStrategic Report
(continued)

Thefollowingtable,incombinationwiththeCorporateGovernanceStatementsetoutonpages18 to 21 and the 
Company’swebsite(www.synairgen.com),setsouttheframeworkofourengagementwithkeystakeholdergroups.

Our stakeholders

Investors

TheGroupcontinuestoconsumecashresourcesand
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.

Employees

Synairgenhas34employees(includingexecutivedirectors), 
who are multi-skilled and many of them have worked for 
theGroupformanyyears.Theyallplayakeyroleinthe
business and it is vital that they all understand and support 
the key decisions taken in the running of the business.

Material topics

How we engage

 > Business strategy
 > Operational performance
 >  Financial performance and  

cash requirements
 >  Enviromental, Social and 

Corporate Governance 
(ESG)

 >   RNS announcements
 >  Website and social media 

updates

	> 	Meetings after preliminary 
statement release and 
interims for investors

 > AGM
 >  Proactive Investor 

interviews

 >  Responses to direct 
investor questions

 >  Operational targets and 

 >  Bi-monthly scheduled 

progress

 >  Opportunities to share 

ideas

company meetings and a 
policy of open disclosure
 >  Regular virtual and face-to-

 >  Financial resources of the 

Group
 > Share price
 > Workingtimeflexibilityand

working from home

face team meetings
 >  Open door policy to 

executive directors
 > Company intranet
 >  Use of share-based 

University of Southampton

Synairgen is a spin-out company from the University 
andstillmaintainsmanylinkswithit,whichbenefitboth
parties.TheUniversityisSynairgen’slandlordandcertain
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.

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

 >  Supplier product  

development plans

 >  Our clinical trial, 
manufacturing   
and longer-term  
development 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.

Community

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 
anidentifiedmarketneedinthecommunity.

 >  Programme development 

plans, including clinical trial 
designs

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

 >  New therapeutics  
development

 > Involvement in clinical trials

incentives for employees

 > Meetings with Founders
 >  Interaction on projects with 
scientists and clinicians and 
the University’s Research & 
Innovation Services team

 > Regular project meetings

 >  Regular meetings at key 
respiratory and anti-
infective conferences 
(ATS,ERS,ECCMIDandID
Week)andmeetingsduring 
business development 
conferences

 >  Interactions with 

government agencies
 >  Interactions with clinicians 
and Key Opinion Leaders, 
including Advisory Boards
 >  Patient data from clinical 

trials

12

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022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
 > Scientificadvicefor

authorities on key 
development topics
 > Regulatory compliance

 >  Use of external consultants 
to ensure we are complying 
with regulations

 >  Interactions with Ethics 

Committees, MHRA, FDA, 
EMA and other regulatory 
agencies

Principal Decisions in 2022

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

 >  Thedecisiontodevoteresourcetothecomplete

analysisofthedatafromtheSPRINTERPhase 3 trial, 
particularly with regards to high-risk patient groups;

 >  ThedecisiontoidentifyandengagewithCOVID-19

(andotherviruses)platformtrialsandtheirprincipal
investigators, to establish interest in SNG001; and

 >  ThedecisiontotransitionfromaCOVID-19-directed
development plan to a targeted broad-spectrum (‘all 
viruses’)developmentplanaddressingkey high-risk 
patient groups.

Post period-end, the Board has considered the next 
strategic steps for the development of SNG001 and is 
now embarked on a strategy of commencing a number 
of focused clinical trials in high-risk patients and also 
determining a way towards commencing a larger trial in 
high-risk non-hospitalised patients. 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

In addition to the fact that the Group has only one 
candidate(SNG001),albeitwithanumberofpotential
indications, and is therefore dependent on there being 
a successful outcome to its development, the Board 
considers that the principal risks and uncertainties facing 
theGroupmaybesummarisedasfollows:

Ability to design and deliver appropriate broad-
spectrum clinical trials

TheGroup’sstrategyincludesdevelopingSNG001asa
broad-spectrum antiviral which will require a series of 
clinical trials, for which there is little regulatory guidance 
or precedence. At this stage these clinical trial protocols 
are still at the development stage, however, initial focused 
studies will provide data to inform the design and 
implementation of regulatory studies. 

While there can be no guarantee at this stage that 
these trials will be approved by the regulatory agencies 
and that it will be possible to complete them, the 
risks are minimised by the fact that the studies are 
built upon the existing data on SNG001, consider the 
regulatory environment for antivirals, include input 
from regulatory and clinical development experts, as 
well as advice from Key Opinion Leaders and potential 
Investigators.Regulatoryscientificadvicewill be sought 
for those studies that might be novel or form a key part 
of the regulatory pathway to an eventual marketing 
authorisation application.

Pre-clinical testing and/or clinical trials fail to 
generate positive data

Thereisahighfailurerateinthedevelopmentof
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 and may prevent or limit its 
commercial use.

Thepre-clinicaland clinical trial data that has been 
previously generated, as wellasotherscientific evidence, 
supports the rationale for the proposed clinical trials. 
The programme of clinical studies follows a logical 
development path with focused initial studies providing 
data which can be used to appropriately design key 
regulatory studies to reduce risks of failure.

Clinical trials overrun

Thereareanumberoffactorswhichmayleadtodelays,
includingbutnotlimitedto:(i)delaystoregulatory
approvals;(ii)variationsinlabellingandotherregulatory
requirementsbetweencountries;(iii)dealingwith
protocolchanges;and(iv)difficultyinfindingsuitablesites
and patients, including competition for patients from 
competing clinical trials.

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.

13

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcStrategic Report
(continued)

TheGroupseeksto mitigate these risks through: ongoing 
risk assessment; close project management; selection 
procedures for all key suppliers (includingtrialsites); and 
regular ongoing contact with sites and other key vendors 
throughout trials.

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

TheGroup’sfuturesuccessisdependentuponitsability
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 
regulatorsindifferentjurisdictionsmayseekdifferent
criteria and endpoints in order for regulatory approval and 
marketing authorisations to be granted. 

TheGrouptakestheadviceofspecialistregulatory
advisers and maintains an on-going dialogue with 
regulators.

Commercial risk

TherecanbenoguaranteethattheGroupwillsucceed
in securing and maintaining the necessary contractual 
relationships with commercialisation 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. 

Synairgen continues to build its commerical capabilities 
and partnerships to maximise the strength of SNG001 ‘go 
to market’ strategic options, pending regulatory approval.

There are a number of competing antiviral 
therapeutics at different stages of development

Thereareanumberofcompetingtherapeuticsfor
antiviral applications at varying stages of development, 
which may be brought to market more quickly than 
SNG001orprovetobemoreeffective,desirable
or cheaper. Some of the Group’s competitors have 
substantiallygreaterfinancialandotherresources.There
can therefore be no assurance that competitors will not 
succeed in developing products which would render 
SNG001 non-competitive.

Currently, antivirals in development are largely targeting 
the virus itself and are mainly specifictoasinglevirus. 

14

Thehost-directed, virus-agnostic mode of action of 
SNG001 means it has a broader potential utility and fewer 
direct competitors.Thelarge market for respiratory viral 
diseases, and potential for new viruses and variants, 
means there are likely to be opportunities for a number 
of products to be commerically available before any 
significantmarketsaturation.TheGroupcontinuously 
monitors the competitive environment and medical need 
to appropriately targetandrefinethedevelopment and 
future commercial strategies.

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

TheGroup’ssuccessishighlydependentontheexpertise
and experience of a small team of key personnel 
andscientificandclinicaladvisers/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 
businessprospects,financialconditionand/orresultsof
operationscouldbeadverselyaffected.

Tomitigatethisrisk,theGrouphasrecruitedadditional
staffandcontractedwithcertainkeypartnerstoprovide
services to the Group, including CRO services, regulatory 
affairsconsultantsandclinicalmanagementservices.

Manufacturing complexity

SNG001 beta Interferon-1a is expressed as a recombinant 
protein using CHO cells. As a biological product the drug 
substance manufacturing process is well controlled to 
ensureproductconsistency.Thepurifieddrugsubstance
isformulatedandfilledundersterileconditionsto
manufacturedrugproduct.Thisactivityisgovernedbya
revised HPLC content assay, which is currently undergoing 
further development to optimise consistent run-to-run 
performance. A delay in the satisfactory demonstration that 
thismethodisfitforpurposemayimpactontheavailability
of drug product for use in the planned clinical trials.

Failure of a manufacturing batch due to process error or 
product quality may delay the timing for clinical resupply 
as well as deplete drug substance stocks.

In terms of regulatory compliance, the next key 
milestone is gaining approval from the FDA that the 
new drug substance is deemed comparable to the 
Rentschler-manufactured drug substance and is clinically 
interchangeable. If this is not achieved, the risk is that drug 
product manufactured using the new drug substance may 
not be granted approval for use in clinical studies in the 
US without undergoing additional testing. 

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Project risk is mitigated through the close involvement 
of experienced CMC and laboratorystaff,combinedwith
additional specialist consultants.Thisextends into careful 
selection and management of the drug product Contract 
Manufacturing Organisaton. In the event that additional 
work is required to be undertaken to prove drug product 
comparability with previously manufactured clinical 
materials, clinical trial activity would be undertaken at UK 
and EU clinical trial sites in the short term.

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

Incommonwithotherdrugdevelopersofsimilarsize,
the Group engages the expertise and resources of 
thirdpartiesinanumberofkeyareasincluding:(i)the
conductofclinicaltrials;(ii)themanufacture,scale-up,
fill/finish,analyticaltestingandsupplyofSNG001;and
(iii)themanufactureandsupplyofthenebuliser.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 
limitedcontrol.TheGroupcannotguaranteethatthose
third parties or their suppliers (including suppliers of raw 
materials and components necessary for manufacturing 
activities)willbeabletoperformtheircontractualand
regulatory obligations satisfactorily or on time. 

Default, delay, non-compliance with law and regulation 
or other sub-optimal performance by a third party may 
adverselyaffecttheGroup’sbusinessplansandprospects.

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

TheGroupseekstominimizeriskbyholdingregular
meetingswithkeysuppliersandtheuseofinternalstaff,
project managers and other consultants to manage the 
relationships. 

Intellectual property

ThecommercialsuccessoftheGroupdependson
its ability to obtain patent and other market-related 
protection for its products in the US, Europe and 
elsewhereandtopreservetheconfidentialityofits
know-how.Thereisnoguaranteethatpatentapplications
will succeed or be broad enough to provide protection 
for the Group’s intellectual property rights and exclude 
competitors with similar pharmaceutical products. 
ThesuccessoftheGroupisalsodependentonnon-
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.

TheGroupseekstoreducethisriskbyworking with 
patent attorneys and other advisor to maximise in-
market protection where appropriate, and by minimising 
disclosure to third parties.

Funding risk

TheGroupcontinuestoconsumecashresources.
UntiltheGroupgeneratespositivenetcashinflows
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.TheGroupmaynotbeabletogenerate
positivenetcashflowsinthefutureorattractsuch
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.

TheGroupseekstoreducethisriskthroughtightfinancial
control, prioritising programmes which will generate the 
best returns, and keeping shareholders informed on 
progress. 

Insurance risk

TheGroupmaynotbeabletoprocureadequate
insurance cover to enable it to continue its operations.

Cyber-attack or IT systems failure

TheGroupisatriskofcyber-attackorITsystemsfailureto
it or its key suppliers, which may cause operational harm, 
including potential theft or loss of data.

TheGroupseekstominimisethisriskbyretainingthe
servicesofexternalITadvisers,pursuingsuitableback-up
and security policies, and maintaining Cyber Essentials 
certification.

