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Vectrus

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FY2012 Annual Report · Vectrus
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Vectura Group plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 
2011/12

Contents

Chairman and Chief Executive’s report

Financial review

risk management

  corporate governance statement

  core purpose, values and strategy
  market potential
  products
  marketed products
  enabling technology platforms
  capabilities
  key performance indicators

01  Highlights 2011/12
02 
04 
05  Business review: overview
06 
07 
08 
10 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
18  Board of Directors
20 
21 
23  Report on remuneration
32  Directors’ report
34 
35 
36 
37  Balance sheet at 31 March 2012
38 
39 
40  Notes to the financial statements
61 
62 

Shareholder information

Executive management

Five year summary

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

Corporate social responsibility statement

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Vectura Group plc

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 March 2012

Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 2012

Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 2012

Cautionary statement
This Annual Report has been prepared for, and only for, the members of the 
Company as a body and no other persons. The report contains certain 
forward-looking statements with respect to the operations, performance 
and financial condition of the Group and the markets in which it operates. 
By their nature, these statements involve uncertainty since future events 
and circumstances can cause results and developments to differ materially 
from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge 
and information available at the date of preparation of this Annual Report 
and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-
looking statements. Nothing in this Annual Report should be construed as a 
profit forecast.

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

01

Highlights 2011/12

Financial highlights

  Revenues ahead of expectations at £33m (2010/11: £42.9m)

  Loss before tax in line with previous year at £13.2m (2010/11: £13.3m) 

  Loss after tax reduced by 50% to £4.4m (2010/11: £8.8m)

  Cash and cash equivalents increased by £1.1m with cash of £75.5m 

  at 31 March 2012 

Operational Highlights

NVA237 (COPD)  
First launch anticipated in 2012
	 European Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) 
filed in September 2011, triggering a $5m milestone 
receipt from Novartis
	 EU decision on NVA237 expected from mid-2012
	 New Drug Application (NDA) for Japan filed in 
November 2011
	 Phase III data presented in September 2011 at the 
European Respiratory Symposium (ERS) demonstrated 
improvements compared with placebo

	 Additional Phase III data expected in H1 2012

	 US NDA filing expected early in 2014

VR315 (asthma/COPD)  
Progress continues in all territories with two new 
partnerships secured
	 Agreement signed with Sandoz in August 2011 for 
Rest of World (RoW) development; €2.5m received 
	 Development progresses in both EU and RoW 
with Sandoz
	 Agreement signed with the US division of an 
international pharmaceutical company for 
development and commercialisation in the US;  
$10m generated in August 2011
	 A further $2m received in March 2012 from our 
US partner relating to development progress 

VR632 (asthma/COPD)  
Development progresses in Europe with Sandoz
	 €0.4m milestone received in March 2012

QVA149 (COPD)  
On track for European filing in 2012 and launch in 2013
	 Novartis reported headline Phase III data from the 
first four studies in April 2012, which showed that 
QVA149 met all primary endpoints:

	 ILLUMINATE – superior lung function (measured 

  by FEV1 AUC0-12h with a p value <0.001) of  
  once-daily QVA149 compared with twice-daily  
  Seretide® (fluticasone 500mcg/salmeterol 50mcg)  

in patients with moderate to severe COPD
	 SHINE – superiority in trough FEV1 (p<0.001)  
  compared with once-daily indacaterol or  
  once-daily NVA237. In addition, QVA149 showed    
superiority in trough FEV1 (p<0.001) compared  
  with placebo and open-label tiotropium (18mcg)

	 BRIGHT – patients experienced significantly better  

  exercise endurance versus placebo (p=0.006) 
	 ENLIGHTEN – QVA149 was well tolerated with 
  a safety and tolerability profile similar to placebo
	 Additional Phase III data to be published at 
a conference in H2 2012
	 US NDA filing is expected at the end of 2014

 
	
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
	
	
02 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Chairman and 

Chief Executive’s report

‘Vectura has delivered another set of robust  
results, preserving a strong balance sheet through  
a combination of existing royalty streams and 
disciplined investment in R&D. During the year we 
delivered two new deals around VR315; securing  
a new US partner and extending our existing 
relationship with Sandoz (our European partner) to 
cover Rest of World territories. We also announced 
positive Phase III data from the combination product, 
QVA149 in April of this year and anticipate a number 
of major catalysts in 2012, including the EU filing of 
this product as well as the expected launch of 
NVA237 in Europe. As these programmes mature, 
we anticipate the resultant milestones and royalties 
will transform our revenue streams, making Vectura 
a self-sustainable, cash-generative Company, 
setting the stage for the next chapter in the 
Company’s growth.’

Overview 
Vectura is a developer of inhaled pharmaceuticals with a range of proprietary lung delivery 
technologies, including formulation and device capabilities. Our focus is principally on 
developing treatments for respiratory diseases. We have a broad and largely late-stage 
pipeline of products spanning both the branded and generics space. The collaborations  
and licence agreements we have struck around these products with major players in the 
$25bn asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) market are testament to  
the strength of our respiratory franchise.

Jack Cashman  Chairman

Chris Blackwell  Chief Executive

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

03

Our most advanced pipeline products are: 
  NVA237, a long-acting muscarinic 
antagonist (LAMA), which is being 
developed for the treatment of COPD 
both as a monotherapy and as part of  
a novel, fixed-dose combination with  
the once-daily, long acting beta-agonist 
(LABA) Indacaterol (QVA149)
  QVA149, the fixed-dose combination of 
NVA237 with the once-daily, long acting 
beta-agonist (LABA), Onbrez® 
Breezhaler® (indacaterol maleate) 
developed and marketed by Novartis. 
Onbrez® Breezhaler® is now approved 
in more than 80 countries, including the 
US, where it is approved under the name 
Arcapta™ Neohaler™, and Japan under 
the name Onbrez® Inhalation Capsules 
  VR315, a generic version of an 
established blockbuster for asthma  
and COPD 

Novartis, the worldwide licensee for 
NVA237, has made progress this year in 
commercialising its COPD products in a 
number of territories. The publication of 
positive pivotal Phase III data for NVA237  
in August 2011 coincided with the European 
regulatory filing for the drug. Marketing 
Authorisation is being sought with the 
European Medicines Agency (EMA) for 
NVA237, under the brand name Seebri® 
Breezhaler®. For this, Vectura received a 
$5m milestone. An EU decision on NVA237  
is expected mid-year with the first launch 
expected later in 2012. In the US, Novartis 
has agreed Phase III for NVA237 with the 
FDA and expect to file the product at the 
beginning of 2014.

We believe that QVA149 could be the first 
once-daily LABA/LAMA combination 
therapy to market for COPD. With the dual 
activity of a beta-adrenergic agonist and  
a muscarinic antagonist offering the 
potential for potent bronchodilation,  
it has an opportunity to address a large  
and unmet medical need for COPD 
sufferers. This year should see a number  
of important milestones for QVA149. We 
recently announced positive pivotal Phase 
III data and expect Novartis to present 
additional data in H2 2012, which should 
support initial regulatory submissions in 
Europe and other countries, including 
Japan, later this year. 

Our licensing deal with Novartis for  
NVA237 and QVA149 is a good example  
of our disciplined approach to R&D; it also 
demonstrates the high return possible  
on our drug discovery platform. To date,  
we have made a four times return on our 
investment in NVA237, with the prospect  
of transformational royalties and milestones 
pointing towards further significant near- 
term upside.

Our key generic programme, VR315, also 
continues to progress worldwide. During the 
financial year, we secured two prestigious 
partners. In the US, our new partner is  
the US division of a leading international 
pharmaceutical company, while we have 
extended our existing relationship with 
Sandoz, our licensee for Europe, to cover 
RoW (ex-US). In March 2012 we received  
$2m from our new US partner indicating 
further development progress during  
the year.

As detailed below, we continue to see 
progress on our other programmes 
including VR632, a second combination 
product for asthma and COPD, where we 
received a €0.4m milestone from Sandoz in 
relation to European development progress. 

Summary and outlook
Vectura has made significant progress  
this year on both its branded and generic 
programmes as they move closer to market. 
At the same time, the Company has 
maintained its financial discipline in 
preserving a strong balance sheet whilst 
investing in future growth. The low risk 
development model we have adopted, 
together with strict development criteria, 
optimises the likely returns we have  
seen and will continue to see from our  
R&D investment.

We look forward to a number of significant 
catalysts in this coming year from our 
programmes while we continue to look  
to exploit other significant opportunities 
within the markets in which we operate. 

Jack Cashman 
Chairman  

Chris Blackwell 
Chief Executive 

25 April 2012

 
 
 
 
04 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Financial review

Summary

This was another cash generative 
year for Vectura with a £1.1m 
increase in cash to £75.5m  
(2011: £74.4m). Revenues of 
£33.0m (2010/11: £42.9m) were 
ahead of expectations, although 
£9.9m lower than the previous 
year, due to a higher level of  
one-off milestone receipts in  
the previous year. However, 
Vectura managed this decrease in 
revenue through active reduction 
in expenses resulting in £0.1m 
reduction in the loss before tax  
to £13.2m (2010/11: £13.3m).

Revenue
Revenue includes fee income from royalties, 
product licensing, technology licensing, 
development fees and device sales. 

Royalties were in line with the previous year 
at £13.5m (2010/11: £13.6m). ADVATE® 
royalties increased by 4% in the period to 
£10.6m (2010/11: £10.2m) and contributed 
79% of the royalties generated in the year. 
ADVATE® sales are continuing to grow, 
approaching $1.9bn in 2011, compared  
with sales of $1.8bn in 2010. Underlying 
ADVATE® royalties increased by 6% in the 
period with the effect of foreign exchange 
rates reducing the net increase to 4%. 
Vectura receives a net royalty of under  
1% at these high levels of cumulative  
annual sales. Extraneal® royalties were 
£1.7m (2010/11: £2.4m), which included 
exceptional royalties of £1.1m relating to 
prior year sales. Extraneal® royalties are 
expected to be approximately £0.6m in the 
next financial year as Vectura patents 
relating to this product expire. The majority 
of the remaining royalties were generated 
from Adept®, £0.9m (2010/11: £0.8m).

Product licensing revenues in the period 
were £12.1m (2010/11: £10.6m), which 
includes the final £2.4m of the £5.1m 
($7.5m) QVA149 Phase III clinical trial 
milestone received from Novartis in 2010 
and the final £1.4m of the £6.2m ($9.5m) 
milestone received from Sandoz for VR315 
US. We announced two new licensing deals 
in August 2011, both relating to VR315, of 
which £3.9m ($6.3m) relates to the upfront 
milestone received for the licence of VR315 
to an undisclosed partner in the US and 
£0.9m relates to the upfront milestone 
received for the licence of VR315 to Sandoz 
for the RoW territories. A further £3.2m 
($5m) relates to the NVA237 EU filing 
milestone received from Novartis in 
September 2011 and £0.3m relating to  
a development milestone from Sandoz  
for VR632 received in March 2012.

Technology licensing revenues of £2.3m 
(2010/11: £12.9m) are lower than the 
previous year. In 2010/11 we received a 
£10m upfront payment from GSK under  
a non-exclusive licence agreement. In 
addition to the upfront payment we are 
due to receive a further £10m by the time 
the products are launched, £4m of which 
was received by 31 March 2012. 

Pharmaceutical development services (PDS) 
revenues decreased to £2.8m (2010/11: 
£4.2m) as work on some of our partnered 
programmes has been successfully 
completed. Future PDS revenues will  
depend on the extent and nature of 
feasibility studies and new licensing deals  
as the development of inhalation products  
is a very specialist area, with partners 
frequently requiring Vectura’s involvement 
in the continuing development of a product. 
We expect these revenues to decrease 
further in the next financial year.

The significant increase in device sales to 
£2.3m (2010/11: £1.6m) was mainly due  
to sales of the GyroHaler® device.

Gross profit
The gross profit in the year to 31 March 
2012 was £30.8m (2011: £40.2m).  
Gross profit represents 93% of revenue 
(2010/11: 94%).

Research and development expenses
Total investment in research and 
development was £32.8m, a 13% decrease 
on the previous year (2010/11: £37.7m). 
Research and development expenditure  
in 2010/11 includes £2.5m that relates  
to the costs of restructuring our 
development operations, encompassing 
closure of the Nottingham facility and  
a reduction in the number of research  
and development employees. 

Taxation
The tax credit for the year was £8.8m 
(2010/11: £4.5m). Research and development 
tax credits of £4.6m were received in cash 
during the year (2010/11: £8.2m) of which 
£2.5m was included in other receivables as  
at 31 March 2011, resulting in current year 
tax income of £2.1m. An estimated research 
and development tax credit of £4.0m relating 
to the 2011/12 financial year has been 
recorded and this is expected to be received 
during 2012/13. A release of £2.8m from a 
deferred tax liability has also been credited 
to the income statement for the 2011/12 
financial year due to the utilisation of tax 
losses carried forward. As the Group’s losses 
reduce, research and development tax 
receipts will decline significantly.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets of £23.4m (2011: £30.9m) 
have been amortised by £7.5m (2010/11: 
£10.7m) during the year. These intangible 
assets relate to the Innovata acquisition  
and they will continue to be amortised over 
their expected useful life. The reduction in 
the amortisation charge is in line with the 
reduction in royalty streams as Extraneal® 
comes off patent in certain territories.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment increased  
by £3.1m (2011: decline of £0.1m) in the year 
as a result of the Group’s investment in its 
inhaled product manufacturing capabilities.

Deferred income
Deferred income relates to milestones 
received in cash but not yet recognised as 
revenue. Of the £4.8m on the balance sheet 
at 31 March 2012 (2010: £5.5m), £3.5m will 
be recognised as revenue in 2012/13; £0.6m 
relates to ADVATE® royalties, £1.6m to 
technology licensing and £1.3m relates  
to the VR315 US $2m receipt. £1.3m will  
be recognised as revenue in later periods 
relating to the VR315 RoW deal with Sandoz. 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

05

Business review:  

overview

Vectura Group plc and its subsidiaries (‘Vectura’ or  
the ‘Group’) develops inhaled therapies principally  
for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Vectura’s 
main products target diseases such as asthma and 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),  
a growing market that is currently estimated to  
be worth in excess of $25 billion. 

Vectura has six products marketed by its partners 
and a portfolio of drugs in clinical and pre-clinical 
development, a number of which have been licensed 
to major pharmaceutical companies. Vectura has 
development collaborations and licence agreements 
with several pharmaceutical companies, including 
Novartis, Sandoz (the generics arm of Novartis), 
Baxter and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). 

Vectura seeks to develop certain programmes itself 
where this will optimise value. Vectura’s formulation 
and inhalation technologies are available to other 
pharmaceutical companies on an out-licensing basis 
where this complements Vectura’s business strategy.

Equity
A shareholder resolution was approved at 
the Company’s AGM, held on 22 July 2011,  
to reduce the Company’s share premium 
account by £78.6m. An application to reduce 
the Company’s share premium account  
was subsequently made to the High Court  
of Justice and approval was received on  
25 January 2012. In the balance sheet, the 
share premium account has been reduced  
by £78.6m and the retained loss of the 
Company has been reduced from £25.9m  
to £nil. The remaining balance of £52.7m  
has created a retained profit in the Company 
balance sheet and will enable the Company 
to pay dividends in future periods. The Board 
does not currently intend to pay dividends.

The Company balance sheet is not included 
in these preliminary results. 

Cash flow
Cash increased by £1.1m in the period 
(2010/11: £10.3m). The net cash flows  
from operating activities are once again 
positive at £2.1m (2010/11: £10.8m).  
At 31 March 2012, Vectura had cash and 
cash equivalents of £75.5m (2011: £74.4m), 
which was equivalent to 23p per share  
in issue. 

Foreign exchange rates
The following foreign exchange rates were 
used during the year:

Average rates:

£/$

£/€

Period end rates:

£/$ 

£/€

2011/12 2010/11

1.60

1.16

1.60

1.20

1.56

1.18

1.60

1.13

Anne Hyland
Chief Financial Officer

25 April 2012

 
 
06 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Business review:  

core purpose, values and strategy

Our people

We have a talented team of people at Vectura and we are committed  
to developing therapies that improve the quality of patients’ lives.  
The respiratory market is a large and growing market and we are 
confident we will succeed in creating value for our shareholders. 

Our main values

Our strategy 

Everything we do stems from our  
five key values:

Achievement – we deliver on the 
challenging goals we set ourselves.

Enthusiasm – we give our best and 
enjoy what we’re doing.

Participation – success comes from 
working together. By being flexible  
and informal, we encourage each other  
as well as innovation.

Innovation – we think freely and creatively 
about our goals.

Trust and respect – we value people 
and ideas on their merits. Everyone has  
a part to play, and everyone’s contribution 
is recognised.

Treating respiratory diseases
Our broad clinical portfolio has a range  
of mid and late-stage programmes with 
high potential, as well as earlier-stage 
opportunities that are addressing 
fast-growing markets. We have innovative 
device and formulation technologies and 
our respiratory development pipeline 
includes branded and generic products  
to treat asthma and chronic obstructive 
pulmonary disease. 

Seeking value
We have also developed therapies for 
conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and 
cystic fibrosis, from which we seek to derive 
value by actively seeking licencees. 

Financial stability and a self-sustaining 
business
We are creating value for our shareholders 
in three key ways:

Intellectual property and expertise – 
we are out-licensing products and 
technologies to major pharmaceutical 
companies in return for revenues from 
milestones and royalties. We are also 
developing specialty products. Our current 
strategy is to take these products to  
Phase II clinical development and then  
look for licensing partners.

Collaborations with partners – we are 
looking to optimise the value of our 
branded and generic/branded generic 
products in the growing respiratory  
market by working with other leading 
pharmaceutical companies. 

Building our franchise – we continue 
to build the Company through internal 
innovation as well as exploring 
opportunities with products, technologies 
or businesses that support these goals.

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

07

Business review:  

market potential

Hundreds of millions of people every day suffer from chronic 
respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive 
pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is predicted to be the third leading 
cause of death by 2030, while the World Health Organization 
Director-General has stated that ‘asthma is on the rise everywhere’.

Asthma and COPD make up the third-fastest growing marketplace for therapeutic 
treatments, with the total market estimated to be worth more than $25 billion in the  
US alone. The increase in fixed-dose combinations, and ongoing advances in effective 
therapies mean this figure will continue to grow. Our products for asthma and COPD 
target over half of this ever-expanding global market.

A carefully developed strategy for growth 
To generate as much value as possible from our global opportunities, we are focusing  
on both the branded and generic/branded generic respiratory markets. It is a very large 
market with dry powder inhalation (DPI) products currently generating sales in excess  
of $11 billion a year and the market is still growing. This market poses a number of 
regulatory challenges, which require a specialism and expertise in product development 
for which Vectura is known. There are relatively few competitors working on complex 
generic/branded generic respiratory products, and new market opportunities are 
emerging that provide huge potential for growth.

Asthma is a chronic disease that is 
characterised by recurring attacks of 
breathlessness and wheezing. An asthma 
sufferer may experience symptoms several 
times a day, and they may become worse 
during physical activity or at night.

COPD is a progressive, life-threatening 
disease that is often associated with 
tobacco smoking, air pollution or 
occupational exposure. The condition 
obstructs airflow in the lungs, leading to 
debilitating and often distressing bouts  
of breathlessness. COPD cannot be cured, 
and anyone suffering from the condition 
will need treatment to reduce the 
symptoms and exacerbations indefinitely.

 
 
08 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Business review: 

products

Product pipeline

 Product

 Indication

 Pre-clinical

 Phase I

 Phase II

 Phase III

Filed

Respiratory
NVA237*

QVA149*

COPD

COPD

*Partnered with Novartis

Licensing opportunities

VR496

VR040

Cystic fibrosis

Parkinson’s disease

Generic/branded generics

 Product

 Indication

 Partner

VR315 EU & RoW

Asthma/COPD

Sandoz

VR315 US

VR632 EU

Asthma/COPD

Undisclosed

Asthma/COPD

Sandoz

VR632 US & RoW

Asthma/COPD

VR506 

Asthma

Partnered proprietary 
products and technologies

In the asthma and COPD markets, 
we offer licensing opportunities 
for our products and also  
offer technologies to other 
pharmaceutical companies, where 
our expertise enables a more 
effective delivery of products. 

NVA237 and QVA149 for chronic 
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 
NVA237 is a dry powder formulation for 
inhalation of glycopyrronium bromide,  
a LAMA with a rapid onset of activity at first 
dose, being investigated for the treatment 
of COPD. 

NVA237 was licensed to Novartis in April 
2005 by Vectura and our co-development 
partner, Sosei Group Corporation. It is 
anticipated that Novartis will launch NVA237 
in certain territories as a once-daily 
monotherapy for COPD in 2012 and as a 
combination (QVA149) with its once-daily 
LABA, indacaterol, in some territories in 2013. 

In September 2011, Novartis filed NVA237 
for marketing authorisation with the EMA 
under the brand name Seebri® Breezhaler®, 
triggering a $5m milestone payment  
to Vectura. 

That same month, Novartis presented new 
NVA237 Phase III data at the ERS congress. 
The GLOW1 and GLOW3 studies in COPD 
patients showed that NVA237 significantly 
increased patients’ lung function compared 
with placebo, with a fast onset of action  
at first dose, as well as improving  
exercise endurance. 

The GLOW1 study met its primary endpoint 
by showing that NVA237 50mcg once-daily 
produced a significant improvement of  
108 mL in trough FEV1 (forced expiratory 
volume of breath in one second) after  
12 weeks in patients with moderate-to-
severe COPD compared with placebo 
(p<0.001). Moreover, NVA237 had a rapid 
onset of action at first dose, with a 93 mL 
improvement in FEV1 compared with placebo 
at five minutes after the first dose (p<0.001).

EU & Japan

NVA237 significantly prolonged the time to 
first moderate/severe COPD exacerbation 
compared with placebo, and reduced the 
percentage of hospitalisations. Significant 
improvement in breathlessness was seen at 
26 weeks compared with placebo, 
accompanied by a significant improvement 
in health-related quality of life and 
reduction in the use of rescue medication. 

The GLOW3 study investigated the effects of 
NVA237 50mcg once-daily on exercise 
endurance in moderate-to-severe COPD 
patients. The study met its primary 
endpoint by showing a significant 21% 
improvement in exercise endurance  
relative to placebo at the end of the study 
(i.e. day 21), with a significant 10% increase 
from day one (both p<0.001). 

Both studies showed that NVA237 was 
well-tolerated, with a similar incidence of 
adverse events for patients treated with 
NVA237 and placebo. Novartis expect to 
announce additional Phase III data from the 
GLOW2 study in H1 2012.

After discussions with the Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA), in April 2012 Novartis 
announced that in the US, they have agreed 
on Phase III for NVA237 and they expect to 
file the product at the beginning of 2014. 

The FDA’s requirement for additional clinical 
data for NVA237 has also impacted the timing 
of the NDA submission for QVA149 in the US, 
which is now expected at the end of 2014. 
We believe that QVA149 could be the first 
once-daily LABA/LAMA combination therapy 
on the market for COPD. The dual activity of a 
beta-adrenergic agonist (beta2-agonist) and a 
muscarinic antagonist could result in a potent 
bronchodilator that would address a large 
and unmet need for COPD sufferers. 

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

09

Also in August, we extended our 
collaboration with Sandoz for RoW rights  
to VR315. Sandoz is responsible for any 
development work required and for 
obtaining marketing authorisations 
throughout the RoW territory, which 
includes Japan, Canada, South America  
and Australia. Under the terms of the 
agreement, Vectura will receive a royalty on 
net sales and a margin on the commercial 
manufacture and supply of the GyroHaler® 
device used to deliver VR315, and is also 
eligible for milestones and advance 
pre-launch royalties worth up to €8m. 

VR632 for asthma/COPD 
VR632 is our second inhaled combination 
therapy for asthma and COPD, which also 
uses our GyroHaler® technology. The 
European rights for VR632 were licensed  
to Sandoz in December 2007 in a deal  
worth up to €15.5m in milestones and 
development funding plus royalties on  
all products sold. We retain the rights for 
the US and other territories. Development 
progress continues on the product and we 
received €0.4m from Sandoz in March 2012. 

VR506 for asthma
VR506 is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)  
for the treatment of asthma that entered 
clinical development in early 2011. ICS’s are 
the mainstay of prophylactic therapy for 
asthma. As one of the recommended 
‘preventer’ drugs for adults and children, 
they are often prescribed alongside 
beta2-agonist bronchodilators. 

Novartis commenced Phase III studies with 
QVA149 in May 2010, triggering a $7.5m 
milestone payment to Vectura. In April 2012, 
Novartis announced headline data from four 
of these studies. The studies ILLUMINATE, 
SHINE, BRIGHT and ENLIGHTEN, have all met 
their respective primary endpoints and 
demonstrate the potential of QVA149 in the 
treatment of COPD. 

