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ABA Abaco Capital

1.50
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 01:00:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Abaco Capital LSE:ABA London Ordinary Share GB00B3LXPB43 ORD 0.001P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 1.50 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Abaco Capital PLC Final Results (0380K)

06/04/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 0380K

Abaco Capital PLC

06 April 2018

6 April 2018

Abaco Capital plc

("Abaco" or the "Company")

Final Results for the year ended 31 December 2017

and

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Abaco Capital plc (AIM: ABA), today announces its results for the year ended 31 December 2017. The Company also notifies today its intention to seek Shareholders' approval for the cancellation of admission of its Shares to trading on AIM (the "Delisting") and to place the Company into a Members Voluntary Liquidation (the "Liquidation"). Further details of the proposed Liquidation and Delisting are included in a separate announcement.

The Company also gives notice of its annual general meeting (the "AGM") to be held on 8 May 2018 at 11.30 a.m. at the offices of DWF LLP at 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3AG. The Report and Accounts and a shareholder circular detailing the Delisting and liquidation and incorporating the Notice of AGM will be posted to shareholders today and both documents will be available to download at the Company's website at www.abacoplc.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

   --      Loss before tax of GBP2.06m (2017: GBP1.38m) 
   --      Cash balances at 31 December 2017 of GBP19.23m (2017: GBP21.88m) 
   --      Net assets at 31 December 2017 of GBP19.01m (2017: GBP22.56m) 

-- Post year end, and as announced today, the Board are proposing the voluntary liquidation of the Company's assets to realise shareholder value

David Norwood, Chairman of Abaco Capital plc, commented:

"Since the demerger of Oxford Pharmascience Limited (OPL) on 22 December 2017, the Company has been classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell, requiring an acquisition which constitutes a reverse takeover (within the meaning of AIM Rule 14).

In the first quarter of 2018, the Board evaluated several potential reverse takeover candidates but, after consultation with major shareholders, have been unable to obtain a consensus as to a preferred target meaning that completion of an investment qualifying as an AIM Rule 14 reverse takeover is not practical. The Board have therefore resolved that the most efficient way to realise shareholder value will be to liquidate the assets of the Company via a Members Voluntary Liquidation. A circular will today be sent to shareholders explaining the reasoning behind this decision and to seek their approval for the resolutions necessary to carry out the Liquidation.

Shareholders in the Company at the date of demerger continue to hold shares in OPL allowing shareholders to participate in any potential upside in the future performance of OPL.".

Contacts:

 
 Abaco Capital plc 
 Chris Hill, Chief Financial 
  Officer                       +44 20 7554 5875 
 
 N+1 Singer 
 Aubrey Powell                  +44 20 7496 3000 
 Jen Boorer 
 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 ("MAR").

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S JOINT REVIEW

During the year to 31 December 2017, Abaco Capital Plc (the "Company"), demerged its 100 per cent owned subsidiary, Oxford Pharmascience Group Limited ("OPL") which held substantially all of the Group's commercial assets, drug development assets and intellectual property to shareholders of the Company in the same proportionate interest as their holdings in the Company, via a distribution in specie, thus allowing shareholders to participate in any potential upside in the future performance of OPL. As part of this process, the Company changed its name from Oxford Pharmascience Group Plc to Abaco Capital Plc (effective 21 December 2017) to reflect the fact that it no longer has clinical operations or assets and is now classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell. The AIM Rule 15 status means that the Company is required to make an acquisition or acquisitions which constitute a reverse takeover under Rule 14 of the AIM Rules on or before the date falling six months from completion of the demerger. It was further announced that, should the Directors be unable to identify a compelling target and complete a reverse takeover within the required timeframe, or require less than the currently available cash to fund the resulting group, they retain the option to return capital to shareholders.

Reasons for the demerger

OPL's main drug development asset is the OXPzero(TM) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) platform whose primary aim is to reduce the gastrointestinal (GI) side effects of commonly used NSAIDs. The main NSAIDs on which OPL focus are Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac and Aspirin. Since an OXPzero(TM) Aspirin product proved to be unviable due to stability issues and the proposed pathway to approval for gastric safe OXPzero(TM) Ibuprofen products in the USA, the Company's biggest potential market, became more complex than previously anticipated due to the regulatory complexities imposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, OPL decided to focus primarily on its NSAID programmes for over-the-counter markets. As such, it was deemed that it no longer required such a large capital base as provided by the Company in order to execute its streamlined business plan and operating OPL from within a public company would not offer the best means of achieving that success.

OPL update

The Company continues to believe that the OXPzero(TM) technology platform can be successful as early stage discussions with potential partners are on-going (although with uncertain outcomes) and the demerger allows shareholders to retain the potential upside from continuing interests in OPL shares. As described in the circular to shareholders, dated 10 November 2017, the Board of OPL intend to make an off-market facility for dealing in OPL shares available in order that shareholders be provided with a means to trade their shares if desired. As such, an off-market dealing facility will be set up which will be available for a limited time from the date of launch. The dealing facility will be made available periodically in the future. At the relevant time, further details of the dealing facility will be available on the OPL website - www.oxfordpharmascience.com/investors and will also be included in the OPL Annual Report and Accounts which will be posted to shareholders of OPL in the coming months.

The financial results for OPL for the date from 1 January 2017 to 22 December 2017 (the date it demerged from the Group) are presented as discontinued operations within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The loss recognised was GBP1.5m. This compares to a loss of GBP1.0m for the year ended 31 January 2016.

Further details regarding OPL can be found on its website www.oxfordpharmascience.com.

Abaco update

Since the date of the Demerger, the Board has evaluated several potential reverse takeover opportunities. The Board has also consulted with certain major shareholders representing, in aggregate, over 70% of the total voting rights of the Company, to better understand their objectives for a potential transaction. The result of this process is that consensus as to a preferred target cannot be reached, meaning that completion of an investment qualifying as an AIM Rule 14 reverse takeover is not deemed to be practical.