By order of the Board

Richard Marsden
ChiefExecutiveOfficer

26 April 2023 

15

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 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 
FinancialOfficerofSavillsplc.HewasChiefFinancial
OfficerofGyrusGroupPLCfrom2003untilitssaleto
OlympusCorporationin2008,havingpreviouslybeen
ChiefOperatingOfficerofProfileTherapeuticsplc
between1998and2003.Between1991and1997hewas
acorporatefinancier,latterlyatHambrosBankLimited.He
is a Chartered Accountant.

Richard Marsden joined Synairgen in a consulting role 
as General Manager in November 2003, was appointed 
totheBoardasManagingDirectorinJune2004,and
wasappointedChiefExecutiveOfficerinSeptember
2009.Between1998and2003heworkedasProjects
Manager and Cystic Fibrosis Business Development 
ManageratProfileTherapeuticsplc,wherehemanaged
the Cystic Fibrosis business and played a major role 
in the development of its proprietary pharmaceutical 
unit,ProfilePharmaLimited.Priortothis,heworked
forZimmerLimited,Genentech(UK)LimitedandRoche
Products Limited.

Dr Phillip Monk
ChiefScientific
Officer

John Ward
Chief Financial 
Officer

Phillip Monk joined Synairgen in October 2006 as Head of 
Bioscience Development and was appointed to the Board 
asChiefScientificOfficerinSeptember2009.Phillipwas
previouslyDirectoroftheRespiratoryandInflammation
BiologygroupatCambridgeAntibodyTechnology(‘CAT’).
PriortojoiningCAT,heworkedatBayerAGwithinthe
respiratory disease therapeutic area, focusing on the 
development of novel therapies for asthma, COPD and 
cysticfibrosis.

JohnWardjoinedSynairgeninOctober2004asFinance
DirectorandwasappointedChiefFinancialOfficer
inMarch2021.FromDecember1999toJuly2004he
wasChiefFinancialOfficerandCompanySecretaryof
ProfileTherapeuticsplcandwasappointedtotheProfile
TherapeuticsboardinMarch2003.From1996to1999he
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: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Dr Bruce Campbell
Non-executive 
Director

Dr Felicity (Flic) 
Gabbay
Non-executive 
Director

Bruce Campbell joined Synairgen as a non-executive 
directorinApril2006.Hehas50yearsofdrug
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 
European companies. Formerly he was Senior VP of 
International Development at Neurocrine Biosciences, 
Inc. (‘Neurocrine’). Prior to joining Neurocrine he worked 
for27yearsatServier(UnitedKingdom),latterlyas
ScientificDirector.Inaddition,hehasalsobeena
director and European Chairman of the Drug Information 
Association, a member of the European ICH Safety 
WorkingPartyandascientificadvisortoIPGroupplc.

Flic Gabbay joined Synairgen as a non-executive director 
in September 2022. She has extensive experience within 
the life sciences sector including holding several senior 
and CEO positions in big pharma, biotech and CROs 
in both Europe and North America. She is Founding 
andSeniorPartneratTranScripLtd,acontractdrug
development CRO. Starting her career as a medical doctor, 
Flic held various medical research posts in Europe and 
the US before moving into the biotechnology sector. She 
is the current President of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical 
Medicine for the three Royal Colleges of Physicians, 
a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and an 
Honorary Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society.

Prof. Sir Stephen 
Holgate CBE
Non-executive 
Director

Amanda Radford
Non-executive 
Director

Amanda Radford joined Synairgen as a non-executive 
director in December 2022. She is currently Group 
Financial Controller of BSI Group. She has previously held 
seniorfinancialpositionsatcompaniesincludingConvatec
Groupplc,PostOfficeLtd,PetsatHomeVetGroupand
TalkTalkTelecomGroup.SheisaCharteredAccountant.

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 pursued an academic 
careerleadingtohisappointmentin1987tohiscurrent
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-reviewedliterature.HeisTrusteeof the Natasha 
AllergyResearchFoundation,ChairofTheKennedyTrust
for Rheumatology Research and Member of the Natural 
Environment Research Council. He is Principal Investigator 
oftheUKRI/MetOfficeCleanAirStrategicPriorityFund
Champion grant and is Special Advisor to the RCP on 
air quality. He also serves on a number of Advisory 
Committees in industry and the Research Councils. 

17

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcCorporate Governance Statement

TheBoardofdirectorsoftheCompany(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 
toleadtheBoardeffectivelyandtooverseetheadoption,
delivery and communication of the Company’s corporate 
governance model. 

InSeptember2018,theBoardadoptedtheQuoted
Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code (‘QCA 
Code’).Onourwebsite(www.synairgen.com/investors/
corporate-governance-statement/)wesetouthowwe
seek to comply with the ten principles of the QCA Code. 
ThefollowingsectionsoftheCorporateGovernance
Statement explain how the QCA Code is applied by the 
Company. 

Board of directors

On 31 December 2022, the Board consisted of myself, as 
the non-executive Chairman, three executive directors 
(RichardMarsden,DrPhillipMonkandJohnWard),and
four non-executive directors (Dr Bruce Campbell, Dr Flic 
Gabbay,Prof.SirStephenHolgateandAmandaRadford).

Theresponsibilitiesofthenon-executiveChairman
andtheChiefExecutiveOfficerareclearlydivided. The
non-executive directors bring relevant experience from 
differentbackgroundsandreceiveafixedfeefortheir
services and reimbursement of reasonable expenses 
incurred in attending meetings. 

Brief biographies for the directors are given on pages 16 
and 17.Thekeyexperience,skills,qualitiesandcapabilities
that each director brings to the Board are summarised 
below:

Simon Shaw
Simon is an experienced public company director, having 
fulfilledboththerolesofChiefFinancialOfficerandChief
OperatingOfficerforlistedcompanies.Hehaslifescience
company experience and in addition to his skills as a 
Chairman,contributesstrongfinancialandcorporate
financeskills.AsanexecutivedirectorofaFTSE250
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 Group’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 
identificationandmanagementofnewopportunitiesupto
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 
Waterhousehealsohascorporatefinanceexperience.
He keeps his skill set up to date by attending appropriate 
coursesrunbyaccountancyfirmsandtheICAEW.

Dr Bruce Campbell
Brucehas50years’drugdevelopmentexperience.Hehas
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.

Dr Flic Gabbay
Flic is an independent non-executive director and Chair of 
the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, joining the 
Board in September 2022. She has extensive experience 
in the life sciences sector including holding several senior 
and CEO positions in big pharma, biotech and contract 
researchorganisations(‘CRO’)inEuropeandNorth
America.

18

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022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.

commitments made towards achieving best practice, 
Dr Flic Gabbay and Amanda Radford were appointed 
as independent non-executive directors in September 
2022 and December 2022 respectively, with a view to 
bringing a new perspective to the Board together with 
theirrespectiveexpertiseinbiotechandfinance.Wewill
continuetoassesstheeffectivenessoftheBoardandwill
continue to identify high-quality independent directors as 
the Company continues to develop.

Amanda Radford
Amanda is an independent non-executive director 
and Chair of the Audit Committee, joining the Board in 
December2022.Amandahasheldseniorfinanceroles
inanumberofpubliccompaniesandhassignificant
experienceinexternalreporting,financialcontrols,
forecasting and business planning, as well as fundraising 
and M&A. 

All eight members of the Board bring relevant sector 
experience in life sciences. Four members of the Board 
have capital markets experience from other companies. 
TheBoardhasexpertiseinthefollowingkeyareas:capital
markets; discovery and pre-clinical respiratory projects; 
clinical development; business development/licensing 
andfinance.TheBoardbelievesthatitsblendofrelevant
experience, skills and personal qualities and capabilities is 
sufficienttoenableittosuccessfullyexecutethecurrent
phase of its strategy.

Simon Holden is the Company Secretary. Simon is a 
corporatelawyerbybackgroundandfulfilstheroleof
secretary for several other quoted companies, on the 
MainMarketandAIM.TheCompanySecretaryreports
directly to the Chairman on governance matters.

Non-executive directors are required to attend monthly 
Boardmeetings(‘ScheduledBoardmeetings’)and,where
relevant,committeeorScientificAdvisoryBoardmeetings.
Non-executive directors are required to be available at 
other times as required for face-to-face and telephone 
meetings with the executive team. All members of the 
executive team work for the Company on a full-time basis 
and have no non-executive directorships with other 
companies.

TheBoardcontinuestonotethatitdoesnotyetcomply
with QCA best practice in that three of its non-executive 
directors have been in post for more than nine years. 
Nevertheless the Board considers that these directors 
remain functionally independent, in that they remain fully 
committed to promoting the success of the Company 
forthebenefitofshareholdersasawhole.Inlinewith

TheBoardputsalldirectorsupforre-electiononan
annualbasistoenableshareholderstoconfirmtheir
support for the directors and that, in the case of the 
non-executives, they are considered by shareholders as 
remaining functionally independent.

TheCompanydoesnothaveaSeniorIndependent
Director, but does have two independent directors (Dr 
FlicGabbayandAmandaRadford)whichwebelieveis
appropriate at this stage of the Company’s development.

TheBoardretainsfullandeffectivecontroloftheGroup.
ThisincludesresponsibilityfordeterminingtheGroup’s
strategy and for approving budgets and business plans 
tofulfilthisstrategy.ScheduledBoardmeetingstake
place monthly and the Board also meets on any other 
occasions it considers necessary. During the year ended 
31 December 2022, the Board met eleven times for 
Scheduled Board meetings and held three 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 the agenda items to be discussed. 
Additional information is provided when requested by 
the Board or individual directors. In addition, the Board 
has access to the Company’s professional advisers as 
necessary.

TheCompanySecretaryisresponsibletotheBoardfor
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.

19

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcCorporate Governance Statement
(continued)

During 2022, the committee met four times with all 
members(asthenconstituted)present.TheAudit
Committee Report is detailed on pages 27and28.

Remuneration and Nomination Committee
TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteecurrently
comprises Dr Flic Gabbay (Chair),DrBruceCampbell
and Simon Shaw. Dr Flic Gabbay became Chair of the 
committee on her appointment to the Board, Iain 
Buchananhavingpreviouslyfulfilledtherole.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 
ownperformanceandthatoftheGroupgenerally.The
committeeadministerstheLong-TermIncentivePlansand
approves grants under these schemes. It also advises on 
theremunerationpolicyfortheGroup’semployees.The
committee is responsible for all senior appointments that 
are made within the Group. 

During 2022, the committee met twice with all 
members(asthenconstituted)present.TheDirectors’
Remuneration Report is detailed on pages 22 to 26.

Scientific Advisory Board
TheCompanyestablishedaScientificAdvisoryBoard
(‘SAB’)in2016.ThepurposeoftheSABistoprovide
strategicadviceandinputonscientificaspectsof
Synairgen’s research and development projects.

TheSABcurrentlycomprisesDrPhillipMonk(Chair),Dr
Bruce Campbell, Dr Flic Gabbay and Synairgen’s three 
academic founders (Professors Sir Stephen Holgate, 
DonnaDaviesandRatkoDjukanovic).Otherexternal
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 
inhaledantiviraltreatment.Thekeychallengesin
execution are set out in the section of the Strategic Report 
entitled Principal risks and uncertainties.

Board performance

A Board evaluation process led by the Chairman last took 
place in March 2021. It is intended that an evaluation 
be carried out regularly so the Board can monitor its 
effectiveness.TheprocesscompletedinMarch2021
identifiedthattheprincipalareasfortheBoardtoaddress
were succession planning and Board diversity. It was 
agreedthatcompositionoftheBoardshouldreflectamix
of individuals with relevant knowledge, independence, 
competence, industry experience and diversity of 
perspectivestogenerateeffectivechallenge,discussion
and objective decision-making. 

In 2022, the Company appointed Dr Flic Gabbay and 
Amanda Radford as independent non-executive directors. 
TheBoardbelievesthatwiththeseappointments,it
has the necessary blend of skills, experience, personal 
qualities and capabilities, and a more diverse range of 
perspectives.TheBoardwillcontinuetoevaluateits
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 regularly.

