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APH Alliance Pharma Plc

33.10
-0.60 (-1.78%)
03 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Alliance Pharma Plc LSE:APH London Ordinary Share GB0031030819 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -0.60 -1.78% 33.10 32.95 33.85 33.95 32.95 33.95 1,864,058 16:35:13
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Pharmaceutical Preparations 167.42M 936k 0.0017 195.88 179.87M

Alliance Pharma PLC Full Year Results 2019 (9791I)

07/04/2020 7:00am

UK Regulatory


TIDMAPH

RNS Number : 9791I

Alliance Pharma PLC

07 April 2020

 
 For immediate release                                                    7 April 2020 
 

ALLIANCE PHARMA PLC

("Alliance" or the "Group")

Results for the year ended 31 December 2019

STRONG GROWTH AND CASH GENERATION

Alliance Pharma plc (AIM: APH), the international healthcare group, announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2019.

OVERVIEW

-- See-through revenues up 16% at GBP144.3m (2018: GBP124.0m), on both a reported and constant currency basis, in line with expectations

o Continued strong performance from International Star and other consumer brands, led by Kelo-cote(TM)

o International sales saw another year of strong growth

o Includes first full year's revenues from Nizoral(TM) (under Johnson & Johnson management)

o Excluding acquisitions, year on year revenue increased 10% in 2019 (up 8% on a constant currency basis)

   --      Statutory revenues up 15%, to GBP135.6m (2018: GBP118.2m) 
   --      Underlying EBITDA* up 22% to GBP39.4m (2018: GBP32.4m) 
   --      Good progress made with Nizoral transition and enhancement of Asia Pacific operations 

-- Continued strong cash generation, with leverage falling to 1.48x at December 2019 from 2.33x (December 2018)

-- The Board has decided not to propose a final dividend for FY2019 to prudently preserve cash in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 
 Year ended 31 December               2019     2018   Growth 
                                      GBPm     GBPm 
 Revenue (see-through basis)*        144.3    124.0      16% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Revenue (statutory basis)           135.6    118.2      15% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Gross profit                         86.1     72.6      19% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying EBITDA*                   39.4     32.4      22% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying profit before 
  taxation                            32.9     28.1      17% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Reported profit before taxation      31.1     22.8      36% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying basic earnings 
  per share                          5.09p    4.54p      12% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Reported basic earnings per 
  share                              4.80p    3.69p      30% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Free cash flow*                      29.1     16.1      81% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Leverage                            1.48x    2.33x 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Net debt*                            59.2     85.8 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Total dividend per share           0.536p   1.464p     -63% 
---------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

* The performance of the Group is assessed using Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs"), which are measures that are not defined under IFRS, but are used by management to monitor ongoing business performance against both shorter term budgets and forecasts and against the Groups longer term strategic plans. APMs are defined in note 17.

Specifically, see-through revenue includes sales from Nizoral(TM) as if they had been invoiced by Alliance. Under the terms of the transitional services agreement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Alliance receives the benefit of the net profit on sales of Nizoral from the date of acquisition up until the product licences in the Asia-Pacific territories transfer from J&J to Alliance. For statutory accounting purposes the product margin on Nizoral sales is included within Revenue, in line with IFRS 15.

Commenting on the results, Peter Butterfield, Alliance Pharma's Chief Executive Officer, said :

"2019 saw another year of strong sales and profit growth, led by our consumer brands, particularly our International Stars. Cash generation was also very strong, allowing us to significantly reduce our borrowings. We are pleased with the way the Nizoral transition is progressing and look forward to the increased control we will have over the brand as the various territories fully transition to Alliance.

"As a diversified global business, we have been paying close attention to the COVID-19 pandemic and our position on this remains as announced on 23 March 2020.

" We have good control of our cost base and will continue to manage our levels of discretionary spend carefully to help mitigate the potential impact of any reduction in revenue as a result of COVID-19. W e have also decided it would be prudent at this time to preserve cash and therefore have taken the decision not to propose a final dividend for year ended 31 December 2019. We will provide further updates at our AGM in May, in our H1 trading update in July and at other times as appropriate.

"Notwithstanding the current uncertainty created by the coronavirus, our underlying business remains resilient, with strong financials, good liquidity and covenant headroom, and we look forward to continuing our path of growth in the years ahead."

CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST

A conference call for analysts will be held at 10.00am this morning, 7 April 2020. Analysts who require dial-in details, please contact Buchanan at alliancepharma@buchanan.uk.com .

A recorded webcast of the analyst conference call, including the investor presentation slides, will be made available this afternoon at this link:

https://webcasting.buchanan.uk.com/broadcast/5e416265397af40afa52d7c4

The recorded webcast will also be made available at the investor section of Alliance's website, https://www.alliancepharmaceuticals.com/investors/

For more information, please contact Buchanan on 020 7466 5000 or email alliancepharma@buchanan.uk.com .

For further information

 
 Alliance Pharma plc                          + 44 (0)1249 466966 
 Peter Butterfield, Chief Executive 
  Officer 
 Andrew Franklin, Chief Financial Officer 
 www.alliancepharma.co.uk 
 Buchanan                                    + 44 (0)20 7466 5000 
 Mark Court / Hannah Ratcliff 
 
 Numis Securities Limited                    + 44 (0)20 7260 1000 
 Nominated Adviser: Freddie Barnfield 
  / Huw Jeremy 
 Corporate Broking: James Black 
 
 
 Investec Bank plc                    + 44 (0) 20 7597 5970 
 Corporate Finance: Daniel Adams / 
  Ed Thomas 
 Corporate Broking: Patrick Robb / 
  Tejas Padalkar 
 

About Alliance

Alliance Pharma plc (AIM: APH) is an international healthcare group , headquartered in the UK with subsidiaries in Europe, the Asia Pacific region and the US and wide international reach through an extensive network of distributors, generating sales in more than 100 countries.

We currently own or in-license the rights to more than 90 consumer healthcare and pharmaceutical products, which are managed on a portfolio basis according to their growth potential. Promotional investment is focused on a small number of brands with significant international or multi-territory reach. The remainder of the portfolio comprises products which are sold in a limited number of local markets and require little or no promotional investment.

Our strategy allows us to benefit both from organic growth opportunities and from enhancing our growth rate through carefully selected acquisitions.

For more information on Alliance, please visit our website: www.alliancepharmaceuticals.co m

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT

Trading performance

Overview

The Group continued to trade strongly in 2019 with revenue on a see-through basis up 16% to GBP144.3m (2018: GBP124.0m) and up 15% on a statutory basis to GBP135.6m (2018: GBP118.2m). See-through revenue benefitted by GBP9.3m in 2019 due to the inclusion of the first full year's trading revenue from Nizoral, which was acquired in June 2018. Coupled with improving gross profit margins, gross profit increased by 19% to GBP86.1m (2018: GBP72.6m). Through maintaining good control over our operating costs, we were pleased to be able to deliver some operational leverage, with underlying EBITDA up 22% to GBP39.4m (2018: GBP32.4m). Underlying profit before tax increased 17% to GBP32.9m (2018: GBP28.1m) and reported profit before tax increased 36% to GBP31.1m (2018: GBP22.8m).

International Star brands performance

Our portfolio of International Star brands all performed very well during 2019, delivering collective revenue growth of 43% (30% on a like for like basis, excluding Nizoral). These key brands now account for over 45% of Group revenue, with this percentage expected to increase further in the current year.

Kelo-cote - scar prevention and treatment

Kelo-cote delivered another impressive performance in 2019, with revenues up 38% to GBP31.0m (2018: GBP22.5m) due to continued strong demand, primarily from China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region, reflecting the growth in the Aesthetic Medicine (AM) market in this part of the world. With rising demand for cosmetic procedures and C-section births, Kelo-cote remains very well-placed to take advantage of this AM growth trend, particularly in China, where it is well established in the market.

During 2019, our global marketing team continued to support the local brand teams in delivering a range of marketing activities to support brand growth, attending several conferences and interacting with healthcare professionals across the globe, to increase brand awareness.

Nizoral - medicated anti-dandruff shampoo

Nizoral (under J&J management during 2019) performed in line with expectations, generating see-through revenues in its first full year of ownership by the Group of GBP20.2m, as compared with GBP10.9m in the second half of 2018.

Our focus during 2019 has been on refining and executing detailed transition plans to support the transfer of the product licences in each of the territories from J&J to Alliance, including establishing new trading relationships with suppliers and distributors to enable us to continue to manufacture and sell the product post transfer. As previously reported, during the first half of 2019 we enhanced our presence in Singapore and Shanghai, moving to larger offices in both locations and establishing a dedicated team to support the transfer and subsequent management of Nizoral.

The first two product licences (for Hong Kong and Thailand) transferred to Alliance in Q4 2019 and we expect the majority of the remaining licences to transfer during 2020. Once all of the product licences are under our control, we will be able to manage the associated commercial relationships and brand development more proactively. China continues to be an important market for Nizoral and a future growth-driver for this key brand.

MacuShield - eye health supplement

MacuShield grew strongly in 2019, generating revenues of GBP8.2m, up 18% year on year (2018: GBP7.0m), driven by distributor stocking and changes in trading arrangements with a key distributor. Excluding these 'one-off' benefits, the brand delivered underlying growth in 2019 of around 5%.