The ILLUMINATE study in more than 500 
patients demonstrated that superior lung 
function (measured by FEV1 AUC0-12h with 
a p value <0.001) was achieved with 
once-daily QVA149 compared with 
twice-daily Seretide® (fluticasone 500mcg/
salmeterol 50mcg) in patients with 
moderate to severe COPD.

The results of SHINE, with an enrolment of 
more than 2,100 patients, met the primary 
endpoint, demonstrating the superiority in 
trough FEV1 (p<0.001) of once-daily QVA149 
compared with once-daily indacaterol  
or once-daily NVA237 in patients with 
moderate to severe COPD. In addition, 
QVA149 showed superiority in trough FEV1 
(p<0.001) compared with placebo and 
open-label tiotropium (18mcg). 

The results of BRIGHT showed that patients 
experienced significantly better exercise 
endurance versus placebo (p=0.006). 
ENLIGHTEN demonstrated that QVA149 was 
well tolerated with a safety and tolerability 
profile similar to placebo.

Novartis expects to present additional Phase 
III data at a conference in H2 2012 and  
to file the product in Europe and other 
countries, including Japan, in 2012. The first 
product launch is expected in 2013.

To date, Vectura has received $35m from 
Novartis and, under the terms of the licence, 
could receive up to an additional $152.5m 
for achievement of regulatory and 
commercialisation targets for both the 
monotherapy and combination product. 
Vectura has no cost obligations for these 
products and royalties will be received on 
product sales following successful product 
launches. The COPD market is forecast to 
grow to $24bn in 2019 and these products 
are expected to play an important role in 
this market.

Generic/branded generic 
products

Branded, combination, dry 
powder inhaler (DPI) therapy 
constitutes the largest sector  
of the respiratory market, with 
annual sales of over $11bn.  
With an ever-growing need  
for effective and affordable 
medicines, these products have 
excellent potential to generate 
value as generics or branded 
generics. With extensive 
formulation and device expertise, 
both of which are needed to 
create DPI products, we are 
ideally placed to take advantage 
of this opportunity. 

VR315 for asthma/COPD 
VR315 is an inhaled combination therapy for 
asthma and COPD, delivered with Vectura’s 
GyroHaler® DPI device in Europe, where 
it is licensed to Sandoz AG for development 
and commercialisation. The deal is worth up 
to €22.5m in milestones and development 
funding, plus royalties on all products  
sold. Vectura has received all development 
funding with €7.5m in milestones to  
be received.

Vectura signed a US licence agreement  
with a division of a leading international 
pharmaceutical company in August 2011. 
Under the terms of this agreement, 
Vectura’s partner will be responsible for  
the commercialisation and manufacture  
of the product together with clinical 
development. Vectura is providing support 
for the US development of VR315 and 
received an initial payment of $10m with  
a further $2m payment received in March 
2012. Vectura is eligible to receive a further 
$33m upon achievement of pre-determined 
development milestones and, in addition, 
will receive a royalty from all VR315  
US sales. 

 
10 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Business review: 

marketed products

Six products are being marketed 
and are generating revenue for 
Vectura, with ADVATE® being the 
main value driver. 

ADVATE® for haemophilia A
In 2000, we granted worldwide rights  
to Baxter to use our stabilisation patents  
in its serum-free recombinant Factor VIII, 
ADVATE®. This is indicated for the treatment 
of haemophilia A and is marketed 
worldwide by Baxter, from which Vectura 
earns royalties from sales. 

Extraneal® for peritoneal dialysis
Extraneal® is a peritoneal dialysis solution 
containing icodextrin, licensed to Baxter in 
1996 and marketed by Baxter worldwide. 
Vectura receives royalties on sales in the  
US and certain other territories. 

Adept® for prevention of surgical 
adhesions
Adept® is a 4% icodextrin solution used 
during surgery to reduce post-surgical 
adhesions, a frequent and major complication 
after gynaecological and other abdominal 
surgery. It has been used in Europe since 
2000 and since 2006 in the US. In December 
2005, we signed a licence deal with Baxter for 
the manufacture and distribution of Adept®. 

Products delivered in Clickhaler® 
for asthma 
Five products have gained regulatory 
approvals for the treatment of asthma  
that are delivered using Clickhaler®, 
our proprietary reservoir DPI device.

Asmasal® and Asmabec® are marketed by 
Recipharm in the UK, France and Ireland. 
Asmasal® contains salbutamol, a short-

acting beta2-agonist for the rapid relief 
of asthma symptoms. Asmabec® contains 
beclometasone, an inhaled steroid used as 
standard preventative therapy for asthma. 
Meptin® (procaterol) is a short-acting 
beta2-agonist for the rapid relief of mild, 
intermittent asthma symptoms, marketed 
by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in Japan.

Regulatory approvals have also been received 
for Clickhaler® budesonide in Germany, the 
Netherlands and New Zealand, with approvals 
for Clickhaler® formoterol received in 
Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa  
and New Zealand. Neither of these products 
is marketed at present; we are actively 
exploring new territories for marketing them 
as well as other Clickhaler® products. One 
of the countries we are considering is China, 
where an estimated 5% of the population 
suffers from asthma or COPD. 

enabling technology platforms 

We have a wide range of important 
drug delivery technology platforms 
that are patent-protected, which 
we use to support our own product 
development. We also offer 
technologies for licence to other 
pharmaceutical companies,  
a strategy that has already 
generated significant revenue  
for Vectura. 

Vectura has a state-of-the-art Good 
Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility  
that has been designed specifically to 
manufacture inhaled products to support 
clinical trials through to regulatory filing. 

The development of drugs for inhalation is 
more complex than for oral delivery and 
different approaches are required depending 
on the characteristics of the drug being 
delivered. Companies across the world are 
keen to harness our expertise and technology 
for their own inhalation programmes and we 
expect that this will lead to future 
collaborations and licensing deals.

Formulation technologies –  
including PowderHale®
Our formulation technologies include 
PowderHale®, a patented DPI formulation 
technology designed to allow aerosolised 

drug particles to achieve high lung deposition 
with low-dose variability. This is achieved by 
incorporating an additional pharmacologically 
inactive excipient known as a Force Control 
Agent (FCA). We also possess expertise in 
micronisation, blending and spray drying,  
all of which are used in the development  
of our own and third-party products. 

An example of the type of formulation 
technology licensing deal possible is the 
non-exclusive licensing agreement signed  
in August 2010 with GSK which enables 
them to use some of our dry powder drug 
formulation patents for two late-stage 
development compounds in their 
respiratory product pipeline. Under the 
agreement, Vectura will receive £20m by 
the time the compounds are launched, as 
well as earning royalties on sales of these 
products, generating up to £13m per year. 

Multi-unit dose DPI devices 
Our cost-effective, multi-unit dose DPI 
technologies, designed to deliver locally-
acting drugs to the lungs, include devices 
such as GyroHaler® and OmniHaler®. 
Compact and easy to use, our devices 
consist of just a few moulded parts, which 
reduces manufacturing costs. Each device 
delivers up to 60 doses and is disposable 
after use. They have aerosolisation 
characteristics that are competitive in the 
marketplace and provide excellent drug 

protection from moisture and light using 
sealed, foil blisters. GyroHaler® is used to 
deliver some of our generic products and  
is scaled up for commercial launch. Other 
devices are in late-stage development. 

We continue to invest in our device platform 
and have tailored our device technologies  
for the US respiratory generics market and 
have received recent validation from both 
partners and other external parties.  
All our multi-unit dose DPI technologies  
are available for licensing where such a 
partnership would add value to our business. 

Duohaler® device and combination 
products for asthma/COPD 
In addition to our multi-unit dose devices 
we also have the two reservoir DPIs 
Clickhaler® and Duohaler®. Duohaler® 
provides advantages over a number  
of other multi-dose DPIs. Two separate  
drug reservoirs feed two individual drug 
formulations into two separate metering 
chambers, and the drugs are then delivered 
to the user in the same inhalation. This 
process obviates the need to co-formulate 
combination drugs and provides a means  
of delivering simultaneously a combination 
formulation from one reservoir and an 
individual drug from the second. Both 
Clickhaler® and Duohaler® are available 
for licensing. 

 
 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

11

Business review:  

capabilities

Pharmaceutical development services
Vectura’s pharmaceutical development 
services revenues are generated by 
providing specialist product development 
services to other pharmaceutical 
companies, primarily licensing partners,  
to continue the development of products  
or technologies licensed from Vectura until 
complete transfer has been achieved. 

Commercial and business development
Vectura’s Commercial team, responsible  
for business development and licensing, 
maintains good relationships with 
international pharmaceutical companies 
and undertakes market analysis for all 
products under development. In addition, 
the team provides the market analysis and 
competitor information that is required  
to identify valuable new product 
opportunities. The major licensing deals 
Vectura has concluded to date demonstrate 
the strength of the Group’s commercial  
and business development skills.

Development 
Vectura’s Development team has 
demonstrated its ability to develop products 
through stages of pre-clinical and clinical 
development. The team supports the 
development of Vectura’s own products  
as well as some of those developed by  
our partners. Key functions include liaison 
with thought-leaders, clinical investigators 
and experts in the design of clinical trials 
(and associated pre-clinical development 
programmes), and the selection and 
management of specialist respiratory and 
other clinical research organisations (CROs) 
responsible for the conduct of clinical trials. 

Regulatory affairs
Vectura has experience in global 
pharmaceutical product registration and 
inhaled product development. Vectura has 
regulatory support for its own programmes 
and for those of its partners, thus ensuring 
that it has the data requirements to ensure 
timely approvals. Vectura prepares and 
maintains Clinical Trial Authorisations (CTAs) 
and prepares regulatory responses to 
questions on a worldwide basis as required. 
Submission of dossiers and liaison with 
individual regulatory authorities is also 
undertaken as appropriate.

Quality
Quality in a pharmaceutical development 
environment ensures that the clinical 
supplies produced and the data intended  
to support regulatory submissions are 
generated in compliance with Good 
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice 
(GMP), the principles of Good Laboratory 
Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice 
(GCP), collectively referred to as GxP. 

Vectura has a Manufacturer’s Authorisation 
for Investigational Medicinal Products at  
its Chippenham facility – MIA(IMP)33496 – 
from the Medicines and Healthcare 
products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).  
An MIA(IMP) is a requirement of the EU 
Clinical Trials Directive, now embodied  
in national legislation, and allows for 
manufacture, assembly, certification and 
release of clinical trial supplies by the 
Group’s Qualified Person. 

Vectura is also certified under ISO 
13485:2003 for the design and manufacture 
of inhaler products. In order to achieve the 
ISO 13485 certification, Vectura’s device 
engineering and Quality Management 
System were inspected by an authorised 
quality standards organisation (Lloyds 
Register Quality Assurance), which found 
the quality system to be of sufficiently high 
standard to allow Vectura to self-certify  
its inhaler devices as being fit for market 
use in Europe.

Manufacturing operations 
The Manufacturing Operations team  
is responsible for the late-stage 
manufacturing of Vectura’s technologies 
and respiratory products, and ensures  
that such products can be validated  
and commercialised successfully in client  
or contract manufacturing facilities.  
The team is responsible for global supply 
chain operations as Vectura’s products  
are distributed worldwide.

Vectura’s strategy is to produce clinical  
trials supplies up to pilot-plant scale.  
The Group then uses contract 
manufacturing organisations for larger-
scale manufacturing for late-stage 
development and commercial supply,  
as well as for some smaller-scale 
manufacturing where it is more  
economical to do so.

Intellectual property
Vectura’s portfolio of intellectual property is a 
valuable asset that is fundamental to success, 
and the Group aims to secure registered 
protection for all aspects of its products, 
processes and technology platforms. 

Vectura’s extensive patent portfolio consists 
of patent families relating to various 
pharmaceutical technologies, including 
inventions made by the Group’s researchers 
as well as inventions the Group has acquired 
or licensed from third parties. The Group 
actively protects, maintains and defends 
this patent estate. Vectura also maintains 
additional intellectual property rights 
including trademarks, design rights and 
know-how.

Value continues to be obtained from 
Vectura’s intellectual property portfolio 
from licensing IP rights for the development 
of inhalation and non-pulmonary products. 

Facilities
Vectura operates from two facilities in  
the UK. There are approximately 64,000 
square-feet of laboratory, office, warehouse 
and manufacturing facilities in Chippenham, 
Wiltshire. These facilities are approved  
for GMP manufacturing of Investigational 
Medicinal Products for clinical trials. On the 
Cambridge Science Park, Vectura occupies  
a 4,200 square-foot laboratory and device 
engineering unit.

Vectura trademarks
Adept® is a registered trademark of Innovata Limited
Clickhaler® and Duohaler® are registered trademarks 
of Innovata Biomed Limited
GyroHaler®, PowderHale® and Vectura® are registered 
trademarks of Vectura Limited
Omnihaler® is a registered trademark of Vectura Delivery 
Devices Limited

Third-party trademarks
ADVATE® and Extraneal® are registered trademarks 
of Baxter International Inc.
Asmasal® and Asmabec® are registered trademarks 
of Celltech Pharma Europe Limited
Breezhaler®, Onbrez® and Seebri® are registered 
trademarks of Novartis AG

 
 
12 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Business review:  

key performance indicators

Progress with collaborative partners and licensees for  
the development and commercialisation of products
Vectura continued to progress the development and 
commercialisation of programmes partnered in earlier years 
including VR632 EU (€0.4m received March 2012) and NVA237  
($5m EU filing milestone received). 

Progress with the un-partnered product pipeline
During the year rights to VR315 were licensed for territories outside 
Europe. In August 2011 an undisclosed US division of a major 
international pharmaceutical company licensed the rights for the  
US market and in the same month Sandoz licensed the rights to 
VR315 for the remaining territories.

Identification of new product pipeline
Vectura continues to evaluate new product opportunities.  
Vectura seeks and considers opportunities arising from internal 
development activities as well as potential in-licensing and 
co-development opportunities. 

Maintaining and strengthening our intellectual property 
portfolio
Vectura has been successful during the year in oral opposition 
proceedings and has also achieved a number of patent grants  
and filings. 

Loss reduction and revenue generation
Loss after taxation over the last three years has reduced year  
on year as follows:

Year ended

31 March 2012

31 March 2011

31 March 2010

Loss
£m

4.4

8.8

10.2

Decrease
£m

4.4

1.4

6.5

Revenues generated over the last three years are as follows:

Year ended

31 March 2012

31 March 2011

31 March 2010

Loss
£m

33.0

42.9

40.1

(Decrease)/increase
%

 (23)

7

29

Cash management
This involves the management of the funding received and the cash 
resources available. The operational cash is defined by reference to 
the cash flow statements as being the addition of the net cash 
outflow from operations and the cash inflows from investing 
activities excluding cash inflow/outflow on acquisitions. These key 
performance indicators (KPIs) for the three years to 31 March 2012 
are as follows:

Year ended

31 March 2012

31 March 2011

31 March 2010

Increase/(decrease) Cash inflow/(outflow)
from financing 
£m

in cash
£m

1.1

10.3

(9.9)

2.5

0.2

(5.7)

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

13

Business review:  

risk management

The Group’s business involves exposure  
to a number of risks, many of which are 
inherent in pharmaceutical product 
development. Risks particular to the Group 
include the following:–

Industry risk
The nature of pharmaceutical development  
is such that drug candidates may not  
be successful owing to an inability to 
demonstrate in a timely manner the 
necessary safety and efficacy in a clinical 
setting to the satisfaction of appropriate 
regulatory bodies, such as the European 
Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe and  
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  
in the US. The Group may be unable to 
attract, by itself or from partners, the 
funding necessary to meet the high cost  
of developing its products through to 
successful commercialisation.

Clinical and regulatory risk
Drug substances may not be stable or 
economic to produce. Unacceptable toxicities 
or insufficient efficacy in the chosen 
indication may cause the medicine to fail or 
limit its applicability. Lack of performance  
by third-party clinical research organisations 
or an inability to recruit patients to clinical 
trials may cause undue delays in clinical trial 
results. Clinical and regulatory issues may 
arise or changes to the regulatory 
environment may occur that lead to delays, 
further costs, reduction in the commercial 
potential of a product in development,  
or the cessation of programmes. Ethical, 
regulatory or marketing approvals may  
be delayed or withheld or, if awarded, may 
carry conditions unacceptable for further 
development or commercial success. The 
Group’s manufacturing facilities and those of 
its third-party manufacturers are subject to 
regulatory requirements and licensing and 
there can be no assurance that such facilities 
will continue to comply with such regulatory 
requirements. Given the cutting-edge nature 
of the technology, alternative manufacturing 
facilities may not be available. The Group 
manages its regulatory risk by working 
closely with its expert regulatory advisers 
and, where appropriate, by seeking advice 
from regulatory authorities on the design  
of key development plans for its pre-clinical 
and clinical programmes.

Counterparty risk
The Group relies on third party organisations 
to conduct its clinical trials and to 

manufacture certain of its products. If the 
relationship with or performance of any  
of these partners is adversely affected,  
the Group’s operations may be adversely 
impacted. As part of the Group’s routine 
vendor assessment, detailed due diligence  
is performed on all third party organisations 
to establish that such organisations have the 
required capability, expertise and financial 
stability to perform the relevant services for 
the Group. Where possible, alternative third 
party suppliers are identified to take over  
the performance of such services in the 
event difficulties are experienced with the 
original vendor.

Competition and intellectual property risk 
Certain companies are developing medicines 
that may restrict the potential commercial 
success of the Group’s products or render 
them obsolete. Third party companies may 
have intellectual property that restricts the 
Group’s or the Group’s partners’ freedom  
to operate. Obtaining licences to intellectual 
property may not be possible or may be 
costly and may reduce net royalty income to 
the Group. The Group’s intellectual property 
may become invalid or expire before its 
products are successfully commercialised. 
The Group works closely with its legal 
advisers and obtains where necessary 
opinions on the intellectual property 
landscape relevant to the Group’s product 
development programmes and 
manufacturing activities and processes.

Economic risk
The successful development and 
commercialisation of medicines carries a 
high level of risk and the returns may be 
insufficient to cover the costs incurred. 
Restrictions on health budgets worldwide  
or on the prices that may be charged for  
new medicines through competitive or  
other pressures may limit a medicine’s  
sales potential. The Group may not be able  
to attract partners on favourable terms or 
recruit the appropriate calibre of staff to 
develop or commercialise its products. Any 
partners may fail to perform or commit the 
resources necessary to commercialise the 
Group’s products successfully.

Financial risk
The Group’s activities expose it to a number 
of financial risks including cash flow risk, 
credit risk, liquidity risk and price risk. In 
accordance with policies approved by the 
Board of Directors, the Group does not use 

financial derivatives to manage these risks.  
In addition, the Group does not use financial 
instruments for speculative purposes.

Cash flow risk
The Group’s activities expose it to the 
financial risks of changes in foreign 
currency exchange rates. The majority  
of the Group’s revenues are in euros or  
US dollars. Where known liabilities arise in 
these currencies the revenues are retained 
on deposit in the appropriate currency in 
order to offset the exchange risk on these 
liabilities. As at 31 March 2012, the Group 
had sufficient euro and US dollar reserves  
to cover its immediate and short-term 
liabilities in respect of these currencies.

Credit risk
The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributed 
to its cash and cash equivalents. This risk  
is limited because the counterparties are 
banks with high credit ratings assigned by 
international credit-rating agencies. Deposits 
are made in accordance with the Group’s 
Treasury Policy approved by the Board, which 
contains strict criteria on minimum credit 
ratings and maximum deposit size. However, 
the recent global credit problems could result 
in the failure of even high credit-rated banks 
where funds are deposited.

Liquidity risk
In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that 
sufficient funds are available for ongoing 
operations and future developments, the 
Group closely monitors the cash available to 
the Group, which is invested in a mixture of 
current and short-term deposit accounts.

Price risk
The Group is exposed to pricing risk in 
respect of its income and expenditure.  
The Group manages its exposure to price  
risk through commercial negotiations with 
customers and suppliers, working closely 
with its legal advisers on negotiations that 
are of significant importance to the Group. 

Risk management
The Group’s extensive risk management 
process is detailed in the corporate 
governance statement section of the 
business review. The process seeks to 
identify material risks and to determine  
how best to manage them. Specific risk 
managing actions the Group has in place 
are set out against certain of the risks 
identified in this section.

 
 
14 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Business review: 

corporate governance statement

Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) are 
encouraged to meet without the presence 
of Executive Directors as appropriate. 
Discussions took place on two occasions 
during the year and included discussions  
on each Executive Director’s performance. 

Vectura is committed to working towards 
achieving meaningful shareholdings in  
the Group for executive directors in order  
to align their interests to those of the 
shareholders. The Executive Directors 
acquired shares in both the years ended  
31 March 2012 and 2011. 

Division of responsibilities between 
Chairman and Chief Executive
The Board has shown its commitment to 
dividing responsibilities for running the 
Board and for running the Group’s business 
by appointing Jack Cashman as Non-
Executive Chairman; by naming Dr John 
Brown as Senior Independent Director; by 
establishing an executive Leadership Team 
(LT) under the leadership of Chief Executive 
Dr Chris Blackwell; and by establishing a 
procedure whereby the LT reports formally 
to the Board at each Board meeting.

Board balance
The Code requires a balance of Executive 
Directors and NEDs (and in particular 
independent NEDs) such that no individual 
or small group of individuals can dominate 
the Board’s decision-taking. Four of the six 
current Board members are NEDs. The NEDs 
come from diverse business backgrounds 
and each has specific expertise, materially 
enhancing the judgement and overall 
performance of the Board. 

Throughout the year ended 31 March 2012 
and up to the date of publication of this 
report, more than half the Board, excluding 
the Chairman, comprised NEDs determined 
by the Board to be independent.

The Board is committed to practising good 
corporate governance as part of its aim to 
deliver shareholder value. In assessing the 
appropriate standards of corporate 
governance the Board takes into account 
the nature and size of the operation, which 
comprised at 31 March 2012 six Directors 
and over 200 staff operating from two sites 
in the UK and one office in the US. The 
Board recognises that it is accountable to 
shareholders for the Group’s standard of 
governance and is reporting here on its 
compliance with the code of best practice 
set out in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the ‘Code’), a copy of which is 
available on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk. 

Statement of compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 
The Group has, in the Directors’ opinion, 
complied with the provisions set out in 
Section 1 of the Code throughout the year 
ended 31 March 2012. 

The principles set out in the Code cover four 
areas: the Board, Directors’ remuneration, 
accountability, and audit and shareholder 
relations. With the exception of Directors’ 
remuneration (which is dealt with 
separately in the Report on remuneration), 
the following sets out how the Board has 
applied such principles.

The Board
The Code requires every company to be 
headed by an effective board, which is 
collectively responsible for its success.  
As part of its leadership and control of  
the Group, the Board has an agreed list  
of matters that are specifically reserved for 
its consideration. These include business 
strategy, financing arrangements, material 
acquisitions and divestments, approval  
of the annual budget, major capital 
expenditure projects, risk management, 
treasury policies and establishing and 
monitoring internal controls. At each 
meeting, the Board reviews strategy  
and progress of the Group towards its 
objectives, particularly in respect of 
research and development projects, and 
monitors financial progress against budget. 

Independence of NEDs
As explained in previous annual reports,  
in order to assist in securing the recruitment 
and retention of high-calibre NEDs, in the 
past the Group has, in addition to fees, 
remunerated NEDs in the form of options  
to acquire shares in Vectura. 

Whilst the Code discourages the granting  
of share options to NEDs, it nevertheless 
acknowledges that such grants may be 
appropriate in a particular company’s 
circumstances. The Board is of the view that 
the historic granting of share options to 
NEDs when Vectura Group plc was a private 
company was appropriate. No share options 
have been granted to NEDs since 2 July 
2004, when the Company was admitted to 
the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). 

It was essential for an emerging 
pharmaceutical company like Vectura to 
secure the recruitment and retention of 
NEDs with the appropriate experience and 
international perspective in the context of 
the Group’s then stage of development. 
There are no performance criteria attaching 
to these options, and there is no intention  
to award any further options to NEDs.

The Board has determined that all NEDs are 
independent. The holding of share options 
by NEDs could be, amongst other things, 
relevant in determining whether a NED is 
independent. After detailed consideration, 
the Board has determined that it does not 
believe that the holding of share options by 
its NEDs impacts on their independence in 
character and judgement. Options granted 
to NEDs are now exercisable and thus 
similar to holding the equivalent amount  
of shares. 

Other factors that may reflect on the 
independence of a NED include any material 
business relationships with the Group; 
however, there were no such relationships 
during the year or prior year.

Serving more than nine years could be 
relevant to the determination of a NED’s 
independence. Notwithstanding the fact 
that Jack Cashman has been a NED of the 
parent company of the Group for 11 years, 
the Board has rigorously evaluated his 
performance and considers that he is fully 
independent of the Company.