Board committees

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

Audit Committee
TheAuditCommitteecurrentlycomprisesAmanda
Radford(Chair),BruceCampbellandSimonShaw.Amanda
became the Chair of the committee on her appointment 
totheBoard.PriortothisTheodoraHaroldfulfilledthe
role. 

Thecommitteehasprimaryresponsibilityforensuring
thatthefinancialperformanceoftheGroupisproperly
measured and reported on and is compliant with relevant 
accountingstandards.Itreviewstheinterimfinancial
informationandannualfinancialstatementsbeforethey
aresubmittedtotheBoard.Thecommitteereviews
accounting policies and material accounting judgements. 
Thecommitteealsoreviews,andreportson,reportsfrom
the Group’s auditors relating to the Group’s accounting 
controls. It makes recommendations to the Board on the 
appointmentofauditorsandtheauditfee.Thecommittee
monitorsthescope,resultsandcost-effectivenessofthe
audit. It has unrestricted access to the Group’s auditors. 

20

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Corporate culture

Internal control and risk management

Our aim is to restore lives with respiratory treatments 
which treat those most at risk. 

We articulate these values and supporting behaviours as 
follows:

 >  TogetherWePioneer:Wepioneerbybreaking

through barriers, being open and supportive and by 
accentuating the positive.

 >  TogetherWeCare:Wecareinthewayweputpatients

first,byinspiringpassioninothersandbyalwaysbeing
respectful.

 >  TogetherWeDeliver:Wedeliverbyembracing

uncertainty, by “making it happen” and by being the 
differencewewanttosee.

Thesevaluesandbehavioursareincorporatedinto
theannualperformancereviewprocess.Throughthe
companyintranetavailabletotheGroup’sstaffand
regularinternalmeetings,wearealsofocusedonfinding,
sharing and celebrating stories of these values and 
behaviours in action.

Investor relations

Thedirectorsseektobuildamutualunderstandingof
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 
directqueries.TheCompanyalsomaintainsinvestor
relationspagesonitswebsite(www.synairgen.com)to
increase the amount of information available to investors. 

ThereisanopportunityattheAnnualGeneralMeetingfor
shareholders to question the Chairman, the Chairs 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. TheCompanycountsallproxy
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. 

Thedirectorsareresponsibleforestablishingand
maintaining the Group’s system of internal control and 
reviewingitseffectiveness.Thesystemofinternalcontrol
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.

Themainfeaturesoftheinternalcontrolsystemareas
follows:

 >  A control environment exists through the close 
management of the business by the executive 
directors.TheGrouphasadefinedorganisational
structure with delineated approval limits. Controls are 
implemented and monitored by personnel with the 
necessaryqualificationsandexperience;

 > A list of matters reserved for Board approval;

 >  Monthly management reporting and analysis of 

variances;

 >  Regularfinancialreforecasts;

 >  Financialrisksforeachmajortransactionareidentified

and evaluated by the Board; and

 >  Standardfinancialcontrolsoperatetoensurethatthe
assets of the Group are safeguarded and that proper 
accounting records are maintained.

TheGroupmaintainsasummaryriskregisterwhichis
reviewed by the Board on an annual basis. Theprincipal
risks and uncertainties facing the Group, with mitigation 
strategies, are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 13 
to 15. Project risk management is continually evaluated 
by weekly project meetings and other management tools. 
ITriskiscoveredatbi-annualmeetingswithexternalIT
advisers. A Health and Safety report is reviewed by the 
Board annually.

Simon Shaw
Chairman

26 April 2023

21

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Remuneration Report

Executive remuneration currently comprises a base salary, 
anannualperformance-relatedbonus,LTIPparticipation,
a6%pensioncontributioneithertotheexecutive
director’s individual money purchase scheme or, as a 
salarysupplement(afterdeductinganamounttoreflect
employer’s NICs to ensure that the overall cost to the 
employerisnotincreased)andtypicalbenefitsincluding
family private health cover, permanent health and life 
assurance. 

Therehavebeennosalaryincreasesforexecutive
directors since the last review in August 2021 (and no 
increasesareanticipatedfor2023)andtheexecutive
director salaries, bonus and pension arrangements 
remain as follows:

Salary per 
annum 
(£000)

Maximum 
bonus as a % 
of salary

Pension  
contribution 
as a % of 
salary

Richard Marsden

Dr Phillip Monk

John Ward

310

225

225

100%

100%

100%

6%

6%

6%

Executive directors are also rewarded for improvements 
in the performance of the Group sustained over a 
periodofyearsintheformofLTIPawardsgrantedona
discretionary basis by the Committee.

Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 
2022 is set out on page 26 of this report.

(ii)  Chairman and non-executive director 

remuneration

Witheffectfrom1October2022, the fee payable to the 
Chairmanwasreducedfrom£85,000to£80,000per
annum and the fee payable to non-executive directors 
reducedfrom£45,000to£40,000.Thefeeforchairing
acommitteeremainedat£5,000.Oftheon-going
£250,000perannumaggregateremunerationpayableto
the Chairman and non-executive directors, £200,000 is 
remunerationfortheirappointedservicesand£50,000
is ascribed to special services performed beyond their 
normal duties on account of the continued increased 
frequency of Board meetings.

InSeptember2018, the Company adopted the QCA 
Corporate Governance Code which includes the 
requirement to prepare a remuneration committee 
report.Thisreportincludesandcomplieswiththe
disclosure obligations of the AIM Rules.

Remuneration Committee

TheCompany’sremunerationpolicyistheresponsibility
of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee (the 
‘Committee’).ThetermsofreferenceoftheCommittee
are outlined in the Corporate Governance Statement on 
page 20. Iain Buchanan chaired the Committee until he 
retired from the Board on 1 December 2022, whereupon 
Dr Flic Gabbay joined the Committee as Chair (who 
has previously served as a remuneration committee 
member elsewhere for more thantenyears).DrBruce
Campbell and Simon Shaw are the other members of the 
Committee. 

TheCommittee,whichisrequiredtomeetatleasttwice
a year, met twice during the year ended 31 December 
2022 and considered the pay of the executive directors 
and ensured it understood pay arrangements more 
broadlyacrosstheGroup.TheChiefExecutiveOfficerand
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 
remunerationadviser,FITRemunerationConsultantsLLP.
No other advice has been provided to the Group by this 
firmduringtheyear.

Remuneration policy

(i) Executive remuneration
TheCommitteehasadutytoestablisharemuneration
policy which will enable it to attract and retain individuals 
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.Asignificantelementofthetotal
remuneration package, in the form of bonus and Long-
TermIncentivePlan(‘LTIP’)awards,isperformancedriven.

22

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022(iii) Annual bonus plan 
TheCompanyoperatesadiscretionarybonusscheme
for executive directors for delivery of exceptional 
performance against pre-set relevant corporate 
objectives, which are subject to malus and clawback 
provisionswithinanoverallcapof100%ofsalary.No
bonuses were awarded in respect of 2022.

(iv) Equity-based incentive schemes
TheCommitteestronglybelievesthatlong-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’)

TheSynairgenLTIP,comprisingconditional(performance-
related)shareawards(technicallystructuredasnominal
cost options, pursuant to which participants must pay 1p 
pershareontheexerciseoftheirawards)isthesolelong-
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. 

GrantsundertheLTIPinanyfinancialyeararecappedata
maximumof100%ofbasesalary.

Asindicatedinlastyear’sreport,anLTIPawardwas
made in July 2022 during the six week period following 
the preliminary announcement of the results for the year 
ended 31 December 2021. As also noted in last year’s 
report,theCommitteerecognisedthesignificantfallin
share price during 2022 and therefore, consistent with 
good practice, reduced the number of shares over which 
theawardwasissuedfromthepreviouslevelof100%of
salaryto50%foreachofRichardMarsden,PhillipMonk
andJohnWard.Theperformanceconditionsforthe
awards remain in line with previous grants and are set out 
below. 

TheCommitteeintendstomakeasimilarLTIPaward(the
2023award)duringthesix-weekperiodfollowingthe
preliminary announcement of the results for the year 
ended 31 December 2022, with each of Richard Marsden, 
Phillip Monk and John Ward being granted awards over 
shares worth up to 50% of salary with vesting and 
performanceconditionssimilartothe2022LTIPaward.
Recognisingthesignificantfallinsharepricein2022,
consistent with good practice, the Committee will bear 
this in mind when determining the number of shares over 
which the 2023 award should be granted.

Executive directors are expected to retain no fewer than 
50%ofsharesacquireduponvestingofawardsunderthe
LTIP,netofsharessoldtopaytaxes,untilsuchtimeas,in
combination with any other shares the executives may 
have acquired, they hold shares with a value equivalent to 
100%ofbasesalary. 

All awards will lapse at the end of the applicable 
performance period to the extent that the applicable 
performanceconditionshavenotbeensatisfiedwithno
opportunity for retesting. In the event of a “good leaver” 
eventorachangeofcontroloftheCompany,theLTIP
awards may vest early, but only to the extent that, in the 
opinion of the Committee, the performance conditions 
havebeensatisfiedatthattime.Theawardswillgenerally
alsobesubjecttoatimepro-ratedreductiontoreflectthe
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.

Performance conditions for the 2019-2022 LTIP 
awards

Theperformanceconditionsforallfourawardswerethe
same.Theawardsaresubjecttotwoconditions.Firstly,
awards will only vest to the extent that the percentage 
increaseinthetotalshareholderreturn(‘TSR’,beingthe
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 
prevailingpriceontherelevantex-dividenddate)ofthe
Company over the three year performance period is equal 
or greater than the percentage increase in the techMARK 
Mediscience™Indexoverthesameperiodasfollows:

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

Lessthan10%

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 
growthintheTSRoftheCompanyovertheperformance
periodisequaltoorgreaterthanRPIplus2%or,formore
than75%ofanawardtovest,annualaverageTSRmust
exceedRPIbyatleast5%ratherthan2%.

23

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Remuneration Report
(continued)

Duringtheyear,the2019LTIPawardvestedinfull,having
met all the performance conditions. TheLTIPawards
made in 2020, 2021 and 2022 are currently below vesting 
performance conditions.

TSR Performance
ThelatestguidelinesfromtheQCAencourage
companiestoincludeachartshowingitsTSR
performance over the preceding 10 years relative 
to a recognised index. While the Company has 
principally focused on the techMARK Mediscience™ 
Index,itdoesnotformallypublishaTSR-based 
index, so the AIM 100 has been used below. 

Synairgen

AIM 100

(v) Service contracts and letters of appointment
Theexecutivedirectorshaveenteredintoservice
agreements which can be terminated on 12 months’ 
notice by either party in the case of Richard Marsden, and 
six months’ notice by either party in the case of Phillip 
Monk and John Ward. 

During the year ended 31 December 2022, the executive 
directors did not hold any non-executive directorships 
with other companies.

TheChairmanandnon-executivedirectorshaveentered
intolettersofappointmentforaninitialfixedperiod
of 12 months, which renew automatically for a further 
12-month period on the anniversary of commencement. 
Theappointmentcanbeterminatedonthreemonths’
notice by either party.

