Last checked at 7 Sep 2016 07:00
7 September 2016 Provexis plc
("Provexis" or the "Company")
PRELIMINARY RESULTS for the YEAR ended 31 MARCH 2016
Provexis plc ("Provexis" or the "Company"), the business that develops and licenses the proprietary, scientifically-proven Fruitflow® heart-health functional food ingredient, announces its audited preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2016.
Key highlights
· Revenue from profit sharing Alliance for the year £92k, a 140% year on year increase (2015: £38k).
· Profit sharing Alliance revenues are denominated in Euros; underlying profit share payable in Euros increased by 157% year on year, offset at actual exchange rates by a stronger average £ / Euro rate in the year to 31 March 2016.
· Over 50 regional consumer healthcare brands containing Fruitflow® now launched by DSM's customers, with further regional brands launched through DSM's distributor channels.
· An increasing number of further commercial projects have been initiated by DSM with prospective customers, including some prospective customers which are part of global businesses. Total value of the prospective sales pipeline continues to increase.
· Company launched its Fruitflow® + Omega-3 dietary supplement product in June 2016, a two-in-one supplement in an easy to take capsule supporting healthy blood flow and normal heart function. Product is exclusively available through the new e-commerce website www.fruitflowplus.com.
· Key Opinion Leaders' roundtable event for Fruitflow® to take place in London on 29 September 2016, promoting Fruitflow® more widely across key digital and other mainstream media channels; event will be supported by a broader consumer PR campaign for the Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules product.
· Important scientific study for Fruitflow® published in the European Journal of Nutrition in July 2016, further study publications envisaged.
· Company and DSM are committed to a number of other ongoing scientific and marketing initiatives for Fruitflow® and the Company's Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules, seeking to extend the reach of the existing science and give the products further global exposure.
· Encouraging key results released in June 2015 from the Company's collaboration agreement with the University of Oslo to undertake further research into the relationship between Fruitflow® and blood pressure regulation. The Company and the University expect to be able to complete current clinical trial in Oslo and announce the trial results in Q4 2016.
· Company raised £224k through a placing in August 2016 with no commissions or expenses payable.
Key financial results
· Revenues from profit sharing Alliance for the period £92k (2015: £38k);
· Underlying operating loss from continuing operations* reduced to £385k (2015: £409k), a record low for the Group, reflecting increasing revenues set against the Group's low overhead licensing business model.
· Statutory operating loss from operations £455k (2015: £498k); statutory loss attributable to owners of the parent £410k (2015: £436k). These results are after charging a £70k (2015: £89k) non-cash share based payment charge.
· Cash balance at 31 March 2016 £190k (2015: £285k), cash of £224k raised in August 2016, after the year end, via a placing.
· Basic loss per share from continuing operations 0.03p (2015: 0.03p).
*before share based payments of £70k (2015: £89k), as set out on the face of the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Annual report and accounts and notice of AGM
The Company's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016 and its AGM notice have been distributed to shareholders.
The AGM will be held at 2:00pm on 30 September 2016 at TLT LLP, 20 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7JE.
The Company's annual report and accounts and the AGM notice are available from the Company's website www.provexis.com and from the address below:
The Company Secretary
Provexis plc
Prospect House
58 Queens Road
Reading
Berkshire RG1 4RP
This announcement contains inside information.
For further information please contact:
Provexis plc Tel: 07490 391888
Dawson Buck, Chairman enquiries@provexis.com
Ian Ford, Finance Director
Cenkos Securities plc Tel: 020 7397 8900
Bobbie Hilliam
Chairman's statement
The Company has had a significant year of progress, seeking to enhance further the commercial prospects of its innovative, patented Fruitflow® heart-health ingredient.
The Company's Alliance partner DSM Nutritional Products has continued to develop the market actively for Fruitflow® in all global markets. More than 50 regional consumer healthcare brands have now been launched by direct customers of DSM, and a number of further regional brands have been launched through DSM's distributor channels.
In June 2015 the Company announced that it had agreed significantly enhanced financial terms for its long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM for Fruitflow®, backdated to 1 January 2015, which will have a significant positive effect on the Company's ongoing profit share from the Alliance.
Revenues for the year were £92k (2015: £38k), a 140% year on year increase relative to the prior year. Profit sharing Alliance revenues are denominated in Euros, and the underlying profit share payable in Euros increased by 157% year on year, offset at actual exchange rates by a stronger average £ / Euro rate in the year to 31 March 2016.
The underlying operating loss for the year was £385k (2015: loss of £409k), a 6% year on year reduction and a record low for the Group, reflecting further increasing revenues set against the Group's low overhead licensing business model.
Fruitflow®
The increase in profit sharing Alliance revenue for Fruitflow® accruing to the Company for the year reflects:
· The revised financial terms for the Alliance Agreement which were agreed from 1 January 2015 onwards, which have led to a significant increase in the ongoing profit share payable to the Company;
· An increase in DSM's underlying revenues for Fruitflow®, which are primarily denominated in Euros. DSM's total revenues for Fruitflow® for the year ended 31 March 2016 grew by 27% year on year, reflecting strong interest in Fruitflow® and the success of the powder format which is being used in an increasing number of new product launches;
· An improvement in underlying trading margins, aided by continuing efforts to reduce the production costs of Fruitflow® powder as manufacturing volumes increase.
Further year on year sales growth has been realised in the quarter to June 2016.
An increasing number of further commercial projects have been initiated by DSM with prospective customers, including some prospective customers which are part of global businesses, with good prospects for these projects to be launched as consumer products. Interest in the technology exists in all major global markets.
The prospective sales pipeline for Fruitflow® is divided into four stages: prospecting, development, offering and launch. The total projected annual sales value of the pipeline has continued to increase, and the majority of the current sales projects in the pipeline have progressed beyond the first stage.
Fruitflow® + Omega-3 dietary supplement product
On 29 June 2016 the Company announced the launch of its new Fruitflow® + Omega-3 dietary supplement product, which is exclusively available through the Company's new e-commerce website www.fruitflowplus.com, the product also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FruitflowPlus
Fruitflow® + Omega-3 is a two-in-one supplement in an easy to take capsule, supporting healthy blood flow and normal heart function.
In May 2009 Fruitflow® was the first technology to be substantiated by the European Food Safety Authority ('EFSA') under the new Article 13(5) for proprietary and emerging science, and in December 2009 the European Commission authorised the health claim 'Helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow'. Omega-3 has a separate, positive European Commission approved health claim, and the product packaging reflects these two claims strongly.
The new dietary supplement product is expected to provide the Company with an additional income and profit stream, and the fruitflowplus.com website will be able to accommodate further potential Fruitflow® combination product derivatives.
The Company is keen to increase the brand awareness and potential sales of its new dietary supplement product, along with the brand awareness of Fruitflow® more widely, and further sales channel opportunities are under review.
Fruitflow® and Fruitflow® + Omega-3 marketing initiatives
The Company and DSM are committed to a number of ongoing scientific and marketing initiatives for Fruitflow® and the Company's Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules, seeking to extend the reach of the existing science for Fruitflow® and give the products further global exposure. Scientific and marketing initiatives include:
Key Opinion Leaders' roundtable
The Company is planning to conduct a Key Opinion Leaders' roundtable event for Fruitflow® in London on 29 September 2016, with considerable support from DSM.
The roundtable will be focussed on raising awareness of the importance of blood flow in cardiovascular health, and the effectiveness of dietary antiplatelets, and it will be attended by key scientists from Provexis and DSM, along with a number of interested health care professionals with close links to the media. It is anticipated that some UK national media will also attend the event. The event will be recorded with a view to producing two further promotional videos: a video for Fruitflow® targeting prospective trade customers, and a video for Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules targeting prospective consumers.
Video content recorded at the event and subsequently will be used to promote Fruitflow® and the Company's Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules more widely across key digital and other mainstream media channels.
The Company and DSM are keen to secure greater medical advocacy for Fruitflow® and the roundtable event forms part of this strategy. The roundtable event will also be supported by a broader consumer PR campaign.
Digital marketing strategy
A digital marketing strategy, strongly supported by DSM, is in the process of being implemented, seeking to drive and optimise online leads and sales for the Company's Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules. The capsules will be promoted across key social media and other search platforms, to include DSM's key digital communities and channels. DSM will boost certain posts on its Facebook channels, seeking to target health conscious consumers.