As a result of the above, the Board now believes that a return of capital to shareholders is the best way to maximise shareholder value. The Board has assessed the most efficient mechanism through which to return capital and it has been decided that a distribution of all of the Company's liquid assets can best be achieved through a Members Voluntary Liquidation. As such, the Company has today distributed a circular to shareholders in which the resolutions necessary to effect a Members Voluntary Liquidation are included (the "Circular"). Subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at 11.30am on 8 May 2018 the Company will be delisted from AIM and liquidated with surplus assets distributed to shareholders. Further details of the proposed delisting and liquidation can be found in the Circular, a copy of which is available on the Company's website at www.abacoplc.com. As a result of this decision, the accounts to 31 December 2017 have been prepared on the break-up-basis. Due to ongoing cost control measures, the Company had cash balances of approximately GBP19.2 million as at 31 December 2017 with estimated funds for distribution of GBP19.0m after the estimated expenses of effecting the liquidation have been deducted.

Financial results

Fundamental to the Group's business model has always been tight cost control. As a result, cash balances stood at GBP19.2m as at 31 December 2017.

The consolidated loss for the year (including the loss for OPL up to the date of de-merger) was GBP2.1m. This includes a provision of GBP0.2m, representing the anticipated costs from 1 January 2018 up to the anticipated date of liquidating the Company's assets and closing the business.

 
 David Norwood 
  Chairman 
 

STRATEGIC REPORT

Strategy and business objectives

At the start of 2017, the Group's objective was to continue engagement with potential partners to seek collaboration for the OXPzero(TM) platform assets as well as continuing development work across its other programmes. Following regulatory feedback from the US FDA in March 2017, which indicated that in order to support an improved gastro-intestinal ('GI') safety claim, a clinical outcomes study would be required, including measures such as assessment of the incidence of peptic ulcer bleeding and related complications, the decision was made to focus on OTC applications. This new business plan required less capital and therefore the decision to demerge OPL from the Group was taken.

Since the demerger (when the Company was re-classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell), the objective has been to identify an acquisition or acquisitions which constitute a reverse takeover under Rule 14 of the AIM Rules.

Development and performance

Since the completion of the Demerger, the Board has evaluated several potential reverse takeover opportunities. The Board has also consulted with certain major shareholders representing, in aggregate, over 70% of the total voting rights of the Company, to better understand their objectives for a potential transaction. The result of this process is that consensus as to a preferred target is unlikely to be reached, meaning that an investment qualifying as an AIM Rule 14 reverse takeover is not deemed to be practical.

Position at year end

The Group finished the year with cash and short-term investment balances of GBP19.2 million (2016: GBP21.9 million). Net assets at 31 December 2017 were GBP19.0 million compared to GBP22.6 million at 31 December 2016.

Events since the end of the financial year

Since the year end date, a decision has been taken by the Board to return all of the available capital to shareholders. The most efficient way to do this is by a Members Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) for which a shareholder circular has been distributed as of today's date. Further details regarding the proposed MVL are contained in the circular.

Key performance indicators

At this stage in its development, quantitative key performance indicators are not an effective way of measuring the Group's performance.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Group considers that the principal risks to achieving its business objectives are as follows:

Identification of Reverse Takeover candidates

The Group has identified and researched several reverse takeover candidate companies since the date of the demerger. The risk exists that any candidate which is identified as suitable, may not perform as well as expectation. The Board mitigates this risk by employing directors with experience of investment appraisal and also by undertaking external due diligence on identified targets.

Christopher Hill

Chief Financial Officer

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 
                                                                 Year to 31 December 2017   Year to 31 December 2016 
                                                         Notes                    GBP'000                    GBP'000 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 
 Revenues                                                                               -                          - 
 Cost of sales                                                                          -                          - 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------------------------- 
 Gross profit                                                                           -                          - 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Administrative expenses                                                            (616)                      (480) 
 Operating loss                                            5                        (616)                      (480) 
 Finance income                                            7                           95                        132 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss before tax                                                                    (521)                      (348) 
 Taxation                                                  8                            -                          - 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss for the year from continuing operations                                       (521)                      (348) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss from discontinued operations                         9                      (1,534)                    (1,036) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss for the year                                                                (2,055)                    (1,384) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss after tax attributable to equity holders of the 
  parent                                                                          (2,055)                    (1,384) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss per share                                           10 
 Basic on loss for the period from continuing 
  operations (pence)                                                               (0.04)                     (0.03) 
 Basic on loss for the period from discontinued 
  operations (pence)                                                               (0.13)                     (0.09) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Diluted on loss for the period from continuing 
  operations (pence)                                                               (0.04)                     (0.03) 
 Diluted on loss for the period from discontinued 
  operations (pence)                                                               (0.13)                     (0.09) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

The loss for the year arises from the Group's continuing and discontinued operations.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 
                                                                       Share Based 
                         Share       Share              Merger            Payments            Revenue               Total 
                       Capital     Premium             Reserve             Reserve            Reserve              Equity 
                       GBP'000     GBP'000             GBP'000             GBP'000            GBP'000             GBP'000 
                  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 
  2015                   1,206      31,809                 714                 378           (10,322)              23,785 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Comprehensive 
  income                     -           -                   -                   -            (1,384)             (1,384) 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Transactions 
 with owners 
 Share based 
  payments                   -           -                   -                 163                  -                 163 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                -           -                   -                 163                  -                 163 
 At 31 December 
  2016                   1,206      31,809                 714                 541           (11,706)              22,564 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Comprehensive 
  income                     -           -                   -                   -            (2,055)             (2,055) 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Transactions 
 with owners 
 Share based 
  payments                   -           -                   -               (121)                  -               (121) 
 Reserve 
  transfer                   -           -                   -               (420)                420                   - 
 Release of 
  Merger Reserve             -           -               (714)                   -                714                   - 
 Share capital 
  reorganisation       (1,194)    (31,809)                   -                   -             33,003                   - 
 Dividend 
  in-specie                  -           -                   -                   -            (1,375)             (1,375) 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners          (1,194)    (31,809)               (714)               (541)             32,762             (1,496) 
 At 31 December 
  2017                      12           -                   -                   -             19,001              19,013 
----------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 
                                                                   31 December 2017           31 December 2016 
                                               Notes                        GBP'000                    GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                              11                                -                         26 
 Property, plant and equipment                  12                                -                          2 
--------------------------------------------  ------ 
                                                                                  -                         28 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                    13                                -                         14 
 Trade and other receivables                    14                               28                        811 
 Short term investments and cash on deposit     15                                -                      5,000 
 Cash and cash equivalents                      15                           19,231                     16,878 
--------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------- 
                                                                             19,259                     22,703 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Total Assets                                                                19,259                     22,731 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                       16                             (70)                      (167) 
 Provisions                                     17                            (176)                          - 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Total liabilities                                                            (246)                      (167) 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Net Assets                                                                  19,013                     22,564 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                  18                               12                      1,206 
 Share premium                                                                    -                     31,809 
 Merger reserve                                                                   -                        714 
 Share based payment reserve                                                      -                        541 
 Revenue deficit reserve                                                     19,001                   (11,706) 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Total Equity                                                                19,013                     22,564 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 5 April 2018