2
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

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

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

2
2
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

Source: Datastream (a Refinitiv Product)

24

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ interests in share options

Theinterestsofdirectorsinshareoptionsoverordinarysharesduringtheyearwereasfollows:

Synairgen Long-Term Incentive Plans

Date of grant

Richard Marsden

5April2018

4April2019

18June2020

4June2021

5July2022

Dr Phillip Monk

5April2018

4April2019

18June2020

4June2021

5July2022

John Ward

5April2018

4April2019

18June2020

4June2021

5July2022

At  
1 January 
2022 

Granted 
 during  
the year

At  
31 December 
2022

Exercise  
price

Earliest  
exercise  
date

Expiry  
date

880,903

772,167

490,817

135,626

–

–

–

–

880,903

772,167

490,817

135,626

–

534,482

534,482

636,208

557,679

354,483

97,953

–

–

–

–

636,208

557,679

354,483

97,953

–

387,931

387,931

685,147

600,575

381,749

105,487

–

–

–

–

685,147

600,575

381,749

105,487

–

387,931

387,931

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

5April2021

4April2028

4April2022

3 April 2029

18June2023

17 June 2030

4June2024

3 June 2031

5July2025

4July2032

5April2021

4April2028

4April2022

3 April 2029

18June2023

17 June 2030

4June2024

3 June 2031

5July2025

4July2032

5April2021

4April2028

4April2022

3 April 2029

18June2023

17 June 2030

4June2024

3 June 2031

5July2025

4July2032

Therewerenootheroptionsgrantedtodirectorsorwhichwereexercisedorlapsedduringtheyear.

Themid-marketpriceoftheCompany’ssharesat31December2022was13.50p.Duringtheyearthenended,the
mid-marketpricerangedfrom12.35pto209.00p.On26 April 2023 the closing price was 12.00p.

25

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcDirectors’ Remuneration Report
(continued)

Directors’ remuneration

Theremunerationreceivedbydirectorswhoservedduringtheyearsended31December2022 and 2021 was as 
follows:

Year ended 31 December 2022

Year ended 31 December 2021

Total 
(excl. 
pension)
£000

Pension 
(v)
£000

Total 
fixed 
(incl. 
pension)
£000

Total 
(excl. 
pension)
£000

Total 
fixed 
(incl. 
pension)
£000

Pension
£000

Salary/fee
£000

Benefits
£000

Notes

Executive directors

Richard Marsden

Dr Phillip Monk

John Ward

Non-executive  
directors

Simon Shaw

Iain Buchanan

Dr Bruce Campbell

Dr Felicity Gabbay

TheodoraHarold

Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate

Amanda Radford

310

225

225

84

45

44

11

38

44

4

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Total

1,030

2

2

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7

312

227

228

84

45

44

11

38

44

4

16

13

12

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

328

240

240

84

45

44

11

38

44

4

258

187

195

55

35

30

–

13

30

–

16

15

12

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

274

202

207

55

35

30

–

13

30

–

1,037

41

1,078

803

43

846

(i)

IainBuchananresignedasanon-executivedirectoron1December2022.

(ii) DrFelicityGabbaywasappointedasanon-executivedirectoron29September2022.

(iii) TheodoraHaroldwasappointedasanon-executivedirectoron30September2021andresignedon29September2022.

(iv) AmandaRadfordwasappointedasanon-executivedirectoron1December2022.

(v)

 TheCompanypermitsemployees,includingexecutivedirectors,tochangetheirpensionprovisionthroughanelectionunderaflexiblebenefits
arrangement.Thereportednumbersarebeforeanypersonalelections.

Inrespectofkeymanagementpersonnel(thethreeexecutivedirectors),fortheyearended31December2022,the
totalshare-basedpaymentamountedto£328,000(2021:£250,000)andtotalsocialsecuritycostswereacreditof
£28,000(2021:charge£212,000).The2022socialsecuritycostswereacreditonaccountofthereductionintheLTIP
Employer National Insurance accrual because of the fall in share price during 2022.

Totalsocialsecuritycostsinrespectofthenon-executivedirectorsfortheyearended31December2022were£34,000
(2021:£19,000).

On behalf of the Board

Felicity Gabbay
Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee

26 April 2023

26

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Report of the Audit Committee
for the year ended 31 December 2022

Constitution and membership

TheAuditCommittee(the‘Committee’)hasprimary
responsibilityforensuringthatthefinancialperformance
of the Group is properly measured and reported on and 
is compliant with relevant accounting standards. It was 
establishedinOctober2004anditstermsofreference
are outlined in the Corporate Governance Statement on 
page 20. 

Committee membership, meetings and 
attendance

Thetablebelowshowsthenumberofmeetingsattended
out of the number of meetings members were eligible to 
attend.

 >  26 September2022:reviewoftheinterimresultsfor
the six months to 30 June 2022; the adoption of the 
going concern basis in the preparation of the interim 
results; the research and development tax credit; and 
auditor’s independent review report.

 >  12 December2022:planningmeetingforthe2022
year-end audit, including agreement of audit scope, 
materiality, areas of audit focus and audit fees; 
planning for audit partner rotation; review of the 
company auditor’s response to the Financial Reporting 
Council’s(FRC)AuditQualityReview(AQR);areview
of new accounting and auditing standards (including 
InternationalAuditingStandard(ISA)315Revised)and
confirmationofauditorindependence.

Director

Amanda Radford  
(Chairfrom1December2022)

Simon Shaw

Bruce Campbell  
(Membersince1December2022)
Iain Buchanan  
(Memberuntil30November2022)
TheodoraHarold 
(MemberandChairuntil29September2022)

Attended/eligible  
to attend

Post31December2022,theCommitteehasmettwice:

1/1

4/4

1/1

3/3

3/3

 >  6 April2023:preliminaryreviewoftheauditor’s
findingsinrelationtothe2022year-endaudit,
review of the adoption of the going concern basis in 
thepreparationofthefinancialstatementsforthe
2022 year-end; update on the valuation of Synairgen 
plc’s investment in Synairgen Research Limited; the 
accounting for clinical trial costs and the research and 
development tax credit; and review of internal controls 
and assessment of requirement for internal audit. 

TheCommitteememberscollectivelyhaveawiderange
offinancial,auditandrelevantsectorandbusiness
experience that enables the Committee to provide 
constructive challenge and support to management. 
Amanda Radford and Simon Shaw are considered to have 
recentandrelevantfinancialexperience.

Matters covered by the Committee

TheCommittee,whichisrequiredtomeetatleasttwicea
year, met four times during the year ended 31 December 
2022,andcoveredthefollowingmatters:

 >  17 January2022:planningmeetingforthe2021

year-end audit, including agreement of audit scope, 
materiality, areas of audit focus, audit fees and 
consideration of auditor independence.

 >  19 May2022:auditcompletionmeetingforthe2021
year-endauditincludingreviewsof:thesupportfor
Synairgen plc’s investment in Synairgen Research 
Limited;thefinancialforecasttosupporttheGroup’s
ability to adopt the going concern basis in the 
preparationofthe2021year-endfinancialstatements;
the accounting for clinical trial costs; the research and 
development tax credit; the auditor’s report on the 
audit; and the annual report.

 >  25April 2023 for the audit completion meeting for the 
2022year-endauditincludingreviewsof:theforecasts
and assumptions used to derive the impairment loss 
in relation to Synairgen plc’s investment in Synairgen 
ResearchLimited;theauditor’sfinalreportonthe
audit; and the annual report.

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

Significant accounting judgements

Impairment review of Synairgen plc’s investment in 
Synairgen Research Limited

TheCommitteeconsideredmanagement’sassessment
of the valuation of Synairgen Research Limited (‘SRL’)as
at 31 December 2022 given the fall in the share price of 
Synairgen plc following the announcement of the results 
ofSynairgenResearchLimited’sPhase3SPRINTERstudy
on 21 February 2022 was a trigger for an impairment 
review. 

27

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcReport of the Audit Committee
(continued)

Auditor independence

All non-audit engagements performed by the external 
auditor are approved by the Committee in accordance 
with the Company’s policy as disclosed in Corporate 
Governance Principle number 9 on the Group’s website. 

TheCompanywascompliantwiththepolicythroughout
2022. Non-audit fees incurred during 2022 totalled 
£16,000, which relates to the review of the interim results 
for the six months to 30 June 2022.

Internal audit function

TheGroupdoesnothaveaninternalauditfunction,but
the Committee considers that this is appropriate, given 
thesizeandrelativelackofcomplexityoftheGroupat
thisstageinitsdevelopment.TheCommitteekeepsthis
matter under review annually. 

On behalf of the Board

Amanda Radford
Chair of the Audit Committee

26 April 2023

Thevaluation of SRL includescertainsignificant 
judgments, including the likelihood of successful product 
approval, the costs of reaching approval, revenue 
forecasts, the estimated useful life of a therapeutic 
product following commercialisation and the subsequent 
commercialprofitability of the product once approved, 
together with the pre-tax discount rates applied to the 
risk-adjustedfuturecashflows.

TheCommitteechallengedmanagementonthe
inputs into the valuation model and discussed the 
appropriateness of management’s assumptions and 
outcome of the impairment review with the Group’s 
auditor. 

Following discussion, the Committee agreed with 
management’s impairment calculations which resulted in 
an impairment loss of £66.2 million and the associated 
disclosures in the 2022 annual report.

Going concern statement

TheCommitteeconsideredmanagement’sassessment
of the Group’s available funding and forecast cash 
requirements for the going concern period to 30 June 
2024.GiventhestageofdevelopmentoftheGroup and 
lack of recurring revenues, the Committee challenged 
management on the appropriateness of the assumptions 
inthecashflowprojectionsinrelationtotheGroup’s 
plans to design and establish data from a focused series 
of observational studies and investigator-led/Synairgen-
sponsored Phase 2 clinical trials. Noting that the 
outcome of future plans in relation to trials is uncertain, 
the Committee reviewed management’s forecast of 
committedcostsandwhethertherewassufficientcash
available to cover such expenditure for the duration of the 
going concern period.

TheCommitteediscussedtheassumptionsand
conclusions of the going concern review with the Group’s 
auditor. 

TheCommitteeagreedwithmanagement’sadoptionof
the going concern basis in the preparation of the annual 
accounts and approved and recommended the draft 
Going Concern statement to the Board.

28

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Directors’ Report

Thedirectorspresenttheirreportandtheaudited
financialstatementsforSynairgenplc(the‘Company’)and
itssubsidiaries(togetherthe‘Group’)fortheyearended
31 December 2022. 

Treasury policy and financial risk management

TheGroup’streasuryandfinancialriskmanagement
policiesaresetoutinnote16tothefinancialstatements
on pages 55 and 56.

Dividends

Thedirectorsdonotproposethepaymentofadividend.

Substantial shareholdings

As at 26 April 2023, the Company had been advised of the 
followingshareholderwithaninterestof3%ormoreinits
ordinarysharecapital:

Number of  
ordinary shares

% of  
share capital

56,696,000

28.2%

Name of shareholder

TFGAsset 
Management UK LLP

Directors

ThedirectorsoftheCompanyduringtheyearended31
December2022were:

Executive directors:
RichardMarsden(ChiefExecutiveOfficer)
DrPhillipMonk(ChiefScientificOfficer)
JohnWard(ChiefFinancialOfficer)

Non-executive directors:
SimonShaw(Chairman)
IainBuchanan(resigned1December2022)
Dr Bruce Campbell
DrFelicityGabbay(appointed29September2022)
TheodoraHarold(resigned29September2022)
Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE
AmandaRadford(appointed1December2022)

Thereviewoffuturedevelopmentsiscoveredinthe
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 2022, the Group has 
invested£14,936,000(2021:£52,857,000)inresearchand
development activities and a review of this expenditure is 
included in the Strategic Report. 

Going concern

Thedirectorshavepreparedfinancialforecaststo
estimate the likely cash requirements of the Group over 
theperiodto30June2024,givenitsstageofdevelopment
andlackofrecurringrevenues.Inpreparingthesefinancial
forecasts, the directors have made certain assumptions 
with regards to the timing and amount of future 
expenditureoverwhichtheyhavecontrol.Thedirectors
have taken a prudent view in preparing these forecasts.

TheGroup’savailableresourcesaresufficienttocover
the Group’s plans to design and establish data from a 
focused series of observational studies and investigator-
led/Synairgen-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trials, including 
manufacture of additional active and placebo for use 
in these trials (details of these plans can be found in 
theStrategicReport). Regardless of the outcome of 
these plans, which are uncertain, the Group’s available 
resourcesaresufficienttocoverexistingcommittedcosts
and the costs of these planned activities until at least 30 
June2024.