In addition to launches in Italy and Turkey in the first half of the year, we launched MacuShield in Pakistan during the second half and plan to launch the brand in a further six territories during 2020. In the UK, we expanded the range of products available with the launch of MacuShield chewable tablets in October 2019, for consumers who find the original capsule presentation difficult to swallow.

Vamousse - prevention and treatment of head lice

Vamousse delivered another strong performance, particularly in the US, its core market, with global revenues up 14% to GBP6.5m (2018: GBP5.8m) and up 10% on a constant currency basis.

Whilst we continue to evaluate opportunities to introduce Vamousse into new markets, our near-term focus is on continuing to grow the brand in the US, where it continues to out-perform the general market.

Local brands

Our Local brands portfolio delivered a stable performance overall, with revenues of GBP78.3m, GBP0.3m above those for the previous year (2018: GBP78.0m). We saw good performances from some of the consumer brands in this part of our portfolio, with new UK retail listings for Aloclair (treatment for mouth ulcers) and Ashton & Parsons (teething gel) and strong sales of a number of products to our international distributors, offsetting the decline we experienced with some of our heritage pharmaceutical products due to generic competition and competitive tender activity. We also took the decision to discontinue a few products within our Local brands portfolio, which were generating very low revenues and margins, as part of a regular periodic review of our portfolio.

Going forwards, we will continue to actively manage this part of our portfolio, in particular the heritage pharmaceutical products, and expect sales in this category to modestly decline over time. However, the cash generation from these assets is expected to remain strong, with limited requirements for promotional investment.

Regional performance

International

Our international distributor business continued to go from strength to strength in 2019, benefiting from a full year's revenues from Nizoral and continued strong demand for Kelo-cote, which helped to deliver significant year on year revenue growth across the Asia Pacific region and particularly in China. We also saw good growth from our Middle East and Africa distributor business, with revenues up 26% on the previous year at GBP6.7m. See-through revenues for our international distributor business increased 32% to GBP54.2m in 2019 (2018: GBP40.9m) and reported revenues increased 30% to GBP45.6m (2018: GBP35.1m).

US

Revenues in our new US business increased by 11% in 2019 to GBP6.1m (2018: GBP5.5m), with a particularly strong performance by Vamousse, with revenues up 19% to GBP5.4m (2018: GBP4.6m), supported by GBP0.7m of reclassified revenues from products previously included within International sales.

UK and Republic of Ireland

Revenues in the UK and Republic of Ireland were down 2% on the previous year at GBP51.4m (2018: GBP52.3m) due to weaker performances from some of our heritage pharma products being partially offset by a stronger performance from our UK consumer products, with MacuShield, Ashton & Parsons and Aloclair all delivering good revenue growth as we continue to invest behind these brands.

Mainland Europe

Our Mainland Europe business saw another year of strong top-line growth in 2019, with revenues increasing by 28% to GBP32.5m (2018: GBP25.4m), largely due to continued growth in Kelo-cote, to satisfy both export and regional demand.

Return of Xonvea licensing rights

As we have previously reported, we returned the UK and EU licensing rights to Xonvea, the prescription medicine for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy where conservative management has failed, which we launched in the UK in October 2018, to Duchesnay, Inc ('Duchesnay') (the licensor) in November 2019.

Under the terms of the agreement signed with Duchesnay, the GBP2.0m in milestone payments made to date by Alliance will be repaid to the Group, GBP0.25m was paid in 2019 and the remaining balance is due in 2020. As a result of this agreement, the Group booked non-underlying inventory provisions and associated restructuring costs of GBP1.9m in 2019; the total non-underlying loss on disposal being GBP1.7m.

Alliance will continue to make Xonvea available to patients in the UK for up to 12 months to assist Duchesnay with the transition to a new licensee.

Acquisitions

Our acquisition strategy remains focused on selectively adding to our portfolio, as suitable opportunities arise, with a focus on augmenting our consumer healthcare brands in international markets where we already have a presence. Our strong cash generation in 2019, increased credit facilities and significant reduction in net debt leave us well-placed to pursue this element of our strategy.

Operational review

Following the UK's departure from the EU on 31 January 2020, we continue to monitor the progress of negotiations closely to ensure we have the most up to date information available to allow us to ensure continuity of supply, irrespective of the timings or nature of the trade agreements reached with the EU with regard to consumer healthcare and pharmaceutical products, or the nature and duration of any transitional arrangements which may apply.

We remain on track to ensure our technical documentation and processes meet the new requirements of the MDR, which will now start to apply from May 2021. The new regulation places greater scrutiny on the technical documentation, product safety and medical device performance through stricter requirements on clinical information and requires enhanced traceability and transparency.

We continue to progress with the development of our ERP system which, when implemented, will deliver business benefits and scale-up capability through the standardisation of processes.

We have also invested time in several other initiatives aimed at improving our business systems and processes, including our New Product Introduction (NPI) and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.

Work is now underway to fully embed these improved processes into the business in 2020, to further improve our operational leverage and facilitate future growth.

People

As previously announced, our two new Non-executive Directors, Jo LeCouilliard and Richard Jones, took up office at the start of 2019 and we are grateful to both for the valuable contributions they have made to the Group's activities during the first year of their tenure. The composition of the Board underwent a further change in June 2019, when John Dawson, founder and former CEO, stepped down as a Non-executive Director of the Group.

We recognise that great results can only be achieved through the combined efforts of our dedicated team of colleagues around the globe, our partners and customers, and through the strong collaborative culture that we have built within Alliance. Alliance currently employs more than 200 people in ten locations around the world. In 2019 we scaled up our existing operations in Asia Pacific, to support the transition and ongoing management of Nizoral. We also appointed our first Head of Global Marketing, as we continue to develop our marketing insight, processes and performance across all our teams to further accelerate the growth of our larger consumer brands. We were delighted to, once again, achieve exceptionally high engagement scores in our annual employee survey, with some aspects of the survey achieving satisfaction levels in excess of 90%, for the second year in succession.

We received several awards this year, including 'Best Place to Work' in the Chippenham Business Awards, where our head office is based. Our social impact activities were again extremely well supported by employees in 2019. Alliance matched employee fundraising enabled us to raise more than GBP32,000 for the charity Smile Train, and we also supported more than 20 other charities, through fundraising and donations of time and money. In addition, we donated GBP75,000 of products to International Health Partners, who we have been supporting for more than 10 years now.

The Group places great importance on attracting and retaining high quality employees and aligning the success of the Group with their rewards. In recognition of this, the Group operates a share option scheme which aims to ensure that all employees have an opportunity to benefit from the growth of the business as reflected in the Company's share price

On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have contributed to another very successful year for Alliance.

COVID-19

Our priority is to ensure the safety of our people across the globe. In the UK, Republic of Ireland, mainland Europe, Singapore and the US, our employees are now working from home in line with local government guidelines. Our investment in IT has ensured a high level of connectivity throughout the world which means we can operate remotely with minimal disruption to the business. In Asia, we are pleased that our Shanghai office has now fully reopened.

Our supply chain is holding up well and we do not anticipate any material supply impact in the current year. For those products we sell directly, we hold typically a minimum of 3 months of inventory and, in some cases more, depending on the level of clinical need. Most of our international sales are generated via distributors, who typically hold 3-6 months of inventory. We continue to monitor our supplier base for early indications of any issues and are forward booking transport for the remainder of 2020 in order to mitigate any potential future capacity constraints.

Whilst supply is holding up well, demand is harder to forecast. Although the COVID-19 situation in China and across the Asia Pacific region looks to be improving, we anticipate that demand in the Asia Pacific region, including China, will be lower in the first half of 2020 and then, depending on the speed with which this region returns to normality, begin to recover in H2. Sales in our UK and mainland Europe businesses are expected to be impacted, but to a lesser extent, due to the higher proportion of prescription medicines sold in this region.

Given the fast-moving nature of the pandemic, the full-year impact on trading of the COVID-19 coronavirus is very difficult to forecast but we anticipate that trading will be weighted to the second half.

We will provide further updates at our AGM in May, in our H1 trading update in July and at other times as appropriate.

Current trading and outlook

After another strong performance in 2019, we entered 2020 well-positioned for further growth.

Whilst we are expecting to see some impact on revenues this year as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are actively working with our suppliers and distributors to mitigate the impact. Our supply chain is holding up well and we, and our distributors, hold good levels of inventory which provides a level of in-market inventory buffer.

We continue to monitor developments and are looking closely for any changes in market demand so that we can evolve our mitigation plans in response to these; our objective is to minimise the economic impact on our business whilst ensuring that we continue to maintain the safety of our employees in all countries affected by the virus.

As a result of the potential impact of COVID-19 on global economic activity, we have decided it would be prudent at this time to preserve cash and therefore have taken the decision not to propose a final dividend for year ending 2019. We will continue to monitor the situation and to reassess the position later in the year and potentially declare a further interim dividend for 2020.

Operationally, the priorities for the Group remain unchanged: continuing to invest in our consumer healthcare brands in order to deliver organic growth and continuing to progress with the transition of Nizoral, to enable us to benefit from the increased control we will have over the brand as the various territories complete transition.

We will continue to look to selectively add to our portfolio, as suitable opportunities arise, with a focus on augmenting our consumer healthcare brands in international markets where we already have a presence.