   David Norwood                                                                     Christopher Hill 

Chairman Chief Financial Officer

Company number : 07036758

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 
                                                                   Year to 31 December 2017   Year to 31 December 2016 
                                                        Notes                       GBP'000                    GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Operating Activities 
 Loss before tax including discontinued operations                                  (2,055)                    (1,384) 
 Adjustment for non- cash items: 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                       11                               8                          8 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment           12                               1                          2 
 Finance income                                           7                            (95)                      (132) 
 Share based (credit)/payment                            19                           (121)                        163 
 Decrease/(increase) in inventories                                                       2                        (5) 
 Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables                                      77                      (130) 
 Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables                                         41                      (140) 
 Increase in provisions                                                                 176                          - 
 Taxes received                                                                         362                        306 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Net cash outflow from operations                                                   (1,604)                    (1,312) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 
 Investing Activities 
 Finance income                                                                          95                        132 
 Cash element of distribution in specie                  25                         (1,138)                          - 
 Sale of short term investment                           22                           5,000                      5,000 
 Net cash inflow from investing activities                                            3,957                      5,132 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                2,353                      3,820 
 Cash and cash equivalents at start of period                                        16,878                     13,058 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                          19,231                     16,878 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Short term investments at end of period                                                  -                      5,000 
 Cash, cash equivalents and deposits at end of period    15                          19,231                     21,878 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------------------------  ------------------------- 
 
   1.   Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance with IFRSs 

The financial statements of Abaco Capital Plc and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the year ended 31 December 2017 were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 5 April 2018 and the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position was signed on the board's behalf by David Norwood and Christopher Hill.

Abaco Capital Plc ("the Company") is an AIM quoted company incorporated and domiciled in the UK.

The Company demerged its 100 per cent owned operating subsidiary, Oxford Pharmascience Limited on 22 December 2017. The Company is now classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell. Prior to the demerger, it was a specialty pharmaceutical company re-developing medicines to make them better, safer and easier to take.

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group and parent company are set out in note 2.

   2.   Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation

A summary of the principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year, are set out below. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. As explained in the Directors Report, the Directors do not consider the Company to be a going concern (as resolutions have been circulated to place the Company in to solvent liquidation), and have therefore prepared the financial statements on a break up basis. There has been no financial impairment of assets as a result of a break up basis of valuation. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and the Companies Act 2006.

The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the Parent Company's statement of comprehensive income. The Parent Company's result for the year ended 31 December 2017 was a loss of GBP0.22m (2016: loss of GBP1.9m).

The Group financial statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (GBP'000) except where otherwise indicated.

Basis of consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of Abaco Capital Plc and the entities it controls (its subsidiaries) drawn up to 31 December each year.

Abaco Capital Plc was incorporated on 7 October 2009. The Company was specifically created to implement a re-organisation in relation to Oxford Pharmascience Limited which would permit admission of the Group to the AIM market. Under the re-organisation, Oxford Pharmascience Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Pharmascience Group Plc on 27 January 2010.

Shareholders in the Company at the time of re-organisation received shares in Oxford Pharmascience Group Plc in the same proportionate interest as they had in Oxford Pharmascience Limited. The business, operations, assets and liabilities of the Oxford Pharmascience Group under the new holding company immediately after the re-organisation were no different from those immediately before the re-organisation. This was not a business combination per IFRS 3 and the Directors have therefore treated this combination as a simple re-organisation using the pooling of interests method of accounting.

Discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component the business that represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations that has been disposed of or is held for sale. Classification as a discontinued operation occurs upon disposal or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, if earlier.

Pooling of interests method of consolidation

The purchase of Oxford Pharmascience Limited ("OPL") by Oxford Pharmascience Group Plc on 27 January 2010 has been treated as a re-organisation using the pooling of interests method of accounting. It has therefore been presented as if the entities had always been combined. Therefore, on consolidation the assets and liabilities were reflected at carrying value rather than fair value. No goodwill arose on the combination, and the difference between the nominal value of shares issued by Oxford Pharmascience Group Plc and the nominal value of the ordinary shares of OPL, together with the capital and reserves of OPL at the time of the pooling of interests, are shown as "merger reserve" in the consolidated financial statements.

Following the demerger of OPL on 22 December 2017, the merger reserve has been released to the Revenue Reserve.

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, generally accompanying a shareholding of more than half of the voting rights. The existence and effects of potential voting rights are considered when assessing whether the Group controls the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date control passes.

All intra-group transactions, balances, and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Subsidiaries' accounting policies are amended where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2017.

Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The financial statements are presented in sterling, being the Group's presentational currency.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency by applying the spot rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date. All differences are taken to the profit or loss.

Segment reporting

An operating segment is a component of an entity that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the entity's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. As at the reporting date the Group operated with only a single segment.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods or services, excluding discounts, rebates, VAT and other sales taxes or duties.