Scientific studies
On 12 July 2016 the Company announced the publication of an important study for Fruitflow® in the European Journal of Nutrition.
The study, titled 'Fruitflow®: the first European Food Safety Authority-approved natural cardio-protective functional ingredient' includes a scientific summary of the entire Fruitflow® project from its inception and it is expected to be a significant opportunity to promote Fruitflow® further across scientific, trade customer and consumer channels. The study is available to view on the Company's website at www.provexis.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Fruitflow%C2%AE-the-first-European-Food-Safety-Authority-approved-natural-cardio-protective-functional-ingredient-07-Jul-16.pdf
It is noted in the study that in 8 human trials consumption of Fruitflow® has been proven to maintain healthy platelet aggregation and improve blood flow. In the largest single study for Fruitflow®, positive effects were observed in 97% of individuals tested, which compares favourably with single-drug therapies such as aspirin which can be ineffective in up to 30% of individuals; further, there are no recorded side effects from Fruitflow®.
The Company remains in the process of submitting some of the underlying scientific studies for Fruitflow® for publication in appropriate scientific journals, to include the Company's Aspirin Comparison Human Trial for Fruitflow®, with further study publications envisaged in due course.
Other marketing initiatives
Other marketing initiatives for Fruitflow® have seen the product being promoted at several major food ingredient and dietary supplement trade shows. The product has been featured in numerous publications and it has been the subject of several trade seminars and presentations, some of which are available to view in the news section of the Company's website www.provexis.com.
The Company and DSM are conscious of the US Food and Drug Administration's guidance in May 2014 concerning the use of low dose Aspirin which remains a strong opportunity for Fruitflow®. Fruitflow® has accordingly been promoted at some major cardiovascular health events, including the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress in London in August 2015 which was attended by more than 30,000 healthcare professionals.
Marketing initiatives have also included DSM's existing product video for Fruitflow® which is primarily targeted at potential business customers for Fruitflow® in the consumer healthcare sector. The video has been a good opportunity to promote Fruitflow® more widely and it has been viewed by a wide variety of current and prospective customers for Fruitflow®. Further bespoke versions of the video have been released, and a new promotional video has also been shown to prospective customers in the US market. The product video is available to view via the Company's websites www.provexis.com and www.fruitflowplus.com.
Fruitflow® and Blood Pressure - Collaboration with University of Oslo
In November 2014 the Company signed a two stage collaboration agreement with the University of Oslo to undertake further research into the relationship between Fruitflow® and blood pressure regulation. Recent work undertaken by the University has shown that Fruitflow® has a potential new bioactivity, leading to blood pressure lowering effects which would be of relevance to a large number of consumers and patients with a wide range of cardiovascular conditions.
The first stage of the collaboration work, completed in 2015, was focussed on developing the science and the key results from this stage were very encouraging, with strong evidence from the laboratory based work that a standard 150mg dose of Fruitflow® in powder format has the potential to give a clinically relevant reduction in systolic blood pressure.
The Company and the University are now in the process of completing the second stage of the collaboration work which is seeing the parties undertake a small clinical trial in Oslo by way of a proof of principle study. Study designs were submitted for ethics approval before finalisation, with a potential dosage for the study of 150mg Fruitflow® in powder format twice per day. The Company and the University expect to be able to complete the clinical trial in Q4 2016 and the results of the proof of principle study will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.
The University of Oslo's research team is led by Professor Asim Duttaroy, Group Leader of Chronic Disease at the Faculty of Medicine and a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. Professor Duttaroy was the original inventor of Fruitflow®.
Intellectual property
The Company is responsible for filing and maintaining patents and trade marks for Fruitflow® as part of the Alliance Agreement with DSM. We are pursuing a strategy to strengthen the breadth and duration of our patent coverage to maximise the commercial returns that can be achieved from the technology. Trade marks were originally registered in the larger global territories, and new registrations are typically now sought in additional territories in response to requests from current or prospective DSM customers for Fruitflow®.
In December 2013 British and international patent applications were filed for the use of Fruitflow® in mitigating exercise-induced inflammation and for promoting recovery from intense exercise, seeking to enhance further the potential of the technology in the sports nutrition sector. Patents are being sought in Europe, the US, China and ten other territories, and this patent application has now entered the national phase, with potential patent protection out to December 2033.
The Company's patent application for Fruit Extracts, relating to part of the production process for Fruitflow®, is now expected to proceed to grant in Europe in the coming months, giving patent protection out to November 2029.
Trade marks for Fruitflow® have been registered in the EU, US, China, Japan and a further fifteen international territories, and trade marks have been applied for in a further six territories to support existing and forthcoming consumer brands across all major global markets.
Crohn's disease intellectual property
The Group continues to maintain the Crohn's disease intellectual property registered in Provexis (IBD) Limited, a company which is 75% owned by Provexis plc and 25% owned by The University of Liverpool. Provexis (IBD) Limited has recently acted at minimal cost as the commercial partner for an academic grant application which was ultimately not successful. The Group continues to investigate further options for the Crohn's disease project, seeking to maximise its value.
Capital structure and funding
The Company is seeking to maximise the commercial returns that can be achieved from its Fruitflow® technology, and the Company's cost base and its resources continue to be very tightly managed. The Company remains keen to minimise dilution to shareholders and it is focussed on moving into profitability as Fruitflow® revenues increase, but while the Company remains in a loss making position it will need to raise working capital on occasions.
In June 2015 the Company joined PrimaryBid.com (www.primarybid.com), the online platform dedicated to equity crowdfunding for AIM-listed companies. On 3 July 2015 the Company announced that it had raised net proceeds of £267k through the new PrimaryBid.com platform.
PrimaryBid.com provides a new channel for the Company to raise equity from investors, allowing investors to bid directly for new shares in the Company at prices of their choosing, subject to certain limited restrictions. Full details can be found on www.primarybid.com.
On 2 August 2016 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £224k via a placing with new and existing investors. There were no commissions or expenses payable in relation to the placing.
On 2 August 2016 as part of the placing announcement the Group also announced that the Company's Chairman Dawson Buck had given a stated intention to subscribe to a further £25,000 placing, at the August 2016 placing price, with the formal commitment to and payment for this subscription to take effect in September 2016 immediately after publication of the Company's annual report and accounts.
The Group has access to future equity financings as potential additional sources of funding, primarily through an equity fundraising with the Company's shareholders, or the existing PrimaryBid.com platform. Based on its current level of cash it is expected that the Group will need to raise further equity finance in the coming twelve months. The funding proceeds which the Company expects to receive will further help the Company fund the launch of its Fruitflow® + Omega-3 dietary supplement product, particularly to include the additional working capital required to hold increased stock of the product.
The Company intends to hold its Annual General Meeting at TLT LLP, 20 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7JE at 2:00pm on 30 September 2016.
Outlook
We are pleased to be able to report a 140% increase in revenue for the year ended 31 March 2016, along with other significant progress for the Company.
The enhanced financial terms agreed in June 2015 with DSM for the Company's long-term Alliance Agreement for Fruitflow® will have a significant positive effect on the Company's ongoing profit share from the Alliance, which is evident from the increase in revenue reported for the current year.
In June 2016 the Company launched a high quality dietary supplement product containing Fruitflow® and Omega-3 which is expected to provide the Company with an additional income and profit stream, and help to increase the brand awareness of Fruitflow® more widely.
The Company and DSM are committed to a number of ongoing marketing initiatives for Fruitflow® seeking to give the product further global exposure, to include a Key Opinion Leaders' roundtable event for Fruitflow® in London on 29 September 2016.
The Company is very pleased with the results from the first stage of its blood pressure collaboration with the University of Oslo with strong evidence that a standard dose of Fruitflow® has the potential to give a clinically relevant reduction in systolic blood pressure. The Company and the University expect to be able to complete the resulting clinical trial in Q4 2016, and the results of this proof of principle study will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.
The past year has seen a number of very positive developments for the business, and we expect to build on these in the coming year with a number of promising initiatives which seek to give Fruitflow® further global exposure. We remain positive about the outlook for Fruitflow® and the business for the coming year and beyond.
ss
Dawson Buck
Chairman
Strategic report
Group strategy
The Group strategy has historically focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of functional foods, medical foods and dietary supplements, and in particular the Group's Fruitflow® technology.