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

15

The Board has established a Remuneration 
Committee, a Nomination Committee and an 
Audit Committee, whose make-up complies 
with the requirements of the Code. The 
terms of reference of each Committee can 
be downloaded from the Group’s website. 
In accordance with the Smith Guidance on 
Board Committees, no one other than the 
Committee Chairman and committee 
members receives automatic invitations to 
the meetings. The NEDs serve on the three 
board committees, as described below.  
The Board has considered the composition 
of the committees and concluded that the 
independence and objectivity of the 
individual NEDs is not impaired by sitting  
on these committees.

The Remuneration Committee
The Code requires that the Remuneration 
Committee consists of at least two 
independent NEDs. Dr Foden chairs the 
Remuneration Committee, its other 
members being Dr Brown, Mr Cashman  
and Mr Warner, all of which are considered 
to be independent. The Committee has 
responsibility for making recommendations 
to the Board on the Group’s policy on the 
performance evaluation and remuneration 
of Directors and for determining, within 
agreed terms of reference, specific 
remuneration packages for each of the 
Directors and members of the Executive 
Committee, including pension rights,  
any compensation payments and the 
implementation of executive incentive 
schemes. The Committee met formally  
four times during the financial year ended 
31 March 2012 and the Board confirms  
full attendance by all members at those 
meetings. No Directors are involved in 
determining their own remuneration.

The Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee leads the 
process for Board appointments and makes 
recommendations to the Board. The Code 
recommends that a majority of members of 
the Nomination Committee are independent 
NEDs. Dr Brown chairs the Nomination 
Committee and its other members are  
Mr Cashman, Dr Foden and Mr Warner.  
The Nomination Committee meets at least 
once a year, or more if necessary, and has 
responsibility for considering the size, 
structure and composition of the Board, 
retirements and appointments of additional 
and replacement Directors and making 
appropriate recommendations to the Board. 
The Committee met twice during the 
financial year ended 31 March 2012 and  
the Board confirms full attendance by all 
members at those meetings. 

The Audit Committee
The Code recommends that the Board should 
establish an Audit Committee of at least three 
independent NEDs, and the Group complies 
with these recommendations. Mr Warner  
is the NED with relevant financial experience 
and who chairs the Audit Committee; 
its other members are Dr Foden and  
Dr Brown. The Audit Committee met twice 
during the year ended 31 March 2012.  
The Board confirms full attendance by  
all members during the year. The Audit 
Committee is responsible for making 
recommendations to the Board on the 
appointment, reappointment and removal  
of the external auditor and assesses annually 
the qualification, expertise, resources, 
remuneration and independence of the 
auditor, as well as the effectiveness of  
the audit process. 

Any non-audit services that are to be 
provided by the external auditor are 
reviewed and approved in advance in  
order to safeguard auditor objectivity and 
independence. The Board confirms that 
there have been no non-audit services  
that are considered to have impaired  
the objectivity and independence of the 
external auditor. Non-audit fees are 
disclosed in note 6 to the financial 
statements within this Annual Report.

The Code requires that this Annual Report 
separately describes the work of the Audit 
Committee and how it discharges its 
responsibilities. The Audit Committee 
focuses particularly on compliance with 
legal requirements, accounting standards 
and the Code, and on ensuring that an 
effective system of internal financial 
controls is maintained. The ultimate 
responsibility for reviewing and approving 
the financial statements in the Interim and 
Annual Reports remains with the Board. 
Written terms of reference are modelled  
on the Code provisions and set out the main 
roles and responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee. The Audit Committee reports  
to the Board, identifying any need for action 
or improvement on any of these terms of 
reference and making recommendations  
as to the steps to be taken. The Board 
reviews the effectiveness of the Audit 
Committee annually.

The Audit Committee meets with the 
external auditor at least twice a year 
without management present and its 
Chairman keeps in touch, as required,  
with the key people involved in the Group’s 
governance, including the Board Chairman, 
the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial 
Officer and the external audit lead partner.

Audit Committee members understand  
the role of the Audit Committee, its terms  
of reference and their expected time 
commitments, and have the necessary 
overview of the Group’s business, financial 
dynamics and risk. 

The Audit Committee reviews arrangements 
by which staff of the Group may, in 
confidence, raise concerns about possible 
improprieties in matters of financial 
reporting or other matters. 

The Audit Committee’s objective is to  
ensure that arrangements are in place  
for the proportionate and independent 
investigation of such matters and for 
appropriate follow-up action.

The Audit Committee reviews the financial 
integrity of the Group’s financial statements, 
including relevant corporate governance 
statements prior to Board submission.

The Group has a formal whistle-blowing 
policy, which is available to all staff via the 
Group’s intranet.

 
16 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Business review: 

corporate governance statement

continued

Timeliness and quality of  
Board information
The Board has sought to ensure that 
Directors are properly briefed to help  
them make an effective contribution at the 
meetings by establishing procedures for 
distributing Board agendas and papers  
in a timely manner in advance of meetings. 
The Board plans formal meetings on a 
bi-monthly basis, with additional meetings 
either in person or by conference call when 
circumstances and urgent business dictate.  
In the financial year under review, seven 
regular meetings of the full Board were held. 

In addition, the Executive Directors ensure 
regular informal contact is maintained  
with Non-Executive Directors. The Board 
makes full use of appropriate technology  
as a means of updating and informing all  
its members.

Transparency of Board appointments
There are formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedures for the appointment of new 
Directors to the Board. Shortlisted 
candidates are interviewed by the Chairman 
of the Board and all members of the 
Nomination Committee, and evaluations of 
all appropriate candidates are circulated to 
all members of the Nomination Committee 
for consideration and approval prior to 
candidate recommendation to the Board.

Board performance evaluation 
Directors are subject to election by 
shareholders at the first opportunity after 
their appointment, and to re-election at 
intervals of no more than three years 
thereafter. The Board has a process for 
evaluation of its own performance and that 
of its committees and individual Directors, 
including the Chairman. These evaluations 
are carried out formally once a year and 
informally on a regular basis throughout the 
year. The formal evaluation is through an 
appraisal process. In line with the practice 
of previous years, the Assistant Company 
Secretary prepared and circulated a 
questionnaire for all Board members to 
answer and comment upon specific 
questions covering specific topics. These 
included the responsibilities and the roles of 
individual directors and the Board as a 
whole; the conduct of Board meetings and 
Committees of the Board; the Board’s role in 
monitoring the performance of the Group 
and corporate governance practices. A 
detailed anonymised analysis of the replies 

to the questionnaire, together with 
conclusions drawn from such analysis,  
was prepared by the Assistant Company 
Secretary and considered by the Board.

There have been no significant internal 
control failings or weaknesses throughout 
the year ended 31 March 2012 and up to the 
date of publication of this report.

The performances of Mr Cashman,  
Dr Brown and Dr Foden who are being 
proposed for re-election at the Annual 
General Meeting (AGM), have been so 
evaluated and it has been determined  
that they continue to perform effectively 
and show full commitment to their roles  
on the Board. 

All Directors have service agreements with 
indefinite terms, with 12 months’ notice  
for Executive Directors and three months’ 
notice for Non-Executive Directors.

Accountability and audit
The Board is required by the Code to present 
a balanced and understandable assessment 
of the Group’s position and prospects.  
In relation to this requirement reference  
is made to the Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities for preparing financial 
statements. The independent auditor’s 
report includes a statement by the auditor 
on its reporting responsibilities.

Measures to ensure auditor’s 
independence include:
  approving engagements with 
independent audit firms and fees for audit, 
audit-related and non-audit services,
  external auditor conducting the audit 
part of the financial statements not  
being permitted to perform certain  
other services without full consideration 
being given to alternative suppliers of  
the services, 
  disclosing the extent and nature of 
non-audit services in the notes to the 
financial statements.

Maintenance of a sound system of 
internal control
The Board has overall responsibility for the 
Group’s system of internal control and for 
reviewing its effectiveness. The Group’s 
internal controls are regularly reviewed  
as part of the risk management process. 
Such a system is designed to manage rather 
than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives and can provide only 
reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. The 
concept of reasonable assurance recognises 
that the cost of a control procedure should 
not exceed the expected benefits.

The Group’s organisational structure has 
clearly established responsibilities and lines 
of accountability. Employees are required to 
follow clearly defined internal procedures 
and policies appropriate to the business and 
their position within the business.

The Group endeavours to appoint 
employees with appropriate skills, 
knowledge and experience for the roles 
they undertake.

The Board has shown its commitment to 
formal and transparent arrangements for 
internal control by, amongst other things, 
reviewing the Group’s arrangements for its 
employees to raise concerns, in confidence, 
about possible wrongdoing (formalised in  
the grievance procedure and the whistle-
blowing policy circulated to all employees).  
In addition, the Group operates certain 
controls specifically relating to the 
production of consolidated financial 
information, covering operational 
procedures, validation and review.

Documented quality procedures are in place 
to ensure the maintenance of regulatory 
compliance. These are subject to periodic 
review to ensure current standards of 
quality compliance are maintained. A quality 
group monitors compliance with Good 
Laboratory Practice, Good Clinical Practice 
and Good Manufacturing Practice through 
the implementation of a compliance 
programme for in-house and contracted-
out activities. The Group has a formal Health 
and Safety Committee, comprising 
appropriate members of management and 
other employees, to be responsible for 
these issues. The Group has formal 
procedures to ensure appropriate security 
of documents and proprietary information. 
Lean techniques addressing laboratory and 
office inefficiencies have also been adopted. 

The Group regularly reviews its portfolio of 
insurance policies with its insurance broker 
to ensure that the policies are appropriate 
to the Group’s activities, size and exposures. 

A comprehensive budgeting system allows 
managers to submit detailed budgets, 
which are reviewed and amended by 
Executive Directors prior to submission to 
the Board for approval. At the end of each 

 
 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

17

Group’s website. In addition, all NEDs have 
developed an understanding of the views 
of shareholders through corporate broker 
briefings and review of issued analyst 
notes. The Chairman seeks to meet with 
major shareholders on a regular basis. 
Certain Non-Executive Directors meet with 
major shareholders as required. Private 
shareholders are encouraged to express 
their views and concern either in person  
at the AGM or by e-mail.

Constructive use of the AGM
The Board seeks to use the AGM (together 
with other forums) to communicate with 
investors and encourage their participation 
by arranging business presentations and 
inviting shareholder questions. The Chairs 
of the Remuneration, Nomination and Audit 
Committees are present at the AGM to 
answer questions through the Chairman  
of the Board.

Anne Hyland
Company Secretary

25 April 2012

quarter a forecast is prepared in the same 
level of detail as the budget. Actual results 
against budget and forecast, highlighting 
variances, are prepared for managers and 
the Board.

Risk assessment review
An ongoing process for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the significant 
risks that are detailed in the risk factors 
section of this report is in place. The 
effectiveness of the Group’s internal control 
system has been reviewed by the Board 
during the year. The Audit Committee’s 
terms of reference include the review  
of the Group’s internal financial control 
systems and it recommends to the Board 
any improvements required. Each year, the 
Audit Committee considers the need for an 
internal audit function and has concluded 
that, given the size of the Group’s 
operations at this time, it is not necessary. 
The Board also carries out reviews of the 
non-financial control systems. 

Shareholder relations
The Group reports formally to shareholders 
four times a year by way of the Interim  
and Annual Reports and two interim 
management statements, providing a 
quarterly communication with shareholders. 
All periodic reports and accounts are made 
available to shareholders on the Group’s 
website, or are mailed to shareholders who 
have elected to receive hard copies. Separate 
announcements of all material events are 
made as necessary by press releases. The 
Group’s website (www.vectura.com) provides 
an overview of the business including its 
strategy, products and objectives. All Group 
announcements are published on the 
website without delay together with 
webcasts of both the Interim and Annual 
results presentations. The terms of reference 
of each of the Board’s three Committees and 
certain corporate governance documents  
are also published on the Group’s website. 
These are the main mechanisms by which 
the Board seeks to present a balanced and 
understandable assessment of the Group’s 
position and prospects. 

Regular communications are maintained 
with major institutional shareholders and, 
in particular, presentations are made when 
half-year and full-year financial results  
are announced. Dr Brown, as Senior 
Independent Director, is contactable  
by shareholders through a link on the 

 
18 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Board of Directors

John Patrick (Jack) Cashman
Non-Executive Chairman 

Christopher Paul Blackwell BSc PhD
Chief Executive 

Jack Cashman, aged 71, joined the Board of 
Vectura as Non-Executive Chairman in 2001  
and is a member of both the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees. Jack brings 
significant experience to the Board of Vectura, 
having held a variety of senior executive-level 
roles in business and having been a Board 
member for several companies in both North 
America and Europe. He is currently a Director  
of Telesat Holdings Inc. (Canada). He is the 
former Chairman and joint-Chief Executive 
Officer of RP Scherer Corporation and 
participated in its leveraged buyout and 
privatisation and its subsequent successful 
flotation on the New York Stock Exchange.  
(RP Scherer was later acquired by Cardinal Health 
Inc.) His early career was spent in the field of 
filtration and industrial mineral products. During 
that time, he took on successively more senior 
roles in marketing, operations and general 
management in the UK, Europe, Canada and 
USA. With this experience, he decided to pursue 
an entrepreneurial career in the industrial and 
healthcare sectors.

Dr Chris Blackwell, 50, was appointed Chief 
Executive of Vectura in February 2004. He joined 
the Group in 2002 as Chief Operations Officer 
and Executive Director. He trained as a scientist. 
Having achieved a first class honours degree  
in Applied Biology, Chris pursued a PhD at the 
University of Bath, where in 1988 he completed 
his doctorate investigating free radicals and 
reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in heart 
disease. Throughout both degrees, Chris was 
sponsored by ICI Pharmaceuticals (now Astra 
Zeneca), and worked in the fields of respiratory 
and cardiovascular diseases. Prior to Vectura  
he was Director of Drug Development and an 
Executive Director at Scotia Pharmaceuticals  
Ltd, which he joined in 1998. He was previously 
at Hoffmann-La Roche, where he was UK 
Director, Global Project Management, and  
before that, at Glaxo in the department of 
Clinical Pharmacology. 

Anne Philomena Hyland BBS FCA FITI
Chief Financial Officer  
and Company Secretary
Anne Hyland, 51, was appointed Chief Financial 
Officer, Company Secretary and Executive 
Director of Vectura in March 2002. Prior to  
this she was a Director of Corporate Finance  
at Celltech Group plc. Other positions held at 
Celltech included Group Financial Controller  
and Finance Director for the Celltech/Medeva  
UK Division. She joined Celltech following the 
merger with Medeva plc, where she was Finance 
Director for the UK Division. Previously she was 
the Medeva Group Financial Controller where, 
through a period of rapid growth, she was 
responsible for managing treasury, tax, internal 
and external reporting, and acquisition and 
disposal activity. Anne joined Medeva from 
KPMG, London, where she was an audit manager 
and gained exposure to corporate finance, 
advisory and due diligence work. She has a 
Business Studies degree from Trinity College, 
Dublin, and is a Fellow of the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants, Ireland and a Fellow  
of the Institute of Taxation, Ireland and is also  
a member of the Primary Markets Group of the 
London Stock Exchange. She is also a Trustee  
of Sustrans, the charity that has created the 
National Cycle Network.

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

19

John Robert Brown CBE PhD MBA FRSE
Non-Executive Director and Senior 
Independent Director
Dr John Brown, 57, joined the Board of Vectura 
as Non-Executive Director and Senior 
Independent Director in 2004 and chairs the 
Nomination Committee as well as being a 
member of the Remuneration Committee.  
John is Chairman of CXR Biosciences Ltd and  
the Roslin Foundation and is a Non-Executive 
Director of the UK Technology Strategy Board. 
He also Chairs the Life Science Advisory Board 
for the Scottish Government. Until late 2003, 
John was Chief Executive of Acambis plc,  
a leading producer of vaccines to treat and 
prevent infectious disease. John is an Honorary 
Professor of Edinburgh University and is a  
Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In June 
2011 John received a CBE (Commander of the 
British Empire).

Susan Elizabeth Foden MA DPhil
Non-Executive Director 

Neil William Warner BA FCA MCT
Non-Executive Director 

Dr Susan Foden, 59, joined the Board of Vectura 
as a Non-Executive Director in January 2007.  
She chairs the Remuneration Committee and  
is a member of the Audit and Nomination 
Committees. She holds a number of Non-
Executive Directorships with both public and 
private companies in the biotech and healthcare 
field, including Source Bioscience plc, Cizzle 
Biotechnology Ltd, BerGenBio AS and Evgen Ltd. 
Prior to this Susan held positions in venture 
capital and UK biotech companies. From 2000  
to 2003 she was an Investor Director with the 
London-based venture capital firm Merlin 
Biosciences Limited, and was Chief Executive 
Officer of the technology transfer company 
Cancer Research Campaign Technology Ltd from 
1987 to 2000. She studied biochemistry at the 
University of Oxford from where she obtained 
an MA and a DPhil.

Neil Warner, 59, joined the Board of Vectura as 
Non-Executive Director in February 2011 and is 
Chair of the Audit Committee. Neil has significant 
financial and managerial experience in 
multi-national businesses and is a Non-Executive 
Director of Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc where he 
is the Senior Independent Director. He is also 
Non-Executive Chairman of Enteq Upstream plc, 
a specialist reach and recovery products and 
technologies provider to the upstream oil and 
gas services market. He was Finance Director  
at Chloride Group plc, a position he held for  
14 years until its acquisition by Emerson Electric. 
Prior to this, he spent six years at Exel plc 
(formerly Ocean Group plc and acquired by 
Deutsche Post in December 2005) where he held 
a number of senior posts in financial planning, 
treasury and control. He has also held senior 
positions in Balfour Beatty plc (formerly BICC 
Group plc), Alcoa and PricewaterhouseCoopers. 
Neil has an Economics degree from the 
University of Leeds and is a Fellow of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants.

 
20 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Executive management

Timothy Wright BSc PhD MBA
Commercial Director  

Stephen William Eason BSc (Eng) 
Director of Device Development 

Dr Tim Wright, 51, joined Vectura as Commercial 
Director in March 2005. Prior to joining Vectura 
he gained a breadth of experience in business 
development and licensing in a number of senior 
roles at BTG plc, latterly as Vice President 
Business Development and Licensing, Oncology, 
and as Director of Business Development at 
DevCo Pharmaceuticals, where he was 
successful in building a portfolio of neuroscience 
development candidates. Between 1986 and 
1999 Tim held a number of management 
positions at GlaxoWellcome Research and 
Development, both in Clinical Pharmacology and 
Medical Operations, and in project management 
at Simbec Research Limited. Tim trained as  
a research scientist at London University, 
obtaining a PhD in neuroendocrinology in 1987. 
He was awarded an MBA from London Business 
School’s Executive Programme in 1994.

Stephen Eason, 54, joined Vectura in 2002 as 
Director of Device Development. He has overall 
responsibility for the development of Vectura’s 
inhaler technologies and leads a team of device 
engineers and designers based in Cambridge.  
He is also responsible for Vectura’s Intellectual 
Property Group. Stephen joined Vectura from 
Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL), where in 
1999 he had set up and led CCL’s Drug Delivery 
Devices Group. The team carried out significant 
product developments in the areas of inhalation, 
injection and infusion products. Before 
specialising in drug delivery, Stephen managed  
a number of healthcare, telecoms and consumer 
product developments for clients in Europe  
and the US. Prior to joining CCL, Stephen worked 
in design and development for Baxter 
Healthcare. He studied Mechanical Engineering 
at the Imperial College of Science and 
Technology, London.

Trevor Phillips BSc PhD MBA 
Chief Operations Officer & President  
of US Operations
Dr Trevor Phillips, 51, was appointed Chief 
Operations Officer in July 2011, having joined 
Vectura in January 2010 as President of US 
operations. Prior to joining Vectura he gained 
extensive international experience in 
organisational leadership, management and 
pharmaceutical drug development in a number 
of senior roles, including positions as CEO and 
President of the US publicly held company, 
Critical Therapeutics Inc, following six years  
as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.  
During his time at Critical Therapeutics, Trevor 
was involved in setting up commercial 
partnerships, product in-licensing and 
out-licensing, managing drug development and 
NDA filings, commercial product manufacturing, 
and mergers and acquisitions. Between 1986 
and 2002 Trevor held a number of management 
positions at Sepracor, Scotia Pharmaceuticals, 
Accenture, GlaxoWellcome Research and 
Development and Simbec Research Limited. 
Trevor trained as a microbiologist at University 
of Reading, obtaining a PhD in microbial 
biochemistry from the University of Wales in 
1986. He was awarded an MBA from Henley 
Management College in 1997.

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

21

Corporate social responsibility statement

The Directors recognise the 
importance of corporate social 
responsibility and endeavour to 
take into account the interests  
of the Group’s stakeholders, 
including its investors, employees, 
customers, suppliers and business 
partners, when operating the 
business. The Group believes  
that having empowered and 
responsible employees who 
display sound judgement and 
awareness of the consequences 
of their decisions and actions,  
and who act in an ethical and 
responsible way, is key to the 
success of the business.

Our people
Employees
The key to our success is to develop core 
values within all of our staff which lead to 
an environment where they believe that 
what they are doing is making a difference. 
The core values with which we operate  
are participation, achievement, trust and 
respect, innovation and enthusiasm. 

During the period under review the rate  
at which we gained and lost employees has 
been low and absence levels have been 
below sector norms. 

The Group recognises that in an industry 
based on innovation and research and 
development, its employees are some of its 
biggest assets and it seeks to communicate 
and, where appropriate, consult with them 
on matters affecting them as employees,  
in the correct manner. 

The Group is committed to achieving 
equality of opportunity in all its 
employment practices, policies and 
procedures. Employees are valued highly 
and their rights and dignity are respected. 
The Group does not tolerate any 
harassment or discrimination. The Group 
practises equal treatment of all employees 
or potential employees irrespective of,  
inter alia, their race, creed, colour, sexual 
orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, 
religion, disability, age, gender or marital 
status. The equal opportunities policy 
covers all permanent and temporary 
employees (including Non-Executive 
Directors); all job applicants, agency staff, 
associates, consultants and contractors.  
The Group also endeavours to be honest 
and fair in its relationships with customers 
and suppliers and to be a good corporate 
citizen, respecting the laws of countries in 
which it operates. 

The Group provides training and 
development appropriate to individual 
needs and offers remuneration packages 
(including pensions, private medical, 
permanent health and life insurance) and  
a working environment that are designed  
to be both fair and competitive with larger 
companies within the industry. 

Participation in the Group’s share option 
schemes is extended to all of the Group’s 
employees. More details are provided in  
the Report on remuneration.

Employee involvement 
During the year, Vectura continued its  
policy of providing employees with 
information about the Group through regular 
presentations by Directors, management  
and the Group’s intranet. In addition, regular 
meetings are held between management 
and employees to allow for a free flow  
of information and ideas. Staff forums are 
established to comply with the requirements 
of Information and Consultation of 
Employees Regulations 2004. The forums 
ensure implementation of the EC Directive.

Disabled employees
Applications for employment by disabled 
persons are always fully considered, 
bearing in mind the aptitudes of the 
applicant concerned. With regard to existing 
employees and those who may become 
disabled, Vectura’s policy is to examine 
ways and means to provide continuing 
employment under its existing terms and 
conditions and to provide training and 
career development, including promotion, 
wherever appropriate.

Family-friendly employment policies and 
employee welfare
The maternity and paternity leave and pay 
policies conform to statutory requirements. 
Flexible approaches to return to work after 
maternity leave and part-time or non-
standard hours and work patterns are 
considered where viable.

Ms Hyland is the board member responsible 
for overseeing responsibility for Human 
Resources and non-discrimination issues. 

Community investment
Vectura considers that its most important 
contribution to the communities within 
which it operates is to provide high-quality 
employment opportunities and to develop 
therapies to help patients with diseases.

Whilst the Group does not consider it 
appropriate while it is loss making to  
make financial donations to charitable or 
community activities it does encourage  
and support initiatives that provide in-kind 
benefits where we believe we have  
a meaningful contribution to make. 
Examples include: 

  We support the STEM (Science, 
Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics) Initiative which is a major 
UK Government initiative. Within this 
initiative our staff are actively helping 

 
22 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Corporate social responsibility statement continued

Waste management
Initiatives to effectively manage and reduce 
waste have been implemented throughout 
the Group, including recycling of all paper 
waste, aluminium cans, printer toners/
cartridges and redundant mobile telephone 
handsets. Induction procedures for all newly 
recruited staff include sufficient information 
to ensure a high level of compliance with our 
standards. We aim to comply with all 
legislation in this area, including using 
registered waste disposal contractors. 

Ethical and social policies
The Group’s principal activities are 
undertaken within the pharmaceutical 
industry, which is subject to a highly 
regulated ethical framework with which  
the Group complies. In addition, the Group 
seeks to conduct its activities generally  
in accordance with good business ethics.