The Group's income consists of sales of goods, licence fees, milestone and option payments.

Sale of goods is recognised when the Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership.

Licence fees, option and milestone payments are recognised in full on the date that they are contractually receivable in those circumstances where:

   --      The amounts are not time related 
   --      The amounts are not refundable 

-- The licensee has unrestricted rights to exploit the technology within the terms set by the licence

   --      The group has no further contractual duty to perform any future services 

Where such fees or receipts are dependent upon future performance or financial commitments on behalf of the group, the revenue is recognised pro rata to the services or commitments being performed. Funds received which have not been recognised as revenue are treated as deferred revenue and recognised in trade and other payables.

Interest income

Interest income is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest rate method.

Research and development

Research costs are charged to profit and loss as they are incurred. Certain development costs are capitalised as intangible assets when it is probable that the future economic benefits will flow to the Group. Such intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis from the point at which the assets are ready for use over the period of the expected benefit, and are reviewed for impairment at each year end date. Other development costs are charged against profit or loss as incurred since the criteria for their recognition as an asset are not met.

The criteria for recognising expenditure as an asset are:

   --      it is technically feasible to complete the product; 
   --      management intends to complete the product and use or sell it; 
   --      there is an ability to use or sell the product; 
   --      it can be demonstrated how the product will generate probable future economic benefits; 

-- adequate technical, financial and other resources are available to complete the development, use and sale of the product; and

   --      expenditure attributable to the product can be reliably measured. 

The costs of an internally generated intangible asset comprise all directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce and prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Directly attributable costs include employee costs incurred on technical development, testing and certification, materials consumed and any relevant third party cost. The costs of internally generated developments are recognised as intangible assets and are subsequently measured in the same way as externally acquired intangible assets. However, until completion of the development project, the assets are subject to impairment testing only.

Financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities 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 the profit and 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.

At the year end, the Group has Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents held as loans and receivables and trade and other payables held as financial liabilities at amortised cost. The Group had no financial assets or liabilities designated as at fair value through the profit and loss, held-to-maturity investments or available-for-sale financial assets (2016: nil).

De-recognition of financial assets and liabilities

A financial asset or liability is generally derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is settled, sold, cancelled or expires.

Taxation

Current income tax

Current tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the tax authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date.

Deferred tax

Deferred income tax is recognised on all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements, except to the extent that the directors do not anticipate that the timing differences will crystallise in the foreseeable future, and with the following exceptions:

-- where the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of 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 nor loss; and

-- in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries 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.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured on an undiscounted basis using the tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and which are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which differences can be utilised. An asset is not recognised to the extent that the transfer or economic benefits in the future is not probable.

Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries are stated in the Company statement of financial position at cost less provision for any impairment.

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is recognised initially at cost. After initial recognition, these assets are carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Cost comprises the aggregate amount paid and the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire the asset and includes cost directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation is computed by allocating the depreciable amount of an asset on a systematic basis over its useful life and is applied separately to each identifiable component.

Plant and machinery - 25% per annum on a reducing balance basis

Computer equipment - straight line over 3 years

The carrying values of plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, and are written down immediately to their recoverable amount. Useful lives and residual values are reviewed annually and where adjustments are required these are made prospectively.

An item of plant and equipment is derecognised on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on de-recognition of the asset is included in profit or loss in the period of de-recognition.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired either as part of a business combination or from contractual or other legal rights are recognised separately from goodwill provided they are separable and their fair value can be measured reliably.

Where intangible assets recognised have finite lives, after initial recognition their carrying value is amortised on a straight line basis over those lives. The nature of those intangibles recognised and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

Development costs - straight line over 10 years

Patent costs and trademarks - straight line over 10 years

Impairment of assets

At each reporting date the Group reviews the carrying value of its plant, equipment and intangible assets to determine whether there is an indication that these assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the group makes an assessment of the asset's recoverable amount. Intangible assets not yet ready to use are subject to an annual impairment test.

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 value 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. In determining fair value less costs to sell, an appropriate valuation model is used, these calculations corroborated by valuation multiples, or other available fair value indicators. Impairment losses on continuing operations are recognised in profit or loss in those expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired assets.

An assessment is made at each reporting date in respect of the Group's assets, with the exception of goodwill, 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 assumptions 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 revalued amount, in which case the reversal is treated as a valuation 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.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes all costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less any further costs expected to be incurred to disposal. Provision is made for slow moving or obsolete items.

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables, which generally have 30 to 90 day terms, are recognised and carried at the lower of their original invoiced value and recoverable amount. The time value of money is not material.

Provision is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to recover balances in full. Significant financial difficulties faced by the customer, probability that the customer will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation and default in payments are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. The carrying value of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the amount of the loss is recognised in profit or loss within administrative expenses.

When a trade receivable is uncollectable, it is written off through profit or loss.

Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at hand and deposits with an original term of not greater than 3 months. Short-term investments comprise deposits with maturities of more than three months, but no greater than 12 months.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are initially recognised at fair value. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount has been reliably estimated. Provisions are measured at the present value of the expected expenditures to be required to settle the obligation.

Equity and reserves

Share capital represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued.

Share premium includes any premiums received on issue of share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits.

Merger reserve represents the fair value of the consideration given in excess of the nominal value of the ordinary shares issued on the acquisition of Oxford Pharmascience Limited to allow admission of the Group to the AIM market made by the issue of shares. Following the demerger of Oxford Pharmascience Limited, the balance of the merger reserve has been released to the revenue reserve.

Share based payment reserve includes all current and prior period share-based employee remuneration expense.

Revenue reserve includes all current and prior period retained profits/(losses).

Share-based payments

The Company undertakes equity settled share-based payment transactions with certain employees. Equity settled share-based payment transactions are measured with reference to the fair value at the date of grant, recognised on a straight line basis over the vesting period, based on the company's estimate of shares that will eventually vest. Fair value is measured using the Black Scholes model.