On 1 June 2010 the Company announced that it had entered into a long term Alliance Agreement with DSM Nutritional Products to commercialise Fruitflow®, through sales as an ingredient to brand owners in the food, beverage and dietary supplement categories.
The establishment of the Alliance Agreement was a significant milestone in the history of the Company. The Alliance is seeing the partners collaborate to develop Fruitflow® in all major global markets, through an effective commercialisation of current formats and pioneering new and significant applications. DSM is responsible for manufacturing, marketing and selling via its substantial sales force. Provexis is responsible for contributing scientific expertise necessary for successful commercialisation, and for maintaining and strengthening the breadth and duration of its patent and trade mark coverage for Fruitflow®, seeking to maximise the commercial returns that can be achieved from the technology. Profits from the Alliance are being shared by the parties on an agreed basis, linked to various performance milestones. In June 2015 the Company confirmed that it had agreed significantly enhanced financial terms with DSM for the Company's Alliance Agreement for Fruitflow®.
The directors believed at the time of signing the Alliance Agreement, and still retain the belief, that the commercialisation of Fruitflow® is best undertaken in conjunction with DSM as it enables Provexis to leverage the resources and relationships of DSM in the major global markets.
In June 2011 the Group acquired SiS (Science in Sport) Limited, a sports nutrition business. SiS (Science in Sport) Limited was demerged from the Group in August 2013 to a new AIM listed company called Science in Sport plc, as more fully detailed in a circular to shareholders and admission to trading on AIM document for Science in Sport plc which can be downloaded from Provexis plc's website www.provexis.com. Following the demerger the Group's strategic priority is to focus on developing revenues from the Fruitflow® business together with the Group's Alliance partner DSM, whilst also managing the relationship with DSM.
The Group also seeks to ensure that it fulfils its responsibilities under the Alliance Agreement to include protecting the intellectual property of Fruitflow® and assisting DSM with scientific work required to further commercialise the technology. At the same time, the Board remains committed to keeping regular and fixed costs restricted to an appropriate level, thereby maximising the Group's profit potential.
The Group continues to maintain the Crohn's disease intellectual property registered in Provexis (IBD) Limited, and it continues to investigate further options for the Crohn's disease project, seeking to maximise its value. Options currently under review include but are not limited to applications for external grant funding to progress certain aspects of the project, and ongoing discussions with prospective purchasers of the intellectual property.
Market opportunity
Fruitflow® is a patented natural extract from tomatoes which has been shown in human trials to reduce the propensity for aberrant blood clotting, typically associated with cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. The extract is available in two formats, a syrup and a spray-dried powder and can be included in a broad range of food, beverage and dietary supplement formats.
In May 2009, the company's Fruitflow® technology was the first to be substantiated by the European Food Safety Authority ('EFSA') under the new Article 13(5) for proprietary and emerging science. In December 2009 the European Commission authorised the health claim 'Helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow', which was the first wording to be authorised under Article 13(5).
The global functional food market is estimated to be in excess of $170 billion per year, and the global market for cardiovascular disease, to include dietary supplements, is estimated to be in excess of $10 billion per year. Global awareness of heart health is increasing and a rising number of people are taking a proactive approach to improving heart health. The directors believe that products addressing blood flow and circulation issues continue to represent a long-term opportunity in the expanding cardiovascular sector.
Financial review
The financial review has been prepared on the basis of Group's continuing operations, as further detailed in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Revenue
The Company's long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM Nutritional Products for Fruitflow® includes a financial model which is based upon the division of profits between the two partners on an agreed basis, linked to certain revenue targets, following the deduction of the cost of goods and a fixed level of overhead from sales. In June 2015 the Company confirmed that revised terms for the Alliance Agreement had been agreed with DSM, under which the fixed level of overhead deduction from sales permanently decreased with effect from 1 January 2015, backdated, thus increasing the profit share payable to the Company.
Revenue from the profit sharing Alliance for Fruitflow® for the year ended 31 March 2016 was £90,549, an increase of 144% relative to the prior year (2015: £37,124).
The increase in revenue accruing to the Company for the year reflects:
- The revised terms for the Alliance Agreement under which the fixed level of overhead deduction from sales permanently decreased with effect from 1 January 2015, thus increasing the profit share payable to the Company from 1 January 2015 onwards.
- An increase in DSM's underlying revenues for Fruitflow®. DSM's total revenues for Fruitflow® for the year ended 31 March 2016, which are denominated in Euros, grew by 27% year on year;
- An improvement in underlying trading margins, aided by continuing efforts to reduce the production costs of Fruitflow® powder as manufacturing volumes increase;
Underlying operating loss
Underlying operating loss has reduced by 6% to £385,210 (2015: £408,862), reflecting continued progress with Fruitflow® and the Group's ongoing low overhead strategy.
The Group has chosen to report underlying operating loss as the directors believe that the operating loss before share based payments provides additional useful information for shareholders on underlying trends and performance. A reconciliation of underlying operating loss to statutory operating loss is presented on the face of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. This measure is used for internal performance analysis.
The Group's cost base and its resources have been and will continue to be tightly managed within budgets approved and monitored by the Board.
Research and development costs
Research and development costs have increased by 7% to £192,236 (2015: £180,497), reflecting increased expenditure on patents and trade marks for Fruitflow®, to include the British and international patent applications which were filed in December 2013 for the use of Fruitflow® in mitigating exercise-induced inflammation and for promoting recovery from intense exercise, seeking to enhance further the potential of the technology in the sports nutrition sector.
Taxation
A current tax credit of £11,980 (2015: £5,407), primarily in respect of research and development tax credits has been recognised in the financial statements. The tax credit claim for the year ended 31 March 2014 totalling £15,822 was paid to the Group in April 2015, and the tax credit claim for the year ended 31 March 2015 totalling £5,407 was paid to the Group in April 2016.
Results and dividends
The loss attributable to equity holders of the parent for the year ended 31 March 2016 was £409,569 (2015: £435,598) and the basic loss per share was 0.03p (2015: 0.03p).
The directors are unable to recommend the payment of a dividend (2015: £Nil).
Consideration of section 656 of the Companies Act 2006
On 28 August 2014 it was noted in the Company's Notice of Annual General Meeting that Section 656 of the Companies Act 2006 ('section 656') had been brought to the attention of the Directors as part of the 31 March 2014 year end accounts and audit. Section 656 states that where the net assets of a public company are half or less of its called-up share capital, the directors must call a general meeting of the company to consider whether any, and if so what, steps should be taken to deal with the situation.
It was further noted in the Company's AGM notice of 28 August 2014:
- As at 31 March 2014 the net assets of the Company were £411,302, which was less than half of the nominal value of its called-up share capital at 31 March 2014 of £1,554,816. The net assets of the consolidated Group at 31 March 2014 were £535,075.
- The annual financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2014 and the reports of the Directors thereon included a going concern statement which confirmed that the Directors had prepared projected cash flow information for a period of more than twelve months from 20 August 2014, the date of approval of the financial statements, and had reviewed this information as at 20 August 2014. The Directors had also considered this issue in light of the significant reduction in net assets following the demerger of the SiS (Science in Sport) Limited business.
- The Group's financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2014 showed that the operating costs of the Group had been substantially reduced during the year ended 31 March 2014, and in addition that the Company had access to future equity financings, either through the Company's then existing equity drawdown facility with Darwin Strategic Limited or through an equity fundraising with the Company's shareholders, as potential additional sources of funding. Based on the level of existing cash, projected income and expenditure, and excluding the potential additional sources of funding, the Directors were satisfied at 28 August 2014 that the Company and the Group had adequate resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future.
- A resolution was not put to the 2014 Annual General Meeting in connection with section 656 and it was noted that the Directors' view in August 2014 was that the most appropriate course of action was to continue to maintain tight control over the running costs of the Company and to wait for revenues from its core Fruitflow® product to increase.
Subsequent to the Company's AGM on 22 September 2014 the net assets of the Company and Group have remained less than half of the Company's called-up share capital and a further general meeting of the Company is not required under section 656.