In addition, the directors have considered the sensitivity 
ofthefinancial forecasts to changes in key assumptions, 
including, among others, potential cost overruns within 
anticipated spend and changes in exchange rates.

After due consideration of these forecasts and current 
cash resources, including the sensitivity of key inputs, 
the directors consider that the Group has adequate 
financialresourcestocontinueinoperationalexistence
for the foreseeable future (being a period of at least 12 
monthsfromthedateofthisreport)and,forthisreason,
thefinancialstatementshavebeenpreparedonagoing
concern basis.

29

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(continued)

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares

Auditors

Thedirectors,whoheldofficeat31December2022,
had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the 
Company:

At  
31 December 2022

At  
1 January 2022

Number of shares Number of shares

995,771

423,934

734,092

995,771

423,934

734,092

1,531,239

1,531,239

RichardMarsden(i)

Dr Phillip Monk

John Ward

SimonShaw(ii)

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 
areawareofthatinformation.Thedirectorsarenotaware
of any relevant audit information of which the auditors are 
unaware.

By order of the Board

DrBruceCampbell(iii),(vii)

331,554

331,554

DrFelicityGabbay(iv)

–

–

Simon Holden
Company Secretary

Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate 
(v),(vii)

911,876

911,876

26 April 2023

AmandaRadford(vi)

–

–

(i)

(ii)

 RichardMarsden’sshareholdingincludes184,821sharesheldinhis
pension plan.

 SimonShaw’sshareholdingincludes105,516sharesheldinhis
pension plan.

(iii)  DrBruceCampbell’sshareholdingincludes41,388sharesownedby

his wife, Susan Campbell.

(iv)  Dr Felicity Gabbay had no shareholding in the Company at her date of 

appointment(29September2022).

(v)

 Prof.SirStephenHolgate’sshareholdingincludes2,950sharesowned
byhiswife,ElizabethHolgate.

(vi)  Amanda Radford had no shareholding in the Company at her date of 

appointment(1December2022).

(vii)  Dr. Bruce Campbell’s and Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate’s shareholdings 

at 1 January 2022 have been re-stated to include their respective 
subscriptionstothe2020OpenOfferof8,724shares(inclusiveof
1,089sharesbyMrsCampbell)and24,945shares(inclusiveof1,027
sharesbyMrsHolgate)whichwereomittedinerrorfromprevious
disclosures of shares held.

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance

Qualifying indemnity insurance cover has been arranged 
in respect of the personal liabilities which may be incurred 
bydirectorsandofficersoftheGroupduringthecourse
oftheirservicewiththeGroup.Thisinsurancehasbeenin
place during the year and to the date of this report.

30

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the 
Annual Report and the Financial Statements 

Website Publication

Thedirectorsareresponsibleforensuringtheannual
reportandfinancialstatementsaremadeavailable
on a website. Financial statements are published on 
the Group’s website in accordance with legislation in 
the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
disseminationoffinancialstatements,whichmayvary
fromlegislationinotherjurisdictions.Themaintenance
and integrity of the Group’s website is the responsibility of 
thedirectors.Thedirectors’ responsibility also extends to 
theongoingintegrityofthefinancialstatementscontained
therein. 

By order of the Board

Simon Holden
Company Secretary

26 April 2023 

ThedirectorsareresponsibleforpreparingtheAnnual
Reportandthefinancialstatementsinaccordancewith
applicable law and regulations. 

Companylawrequiresthedirectorstopreparefinancial
statementsforeachfinancialyear.Underthatlawthe
directorshaveelectedtopreparetheGroupfinancial
statements in accordance with UK-adopted international 
accountingstandardsandtheCompanyfinancial
statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standardsandapplicablelaw).Undercompanylawthe
directorsmustnotapprovethefinancialstatements
unlesstheyaresatisfiedthattheygiveatrueandfair
viewofthestateofaffairsoftheGroupandCompany
andoftheprofitorlossoftheGroupforthatperiod.The
directorsarealsorequiredtopreparefinancialstatements
in accordance with the rules of the London Stock 
Exchange for companies trading securities on AIM.

Inpreparingthesefinancialstatements,thedirectorsare
required to:

 >  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently;

 >  Make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

 >  StatewhethertheGroupfinancialstatementshave
been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted 
international accounting standards and the Company 
financialstatementsinaccordancewithUnited
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice 
(United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable 
law),subjecttoanymaterialdeparturesdisclosedand
explainedinthefinancialstatements;and

 >  Preparethefinancialstatementsonthegoingconcern
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business.

Thedirectorsareresponsibleforkeepingadequate
accountingrecordsthataresufficienttoshowandexplain
the Group’s and Company’s transactions and disclose 
withreasonableaccuracyatanytimethefinancialposition
of the Group and the Company and enable them to 
ensurethatthefinancialstatementscomplywiththe
requirementsoftheCompaniesAct2006.Theyarealso
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.

31

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcIndependent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc

Opinion on the financial statements

Inouropinion:

 > 1.

thefinancialstatementsgiveatrueandfairview
of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent 
Company’saffairsasat31December2022andof
the Group’s loss for the year then ended;

 > 2.

theGroupfinancialstatementshavebeen
properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted 
international accounting standards;

 >  3.  theParentCompanyfinancialstatementshave

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

 > 4. thefinancialstatementshavebeenprepared

in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006.

WehaveauditedthefinancialstatementsofSynairgen
plc(the‘ParentCompany’)anditssubsidiaries(the
‘Group’)fortheyearended31December2022which
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 
ofChangesinEquityandnotestothefinancialstatements,
includingasummaryofsignificantaccountingpolicies.
Thefinancialreportingframeworkthathasbeenapplied
inthepreparationoftheGroupfinancialstatementsis
applicable law and UK adopted international accounting 
standards.Thefinancialreportingframeworkthathas
been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company 
financialstatementsisapplicablelawandUnitedKingdom
Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting 
Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (United 
KingdomGenerallyAcceptedAccountingPractice).

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
StandardsonAuditing(UK)(ISAs(UK))andapplicablelaw.
Our responsibilities under those standards are further 
described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
thefinancialstatementssectionofourreport.Webelieve
thattheauditevidencewehaveobtainedissufficientand
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

32

Independence
We remain independent of the Group and the Parent 
Company in accordance with the ethical requirements 
thatarerelevanttoourauditofthefinancialstatements
in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied 
tolistedentities,andwehavefulfilledourotherethical
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 

Conclusions relating to going concern

Inauditingthefinancialstatements,wehaveconcluded
that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 
accountinginthepreparationofthefinancialstatements
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 
accountingincluded:

 >  We considered 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, 
consistentwitheachother.Theassumptionswere
assessed against the Group’s development plans and 
committed expenditure. 

 >  We obtained an understanding of the Directors’ plans 
for future actions in relation to the going concern 
assessment and considered whether such plans are 
feasible in the circumstances. 

 >  We reviewed the Directors’ sensitivity analysis of the 
forecasts to the extent of reasonable worst-case 
scenarios, solely in relation to their estimates of 
plannedoperationalcostswhicharenotfixed.

 >  We assessed the adequacy and appropriateness of 
disclosuresinthefinancialstatementsregardingthe
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 
oftheGroup’sfinancialperformance,forecastingand
budgeting processes and the Group’s risk assessment 
process.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not 
identifiedanymaterialuncertaintiesrelatingtoevents
or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast 
significantdoubtontheGroup’sandParentCompany’s
ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 
twelvemonthsfromwhenthefinancialstatementsare
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. 

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Overview

Coverage

100%(2021:100%)ofGrouplossbeforetax

100%(2021:100%)ofGrouptotalassets

Key audit matters

2022 

2021

Clinical trial and manufacturing cost accounting* 

Assessment of carrying value of investments in 
subsidiaries(parentcompany)

x 

✓ 

✓

x

* Theclinicaltrialwassubstantiallycompletedinfinancialyear2021andthereforedoesnotrepresenta

keyauditmatterincurrentfinancialyear.

Materiality

Groupfinancialstatementsasawhole

£800,000(2021:£2,300,000)basedon4%(2021:4%)oflossbeforetax

An overview of the scope of our audit

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 
financialstatements.Wealsoaddressedtheriskof
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.

TheGroup’soperationsarebasedsolelyinSouthampton,
United Kingdom. 

Synairgen plc and Synairgen Research Limited were 
consideredsignificantcomponentsandweresubjectto
full-scopeauditsbythegroupauditteam.Theremaining
subsidiarieswereconsideredtobenon-significantbased
ontheirsizeandrisk.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our 
professionaljudgement,wereofmostsignificanceinour
auditofthefinancialstatementsofthecurrentperiod
andincludethemostsignificantassessedrisksofmaterial
misstatement(whetherornotduetofraud)thatwe
identified,includingthosewhichhadthegreatesteffect
on:theoverallauditstrategy,theallocationofresources
intheaudit,anddirectingtheeffortsoftheengagement
team.Thesematterswereaddressedinthecontextof
ourauditofthefinancialstatementsasawhole,andin
forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. 

33

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plc 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc
(continued)

Key audit matter 

Assessment of 
carrying value 
of investments 
in subsidiaries 
(parent 
company)

Refer to the 
accounting policies 
(page 63)and
Note4ofthe
Company Financial 
Statements (pages 
66 and 67)

Cost of investment 
£106.4million
(2021:£92.3
million)

Impairment 
provision £66.2 
million:(2021:£Nil)

Net carrying value 
£40.2million
(2021:£92.3
million)

TheParentCompanyis
a holding company. Its 
main investment is into a 
biopharmaceutical company 
focused on the development 
andcommercializationofa
broad-spectrum inhaled antiviral 
for the treatment and prevention 
of severe viral lung infections in 
high risk patient groups.

Theimpairmentassessment
of the carrying value of the 
investment in subsidiary, 
Synairgen Research Limited, 
requiressignificantjudgement
to determine an appropriate 
recoverable amount. Judgement 
is required, as the recoverable 
amount is determined by taking 
intoaccountfuturecashflows
in relation to the development 
andcommercializationactivities
ofthesubsidiary.Thereisarisk
that the investment may be 
impaired below its carrying value 
and not properly accounted for.

For these reasons we considered 
the carrying value of the 
investment in subsidiary and the 
related disclosures to be a key 
audit matter.

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit 
matter

Ourauditproceduresincluded:

• 

• 

• 

•

• 

• 

 We obtained management’s analysis of the recoverable 
amount for the subsidiary and tested whether the 
calculation of the recoverable amount was appropriate.

 With the assistance of our internal valuation experts, 
we tested the arithmetic accuracy and integrity of 
the models used in the valuation by sample-checking 
formulae, assessed the reasonableness of the discount 
rates and reviewed the methodology applied versus our 
expectations.

 For the valuation model’s key commercial assumptions, 
such as probability of successful development, market 
for therapeutic treatment, expected sales price and 
operating margin, we assessed the reasonability by 
agreeing management’s key assumptions to their 
supporting evidence such as market research studies, 
pricing and benchmarking analysis; we challenged 
whether the supporting analysis is appropriate against 
available market data and industry benchmarks.

Forthevaluationmodel’scashflowsupto
commercialisation, we assessed and challenged 
management’scashflowassumptionsregardingfuture
development costs necessary to be incurred for the 
drug candidate to reach a point of commercialisation 
against available third party benchmark as well as costs 
previously incurred.

 We assessed whether management’s approach for 
assessing impairment of its investments was appropriate, 
and if the assessment complied with the applicable 
accounting standards.

 We assessed whether the disclosure in the Parent 
Companyfinancialstatementsmetwiththerequirements
ofthefinancialreportingframeworkandwasconsistent
with management’s assessment.

Key observations
Based on the procedures performed, we consider that the 
assumptions made by management in their impairment 
assessment and the related disclosures are reasonable.