At each statement of financial position date before vesting, the cumulative expense is calculated, representing the extent to which the vesting period has expired and management's best estimate of the achievement or otherwise of non-market conditions and the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The movement in cumulative expense since the previous statement of financial position date is recognised in profit or loss, with a corresponding entry in equity.

Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified or a new award is designated as replacing a cancelled or settled award, the cost based on the original award terms continues to be recognised over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognised over the remainder of the new vesting period for the incremental fair value of any modification, based on the difference between the fair value of the original award and the fair value of the modified award, both as measured on the date of the modification. No reduction is recognised if this difference is negative.

Accounting standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations relevant to the Group that have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been endorsed by the EU):

 
 Standard                                                     Effective date accounting periods commencing on or after 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------- 
 IFRS 9 Financial Instruments                                                                                01-Jan-18 
 IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers                                                               01-Jan-18 
 IFRIC Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax                                                         01-Jan-16 
 Treatments 
 IFRIC Interpretation 22 Foreign currency transactions and                                                   01-Jan-18 
 advance considerations 
 
 

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group.

   3.   Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the Statement of Financial Position date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. The nature of estimation means that actual amounts could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are continually reviewed and revised as necessary. While every effort is made to ensure that such estimates and assumptions are reasonable, by their nature they are uncertain and, as such, changes in estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on the financial statements.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Equity settled share-based payments

The estimation of share-based payment costs requires the selection of an appropriate valuation method, 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 future volatility of the share price of comparable companies, the Company's expected dividend yields, risk free interest rates and expected lives of the options. The Directors draw on a variety of sources to aid in the determination of the appropriate data to use in such calculations.

Research and development costs

Careful judgement by the Directors is applied when deciding whether the recognition requirements for capitalising development costs have been met. This is necessary as the economic success of any product development is uncertain and may be subject to future technical problems. Judgements are based on the information available at each reporting date which includes the progress with testing and certification and progress on, for example, establishment of commercial arrangements with third parties. In addition, all internal activities related to research and development of new products is continually monitored by the Directors.

Provisions for irrecoverable receivables

Provisions for irrecoverable receivables are based on historical evidence, and the best available information in relation to specific issues, but are nevertheless inherently uncertain.

   4.   Segmental information 

At 31 December 2017 the Group operated as one segment, being the operation of an AIM Rule 15 Cash Shell. All assets and liabilities are held in the UK.

5. Operating loss

 
                                                          31 December 2017    31 December 2016 
 The Group                                                         GBP'000             GBP'000 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Operating loss is stated after charging/(crediting): 
 Staff costs (see note 6)                                              217                 517 
 Auditor's remuneration: 
 - Total auditor's remuneration                                         26                  25 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

6. Staff costs

The average number of employees during the year (including directors) and aggregate remuneration, including directors was as follows:

 
 Group                                        Number              Number 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Administration and management                     6                  10 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
 
                                    31 December 2017    31 December 2016 
                                             GBP'000             GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Wages and salaries                              300                 318 
 Social security costs                            33                  30 
 Pension cost                                      5                   6 
 Share based payments (note 19)                (121)                 163 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
                                                 217                 517 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

Details of directors' remneration and the highest paid Director can be found in the directors' report. Key management personnel comprise only the Directors of the Company.

7. Finance income

 
                              31 December 2017    31 December 2016 
                                       GBP'000             GBP'000 
--------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Bank interest receivable                   95                 132 
--------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

8. Taxation

 
                                                                  Year to 31 December 2017    Year to 31 December 2016 
                                                                                   GBP'000                     GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------- 
 Current tax: 
 UK corporation tax on losses for the year                                               -                           - 
 Research and development tax credit receivable for the current 
 year                                                                                    -                           - 
 Prior year adjustment in respect of research and development 
 tax credit                                                                              -                           - 
 Deferred tax: 
 Origination and reversal of timing differences                                          -                           - 
 
 Tax on loss on ordinary activities                                                      -                           - 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 
                                                                  Year to 31 December 2017    Year to 31 December 2016 
                                                                                   GBP'000                     GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------- 
 The tax assessed for the Year varies from the small company 
 rate of corporation tax as explained 
 below: 
 Loss on ordinary activities before tax                                              (521)                       (348) 
 Tax at the standard rate of corporation tax 19.25% (2016: 20%)                      (100)                        (69) 
 
 Effects of: 
 Expenses not deductible for tax purposes                                                -                           - 
 Other movements 
 Enhanced research and development relief                                                -                           - 
 Share based payment relief                                                              -                           - 
 Prior year adjustments in respect of research and development 
 tax credit                                                                              -                           - 
 Tax losses carried forward                                                            100                          69 
 Tax charge for the year                                                                 -                           - 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------- 
 

The Company has accumulated losses available to carry forward against future trading profits of GBP1.6 million (2016: GBP1.1 million). No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of tax losses since it is uncertain at the balance sheet date as to whether future profits will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilised.

9. Discontinued operations

An analysis of the result of discontinued operations, and the result recognised on the consolidated income statement is as follows;

 
                                               Year to 31 December 2017   Year to 31 December 2016 
                                                                GBP'000                    GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Revenue                                                            939                        795 
 Expenses                                                       (2,776)                    (2,345) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss before tax of discontinued operations                     (1,837)                    (1,550) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Tax                                                                303                        514 
--------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Loss from discontinued operations                              (1,534)                    (1,036) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

Staff costs included in discontinued operations were GBP271K (2016: GBP340k).

10. Loss per share

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

 
                                                                                  31 December 2017    31 December 2016 
                                                                                           GBP'000             GBP'000 
 Loss attributable to the equity holders of the parent from continuing 
  operations                                                                                 (521)               (348) 
 Loss from discontinued operations (note 9)                                                (1,534)             (1,036) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
                                                                                               No.                 No. 
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period               1,205,661,619       1,205,661,619 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
 Basic loss per share 
 Basic on loss for the period from continuing operations                                    (0.04)              (0.03) 
 Basic on loss for the period from discontinued operations                                  (0.13)              (0.09) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Diluted loss per share 
 Diluted on loss for the period from continuing operations                                  (0.04)              (0.03) 
 Diluted on loss for the period from discontinued operations                                (0.13)              (0.09) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

The Company has issued employee options over nil (2016: 99,700,000) ordinary shares which are potentially dilutive. There is, however, no dilutive effect of these issued options as there is a loss for each of the periods concerned.