The annual financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2016 and the reports of the Directors thereon include a going concern statement which concludes that the necessity to raise additional equity finance represents a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and that should it be unable to raise further funds, the Group may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, considering the success of previous fundraisings and the current performance of the business, the Directors have a reasonable expectation of raising sufficient additional capital to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group's financial statements.
It remains the Directors' view on 7 September 2016 that the most appropriate course of action in respect of section 656 is to continue to seek to maximise the commercial returns that can be achieved from the Company's Fruitflow® technology, and continue to maintain very tight control over the running costs of the Company.
Capital structure and funding
On 4 June 2015 the Company announced that it had joined PrimaryBid.com (www.primarybid.com), an online platform dedicated to equity crowdfunding for AIM-listed companies which is further detailed in note 15; as a result of the Company joining PrimaryBid.com the Company's existing 10 September 2013 Equity Financing Facility with Darwin Strategic Limited was cancelled.
On 3 July 2015 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £267,400 net of commission via the placing of 62,222,223 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.45p per share ('the placing shares') with investors using the Primarybid.com platform. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 9 July 2015.
On 2 August 2016 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £224,000 via the placing of 93,333,340 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.24p per share with investors. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 8 August 2016.
On 2 August 2016 as part of the placing announcement the Group also announced that the Company's Chairman Dawson Buck had given a stated intention to subscribe to 10,416,667 shares at a subscription price of 0.24p totalling £25,000, with his formal commitment to and payment for the subscription to take effect in September 2016 immediately after publication of the Company's annual report and accounts.
Further details of the PrimaryBid.com agreement are available to download from the announcements section of the Company's website www.provexis.com.
Going concern
The Group's business activities together with the factors likely to affect its future development are set out in the strategic report. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are also set out in the strategic report. In addition note 2 to the financial statements includes the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and its exposure to credit and liquidity risk.
The Group made a total comprehensive loss for the year of £440,731 (2015: £487,753) and expects to make a further loss during the year ending 31 March 2017. The total cash outflow from operations in the year was £381,921 (2015: £404,776). At 31 March 2016 the Group had cash balances of £189,636 (2015: £285,403).
On 4 June 2015 the Group announced that it had agreed significantly enhanced financial terms for its long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM, involving a reduction in the fixed level of overhead deduction from sales which permanently decreased with effect from 1 January 2015, backdated, thus increasing the profit share payable to the Company.
On 4 June 2015 the Group also announced that it had joined PrimaryBid.com (www.primarybid.com), an online platform dedicated to equity crowdfunding for AIM-listed companies which is further detailed in note 15. On 3 July 2015 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £267,400 net of commission via the placing of 62,222,223 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.45p per share with investors using the Primarybid.com platform. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 9 July 2015.
On 29 June 2016 the Group announced the launch of a high quality dietary supplement product containing Fruitflow® and Omega-3 which is being sold initially from a separate, dedicated website www.fruitflowplus.com on a mail order basis. The new dietary supplement product is expected to provide the Group with an additional income and profit stream.
On 2 August 2016 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £224,000 via the placing of 93,333,340 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.24p per share with investors. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 8 August 2016.
On 2 August 2016 as part of the placing announcement the Group also announced that the Company's Chairman Dawson Buck had given a stated intention to subscribe to 10,416,667 shares at a subscription price of 0.24p totalling £25,000, with his formal commitment to and payment for the subscription to take effect in September 2016 immediately after publication of the Group's annual report and accounts.
The directors have prepared projected cash flow information for a period of more than twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and have reviewed this information as at the date of these financial statements.
The Group is seeking to maximise the commercial returns that can be achieved from its Fruitflow® technology, and the Group's cost base and its resources continue to be very tightly managed.
The Group remains keen to minimise dilution to shareholders and it is focussed on moving into profitability as Fruitflow® revenues increase, but while the Group remains in a loss making position it will need to raise working capital on occasions.
The Group has access to future equity financings as potential additional sources of funding, primarily through the Group's existing PrimaryBid.com platform or by way of a separate equity fundraising with the Company's shareholders. Based on its current level of cash it is expected that the Group will need to raise further equity finance in the coming twelve months.
The Directors have concluded that the necessity to raise additional equity finance represents a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and that should it be unable to raise further funds, the Group may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, considering the success of previous fundraisings and the current performance of the business, the Directors have a reasonable expectation of raising sufficient additional capital to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group's financial statements.
Principal risks and uncertainties
In the course of its normal business the Group is exposed to a range of risks and uncertainties which could impact on the results of the Group. The Board considers that risk-management is an integral part of good business process and, on a bi-annual basis, reviews the industry, operational and financial risks facing the Group and considers the adequacy of the controls and mitigants to manage the risks.
The directors have identified the following principal risks and uncertainties that could have the most significant impact on the Group's long-term value generation.
Funding and other risks
Provexis has experienced operating losses from continuing operations in each year since its inception. Accordingly until Provexis has sufficient commercial success with Fruitflow® to be cash generative it will continue to rely on its existing cash resources and further funding rounds to continue its activities. While Provexis aims to generate licensing revenues from Fruitflow®, there is no certainty that such revenues will be generated. Furthermore, the amount and timing of revenues from Fruitflow® is uncertain and will depend on numerous factors, most of which are outside Provexis' control due to the terms of the Alliance Agreement. It is therefore difficult for the directors to predict with accuracy the timing and amount of any further capital that may be required by the Provexis Group.
Factors that could increase Provexis' funding requirements include, but are not limited to: higher operational costs; slower progress than expected in DSM attracting customers to purchase Fruitflow®; unexpected opportunities to develop additional products or acquire additional technologies, products or businesses; and costs incurred in relation to the protection of Provexis' intellectual property.
Any additional share issues may have a dilutive effect on Provexis Shareholders. Further, there can be no guarantee or assurance that additional equity funding will be forthcoming when required, nor as to the terms and price on which such funds would be available, nor that such funds, if raised, would be sufficient to enable Provexis to meet its working capital requirements.
Early stage of operations
Whilst the Provexis Group has generated small levels of profit share revenue from Fruitflow®, Fruitflow® is still at an early stage of its commercial development. There are a number of operational, strategic and financial risks associated with early stage companies and products. The Provexis Group faces risks frequently encountered by early stage and pre-revenue companies looking to commercialise new (food) technology. In particular, the future growth and prospects of Provexis will be heavily dependent on its alliance partner, DSM, in securing product sales on appropriate terms and to attract customers who can produce products that will maximise the revenue potential of Fruitflow®.
Provexis is heavily dependent on DSM in marketing and selling Fruitflow® to achieve market acceptance, market penetration and, ultimately, sales of products that contain Fruitflow® in sufficient commercial volumes.
The development of Provexis' revenues is difficult to predict and there is no guarantee that Provexis will generate increasing revenues in the foreseeable future. Further there can be no assurance that Provexis' proposed operations will be profitable or produce a reasonable return on investment.
Commercialisation
Due to the terms of the Alliance Agreement, Provexis is largely dependent on DSM in respect of the development, production, marketing and commercialisation of Fruitflow®. Fruitflow® is solely reliant on DSM under the terms of the Alliance Agreement for its commercialisation.
Provexis' long-term success is largely dependent on the ability of DSM to sell Fruitflow®. Provexis' negotiating position with DSM if they choose to vary the Alliance Agreement may be affected by its size and limited cash resources relative to DSM who have substantial cash resources and established levels of commercial success. An inability to enter into any discussions with DSM on equal terms could lead to reduced revenue from the Alliance Agreement and this may have a significant adverse effect on Provexis' business, financial condition and results.
The loss of, or changes affecting, Provexis' relationships with DSM could adversely affect Provexis' results or operations as Provexis has limited input on the sales strategies of Fruitflow® adopted by DSM. Furthermore, although Provexis has sought to include performance obligations on DSM in the Alliance Agreement, there is a risk that DSM may reprioritise Fruitflow® within their product portfolio resulting in Provexis achieving sales below that which it expects. Any such situation may have a material and adverse effect on Provexis' business, financial condition and results of operations.