Vectura has adopted a clear anti-bribery 
policy and communicated it to all employees 
so they can recognise and avoid the use of 
bribery and report any suspicion for 
rigorous investigation. Political donations 
are prohibited and advance approval from 
management is required before 
management and staff may accept or solicit 
a gift of any kind.

Through the use of a risk register the Group 
has identified specific company-wide risks 
that include those in the key activities of 
intellectual property, medical and regulatory 
affairs, clinical development, pharmaceutical 
operations and device development. 

Conclusion
Corporate social responsibility matters are 
considered as part of the risk assessments of 
the Group and are part of the considerations 
when setting remuneration targets.

emissions per employee by 3% per annum 
and this has been achieved for gas and 
electricity-based emissions of the Group  
in 2011/12.

A programme of capital investment for 
information technology has been undertaken 
to provide a virtual IT operating environment. 
This investment will significantly reduce the 
physical IT equipment we operate and is 
expected to lead to significantly reduced 
carbon emissions and make a significant 
financial return. 

Vectura continues to adopt the principles  
of environmental management systems  
to ISO14001 standards. A Green Action 
Team meets regularly and has responsibility 
to pursue objectives for environmental 
sustainability and carbon reduction. 
Vectura’s forthcoming operational goals 
include a quantified target for reducing our 
carbon footprint. Use is made of the 
Company intranet to communicate widely  
to all staff on environmental affairs and to 
receive their views and suggestions on 
green policy for consideration and 
discussion within the Green Action Team.

Vectura is committed to undertaking an 
environmental impact review of new 
product developments, site development 
and of merger and acquisitions. 

Vectura has begun reporting its 
environmental performance under the 
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). CDP plays  
a vital role in communicating information 
about greenhouse gas emissions and 
related activities reported by the UK’s 
largest companies, enabling investors and 
the public to take informed action against 
climate change. There have been no 
contentious issues or other matters  
having economic, legal, reputational or 
environmental consequences that have 
arisen in the year under review.

Ms Hyland is the board member to whom 
responsibility for environmental issues has 
been delegated. She is also a Trustee of 
Sustrans, a leading UK charity enabling 
people to travel by foot, bicycle or public 
transport for more of their journeys. 

local schoolchildren, being tomorrow’s 
workforce, to gain the capabilities and 
skills to flourish in a scientific 
environment such as ours. 
  Quarterly visits to the Chippenham site 
(where approximately 90% of the 
employees are based) by the Blood 
Transfusion Services are facilitated and 
employees are encouraged to take the 
time to donate. 
  An annual award of additional holiday is 
allocated to a small number of employees 
as part of a staff initiative to volunteer for 
unpaid community or charitable services. 
  Staff are encouraged to participate in 
nationwide charity campaigns such as the 
Macmillan Coffee Mornings and 
Movember.

Health and safety
Vectura has a Health and Safety Committee 
to review health and safety standards within 
the Group. The Group considers health and 
safety to be a priority in its workplaces  
and a senior person is responsible for 
overseeing appropriate management.  
The Group has provided specialist training 
to individuals who are responsible for health 
and safety, and general health and safety 
training to all staff. 

The Group continues to keep health and 
safety practices under review. 

The Group has an excellent safety record 
and there have been no major incidents  
or accidents to report to the Health and 
Safety Committee.

Environment
We are committed to minimising the impact 
of our activities on the environment and 
energy efficiency is the most important 
means of climate protection currently 
available to the Group. Due to the nature  
of its activities, Vectura considers that it has 
a low environmental impact. 

Vectura has adopted an environmental 
policy, which can be found on our website. 
The policy sets out a commitment to 
reducing gas and electricity consumption 
and greenhouse gas emissions per 
employee from quantified levels. 
Quantifiable targets are established and  
we monitor performance against these 
targets. Vectura’s current target is to reduce 
energy consumption and greenhouse gas 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

23

Report on remuneration

The Committee members have no personal financial interests other 
than as shareholders in matters to be decided, no potential conflicts 
of interests arising from cross directorships and no day-to-day 
involvement in running the business. No Director plays a part in  
any discussion about his or her own remuneration.

The fees of the Non-Executive Directors are determined by the 
Board on the joint recommendation of the Chairman and the  
Chief Executive.

The Committee met formally four times during the year ended  
31 March 2012. 

A summary of the matters considered at each of those meetings  
is set out in the following panel. 

Current approach to remuneration policy 
When determining the structure and level of the Executive Directors’ 
remuneration, the Committee has regard to compensation packages 
in the UK pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. 

In determining the Group’s current policy, and in constructing the 
remuneration arrangements of each Executive Director and senior 
employee, the Board, advised by the Committee, aims to provide 
remuneration packages that are competitive and designed  
to attract, retain and motivate Executive Directors and senior 
employees of the highest calibre. To achieve this objective, the 
Committee takes account of information from both internal and 
independent sources and appointed New Bridge Street (a brand of 
Aon Hewitt Ltd, part of Aon plc) to advise it during the year. Aon 
Hewitt Ltd does not provide any other services to the Group. 

The total remuneration of each individual Executive Director and 
senior employee is benchmarked against the relevant sector. 
Vectura’s policy is to provide remuneration generally at levels that 
are broadly aligned with the mid-points for equivalent roles in 
comparable companies in the UK. 

Introduction
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Accounting 
Regulations of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) and complies  
with the UK Corporate Governance Code. The report also meets  
the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial 
Services Authority and describes how the Board has applied the 
principles relating to Directors’ remuneration under the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report Regulations 2002. As required by the Act,  
a resolution to approve this report will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meeting of the Group at which the financial statements  
will be approved. 

The Act requires the auditor to report to the Group’s members  
on certain parts of the Report on remuneration and state whether  
in their opinion those parts of the report have been properly 
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The report 
has, therefore, been divided into separate sections for unaudited 
and audited information. 

Unaudited information

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee (the ‘Committee’) consists entirely of 
NEDs and is constituted in accordance with the recommendations  
of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The Committee is formally 
constituted with written terms of reference and its main 
responsibilities are detailed below. Its members for the year ended 
31 March 2012 were Dr Foden (Chair), Dr Brown, Mr Cashman and 
Mr Warner. 

The Committee is responsible for:
  setting a remuneration strategy that ensures that talented 
executives are recruited, retained and motivated to deliver results;
  ensuring that the remuneration for the Executive Directors and 
other senior executives reflects both their individual performance 
and their contribution to the overall Company results;
  determining the terms of employment and remuneration for the 
Executive Directors and senior executives including recruitment 
and retention terms;
  approving the design and targets for any annual incentive schemes 
that include the Executive Directors and senior executives;
  agreeing the design and targets, where applicable, of all share 
incentive plans requiring shareholder approval;
  assessing the appropriateness and subsequent achievement 
of the performance targets related to any share incentive plans;
  recommending to the Board the fees paid to the Chairman. 
The Chairman is excluded from this process; and
  the selection and appointment of the external advisers to 
the Committee to provide independent remuneration advice 
where necessary.

 
24 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Report on remuneration continued

Meeting

April 2011

Standing agenda items

• Review the market competitiveness of the remuneration policy and the remuneration 
arrangements for the Executive Directors and other members of the Leadership Team, 
ensuring these are in line with current investor guidelines and also taking account  
of the level of remuneration elsewhere in the Group

•  Review current status of Long-Term Incentive Plans (‘LTIPs’) and share option schemes  

for all employees

• Approve overall pay levels for 2011/12 for the Group as a whole
• Review the salary levels for the Executive Directors and other members of the  

July 2011

• Review current status of share option schemes

December 2011 • Review current status of share option schemes 

February 2012

• Review of responsibilities and executive compensation packages for senior employees
• Review of LTIPs and share option schemes for all employees

Other agenda items

• Update on governance and 
regulatory developments

• Review of the COO 

remuneration package

The Group’s policy is that a substantial proportion of the 
remuneration of Executive Directors and senior employees should 
be performance-related. Performance measures are balanced 
between internal measures and sector-comparative measures to 
achieve maximum alignment between executive and shareholder 
objectives. Base salaries are supplemented by bonuses based on  
the achievement of corporate goals set at the start of each year.

In line with the Association of British Insurers’ Guidelines on 
Responsible Investment Disclosure, the Committee will ensure that 
the incentive structure for executive directors and senior 
management will not raise environmental, social or governance 
(“ESG”) risks by inadvertently motivating irresponsible behaviour.  
More generally, the Committee will ensure that the overall 
remuneration policy does not encourage inappropriate  
operational risk-taking.

The diagram below shows the components of the remuneration 
package as a percentage of total remuneration. 50% of the 
Executive Directors’ total remuneration is performance-related.

Components of the current  
remuneration package
The principal components of remuneration packages are base 
salary, short and long-term incentives and pension benefits.  
The policy in relation to each of these components, and key terms  
of the various incentive and benefit programmes, is explained 
further below.

Basic salary
Basic salaries are reviewed annually, taking into account inter alia: 
individual and corporate performance against objectives; levels of 
responsibility; salary levels in comparable companies; and pay and 
conditions throughout the Company. 

The Committee aims to set each Executive Director’s base salary, 
taking account of the factors above, so that it is broadly aligned  
with the mid-points of the chosen UK pharmaceutical sector 
comparator group (see next page) and adjusted to reflect company 
size and complexity. 

For the year ending 31 March 2013 the Committee decided that the 
salaries of Dr Blackwell and Ms Hyland should remain unchanged 
(2011/12: 3%).

 
Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

25

Performance-related cash bonuses
All employees are eligible for an annual discretionary cash bonus, 
whereby performance objectives are established at the beginning  
of the financial year by reference to suitably challenging corporate 
goals. Goals typically include revenue generation, development 
pipeline progress, partnering successes and control of cash 
expenditure, and are weighted towards goals with the highest 
corporate significance. Performance-related payments may be  

paid annually, dependent upon achievements measured against 
corporate goals. Bonus payments are not pensionable. The scheme 
is offered to all staff below board level with bonus award 
entitlements ranging between 10% and 50% of salary depending  
on grade. Cash bonuses are limited to a maximum of 100% of basic 
salary for each Executive Director. 

For the year ended 31 March 2012 the performance objectives 
against which bonus payments were calculated were as follows: 

Performance metric

Weighting as % of
maximum bonus potential % of metric (% of full bonus)

Level of bonus awarded as  Commentary (full disclosure has been

Revenue generation

25%

0% (0%)

Development & technology 
pipeline progress

35%

46% (16%)

Generation of new 
partnerships and progress 
with current partnerships

40%

93% (37%)

Total bonus payment as a % of salary 

53%

The Committee also assessed that a bonus in the order of 53% 
(2010/11: 62%) of salary was appropriate when judged by the 
achievement of the above metrics and when looking at a broader 
picture of the Company’s corporate performance over the period. 

Given the number of shares acquired for cash by the Executive 
Directors during the year ended 31 March 2012, the Remuneration 
Committee has not required any of the bonus payment for this year 
to be deferred into shares.

restricted due to commercial sensitivity)

Revenues in the year ended 31 March 2012 were 
£33m. This was below the target set by the Board 
thus no bonus was payable in respect of this matrix

New formulation and device patents were filed and 
new device designs were developed. Significant 
progress was made on the development of VR506 
with three clinical studies initiated in the period

During the year significant new partnerships  
with Sandoz and a US company were announced. 
Development progress was made on VR315  
and VR632

Long-Term Incentive Plan 
Historically, Executive Directors and certain senior executives have 
been granted an annual award in the form of nil-cost options under 
the Vectura Group plc 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).  
These awards are dependent on the achievement of a rigorous, 
pre-determined set of performance conditions which for recent 
awards are based on relative TSR. PricewaterhouseCoopers report 
to the Committee annually on the Company’s TSR performance. The 
scheme expired in September 2010 and no awards have been made 
in the year ended 31 March 2012. Subject to the outcome of a 
consultation with the Company’s major shareholders, the 
Committee intends to introduce a new LTIP at the 2012 AGM.   

The Committee also intends to make the following changes to 
the remuneration of the Executive Directors:

  The Company intends to introduce a shareholding requirement 
for the Executive Directors under which they will be required to 
build and maintain a holding of Company shares with a market 
value on acquisition equivalent to 100% of salary.
  The Company also intends to introduce a share trading plan for its 
Directors and Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities 
(‘PDMRs’) that will enable them to sell shares from their holdings 
in a way that is transparent for shareholders. 

 
26 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Report on remuneration continued

Performance conditions under LTIP schemes
Vesting of existing LTIP awards is dependent upon the Group’s 
relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) measured over a 
performance period of three or four years. Awards vest in 
accordance with the following table:

Level of comparative
performance during
the performance period

Below median

At or above median

Upper quartile

* Linear vesting between points

Percentage of LTIP
award released
%

–

30*

100*

In addition, the Committee is required to ensure that the underlying 
financial performance of the Group is consistent with its TSR 
performance, by considering the Group’s performance against  
a range of objective financial measures. These measures include 
revenue and cash generation. If the Committee believes that the 
underlying corporate financial performance is not consistent with  
its TSR performance, then no LTIP awards will be released. 

The comparator group of companies used for the awards made in 
2009 is as follows:

Allergy Therapeutics plc  GW Pharmaceutical plc SkyePharma plc
Antisoma plc
Ark Therapeutics plc
BTG plc

Oxford BioMedica plc
ProStrakan Group plc
Sinclair Pharma plc

Vernalis Group plc

In 2010/11 the Remuneration Committee introduced additional 
criteria whereby the 2009 awards would not vest if the average 
share price over the three-month period to 21 May 2012 was less 
than £1. This would ensure that even if the TSR measures had  
been achieved, the LTIP would pay out only if the share price 
performance were strong. The average share price for the two 
months to 21 April 2012 was 59p.   

The awards granted to Dr Blackwell and Ms Hyland under the LTIP 
scheme on 8 June 2010 are subject to the following conditions:

  the Company’s performance will be measured against the FTSE 
SmallCap Index rather than a comparator group of companies; 
  the first 50% of the award is subject to a three-year performance 

period. In addition, this part of the award will not vest if the 
average price of the Company’s shares for a three-month period 
before the date of vesting is less than £1.00. The second 50% of 
the award is subject to a four-year performance period and will 
not vest if the average price of the Company’s shares for the 
three-month period before the date of vesting is less than £1.27.

Value Realisation Plan
On 31 October 2008, the shareholders approved the Vectura Group 
plc Value Realisation Plan (‘VRP’). The VRP runs in parallel to the LTIP 
and provides participants with a share of a predetermined 
percentage of the total consideration paid for the Group in the 
event of a change in control. In this event, under the VRP members 
of the Leadership Team of the Group will be granted a one-off 
entitlement in the form of units, which convert into ordinary shares 
in Vectura Group plc, the actual number of shares that convert 
being linked to the offer price per share achieved. The VRP is 
triggered upon achievement of a minimum bid price of £1.27 per 
share, with a maximum number of shares available to participants if 
the bid price reaches or exceeds £1.77 per share. The VRP operates 
over a five-year period to 31 October 2013.

Share Incentive Plan
The Vectura Group plc Share Incentive Plan (‘SIP’) is available to  
all employees, including Executive Directors, for the purpose of 
encouraging employees to become shareholders of the Group and 
to retain their shares over the medium to long term. It introduces 
share ownership to the employee in three ways: free shares, 
partnership shares, and matching shares. Vectura Group plc  
may award free shares annually, employees may buy partnership 
shares out of pre-tax salary, and Vectura Group plc may match any 
partnership shares purchased in a year with the award of additional 
matching shares on a one-for-one basis. The SIP is an HMRC 
approved scheme through which benefits are provided in a tax 
efficient manner.

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

27

Performance graph
The following graph shows Vectura Group plc’s performance since 
its initial listing in July 2004, measured by TSR, compared with the 
performance of the current comparator group of companies in  
the sector, as described above.

%
n
r
u
t
e
r

l

r
e
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
s
l

a
t
o
T

1.50

1.25

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

0

-0.25

-0.50

-0.75

-1.00

Jul
04

Jan
05

Jul
05

Jan
06

Jul
06

Jan
07

Jul
07

Jan
08

Jul
08

Jan
09

Jul
09

Jan
10

Jul
10

Jan
11

Jul
11

Jan
12

Vectura Group plc

Comparator companies

The following graph shows Vectura Group plc’s performance  
since 1 April 2011, measured by TSR, compared with the 
performance of the FTSE Small Cap, as described above. This  
index was chosen as Vectura is one of the constituent  
companies and the Committee feels that it is the most  
appropriate one against which to measure performance.

%
n
r
u
t
e
r

l

r
e
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
s
l

a
t
o
T

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

0

-0.25

-0.50

Apr
11

Jul
11

Oct
11

Jan
12

Apr
12

Vectura Group plc

FTSE small cap index

Sharesave Share Option Scheme
Vectura Group plc also operates a Sharesave (‘SAYE’) Share Option 
Scheme for both employees and Executive Directors. Under this 
Scheme all eligible employees and Executive Directors are invited  
to subscribe for options, which may be granted at a discount of  
up to 20% of market value and which vest after three years. The 
Sharesave Share Option Scheme is an all-employee plan to which 
performance conditions do not apply.

Approved and Unapproved Share Option Plans and the EMI Plan 
Executive Directors hold options under the Approved and 
Unapproved Share Option Plans and under Enterprise Management 
Incentive arrangements (the ‘EMI Plan’).

Historically, before it was listed, Vectura Group plc granted NEDs 
share options as part of their remuneration package. At the early 
stage of the Group’s development this was considered to be 
essential to secure the recruitment and retention of high-calibre 
NEDs with the appropriate experience. This policy of granting share 
options to NEDs has not applied since the Group was publicly listed 
in 2004, and no further share option awards will be made to them. 
In this connection, reference should also be made to the Corporate 
governance statement. The options held by the NEDs have vested 
and are exercisable at any time. The Board does not believe that the 
retention of these fully vested options in any way compromises the 
independence of the NEDs concerned.

Historically, no performance conditions have been attached to the 
options granted under the above schemes. The exercise price is 
equal to the market value of Vectura Group plc’s shares at the time 
the options are granted. 

Pension arrangements
All employees, including Executive Directors, are invited to 
participate in the Group Personal Pension Plan, which is money-
purchase in nature. The only pensionable element of remuneration 
is basic salary. During the year, the Group contributed 20% of basic 
salary to the Group Personal Pension Plan in the name of the 
Executive Directors.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Report on remuneration continued

Directors’ interests
The Directors who held office at 31 March 2012 and their interests  
in the share capital of Vectura Group plc at 31 March 2012 and  
31 March 2011 were as follows:

31 March 2012
ordinary shares
 of 0.025p each

31 March 2011
ordinary shares
of 0.025p each

374,717

242,681

946,647

624,849

11,000

20,800

344,930

242,681

780,415

351,162

11,000

Nil

C P Blackwell (1)

J R Brown (2)

J P Cashman

A P Hyland (1)

S E Foden

N W Warner

(1) The holdings of C P Blackwell and A P Hyland include 43,103 ordinary shares 
  of 0.025p each, which are held in the Vectura Group plc Employee Benefit  
  Trust (Share Incentive Plan). 
(2) The holding of J R Brown includes 8,929 ordinary shares of 0.025p each, 
  which are held through nominees.

There was no change in the Directors’ interests between 31 March 
2012 and 25 April 2012, the date of this report.

Other information 
Directors’ service contracts
It is the Group’s policy that Executive Directors should have contracts 
with an indefinite term and which provide for a maximum period  
of 12 months’ notice. This applies to the contracts of Dr Blackwell  
and Ms Hyland, which were effective from 25 June 2004. Executive 
Directors are subject to re-election at an AGM at intervals of no more 
than three years. 

Awards made under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan that 
have not been released at the date the Executive’s employment 
ceases lapse, unless the Remuneration Committee in its absolute 
discretion determines otherwise.  Executives have no entitlement  
to a bonus payment in the event that they cease to be employed  
by the Company.  In addition, in the event of early termination  
the Committee would seek to ensure that the principle of  
mitigation applies.

Dr Blackwell resigned his position as a Non-Executive Director  
of AGI Therapeutics plc on 3 February 2012. He received no salary  
in the year to 31 March 2012 (2011: nil).

Non-Executive Directors
All NEDs have specific terms of engagement which are terminable 
on three months’ notice by either party, and their remuneration is 
determined by the Board within the limits set by the Articles of 
Association and based on a review of fees paid to NEDs of similar 
companies. NEDs are not eligible to join the Group’s pension 
scheme, nor do they receive other benefits. All NEDs are subject to 
re-election at an AGM at intervals of no more than three years.

The dates of appointment of each of the NEDs serving at 31 March 
2012 are summarised in the table below:

Name of Director

Date of appointment

J R Brown

J P Cashman

S E Foden

N W Warner

13 May 2004

27 March 2001

18 January 2007

1 February 2011

All of the NEDs are considered independent, including Mr Cashman, 
who has service greater than nine years. This is due to the major 
change in the operating activities of the Group that occurred  
with effect from July 2004 when the Company completed its Initial 
Public Offering.

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

29

Audited information
Directors’ remuneration 
The remuneration of the individual Directors who served during the year was as follows:

Executive Directors

C P Blackwell

A P Hyland

Non-Executive Directors

J R Brown*

J Cashman

S E Foden*

A J M Richards

N W Warner

Basic salary
and fees
£000

Bonuses
£000

Benefits
£000

2012 Total
emoluments
£000

2011 Total
emoluments
£000

328

218

45

80

40

10

40

761

174

116

–

–

–

–

–

290

2

1

–

–

–

–

–

3

504

335

45

80

40

10

40

515

344

45

60

40

30

6

1,054

1,040

* Included within the NEDs’ fees are the fees for chairing committees. Dr Brown received £5,000 for chairing the Nomination Committee and £10,000 for his  
  role as Senior Independent Director. Dr Foden received £10,000 for chairing the Remuneration Committee and Mr Warner received £10,000 for chairing the  
  Audit Committee.

  Benefits represent payments for medical insurance.

  In addition to the above, nominal gains of £137,558 arose during the year following the exercise of share options by a number of Directors.

Directors’ pension entitlements
The money-purchase pension contributions paid by the Group for Executive Directors were as follows:

C P Blackwell

A P Hyland

2012
£000

66

44

110

2011
£000

64

42

106

 
30 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Report on remuneration continued

Options
Directors holding office at 31 March 2012 with options outstanding over ordinary shares of 0.025p were as follows:

Plan

J Cashman
Unapproved

Unapproved
Unapproved

Total

C P Blackwell
EMI

Unapproved

Unapproved

Unapproved 

Unapproved

Unapproved

Unapproved

Unapproved

SAYE Scheme

Unapproved

Approved

SAYE Scheme
SAYE Scheme

Total

J R Brown
Unapproved

Total

A P Hyland
EMI

Unapproved

Unapproved

Unapproved 

Unapproved

Unapproved

Unapproved

Unapproved

SAYE Scheme

Unapproved

Approved
SAYE Scheme

Total

Options held
at 1 April
2011

Options granted
(exercised or
cancelled)
during year

Options held
at 31 March
2012

166,232

680,000
238,989

(166,232)

–
–

1,085,221

(166,232)

277,776

122,224

23,376

1,023,355

716,966

132,424

265,493

271,304

26,666

237,384

37,383

13,761
–

3,148,112

238,989

238,989

243,900

196,100

33,896

456,335

358,483

94,090

188,640

192,174

26,666

143,926

37,383
13,761

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(26,666)

–

–

(13,761)
18,987

(21,440)

–

–

(243,900)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(26,666)

–

–
–

–

680,000
238,989

918,989

277,776

122,224

23,376

1,023,355

716,966

132,424

265,493

271,304

–

237,384

37,383

–
18,987

3,126,672

238,989

238,989

–

196,100

33,896

456,335

358,483

94,090

188,640

192,174

–

143,926

37,383
13,761

1,985,354

(270,566)

1,714,788

Exercise
price (p)

48.125

36.000
56.000 

48.125

48.125

48.125

36.000

56.000

82.500

93.750

86.250

36.000

53.500

53.500

65.400
47.400

Date from
which first
exercisable

18/04/04

29/04/04
02/07/05

05/11/05

01/10/05

11/04/06

29/04/07

02/07/05

03/08/06

09/08/07

25/05/08

01/04/11

23/05/09

23/05/09

01/04/14
01/04/15

Expiry date

 31/03/12 (2)

 29/04/14
 02/07/14 (1)

03/11/13

01/10/13

11/04/13

29/04/14
02/07/14 (1)
03/08/15 (1)
09/08/16 (1)
25/05/17 (1)
 01/10/11 (3)
23/05/18 (1)
23/05/18 (1)
 01/10/14 (4)
 01/10/15 (4)

56.000

02/07/05

02/07/14 (1)

48.125

48.125

48.125

36.000

56.000

82.500

93.750

86.250

36.000

53.500

53.500
65.400

19/03/05

18/03/05

11/04/06

29/04/07

02/07/05

03/08/06

09/08/07

25/05/08

01/04/11

23/05/09

23/05/09
01/04/14

 17/03/12 (5)

29/05/13

11/04/13

29/04/14
02/07/14 (1)
03/08/15 (1)
09/08/16 (1)
25/05/17 (1)
01/10/11 (3)
23/05/18 (1)
23/05/18 (1)
01/10/14

All options were granted for nil consideration.  
(1) Vesting in three equal annual instalments from date first exercisable. 
(2) On 9 August 2011, J Cashman exercised 166,232 Unapproved options at a grant price of 48.125p per share. On the date of exercise, the market value 
  of the Company’s shares was 95.75p. The total cost for the exercise was £117,377, including taxation, and the nominal gain was £79,168. 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

31

(3) On 9 August 2011, C P Blackwell and A P Hyland each exercised 26,666 SAYE options at a grant price of 36p per share. On the date of exercise, the market 
  value of the Company’s shares was 95.75p. The total cost for each exercise was £9,600 and the total nominal gain was £15,933 in each case. 
(4) On 19 February 2012, C P Blackwell cancelled his 2011 Sharesave Scheme and began contributing to the 2012 Sharesave Scheme.
(5) On 9 February 2012, A P Hyland exercised 243,900 EMI options at a grant price of 48.125p per share. On the date of exercise, the market value of the 
  Company’s shares was 59p. The total cost for the exercise was £117,377 and the total nominal gain was £26,524.