34

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Our application of materiality

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning 
andperformingouraudit,andinevaluatingtheeffect
of misstatements. We consider materiality to be the 
magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, 
couldinfluencetheeconomicdecisionsofreasonable
usersthataretakenonthebasisofthefinancial
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 
natureofidentifiedmisstatements,andtheparticular
circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their 
effectonthefinancialstatementsasawhole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined 
materialityforthefinancialstatementsasawholeand
performance materiality as follows:

Materiality

Group financial statements

Parent Company financial statements

2022
£000

800

2021
£000

2,300

2022
£000

720

2021
£000

1,420

Basis for determining materiality

4%(2021:4%)oflossbeforetax

Rationale for the benchmark applied

Loss before tax is considered to be 
one of the principal considerations for 
theusersofthefinancialstatementsin
assessingthefinancialperformanceof
the Group.

90%ofGroup
materiality 

62%ofGroup 
materiality

Cappedat90%(2021:62%)ofGroup
materiality given the assessment of the 
components aggregation risk.

Performance materiality

600

1,725

540

1,065

Basis and rationale for determining 
performance materiality

75%ofGroupmaterialityconsidering
a number of factors including the 
expected total value of known and 
likely misstatements (based on past 
experienceandotherfactors)and
management’s attitude towards 
proposed adjustments.

75%ofParentCompanymateriality
considering a number of factors 
including the expected total value of 
known and likely misstatements (based 
onpastexperienceandotherfactors)
and management’s attitude towards 
proposed adjustments.

Component materiality
For the purposes of our Group audit opinion, we set 
materialityfortheremainingsignificantcomponentofthe
Group – being the trading subsidiary Synairgen Research 
Limited, apart from the Parent Company whose materiality 
issetoutabove.Thematerialityforthiscomponent
wassetat£790,000(2021:£2,000,000),basedona
percentageof3.9%oflossbeforetax(2021:90%ofGroup
materiality).Intheauditofthiscomponent,wefurther
appliedperformancematerialitylevelsof75%(2021:75%)
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 
reporttothemallindividualauditdifferencesinexcess
of£24,000(2021:£46,000).Wealsoagreedtoreport
differencesbelowthisthresholdthat,inourview,
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Other information
Thedirectorsareresponsiblefortheotherinformation.
Theotherinformationcomprisestheinformationincluded
in the Annual Report and Accounts other than the 
financialstatementsandourauditor’sreportthereon.
Ouropiniononthefinancialstatementsdoesnotcover
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 
withthefinancialstatementsorourknowledgeobtained
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 
toamaterialmisstatementinthefinancialstatements
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.

35

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcIndependent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc
(continued)

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting

Based on the responsibilities described below and our work performed during the course of the audit, we are required 
bytheCompaniesAct2006andISAs(UK)toreportoncertainopinionsandmattersasdescribedbelow.

Strategic report and 
Directors’ report 

Inouropinion,basedontheworkundertakeninthecourseoftheaudit:

Matters on which we are 
required to report by 
exception

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

financialyearforwhichthefinancialstatementsarepreparedisconsistentwith
thefinancialstatements;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 
identifiedmaterialmisstatementsinthestrategicreportortheDirectors’report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 
theCompaniesAct2006requiresustoreporttoyouif,inouropinion:

 >  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

 > theParentCompanyfinancialstatementsisnotinagreementwiththe

accounting records and returns; or

 > certaindisclosuresofDirectors’remunerationspecifiedbylawarenotmade;

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 
preparationofthefinancialstatementsandforbeing
satisfiedthattheygiveatrueandfairview,andforsuch
internal control as the Directors determine is necessary 
toenablethepreparationoffinancialstatementsthatare
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error.

Inpreparingthefinancialstatements,theDirectorsare
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 
whetherthefinancialstatementsasawholearefreefrom
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, 
and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 

36

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is 
not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance 
withISAs(UK)willalwaysdetectamaterialmisstatement
when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate,theycouldreasonablybeexpectedtoinfluence
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of 
thesefinancialstatements.

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 
ofirregularities,includingfraud.Theextenttowhich
our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, 
includingfraudisdetailedbelow:

Non-compliance with laws and regulations
Basedon:

 >  Our understanding of the Group and the industry in 

which it operates;

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022 >  Discussion with management, those charged with 

governance and the Audit Committee; and

 >  Obtaining an understanding of the Group’s policies 
and procedures regarding compliance with laws and 
regulations,

weconsideredthesignificantlawsandregulationsto
be the Companies Act 2006, the applicable accounting 
standards,IncometaxandVATlegislation,Employment
Taxes,HealthSafetyregulations,theBriberyAct2010,Aim
ListingrulesandtheDataProtectionAct2018.

Ourproceduresinrespectoftheaboveincluded:

 >  Examination of minutes of meetings of those charged 
with governance for any instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations;

 >  Examination of correspondence with regulatory and 
tax authorities for any instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations;

 > Reviewoffinancialstatementdisclosuresandagreeing

to supporting documentation; 

 >  Involvement of tax specialists in the audit to assess 

compliance with relevant tax legislation; and

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

Fraud
Weassessedthesusceptibilityofthefinancialstatements
to material misstatement, including fraud. Our risk 
assessmentproceduresincluded:

 >  Enquiry with management and those charged with 
governance regarding any known or suspected 
instances of fraud;

 >   Obtaining an understanding of the Group’s policies 

andproceduresrelatingto:

–   Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud; and  

–   Internal controls established to mitigate risks related 

to fraud.  

 >  Examination of minutes of meeting of those charged 

with governance for any known or suspected instances 
of fraud;

 >  Discussion amongst the engagement team as to 
howandwherefraudmightoccurinthefinancial
statements;

 >  Performing analytical procedures to identify any 

unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate 
risks of material misstatement due to fraud; and

 >  Considering remuneration incentive schemes and 
performancetargetsandtherelatedfinancial
statement areas impacted by these.

Based on our risk assessment, we considered the areas 
mostsusceptibletofraudtobesignificantaccounting
estimates and inappropriate journal entries (management 
overrideofcontrols).

Ourproceduresinrespectoftheaboveincluded:

 > Testingasampleofjournalentriesthroughoutthe

year,whichmetadefinedriskcriteria,byagreeingto
supporting documentation;

 >  Involvement of forensic specialists in the audit as part 
of the planning risk assessment procedures; and

 > Assessingsignificantestimatesmadebymanagement
for bias, including investment valuations (as set out 
inthekeyauditmatterssectionofthereport),R&D
tax credits, valuation of share based payments, and 
estimatesinthecashflowforecast.

Wealsocommunicatedrelevantidentifiedlawsand
regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement 
team members who were all deemed to have appropriate 
competence and capabilities 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 
ofmaterialmisstatementinthefinancialstatements,
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, 
misrepresentationsorthroughcollusion.Thereare
inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed 
and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulationsisfromtheeventsandtransactionsreflected
inthefinancialstatements,thelesslikelyweareto
become aware of it. 

A further description of our responsibilities is available on 
theFinancialReportingCouncil’swebsiteat:www.frc.org.
uk/auditorsresponsibilities. Thisdescriptionformspartof
our auditor’s report. 

37

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plc 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of 
Synairgen plc
(continued)

Use of our report

ThisreportismadesolelytotheParentCompany’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.Tothefullestextentpermittedbylaw,wedonot
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(SeniorStatutoryAuditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor
Reading
United Kingdom

26 April 2023

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in 
EnglandandWales(withregisterednumberOC305127).

38

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 14Black Line Level: 9Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2022

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 2022
£000

Year ended
31 December 2021
£000

Notes

(14,936)

(5,364)

(20,300)

207

–

(20,093)

2,448

(52,857)

(5,009)

(57,866)

11

(2)

(57,857)

9,194

(17,645)

(48,663)

(8.76)p

(24.28)p

6

6

7

8

39

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcConsolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2022

At 1 January 2021

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with equity holders of the Group

Issue of ordinary shares

Recognition of share-based payments

Share
capital
£000
18a

1,999

–

14

–

14

Share 
premium
£000
18b

125,245

Merger
reserve
£000
18c

483

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained
deficit
£000
18d

(42,586)

(48,663)

–

508

508

Total
£000

85,141

(48,663)

14

508

522

At 31 December 2021

2,013

125,245

483

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with equity holders of the Group

Issue of ordinary shares

Recognition of share-based payments

–

1

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(90,741)

(17,645)

37,000

(17,645)

–

919

919

1

919

920

At 31 December 2022

2,014

125,245

483

(107,467)

20,275

40

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2022

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Current assets

Current tax receivable

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets – bank deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

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 2022
£000

31 December 2021
£000

9

10

7

12

13

14

15

17

17

18

18

44

86

130

2,415

1,308

3,750

15,926

23,399

23,529

(3,254)

(3,254)

20,275

2,014

125,245

483

 (107,467)

20,275

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

The financial statements on pages 39 to 60 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 
26 April 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Richard Marsden
Chief Executive Officer

John Ward
Chief Financial Officer

41

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcConsolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2022

Year
ended
31 December 2022
£000

Year
ended
31 December 2021
£000

Notes

(20,093)

(57,857)

(207)

–

–

93

–

9

919

(19,279)

–

289

(4,384)

(23,374)

9,088

(14,286)

140

–

(6)

(3,750)

(3,616)

1

–

–

1

(17,901)

33,827

15,926

(11)

2

(4)

92

94

9

508

(57,167)

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

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

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital

Decrease in inventories

Decrease in trade and other receivables

(Decrease)/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

Increase in other financial assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares

Principal paid on lease liabilities

Interest paid on lease liabilities

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

14

42

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022

1. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with UK-adopted international accounting 
standards. 

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

New standards, interpretations and 
amendments adopted from 1 January 2022 

With effect from 1 January 2022, 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 2022:

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

 >  Amendments to IAS 16 – Property, Plant and 
Equipment: Proceeds before intended use

 >  Amendments to IAS 37 – Onerous Contracts – Cost of 

Fulfilling a Contract

 >  Amendments to IFRS 3 – References to Conceptual 

Framework

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 Group had not yet applied the following 
new and revised accounting standards, amendments and 
interpretations that have been issued by the IASB but that 
are not yet effective for and in some cases had not yet 
been adopted by the UK Endorsement Board (UKEB):

Effective 1 January 2023 – adopted by UKEB

 >  IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts (including the June 2020 

and December 2021 Amendments to IFRS 17)

 >  Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 – 

Disclosure of Accounting Policies

 >  Amendments to IAS 8 – Definition of Accounting 

Estimates

 >  Amendments to IAS 12 – Deferred Tax Related to 

Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

Effective 1 January 2024 – not yet adopted by UKEB 

 >  Amendments to IFRS 16 – Lease Liability in a Sale and 

Leaseback

 >  Amendments to IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as 

Current or Non-current 

The Group does not expect the adoption of these IFRS 
amendments would have had a material impact on the 
Group in the current period or will have a material impact 
on 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 2024, 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. 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 design and establish data from a 
focused series of observational studies and investigator-
led/Synairgen-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trials, including 
manufacture of additional active and placebo for use 
in these trials (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 2024.

In addition, the directors have considered the sensitivity 
of the financial forecasts to changes in key assumptions, 
including, among others, potential cost overruns within 
anticipated spend and changes in exchange rates.

After due consideration of these forecasts and current 
cash resources, including the sensitivity of key inputs, 
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.

43

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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 67) 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”.

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.

44

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 National 
Insurance contribution liabilities (‘net settlement’), the 
payment to meet such tax and National Insurance 
contribution 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

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.

Inventories

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.

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

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

The Group’s financial assets measured at amortised 
cost principally comprise other financial assets and cash 
and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of 
financial position. Other financial assets are fixed-term, 
liquid investments with maturities of over three months 
at inception. 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. These financial assets 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.

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.

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.

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.