Profitability depends on the success and market acceptance of Fruitflow®
The success of Provexis will depend on the market's acceptance and valuing of Fruitflow® and there can be no guarantee that this acceptance will be forthcoming or that Provexis' technologies will succeed. The development of a market for Fruitflow® will be affected by many factors, some of which are beyond Provexis' control, including the emergence of newer, more successful food IP and products and the cost of Fruitflow®. Notwithstanding the health claims made in respect of Fruitflow®, there can be no guarantee that Provexis' targeted customer base for the product will purchase or continue to purchase the product. If a market fails to develop or develops more slowly than anticipated, Provexis may be unable to recover the losses it may have incurred in the development of Fruitflow® and may never achieve profitability.
Limited product offering
Provexis has only one product, Fruitflow®, and any problems with the commercial success of Fruitflow® will impact the financial performance of Provexis.
Intellectual property protection
Provexis is heavily dependent on its intellectual property and, in particular, its patents. No assurance can be given that any pending patent applications or any future patent applications will result in granted patents, that any patents will be granted on a timely basis, that the scope of any copyright or patent protection will exclude competitors or provide competitive advantages to Provexis, that any of Provexis' patents will be held valid if challenged, or that third parties will not claim rights in or ownership of the copyright, patents and other proprietary rights held by Provexis.
Further, there can be no assurance that others have not developed or will not develop similar products, duplicate any of Provexis' products or design around any patents held by Provexis. Others may hold or receive patents which contain claims having a scope that covers products developed by Provexis (whether or not patents are issued to Provexis).
Provexis may rely on patents to protect its assets. These rights act only to prevent a competitor copying and not to prevent a competitor from independently developing products that perform the same functions. No assurance can be given that others will not independently develop or otherwise acquire substantially equivalent functional food IP or otherwise gain access to Provexis' unpatented proprietary technology or disclose such technology or that Provexis can ultimately protect meaningful rights to such unpatented technology.
Once granted, a patent can be challenged both in the patent office and in the courts by third parties. Third parties can bring material and arguments which the patent office granting the patent may not have seen. Therefore, issued patents may be found by a court of law or by the patent office to be invalid or unenforceable or in need of further restriction.
A substantial cost may be incurred if Provexis is required to assert its intellectual property rights, including any patents or trade marks against third parties. Litigation is costly and time consuming and there can be no assurance that Provexis will have, or will be able to devote, sufficient resources to pursue such litigation. Potentially unfavourable outcomes in such proceedings could limit Provexis' intellectual property rights and activities. There is no assurance that obligations to maintain Provexis' know how would not be breached or otherwise become known in a manner which provides Provexis with no recourse.
Any claims made against Provexis' intellectual property rights, even without merit, could be time consuming and expensive to defend and could have a materially detrimental effect on Provexis' resources. A third party asserting infringement claims against Provexis could require Provexis to cease the infringing activity and/or require Provexis to enter into licensing and royalty arrangements. The third party could also take legal action which could be costly. In addition, Provexis may be required to develop alternative non-infringing solutions that may require significant time and substantial unanticipated resources. There can be no assurance that such claims will not have a material adverse effect on Provexis' business, financial condition or results.
Ian Ford
Finance Director
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
|
| Year | Year |
|
| ended | ended |
|
| 31 March | 31 March |
|
| 2016 | 2015 |
|
|
|
|
| Notes | £ | £ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue | 1,3 | 91,649 | 38,224 |
Research and development costs | 4 | (192,236) | (180,497) |
Administrative costs |
| (354,892) | (355,964) |
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating loss |
| (385,210) | (408,862) |
Share based payment charges | 16 | (70,269) | (89,375) |
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations | 4 | (455,479) | (498,237) |
|
|
|
|
Finance income | 7 | 2,768 | 5,077 |
Loss before taxation |
| (452,711) | (493,160) |
|
|
|
|
Taxation | 8 | 11,980 | 5,407 |
|
|
|
|
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year |
| (440,731) | (487,753) |
|
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
| (409,569) | (435,598) |
Non-controlling interest |
| (31,162) | (52,155) |
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year |
| (440,731) | (487,753) |
|
|
|
|
Loss per share to owners of the parent |
|
|
|
Basic - pence | 9 | (0.03) | (0.03) |
Diluted - pence | 9 | (0.03) | (0.03) |
Consolidated statement of financial position
Company number 05102907 |
| As at | As at |
|
| 31 March | 31 March |
|
| 2016 | 2015 |
| Notes | £ | £ |
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables | 12 | 49,561 | 53,348 |
Corporation tax asset | 8 | 17,388 | 21,230 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| 189,636 | 285,403 |
Total current assets |
| 256,585 | 359,981 |
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
| 256,585 | 359,981 |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
Trade and other payables | 13 | (113,747) | (114,081) |
Total current liabilities |
| (113,747) | (114,081) |
Net current assets |
| 142,838 | 245,900 |
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
| (113,747) | (114,081) |
|
|
|
|
Total net assets |
| 142,838 | 245,900 |
|
|
|
|
Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent company |
|
|
|
Share capital | 15 | 1,647,068 | 1,584,846 |
Share premium reserve | 17 | 16,503,221 | 16,298,043 |
Warrant reserve | 17 | 26,200 | 26,200 |
Merger reserve | 17 | 6,599,174 | 6,599,174 |
Retained earnings | 17 | (24,226,036) | (23,886,736) |
|
| 549,627 | 621,527 |
Non-controlling interest | 17 | (406,789) | (375,627) |
Total equity |
| 142,838 | 245,900 |
Consolidated statement of cash flows
|
| Year | Year |
|
| ended | ended |
|
| 31 March | 31 March |
|
| 2016 | 2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
Loss after tax |
| (440,731) | (487,753) |
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
Finance income |
| (2,768) | (5,077) |
Taxation |
| (11,980) | (5,407) |
Share-based payment charge |
| 70,269 | 89,375 |
Changes in trade and other receivables |
| 3,623 | (1,783) |
Changes in trade and other payables |
| (334) | 5,869 |
Net cash flow from operations |
| (381,921) | (404,776) |
|
|
|
|
Tax credits received |
| 15,822 | - |
Total cash flow from operating activities |
| (366,099) | (404,776) |
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from investing activities |
|
|
|
Interest received |
| 2,932 | 4,949 |
Total cash flow from investing activities |
| 2,932 | 4,949 |
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from financing activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds from issue of share capital |
| 267,400 | 170,403 |
Total cash flow from financing activities |
| 267,400 | 170,403 |
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
| (95,767) | (229,424) |
|
|
|
|
Opening cash and cash equivalents |
| 285,403 | 514,827 |
Closing cash and cash equivalents |
| 189,636 | 285,403 |
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Share capital | Share premium | Warrant reserve | Merger reserve | Retained earnings | Total equity attributable to owners of the parent | Non-controlling interests | Total equity |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 March 2014 | 1,554,816 | 16,183,870 | 26,200 | 6,599,174 | (23,505,513) | 858,547 | (323,472) | 535,075 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based charges | - | - | - | - | 89,375 | 89,375 | - | 89,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity financing facility fee - charge for year | - | - | - | - | (35,000) | (35,000) | - | (35,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of shares - equity financing facility 29 April 2014 | 7,000 | 38,403 | - | - | - | 45,403 | - | 45,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of shares - equity financing facility 15 December 2014 | 23,030 | 101,970 | - | - | - | 125,000 | - | 125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity financing facility - warrants charged to share premium account | - | (26,200) | - | - | - | (26,200) | - | (26,200) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive expense for the year | - | - | - | - | (435,598) | (435,598) | (52,155) | (487,753) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 March 2015 | 1,584,846 | 16,298,043 | 26,200 | 6,599,174 | (23,886,736) | 621,527 | (375,627) | 245,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based charges | - | - | - | - | 70,269 | 70,269 | - | 70,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of shares - PrimaryBid placing 9 July 2015 | 62,222 | 205,178 | - | - | - | 267,400 | - | 267,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive expense for the year | - | - | - | - | (409,569) | (409,569) | (31,162) | (440,731) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 March 2016 | 1,647,068 | 16,503,221 | 26,200 | 6,599,174 | (24,226,036) | 549,627 | (406,789) | 142,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to the preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2016
1. Accounting policies
General information
Provexis plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom (registration number 05102907). The address of the registered office is Prospect House, Queens Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4RP, UK.
The main activities of the Group are those of developing and licensing the proprietary, scientifically-proven Fruitflow® heart-health functional food ingredient for the global functional food sector.