Directors’ LTIP awards
Under the LTIP scheme, the grants made to Directors at 31 March 2012 were as follows: 

Director

C P Blackwell

Total

A P Hyland

Total

Date of
award
12/09/05

22/11/06

25/05/07

23/05/08

21/05/09

08/06/10
08/06/10

12/09/05

22/11/06

25/05/07

23/05/08

21/05/09

08/06/10
08/06/10

1 April
2011
£
272,741

215,011

219,005

594,392

928,467

878,684 
878,684

3,986,984

166,290

152,299

146,003

396,261

618,978

574,632
574,632

2,629,095

Awarded/
(exercised)
during year
£
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

31 March
2012
£
272,741

215,011

219,005

594,392

928,467

878,684
878,684

3,986,984

166,290

152,299

146,003

396,261

618,978

574,632
574,632

2,629,095

Share price on
date of grant
p
77.50

93.00

86.25

53.50

68.50

38.00
38.00

77.50

93.00

86.25

53.50

68.50

38.00
38.00

Date of release
of shares
12/09/08 (1)
22/11/09 (2)
25/05/10 (3)
 23/05/11 (4)

 21/05/12

 08/06/13
 08/06/14

12/09/08 (1)
22/11/09 (2)
25/05/10 (3)
 23/05/11 (4)

 21/05/12

 08/06/13
 08/06/14

The number of shares released to the Directors at the end of the three-year performance period is dependent upon the performance TSR of the Group during 
that period in comparison to that of a comparator group of companies as described in the LTIP section of this Report on remuneration.

(1) The award made on 12 September 2005 reached the end of its holding period on 12 September 2008. The TSR of the Group during this period compared with 
  that of the comparator group was in the upper quartile. Accordingly, 100% of the shares awarded were released. The nil-cost options relating to this award  

lapse on 11 September 2015. 

(2) The award made on 22 November 2006 reached the end of its holding period on 22 November 2009. The TSR of the Group during this period compared with 
  that of the comparator group equated to 83.32% of the shares awarded being released. The nil-cost options relating to this award lapse on 21 November 2016. 
(3) The award made on 25 May 2007 reached the end of its holding period on 25 May 2010. The TSR of the Group during this period compared with that of the 
  comparator group equated to 62.964% of the shares awarded being released. The nil-cost options relating to this award lapse on 25 May 2017. 
(4) The award made on 23 May 2008 reached the end of its holding period on 23 May 2011. The TSR of the Group during this period compared with that of the 
  comparator group was in the upper quartile. Accordingly, 100% of the shares awarded were released. The nil-cost options relating to this award lapse on  
  23 May 2018.

On behalf of the Board

Dr S E Foden 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

25 April 2012

 
 
 
 
32 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Directors’ report

The Directors present their Annual Report on the 
affairs of the Company and Group, together with  
the financial statements and Auditor’s report for the 
year ended 31 March 2012. 

Principal activity 
The principal activity of the Group undertaken during the year  
was the ongoing research and development and commercialisation 
of novel therapeutic products and drug delivery systems for  
human use. 

Review of business 
Key events during the past year are referred to in the Highlights, 
Chairman and Chief Executive’s report, the Financial review  
and the Business review. During the year, the Board has considered 
the key risks and uncertainties of the business, which are 
summarised on page 13. The Board has reviewed the risk 
management policies in place, as summarised in the Corporate 
governance statement.

Results and dividends
The group loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £4.4m 
(2010/11: £8.8m). The Directors do not recommend the payment  
of a dividend (2010/11: £nil).

Balance sheet strength
The net current assets position of the Group was further 
strengthened in the year with cash and cash equivalents increasing 
to £75.5m (31 March 2011: £74.4m).

Directors
Membership of the Board (together with Directors’ biographies)  
is shown in the section on Board of Directors. Details of Directors’ 
remuneration and their interests in the share capital of the  
Company are given in the Report on remuneration. None of  
the Directors has any interest in any contract of significance  
to the financial statements.

Employees
Details on the involvement of employees are disclosed in the 
Corporate social responsibility statement.

Financial instruments
The policy and practice of the Group with regard to financial 
instruments is disclosed in note 20 of the financial statements.

Payment of creditors
The Group’s policy is to agree payment terms with the suppliers at 
the start of business relationships and to abide by them. The typical 
terms are 30 days (2010/11: 30 days).

Political and charitable donations
Vectura encourages employee involvement in charitable causes,  
but does not contribute itself because it is loss-making. There were 
no political donations during the year (2011: £nil). 

Directors’ indemnities
The Company has granted an indemnity to its Directors against 
liability in respect of proceedings brought by third parties, which 
remains in force as at the date of approving the Directors’ report.

Significant shareholdings
At 23 April 2012, the nearest practical date to the date of this Report, 
the Company had a total of 3,526 ordinary shareholders and 
331,685,931 ordinary shares in issue.

The Directors had been notified of the following substantial holdings 
in the Company’s share capital as at the close of business on  
20 April 2012:

Number
of shares
 ’000

%

Legal & General Investment Management Limited

33,815

 10.20

Aviva plc

Aberforth Partners LLP

Franklin Resources, Inc

Invesco Asset Management Limited

BlackRock, Inc

J P Morgan Chase

AXA SA

30,845

26,508

24,444

23,995

13,442

13,020

10,505

 9.30

 7.99

 7.37

 7.23

 4.05

 3.93

 3.17

Share price
The mid-market share price as shown by the London Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List on 31 March 2012 was 54.25p. The 
mid-market share price ranged from 50p to 107p during the year to 
31 March 2012. The average share price for the period was 72.4p.

Corporate social responsibility statement
The Group’s policies on the environment, health and safety, ethical 
and social issues and its employees are described in the statement 
on pages 21 and 22.

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

33

Going concern
The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis. 
Although the current economic conditions may place pressures on 
customers and suppliers which may face liquidity issues, the Group’s 
product diversity and customer and supplier base substantially 
mitigate these risks. In addition, the Group operates in the relatively 
defensive pharmaceutical industry which we expect to be less 
affected compared to other industries. 

With regard to the appointment and replacement of Directors, the 
Company is governed by its Articles of Association, the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Companies Act 2006 and related legislation. 
The Articles of Association themselves may be amended by special 
resolution of the shareholders. The powers of Directors are 
described in the Board’s Terms of Reference, copies of which are 
available on request, and the Corporate governance statement  
on pages 14 to 17.

The Group made a loss of £4.4m for the financial year ended  
31 March 2012 (2011: £8.8m) but had £75.5m of cash and cash 
equivalents as at 31 March 2012 (2011: £74.4m). The Board operates 
an investment policy under which the primary objective is to invest 
in low-risk cash or cash equivalent investments to safeguard the 
principal. The Group’s forecasts, taking into account likely revenue 
streams, show that the Group has sufficient funds to operate for  
the foreseeable future. 

After reviewing the Group’s forecasts and assessing the uncertain 
nature of some of the Group’s forecast revenues, the Directors 
believe that the Group is adequately placed to manage its business 
and financing risks successfully despite the current uncertain 
economic outlook. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts. 

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the offices of  
Olswang, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6XX on 18 September 
2012 at 12.00 noon. Details of the business to be transacted  
at the forthcoming AGM will be given in a separate circular  
to shareholders.

Capital structure 
Details of the authorised and issued share capital, together with 
details of the movements in the Company’s issued share capital 
during the year are shown in note 21. The Company has one class  
of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. Each share 
carries the right to one vote at general meetings of the Company. 
The redeemable preference shares carry no interest, nor do they 
carry voting rights. The percentage of the issued nominal value of 
the ordinary shares is 71% of the total issued nominal value of all 
share capital.

There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding nor on  
the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the general 
provisions of the Articles of Association and prevailing legislation. 
The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders  
of the Company’s shares that may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of securities or on voting rights. 

Details of employee share schemes are set out in note 22. 

Shares held by the Vectura Group plc Employee Benefit Trust  
abstain from voting.

No person has any special rights of control over the Company’s 
share capital and all issued shares are fully paid.

Under its Articles of Association, the Company has authority to issue 
441.2m ordinary shares.

Equity
A shareholder resolution was approved at the Company’s AGM, held 
on 22 July 2011, to reduce the Company’s share premium account  
by £78.6m, being the value of the share premium account as at  
14 June 2011. A subsequent application to reduce the Company’s 
share premium account was approved by the High Court of Justice 
on 25 January 2012. As part of this share premium reduction, the 
retained loss value of £25.9m in the Company balance sheet as at  
14 June 2011 was cancelled and the remaining balance of £52.7m 
has created a retained profit in the Company balance sheet.

Auditor 
Deloitte LLP has expressed a willingness to continue in office  
as auditor and a resolution to re-appoint them will be put to the 
members at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

The Directors that were members of the Board at the time of 
approving the Directors’ report are listed on pages 18 and 19. 
Having made enquiries of fellow Directors and of the Company’s 
auditor, each of these Directors confirms that:

  to the best of each Director’s knowledge and belief, there is no 
information relevant to the preparation of their report of which 
the Company’s auditor is unaware; and
  each Director has taken all the steps a director might reasonably 
be expected to have taken to be aware of relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware 
of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

By order of the Board

Anne Hyland
Company Secretary

25 April 2012

 
34 

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

Responsibility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and  
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit  
or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole; and
  the management report, which is incorporated into the Directors’ 
report, includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a 
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

Anne Hyland
Director

25 April 2012

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are required  
to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have 
also chosen to prepare the parent Company financial statements 
under IFRSs as adopted by the EU. Under company law the Directors 
must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and 
of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing 
these financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 
requires that directors:

  properly select and apply accounting policies;
  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner 
that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 
information; 
  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific 
requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to 
understand the impact of particular transactions, other events 
and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial 
performance; and
  make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

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

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ 
from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Vectura Group plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2011/12 

35

Independent auditor’s report 

to the members of Vectura Group plc

We have audited the financial statements of Vectura Group plc for the 
year ended 31 March 2012, which comprise the Consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, the Balance sheet, the Cash flow 
statement, the Statement of changes in equity and the related notes  
1 to 27. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in 
their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and  
as regards the parent Company financial statements, as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

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

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities, the Directors are responsible for the preparation  
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give  
a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an 
opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).  
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate  
to the Group’s and the parent Company’s circumstances and  
have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the 
Directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 
In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information  
in the annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the 
audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report. 

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion:
  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs as at 31 March 
2012 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;
  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 
  the parent Company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006; and
  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards 
the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB
As explained in note 1 to the Group financial statements, the Group 
in addition to complying with its legal obligation to apply IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union, has also applied IFRSs as issued  
by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

In our opinion the Group financial statements comply with IFRSs  
as issued by the IASB.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 
2006

In our opinion:
  the part of the Report on remuneration to be audited has been 
properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; 
and
  the information given in the Directors’ report for the financial 
year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent 
with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following:
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to  
you if, in our opinion:
  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or
  the parent Company financial statements and the part of the 
Report on remuneration to be audited are not in agreement  
with the accounting records and returns; or
  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law 
are not made; or
  we have not received all the information and explanations 
we require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
  the Directors’ statement contained within the Directors’ report 
in relation to going concern; 
  the part of the Corporate governance statement relating to 
the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; and 
  certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board 
on Directors’ remuneration. 

Stuart Henderson (ACA) (Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
Cambridge, United Kingdom

25 April 2012

 
 
36	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 March 2012

Revenue

Cost	of	sales

Gross profit

Research	and	development	expenses

Other	administrative	expenses

Amortisation

Share-based	compensation

Total	administrative	expenses

Operating loss

Investment	income

Finance	costs

Loss before taxation

Taxation

Loss after taxation attributable to equity holders of the Company  
and total comprehensive income

Loss	per	ordinary	share:	basic	and	diluted

All	results	are	derived	from	continuing	activities.

Note

2

4

6

5

5

8

9

2012
£m

33.0

(2.2)

30.8

(32.8)

(3.3)

(7.5)

(1.1)

(11.9)

(13.9)

0.7

–

(13.2)

8.8

(4.4)

(1.3p)

2011
£m

42.9

(2.7)

40.2

(37.7)	

(3.3)

(10.7)

(1.8)

(15.8)

(13.3)

0.8

(0.8)

(13.3)

4.5

(8.8)

(2.7p)

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

37

Balance sheet
at 31 March 2012

Assets

Goodwill

Intangible	assets

Property,	plant	and	equipment

Investments	in	subsidiary	undertakings

Other	receivables

Non-current	assets

Inventories

Trade	and	other	receivables

Amounts	due	from	subsidiary	undertakings

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Current	assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Trade	and	other	payables

Deferred	income

Current	liabilities

Deferred	income

Amounts	owed	to	subsidiary	undertakings

Deferred	tax	liabilities

Non-current	liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share	capital

Share	premium

Special	reserve

Other	reserve

Share-based	compensation	reserve

Retained	(loss)/profit

Total equity

Group

Company

Note

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

20

18

19

19

17

8	

21a

21b

21c

21d

21e

21f

2012
£m

49.6

23.4

6.0

–

0.4

79.4

0.7

9.7

–

75.5

85.9

165.3

(20.7)

(3.5)

(24.2)

(1.3)

–

(0.3)

(1.6)

(25.8)

139.5

0.1

2.2

8.2

124.9

12.0

(7.9)

139.5

2011
 £m

49.6

30.9

2.9

–

0.4

83.8

0.2

9.2

–

74.4

83.8

167.6

(18.7)

(5.5)

(24.2)

–

–

(3.1)

(3.1)

(27.3)

140.3

0.1

78.3

8.2

124.9

10.9

(82.1)

140.3

2012
£m

2.0

–

–

125.6

–

127.6

–

0.1

71.2

–

71.3

198.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

198.9

0.1

2.2

8.2

123.7

12.0

52.7

198.9

2011
£m

2.0

–

–

125.6

	–	

127.6

–

0.1

86.1

–

86.2

213.8

–

–

–

–

(18.5)

–

(18.5)

(18.5)

195.3

0.1

78.3

8.2

123.7

10.9

(25.9)

195.3

The	financial	statements	of	Vectura	Group	plc,	registered	number	03418970,	were	approved	and	authorised	for	issue	by	the		
Board	of	Directors	on	25	April	2012	and	were	signed	on	its	behalf	by:	

Dr C P Blackwell 
Director		

A P Hyland 
Director

	
	
38	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 March 2012

Operating	loss

Depreciation	and	amortisation

Share-based	compensation

Increase	in	inventories

Decrease	in	receivables

Increase/(decrease)	in	payables

(Decrease)/increase	in	deferred	income

Exchange	movements

Net	cash	(outflow)/inflow	from	operations

Taxation	paid

Research	and	development	tax	credits	received

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest	received

Purchase	of	property,	plant	and	equipment

Receipts	from	sale	of	property,	plant	and	equipment

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds	from	issue	of	ordinary	shares

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Increase	in	cash	and	cash	equivalents

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	at	beginning	of	period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Group

2012
£m

(13.9)

8.6

1.1

(0.5)

0.9

2.0

(0.7)

–

(2.5)

–

4.6

2.1

0.7

(4.2)

–

(3.5)

(1.4)

2.5

2.5

1.1

74.4

75.5

2011
£m

(13.3)

12.0

1.8

(0.2)

0.9

(0.5)

2.8

(0.8)

2.7

(0.1)

8.2

10.8

0.7

(1.5)

0.1

(0.7)

10.1

0.2

0.2

10.3

64.1

74.4

Company

2012
£m

2011
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

39

Statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 March 2012

Group

At	1	April	2010

Loss	for	the	year

Share-based	compensation

Exercise	of	share	options

At	31	March	2011

Loss	for	the	year

Conversion	of	share	premium

into	retained	(loss)/profit

Share-based	compensation

Exercise	of	share	options

At	31	March	2012

Company

At	1	April	2010

Share-based	compensation

Exercise	of	share	options

At	31	March	2011

Conversion	of	share	premium

into	retained	(loss)/profit

Share-based	compensation

Exercise	of	share	options

At	31	March	2012

Share–based
Other compensation
reserve
£m

reserve 
£m

Retained
loss
£m

Share
capital
£m

0.1

–

–

–

0.1

–

–

–

–

0.1

Share
premium
£m

78.1

–

–

0.2

78.3

–

(78.6)

–

2.5

2.2

Special
reserve
£m

8.2

–

–

–

8.2

–

–

–

–

124.9

–

–

–

124.9

–

–

–

–

9.1

–

1.8

–

10.9

–

–

1.1

–

12.0

8.2

124.9

Share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Special
reserve
£m

Share–based
Other compensation
reserve
£m

reserve 
£m

0.1

–

–

0.1

–

–

–

0.1

78.1

–

0.2

78.3

(78.6)

–

2.5

2.2

8.2

–

–

8.2

–

–

–

8.2

123.7

–

–

123.7

–

–

–

123.7

9.1

1.8

–

10.9

–

1.1

–

12.0

Total
equity
£m

147.1

(8.8)

1.8

0.2

140.3

(4.4)

–

1.1

2.5

(73.3)

(8.8)

–

–

(82.1)

(4.4)

78.6

–

–

(7.9)

139.5

Retained
loss
£m

(25.9)

–

–

Total
equity
£m

193.3

1.8

0.2

(25.9)

195.3

78.6

–

–

–

1.1

2.5

52.7

198.9

	
40	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements

1  Accounting policies

General information
Vectura	Group	plc	is	a	public	limited	company	incorporated	in	the	
United	Kingdom	under	the	Companies	Act	2006.	The	address	of	the	
registered	office	and	principal	place	of	business	is	given	on	page	62.	
The	Company’s	ordinary	shares	are	traded	on	the	London	Stock	
Exchange	(LSE)	under	the	ticker	VEC.

Basis of preparation
The	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	in	accordance	with		
the	Companies	Act	2006	and	IFRSs	and	related	interpretations	as	
adopted	by	the	European	Union	and,	therefore,	the	Group	financial	
statements	comply	with	Article	4	of	the	EU	International	Accounting	
Standard	(IAS)	Regulation.	The	Group	and	Company	financial	
statements	are	also	consistent	with	IFRSs	as	issued	by	the	
International	Accounting	Standards	Board	(IASB).

The	separate	financial	statements	of	the	Company	are	presented		
as	required	by	the	Companies	Act	2006	and	have	been	prepared		
in	accordance	with	IFRSs	as	adopted	by	the	European	Union.	The	
Company	is	taking	advantage	of	the	exemption	in	section	408	of		
the	Companies	Act	2006	not	to	present	its	individual	statement	of	
comprehensive	income	and	the	related	notes	that	form	a	part	of	
these	approved	financial	statements.	The	parent	Company	loss	for	
the	year	ended	31	March	2012	is	£nil	(2011:	£nil).	

The	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	on	the	historical	cost	
basis,	revised	for	use	of	fair	values	where	required	by	applicable	
IFRS.	The	presentational	and	functional	currency	of	Vectura	Group	
plc	is	sterling	since	that	is	the	currency	of	the	primary	economic	
environment	in	which	the	Group	operates.	Therefore,	the	
consolidated	financial	statements	are	presented	in	sterling	and	all	
values	are	rounded	to	the	nearest	one	hundred	thousand	(£0.1m),	
except	where	otherwise	indicated.	The	principal	accounting	policies	
adopted	are	set	out	below.

Going concern
The	accounts	have	been	prepared	on	the	going	concern	basis.	
Although	the	current	economic	conditions	may	place	pressures		
on	customers	and	suppliers	which	may	face	liquidity	issues,		
the	Group’s	product	diversity	and	customer	and	supplier	base	
substantially	mitigate	these	risks.	In	addition,	the	Group	operates		
in	the	relatively	defensive	pharmaceutical	industry	which	we	expect	
to	be	less	affected	compared	to	other	industries.	

The	Group	made	a	loss	of	£4.4m	for	the	financial	year	ended	31	March	
2012	(2011:	£8.8m)	but	had	£75.5m	of	cash	and	cash	equivalents	as		
at	31	March	2012	(2011:	£74.4m).	The	Board	operates	an	investment	
policy	under	which	the	primary	objective	is	to	invest	in	low-risk	cash	
or	cash	equivalent	investments	to	safeguard	the	principal.	The	Group’s	
forecasts,	taking	into	account	likely	revenue	streams,	show	that	the	
Group	has	sufficient	funds	to	operate	for	the	foreseeable	future.	

After	reviewing	the	Group’s	forecasts	and	assessing	the	uncertain	
nature	of	some	of	the	Group’s	forecast	revenues,	the	Directors	
believe	that	the	Group	is	adequately	placed	to	manage	its	business	
and	financing	risks	successfully	despite	the	current	uncertain	
economic	outlook.	Accordingly,	they	continue	to	adopt	the	going	
concern	basis	in	preparing	the	annual	report	and	accounts.	

Basis of consolidation
The	consolidated	annual	financial	statements	comprise	the	financial	
statements	of	Vectura	Group	plc	and	its	subsidiaries	as	at	31	March	
each	year.	

Subsidiaries	are	consolidated	from	the	date	on	which	control	is	
transferred	to	the	Group	and	cease	to	be	consolidated	from	the	date	
on	which	control	is	transferred	out	of	the	Group.	Control	comprises	
the	power	to	govern	the	financial	and	operational	policies	of	the	
investee	so	as	to	obtain	benefit	from	its	activities	and	is	achieved	
through	direct	or	indirect	ownership	of	voting	rights,	or	by	way	of	
contractual	agreement.	The	financial	statements	of	subsidiaries	are	
prepared	for	the	same	reporting	year	as	the	parent	Company,	using	
consistent	accounting	policies.	Adjustments	are	made	to	bring	into	
line	any	dissimilar	accounting	policies	that	may	exist.

All	inter-company	balances	and	transactions,	including	unrealised	
profits	arising	from	intra-group	transactions,	have	been	eliminated	
in	full.

Where	there	is	a	loss	of	control	of	a	subsidiary,	the	consolidated	
financial	statements	include	the	results	for	the	part	of	the	reporting	
year	during	which	the	Group	had	control.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation 
uncertainty
In	preparing	the	financial	statements,	management	is	required	to	
make	estimates	and	assumptions,	in	accordance	with	IFRS,	that	
affect	the	amounts	of	assets,	liabilities,	revenues	and	expenses	
reported	in	the	financial	statements.	The	estimates	and	associated	
assumptions	are	based	on	historical	experience	and	other	factors	
that	are	considered	to	be	relevant.	Actual	amounts	and	results	could	
differ	from	those	estimates.	

The	critical	accounting	judgements	and	key	sources	of	estimation	
uncertainty	that	have	a	significant	risk	of	causing	material	adjustment	
to	the	carrying	amounts	of	assets	and	liabilities	within	the	next	
financial	year	are	the	measurement	and	review	for	impairment	of	
definite	and	indefinite-life	intangible	assets	(goodwill),	the	review	for	
impairment	of	investments,	the	measurement	of	provisions,	the	
estimation	of	share-based	payment	costs,	revenue	recognition	and	
the	treatment	of	research	and	development	expenditure	in	line	with	
the	relevant	accounting	policy.	

The	Group	determines	on	an	annual	basis	whether	goodwill	is	
impaired	and	this	requires	the	estimation	of	the	value	in	use	of		
the	cash-generating	units	to	which	goodwill	is	allocated.	The	
measurement	of	intangible	assets	other	than	goodwill	on	a	business	
combination	involves	estimation	of	future	cash	flows	and	the	
selection	of	a	suitable	discount	rate.