Peter Butterfield

Chief Executive Officer

7 April 2020

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial metrics summary

 
 Year ended 31 December                     2019     2018   Growth 
                                            GBPm     GBPm 
 Revenue (see-through basis)*              144.3    124.0      16% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Revenue (statutory basis)                 135.6    118.2      15% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Gross profit                               86.1     72.6      18% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Administration and marketing expenses    (46.7)   (40.2)    (16%) 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying EBITDA*                         39.4     32.4      22% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Depreciation & amortisation               (2.0)    (3.5)      44% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying EBIT                            37.4     28.9      29% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Finance costs                             (4.6)    (0.9)   (427%) 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying profit before taxation          32.9     28.1      17% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Reported profit before taxation            31.1     22.8      36% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Underlying basic earnings per share       5.09p    4.54p      12% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Total dividend per share                 0.536p   1.464p     -63% 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

Note: Underlying profitability metrics are presented as we believe this provides investors with useful information about the performance of the business. For 2019, underlying results exclude a GBP1.7m charge on the return of the Xonvea rights and a GBP0.1m charge on the disposal of Flammacerium; for 2018, underlying results exclude GBP1.5m of profit on the disposal of the Group's interest in Unigreg Limited, a GBP2.5m impairment charge in relation to the Group's interest in Synthasia International Co. Ltd and a GBP4.3m impairment charge in relation to the anti-malarial asset. Further detail can be found in note 4.

* The performance of the Group is assessed using Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs"), which are measures that are not defined under IFRS, but are used by management to monitor ongoing business performance against both shorter term budgets and forecasts and against the Groups longer term strategic plans. APMs are defined in note 17.

Specifically, see-through revenue includes sales from Nizoral(TM) as if they had been invoiced by Alliance. Under the terms of the transitional services agreement with J&J, Alliance receives the benefit of the net profit on sales of Nizoral from the date of acquisition up until the product licences in the Asia-Pacific territories transfer from J&J to Alliance, which is expected to occur during 2019 and 2020. For statutory accounting purposes the product margin on Nizoral sales is included within Revenue, in line with IFRS 15.

The Group delivered a strong financial performance in 2019, with see-through revenues increasing 16% to GBP144.3m (2018: GBP124.0m) and statutory revenues increasing 15% to GBP135.6m (2018: GBP118.2m). The increase was largely driven by a strong performance from our International Star brands, particularly Kelo-cote, and by the inclusion of a full year's post-acquisition revenues from Nizoral. Overall, underlying profit before taxation increased by 17% to GBP32.9m (2018: GBP28.1m) and reported profit before tax increased 36% to GBP31.1m (2018: GBP22.8m).

The impact of exchange rate movements on the Group's revenues was limited, the benefit of Sterling weakening against the US Dollar in 2019 being largely offset by Sterling strengthening slightly against the Euro. Likewise, there was minimal impact on operating profits this year as a result of currency movements.

Gross profit increased at a slightly higher rate than revenue, up 18% to GBP86.1m (2018: GBP72.6m), resulting in a 1.1% increase in gross margin, from 58.6% to 59.7% of see-through revenue (+2.0% increase from 61.5% to 63.5% of statutory revenue), due to mix and improving inventory management.

Operating costs (defined as underlying administration and marketing expenses, excluding underlying depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges) increased by GBP6.5m to GBP44.9m (2018: GBP38.4m), due to the full year impact of transitional service fees payable to J&J in connection with Nizoral, an increase in employee costs required to support the scale up of our operations in Asia Pacific and the wider business, and the continued growth of our star brands. As a percentage of sales, operating costs were in line with 2018 and represented 31.1% of see-through sales (2018: 31.0%).

The IFRS2 share options charge for 2019 remained in line with that for the previous year, at GBP1.8m (2018: GBP1.8m).

Notwithstanding the increase in operating costs, underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 22% to GBP39.4m (2018: GBP32.4m), whilst underlying operating profit increased by 29% to GBP37.4m (2018: GBP28.9m) and reported operating profit increased 51% to GBP35.6m (2018: GBP23.7m).

Depreciation, amortisation and underlying impairment charges

Underlying depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges for 2019 amounted to GBP2.0m, a GBP1.5m reduction on the prior year (2018: GBP3.5m); the 2018 charge included the write-down of a supply agreement of GBP1.9m.

Finance costs

Overall, net finance costs in 2019 increased by GBP3.7m to GBP4.6m (2018: GBP0.9m) due primarily to a GBP1.4m adverse movement in foreign currencies (2019: GBP0.8m loss, 2018: profit GBP0.6m) and the fair value of contingent consideration in 2018 (GBP2.0m credit).

Interest payable increased by GBP0.3m to GBP3.8m, the increased costs resulting from the Nizoral drawdown in June 2018 and non-utilisation costs on the new credit facilities put in place in July 2019 being offset by lower interest charges due to the reduction in net debt and the lower interest rates associated with the new borrowing facility.

The average interest charge on gross debt during the period (including non-utilisation fees) was 3.37%.

Reconciliation of underlying to reported profit before tax

 
 Year ended 31 December                       2019    2018 
                                               GBPm 
                                                       GBPm 
 Underlying profit before taxation            32.9    28.1 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Non-underlying items: 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Return of Xonvea licensing rights            (1.7) 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Disposal of Flammacerium                     (0.1) 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
    Profit on disposal of Unigreg Joint 
     Venture                                          1.5 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
    Impairment and write-down of Synthasia 
     Joint Venture assets                             (2.5) 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
    Impairment of Anti-malarial intangible 
     asset                                            (4.3) 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
    Exceptional compensation income (from 
     Sinclair) 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Total                                        (1.8)   (5.3) 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Reported profit before taxation              31.8    22.8 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Taxation

The total tax charge for the period was GBP6.1m (2018: GBP4.4m), resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.5% (2018: 19.5%). Excluding non-underlying items, which generated a tax credit of GBP0.3m in 2019 (2018: GBP1.0m tax credit), the underlying tax charge was GBP6.4m (2018: GBP5.5m), representing an underlying ETR of 19.5% (2018: 19.6%).

Earnings per share

Underlying basic earnings per share for 2019 was 5.09p, an increase of 12% (2018: 4.54p).

Reported basic earnings per share was 4.80p (2018: 3.69p) due to non-underlying items reducing earnings to a lesser extent in 2019 than in 2018.

Dividend

The Board is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our people and business. At this stage it is too soon to quantify the impact it may have in the future on our financial performance but, given the scale of the potential impact of COVID-19 on economic activity, the Board has decided it would be prudent to preserve cash at this time and has taken the decision to not to propose a final dividend for year ended 31 December 2019.

The Board will continue to monitor the position with an intention, to the extent that the Board deems it prudent in light of all relevant developments, to reassess the position later in the year and potentially declare a further interim dividend for 2020.

The Company will update the shareholders at the time of the AGM.

Return of the licensing rights to Xonvea

On 27 November 2019, Alliance announced that the Group had reached agreement with Duchesnay Inc. of Canada ("Duchesnay") to return the UK and EU licensing rights to Xonvea, a prescription medicine for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy where conservative management has failed. As a result of this agreement, the Group booked non-underlying inventory provisions and associated restructuring costs of GBP1.9m in the year ending 31 December 2019, incurring a non-underlying loss on disposal of GBP1.7m.

Balance sheet

Intangible assets decreased by GBP6.6m in 2019, to GBP328.7m (2018: GBP335.2m), GBP3.1m of which related to foreign currency translation adjustments, the remainder primarily to the disposals of Xonvea and Flammacerium.

Intangible assets currently account for around 80% of the Group's total assets. As part of the wider 2020 strategic review, the Group will continue to consider the appropriateness of accounting estimates for intangible assets within its portfolio.

Working capital

The Group continued to maintain good control of its working capital with total net working capital of GBP24.7m, a reduction of GBP1.4m on the prior year (2018: GBP26.1m).

Inventories, net of provisions, amounted to GBP15.5m as at 31 December 2019, a decrease of GBP3.2m in the year (2018: GBP18.7m) due to the partial reversal of an inventory build made during 2018 in preparation for the FMD and Brexit and a GBP1.2m provision for Xonvea following the return of the licensing rights to Duchesnay.

Total receivables increased by GBP1.8m, which primarily related to the balance of the Xonvea milestone repayments, receivable this year, whilst payables (excluding contingent consideration) increased by GBP0.1m.

Cash flow and net debt

Free cash flow (see note 17 for definition) for the year was very strong at GBP29.1m (2018: GBP16.1m), due primarily to the increase in underlying operating profit in 2019.

Net debt decreased by GBP26.6m to GBP59.2m at 31 December 2019 (2018: GBP85.8m), a reflection of the Group's strong underlying cash generation.

Consequently, adjusted net debt/EBITDA leverage reduced to 1.48 times at 31 December 2019 (2018: 2.33 times), comfortably within our covenant limit of 3.0 times.

We expect free cash flow generation to remain good in 2020 and, in the absence of acquisitions, expect leverage to reduce to below 1.0 times during the second half of the year excluding the impact of the coronavirus noted earlier.

Treasury and capital management

The Group's operations are financed by retained earnings and bank borrowings, with additional equity being raised on a periodic basis to finance larger acquisitions.

The Group manages its exposure to currency fluctuations on translation by managing currencies at Group level using bank accounts denominated in its primary trading currencies (Sterling, Euro and US dollars) and foreign exchange forward contracts.

As previously reported, in July 2019, the Group agreed a new GBP165m fully Revolving Credit Facility, together with a GBP50m accordion, with an enlarged syndicate of lenders on improved terms, replacing the existing facility which ran through to December 2020. This new facility is available until July 2023, with a one-year extension option, and provides further flexibility for the Group to deliver carefully targeted acquisitions over the next few years to complement its organic growth strategy.