Basis of preparation
The financial information set out in this release does not constitute the Company's full statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016 for the purposes of section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006, but it is derived from those accounts that have been audited. Statutory accounts for 2015 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2016 will be delivered after the forthcoming AGM. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified, and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006 in either 2016 or 2015.
While the financial information included in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed for the use in the European Union, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The Company expects to publish full financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2016 that comply with IFRS in September 2016.
The accounting policies set out below have been applied to all periods presented in these Group financial statements and are in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ('IFRIC') interpretations that were applicable for the year ended 31 March 2016.
These accounting policies are consistent with those applied in the year ended 31 March 2015, as amended to reflect any new Standards, Amendments to Standards and interpretations which are mandatory for the year ended 31 March 2016.
The following amendment has been adopted in the year however the Directors do not consider it to have had a material effect on the Group financial statements:
· Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions: Amendments to IAS 19
The following standards, interpretations and amendments have been issued but are not yet effective and will be adopted at the point they are effective:
· Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38: Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation (effective 1 January 2016)
· IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (effective 1 January 2018)
· IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective 1 January 2018)
· Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (effective 1 January 2016)
The Directors do not expect that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group. There are a number of standards, interpretations and amendments to published accounts not listed above which the directors consider not to be relevant to the Group.
Going concern
The Group's business activities together with the factors likely to affect its future development are set out in the strategic report. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are also set out in the strategic report. In addition note 2 to the financial statements includes the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and its exposure to credit and liquidity risk.
The Group made a total comprehensive loss for the year of £440,731 (2015: £487,753) and expects to make a further loss during the year ending 31 March 2017. The total cash outflow from operations in the year was £381,921 (2015: £404,776). At 31 March 2016 the Group had cash balances of £189,636 (2015: £285,403).
On 4 June 2015 the Group announced that it had agreed significantly enhanced financial terms for its long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM, involving a reduction in the fixed level of overhead deduction from sales which permanently decreased with effect from 1 January 2015, backdated, thus increasing the profit share payable to the Company.
On 4 June 2015 the Group also announced that it had joined PrimaryBid.com (www.primarybid.com), an online platform dedicated to equity crowdfunding for AIM-listed companies which is further detailed in note 15. On 3 July 2015 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £267,400 net of commission via the placing of 62,222,223 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.45p per share with investors using the Primarybid.com platform. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 9 July 2015.
On 29 June 2016 the Group announced the launch of a high quality dietary supplement product containing Fruitflow® and Omega-3 which is being sold initially from a separate, dedicated website www.fruitflowplus.com on a mail order basis. The new dietary supplement product is expected to provide the Group with an additional income and profit stream.
On 2 August 2016 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £224,000 via the placing of 93,333,340 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.24p per share with investors. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 8 August 2016.
On 2 August 2016 as part of the placing announcement the Group also announced that the Company's Chairman Dawson Buck had given a stated intention to subscribe to 10,416,667 shares at a subscription price of 0.24p totalling £25,000, with his formal commitment to and payment for the subscription to take effect in September 2016 immediately after publication of the Group's annual report and accounts.
The directors have prepared projected cash flow information for a period of more than twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and have reviewed this information as at the date of these financial statements.
The Group is seeking to maximise the commercial returns that can be achieved from its Fruitflow® technology, and the Group's cost base and its resources continue to be very tightly managed.
The Group remains keen to minimise dilution to shareholders and it is focussed on moving into profitability as Fruitflow® revenues increase, but while the Group remains in a loss making position it will need to raise working capital on occasions.
The Group has access to future equity financings as potential additional sources of funding, primarily through the Group's existing PrimaryBid.com platform or by way of a separate equity fundraising with the Company's shareholders. Based on its current level of cash it is expected that the Group will need to raise further equity finance in the coming twelve months.
The Directors have concluded that the necessity to raise additional equity finance represents a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and that should it be unable to raise further funds, the Group may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, considering the success of previous fundraisings and the current performance of the business, the Directors have a reasonable expectation of raising sufficient additional capital to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group's financial statements.
Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.
The consolidated financial information presents the results of the Company and its subsidiaries, Provexis Nutrition Limited, Provexis Natural Products Limited and Provexis (IBD) Limited as if they formed a single entity ('the Group'). All subsidiaries share the same reporting date, 31 March, as Provexis plc. All intra group balances are eliminated in preparing the financial statements.
The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The direct costs of acquisition are recognised immediately as an expense.
Non-controlling interest
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the parent and to the non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income is attributed to the owners of the parent and the non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.
Revenue
Revenue comprises the fair value received or receivable for exclusivity arrangements, collaboration agreements, royalties and sales net of sales rebates and excluding VAT and trade discounts.
The accounting policies for the principal revenue streams of the Group are as follows:
(i) Exclusivity arrangements and collaboration agreements are recognised as revenue in the accounting period in which the related services, or required activities, are performed or specified conditions are fulfilled in accordance with the terms of completion of the specific transaction.
(ii) Royalty income relating to the sale by a licensee of licensed product is recognised on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement and based on the receipt from the licensee of the relevant information to enable calculation of the royalty due.
Segment reporting
The Group determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is provided to the Chairman, who is the Group's 'chief operating decision maker' ('CODM').
An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group's other components. An operating segment's operating results are reviewed regularly by the CODM to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available.
Segment results that are reported to the Group Board include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis.
Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets.
Use of non-GAAP profit measure - underlying operating profit
The directors believe that the operating loss before share based payments and exceptional items measure provides additional useful information for shareholders on underlying trends and performance. This measure is used for internal performance analysis. Underlying operating loss is not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies' adjusted profit measures. It is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to IFRS measurements of profit.
Exceptional items are those material items which, by virtue of their size or incidence, are presented separately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income to give a full understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance. Transactions which may give rise to exceptional items include the restructuring of business activities and acquisitions. A reconciliation of underlying operating profit to statutory operating profit is set out on the face of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Intangible assets
Research and development
Certain Group products are in the research phase and others are in the development phase. Expenditure incurred on the development of internally generated products is capitalised if it can be demonstrated that:
● It is technically feasible to develop the product for it to be sold;
● Adequate resources are available to complete the development;
● There is an intention to complete and sell the product;
● The Group is able to sell the product;
● Sale of the product will generate future economic benefits; and
● Expenditure on the project can be measured reliably.
The value of the capitalised development cost is assessed for impairment annually. The value is written down immediately if impairment has occurred. Development costs are not being amortised as income has not yet been realised from the underlying technology. Development expenditure, not satisfying the above criteria, and expenditure on the research phase of internal projects is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as incurred.
Patents and trade marks
The costs incurred in establishing patents and trade marks are either expensed or capitalised in accordance with the corresponding treatment of the development expenditure for the product to which they relate.
Non-current assets held for sale or distribution and disposal groups
Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale when, at the year end:
- they are available for immediate sale;
- management is committed to a plan to sell;
- it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn;
- an active programme to locate a buyer has been initiated;
- the asset or disposal group is being marketed at a reasonable price in relation to its fair value; and
- a sale is expected to complete within 12 months from the date of classification.
Non-current assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of:
- their carrying amount immediately prior to being classified as held for sale in accordance with the Group's accounting policy; and
- fair value less costs to sell.
Following their classification as held for sale, non-current assets (including those in a disposal group) are not depreciated.
Impairment of assets
Assets that have a finite useful life but that are not yet in use and are therefore not subject to amortisation or depreciation are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment annually and when events or circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.
If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior periods. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated as follows:
Raw materials - cost of purchase on first in, first out basis.
Work in progress and finished goods - cost of raw materials and labour, together with attributable overheads based on the normal level of activity.
Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less further costs to completion and disposal. A charge is made to the income statement for slow moving inventories. The charge is reviewed at each balance sheet date.
Financial instruments
Financial assets
The Group's financial assets are comprised of 'trade and other receivables' and 'cash and cash equivalents'. They are recognised initially at their fair value and subsequently at amortised cost. The Group will assess at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that the financial asset is impaired. If an asset is judged to be impaired the carrying amount of the asset will be adjusted to its impaired valuation.
Financial liabilities
The Group's financial liabilities comprise 'trade and other payables' and 'borrowings'. These are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand.
Government grants
Government grants are recognised when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Group will comply with all attached conditions. Government grants are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in the same period to which the costs that they are intended to compensate are expensed.