The	measurement	of	provisions	involves	estimation	of	future	cash	
flows	and	the	associated	level	of	liabilities	expected	to	arise	as		
a	result	of	these	cash	flows.	

The	estimation	of	share-based	payment	costs	requires	the	selection	
of	an	appropriate	valuation	model,	consideration	as	to	the	inputs	
necessary	for	the	valuation	model	chosen	and	the	estimation	of	the	
number	of	awards	that	will	ultimately	vest,	inputs	for	which	arise	
from	judgements	relating	to	the	probability	of	meeting	non-market	
conditions	and	the	continuing	participation	of	employees.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

41

The	treatment	of	research	and	development	expenditure	requires	
an	assessment	of	the	expenditure	in	order	to	determine	whether		
or	not	it	is	appropriate	to	capitalise	onto	the	balance	sheet	in	
accordance	with	IAS	38.

Revenue recognition
Revenue	represents	the	amount	receivable	for	goods	and	services	
provided	and	royalties	earned,	net	of	trade	discounts,	VAT	and	other	
sales-related	taxes.	Revenue	is	recognised	as	follows:

Technology and product licensing 
Technology	and	product	licensing	income	represents	amounts	earned	
for	licences	provided	under	licensing	agreements,	including	up-front	
payments,	milestone	payments	and	technology	access	fees.	Revenues	
are	recognised	where	they	are	non-refundable,	the	Group’s	
obligations	related	to	the	revenues	have	been	discharged	and	their	
collection	is	reasonably	assured.	Refundable	licensing	revenue	is	
treated	as	deferred	until	such	time	that	it	is	no	longer	refundable.		
In	general,	up-front	payments	are	deferred	and	amortised	on	a	
systematic	basis	in	line	with	the	period	of	development.	Milestone	
payments	relating	to	scientific	or	technical	achievements	are	
recognised	as	income	when	the	milestone	is	accomplished.

Royalty income
Royalty	income	is	recognised	on	an	accruals	basis	and	represents	
income	earned	as	a	percentage	of	product	sales	in	accordance	with	
the	substance	of	the	relevant	agreement	net	of	amounts	payable		
to	other	licensees.

Pharmaceutical Development Services
Pharmaceutical	Development	Services	revenues	principally		
comprise	contract	product	development	and	contract	clinical		
trial	manufacturing	fees	invoiced	to	third	parties.	Revenues	are	
recognised	upon	the	completion	of	agreed	tasks	or	numbers		
of	person	days	and	in	the	period	to	which	they	relate.

Device sales
Device	sales	are	recognised	when	goods	are	delivered	to	customers.

Interest income 
Interest	income	is	recognised	on	a	time-proportion	basis	using	the	
effective	interest	method.

Business combinations
The	acquisition	of	subsidiaries	is	accounted	for	using	the	acquisition	
method.	The	cost	of	the	acquisition	is	measured	at	the	aggregate		
of	the	fair	values,	at	the	date	of	exchange,	of	assets	given,	liabilities	
incurred	or	assumed,	and	equity	instruments	issued	by	the	Group		
in	exchange	for	control	of	the	acquiree.	Acquisition	related	costs		
are	recognised	in	the	statement	of	comprehensive	income	as	they	
are	incurred.	In	accordance	with	IFRS	3	–	Business	Combinations,	
the	Group	has	a	twelve-month	period	in	which	to	finalise	the	fair	
values	allocated	to	assets	and	liabilities	determined	provisionally		
on	acquisition.

Goodwill
Goodwill	recognised	under	UK	Generally	Accepted	Accounting	
Principles	(GAAP)	prior	to	1	April	2004	is	stated	at	net	book	value		
at	that	date.	Goodwill	arising	on	the	acquisition	of	subsidiary	or	
associate	undertakings	and	businesses	subsequent	to	1	April	2004,	
representing	any	excess	of	the	fair	value	of	the	consideration	given	
over	the	fair	value	of	the	identifiable	assets,	liabilities	and	contingent	
liabilities	acquired,	is	capitalised.	After	initial	recognition,	goodwill		
is	stated	at	cost	less	any	accumulated	impairment	losses,	with	the	
carrying	value	being	reviewed	for	impairment	at	least	annually		
and	whenever	events	or	changes	in	circumstances	indicate	that		
the	carrying	value	may	be	impaired.	For	the	purpose	of	impairment	
testing,	goodwill	is	allocated	to	the	related	cash-generating	units	
monitored	by	management.	Where	the	recoverable	amount	of	the	
cash-generating	unit	is	less	than	its	carrying	amount,	including	
goodwill,	an	impairment	loss	is	recognised	in	the	statement	of	
comprehensive	income.	On	disposal	of	a	subsidiary,	associate	or	
jointly	controlled	entity,	the	attributable	amount	of	goodwill	is	
included	in	the	determination	of	the	profit	or	loss	on	disposal.

Intangible assets
Intangible	assets	acquired	separately	from	a	business	combination	
are	carried	initially	at	cost.	An	intangible	asset	acquired	as	part	of		
a	business	combination	is	recognised	outside	goodwill	if	the	asset		
is	separable	or	arises	from	contractual	or	other	legal	rights	and	its	
fair	value	can	be	measured	reliably.	Development	expenditure	on	
internally	developed	intangible	assets	is	taken	to	the	statement	of	
comprehensive	income	in	the	year	in	which	it	is	incurred,	except	
where	expenditure	relating	to	clearly	defined	and	identifiable	
development	projects	meets	the	following	criteria,	in	which	case	
development	expenditure	will	be	recognised	as	an	intangible	asset:

	 the	project’s	technical	feasibility	and	commercial	viability	can	
be	demonstrated;
	 the	availability	of	adequate	technical	and	financial	resources	and	
an	intention	to	complete	the	project	have	been	confirmed;	
	 the	correlation	between	development	costs	and	future	revenues	
has	been	established;	and
	 the	economic	benefit	is	expected	to	flow	to	the	entity.

Following	initial	recognition,	the	historic	cost	model	is	applied,		
with	intangible	assets	being	carried	at	cost	less	accumulated	
amortisation	and	accumulated	impairment	losses.	Intangible	assets	
with	a	finite	life	have	no	residual	value	and	are	amortised	on	a	
straight-line	basis	over	their	expected	useful	lives	with	charges	
included	in	administrative	expenses	as	follows:

Patents,	trademarks	and	licence	agreements	–	between	3	and		
10	years

The	carrying	value	of	intangible	assets	is	reviewed	for	impairment	
whenever	events	or	changes	in	circumstances	indicate	the	carrying	
value	may	not	be	recoverable.	

	
42	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

1  Accounting policies continued

Property, plant and equipment
Property,	plant	and	equipment	is	stated	at	cost,	net	of	depreciation	
and	provision	for	impairment.	Depreciation	is	provided	on	all	
property,	plant	and	equipment	at	rates	calculated	to	write	off	the	
cost	of	each	asset,	less	its	estimated	residual	value,	on	a	straight-line	
basis	over	its	expected	useful	life,	as	follows:

	 Buildings	–	20	years
	 Laboratory	equipment	–	3–7	years
	 Office	and	IT	equipment	–	3	years
	 Freehold	land	is	not	depreciated.

The	carrying	values	of	property,	plant	and	equipment	are	reviewed	
for	impairment	when	events	or	circumstances	indicate	the	carrying	
values	may	not	be	recoverable.	Useful	life	and	residual	value	are	
reviewed	annually.

Impairment of assets
The	Group	assesses	at	each	reporting	date	whether	there	is	an	
indication	that	an	asset	may	be	impaired.	If	any	such	indication	
exists,	or	when	annual	impairment	testing	for	an	asset	is	required,	
the	Group	makes	an	estimate	of	the	asset’s	recoverable	amount.		
An	asset’s	recoverable	amount	is	the	higher	of	an	asset’s	or	
cash-generating	unit’s	fair	value	less	costs	to	sell	and	its	value		
in	use	and	is	determined	for	an	individual	asset,	unless	the	asset		
does	not	generate	cash	inflows	that	are	largely	independent	of	
those	from	other	assets	or	groups	of	assets.	Where	the	carrying	
amount	of	an	asset	exceeds	its	recoverable	amount,	the	asset	is	
considered	impaired	and	is	written	down	to	its	recoverable	amount.	
In	assessing	value	in	use,	the	estimated	future	cash	flows	are	
discounted	to	their	present	value	using	a	pre-tax	discount	rate	that	
reflects	current	market	assessments	of	the	time	value	of	money	and	
the	risks	specific	to	the	asset.	Impairment	losses	on	continuing	
operations	are	recognised	in	the	statement	of	comprehensive	
income	in	those	categories	consistent	with	the	function	of	the	
impaired	asset.

An	assessment	is	made	at	each	reporting	date	as	to	whether	there		
is	any	indication	that	previously	recognised	impairment	losses	may	
no	longer	exist	or	may	have	decreased.	If	such	indication	exists,		
the	recoverable	amount	is	estimated.	A	previously	recognised	
impairment	loss	is	reversed	only	if	there	has	been	a	change	in	the	
estimates	used	to	determine	the	asset’s	recoverable	amount	since	
the	last	impairment	loss	was	recognised.	If	that	is	the	case,	the	
carrying	amount	of	the	asset	is	increased	to	its	recoverable	amount.	
That	increased	amount	cannot	exceed	the	carrying	amount	that	
would	have	been	determined,	net	of	depreciation,	had	no	
impairment	loss	been	recognised	for	the	asset	in	prior	years.	Such	
reversal	is	recognised	in	profit	or	loss	unless	the	asset	is	carried	at	
the	re-valued	amount,	in	which	case	the	reversal	is	treated	as	a	
revaluation	increase.	After	such	a	reversal	the	depreciation	charge		
is	adjusted	in	future	periods	to	allocate	the	asset’s	revised	carrying	
amount,	less	any	residual	value,	on	a	systematic	basis	over	its	
remaining	useful	life.

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments	in	subsidiaries	are	eliminated	upon	consolidation.		
In	the	Company	accounts	investments	are	carried	at	historic	cost,	
less	provision	for	impairment.

Investments in associates and joint ventures
The	Group’s	interests	in	its	associates,	being	those	entities	over	
which	it	has	significant	influence	and	which	are	neither	subsidiaries	
nor	joint	ventures,	are	accounted	for	using	the	equity	method	of	
accounting.	The	Group’s	interests	in	its	joint	ventures	are	also	
accounted	for	using	the	equity	method	of	accounting.	Under	the	
equity	method,	the	investment	is	carried	in	the	balance	sheet	at		
cost	plus	post-acquisition	changes	in	the	Group’s	share	of	net	assets	
of	the	entity,	less	distributions	received	and	less	any	impairment		
in	value	of	individual	investments.	The	Group’s	statement	of	
comprehensive	income	reflects	the	Group’s	share	of	any	income		
and	expense	recognised	by	the	associate	or	joint	venture	outside	
profit	and	loss.	The	Group	does	not	recognise	losses	in	excess	of		
the	value	of	its	investments.

Financial assets 
Financial	assets	are	recognised	when	the	Group	becomes	party		
to	the	contracts	that	give	rise	to	them	and	are	classified	as	financial	
assets	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss,	loans	and	receivables,	
held-to-maturity	investments,	or	as	available-for-sale	financial	
assets,	as	appropriate.	The	Group	determines	the	classification		
of	its	financial	assets	at	initial	recognition	and	re-evaluates	this	
designation	at	each	financial	year	end.	When	financial	assets	are	
recognised,	initially	they	are	measured	at	fair	value,	being	the	
transaction	price	plus,	in	the	case	of	financial	assets	not	at	fair	value	
through	profit	or	loss,	directly	attributable	transaction	costs.

Inventories
Inventories	comprise	goods	held	for	resale	and	are	stated	at	the	
lower	of	cost	and	net	realisable	value.	Costs	include	the	direct	costs	
and,	where	applicable,	an	attributable	proportion	of	distribution	
overheads	incurred	in	bringing	inventories	to	their	current	location	
and	condition.	Cost	is	determined	on	a	first-in,	first-out	basis.		
Net	realisable	value	is	based	on	estimated	selling	price,	less	any	
further	costs	expected	to	be	incurred	to	completion	and	disposal.

Trade and other receivables
Trade	receivables	are	recognised	and	carried	at	the	lower	of	their	
original	invoiced	value	and	recoverable	amount.	Provision	is	made	
when	there	is	objective	evidence	that	the	Group	will	not	be	able		
to	recover	balances	in	full.	Balances	are	written	off	when	the	
probability	of	recovery	is	assessed	as	being	remote.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash	and	short-term	deposits	in	the	balance	sheet	comprise	cash		
at	bank	and	in	hand	and	short-term	deposits	with	an	original	
maturity	of	three	months	or	less.	For	the	purposes	of	the	cash	flow	
statement,	cash	and	cash	equivalents	consist	of	cash	and	cash	
equivalents	as	defined	above,	net	of	outstanding	bank	overdrafts.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

43

Leasing
Operating	leases	and	the	annual	rentals	are	charged	to	the	statement	
of	comprehensive	income	on	a	straight-line	basis	over	the	period	of	
the	lease	in	accordance	with	the	terms	of	the	lease	agreements.

Foreign currencies
Transactions	in	foreign	currencies	are	recorded	at	the	rate	of	
exchange	at	the	date	of	the	transaction.	Monetary	assets	and	
liabilities	denominated	in	foreign	currencies	at	the	balance	sheet	
date	are	reported	at	the	rates	of	exchange	prevailing	at	that	date.	
Any	gain	or	loss	arising	from	a	change	in	exchange	rate	subsequent	
to	the	date	of	the	transaction	is	included	as	an	exchange	gain	or		
loss	in	the	statement	of	comprehensive	income.	

Non-monetary	items	that	are	measured	in	terms	of	historical	cost		
in	a	foreign	currency	are	translated	using	the	exchange	rate	as	at	
the	dates	of	the	initial	transactions.	Non-monetary	items	measured	
at	fair	value	in	a	foreign	currency	are	translated	using	the	exchange	
rates	at	the	date	when	the	fair	value	was	determined.

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
All	loans	and	borrowings	are	initially	recognised	at	fair	value,	less	
directly	attributable	transaction	costs.	After	initial	recognition,	
interest-bearing	loans	and	borrowings	are	subsequently	measured	at	
amortised	cost	using	the	effective	interest	method.	Gains	and	losses	
arising	on	the	repurchase,	settlement	or	cancellation	of	liabilities	are	
recognised	respectively	as	finance	income	or	finance	costs.	The	
effective	interest	rate	is	the	rate	that	exactly	discounts	estimated	
future	cash	payments	(including	all	fees	on	points	paid	or	received	
that	form	an	integral	part	of	the	effective	interest	rate,	transaction	
costs	and	other	premiums	or	discounts)	through	the	expected	life		
of	the	financial	liability	or,	where	appropriate,	a	shorter	period.

Financial liabilities
Financial	liabilities	are	initially	measured	at	fair	value	and,	if	material,	
are	subsequently	measured	at	amortised	cost	using	the	effective	
interest	method.	The	effective	interest	method	is	a	method	of	
calculating	the	amortised	cost	of	a	financial	liability	and	of	allocating	
interest	expense	over	the	relevant	period.	The	effective	interest	rate	
is	the	rate	that	exactly	discounts	estimated	future	cash	payments	
throughout	the	expected	life	of	the	financial	liability.

Provisions
Provisions	are	recognised	when	the	Group	has	a	present	obligation	
(legal	or	constructive)	as	a	result	of	a	past	event,	it	is	probable	that	
the	Group	will	be	required	to	settle	that	obligation	and	a	reliable	
estimate	can	be	made	of	the	amount	of	the	obligation.

The	amount	recognised	as	a	provision	is	the	best	estimate	of	the	
consideration	required	to	settle	the	present	obligation	at	the	
balance	sheet	date,	taking	into	account	the	risks	and	uncertainties	
surrounding	the	obligation.	Where	a	provision	is	measured	using	
cash	flows	estimated	to	settle	the	present	obligation,	its	carrying	
amount	is	the	value	of	those	cash	flows.

When	some	or	all	of	the	economic	benefits	required	to	settle	a	
provision	are	expected	to	be	recovered	from	a	third	party,		
a	receivable	is	recognised	as	an	asset	if	it	is	virtually	certain	that	
reimbursement	will	be	received	and	the	amount	of	the	receivable	
can	be	measured	reliably.

Restructuring
A	restructuring	provision	is	recognised	when	the	Group	has	
developed	a	detailed	formal	plan	for	the	restructuring	and	has	
raised	a	valid	expectation	in	those	affected	that	it	will	carry	out		
the	restructuring	by	starting	to	implement	the	plan	or	announcing	
its	main	features	to	those	affected	by	it.	The	measurement	of	a	
restructuring	provision	includes	only	the	direct	expenditures	arising	
from	the	restructuring,	which	are	those	amounts	that	are	both	
necessarily	entailed	by	the	restructuring	and	not	associated	with		
the	ongoing	activities	of	the	entity.

Taxation
Current	tax	assets	and	liabilities	are	measured	as	the	amounts	
expected	to	be	recovered	from	or	paid	to	the	taxation	authorities,	
based	on	tax	rates	and	laws	that	are	enacted	or	substantively	
enacted	by	the	balance	sheet	date.

Deferred	tax	is	recognised	on	all	temporary	differences	arising	
between	the	tax	bases	of	assets	and	liabilities	and	their	carrying	
amounts	in	the	financial	statements,	with	the	following	exceptions:

	 where	the	temporary	difference	arises	from	the	initial	recognition	
of	goodwill,	or	from	an	asset	or	liability	in	a	transaction	that	is	not	
a	business	combination	that	at	the	time	of	the	transaction	affects	
neither	accounting	nor	taxable	profit	or	loss;
	 in	respect	of	taxable	temporary	differences	associated	with	
investments	in	subsidiaries,	associates	and	joint	ventures,	where	
the	timing	of	the	reversal	of	the	temporary	differences	can	be	
controlled	and	it	is	probable	that	the	temporary	differences	will	
not	reverse	in	the	foreseeable	future;	and
	 deferred	tax	assets	are	recognised	only	to	the	extent	that	it	is	
probable	that	taxable	profit	will	be	available	against	which	the	
deductible	temporary	differences,	carried	forward	tax	credits	or	
tax	losses	can	be	utilised.

Deferred	tax	assets	and	liabilities	are	measured	on	an	undiscounted	
basis	at	the	tax	rates	that	are	expected	to	apply	when	the	related	
asset	is	realised	or	liability	is	settled,	based	on	tax	rates	and	laws	
enacted	or	substantively	enacted	at	the	balance	sheet	date.

Deferred	tax	is	charged	or	credited	directly	to	equity	if	it	relates	to	
items	that	are	credited	or	charged	to	equity.	Otherwise,	deferred	
tax	is	recognised	in	the	statement	of	comprehensive	income.

Deferred	tax	assets	and	liabilities	are	offset	when	there	is	a	legally	
enforceable	right	to	set	off	current	tax	assets	against	current	
liabilities	and	when	they	relate	to	income	taxes	levied	by	the	same	
taxation	authority	and	the	Group	intends	to	settle	its	current	tax	
assets	and	liabilities	on	a	net	basis.

Research	and	development	tax	credits	are	recognised	on	an	
accruals	basis.

Post-retirement benefits
The	Group	contributes	a	set	proportion	of	employees’	gross	salary	
to	defined	contribution	personal	pension	plans.	The	amount	
charged	to	the	statement	of	comprehensive	income	in	respect	of	
pension	costs	is	the	contribution	payable	in	the	year.	Differences	
between	contributions	payable	in	the	year	and	contributions	
actually	paid	are	shown	either	as	prepayments	or	as	payables		
in	the	balance	sheet.

	
44	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

1  Accounting policies continued

Borrowing costs
Borrowing	costs	directly	attributed	to	the	acquisition,	construction	
or	production	of	qualifying	assets,	which	are	assets	that	necessarily	
take	a	substantial	period	of	time	to	prepare	for	their	intended	use		
or	sale,	are	added	to	the	cost	of	those	assets,	until	such	time	as	the	
assets	are	substantially	ready	for	their	intended	use	or	sale.	

Investment	income	earned	on	the	temporary	investment	of	specific	
borrowings	pending	their	expenditure	on	qualifying	assets	is	
deducted	from	the	borrowing	costs	eligible	for	capitalisation.

All	other	borrowing	costs	are	recognised	in	profit	or	loss	in	the	
period	in	which	they	are	incurred.

Share-based payments
The	Group	operates	a	number	of	executive	and	employee	share	
option	schemes,	including	a	Long-Term	Incentive	Plan	(LTIP)	and		
a	Value	Realisation	Plan	(VRP),	under	which	shares	may	be	granted	
to	staff	members.	The	level	of	grant	to	members	of	staff	under	the	
LTIP	is	dependent	upon	the	total	shareholder	return	of	Vectura		
(a	market	condition)	compared	to	a	peer	group	of	UK	
pharmaceutical	and	biotechnology	companies.	In	accordance	with	
IFRS	2,	for	all	grants	of	share	options	and	awards,	the	cost	of	
equity-settled	transactions	is	measured	by	reference	to	their	fair	
value	at	the	date	at	which	they	are	granted.	The	Black–Scholes	
model	is	used	to	determine	fair	value	for	options	and	the	Monte	
Carlo	binomial	model	for	LTIP	and	VRP	awards.

The	cost	of	equity-settled	share	transactions	is	recognised,	together	
with	a	corresponding	increase	in	equity,	over	the	period	until	the	
award	vests.	No	expense	is	recognised	for	awards	that	do	not	
ultimately	vest,	except	for	awards	where	vesting	is	conditional	upon	
a	market	condition,	which	are	treated	as	vesting	irrespective	of	
whether	or	not	the	market	condition	is	satisfied,	provided	that	all	
other	performance	conditions	are	satisfied.	At	each	reporting	date,	
the	cumulative	expense	recognised	for	equity-based	transactions	
reflects	the	extent	to	which	the	vesting	period	has	expired	and	the	
number	of	awards	that,	in	the	opinion	of	the	Directors	at	that	date,	
will	ultimately	vest.	The	Group	has	taken	advantage	of	the	
exemptions	afforded	by	IFRS	1	in	respect	of	equity-settled	awards	
and	has	applied	IFRS	2	only	to	equity-settled	awards	granted	after		
7	November	2002	and	not	vested	at	1	January	2005.

New accounting Standards and Interpretations 
The	following	new	and	revised	Standards	and	Interpretations	have	
been	adopted	in	the	current	year.	Their	adoption	has	not	had	any	
significant	impact	on	the	amounts	reported	in	these	financial	
statements,	but	with	the	exception	of	the	amendment	to	IFRS	1,	may	
impact	the	accounting	for	future	transactions	and	arrangements.

	 Amendment to IFRS 1
	 Limited Exemption from Comparative IFRS 7 Disclosures for 

First-time Adopters

	 The	amendment	provides	a	limited	exemption	for	first-time	
adopters	from	providing	comparative	fair-value	hierarchy	
disclosures	under	IFRS	7.
	 IAS 24 (2009) 
Related Party Disclosures

	 The	revised	Standard	has	a	new,	clearer	definition	of	a	related	

party,	with	inconsistencies	under	the	previous	definition	having	
been	removed.
	 Amendment to IAS 32
	 Classification of Rights Issues
	 Under	the	amendment,	rights	issues	of	instruments	issued	to	

acquire	a	fixed	number	of	an	entity’s	own	non-derivative	equity	
instruments	for	a	fixed	amount	in	any	currency	and	which	
otherwise	meet	the	definition	of	equity	are	classified	as	equity.
	 Amendments to IFRIC 14
	 Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirements	
	 The	amendments	now	enable	recognition	of	an	asset	in	the	form	

of	prepaid	minimum	funding	contributions.
	 Improvements to IFRSs 2010
	 Aside	from	those	items	already	identified	above,	the	amendments	
made	to	standards	under	the	2010	improvements	to	IFRSs	have	
had	no	impact	on	the	Group.