Andrew Franklin

Chief Financial Officer

7 April 2020

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 
                                     Note         Year ended 31 December                Year ended 31 December 
                                                           2019                                  2018 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------ 
                                           Underlying  Non-Underlying     Total  Underlying  Non-Underlying     Total 
                                              GBP000s         GBP000s   GBP000s     GBP000s         GBP000s   GBP000s 
                                                                (Note                                 (Note 
                                                                   4)                                    4) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Revenue                              2,17     135,637               -   135,637     118,208               -   118,208 
Cost of sales                                (49,561)               -  (49,561)    (45,560)               -  (45,560) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Gross profit                                   86,076               -    86,076      72,648               -    72,648 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Operating expenses 
Administration and marketing 
 expenses                                    (46,814)               -  (46,814)    (41,934)               -  (41,934) 
Share-based employee remuneration             (1,816)               -   (1,816)     (1,790)               -   (1,790) 
Share of Joint Venture profits                      -               -         -          13               -        13 
Return of Xonvea Licensing 
 Rights                               4             -         (1,672)   (1,672)           -               -         - 
Disposal of Flammacerium              4             -           (145)     (145)           -               -         - 
Profit on disposal of Unigreg 
 Joint Venture                        4             -               -         -           -           1,508     1,508 
Impairment and write down 
 of Synthasia Joint Venture 
 assets                               4             -               -         -           -         (2,460)   (2,460) 
Impairment of Anti-malarial 
 intangible asset                     4             -               -         -           -         (4,318)   (4,318) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Operating profit                               37,446         (1,817)    35,629      28,937         (5,270)    23,667 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Finance costs 
Interest payable and similar 
 charges                              5       (3,777)               -   (3,777)     (3,457)               -   (3,457) 
Change in deferred contingent 
 consideration                        5             -               -         -       1,966               -     1,966 
Finance (costs)/income                5         (776)               -     (776)         627               -       627 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
                                              (4,553)               -   (4,553)       (864)               -     (864) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Profit before taxation                3        32,893         (1,817)    31,076      28,073         (5,270)    22,803 
Taxation                              6       (6,414)             348   (6,066)     (5,491)           1,044   (4,447) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Profit for the period attributable 
 to equity shareholders                        26,479         (1,469)    25,010      22,582         (4,226)    18,356 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
Earnings per share 
Basic (pence)                         7          5.09                      4.80        4.54                      3.69 
Diluted (pence)                       7          4.99                      4.72        4.42                      3.60 
-----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  --------  ----------  --------------  -------- 
 

All of the activities of the Group are classed as continuing.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
                                                     Year ended    Year ended 
                                                    31 December   31 December 
                                                           2019          2018 
                                                        GBP000s       GBP000s 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Profit for the year                                      25,010        18,356 
Other comprehensive income 
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss 
Foreign exchange translation differences (net 
 of deferred tax)                                       (1,495)         1,101 
Forward exchange forward contracts - cash flow 
 hedge (net of deferred tax)                                489             - 
Interest rate swaps - cash flow hedge (net of 
 deferred tax)                                             (23)           113 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total comprehensive income for the year                  23,981        19,570 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 
                                         31 December  31 December 
                                                2019         2018 
                                   Note      GBP000s      GBP000s 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Goodwill and intangible assets      8        328,660      335,243 
Property, plant and equipment                 11,554        7,594 
Deferred tax                                   1,710        1,845 
Other non-current assets                         676          180 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
                                             342,600      344,862 
Current assets 
Inventories                         9         15,518       18,706 
Trade and other receivables         10        30,992       29,148 
Derivative financial instruments                 697            - 
Cash and cash equivalents                     17,830       10,893 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
                                              65,037       58,747 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Total assets                                 407,637      403,609 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Equity 
Ordinary share capital              14         5,294        5,182 
Share premium account                        149,036      144,639 
Share option reserve                           7,208        6,121 
Other reserve                                  (329)        (329) 
Cash flow hedging reserve                        462          (4) 
Translation reserve                              (4)        1,491 
Retained earnings                            112,513       95,099 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Total equity                                 274,180      252,199 
Liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Loans and borrowings                12        77,040       28,667 
Other liabilities                   13         2,401        2,352 
Deferred tax liability                        29,810       28,663 
Derivative financial instruments                   -            5 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
                                             109,251       59,687 
Current liabilities 
Loans and borrowings                12             -       68,035 
Corporation tax                                2,344        1,457 
Trade and other payables            11        21,815       22,231 
Derivative financial instruments                  47            - 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
                                              24,206       91,723 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Total liabilities                            133,457      151,410 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Total equity and liabilities                 407,637      403,609 
---------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 
                                                                  Cash 
                               Ordinary     Share                 flow                  Share 
                                  share   premium      Other   hedging  Translation    option   Retained     Total 
                                capital   account    reserve   reserve      reserve   reserve   earnings    equity 
                                GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s   GBP000s      GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s   GBP000s 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Balance 1 January 
 2018                             4,750   110,252      (329)     (117)          390     5,073     83,089   203,108 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Issue of shares                     432         -          -         -            -         -          -       432 
Share premium                         -    34,387          -         -            -         -          -    34,387 
Dividend paid                         -         -          -         -            -         -    (6,346)   (6,346) 
Share options charge 
 (including deferred 
 tax)                                 -         -          -         -            -     1,048          -     1,048 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Transactions with 
 owners                             432    34,387          -         -            -     1,048    (6,346)    29,521 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Profit for the year                   -         -          -         -            -         -     18,356    18,356 
Other comprehensive 
 income 
Interest rate swaps 
 - cash flow hedge 
 (net of deferred tax)                -         -          -       113            -         -          -       113 
Foreign exchange translation 
 differences (net of 
 deferred tax)                        -         -          -         -        1,101         -          -     1,101 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income for the year                  -         -          -       113        1,101         -     18,356    19,570 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Balance 31 December 
 2018                             5,182   144,639      (329)       (4)        1,491     6,121     95,099   252,199 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 
Balance 1 January 
 2019                             5,182   144,639      (329)       (4)        1,491     6,121     95,099   252,199 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Issue of shares                     112         -          -         -            -         -          -       112 
Share premium                         -     4,397          -         -            -         -          -     4,397 
Dividend paid                         -         -          -         -            -         -    (7,596)   (7,596) 
Share options charge 
 (including deferred 
 tax)                                 -         -          -         -            -     1,087          -     1,087 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Transactions with 
 owners                             112     4,397          -         -            -     1,087    (7,596)   (2,000) 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Profit for the year                   -         -          -         -            -         -     25,010    25,010 
Other comprehensive 
 income 
Foreign exchange forward 
 contracts - cash flow 
 hedge (net of deferred 
 tax)                                 -         -          -       489            -         -          -       489 
Interest rate swaps 
 - cash flow hedge 
 (net of deferred tax)                -         -          -      (23)            -         -          -      (23) 
Foreign exchange translation 
 differences (net of 
 deferred tax)                        -         -          -         -      (1,495)         -          -   (1,495) 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income for the year                  -         -          -       466      (1,495)         -     25,010    23,981 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
Balance 31 December 
 2019                             5,294   149,036      (329)       462          (4)     7,208    112,513   274,180 
-----------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 
                                              Year ended    Year ended 
                                             31 December   31 December 
                                                    2019          2018 
                                      Note       GBP000s       GBP000s 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Cash flows from operating 
 activities 
Cash generated from operations          15        38,958        26,111 
Tax paid                                         (3,200)       (3,941) 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Cash flows from/(used in) 
 operating activities                             35,758        22,170 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Investing activities 
Interest received                                     23            36 
Dividend received                                      -             - 
Investment in subsidiary                               -             - 
Development expenditure                             (12)          (43) 
Purchase of property, plant 
 and equipment                                   (4,145)       (2,891) 
Repayment of loan to Joint 
 Venture on disposal                                   -         1,426 
Proceeds from disposal 
 of Joint Venture Investment                         500         2,196 
Proceeds from disposal 
 of intangibles                                      350             - 
Exceptional compensation 
 income                                                -         1,000 
Consideration on acquisitions                          -      (60,307) 
Payment of contingent consideration 
 on acquisition                                        -         (500) 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Net cash (used in)/from 
 investing activities                            (3,284)      (59,083) 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Financing activities 
Interest paid and similar 
 charges                                         (2,505)       (3,197) 
Loan issue costs                                 (1,401)         (362) 
Capital lease payments                             (726)         (512) 
Net proceeds from issue 
 of shares                                             -        32,755 
Proceeds from exercise 
 of share options                                  4,509         2,063 
Dividend paid                                    (7,596)       (6,346) 
Proceeds from borrowings                           1,054        28,000 
Repayment of borrowings                         (18,533)      (15,813) 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Net cash (used in)/from 
 financing activities                           (25,198)        36,588 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Net movement in cash and 
 cash equivalents                                  7,276         (325) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 at 1 January                                     10,893        11,184 
Exchange (losses)/gains 
 on cash and cash equivalents                      (339)            34 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 at 31 December                                   17,830        10,893 
------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1. General information

Alliance Pharma plc ('the Company') and its subsidiaries (together "the Group") acquire, market and distribute pharmaceutical and other medical products. The Company is a public limited company, limited by shares, registered, incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales in the UK. The address of its registered office is Avonbridge House, Bath Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB. The Company is listed on the AIM stock exchange.