Taxation
Current tax is provided at amounts expected to be recovered or to be paid using the tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. When research and development tax credits are claimed they are recognised on an accruals basis and are included as a taxation credit.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability on the balance sheet differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on:
· The initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and
· Investments in subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the difference can be utilised.
The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities/(assets) are settled/(recovered). Deferred tax balances are not discounted.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on either:
· The same taxable Group Company; or
· Different Group entities which intend to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, on each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or recovered.
Foreign currency translation
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at period end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.
Benefits for Directors and consultants
(i) Share-based payment transactions
The Group operates an equity-settled, share-based compensation plan. Vesting conditions are service conditions and performance conditions only. Where share options are awarded to employees and others providing similar services, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options when granted. As long as all other vesting conditions are satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether the market vesting conditions are satisfied. The cumulative charge is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition. If market related terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the change in the fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the remaining vesting period. If non-market related terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the number of instruments expected to vest at each reporting date, and therefore the cumulative charge, is amended accordingly. Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees and others providing similar services, the statement of comprehensive income is charged with the fair value of goods and services received.
The proceeds received when options are exercised, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital (nominal value) and the remaining balance to share premium.
National insurance on share options
All employee option holders sign statements that they will be liable for any employers national insurance arising on the exercise of share options.
Interest income
Interest income is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest rate method.
Warrants
The Group has issued warrants to Darwin Strategic Limited, initially as part of the Equity Financing Facility and with effect from June 2015 as part of PrimaryBid.com. These warrants have been measured at fair value at the date of grant using an appropriate options pricing model.
The fair value of the warrants had been held on the statement of financial position within prepayments and in the warrants reserve within equity. The prepayment was released in full against share premium in the year ended 31 March 2015. The warrants reserve will be released to share premium if the warrants are exercised. If the warrants lapse then the reserve will be transferred to retained earnings.
Benefits for Directors and consultants
Share-based payment transactions
The Group operates an equity-settled, share-based compensation plan. Where share options are awarded to employees and others providing similar services, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options when granted. As long as all other vesting conditions are satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether the market vesting conditions are satisfied. The cumulative charge is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition. If market related terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the change in the fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the remaining vesting period. If non-market related terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the number of instruments expected to vest at each reporting date, and therefore the cumulative charge, is amended accordingly. Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees and others providing similar services, the statement of comprehensive income is charged with the fair value of goods and services received.
The proceeds received when options are exercised, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital (nominal value) and the remaining balance to share premium.
National insurance on share options
All employee option holders sign statements that they will be liable for any employers national insurance arising on the exercise of share options.
Interest income
Interest income is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest rate method.
Warrants
The Group has issued warrants to Darwin Strategic Limited, initially as part of the Equity Financing Facility and with effect from June 2015 as part of PrimaryBid.com. These warrants have been measured at fair value at the date of grant using an appropriate options pricing model.
The fair value of the warrants had been held on the statement of financial position within prepayments and in the warrants reserve within equity. The prepayment was released in full against share premium in the year ended 31 March 2015. The warrants reserve will be released to share premium if the warrants are exercised. If the warrants lapse then the reserve will be transferred to retained earnings.
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Estimates and judgements are continually made and are based on historic experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances.
As the use of estimates is inherent in financial reporting, actual results could differ from these estimates. The directors believe the following to be the key areas of estimation and judgement:
(i) Research and development
Under IAS 38 Intangible Assets, development expenditure which meets the recognition criteria of the standard must be capitalised and amortised over the useful economic lives of intangible assets from product launch.
(ii) Share-based payments
The Group operates an equity-settled, share-based compensation plan. The charge for share-based payments is determined based on the fair value of awards at the date of grant partly by use of the Black-Scholes pricing model which require judgements to be made regarding expected volatility, dividend yield, risk free rates of return and expected option lives. The inputs used in these pricing models to calculate the fair values are set out in note 16. An element of the share-based payment charge also relies on certain assumptions over the future performance of the share price which may not be met or may be exceeded by the time the relevant awards vest.
2. Financial risk management
2.1 Financial risk factors
The Group's activities inevitably expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, cash flow interest rate risk and fair value interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.
It is Group policy not to enter into speculative positions using complex financial instruments. The Group's primary treasury objective is to minimise exposure to potential capital losses whilst at the same time securing favourable market rates of interest on Group cash deposits using money market deposits with banks. Cash balances used to settle the liabilities from operating activities are also maintained in current accounts which earn interest at variable rates.
(a) Market risk
Foreign exchange risk
The Group's largest contract, the long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM Nutritional Products for Fruitflow®, is primarily denominated in Euros. The Alliance Agreement is underpinned by a financial model which is based upon the division of profits between the two partners on an agreed basis, linked to certain revenue targets, following the deduction of the cost of goods and a fixed level of overhead from sales.
DSM Nutritional Products seeks to sell Fruitflow® in Euros, but its customers for Fruitflow® are world-wide and world-wide exchange rate fluctuations may have an impact on the revenues accruing to DSM, and thus the profit share accruing to the Group. The cost of goods for Fruitflow® is primarily denominated in and incurred in Euros.
Where customer or supplier transactions of more than £25,000 total value are to be settled in foreign currencies consideration is given to settling the sums to be received or paid through foreign exchange conversion at the outset of the transactions to minimise the risk of adverse currency fluctuations.
Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
The Group's interest rate risk arises from medium term and short term money market deposits. Deposits which earn variable rates of interest expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. Deposits at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk.
The Group analyses its interest rate exposure on a dynamic basis throughout the year.
(b) Credit risk
Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and financial institutions as well as credit exposure in relation to outstanding receivables. Group policy is to place deposits with institutions with investment grade A2 or better (Moody's credit rating) and deposits are made in sterling only. The Group does not expect any losses from non-performance by these institutions. Management believes that the carrying value of outstanding receivables and deposits with banks represents the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk.
(c) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk arises from the Group's management of working capital, it is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due. Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents and management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group's liquidity on the basis of expected cash flow.
The Group had trade and other payables at the statement of financial position date of £113,747 (2015: £114,081) as disclosed in note 13.
2.2 Capital risk management
The Group considers its capital to comprise its ordinary share capital, share premium, warrant reserve, merger reserve and accumulated retained earnings as disclosed in the consolidated statement of financial position.
The Group remains funded primarily by equity capital. The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for equity holders of the Company and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.
3. Segmental reporting
The directors have determined that only one operating segment exists under the terms of International Financial Reporting Standard 8 'Operating Segments', as the Group is organised and operates as a single business unit and all activities are based in the UK. The Group's reporting segment is determined based on the Group's internal reporting to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). The CODM has been determined to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors as he is primarily responsible for the allocation of resources to segments and the assessment of performance of the segments.
The CODM uses underlying operating profit/(loss) as the key measure of the segments' results as it reflects the segments' underlying trading performance for the financial period under evaluation.
Underlying operating profit/(loss) is a consistent measure within the Group which measures the performance of the segment before share based payment charges and exceptional items.
4. Loss from continuing operations
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015
|
| £ | £ |
Loss from continuing operations is stated after charging: |
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development costs | 192,236 | 180,497 |
Foreign exchange gains / (losses) | 8,865 | (2,553) |
Equity-settled share based payment expense | 70,269 | 89,375 |
The total fees of the Group's auditor, for services provided are analysed below:
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
Audit services |
|
|
Parent company | 10,000 | 13,000 |
Subsidiaries | 8,000 | 12,000 |
Tax services - compliance |
|
|
Parent company | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Subsidiaries | 3,000 | 3,000 |
Other services |
|
|
iXBRL services | 2,000 | 2,000 |
|
|
|
Total fees | 25,000 | 32,000 |
5. Wages and salaries
The average monthly number of persons, including all directors, employed or engaged under contracts for services by the Group during the year was as follows:
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015
|
|
|
|
Research and development consultants | 1 | 1 |
Directors | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
Their aggregate emoluments were:
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015
|
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Fees | 212,510 | 169,253 |
Total cash settled emoluments | 212,510 | 169,253 |
Share-based payment remuneration charge: equity settled | 70,269 | 54,375 |
Total emoluments | 282,779 | 223,628 |
6. Directors' remuneration
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
Directors |
|
|
Aggregate emoluments | 164,010 | 149,253 |
Company pension contributions | - | - |
| 164,010 | 149,253 |
Share based payment remuneration charge: equity settled | 46,524 | 46,397 |
Total Directors' emoluments | 210,534 | 195,650 |
Emoluments disclosed above include the following amounts in respect of the highest paid director:
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Aggregate emoluments | 88,002 | 76,251 |
Share based payment remuneration charge: equity settled | 23,262 | 23,198 |
Total of the highest paid director's emoluments | 111,264 | 99,449 |
During the current year and the prior year the directors did not participate in defined contribution pension schemes, and did not receive any benefits in kind.