Leases

Taxation

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 a termination 
option being exercised.

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 in the year to which they relate and are 
reflected in the tax line of the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income.

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.

45

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

1. Accounting policies (continued)

3.  Segmental analysis

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).

The Group operates in one area of activity, namely drug 
discovery and development. All assets of the Group are 
located within the United Kingdom.

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.

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, which amounts to £2,448,000 (2021: 
£9,194,000), 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.

46

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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 IFRS 16 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

2022
£000

93

–

9

75

93

2022
£000

56

38

16

–

–

–

110

2021
£000

92

94

9

31

39

2021
£000

40

26

8

65

187

6

332

47

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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

2022

2021

19

11

30

2022
£000

2,649

151

309

3,109

–

919

4,028

15

9

24

2021
£000

1,725

413

196

2,334

18

508

2,860

Note

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

Note
(i) 

 Social security costs credit for 2022 comprises (a) a credit in respect of the Employer National Insurance accrual 
for LTIPs of £206,000 on account of the fall in share price year on year (2021: charge £186,000); and (b) a charge in 
respect of wages, salaries and other benefits of £357,000 (2021: charge £227,000). 

(ii)  This includes cash payments in lieu of pension plan contributions.

(iii)  For the purpose of presentation in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, remuneration costs 
of £2,156,000 (2021: £1,458,000) are included in research and development expenditure and £1,872,000 (2021: 
£1,402,000) 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. The following costs were incurred in respect of key management personnel (i.e. the three 
executive directors):

Salaries

Benefits

Pension costs – defined contribution plans

Share-based payment 

(i)  This includes payments in lieu of pension plan contributions.

The total gain on excercise of share options was £nil (2021: £1,984,000).

Emoluments of highest paid director
Emoluments for the highest paid director were £328,000 (2021: £274,000).

Note

(i)

2022
£000

749

7

53

328

2021
£000

621

7

53

250

Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
on page 26.

48

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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

2022
£000

(2,415)

(33)

(2,448)

2021
£000

(9,055)

(139)

(9,194)

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% (2021: 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:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Enhanced research and development relief

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

R&D expenditure credits

Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC)

Movement in unrecognised deferred tax

Adjustment in respect of previous years

Total tax credit for the current year

2022
£000

2021
£000

(20,093)

(57,857)

(3,818)

(10,993)

176

(1,758)

737

10

(41)

2,279

(33)

(2,448)

97

(6,707)

2,810

-

-

5,738

(139)

(9,194)

The UK Budget Announcement on 15 March 2023 stated an intended overhaul of the UK R&D regime. This includes 
a decrease in the additional deduction for SMEs’ qualifying expenditure from 130% to 86% and a decrease for loss-
making SMEs in the research and development tax credit from 14.5% to 10% unless the claimant is a qualifying R&D 
intensive SME. This will have a consequential effect on the Group’s future tax credits.

Deferred taxation

Changes in tax rates and factors affecting the future tax charge 
An increase in the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% (effective 1 April 2023) was substantively enacted on 24 May 
2021. This will increase the Group’s future current tax charge accordingly. The deferred tax at 31 December 2022 has 
been calculated at 25%.

49

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

7. Taxation (continued)

Recognised deferred taxation

Accelerated capital allowances

Other temporary differences

Trading losses

Charge for the year

2022
£000

21

(6)

(15)

–

2021
£000

43

(43)

–

–

Unrecognised deferred taxation
At 31 December 2022 the Group has trading losses carried forward which are available for offset against future profits 
of the Group amounting to £66,005,000 (2021: £54,490,000) and non-trading losses of £3,908,000 (2021: £3,456,000). 
At 31 December 2022 the Group has an unrecognised deferred tax asset in respect of these losses of £17,478,000 
(2021: £14,486,000). 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 
£1,062,000 (2021: £13,078,000) and a deferred tax asset of £266,000 (2021: £3,270,000) 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

2022
£000

(17,756)

–

12

2021
£000

(6,844)

(2,161)

(8,751)

Unrecognised deferred tax asset at the end of the year 

(17,744)

(17,756)

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) 

2022

(17,645)

201,360

(8.76)

2021

(48,663)

200,442

(24.28)

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. 

50

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

9.  Intangible assets 

Cost

At 1 January 2021

Additions

At 31 December 2021 and 2022

Amortisation

At 1 January 2021

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2021

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2022

Net book amount

At 31 December 2022

At 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2021

Patent costs
£000

249

18

267

205

9

214

9

223

44

53

44

At 31 December 2022 £44,000 (31 December 2021: £53,000) of the net book amount relates to interferon beta patent 
costs. 

51

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

10.  Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2021

Additions 

At 31 December 2021

Additions 

At 31 December 2022

Depreciation

At 1 January 2021

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2021

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2022

Net book value

At 31 December 2022

At 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2021

11.  Leases

Computer 
equipment
£000

Laboratory and 
clinical equipment
£000

59

15

74

4

78

47

9

56

10

66

12

18

12

554

–

554

2

556

316

83

399

83

482

74

155

238

Total
£000

613

15

628

6

634

363

92

455

93

548

86

173

250

During the comparative year ended 31 December 2021, the Group had one lease with its landlord, the University of 
Southampton, which provided 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

47

(47)

–

Plant and 
machinery
£000

47

(47)

–

Total
£000

 94

(94)

–

Right-of-use assets

At 1 January 2021

Depreciation

At 31 December 2021

52

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

Lease liabilities

At 1 January 2021

Interest expense related to lease liabilities

Lease adjustment

Lease payments

At 31 December 2021

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. Trade and other receivables

Amounts receivable within one year:

Other tax and social security

Prepayments and interest receivable

Other debtors

Land and 
buildings
£000

Plant and 
machinery
£000

64

1

(2)

(63)

–

64

1

(2)

(63)

–

2022
£000

–

–

–

168

168

–

168

2022
£000

231

1,073

4

1,308

Total
£000

128

2

(4)

(126)

–

2021
£000

47

47

(4)

70

160

2

162

2021
£000

556

974

–

1,530

53

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

13. Other financial assets – bank deposits

Amounts receivable within one year

Sterling fixed rate deposits of greater than three months’ maturity at inception

14. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Sterling fixed rate deposits of three months’ or less maturity at inception

Note

 (i)

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

15. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Social security and other taxes

Accrued expenses

2022
£000

3,750

2022
£000

11,176

4,750

15,926

2022
£000

548

206

2,500

3,254

2021
£000

–

2021
£000

33,827

–

33,827

2021
£000

4,157

410

3,071

7,638

54

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

16. Financial instruments

Financial assets

Amortised cost

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets – bank deposits (less than one year)

Cash and cash equivalents (less than one year)

Total 

Financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Trade and other payables (less than one year)

Total

2022
Book and fair value
£000

2021
Book and fair value
£000

Notes

(i)

(ii)

71

3,750

15,926

19,747

–

–

33,827

33,827

3,048

3,048

7,228

7,228

(i) 

 Trade and other receivables shown above excludes prepayments and other taxes, which are not a contractual right 
to receive cash, amounting to £1,237,000 (2021: £1,530,000).

(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 £206,000 (2021: £410,000).

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

Floating rate 
£000

Fixed rate 
£000

11

–

2022
Total
£000

11

11,147

8,500

19,647

18

–

18

11,176

8,500

19,676

Floating rate 
£000

Fixed rate 
£000

816

30,020

2,991

33,827

–

–

–

–

2021
Total 
£000

816

30,020

2,991

33,827

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 £56,000 (2021: £126,000). 

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 2022 and 31 December 2021 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.

55

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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 2022 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 2022 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 2022 amounted to £20.3 million (2021: 
£37.0 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.

Net funds held by the Group at 31 December 2022 amounted to £19.7 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

2022
£m

3.8

15.9

19.7

2021
£m

–

33.8

33.8

2020
£m

–

75.0

75.0

31 December

2018
£m

–

5.3

5.3

2019
£m

–

2.5

2.5

The Group did not have any bank borrowings as at 31 December 2022 (2021: £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 2022 have been: revenues from licensing transactions of £9.3 million, 
research and development tax credits of £18.5 million, bank interest of £2.0 million, and revenues from collaborative 
work of £0.8 million.

56

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

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

At 1 January 2021

Issue of ordinary shares

At 31 December 2021

Issue of ordinary shares

At 31 December 2022

Notes

(i)

(ii)

Number 
of shares

Ordinary shares 
of 1p each 
£000

199,914,402

1,427,423

201,341,825

33,150

201,374,975

1,999

14

2,013

1

2,014

Share 
Premium
£000

125,245

–

Total
£000

127,244

14

125,245

127,258

–

1

125,245

127,259

(i) 

 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.

(ii)   33,150 ordinary shares of 1p were issued on 16 June 2022 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.

57

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

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

Options

At 31 December 2022 there were options outstanding over 14,450,882 un-issued ordinary shares, equivalent to 7.2% of 
the issued share capital, as follows:

Date of grant

5 April 2018 (LTIP) 

4 April 2019 (LTIP) (i)

18 June 2020 (LTIP) (ii)

4 June 2021 (LTIP) (ii)

4 June 2021 (LTIP) (iii)

20 October 2021 (LTIP) (ii)

13 December 2021 (LTIP) (ii)

5 July 2022 (LTIP) (ii)

Number of shares

Exercise price

2,822,316

2,598,996

1,756,722

705,890

117,647

384,673

54,059

6,010,579

14,450,882

1p

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

5 July 2025

4 July 2032

Notes

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

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

page 23. 

(iii) The vesting performance conditions for these options are outlined in the note (ii) to the table below.

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

8,517,282

6,407,130

(33,150)

(440,380)

Number of outstanding options at end of year

14,450,882

 2022
Weighted average 
exercise price

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

2021
Weighted average 
exercise price

1p

1p

1p

1p

1p

Number

8,671,279

1,314,286

(1,427,423)

(40,860)

8,517,282

At 31 December 2022, 5,421,312 share options were capable of being exercised, with an exercise price of 1p (2021: 
2,822,316, with an exercise price of 1p). The options outstanding at 31 December 2022 had a weighted average 
remaining contractual life of 7.8 years (2021: 7.5 years). Vesting conditions are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report and in note (ii) to the following table.

58

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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)

2,598,996

18 Jun 2020

LTIP (i)

1,756,722

4 Jun 2021

LTIP (i)

705,890

4 Jun 2021

LTIP (ii)

117,647

20 Oct 2021

LTIP (i)

384,673

13 Dec 2021

LTIP (i)

54,059

5 Jul 2022

LTIP (i)

6,010,579

14,450,882

1p

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

29.0p

26.1p

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

0.90%

0.70%

0.00%

0.14%

0.14%

0.64%

0.32%

1.64%

56%

59%

80%

Market

Market

Market

133%

Market

133% Non-market

142%

146%

177%

Market

Market

Market

The Group 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 2022, £nil has been accrued for this non-market option, in line with 
our latest assumption that this grant will not 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, 2021 and 2022 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 2022 for share-based payment amounted to £919,000 (2021: 

£508,000).

59

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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 2022 the Group had entered into non-cancellable purchase commitments amounting to £0.7 million 
(2021: £3.3 million) in respect of manufacturing-related activities.

60

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Parent Company Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2022
Company number: 5233429

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Investments: short-term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

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 2022
£000

31 December 2021
£000

4

5

6

7

40,200

92,262

326

3,750

15,862

19,938

(123)

19,815

60,015

2,014

125,245

(67,244)

60,015

135

–

33,447

33,582

(127)

33,455

125,717

2,013

125,245

(1,541)

125,717

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 2022 was £66,622,000 (2021: loss of 
£608,000).