The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 or 31 December 2018. The auditors reported on those accounts and their report was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include references to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

2. Revenue

 
                                 Year ended    Year ended 
                                31 December   31 December 
                                       2019          2018 
Revenue information By Brand        GBP000s       GBP000s 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
International Star brands: 
Kelo-cote                            31,039        22,467 
Nizoral *                            11,528         5,037 
MacuShield                            8,236         6,982 
Vamousse                              6,538         5,756 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                     57,341        40,242 
Local brands: 
Flamma Franchise                      7,647         7,858 
Aloclair                              8,057         7,207 
Hydromol                              6,732         6,671 
Forceval                              4,409         3,874 
Haemopressin                          2,081         2,702 
Optiflo                               2,921         2,645 
Oxyplastine                           3,458         2,640 
Ashton & Parsons                      2,676         2,225 
Ametop                                2,272         2,181 
Other Local brands                   38,043        39,963 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                     78,296        77,966 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total Revenue                       135,637       118,208 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

* Nizoral is shown on an agency basis in statutory revenue. Nizoral revenue presented on a see-through income statement basis is included as an alternative performance measure in note 17.

Xonvea Revenue is included in Other Local brands following the return of licensing rights (note 4).

 
                                     Year ended    Year ended 
                                    31 December   31 December 
                                           2019          2018 
Revenue information By Geography        GBP000s       GBP000s 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
UK and Republic of Ireland               51,404        52,266 
Mainland Europe                          32,496        25,386 
International                            45,644        35,077 
USA                                       6,093         5,479 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total Revenue                           135,637       118,208 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Major customers

The revenue from the Group's largest customer is as follows. One customer separately comprised 10% or more of revenue (2018: one).

 
                     Year ended    Year ended 
                    31 December   31 December 
                           2019          2018 
                        GBP000s       GBP000s 
-----------------  ------------  ------------ 
Major customer 1         24,036        22,135 
-----------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

3. Profit before taxation

 
                                                                 Year ended    Year ended 
                                                                31 December   31 December 
                                                                       2019          2018 
Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):         GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Amounts receivable by the Company's auditor and 
 its associates in respect of 
- The audit of these financial statements                                40            36 
- The audit of the financial statements of subsidiaries                 161           141 
- Corporate finance services                                              -           114 
- Other assurance services                                                5             5 
Amortisation of intangible assets                                       179           211 
Impairment of intangible assets                                         284         6,244 
Non-underlying (losses)/profit on disposal                          (1,817)         1,508 
Share options charge                                                  1,816         1,790 
Depreciation of plant, property and equipment                         1,496         1,335 
Research and development expense                                         74           131 
Loss/(gain) on foreign exchange transactions                            799         (575) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

4. Non-underlying items

Non-underlying items are those significant items which the Directors have judged, by their nature, are not related to the normal trading activities of the Group. They are therefore separately disclosed as their significant, non-recurring nature does not allow a true understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance. This assessment requires judgement to be applied by the directors as to which transactions are non-underlying and whether this classification enhances the understanding of the users of the financial statements.

 
                                                 Year ended    Year ended 
                                                31 December   31 December 
                                                       2019          2018 
                                                    GBP000s       GBP000s 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Return of Xonvea Licensing Rights                   (1,672)             - 
Disposal of Flammacerium                              (145)             - 
Unigreg Joint Venture profit on disposal                  -         1,508 
Impairment and write down of Synthasia Joint 
 Venture assets                                           -       (2,460) 
Impairment of Anti-malarial intangible asset              -       (4,318) 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total non-underlying items before taxation          (1,817)       (5,270) 
Taxation                                                348         1,044 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total non-underlying items after taxation           (1,469)       (4,226) 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

In November 2019, the Group reached an agreement with Duchesnay Inc. of Canada ("Duchesnay") to return the UK and EU licensing rights to Xonvea, a prescription medicine for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy where conservative management has failed. Under the terms of the agreement, GBP2.0m in milestone payments made to date will be repaid to the Group, GBP0.25m having been paid in 2019 with the balance due in 2020. Additionally, the remaining GBP0.5m due on initial acquisition of Xonvea previously held as contingent consideration has been waived as part of the agreement. This resulted in the release of the contingent consideration (note 11) and the disposal of the corresponding GBP0.5m asset under development (note 8). Both the release and disposal have been included within the loss on disposal, resulting in no net impact on the income statement.

The Group incurred non-underlying inventory provisions and associated restructuring costs in connection with the return of the Xonvea rights of GBP1.9m. The total non-underlying loss on disposal was GBP1.7m.

In December 2019, the Group sold the global rights to the brand Flammacerium for gross cash consideration of GBP0.75m payable over 6 years, GBP0.10m having been paid in 2019. Flammacerium is used for the prevention and treatment of infections in severe burn wounds. The total non-underlying loss on disposal was GBP0.1m.

The disposals of Xonvea and Flammacerium do not relate to the normal trading activities of the Group hence have been separately disclosed as non-underlying items.

In April 2018 the Group sold its 60% interest in Unigreg Limited to its joint venture partner, Pacific Glory Development Limited, for a consideration of GBP2.9m. The Group profit on disposal was GBP1.5m net of fees.

In May 2018 the Group was notified that the import licence partner was not going to receive the required approval to import Suprememil, the infant milk formula brand owned by Synthasia. Following subsequent discussions with the import licence partner and Synthasia management, the Board concluded to fully impair the joint venture investment of GBP0.3m and to fully provide for the associated receivables balances of GBP2.2m. This generated a non-cash, non-underlying impairment charge and receivables provision of GBP2.5m.

Sales of anti-malarial products fell significantly in 2018 due to competition in the UK market. In mid-August 2018, Alliance was notified by the manufacturer of these products of its intention to cease supply due to lower volumes. After due consideration, the Board concluded that, due to the decline in demand, it was not economic to transfer the product to an alternative manufacturer and therefore it was appropriate to write down the value of the GBP4.3m intangible asset associated with these products in full.

5. Finance costs

 
                                                         Year ended    Year ended 
                                                        31 December   31 December 
                                                               2019          2018 
                                                            GBP000s       GBP000s 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Interest payable and similar charges 
    On loans and overdrafts                                 (3,191)       (2,964) 
    Amortised finance issue costs                             (491)         (384) 
    Unwinding of discount on deferred and contingent 
     consideration                                                -          (35) 
    Interest on lease liabilities                              (95)          (74) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                            (3,777)       (3,457) 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration                  -         1,966 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Finance income 
    Interest income                                              23            52 
    Net exchange (loss)/gains                                 (799)           575 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                              (776)           627 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Finance costs - net                                         (4,553)         (864) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Unwinding of discount on deferred and contingent consideration was in respect of amounts payable from the Macuhealth and Vamousse acquisitions. The prior year decrease in contingent consideration related to changes in the original estimated amounts payable for the acquisition of the Vamousse brand. This change in fair value was caused by revisions to financial forecasts following acquisitions and is not considered to be a measurement period adjustment.

6. Taxation

Analysis of the charge for the period is as follows:

 
                                                          Year ended    Year ended 
                                                         31 December   31 December 
                                                                2019          2018 
                                                             GBP000s       GBP000s 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Corporation tax 
    In respect of current period                               4,373         3,003 
    Adjustment in respect of prior periods                     (227)             7 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                               4,146         3,010 
Deferred tax 
    Origination and reversal of temporary differences          1,804         1,110 
    Adjustment in respect of prior periods                       116           327 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Taxation                                                       6,066         4,447 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The difference between the total tax charge shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation tax to the profit before tax is as follows:

 
                                                   Year ended    Year ended 
                                                  31 December   31 December 
                                                         2019          2018 
                                                      GBP000s       GBP000s 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Profit before taxation                                 31,076        22,803 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Profit before taxation multiplied by standard 
 rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom 
 of 19.00% (2018: 19.00%)                               5,904         4,332 
Effect of: 
Non-deductible expenses                                   166           259 
Non-taxable income                                          -         (794) 
Adjustment in respect of prior periods                  (111)           334 
Differences between current and deferred tax 
 rates                                                  (226)         (142) 
Differing tax rates on overseas earnings                  277           310 
Share options                                           (241)         (135) 
Movement in other tax provisions                          297           283 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total taxation                                          6,066         4,447 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

A change to the UK corporation tax rate was announced in the Chancellor's Budget on 16 March 2016, reducing the main rate from 19% to 17% from 1 April 2020. This commitment was abandoned in the Budget on 11 March 2020. As this change was not substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, the effect is not included in these financial statements and UK timing differences have continued to be recognised at 17% for deferred tax purposes. The overall effect of this change in policy, if it had applied to the deferred tax balance at the balance sheet date, would be to increase the overall net deferred tax liability by GBP1,698,000. The income tax expense for the period would have increased by GBP1,854,000, with a charge of GBP287,000 to the revaluation reserve, and a GBP444,000 credit to other comprehensive income.

The Group has calculated "adjusted underlying effective tax rate" as an alternative performance measure in note 17.

7. Earnings per share (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. For diluted EPS, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. There are no differences in earnings used to calculate each measure as a result of the dilutive employee share options.