At	the	date	of	authorisation	of	these	financial	statements,	the	
following	Standards	and	Interpretations	which	have	not	been	
applied	in	these	financial	statements	were	in	issue	but	not	yet	
effective	(and	in	some	cases	had	not	yet	been	adopted	by	the	EU):

	 IFRS	1	(amended):	Severe	Hyperinflation	and	Removal	of	Fixed	
Dates	for	First-time	Adopters
	 IFRS	7	(amended):	Disclosures	–	Transfers	of	Financial	Assets
	 IFRS	9:	Financial	Instruments
	 IFRS	10:	Consolidated	Financial	Statements
	 IFRS	11:	Joint	Arrangements
	 IFRS	12:	Disclosure	of	Interests	in	other	Entities
	 IFRS	13:	Fair	Value	Measurement
	 IAS	1	(amended):	Presentation	of	Items	of	Other	
Comprehensive	Income
	 IAS	12	(amended):	Deferred	Tax:	Recovery	of	Underlying	Assets
	 IAS	19	(revised):	Employee	Benefits
	 IAS	27	(revised):	Separate	Financial	Statements
	 IAS	28	(revised):	Investments	in	Associates	and	Joint	Ventures
	 IAS	32	(amended):	Offsetting	Financial	Assets	and	Financial	Liabilities
	 IFRIC	20:	Stripping	Costs	in	the	Production	Phase	of	a	Surface	Mine

The	adoption	of	IFRS	9	which	the	Group	plans	to	adopt	for	the	year	
beginning	on	1	April	2013	will	impact	both	the	measurement	and	
disclosures	of	Financial	Instruments.	The	Directors	do	not	expect	that	
the	adoption	of	the	other	standards	listed	above	will	have	a	material	
impact	on	the	financial	statements	of	the	Group	in	future	periods.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

45

2  Revenue

3  Segmental information

Revenue	represents	amounts	invoiced	to	third	parties,	derived	from	
the	provision	of	licences	and	services	that	fall	within	the	Group’s	
sole	principal	activity,	the	development	of	pharmaceutical	products.	

Revenue by category

Royalties

Product	licensing

Technology	licensing

Pharmaceutical	development	services

Device	sales

Investment	income:

Interest	income	(note	5)

Total	income

Revenue by
customer location

United	Kingdom

Rest	of	Europe

United	States	of	America

Rest	of	World

2012
£m

13.5

12.1

2.3

2.8

2.3

33.0

0.7

33.7

2012
£m

2.5

9.4

21.0

0.1

33.0

2011
£m

13.6

10.6

12.9

4.2

1.6

42.9

0.8

43.7

2011
£m

11.6

15.1

13.5

2.7

42.9

Information about major customers
Revenue	earned	from	the	Group’s	major	customers	was	as	follows:	
Customer	A	–	£13.4m	(2011:	£13.5m),	Customer	B	–	£10.6m	(2011:	
£14.4m)	and	Customer	C	–	£6.2m	(2011:	£nil).

The	Group	is	engaged	in	a	single	business	activity	of	
pharmaceuticals	and	the	Group	does	not	have	multiple	operating	
segments.	The	Group’s	pharmaceutical	business	consists	of	the	
research,	development	and	commercialisation	of	pharmaceutical	
products.	The	Leadership	Team	is	the	Group’s	chief	operating	
decision-making	body,	as	defined	by	IFRS	8,	and	all	significant	
operating	decisions	are	taken	by	the	Leadership	Team.	In	assessing	
performance,	the	Leadership	Team	reviews	financial	information		
on	an	integrated	basis	for	the	Group	as	a	whole,	substantially		
in	the	form	of,	and	on	the	same	basis	as,	the	Group’s	IFRS	financial	
statements.	Resources	are	allocated	between	activities	and	
products	on	a	Group-wide	basis	on	merit.

All	revenue	and	losses	before	taxation	originate	in	the	United	Kingdom.

4  Research and development expenses

Included	in	research	and	development	expenses	for	2010/2011		
was	a	£2.5m	restructuring	charge	relating	to	the	restructuring		
of	development	operations,	with	the	closure	of	the	Nottingham	
facility	and	a	reduction	in	the	number	of	R&D	employees.		
This	action	was	taken	in	order	to	reduce	the	ongoing	cost	base.	
There	was	no	impairment	of	the	intangible	assets	or	goodwill	
following	this	restructuring.

5  Investment income and finance costs

Interest	income:

Interest	receivable	on	bank	deposits	
and	similar	income

Finance	costs:

Foreign	exchange	losses

2012
£m

2011
£m

0.7

–

0.8

(0.8)

	
46	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

6  Operating loss

7  Directors and employees

Operating	loss	is	the	result	for	the	Group	before	interest	and	
taxation,	and	is	stated	after	charging:

Directors’ remuneration
The	aggregate	remuneration	comprised:

Amortisation	of	intangible	assets

Depreciation	of	property	plant		
and	equipment

Share-based	compensation

Cost	of	inventories	recognised		
as	expense

Net	foreign	exchange	losses

Staff	costs	(note	7)

Operating	lease	rentals:

–	land	and	buildings

–	plant	and	machinery

2012
£m

7.5

1.1

1.1

1.1

	–	

12.0

0.5

0.1

2011
£m

10.7

1.3

1.8

1.4

0.8

14.0

1.2

0.1

The	analysis	of	auditor’s	remuneration	is	as	follows:

2012
£000

2011
£000

Fees	payable	to	the	Company’s		
auditor	for	the	audit	of	the	Company’s	
annual	accounts

Fees	payable	to	the	Company’s	auditor	
and	their	associates	for	other	services		
to	the	Group:

–	The	audit	of	the	Company’s	subsidiaries

Total	audit	fees

Audit	related	assurance	services

Taxation	compliance	services

Other	taxation	advisory	services

Other	services

Total	non-audit	fees

Total	fees

20

63

83

15

7

16

10

48

131

20

63

83

15

–

5

–

20

103

Fees

Salaries	and	benefits

Bonuses

Pension	contributions

2012
£m

0.2

0.5

0.3

1.0

0.1

1.1

2011
£m

0.2

0.5

0.3

1.0

0.1

1.1

Two	Directors	(2011:	two)	receive	company	contributions	to	defined	
contribution	personal	pension	plans.	Three	Directors	exercised	
share	options	in	the	year	and	increased	their	combined	
shareholding	in	the	Company	by	463,464	Ordinary	shares	as	a	result	
of	this	exercise.	No	Director	disposed	of	any	shares	during	the	year.

The	remuneration	of	the	Executive	Directors	is	decided	by	the	
Remuneration	Committee.	Full	details	of	Directors’	remuneration	
and	options	are	contained	in	the	Report	on	remuneration	contained	
within	this	Annual	Report.

Employees
The	average	monthly	number	of	employees	(including	Executive	
Directors)	employed	by	the	Group	during	the	year	was	as	follows:

Research	and	development

Business	development	and	administration

The	aggregate	remuneration	comprised:

Wages	and	salaries

Social	security	costs

Other	pension	costs

2012
No.

194

15

209

2012
£m

10.2

1.2

0.6

12.0

2011
No.

240

16

256

2011
£m

12.0

1.3

0.7

14.0

In	addition	to	the	wages	and	salaries	analysis	above	are	the	effects	
of	the	charge	for	share-based	compensation	under	IFRS	2	during	
the	year	of	£1.1m	(2011:	£1.8m).

The	Company	had	no	employees	during	the	years	ended	31	March	
2012	and	31	March	2011.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

47

8  Taxation

The	major	components	of	the	income	tax	credit	for	the	years	ended	
31	March	2012	and	31	March	2011	were	as	follows:

Foreign	withholding	tax	charge	on	royalties

Research	and	development	tax	credits:

–	current	year

–	receipt	in	respect	of	prior	year

Reduction	in	deferred	tax	liability

Total

2012
£m

(0.1)

4.0

2.1

2.8	

8.8

2011
£m

(0.1)

2.5

1.1

	1.0

4.5

With	effect	from	1	April	2009,	research	and	development	tax	credits	
are	accrued	based	on	the	estimated	receipt	from	Her	Majesty’s	
Revenue	and	Customs	(HMRC).	

The	credit	for	the	year	can	be	reconciled	to	the	loss	per	the	
statement	of	comprehensive	income	as	follows:

Loss	on	ordinary	activities	before	tax

Loss	on	ordinary	activities	multiplied	by	
standard	rate	of	UK	Corporation	Tax	of	
26%	(2011:	28%)

Effects	of:

Expenses	not	deductible		
for	tax	purposes

Unrecognised	tax	losses		
carried	forward

Reduction	in	deferred	tax	liability	

Foreign	withholding	taxes	

Research	and	development	tax	credits	

–	current	year

–	receipt	in	respect	of	prior	year

Total	tax	credit	for	the	year

2012
£m

(13.2)

2011
£m

(13.3)

(3.4)

(3.7)

0.2

3.2

(2.8)

0.1

(4.0)

(2.1)

(8.8)

0.5

3.2

(1.0)

0.1

(2.5)

(1.1)

(4.5)

In	March	2011,	the	UK	Government	announced	a	reduction	in	the	
standard	rate	of	UK	corporation	tax	to	26%	effective	1	April	2011.	
This	rate	reduction	was	substantively	enacted	in	March	2011.

In	March	2012,	the	UK	Government	announced	the	main	rate	of	UK	
corporation	tax	would	reduce	to	24%	with	effect	from	1	April	2012,	
with	subsequent	1%	reductions	annually	to	22%	by	April	2014.	
These	changes	were	substantively	enacted	on	26	March	2012.

The	effect	of	these	tax	rate	reductions	on	the	deferred	tax	balance	
has	been	accounted	for	in	the	period	in	which	the	tax	rate	
reductions	are	substantively	enacted.

Factors	that	may	affect	future	tax	charges	are:

Cumulative	tax	losses	of	approximately	£89m	(2011:	£100m),	subject	
to	agreement	by	HMRC,	are	available	within	the	Group	to	carry	
forward	against	future	taxable	profits.	There	is	a	deferred	tax	asset	
of	£21.9m	(2011:	£26.7m),	including	these	tax	losses,	calculated	at	
the	standard	rate	of	tax	of	24%	(2011:	26%),	as	follows:

On	cumulative	tax	losses	–	unrecognised

On	cumulative	tax	losses	–	recognised

On	unclaimed	capital	allowances

On	unexercised	share	options

2012
£m

15.8

5.6

0.3

0.2

21.9

2011
£m

21.0

4.9

0.4

0.4

26.7

As	described	above,	of	the	total	deferred	tax	asset,	£5.6m	has	been	
recognised	as	a	deferred	tax	asset	as	at	31	March	2012	(2011:	£4.9m),	
which	offsets	a	deferred	tax	liability	in	the	same	amount	(see	below).	
The	losses	and	deferred	tax	assets	have	no	formal	expiry	date.	

Deferred tax asset
On	the	acquisition	of	Innovata,	that	business	had	accumulated	
losses	of	approximately	£108m.	A	deferred	tax	asset	of	£5.6m	
relating	to	these	losses	has	been	recognised	as	at	31	March	2012	
(2011:	£4.9m).	To	the	extent	permitted	by	IAS	12	–	Income	Taxes,		
this	deferred	tax	asset	has	been	offset	against	the	deferred	tax	
liability	arising	on	the	intangible	assets.

Deferred tax liability 
A	deferred	tax	liability	of	£5.9m	exists	at	31	March	2012	(2011:	£8.0m).	
This	relates	to	24%	of	the	intangible	asset	value	at	that	date		
(2011:	26%).	A	deferred	tax	liability	of	£5.6m	is	offset	by	a	deferred	
tax	asset	as	described	above.	A	deferred	tax	liability	of	£0.3m	is	
provided	for	at	31	March	2012	(2011:	£3.1m).

9  Loss per ordinary share

The	calculation	of	loss	per	share	is	based	on	the	following	losses	
and	number	of	shares:

Loss	for	the	year	(£m)

Weighted	average	number		
of	ordinary	shares	(No.	m)

Loss	per	ordinary	share

2012

(4.4)

329.3

(1.3p)

2011

(8.8)

325.3

(2.7p)

The	loss	per	share	is	based	on	the	weighted	average	number		
of	shares	in	issue	during	the	period.	IAS	33	–	Earnings	per	Share,	
requires	presentation	of	diluted	earnings	per	share	when	a	
company	could	be	called	upon	to	issue	shares	that	would	decrease	
net	profit	or	increase	net	loss	per	share.	No	adjustment	has	been	
made	to	the	basic	loss	per	share,	as	the	exercise	of	share	options	
would	have	the	effect	of	reducing	the	loss	per	ordinary	share,	and		
is	therefore	not	dilutive.

	
48	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

10  Goodwill

Group

Cost:

At	1	April

At	31	March

Net	book	value:

At	1	April

At	31	March

The	carrying	value	of	goodwill	is	made	up	of	balances	arising	on	
acquisition	of	the	following	companies:

2012
£m

49.6

49.6

49.6

49.6

2011
£m

49.6

49.6

49.6

49.6

Group

Co-ordinated	Drug	Development	Limited	
(since	re-named	Vectura	Limited)

Vectura	Delivery	Devices	Limited

Innovata	Limited

2012
£m

1.5

0.5

47.6

49.6

Company

Carrying	amount:

At	31	March	2011	and	31	March	2012

2011
£m

1.5

0.5

47.6

49.6

£m

2.0

Goodwill	is	allocated	to	future	cash-generating	units	(CGUs),	which	
are	tested	for	impairment	on	an	annual	basis,	or	more	frequently		
if	there	are	indications	that	goodwill	might	be	impaired.	The	
recoverable	amounts	of	the	future	cash-generating	units	are	
assessed	using	a	value-in-use	model.	An	impairment	provision		
is	recognised	only	if	the	goodwill	carrying	value	exceeds	this	
value-in-use.	

The	key	assumptions	for	the	value-in-use	calculations	are	those	
regarding	the	discount	rates,	growth	rates	and	expected	changes		
to	contribution	during	the	period.	The	model	has	been	based	on	the	
most	recent	pre-tax	cash	flow	forecasts	prepared	by	management,	
which	consist	of	detailed	probability	weighted	product-by-product	
analyses.	These	forecasts	are	based	on	development	timings	and	
specific	projections	for	sales	volumes	over	a	ten-year	period,	being	
the	period	in	which	the	expected	useful	economic	life	of	each	asset	
has	been	substantially	completed.	No	terminal	values	have	been	
included	in	the	cash	flow	forecasts.	No	general	growth	rates	are	
assumed.	The	discount	rates	used	in	the	forecasts	range	from		
8%	to	13%.	

For	the	purposes	of	goodwill	impairment	testing,	the	Group	
recognises	two	distinct	cash	generating	units,	being	the	Vectura	
CGU,	which	includes	Vectura	Limited	and	Vectura	Delivery	Devices	
Limited,	and	the	Innovata	CGU,	being	the	group	of	companies	
acquired	in	January	2007.	These	CGUs	are	part	of	the	Group’s	only	
operating	segment.

The	Group	has	conducted	a	sensitivity	analysis	on	the	impairment	
test	of	each	CGU’s	carrying	value.	In	each	case	the	valuations	
indicate	sufficient	headroom	such	that	a	reasonably	possible	change	
to	key	assumptions	is	unlikely	to	result	in	an	impairment	of	the	
related	goodwill.

The	goodwill	in	the	Company	arose	on	the	acquisition	of	the	Centre	
for	Drug	Formulation	Studies,	an	unincorporated	entity,	in	1999.	
Amortisation	of	£684,000	was	applied	prior	to	1	April	2004.	
Goodwill	in	the	Company	is	tested	for	impairment	using	the	same	
discount	rates	and	on	the	same	basis	as	for	the	Group.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

49

Patents and
trademarks
£m

Licences
£m

Total
£m

74.6

78.1

3.5

(3.5)

	–	

(3.5)

	–	

(3.5)

	–	

	–	

(33.0)

(10.7)

(43.7)

(7.5)

(51.2)

30.9

23.4

11  Intangible assets

Group

Cost:

At	1	April	2010,	31	March	2011	and	31	March	2012

Amortisation:

At	1	April	2010

Charge	for	the	year

At	31	March	2011

Charge	for	the	year

At	31	March	2012

Net	book	value:

At	31	March	2011

At	31	March	2012

Intangible	assets	are	being	amortised	on	a	straight-line	basis	over	the	expected	life	of	each	separate	asset.	The	expected	life	of	these	
intangible	assets	is	between	three	and	ten	years.

12  Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost:

At	1	April	2010

Additions

Disposals

At	31	March	2011

Additions

Disposals

At	31	March	2012

Depreciation:

At	1	April	2010

Charge	for	the	year

Disposals

At	31	March	2011

Charge	for	the	year

Disposals

At	31	March	2012

Net	book	value:

At	31	March	2011

At	31	March	2012

Assets in the course Freehold land
of construction and buildings
£m

£m

Laboratory Office and IT
equipment
equipment
£m
£m

–

–

–

–

2.5

–

2.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.8

–

0.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.5

0.8

11.3

1.3

(1.7)

10.9

0.9

(0.3)

11.5

(8.7)

(1.2)

1.7

(8.2)

(1.0)

0.3

(8.9)

2.7

2.6

1.0

–

(0.4)

0.6

–

(0.1)

0.5

(0.6)

(0.1)

0.3

(0.4)

(0.1)

0.1

(0.4)

0.2

0.1

The	Company	had	no	property,	plant	and	equipment	at	31	March	2012	and	31	March	2011.

(36.5)

(10.7)

(47.2)

(7.5)

(54.7)

30.9

23.4

Total
£m

12.3

1.3

(2.1)

11.5

4.2

(0.4)

15.3

(9.3)

(1.3)

2.0

(8.6)

(1.1)

0.4

(9.3)

2.9

6.0

	
50	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

13  Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Company

Cost:

At	1	April	2010,	31	March	2011	and	31	March	2012

Amounts	written	off:

At	1	April	2010,	31	March	2011	and	31	March	2012

Net	book	value:

At	31	March	2011

At	31	March	2012

Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings
£m

125.7

(0.1)

125.6

125.6

Details	of	the	Company’s	significant	subsidiary	undertakings	are	as	follows:

Name of undertaking

Country of incorporation

Holding

Proportion held

Nature of business

Vectura	Group	Investments	Limited

Vectura	Limited	(1)

Vectura	Delivery	Devices	Limited	(1)

Vectura	Inc

Innovata	Limited	(1)

Innovata	Biomed	Limited	(2)

(1)	A	subsidiary	of	Vectura	Group	Investments	Limited.
(2)	A	subsidiary	of	Innovata	Limited.

England

England

England

USA

England

Scotland

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

In	addition,	the	Group	has	a	number	of	subsidiaries	that	are	dormant	or	whose	residual	activities	are	not	material	to	the	Group.

14  Other receivables

Group
Other	receivables	represent	an	investment	bond	of	£0.4m	(2011:	£0.4m)	in	respect	of	a	rental	deposit	paid	under	the	terms	of	a	lease	
agreement	for	the	Company’s	premises	at	Chippenham.	The	deposit	is	for	a	fixed	period	of	one	year	and	is	renewed	annually.	Under	the	
terms	of	the	lease	agreement	the	deposit	must	be	maintained	until	the	Group	has	made	three	years	of	consecutive	profits.	The	interest	rate	
is	1%	below	the	Royal	Bank	of	Scotland	base	rate	and	was	0%	for	the	year	ended	31	March	2012.	Interest	is	recognised	using	the	effective	
interest	method.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

51

15  Inventories

Finished	goods

16  Trade and other receivables

Trade	receivables

Other	receivables	(1)

Prepayments	and	accrued	income

VAT	recoverable

Group

Company

2011
£m

0.2

2012
£m

–

Group

Company

2011
£m

2.0

2.7

3.5

1.0

9.2

2012
£m

–

0.1

–

–

0.1

2011
£m

–

2011
£m

–

0.1

–

–

0.1

2012
£m

0.7

2012
£m

0.8

4.4

3.5

1.0

9.7

(1)	Includes	research	and	development	tax	credits	of	£4.0m	(2011:	£2.5m).

The	average	credit	period	taken	by	customers	is	30	days	(2011:	30	days).	The	Directors	consider	that	the	carrying	value	of	trade	and	other	
receivables	approximates	to	their	fair	value.

17  Amounts due from and owed to subsidiary undertakings

Amounts	falling	due	within	one	year:

Due	from	subsidiary	undertakings

Amounts	falling	due	after	more	than	one	year:

Owed	to	subsidiary	undertakings

18  Trade and other payables

Amounts	falling	due	within	one	year:

Trade	payables

Other	payables

Accruals

Group

2012
£m

2011
£m

–

–

2012
£m

2.5

1.1

17.1

20.7

Group

–

–

2011
£m

2.9

1.0

14.8

18.7

Company

2012
£m

71.2

–

2011
£m

86.1

18.5

Company

2012
£m

2011
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Trade	payables	principally	comprise	amounts	outstanding	for	trade	purchases	and	ongoing	costs.	The	average	credit	period	taken	by	the	
Group	for	trade	purchases	is	32	days	(2011:	33	days).

	
52	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

19  Deferred income

Deferred	income	relates	to	amounts	received	under	product	licensing	agreements.	Vectura	continues	to	provide	services	to	these		
licensing	partners	over	a	period	of	time.	Milestone	payments	under	these	licensing	agreements	are	therefore	spread,	and	income		
is	deferred	as	follows:	

Group

Company

2012
£m

3.5

1.3

4.8

2011
£m

5.5

–

5.5

2012
£m

–

–

–

Amounts	due	within	one	year

Amounts	due	in	more	than	one	year

20  Financial instruments

Categories of financial instruments
Unless	stated	otherwise,	all	disclosures	relate	to	the	Group.

Under	IFRS	7,	and	for	the	purposes	of	risk	management,	the	following	classes	of	financial	assets	and	their	carrying	values		
have	been	identified:

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Loans	and	receivables

2012
£m

75.5

9.1

84.6

2011
£m

–

–

–

2011
£m

74.4

9.4

83.8

All	financial	assets	fall	due	within	the	first	quarter	of	the	year,	with	the	exception	of	the	investment	bond	which	is	included	within	loans		
and	receivables	in	the	table	above,	the	repayment	of	which	is	determined	by	the	Group’s	results	(see	note	14).

There	were	no	provisions	against	impaired	assets	at	31	March	2012	(2011:	£nil).	There	are	no	amounts	past	due	but	not	impaired	(2011:	£nil).

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	comprise	current	accounts	held	by	the	Group	with	immediate	access	and	short-term	bank	deposits	with		
a	maturity	value	of	three	months	or	less.

Under	IFRS	7,	and	for	the	purposes	of	risk	management,	the	following	classes	of	financial	liabilities	and	their	carrying	values	(at	amortised	
cost)	have	been	identified:

Other

All	financial	liabilities	fall	due	within	one	year.

2012
£m

(20.7)

2011
£m

(18.7)

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

53

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The	Directors	consider	there	to	be	no	material	difference	between	the	book	value	and	the	fair	value	of	the	Group’s	financial	assets	and	
liabilities	at	the	balance	sheet	date.	

Capital risk management
The	Group	manages	its	capital	to	ensure	that	entities	in	the	Group	will	be	able	to	continue	as	going	concerns	while	maximising	the	return	to	
stakeholders.	The	capital	structure	of	the	Group	consists	of	cash	and	cash	equivalents	and	equity	attributable	to	equity	holders	of	Vectura	
Group	plc,	comprising	issued	share	capital	(note	21a),	reserves	and	retained	earnings	as	disclosed	in	the	statement	of	changes	in	equity.	

Externally imposed capital requirement
The	Group	is	not	subject	to	externally	imposed	capital	requirements.

Significant accounting policies
Details	of	the	significant	accounting	policies	and	methods	adopted,	including	the	criteria	for	recognition,	the	basis	of	measurement	and	the	
basis	on	which	income	and	expenses	are	recognised,	in	respect	of	each	class	of	financial	asset,	financial	liability	and	equity	instrument	are	
disclosed	in	note	1	to	the	financial	statements.

Financial risk management
The	Group’s	objective	in	using	financial	instruments	is	to	maximise	the	returns	on	funds	held	on	deposit,	to	minimise	exchange	rate	risk	
where	appropriate,	and	to	generate	additional	cash	resources	through	the	issue	of	shares	when	appropriate.	Balance	sheets	at	31	March	
2012	and	31	March	2011	are	not	necessarily	representative	of	the	positions	throughout	the	year,	as	cash	and	short-term	investments	
fluctuate	considerably	depending	on	when	share	issues	have	occurred.	

It	is,	and	has	been	throughout	the	year,	the	Group’s	policy	that	no	speculative	trading	in	financial	instruments	is	undertaken.

The	Group	is	funded	principally	with	equity	and	invests	its	funds	in	short-term	bank	deposits.	The	Group	has	access	to	the	majority	of		
these	deposits	at	a	maximum	of	24	hours’	notice.	The	Group’s	policy	throughout	the	period	has	been	to	minimise	the	risk	by	placing	funds		
in	low-risk	cash	deposits,	but	also	to	maximise	the	return	on	funds	placed	on	deposit.

Interest	on	overnight	cash	deposits	is	calculated	on	the	basis	of	a	floating	rate	set	at	between	5	and	10	basis	points	below	seven-day	sterling	
London	Inter-Bank	Offer	Rate	(LIBOR).

Foreign currency risk management
The	Group’s	principal	functional	currency	is	sterling.	However,	the	Group	undertakes	certain	transactions	denominated	in	foreign	currencies.	
The	Group’s	policy	is	to	offset	its	currency	exposure	by	matching	foreign	currency	revenues	with	expenditure	in	the	same	foreign	currency.	
Where	there	are	no	imminent	foreign	exchange	transactions,	the	balances	are	exchanged	for	sterling	at	spot	rate.	