11. Intangible assets

 
                                                Patents and trademarks           Development costs               Total 
                                                                GBP000                      GBP000              GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 Cost 
 At 31 December 2015 and 2016                                       60                          27                  87 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 Eliminated on de-merger of subsidiary                            (60)                        (27)                (87) 
 As at 31 December 2017                                              -                           -                   - 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 
 Amortisation 
 At 31 December 2015                                                33                          20                  53 
 Charge for the year                                                 5                           3                   8 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2016                                                38                          23                  61 
 Charge for the year (discontinued 
  operations)                                                        5                           3                   8 
 Eliminated on de-merger of subsidiary                            (43)                        (26)                (69) 
--------------------------------------------- 
 At 31 December 2017                                                 -                           -                   - 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 
 Net book value 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2017                                                 -                           -                   - 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2016                                                22                           4                  26 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2015                                                27                           7                  34 
---------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------  ------------------ 
 

12. Property, plant and equipment

 
                                                    Plant and machinery         Computer equipment               Total 
                                                                 GBP000                     GBP000              GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 Cost 
 At 31 December 2015 and 2016                                         2                         13                  15 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 Eliminated on de-merger of subsidiary                              (2)                       (13)                (15) 
 As at 31 December 2017                                               -                          -                   - 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 
 Depreciation 
 At 31 December 2015                                                  1                         10                  11 
 Charge for the year                                                  -                          2                   2 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2016                                                  1                         12                  13 
 Charge for the year (discontinued 
  operations)                                                         -                          1                   1 
 Eliminated on de-merger of subsidiary                              (1)                       (13)                (14) 
------------------------------------------- 
 At 31 December 2017                                                  -                          -                   - 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 
 Net book value 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2017                                                  -                          -                   - 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2016                                                  1                          1                   2 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 At 31 December 2015                                                  1                          3                   4 
-------------------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------ 
 

13. Inventories

 
                                   31 December 2017   31 December 2016 
                                            GBP'000            GBP'000 
 Raw materials and consumables                    -                 14 
-------------------------------  ------------------  ----------------- 
 

The inventory expensed to cost of sales during the year is GBPnil (2016: GBP534k) and there has been no write off of stock in the year (2016: nil). Manufacturing is outsourced to third party suppliers.

14.Trade and other receivables

 
                                    31 December 2017    31 December 2016 
                                              GBP000              GBP000 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Trade receivables                                 -                 343 
 Other receivables                                24                  58 
 Current tax receivable                            -                 362 
 Prepayments and accrued income                    4                  48 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
                                                  28                 811 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value. Trade receivables are all denominated in sterling.

At 31 December the analysis of trade receivables that were past due but not impaired was as follows:

 
           Total    Neither due or impaired   <60 days    Past due but not impaired 30 to 60 days 
         GBP'000                    GBP'000    GBP'000                                    GBP'000 
------  --------  -------------------------  ---------  ----------------------------------------- 
 2017          -                          -          -                                          - 
 2016        343                         74        267                                          2 
------  --------  -------------------------  ---------  ----------------------------------------- 
 

At the year ended 31 December 2017 there was no requirement for a provision for doubtful debts (2016: nil) and there were no movements in the year (2016: nil).

15. Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments

 
                                                                      31 December 2017   31 December 2016 
                                                                               GBP'000            GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash at bank and in hand                                                       19,231             11,878 
 Short-term investments with maturity dates less than three months                   -              5,000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Total cash and cash equivalents                                                19,231             16,878 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Short-term investments with maturity dates more than three months                   -              5,000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Total cash, cash equivalents and short term investments                        19,231             21,878 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 

An analysis of cash, cash equivalents and short term investments by currency is provided in note 22.

16. Trade and other payables

 
                               31 December 2017    31 December 2016 
                                        GBP'000             GBP'000 
---------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
 Trade payables                               -                  91 
 Taxes and social security                   12                  22 
 Accruals                                    58                  54 
---------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
                                             70                 167 
---------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

17. Provisions

The Group has established a provision in the year ended 31 December 2017 of GBP176k (2016: nil) related to the estimated costs associated with the proposed Members Voluntary Liquidation of the Company, including staff termination payments and professional fees for the period from 1 January 2018 to the point when the liquidation is expected to be completed (subject to shareholder approval). The provision charge is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income within administrative expenses.

18. Issued equity capital and reserves

 
                                                                      Share       Share              Merger 
                                                                    capital     premium             reserve      Total 
                                               Number               GBP'000     GBP'000             GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Abaco Capital 
  Plc 
 Ordinary shares 
  of 0.1p each 
                  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total Ordinary 
  shares of 0.1 
  p each as at 
  31 December 
  2012                                    730,869,952                   731       3,758                 714      5,203 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Issued for cash 
  20 March 2013                           166,666,667                   167       4,833                   -      5,000 
 Expense of 
  issue                                             -                     -        (30)                   -       (30) 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Issued for cash 
  5 November 
  2013                                    100,000,000                   100       3,900                   -      4,000 
 Expense of 
  issue                                             -                     -        (40)                   -       (40) 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total Ordinary 
  shares of 0.1 
  p each as at 
  31 December 
  2013                                    997,536,619                   998      12,421                 714     14,133 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Share options 
  exercised 17 
  April 2014                                8,125,000                     8         149                   -        157 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total Ordinary 
  shares of 0.1 
  p each as at 
  31 December 
  2014                                  1,005,661,619                 1,006      12,570                 714     14,290 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Issued for cash 
  25 June 2015                             42,915,000                    43       4,249                   -      4,292 
 Issued for cash 
  26 June 2015                            157,085,000                   157      15,551                   -     15,708 
 Expense of 
  issue                                             -                     -       (561)                   -      (561) 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total Ordinary 
  shares of 0.1 
  p each as at 
  31 December 
  2015 
  and 2016                              1,205,661,619                 1,206      31,809                 714     33,729 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 Share capital 
  reduction 
  December 
  2017                                              -               (1,194)           -                   -    (1,194) 
 Cancellation 
  of share 
  premium                                           -                     -    (31,809)                   -   (31,809) 
 Release of 
  merger 
  reserve                                           -                     -           -               (714)      (714) 
 Total ordinary 
  shares of 
  0.001p 
  at 31 December 
  2017                                  1,205,661,619                    12           -                   -         12 
----------------  -----------------------------------  --------------------  ----------  ------------------  --------- 
 