A reconciliation of the weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the measures is given below:

 
                            Year ended    Year ended 
                           31 December   31 December 
                                  2019          2018 
------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Basic EPS calculation      520,687,101   497,199,620 
Employee share options       9,471,693    13,223,152 
------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Diluted EPS calculation    530,158,794   510,422,772 
------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The underlying basic EPS is intended to demonstrate recurring elements of the results of the Group before non-underlying items. A reconciliation of the earnings used in the different measures is given below:

 
                                      Year ended    Year ended 
                                     31 December   31 December 
                                            2019          2018 
                                         GBP000s       GBP000s 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Earnings for basic EPS                    25,010        18,356 
Non-underlying items (note 4)              1,469         4,226 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Earnings for underlying basic EPS         26,479        22,582 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The resulting EPS measures are:

 
                           Year ended    Year ended 
                          31 December   31 December 
                                 2019          2018 
                                Pence         Pence 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Basic EPS                        4.80          3.69 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Diluted EPS                      4.72          3.60 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Underlying basic EPS             5.09          4.54 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Underlying diluted EPS           4.99          4.42 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

8. Goodwill and intangible assets

 
                                            Brands and 
                                          distribution  Development  Assets under 
                               Goodwill         rights        costs   development     Total 
                                GBP000s        GBP000s      GBP000s       GBP000s   GBP000s 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
Cost 
At 1 January 2019                16,565        328,092          768         1,000   346,425 
Additions                             -              -           12             -        12 
Disposals                          (33)        (1,500)        (780)       (1,000)   (2,813) 
Exchange adjustments                  -        (3,051)            -             -   (3,051) 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
At 31 December 2019              16,532        323,541            -             -   340,073 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
Amortisation and impairment 
At 1 January 2019                     -         11,182            -             -    11,182 
Underlying impairment 
 for the year                         -            284            -             -       284 
Amortisation for the 
 year                                 -            179            -             -       179 
Disposal                              -          (232)            -             -     (232) 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
At 31 December 2019                   -         11,413            -             -    11,413 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
Net book amount 
At 31 December 2019              16,532        312,128            -             -   328,660 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
At 1 January 2019                16,565        316,910          768         1,000   335,243 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
 
 
                                            Brands and 
                                          distribution  Development  Assets under 
                               Goodwill         rights        costs   development     Total 
                                GBP000s        GBP000s      GBP000s       GBP000s   GBP000s 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
Cost 
At 1 January 2018                16,565        263,560          725         2,500   283,350 
Additions                             -         60,307           43             -    60,350 
Disposal                              -           (18)            -             -      (18) 
Transfer                              -          1,500            -       (1,500)         - 
Exchange adjustments                  -          2,743            -             -     2,743 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
At 31 December 2018              16,565        328,092          768         1,000   346,425 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
Amortisation and impairment 
At 1 January 2018                     -          4,727            -             -     4,727 
Underlying impairment 
 for the year                         -          1,926            -             -     1,926 
Non-underlying impairment 
 for the year                         -          4,318            -             -     4,318 
Amortisation for the 
 year                                 -            211            -             -       211 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
At 31 December 2018                   -         11,182            -             -    11,182 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
Net book amount 
At 31 December 2018              16,565        316,910          768         1,000   335,243 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
At 1 January 2018                16,565        258,833          725         2,500   278,623 
----------------------------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------- 
 

Goodwill and the majority of brands and distribution rights are considered to have indefinite useful economic lives and are therefore subject to an impairment review at least annually.

Brands and distribution rights

Key judgement - useful economic lives

Certain brands were acquired with patent protection, which lasts for a finite period of time. It is the opinion of the Directors that these patents do not provide any incremental value to the value of the brand and therefore no separate value has been placed on these patents. This assessment is based on a view of future profitability after patent expiry and past experience with similar brands.

The Directors believe applying indefinite lives to certain acquired brands is appropriate due to the stable long-term nature of the business and the enduring nature of the brands. These brands are assessed on acquisition to ensure they meet set criteria including an established and stable sales history.

Where distribution rights are deemed to have a finite life they are amortised accordingly. Amortisation is included in administration and marketing expenses. The remainder of the distribution rights have no defined time period or there is evidence to support the renewal of distribution rights without disproportionate cost. These assets are therefore treated the same as acquired brands.

It is the opinion of the Directors that the indefinite life assets meet the criteria set out in IAS 38. This assessment is made on an asset by asset basis taking into account:

-- How long the brand has been established in the market and subsequent resilience to economic and social changes;

   --   Stability of the industry in which the brand is used; 
   --   Potential obsolescence or erosion of sales; 
   --   Barriers to entry; 
   --   Whether sufficient marketing promotional resourcing is available; and 
   --   Dependency on other assets with defined useful economic lives. 

Goodwill

The net book value of brand and distribution rights and goodwill which are considered to have indefinite useful lives are allocated to CGUs in the following table. Goodwill relating to the acquisition of certain assets and businesses from Sinclair IS Pharma plc is allocated to the group of related product CGUs. Other Goodwill amounts are allocated to the product CGU with which they were originally acquired.

 
                                                 Brands and 
                                               distribution 
                                    Goodwill         rights     Total 
Year ended 31 December 2019          GBP000s        GBP000s   GBP000s 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
Nizoral                                    -         60,307    60,307 
Menadiol, Vitamin E & Others             598         12,876    13,474 
Forceval, Amantadine & Others              -         12,931    12,931 
Vamousse                                   -         11,596    11,596 
MacuShield                             1,748          8,740    10,488 
Nu-Seals                                   -          9,100     9,100 
SkinSafe, Dansac & Others              1,849          8,043     9,892 
Timodine & Buccastem                       -          7,697     7,697 
Syntometrine (excluding UK)                -          7,527     7,527 
Ametop                                     -          5,575     5,575 
Others                                 1,147         26,882    28,029 
Products acquired from Sinclair 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
Kelo-cote (non EU, excluding US)           -         41,456    41,456 
Oxyplastine, Fazol & Others                -         25,198    25,198 
Haemopressin, Optiflo & Others             -         25,000    25,000 
Kelo-cote (EU)                             -         17,800    17,800 
Flamma Franchise                           -         17,400    17,400 
Aloclair                                   -         14,000    14,000 
Goodwill                              11,190              -    11,190 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
                                      16,532        312,128   328,660 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 
 
                                                 Brands and 
                                               distribution 
                                    Goodwill         rights     Total 
Year ended 31 December 2018          GBP000s        GBP000s   GBP000s 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
Nizoral                                    -         60,307    60,307 
Menadiol, Vitamin E & Others             598         12,876    13,474 
Forceval, Amantadine & Others              -         12,931    12,931 
Vamousse                                   -         11,596    11,596 
MacuShield                             1,748          8,740    10,488 
Nu-Seals                                   -          9,100     9,100 
SkinSafe, Dansac & Others              1,849          8,043     9,892 
Timodine & Buccastem                       -          7,697     7,697 
Syntometrine (excluding UK)                -          7,527     7,527 
Ametop                                     -          5,575     5,575 
Others                                 1,147         27,229    28,376 
Products acquired from Sinclair 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
Kelo-cote (non EU, excluding US)           -         43,075    43,075 
Oxyplastine, Fazol & Others                -         26,567    26,567 
Haemopressin, Optiflo & Others             -         25,000    25,000 
Kelo-cote (EU)                             -         17,800    17,800 
Flamma Franchise                           -         17,400    17,400 
Aloclair                                   -         14,000    14,000 
Goodwill                              11,223              -    11,223 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
                                      16,565        315,463   332,028 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 

Recent acquisitions

The following acquisition activities took place in the prior year:

On 21 June 2018, the Group acquired the exclusive marketing rights to Nizoral, a medical anti-dandruff shampoo, in Asia-Pacific from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (a member of the Johnson & Johnson group of companies) for a total consideration of GBP60.0m. Associated legal and due diligence costs were GBP0.3m. The acquisition was funded by an underwritten equity placing of new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company to raise gross proceeds of GBP34.0m (net proceeds: GBP32.8m after deduction of GBP1.2m directly attributable expenses), and by the draw-down of GBP28.0m from a GBP35.0m extension of the Group's debt facilities.

In respect of Nizoral, the amounts included in the income statement since 21 June 2018 were revenues of GBP5.0m and net profit of GBP3.6m. Had the transaction occurred on 1 January 2018 estimated contribution to Group revenues would have been GBP10.7m and net profit of GBP7.6m.

Impairment

All intangible assets are stated at the lower of cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment or the recoverable amount.

Assets with indefinite useful economic lives and those that are not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if there are indicators that amounts might be impaired. These assets are tested at CGU level (or at group of CGUs level in the case of goodwill relating to the acquisition of certain assets and businesses from Sinclair IS Pharma plc) as the Directors believe these CGUs generate largely independent cash inflows.

The impairment test involves determining the recoverable amount of the relevant cash-generating unit, which corresponds to the higher of the fair value less costs to sell or its value in use.

The value in use calculation uses cash flow projections based on financial forecasts for up to the next five years extrapolated to perpetuity. Financial forecasts for 2020 are based on the approved annual budget. Financial forecasts for 2021-24 are based on the approved long range plan. Margins are based on past experience and cost estimates.

Key source of estimation uncertainty - value in use assumptions

The key assumptions on which cash flow projections are made are as follows (including our assessment of the estimation uncertainty arising):

Discount rates

Methodology: Cash flows are discounted at an appropriate rate, based on the Group's post-tax Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) adjusted where appropriate for country specific risks, of between 7.7%-12.0%, or pre-tax 9.6%-15.0% (2018: between 7.9%-10.5%, or pre-tax 9.6%-12.8%).