The financial statements on pages 61 to 68 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 26 
April 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Richard Marsden 
Chief Executive Officer

John Ward 
Chief Financial Officer

61

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcParent Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2022

At 1 January 2021

Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss

Transactions with equity holders of the Company

Issue of ordinary shares

Share-based payment credit

Share
capital
£000

1,999

–

14

–

14

Share 
premium
account
£000

Retained
deficit
£000

Shareholders’ 
funds
£000

125,245

(1,441)

125,803

–

–

–

–

(608)

(608)

–

508

508

14

508

522

At 31 December 2021

2,013

125,245

(1,541)

125,717

Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss

Transactions with equity holders of the Company

Issue of ordinary shares

Share-based payment credit

–

1

–

1

–

–

–

–

(66,622)

(66,622)

–

919

919

1

919

920

At 31 December 2022

2,014

125,245

(67,244)

60,015

62

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022

1. Accounting policies

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 UK-adopted international accounting standards;

 > 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 2024 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 2022 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. The directors have taken a prudent view in 
preparing these forecasts.

The Company’s available resources are sufficient to cover 
the Group’s plans to design and establish data from a 
focused series of observational studies and investigator-
led/Synairgen-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trials, including 
manufacture of additional active and placebo for these 
trials (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 2024.

In addition, the directors have considered the sensitivity 
of the financial forecasts to changes in key assumptions, 
including, among others, potential cost overruns within 
anticipated spend and changes in exchange rates. 

After due consideration of these forecasts and current 
cash resources, including the sensitivity of key inputs, 
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. 

An assessment is made in respect of indicators of 
impairment in the carrying value of the Company’s 
investment in subsidiaries as at the year-end. If such an 
indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, 
being the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to 
sell and value in use, is compared to the asset’s carrying 
value. Any excess of the asset’s carrying value over its 
recoverable amount is expensed to the income statement. 

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. 

63

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

Taxation

Current tax is the amount of income tax payable or 
receivable on the profit or loss for the year or prior years 
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.

1. Accounting policies (continued)

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. 

The Company’s financial assets measured at amortised 
cost comprise debtors, investments: short-term deposits 
and cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet. 
Investments: short-term deposits are fixed-term, liquid 
investments with maturities of over three months at 
inception. 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.

64

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (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.

A key area of estimation uncertainty that has the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial 
statements are the assumptions when determining the impairment of investment carrying values. Refer to Note 4 – 
Investments, for details.

The Company holds a significant investment in its subsidiary, Synairgen Research Limited, of £40.2 million (2021: £92.3 
million). 

An assessment was made in respect of indicators of impairment in the carrying value of the Company’s investments 
in subsidiaries as at 31 December 2022. If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, being the 
higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use, is compared to the asset’s carrying value. Any excess 
of the asset’s carrying value over its recoverable amount is expensed to the income statement. The assessment of the 
recoverable amount of investments in subsidiaries involves a number of significant judgements regarding the likelihood 
of successful product approval, the costs of reaching approval, the estimated useful life of a therapeutic product 
following commercialisation and the subsequent commercial profitability of the product once approved.

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. 

65

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

3.  Profit and loss account 

The only employees of the Company during 2022 and 2021 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

Notes

(i)

(ii)

2022
£000

749

(28)

53

774

(3)

328

2021
£000

621

210

53

884

(4)

250

1,099

1,130

(i) 

 The Social security credit for 2022 comprises (a) a credit in respect of the Employer National Insurance accrual 
for LTIPs of £136,000 (2021: charge £123,000); and (b) a charge in respect of wages, salaries and other benefits of 
£108,000 (2021: charge £87,000).

(ii)  This includes cash payments in lieu of pension plan contributions.

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 note 5 to 
the Group accounts on page 48.

Auditor’s remuneration is disclosed in note 4 to the Group accounts on page 47.

4. Investments

At 1 January 2022

Capital contribution for the year

Subsidiary share-based payment

Impairment (i)

At 31 December 2022

(i)  There was no impairment at 1 January 2022.

Investment in 
subsidiary 
undertakings
£000

140

–

–

–

140

Capital 
contribution
£000

92,122

13,188

919

(66,169)

40,060

Total
£000

92,262

13,188

919

(66,169)

40,200

66

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

The Company performed an assessment of the recoverable amount of the investment in Synairgen Research Limited 
at 31 December 2022 triggered by a decrease in the share price of Synairgen plc following the announcement of the 
results of Synairgen Research Limited’s Phase 3 SPRINTER study on 21 February 2022.

The recoverable amount was determined with reference to IAS 36 methodology by assessing the value in use of the 
investments based on discounted cash flows. This resulted in an impairment of £66.2 million.

In undertaking the impairment review, the Company has considered both external and internal sources of information, 
and any observable indications that may suggest that the carrying value of Synairgen Research Limited may be 
impaired. Future cash flows are determined using Board-approved projections over the estimated development and 
revenue – generating period, which is in excess of five years. 

These projections and strategic plans are based on key assumptions using management estimates and, where 
applicable, external sources of data and benchmarking. The key assumptions included development cost required 
to achieve regulatory approval, probability of success of clinical trials, likely licensing terms regarding milestones and 
royalties, and revenue and operating margins for the projected period.

The discount rate is estimated on a pre-tax basis reflecting the estimated cost of capital of the Company. The pre-tax 
cost of capital is 14.9%. Management’s valuation model applies a post-tax cost of capital to discount risk-adjusted post-
tax cash flows. 

Determining the estimated recoverable amount is judgemental in nature and requires the use of certain estimated 
inputs that represent key sources of estimation uncertainty. It is reasonably possible that the estimations and 
assumptions used in determining the impairment as at 31 December 2022, including discount rate assumptions, may 
result, within the next financial year, in a material further impairment to the carrying amount of the investment value. 
For example, if the pre-tax discount rate were to increase by 1% to 15.9% the impairment would increase by £7.4 million.

At 31 December 2022, 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%

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.

Nature of business

Drug discovery and 
development

Pharmaceutical 
commercialisation

Pharmaceutical 
commercialisation

2022
£000

12

266

48

326

2021
£000

7

128

–

135

67

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcNotes to the Parent Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

6.  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Sterling fixed rate deposits of three months’ or less maturity at inception

Note

(i)

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

7.  Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Accruals

2022
£000

11,112

4,750

15,862

2022
£000

19

104

123

2021
£000

33,447

–

33,447

2021
£000

26

101

127

8.  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 57 to 59. 

68

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022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

Acute Respiratory 
Distress Syndrome 
(ARDS)
Acute respiratory distress 
syndrome (ARDS) is an 
acute, diffuse, inflammatory 
form of lung injury and 
life-threatening condition 
in seriously ill patients, 
characterised by poor 
oxygenation, pulmonary 
infiltrates, and acute onset

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

Antibodies
Proteins produced by a 
person’s immune system 
that help the body to 
recognise and get rid of 
infection

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

Autoantibody
An antibody produced by 
the body in response to a 
part of its own tissues

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

BFS
An acronym for 
Blow-Fill-Seal. Blow-
Fill-Seal technology 
is a pharmaceutical 
filling process in which 
containers are formed 
from a thermoplastic 
granulate (resin), filled with 
product, and then sealed 
in a continuous, integrated, 
automatic operation

BioBank
A collection of samples 
such as blood, induced 
sputum, bronchial biopsies 
and epithelial cells from 
clinically well-characterised 
volunteers. 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 US 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

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

69

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationJob No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Annual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcGlossary
(continued)

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

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

CMC
An acronym for chemistry, 
manufacturing and 
controls. CMC involves 
defining manufacturing 
practices and product 
specifications that must be 
followed and met in order 
to ensure product safety 
and consistency between 
batches

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

70

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 

Corticosteroids
Commonly referred to as 
steroids, corticosteroids are 
a type of anti-inflammatory 
drug. Corticosteroids 
closely resemble cortisol, 
a hormone produced 
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 final formulated drug 
substance with excipients, 
in the dosage form ready 
to be given to patients, for 
example a tablet or capsule 

Drug Substance
The unformulated or not 
final formulation of the 
active pharmaceutical 
ingredient 

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

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)

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022FDA
US 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 synthesises 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

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 

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

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

Excipients
Components of a drug 
substance/product which 
do not have a therapeutic 
effect but can influence 
the storage, stability and 
delivery of the drug 

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

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 

H1N1 2009
In the spring of 2009, a 
novel influenza A (H1N1) 
virus emerged. It was 
detected first in the United 
States and spread quickly 
across the United States 
and the world. This new 
H1N1 virus contained 
a unique combination 
of influenza genes not 
previously identified in 
animals or people. This 
virus was designated as 
influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 
virus 

H5N1
Highly pathogenic avian 
influenza A (H5N1) virus 
occurs mainly in birds, is 
highly contagious among 
birds, and can be deadly, 
especially in domestic 
poultry 

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

Immunocompromised
Having a weakened 
immune system

Immunosuppressed
Having a weakened 
immune system due to a 
particular health condition 
or because you are on 
medication or treatment 
that suppresses your 
immune system

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

INEXAS
AstraZeneca’s Phase 2a 
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’

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

71

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcGlossary
(continued)

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

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

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

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”

Long-term viral shedder
An infected host (person) 
releasing virus for a 
prolonged period of time

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

MERS-CoV
Middle East respiratory 
syndrome (MERS) is a viral 
respiratory disease caused 
by Middle East respiratory 
syndrome coronavirus 
(MERS-CoV) that was first 
identified in Saudi Arabia 
in 2012

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

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

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 Care 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 numbers of 
deaths and illness 

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

PFS
An acronym for Pre-filled 
syringe. Drug product is 
filled into syringes at the 
manufacturing site and 
provided to patients with 
the drug product already in 
the syringe, ready to use

72

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022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 
2 clinical trial evaluating 
efficacy, adverse effects 
and safety risks

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

PPQ
An acronym for Process 
Performance Qualification. 
During PPQ, the process is 
evaluated to determine if it 
is capable of reproducible 
manufacturing and 
demonstrate that the 
manufacturing process 
performs as expected, as 
required for commercial 
manufacturing

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

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 1 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
Severe Asthma often 
requires treatment 
with high-dose inhaled 
corticosteroids plus 
a second controller 
medication (e.g. long-acting 
beta-agonists) and/or 
systemic corticosteroids to 
prevent it from becoming 
‘uncontrolled’ or which 
remains ‘uncontrolled’ 
despite this therapy. It is 
associated with frequent 
asthma exacerbations, 
persistent symptoms, and 
a significant impact on 
the patient’s daily life and 
overall health. Biologics, 
such as monoclonal 
antibodies, provide a 
treatment option for 
people with severe 
asthma who continue to 
experience asthma attacks 
by helping reduce airway 
inflammation, improving 
lung function, and 
decreasing the frequency 
and severity of asthma 
attacks

73

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plcGlossary
(continued)

SG005
Synairgen’s Phase 2 
randomised, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled 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
Synairgen’s Phase 2 
randomised, double-blind, 
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 

74

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 conducted 
in 17 countries which 
enrolled a total of 623 
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 US

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

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

Ventilated
Using a machine called 
a ventilator to fully or 
partially provide artificial 
ventilation (exchange of air 
between the lungs and the 
atmosphere so that oxygen 
can be exchanged for 
carbon dioxide)

Viral load
The amount of virus is 
measured in a certain 
amount of bodily fluid such 
as blood, saliva or sputum

Viral shedding
Virus is released or shed 
from an infected host 
(person)

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Synairgen plc Annual report and accounts 2022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

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 

75

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 10Black Line Level: 6Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsOther informationAnnual report and accounts 2022 Synairgen plc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 
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), Dr Bruce Campbell,  
Dr Felicity Gabbay, Prof. Sir Stephen Holgate CBE, 
Amanda Radford

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: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600S
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Breakthrough Science for 
Severe Viral Lung Infections

Annual Report and Accounts 2022

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

LSE: SNG
www.synairgen.com

Job No: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600Job No: 49377Proof Event: 8Black Line Level: 4Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LACustomer: SynairgenProject Title: Annual Report 2022T: 0207 055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600