All	assets	and	liabilities	are	denominated	in	sterling	other	than	those	shown	below:

Cash	and	cash	equivalents:

Euro

US	Dollar

Group

2011
£m

1.6

11.5

13.1

2012
£m

1.1

5.1

6.2

Company

2012
£m

2011
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

	
54	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

20  Financial instruments continued

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis
The	following	table	details	the	Group’s	sensitivity	to	a	10%	increase	and	decrease	in	sterling	against	the	Euro	and	US	Dollar;	10%	represents	
management’s	assessment	of	a	reasonably	possible	change	in	foreign	exchange	rates.	The	sensitivity	analysis	includes	only	outstanding	
foreign	currency	denominated	items	and	adjusts	their	translation	at	the	period	end	for	a	10%	change	in	foreign	currency	rates.	A	positive	
number	below	indicates	an	increase	in	profit	and	other	equity	where	sterling	weakens	against	the	relevant	currency.	For	a	10%	
strengthening	of	sterling	against	the	Euro	and	the	US	Dollar	there	would	be	an	equal	and	opposite	impact	on	the	loss	and	other	equity		
and	the	balances	below	would	be	negative	(2011:	negative).

Euro	currency	impact	–	gain

US	Dollar	currency	impact	–	gain

2012
£m

0.1

0.5

2011
£m

0.2

1.2

The	Company	did	not	hold	any	balances	denominated	in	foreign	currencies	at	year	end	and	therefore	is	not	exposed	to	any	risk	from	
fluctuations	in	foreign	currencies.

The	Group	and	Company	have	a	legal	right	of	offset	between	all	foreign	currency	bank	accounts	and	all	sterling	bank	accounts.	

Interest rate risk management
The	Group	has	no	external	borrowings	and	is	not	exposed	to	interest	rate	risk	through	borrowings.	Cash	and	cash	equivalents	earned	£0.7m	
of	finance	income	during	the	year	(2011:	£0.8m).	If	interest	rates	had	been	0.5%	higher/lower	and	all	other	variables	were	constant,	the	
Group’s	profit	for	the	year	ended	31	March	2012	would	increase/decrease	by	£0.4m	(2011:	£0.4m).	

All	the	Group’s	monetary	assets	and	liabilities	are	held	at	floating	rates.

Liquidity risk management
The	Group	manages	liquidity	risk	by	maintaining	adequate	reserves	and	by	continuously	monitoring	forecast	and	actual	cash	flows	and	
matching	the	maturity	profiles	of	financial	assets	and	liabilities.	

Credit risk management
The	Group’s	credit	risk	is	primarily	attributed	to	its	cash	and	cash	equivalents.	The	Board	operates	an	investment	policy,	under	which	the	
primary	objective	is	to	invest	in	a	diverse	portfolio	of	low	risk	cash	or	cash	equivalent	investments	to	safeguard	the	principal.	

The	Group’s	credit	risk	on	trade	and	other	receivables	is	low	as	the	amounts	are	owed	by	large,	multinational,	pharmaceutical	companies.	
For	the	same	reason,	the	Directors	assess	the	quality	of	these	assets	as	high.

Market risk management
The	Group’s	exposure	to	market	risk	primarily	comprises	interest	rate	exposure.	Group	funds	are	invested	in	cash	deposits	with	the	objective	
of	maintaining	a	balance	between	accessibility	of	funds	and	competitive	rates	of	return.	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

55

2012

2011

£m

No. ’000

£m

No. ’000

0.1

–

441,200

34

0.1

326,659

–

–

–

–

–

3,475

1,466

86

0.1

–

0.1

–

–

–

–

441,200

34

323,949

1,500

789

–

421

0.1

331,686

0.1

326,659

–

34

–

34

21  Equity

(a) Share capital

Authorised:

Ordinary	shares	of	0.025p	each

Redeemable	preference	shares	of	£1	each

Allotted,	called	up	and	fully	paid:

Ordinary	shares	of	0.025p	each:

At	1	April

Issued	to	Share	Investment	Plan

Issued	on	exercise	of	share	options

Issued	on	exercise	of	Sharesave	options

Issued	on	exercise	of	LTIP	options

At	31	March

Redeemable	preference	shares	of	£1	each:

At	1	April	and	31	March

The	rights	attaching	to	the	redeemable	preference	shares	are	summarised	as	follows:	(a)	the	shares	do	not	confer	any	right	to	dividend	or	
other	distributions;	(b)	on	a	return	of	capital	on	liquidation	or	otherwise,	the	assets	of	the	Company	available	for	distribution	among	the	
members	are	to	be	applied	first	in	repaying	to	the	holders	of	the	redeemable	preference	shares	the	amounts	paid	up	or	credited	as	paid		
up	in	respect	of	such	shares;	(c)	holders	of	redeemable	preference	shares	have	the	right	to	receive	notice	of	and	attend	general	meetings,	
but	have	no	right	to	vote	thereat;	(d)	the	price	per	share	at	which	redeemable	preference	shares	are	transferred	may	not	exceed	the		
amount	paid	or	credited	as	being	paid	up;	and	(e)	the	Company	may	specify	by	notice	in	writing	the	date	upon	which	it	intends	to	redeem		
all	(but	not	some	only)	of	the	shares.	The	price	per	share	payable	by	the	Company	to	the	holders	of	the	redeemable	preference	shares	on	
their	redemption	shall	be	the	amount	paid	up	or	credited	as	paid	up	on	each	such	share.

Between	1	April	2011	and	31	March	2012	the	Company	issued	no	ordinary	shares	to	the	Vectura	Group	plc	Employee	Benefit	Trust		
(in	the	year	ended	31	March	2011	1,500,000	ordinary	shares	of	0.025p	each	were	issued	to	the	Vectura	Group	plc	Employee	Benefit		
Trust	in	satisfaction	of	the	issue	of	matching	and	free	shares	due	to	employees	in	accordance	with	the	rules	of	the	Vectura	Group	plc		
Share	Incentive	Plan	(SIP)).

Between	1	April	2011	and	31	March	2012	the	Company	issued	3,475,463	(2011:	789,175)	ordinary	shares	of	0.025p	each	on	the	exercise		
of	employee	share	options	at	a	weighted	average	exercise	price	of	57.04p	per	share	(2011:	31.45p).	

Between	1	April	2011	and	31	March	2012	the	Company	issued	1,465,608	(2011:	nil)	ordinary	shares	of	0.025p	each	on	the	exercise	of	
Sharesave	options	at	a	weighted	average	exercise	price	of	36.14p	per	share.	

Between	1	April	2011	and	31	March	2012	the	Company	issued	86,209	(2011:	421,153)	ordinary	shares	of	0.025p	each	on	the	exercise		
of	LTIP	nil-cost	options.	

(b) Share premium 
The	share	premium	account	consists	of	the	proceeds	from	the	issue	of	shares	in	excess	of	their	par	value	(which	is	included	in	the	share	
capital	account).

(c) Special reserve
The	special	reserve	was	created	on	19	May	2004	as	part	of	the	process	prior	to	the	Company’s	Initial	Public	Offering	on	2	July	2004,		
to	enable	re-registration	as	a	public	company.	It	is	a	non-distributable	reserve.

(d) Other reserve
The	other	reserve	was	created	on	the	acquisition	by	the	Company	of	Co-ordinated	Drug	Development	Limited	(since	renamed		
Vectura	Limited)	in	August	1999,	of	Vectura	Delivery	Devices	Limited	in	February	2002	and	of	Innovata	plc	in	January	2007.	It	is	a	non-
distributable	reserve.

	
56	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

21  Equity continued

(e) Share-based compensation reserve
The	share-based	compensation	reserve	represents	the	credit	arising	on	the	charge	for	share	options	calculated	in	accordance	with	IFRS	2.

(f) Retained (loss)/profit
A	shareholder	resolution	was	approved	at	the	Company’s	AGM,	held	on	22	July	2011,	to	reduce	the	Company’s	share	premium	account		
by	£78.6m,	being	the	value	of	the	share	premium	account	as	at	14	June	2011.	A	subsequent	application	to	reduce	the	Company’s	share	
premium	account	was	approved	by	the	High	Court	of	Justice	on	25	January	2012.	As	part	of	this	share	premium	reduction,	the	retained	loss	
value	of	£25.9m	in	the	Company	balance	sheet	as	at	14	June	2011	was	cancelled	and	the	remaining	balance	of	£52.7m	has	created	a	retained	
profit	in	the	Company	balance	sheet.

22  Equity-settled share option schemes and Long-Term Incentive Plan

The	Company’s	Directors,	officers	and	employees	hold	options	under	the	Vectura	Unapproved	Share	Option	Plan	(the	‘Unapproved	Plan’),	
under	Enterprise	Management	Incentive	arrangements	(the	‘EMI	Plan’)	and	under	the	Vectura	Approved	Share	Option	Plan.	Options	are	
granted	to	acquire	shares	at	the	opening	market	price	ruling	on	the	date	of	grant.	In	general,	options	vest	after	three	years	and	are	
exercisable	during	a	period	ending	ten	years	after	the	date	of	grant.

On	18	January	2007,	upon	the	acquisition	of	Innovata	plc	and	in	accordance	with	a	scheme	of	arrangement,	options	over	Innovata	shares	
issued	and	outstanding	at	that	date	under	the	ML	Laboratories	plc	1989	Executive	Option	Scheme	and	the	ML	Laboratories	plc	1999	
Executive	Option	Scheme	were	exchanged	for	options	over	Vectura	shares	in	accordance	with	the	rules	of	the	relevant	Innovata	Option	
Scheme.	The	exchange	was	on	the	basis	that	the	option	holders	received	new	options	representing	0.2858	Vectura	shares	for	every	one	
Innovata	share.

The	Company	operates	a	Sharesave	Scheme.	All	employees	and	Executive	Directors	are	invited	to	subscribe	for	options	to	acquire	shares	in	
the	Company,	which	may	be	granted	at	a	discount	of	up	to	20%	of	the	market	value	on	the	offer	date.	The	options	granted	vest	after	three	
years	and	are	exercisable	during	a	period	of	six	months	following	the	vesting	date.

The	Company	also	operates	a	Long-Term	Incentive	Plan	(LTIP)	under	which	Executive	Directors	and	certain	senior	managers	are	granted	
conditional	rights	in	the	form	of	nil-cost	options	to	receive	a	maximum	number	of	shares	at	the	beginning	of	a	three-year	period,	a	
proportion	of	which	they	will	be	entitled	to	receive	at	the	end	of	that	period,	depending	on	the	extent	to	which	the	challenging	performance	
conditions	set	by	the	Remuneration	Committee	at	the	time	the	allocation	was	made	are	satisfied.	The	nil-cost	option	entitlement	is	
exercisable	from	the	beginning	of	the	fourth	year	to	the	end	of	the	tenth	year	following	the	date	of	grant.	Further	information	on	the	
performance	conditions	of	the	LTIP	are	detailed	in	the	Report	on	remuneration.	At	31	March	2012,	Executive	Directors	and	eligible	senior	
managers	hold	rights	to	ordinary	shares	awarded	under	the	LTIP,	as	follows:	

Date of vesting

12	September	2008	

22	November	2009

2	March	2010

25	May	2010	

23	May	2011	(1)

21	May	2012	(1)

7	June	2013	(1)

7	June	2014	(1)

Ordinary shares vesting

584,615

501,242

314,274

446,636

1,630,705

2,405,654

2,511,192

2,511,192

(1)	Maximum	number	of	shares,	subject	to	performance	conditions,

On	31	October	2008,	the	shareholders	approved	a	Value	Realisation	Plan	(VRP).	The	VRP	runs	in	parallel	to	the	LTIP	and	provides	participants	
with	a	share	of	a	pre-determined	percentage	of	the	total	consideration	paid	for	the	Company	in	the	event	of	a	change	in	control	within	five	
years	of	the	date	of	approval	of	the	Plan.	In	this	event,	under	the	VRP	members	of	the	Executive	Committee	of	the	Company	will	be	granted	
a	one-off	entitlement	in	the	form	of	units,	which	convert	into	ordinary	shares	in	the	Company,	the	actual	number	of	shares	that	convert	
being	linked	to	the	offer	price	per	share	achieved.	The	VRP	is	triggered	upon	achievement	of	a	minimum	bid	price	of	£1.27	per	share,	with		
a	maximum	number	of	shares	available	to	participants	if	the	bid	price	reaches	£1.77	per	share,	or	greater.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

57

Fair value calculations
The	Group	has	taken	advantage	of	the	exemption	in	IFRS	1	and	has	applied	IFRS	2	only	to	options	granted	after	7	November	2002	and	not	
vested	at	1	January	2005.	At	31	March	2012	there	were	2,255,995	options	outstanding	that	were	granted	before	this	date	(2011:	2,255,995).

With	the	exception	of	the	LTIP	awards	and	the	potential	awards	under	the	VRP,	the	fair	value	of	the	options	was	determined	using	the	
Black-Scholes	pricing	model.	The	fair	value	of	the	LTIP	and	VRP	awards	have	been	estimated	using	the	Monte	Carlo	model,	using	the	same	
basis	for	the	assumptions	for	volatility,	option	life,	expected	dividend	yield	and	risk-free	rate	of	return	as	used	for	the	Black-Scholes	model.	
For	the	purposes	of	calculating	the	fair	value	of	the	LTIP,	it	was	considered	equally	probable	that	the	Company’s	performance	would	be	such	
that	it	would	perform	in	each	of	the	quartiles	established	under	the	LTIP	scheme,	as	described	in	the	Report	on	remuneration.	

Year of grant

The	assumptions	input	into	the	Black-Scholes	model	were	as	follows:	

Weighted	average	share	price	of	grants	during	the	year

Weighted	average	exercise	price	of	grants	during	the	year

Expected	volatility	(1)

Expected	life

Expected	dividends

Risk-free	interest	rate	(2)

The	assumptions	input	into	the	Monte	Carlo	model	were	as	follows:

Weighted	average	share	price	of	grants	during	the	year

Weighted	average	exercise	price	of	grants	during	the	year

Expected	volatility	(1)

Expected	life

Expected	dividends.

Risk-free	interest	rate	(2)

2012

2011

69.22p

60.61p

59.53p

56.88p

46%–49%

46%–48%

3–5	years

3–5	years

Nil

Nil

0.5%–1.0%

1.4%–2.7%

–

–

–

–

–

–

38p

0.025p

46%

3	years

Nil

1.4%

(1)	Expected	volatility	has	been	calculated	by	reference	to	the	Company’s	historic	share	price	since	the	IPO	in	July	2004,	considered	alongside	the	volatility	
	 of	similar	companies.	The	expectation	of	the	cancellation	of	options	has	been	considered	in	determining	the	fair	value	expense	charged	in	the		
	 statement	of	comprehensive	income.

(2)	The	risk-free	interest	rate	is	the	UK	Gilt	Rate	at	the	date	of	grant,	commensurate	with	the	expected	term.

The	charge	is	spread	over	the	expected	vesting	period,	utilising	the	fair	value	calculated	by	using	the	two	models	described	above,	and	after	
adjusting	for	the	likelihood	of	cancellation	of	options	when	employees	leave.

	
58	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

22  Equity-settled share option schemes and Long-Term Incentive Plan continued

The	share-based	compensation	charge	for	the	year	ended	31	March	2012,	including	the	LTIP,	was	£1,040,000	(2011:	£1,785,000).

The	aggregate	of	the	estimated	fair	value	of	options	granted	under	share	option	schemes	and	Share	Incentive	Plan	during	the	year	ended		
31	March	2012	was	£426,000	(2011:	£492,000)	and	under	the	SAYE	Scheme	£232,000	(2011:	£143,000).	There	were	no	awards	under	the		
LTIP	during	the	year	ended	31	March	2012	(the	estimated	fair	value	of	LTIP	awards	during	the	year	ended	31	March	2011	was	£444,000).

Options outstanding

Share Option Schemes
Number of
options

At	1	April	2010

Options	granted

Options	exercised

Options	cancelled

At	31	March	2011

Options	granted

Options	exercised

Options	cancelled

At	31	March	2012

Range	of	exercise	prices

Weighted	average	remaining	
contractual	life	(years)

Options vested

At	31	March	2011

At	31	March	2012

Weighted	average	remaining	
contractual	life	(years)

*	=	Weighted	average	exercise	price	(p)

SAYE Scheme
Number of
options

2,115,313

490,430

(11,852)

(227,298)

2,366,593

1,101,966

(1,465,608)

(346,433)

1,656,518

WAEP*

60.50

43.60

31.45

112.41

62.37

95.75

57.04

100.48

79.91

LTIP
Number of 
options

6,560,356

5,681,638

(421,153)

–

11,820,841

–

(86,209)

	(829,122)

10,905,510

WAEP*

41.20

65.40

48.40

55.21

44.83

47.40

36.14

62.75

50.43

	36p–104p

	47.4p–65.4p

WAEP*

	0.025

	0.025

0.025	

–

0.025

	–	

0.025

0.025

0.025

0.025p

19,028,332

314,696

	(777,323)

	(311,305)

18,254,400

414,375

(3,474,463)

(1,458,839)

13,735,473

3.42	(2011:	3.76)

2.82	(2011:	1.37)	

7.02	(2011:	7.57)

16,628,383

12,950,364

63.64

59.87

3.11	(2011:	3.37)

–

–

–

–

–

	–	

1,932,976

3,477,472

0.025

0.025

5.24	(2011:	5.47)

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

59

23  Analysis of net funds

Group

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

The	Company	had	no	net	funds	at	31	March	2012	and	31	March	2011.

24  Retirement benefits plans

1 April
2011
£m

74.4

Cash flow
£m

1.1

31 March
2012
£m

75.5

The	Group	operates	a	number	of	defined	contribution	personal	pension	plans	for	all	qualifying	employees.	The	assets	of	the	schemes	are	
held	separately	from	those	of	the	Group	and	are	independently	administered.	The	total	cost	charged	in	the	statement	of	comprehensive	
income	is	detailed	in	note	7.

25  Operating lease arrangements

At	the	balance	sheet	date,	the	Group	has	aggregate	outstanding	commitments	for	future	minimum	lease	payments	under	non-cancellable	
operating	leases,	which	fall	due	as	follows:

Group

Expiry	date:

Within	one	year

In	the	second	to	fifth	years	inclusive

After	five	years

Land and buildings
2012
2011
£m
£m

Other

2012
£m

0.5

1.5

0.1

2.1

0.7

1.5

0.4

2.6

–

–

–

–

2011
£m

0.1

–

–

0.1

On	26	July	2002,	the	Group	entered	into	a	25-year	lease	agreement	in	respect	of	the	lease	of	premises	at	One	Prospect	West,	Chippenham,	
Wiltshire.	The	Group	has	the	right	to	break	the	lease	in	July	2017.	

On	29	September	2011,	the	Group	entered	into	an	agreement	in	respect	of	the	lease	of	premises	at	Five	Prospect	West,	Chippenham,	
Wiltshire.	The	Group	has	the	right	to	break	the	lease	in	September	2015.	

On	13	June	2005,	the	Group	entered	into	an	agreement	in	respect	of	premises	at	Cambridge	Science	Park,	Milton	Road,	Cambridge	and		
on	27	October	2006,	the	Group	entered	into	a	lease	agreement	on	an	adjacent	property	at	Cambridge	Science	Park;	both	these	leases		
expire	on	24	December	2014.

The	Company	had	no	operating	lease	arrangements	at	31	March	2012	and	31	March	2011.

	
60	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Notes to the financial statements continued

26  Capital and other commitments

At	31	March	2012,	the	Group	had	capital	commitments	contracted,	but	not	provided	for,	of	£4.1m	(2011:	£0.3m).	

The	Company	had	no	capital	and	other	commitments	at	31	March	2012	and	31	March	2011.

27  Related party transactions

Group
Transactions	between	the	Company	and	its	subsidiaries,	which	are	related	parties,	have	been	eliminated	on	consolidation.		
Except	as	disclosed	below,	no	Group	company	entered	into	a	transaction	with	a	related	party	that	is	not	a	member	of	the	Group.

Remuneration of key management personnel
The	remuneration	of	the	Directors,	who	are	the	key	management	personnel	of	the	Group,	is	set	out	below.

Short-term	employee	benefits

Post-employment	benefits

Share-based	payments

2012
£m

1.2

0.1

0.4

1.7

2011
£m

1.1

0.1

0.5

1.7

Company
Details	of	the	Company-related	party	transactions	with	parties	outside	of	the	Group	are	noted	above.	In	addition,	the	following	details		
of	trading	within	the	Group	are	disclosed	in	accordance	with	IAS	24.

Related party

Subsidiaries:

2011

2012

Recharge
from
related
parties
£m

Recharge
to
related
parties
£m

Amounts
owed by 
related
parties
£m

Amounts
owed to 
related
parties
£m

–

–

1.8

1.1

86.1

71.2

18.5

–

Amounts	outstanding	are	unsecured.	No	provisions	have	been	made	for	doubtful	debts	owed	by	related	parties.

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12	

61

Five year summary 
year ended 31 March

Unaudited
Year ended 31 March

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Revenue

Gross	profit

Gross	profit	margin

Research	and	development	expenses

Other	administrative	expenses

EBITDA

Depreciation

Amortisation

Share-based	compensation

Share	of	loss	of	associate

Operating	loss

Investment	income

Finance	(costs)/income

Pre-tax	loss

Taxation

Loss	after	taxation

Loss	per	ordinary	share

Cash flow statement

Net	cash	(outflow)/inflow	from	operations

Net	taxes	received

Interest	received

Net	capital	expenditure

Net	cash	inflow/(outflow)	before	financing

Balance sheet

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Shareholders’	equity

Net	current	assets

2008
£m

25.2

20.8

83%

(28.1)

(3.0)

(10.3)

(1.6)	

(10.2)

(2.7)

(0.3)

(25.1)

4.5

(0.8)

(21.4)

2.2

(19.2)

(6.1p)

(3.7)

2.2

4.5

0.6

3.6

78.8

169.5

68.6

2009
£m

31.2

27.3

88%

(30.7)

(3.2)

(6.6)

(1.6)

(10.2)

(1.9)

(0.6)

(20.9)

3.6

(2.3)

(19.6)

2.9

(16.7)

(5.2p)

(3.6)

2.9

3.6

(1.6)

1.3

74.0

154.9

56.0

2010
£m

40.1

36.6

91%

(34.8)

(3.4)

(1.6)

(1.6)

(10.6)

(1.5)

	–	

(15.3)

0.6

0.9

(13.8)

3.6

(10.2)

(3.2p)

(4.3)

0.5

0.6

(1.0)

(4.2)

64.1

147.1

56.2

2011
£m

42.9

40.2

94%

(36.4)

(3.3)

0.5

(1.3)

(10.7)

(1.8)

–

(13.3)

0.8

(0.8)

(13.3)

4.5

(8.8)

(2.7p)

2.7

8.1

0.7

(1.4)

10.1

74.4

140.3

59.6

2012
£m

33.0

30.8

93%

(31.7)

(3.3)

(4.2)

(1.1)

(7.5)

(1.1)

–

(13.9)

0.7

–

(13.2)

8.8

(4.4)

(1.3p)

(2.5)

4.6

0.7

(4.2)

(1.4)

75.5

139.5

61.7

	
62	

Vectura Group plc	 Annual	Report	and	Accounts	2011/12

Shareholder information

Directors

John (Jack) P Cashman  
(Non-Executive	Chairman)

Dr Christopher P Blackwell  
(Chief	Executive)

Anne P Hyland  
(Chief	Financial	Officer)

Dr John R Brown  
(Non-Executive)

Dr Susan E Foden  
(Non-Executive)

Neil W Warner  
(Non-Executive)

Secretary 
Anne P Hyland

Corporate broker 
Peel Hunt LLP 
Moor	House	
120	London	Wall	
London	
EC2Y	5ET,	UK

Registrars 
Computershare Investor Services plc 
PO	Box	82	
The	Pavilions	
Bridgwater	Road	
Bristol	
BS99	7NH,	UK

Public relations 
FTI Consulting 
26	Southampton	Buildings	
London	
WC2A	1PB,	UK

Auditor 
Deloitte LLP 
126–130	Hills	Road	
Cambridge	
CB2	1RY,	UK

Bankers 
Barclays Bank plc 
28	Chesterton	Road	
Cambridge	
CB4	3AZ,	UK

Legal advisers 
Olswang 
90	High	Holborn	
London	
WC1V	6XX,	UK

Vectura Group plc 
One	Prospect	West	
Chippenham	
Wiltshire	
SN14	6FH,	UK

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Vectura Group plc

One	Prospect	West	
Chippenham	
Wiltshire	SN14	6FH	
United	Kingdom

T	 +44	(0)1249	667700	
F	 +44	(0)1249	667701	
E	

investorqueries@vectura.com

www.vectura.com

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Number:	3418970