Estimation uncertainty: The assumptions included in the compilation of the CGU specific discount rates are designed to approximate the discount rate that a potential market participant would adopt. Given the nature of the Group's business model, the discount rate necessarily includes estimation uncertainty.

Forecast cash-flows

Methodology: Approved budgets and forecasts for up to five years, based on management's best estimate of cash flows by individual CGU. These forecasts are then uplifted to perpetuity using growth rates between -2.8% and 2.0% based on the Group's long-term projections. Higher growth rates have been applied to certain International Star brands in order to reflect the Group's view of the strong long-term growth prospects of these products, taking into account the growth since acquisition and intended marketing investment.

Estimation uncertainty: The growth rates assumed in the Group's budgets and forecasts inherently include estimation uncertainty relating to the achievement of commercial initiatives and external factors such as competition.

The Group has conducted sensitivity analysis on the impairment tests. The valuations indicate sufficient headroom, the Group does not consider that any reasonably possible change in key assumptions could result in an impairment for all intangibles except Nu-seals as detailed below.

Nu-seals

Nu-seals is a low dose aspirin sold mainly in Ireland. In recent years it has seen significant competition from generic alternatives. The recoverable amount of this CGU is based on a value in use calculation with the following key assumptions:

 
                                  % 
----------------------------  ----- 
Pre-tax discount rate          10.0 
Terminal margin growth rate   (1.0) 
----------------------------  ----- 
 

The cash flow projections included specific estimates for five years and a terminal growth rate thereafter. The terminal growth rate was determined based on management's estimate of the long-term prospects for Nu-seals.

The estimated recoverable amount of the CGU exceeded its carrying amount of GBP9.1m by GBP0.2m. Management has identified that a reasonably possible change in the two key assumptions could cause the carrying amount to exceed the recoverable amount. The following table shows the individual assumptions required for the estimated recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount whilst other assumptions are held constant.

 
                                  % 
----------------------------  ----- 
Pre-tax discount rate          10.3 
Terminal margin growth rate   (1.3) 
----------------------------  ----- 
 

The following table shows the potential impact of reasonably possible changes to individual assumptions on the estimated recoverable amount of the CGU, whilst other assumptions are held constant.

 
                                                           Decrease 
                                                 in CGU recoverable 
                                                     amount GBP000s 
----------------------------------------------  ------------------- 
1.0% increase in pre-tax discount rate                        (810) 
1.0% reduction in terminal margin growth rate                 (610) 
 

Recent significant impairments

Sales of anti-malarial products fell significantly in 2018 due to competition in the UK market. In mid-August 2018, Alliance was notified by the manufacturer of these products of its intention to cease supply due to lower volumes. After due consideration, the Board concluded that, due to the decline in demand, it was not economic to transfer the product to an alternative manufacturer and therefore it was appropriate to write down the value of the GBP4.3m intangible asset associated with these products in full in 2018.

The Group had a GBP1.9m intangible asset within Brands and distribution rights representing the value of the agreement with Macuhealth to guarantee supply of MacuShield API. In September 2018 the Group was notified by Macuhealth of their intention to end this supply agreement. As a result of the notification the GBP1.9m intangible asset was written down in full, and related deferred consideration of GBP1.1m released to the income statement. The net impact on underlying profit before tax was therefore a charge of GBP0.8m.

9. Inventories

 
                               31 December  31 December 
                                      2019         2018 
                                   GBP000s      GBP000s 
-----------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Finished goods and materials        19,089       20,544 
Inventory provision                (3,571)      (1,838) 
-----------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                    15,518       18,706 
 

Inventory costs expensed through the income statement during the year were GBP47,926,000 (2018: GBP44,349,000). During the year GBP2,673,000 (2018: GBP1,983,000) was recognised as an expense relating to the write-down of inventories to net realisable value, including GBP1,152,000 related to the return of Xonvea licensing rights and included within non-underlying items (note 4).

10. Trade and other receivables

 
                    31 December  31 December 
                           2019         2018 
                        GBP000s      GBP000s 
------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Trade receivables        23,987       23,407 
Other receivables         2,522        1,083 
Prepayments                 703        1,216 
Accrued income            3,780        3,442 
------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                         30,992       29,148 
------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

The ageing of trade receivables at 31 December is detailed below:

 
                                                  31 December  31 December 
Trade and receivables, net estimated allowances          2019         2018 
 for expected credit losses                           GBP000s      GBP000s 
------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Not past due                                           19,640       20,482 
1-30 days past due                                      3,253        1,794 
31-60 days past due                                       278          391 
61-90 days past due                                       320          145 
Past 91 days                                              496          595 
------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                                       23,987       23,407 
------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
                                                       31 December  31 December 
Trade and receivables, gross of estimated allowances          2019         2018 
 for expected credit losses                                GBP000s      GBP000s 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Not past due                                                19,640       20,482 
1-30 days past due                                           3,253        1,794 
31-60 days past due                                            278          391 
61-90 days past due                                            320          145 
Past 91 days                                                 1,495        1,463 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                                            24,986       24,275 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

As at 31 December 2019, trade and other receivables of GBP999,000 (2018: GBP868,000) were past due and impaired.

Our policy requires customers to pay us in accordance with agreed payment terms. Depending on the geographical location, our settlement terms are generally due within 30 or 60 days from the end of the month of sale.

11. Trade and other payables

 
                                        31 December  31 December 
                                               2019         2018 
                                            GBP000s      GBP000s 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Trade payables                                6,970        8,978 
Other taxes and social security costs         3,247        1,808 
Accruals                                     10,114       10,301 
Other payables                                  459          197 
Contingent consideration                          -          500 
Lease liabilities                             1,025          447 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                             21,815       22,231 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Contingent consideration of GBP0.5m related to the Licence and Supply Agreement for the product Xonvea with Duchesnay Inc. Following return of the UK and EU licensing rights to Xonvea (note 4), this has been waived. The waiver resulted in the release of the contingent consideration and the disposal of the corresponding GBP0.5m asset under development (note 8). Both the release and disposal have been included within the loss on disposal, resulting in no net impact on the income statement.

12. Loans and borrowings

On 2 July 2019, the Group agreed a new GBP165m fully Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF'), together with a GBP50m accordion facility, with an enlarged syndicate of lenders on improved terms, replacing the previous facility which ran through to December 2020. This has been classified as a non-current liability. The bank facility is secured by a fixed and floating charge over the Company's and Group's assets registered with Companies House.

 
                                               31 December  31 December 
                                                      2019         2018 
                                                   GBP000s      GBP000s 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Bank loans due within one year or on demand: 
Secured                                                  -       68,500 
Finance issue costs                                      -        (465) 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                                         -       68,035 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
                      31 December  31 December 
                             2019         2018 
                          GBP000s      GBP000s 
--------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Bank loans: 
Secured                    78,848       29,100 
Finance issue costs       (1,808)        (433) 
--------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                           77,040       28,667 
--------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
                                           31 December  31 December 
                                                  2019         2018 
Movement in loans and borrowings               GBP000s      GBP000s 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
At 1 January                                    96,702       83,499 
Net (payments)/receipts from borrowing        (17,479)       12,187 
Additional prepaid arrangement fees            (1,401)        (362) 
Amortisation of prepaid arrangement fees           491          384 
Exchange movements *                           (1,273)          994 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
At 31 December                                  77,040       96,702 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

* Exchange movements on loans and borrowings are reported in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve.

13. Other non-current liabilities

 
                                31 December  31 December 
                                       2019         2018 
                                    GBP000s      GBP000s 
------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Lease liabilities                     1,997        1,972 
Other non-current liabilities           404          380 
------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                      2,401        2,352 
------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

14. Share capital

 
                                                    Allotted, called up 
                                                       and fully paid 
------------------------------------------------- 
                                                   No. of shares  GBP000s 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------- 
At 1 January 2018 - ordinary shares of 1p each       474,989,988    4,750 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------- 
Issued during the year                                43,224,238      432 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------- 
At 31 December 2018 - ordinary shares of 1p each     518,214,226    5,182 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------- 
Issued during the year                                11,188,393      112 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------- 
At 31 December 2019 - ordinary shares of 1p each     529,402,619    5,294 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------- 
 

Between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019 11,188,393 shares were issued on the exercise of employee share options (2018: 5,861,601).

On 21 June 2018 37,362,637 shares were issued at 91.0p in the underwritten equity placing used for the acquisition of Nizoral. This raised gross proceeds of GBP34.0m before expenses. The net addition to equity was GBP32.8m after the deduction of GBP1.2m directly attributable expenses.

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

Managing Capital

Our objective in managing the business' capital structure is to ensure that the Group has the financial capacity, liquidity and flexibility to support the existing business and to fund acquisition opportunities as they arise.

The capital structure of the Group consists of net bank debt and Shareholders' equity. At 31 December 2019, net debt was GBP59.2m (2018: GBP85.8m) (note 17), whilst Shareholders' equity was GBP274.2m (2018: GBP252.2m).

The business is profitable and cash generative. The main financial covenant applying to bank debt are that leverage (the ratio of net bank debt to EBITDA) should not exceed 3.0 times. The Group complied with this covenant in 2019 and 2018.

Smaller acquisitions are typically financed using bank debt, while larger acquisitions typically involve a combination of bank debt and additional equity. The mixture of debt and equity is varied, taking into account the desire to maximise the shareholder returns while keeping leverage at comfortable levels.