The acquisition of Oxford Nutrascience Limited (now Oxford Pharmascience Limited) in 2010 was accounted for as a re-organisation using the pooling of interests method of accounting as set out in note 2 to these financial statements and under which the shares issued by the company were recorded at nominal value together with an amount established as Merger reserve in order to replicate the total issued capital of Oxford Pharmascience Limited as at the acquisition date.

Following the demerger of Oxford Pharmascience Limited on 22 December 2017, the Merger Reserve has been released to the Revenue Reserve.

19. Share based payments

The Group operates a share option plan, under which certain directors have been granted options to subscribe for ordinary shares. All options are equity settled. New options of nil (2016: 7,000,000) ordinary shares were granted in the year. The options granted in previous years had exercise prices of between 3.8p - 11.9p and the vesting period was generally 1 or 3 years. If the options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. During the year ended 31 December 2017, all of the options were forfeited/surrendered as part of the demerger process.

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

 
                                                                                   Weighted average exercise price per 
                                                      Number of share options                                    share 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 At 31 December 2009                                                  300,000                                     40.0 
 Granted in the year                                                        -                                        - 
 Adjustment on re-organisation                                      7,200,000                                   (38.4) 
--------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2010                                    7,500,000                                      1.6 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Granted in the year                                                2,000,000                                      1.0 
                                   ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2011                                    9,500,000                                      1.5 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Granted in the year                                                        -                                        - 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2012                                    9,500,000                                      1.5 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Granted in the year                                                5,000,000                                      2.7 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2013                                   14,500,000                                      1.9 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Exercised in the year                                            (8,125,000)                                    (1.9) 
 Expired in the year                                              (4,375,000)                                    (2.2) 
 Granted in the year                                               77,000,000                                      4.0 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2014                                   79,000,000                                      3.9 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Granted in the year                                               16,200,000                                      7.8 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2015                                   95,200,000                                      4.6 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Granted in the year                                                7,000,000                                      4.6 
 Forfeited/lapsed in the year                                     (2,500,000)                                      4.6 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2016                                   99,700,000                                      4.6 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Forfeited/surrendered in the 
  year                                                           (99,700,000)                                    (4.6) 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Outstanding at 31 December 2017                                            -                                        - 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 

On 27 January 2010, the Company acquired 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Oxford Nutrascience Limited in a share for share exchange on the basis of 25 for 1 exchange ratio. As part of the re-organisation and share for share exchange, share options in Oxford Nutrascience Limited were substituted by share options in the Company as increased by a multiple of 25 and at an exercise price reduced by a multiple of 25.

There were nil (2016: 15,733,333) share options outstanding at 31 December 2017 which were eligible to be exercised. During the year ended 31 December 2017, no options were exercised (2016: nil) and 99,700,000 options lapsed or were forfeited (2016: 2,500,000).

The fair value of equity settled share options granted is estimated at the date of grant based on the Black Scholes model which is considered most appropriate considering the effects of the vesting conditions, expected exercise price and the payment of the dividends by the Company. The following table lists the inputs to the model used for the year ended 31 December 2016 and the year ended 31 December 2017, market conditions are assumed to be met during the vesting period:

 
                                                   Granted year to 31 December          Granted year to 31 December 
                                                                          2017                                 2016 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
 Dividend yield                                                              -                                    - 
 Expected volatility                                                         -                                  50% 
 Risk free interest rate                                                     -                                 0.5% 
 Expected vesting life of options                                            -                            1-3 years 
 Weighted average exercise price                                             -                                4.58p 
 Weighted average share price at date of grant                               -                                4.63p 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
 

*expected volatility is based on the rate used by similar start-up technology companies

A share based payments credit has been recognised in the statement of comprehensive income of GBP121k for the year (year to 31 December charge of 2016: GBP163k). The share based payment reserve at the year end is GBPnil (2016: GBP541k) after the balance of the reserve of GBP420k was transferred to the Revenue Reserve.

20. Commitments

Operating lease commitments

The Group has no commitments under non-cancellable operating lease agreements.

21. Subsidiary Companies

At 31 December 2017 the Company has investments in subsidiaries where it holds 50 per cent or more of the issued ordinary share capital of the following companies:

 
                                                 % of issued 
                                                    ordinary 
                                               share capital 
                                 Country of       and voting 
 Undertaking       Sector     incorporation           rights 
--------------  ---------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Oxford Nutra                   England and 
  Limited         Dormant             Wales              100 
--------------  ---------  ----------------  --------------- 
 

During the year ended 31 December 2017, the company's 100% owned subsidiary, Oxford Pharmascience Limited was demerged from the group.

22. Risk management of financial assets and liabilities

The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (specifically interest rate risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and foreign currency risk. The Group's risk management programme seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group's financial performance. The management of these risks is vested in the Board of Directors. The policies for managing each of these risks are summarised below:

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to stakeholders. The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued share capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in note 18 and in the Group Statement of Changes in Equity. Total equity was GBP19.0 million at 31 December 2017 (2016: GBP22.6 million).

The Group's principal financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to raise finance for the Group's operations. The Group has various financial assets such as trade receivables and cash, which arise directly from its operations. The Group does not currently enter into derivative transactions such as interest rate swaps and forward currency contracts.