15. Cash generated from operations

 
                                                         Year 
                                                        ended    Year ended 
                                                  31 December   31 December 
                                                         2019          2018 
                                                      GBP000s       GBP000s 
----------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
Profit for the year                                    25,010        18,356 
Taxation                                                6,066         4,447 
Interest payable and similar charges                    3,777         3,457 
Change in contingent consideration                          -       (1,966) 
Change in deferred consideration                            -       (1,048) 
Interest income                                          (23)          (52) 
Foreign exchange loss/(gain)                              799         (575) 
Profit on disposal of Unigreg Joint Venture                 -       (1,508) 
Return of Xonvea licensing Rights                       1,672             - 
Disposal of Flammacerium                                  145             - 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment           1,496         1,335 
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles                463         6,455 
Impairment of Synthasia Joint Venture assets                -         2,460 
Change in inventories                                   2,036       (4,458) 
Share of post-tax Joint Venture profits                     -          (13) 
Change in trade and other receivables                   (498)       (7,628) 
Change in trade and other payables                    (3,801)         5,059 
Share based employee remuneration                       1,816         1,790 
Dividends received                                          -             - 
----------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
Cash generated from/(used in) operations               38,958        26,111 
----------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

16. Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities are possible obligations that are not probable. The Group operates in a highly regulated sector and in markets and geographies around the world each with differing requirements. As a result, and in the normal course of business, the Group can be subject to a number of regulatory inspections/investigations on an ongoing basis. It is therefore possible that the Group may incur penalties for non-compliance. In addition, a number of the Group's brands and products are subject to pricing and other forms of legal or regulatory restrictions from both governmental/regulatory bodies and also from third parties. Assessments as to whether or not to recognise a provision in respect of these matters are judgemental as the matters are often complex and rely on estimates and assumptions as to future events.

On 23 May 2019 the UK's Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") issued a Statement of Objection alleging anti-competitive agreements against the Group and certain other pharmaceutical companies in relation to the sale of prescription prochlorperazine. Prochlorperazine is one of the Group's smaller products and had peak sales in 2015 of GBP1.9m and sales of less than GBP0.1m in 2019.

The Group confirms that it has had no involvement in the pricing or distribution of prochlorperazine since 2013, when it was out-licensed by the Group. Prior to 2013, prochlorperazine was marketed directly by the Group.

The Group has reviewed the CMA Statement of Objection in detail and is working with the CMA to resolve its alleged objections.

The Group's assessment as at the date of this report, based on currently available information, is that there are no matters for which a provision is required (31 December 2018: GBPnil). However, given the inherent uncertainties involved in assessing the outcomes of such matters there can be no assurance regarding the outcome of any ongoing inspections/investigations and the position could change over time as a result of the factors referred to above.

17. Alternative performance measures

The performance of the Group is assessed using Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs"). The Group's results are presented both before and after non-underlying items. Adjusted profitability measures are presented excluding non-underlying items as we believe this provides both management and investors with useful additional information about the Group's performance and aids a more effective comparison of the Group's trading performance from one period to the next and with similar businesses.

In addition, the Group's results are described using certain other measures that are not defined under IFRS and are therefore considered to be APMs. These measures are used by management to monitor ongoing business performance against both shorter term budgets and forecasts but also against the Group's longer term strategic

plans.   APMs used to explain and monitor Group performance: 
 
                                                                              Reconciliation 
Measure              Definition                                                to GAAP measure 
Underlying           Earnings before interest, tax and non-underlying         Note A below 
 EBIT and EBITDA      items (EBIT), then depreciation, amortisation 
                      and underlying impairment (EBITDA). 
 
                      Calculated by taking profit before tax and financing 
                      costs, excluding non-underlying items and adding 
                      back depreciation and amortisation. 
 
                      EBITDA margin is calculated using see-though 
                      revenue. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
Free cash flow       Free cash flow is defined as cash generated from         Note B below 
                      operations less cash payments made for interest 
                      payable and similar charges, capital expenditure 
                      and tax. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
Net debt             Net debt is defined as the group's gross bank            Note C below 
                      debt position net of finance issue costs and 
                      cash. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
Adjusted underlying  Adjusted underlying effective tax rate is calculated     Note D below 
 effective tax        by dividing total taxation for the year less 
 rate                 impact of tax rate changes and non-underlying 
                      charges, by the underlying profit before tax 
                      for the year. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
See-through          Under the terms of the transitional services             Note E below 
 income statement     agreement with J&J, Alliance receives the benefit 
                      of the net profit on sales of Nizoral from the 
                      date of acquisition up until the product licences 
                      in the Asia-Pacific territories transfer from 
                      J&J to Alliance. The net product margin is recognised 
                      as part of statutory revenue. 
 
                      The see-through income statement recognises the 
                      underlying sales and cost of sales which give 
                      rise to the net product margin, as management 
                      consider this to be a more meaningful representation 
                      of the underlying performance of the business, 
                      and to reflect the way in which it is managed. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
Constant currency    Revenue stated so that the portion denominated           Note F below 
 basis revenue        in non-sterling currencies is retranslated using 
                      foreign exchange rates from the previous financial 
                      year. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
Like-for-like        Revenue stated excluding the impact of acquisitions      Note 2 includes 
 Revenue              in both the current and prior years. This therefore      revenue by brand 
                      excludes revenue from Nizoral to ensure comparability. 
                     -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
 

A. Underlying EBIT and EBITDA

 
                                                 Year Ended    Year Ended 
                                                31 December   31 December 
                                                       2019          2018 
Reconciliation of Underlying EBIT and EBITDA        GBP000s       GBP000s 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Profit before tax                                    31,076        22,803 
Non-underlying items (note 4)                         1,817         5,270 
Finance costs (note 5)                                4,553           864 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Underlying EBIT                                      37,446        28,937 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Depreciation                                          1,496         1,335 
Underlying impairment (note 8)                          284         1,926 
Amortisation (note 8)                                   179           211 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Underlying EBITDA                                    39,405        32,409 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

B. Free cash flow

 
                                             Year Ended    Year Ended 
                                            31 December   31 December 
                                                   2019          2018 
Reconciliation of free cash flow                GBP000s       GBP000s 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Cash generated from operations (note 15)         38,958        26,111 
Interest payable and similar charges            (2,505)       (3,197) 
Capital expenditure                             (4,145)       (2,891) 
Tax paid                                        (3,200)       (3,941) 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Free cash flow                                   29,108        16,082 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

C. Net debt

 
                                           31 December  31 December 
                                                  2019         2018 
Reconciliation of net debt           Note      GBP000s      GBP000s 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Loans and borrowings - current         12            -     (68,035) 
Loans and borrowings - non-current     12     (77,040)     (28,667) 
Cash and cash equivalents                       17,830       10,893 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
Net debt                                      (59,210)     (85,809) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----------  ----------- 
 

D. Adjusted underlying effective tax rate

 
                                                     Year Ended    Year Ended 
                                                    31 December   31 December 
Reconciliation of adjusted underlying effective            2019          2018 
 tax rate                                               GBP000s       GBP000s 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total taxation charge for the year                      (6,066)       (4,447) 
Non-underlying tax credit                                 (348)       (1,044) 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Adjusted underlying taxation charge for the year        (6,414)       (5,491) 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Underlying profit before tax for the year                32,893        28,073 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Adjusted underlying effective tax rate                    19.5%         19.6% 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

E. See-through income statement

 
                      2019 statutory  See-through  2019 see-through 
                              values   adjustment            values 
                             GBP000s      GBP000s           GBP000s 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
Revenue                      135,637        8,641           144,278 
Cost of sales               (49,561)      (8,641)          (58,202) 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
Gross profit                  86,076            -            86,076 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
Gross profit margin            63.5%                          59.7% 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
 
 
                      2018 statutory  See-through  2018 see-through 
                              values   adjustment            values 
                             GBP000s      GBP000s           GBP000s 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
Revenue                      118,208        5,834           124,042 
Cost of sales               (45,560)      (5,834)          (51,394) 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
Gross profit                  72,648            -            72,648 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
Gross profit margin            61.5%                          58.6% 
--------------------  --------------  -----------  ---------------- 
 

There is no impact from the see-through adjustment on income statement lines below gross profit.

F. Constant currency revenue

 
                                                         2019 
                                           Foreign   constant 
                                          exchange   currency 
                                   2019     impact    revenue 
                                GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
-----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
See-through revenue (Note E)    144,278      (767)    143,511 
Vamousse product revenue          6,538      (237)      6,301 
-----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
                                                         2018 
                                           Foreign   constant 
                                          exchange   currency 
                                   2018     impact    revenue 
                                GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
-----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
See-through revenue (Note E)    124,042        516    124,558 
Vamousse product revenue          5,756        138      5,894 
-----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 

18. Post balance sheet events

Impact of Coronavirus

As highlighted and discussed in the Chief Executive's Review, the Group notes the developing situation regarding the outbreak of the coronavirus, COVID-19. The Group is actively assessing and monitoring this pandemic and will continue to keep the impact on the business, and the opportunities for us to minimise the economic impact on our business, under review. At the date of this report we are not yet able quantify the potential financial impact, however a range of reasonably possible scenarios have been modelled for the purpose of covenant compliance. Under these scenarios we are forecast to maintain compliance with future covenant requirements.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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April 07, 2020 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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