Liquidity risk

The Group's approach to managing liquidity is to ensure that, as far as possible, it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group's reputation.

The Group manages all of its external bank relationships centrally and in accordance with its treasury policies which include minimum acceptable credit ratings and maximum holdings limits. The Group seeks to limit the risk of banking failure losses by ensuring that it maintains relationships with a number of institutions. At the reporting date, the Group was cash positive and had no outstanding borrowings.

Categorisation of financial instruments

 
                                                        Financial liabilities at amortised 
                              Loans and receivables                                   cost                       Total 
                                            GBP'000                                GBP'000                     GBP'000 
---------------------------  ----------------------  -------------------------------------  -------------------------- 
 At 31 December 2017 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                                    24                                      -                          24 
 Other short-term 
 investments                                      -                                      -                           - 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   19,231                                      -                      19,231 
 Provisions                                       -                                  (176)                       (176) 
                                             19,255                                  (176)                      19,079 
---------------------------  ----------------------  -------------------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 At 31 December 2016 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                                   402                                      -                         402 
 Other short-term 
  investments                                 5,000                                      -                       5,000 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   16,878                                      -                      16,878 
 Trade and other payables                         -                                   (91)                        (91) 
                                             22,280                                   (91)                      22,189 
---------------------------  ----------------------  -------------------------------------  -------------------------- 
 

The group had no financial instruments measured at fair value through profit and loss.

The main risks arising from the Group's financial instruments are credit risk and interest rate risk. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing risks which are summarised below.

Maturity profile

The Group's policy regarding liquidity risk is set out above. As all of the Group's financial assets and liabilities are expected to mature within the twelve months an aged analysis of financial assets and liabilities has not been presented.

Credit risk

The Group's principal financial assets are cash and short-term investments. The Group seeks to limit the level of credit risk on the cash balances by only depositing surplus liquid funds with counterparty banks that have high credit ratings.

The company trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the group's exposure to bad debts is not significant. The Group's maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in note 14.

Interest rate risk

As the Group has no external financing facilities interest rate risk is limited to the reduction of interest received on cash surpluses held at bank which receive a floating rate of interest. Interest rate risk is managed in accordance with the liquidity requirement of the Group, with a minimum of 30 per cent. of its cash surpluses held within an instant access account, which has a variable interest rate attributable to it, to ensure that sufficient funds are available to cover the working capital requirements of the Group.

The principal impact to the Group is the result of interest-bearing cash and short-term investment balances held as set out below:

 
                                               31 December 2017                          31 December 2016 
                                  Fixed rate      Floating rate     Total   Fixed rate      Floating rate     Total 
                                     GBP'000            GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000            GBP'000   GBP'000 
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------------  --------  -----------  -----------------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents            19,231                  -    19,231       11,878              5,000    16,878 
 Other short-term investments              -                  -         -        5,000                  -     5,000 
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------------  --------  -----------  -----------------  -------- 
 
 

At 31 December 2017, the impact of a 10 per cent increase or decrease in interest rates would have decreased/increased loss for the year by GBP19k (2016: GBP22k) as a result of higher/lower interest received on floating rate cash deposits.

Foreign currency risk

The Group is exposed to currency risk on sales and purchases that are denominated in a currency other than sterling (GBP). These are primarily made in Euros including sales to Brazil. Transactions in other currencies are limited.

A majority of the Group's sales are denominated in Euros. The Group purchases raw materials and certain associated services in Euros which partly offsets the Euro denominated revenue, thereby reducing net foreign exchange exposure.

The split of Group assets between Sterling and other currencies at the year-end is analysed as follows:

 
                                                                          31 December                                                                     31 December 
                                                                                 2017                                                                            2016 
 The Group                                 GBP                                    Eur                Total                         GBP                                             Total 
                                       GBP'000                                GBP'000              GBP'000                     GBP'000                    Eur GBP'000            GBP'000 
-------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------------  -------------------  --------------------------  -----------------------------  ----------------- 
 Trade and 
  other 
  receivables                               28                                      -                   28                         468                            343                811 
 Other 
  short-term 
  investments                                -                                      -                    -                       5,000                              -              5,000 
 Cash and 
  cash 
  equivalents                           19,231                                      -               19,231                      15,827                          1,051             16,878 
 Trade and 
  other 
  payables                                (70)                                      -                 (70)                       (120)                           (47)              (167) 
 Provisions                              (176)                                      -                (176) 
                                        19,013                                      -               19,013                      21,175                          1,347             22,522 
-------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------------  -------------------  --------------------------  -----------------------------  ----------------- 
 
 

Sensitivity analysis to movements in exchange rates

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the Sterling against Euro exchange rate with all other variables held constant, on the Group's loss before tax (due to foreign exchange translation of monetary assets and liabilities) and the Group's equity.

 
                                             31 December 2017   31 December 2016 
 Increase/(decrease) in GBP vs. Eur rate %        GBP GBP'000        GBP GBP'000 
------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
  10%                                                       -              (123) 
  5%                                                        -               (64) 
  (5%)                                                      -                 71 
  (10%)                                                     -                150 
 
 

23. Related party transactions

Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties:

The Group:

There are no sales or purchases to or from related parties.

Directors' remuneration - The remuneration of the individual Directors is provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report within the Directors' Report and disclosed in note 6 of the financial statements.

24. Ultimate controlling party

The directors do not believe an ultimate controlling party exists.

25. Demerger of Oxford Pharmascience Limited

The Group demerged Oxford Pharmascience Limited on 22 December 2017. The assets and liabilities demerged were as follows;

 
                                  GBP GBP'000 
-------------------------------  ------------ 
 Intangible fixed assets                   18 
 Property, plant and equipment              1 
 Inventories                               12 
 Trade and other receivables              344 
 Cash and cash equivalents              1,138 
 Trade and other payables               (138) 
 
 Total                                  1,375 
-------------------------------  ------------ 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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April 06, 2018 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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