7. Finance income
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015
|
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Finance income |
|
|
Bank interest receivable | 2,768 | 5,077 |
| 2,768 | 5,077 |
8. Taxation
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015
|
| £ | £ |
Current tax income |
|
|
United Kingdom corporation tax - research and development credit | 11,980 | 5,407 |
Taxation credit | 11,980 | 5,407 |
The tax assessed for the year is different from the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are explained below:
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015
|
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Loss before tax | 452,711 | 493,160 |
|
|
|
Loss before tax multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 20% (2015: 21%) |
90,542 |
103,564 |
Effects of: |
|
|
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes | (14,054) | (19,539) |
Difference between depreciation and capital allowances | 283 | 362 |
Unutilised tax losses and other deductions arising in the year | (69,329) | (69,487) |
Additional deduction for R&D expenditure | 9,185 | 4,351 |
Surrender of tax losses for R&D tax credit refund | (4,647) | (2,425) |
Share scheme deduction | - | (11,419) |
Total tax credit for the year | 11,980 | 5,407 |
At 31 March 2016 the Group UK tax losses to be carried forward are estimated to be £18,640,000 (2015: £18,100,000).
Income tax asset receivable within one year | 31 March 2016 | 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Corporation tax recoverable | 17,388 | 21,230 |
| 17,388 | 21,230 |
9. Earnings per share and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the financial year.
The loss attributable to equity holders of the Company for the purpose of calculating the fully diluted loss per share is identical to that used for calculating the basic loss per share. The exercise of share options, disclosed in note 16, would have the effect of reducing the loss per share and is therefore anti-dilutive under the terms of IAS 33 'Earnings per Share'.
Basic and diluted loss per share amounts are in respect of all activities.
| Year ended | Year ended |
| 31 March | 31 March |
| 2016 | 2015 |
|
|
|
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year attributable to owners of the parent - £ |
409,569 |
435,598 |
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares | 1,630,067,560 | 1,567,947,710 |
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share - pence | 0.03 | 0.03 |
There have been no transactions involving ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date of approval of these financial statements which would significantly change the earnings per share calculations shown above.
10. Intangible assets
| Goodwill
| Development costs | Total
|
| £ | £ | £ |
|
|
|
|
Cost |
|
|
|
At 1 April 2015 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
At 31 March 2016 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
|
|
|
|
Amortisation and Impairment |
|
|
|
At 1 April 2015 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
At 31 March 2016 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
|
|
|
|
Net book value |
|
|
|
At 31 March 2016 | - | - | - |
At 31 March 2015 | - | - | - |
|
|
|
|
Cost |
|
|
|
At 1 April 2014 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
At 31 March 2015 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
|
|
|
|
Amortisation and Impairment |
|
|
|
At 1 April 2014 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
At 31 March 2015 | 7,265,277 | 158,166 | 7,423,443 |
|
|
|
|
Net book value |
|
|
|
At 31 March 2015 | - | - | - |
At 31 March 2014 | - | - | - |
Development costs represent costs incurred in registering patents that meet the capitalisation criteria set out in IAS 38, see also note 1.
11. Plant and equipment
|
| Fixtures, fittings, plant and equipment | Laboratory equipment |
| Total
|
|
| £ | £ |
| £ |
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 April 2015 |
| - | 68,725 |
| 68,725 |
At 31 March 2016 |
| - | 68,725 |
| 68,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 April 2015 |
| - | 68,725 |
| 68,725 |
At 31 March 2016 |
| - | 68,725 |
| 68,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value |
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 March 2016 |
| - | - |
| - |
At 31 March 2015 |
| - | - |
| - |
|
| Fixtures, fittings, plant and equipment | Laboratory equipment |
| Total
|
|
| £ | £ |
| £ |
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 April 2014 |
| 74,096 | 147,145 |
| 221,241 |
Disposals |
| (74,096) | (78,420) |
| (152,516) |
At 31 March 2015 |
| - | 68,725 |
| 68,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 April 2014 |
| 74,096 | 147,145 |
| 221,241 |
Disposals |
| (74,096) | (78,420) |
| (152,516) |
At 31 March 2015 |
| - | 68,725 |
| 68,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value |
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 March 2015 |
| - | - |
| - |
At 31 March 2014 |
| - | - |
| - |
12. Trade and other receivables
| 31 March 2016 | 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Amounts receivable within one year: |
|
|
Trade receivables | - | 240 |
Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables | - | - |
Trade receivables - net | - | 240 |
Other receivables | 17,423 | 18,750 |
Total financial assets other than cash and cash equivalents classified as loans and receivables | 17,423 | 18,990 |
Prepayments and accrued income | 32,138 | 34,358 |
Total trade and other receivables | 49,561 | 53,348 |
Trade and other receivables do not contain any impaired assets. The Group does not hold any collateral as security and the maximum exposure to credit risk at the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date is the fair value of each class of receivable.
13. Trade and other payables
| 31 March 2016 | 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Trade payables | 29,550 | 38,135 |
Accruals | 80,326 | 72,075 |
Total financial liabilities measured at amortised cost | 109,876 | 110,210 |
Other taxes and social security | 3,871 | 3,871 |
Total trade and other payables | 113,747 | 114,081 |
The directors consider that the carrying amount of these liabilities approximates to their fair value.
All amounts shown fall due within one year.
14. Deferred tax
Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using a tax rate of 18% (2015: 21%).
No amounts in respect of deferred tax were recognised in the income statement from continuing operations or charged / credited to equity for the current or prior year.
Deferred tax assets amounting to £3,356,723 (2015: £3,810,272) have not been recognised on the basis that their future economic benefit is not certain. Assuming a prevailing tax rate of 18% (2015: 21%) when the timing differences reverse, the unrecognised deferred tax asset comprises:
| Year ended 31 March 2016 | Year ended 31 March 2015 |
| £ | £ |
|
|
|
Depreciation in excess of capital allowances | 1,158 | 1,648 |
Unutilised tax losses | 3,355,565 | 3,808,624 |
| 3,356,723 | 3,810,272 |
15. Share capital
On 4 June 2015 the Company announced that it had joined PrimaryBid.com (www.primarybid.com), an online platform dedicated to equity crowdfunding for AIM-listed companies.
PrimaryBid.com provides a new channel for the Company to raise equity from investors, allowing investors to bid directly for new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the Company at prices of their choosing, subject to certain limited restrictions.
PrimaryBid.com gives the Company ongoing access to an aggregated book of bids submitted by prospective investors, with the Company having full discretion as to whether or not to proceed with a share placing to raise capital through PrimaryBid.com.
Should the Company wish to proceed with a share placing this is done by issuing new shares, in order to satisfy any number of the bids presented through the PrimaryBid.com platform. Shares may only be issued to the extent that the Company has the requisite shareholder authorities to fulfil the issuance. Full details can be found on www.primarybid.com.
In June 2015, as a result of the Company joining PrimaryBid.com, the Company's existing 10 September 2013 Equity Financing Facility ('EFF') with Darwin Strategic Limited was cancelled.
EFF fee and warrant reserve
In consideration of Darwin agreeing to provide the EFF in September 2013 the Company agreed to:
(i) Pay a fee to Darwin amounting to approximately £35,000 by way of an issue of 3,414,635 fully paid Ordinary Shares, at a gross 1.025p per share. The contingent fee amounting to a maximum of £125,000 payable under the 7 November 2011 Equity Financing Facility was cancelled.
(ii) Enter into a new warrant agreement dated 10 September 2013 for the grant to Darwin of warrants to subscribe for up to ten million Ordinary Shares, such warrants to be exercisable at a price of 4.44 pence per share and to be exercisable at any time prior to the expiry of five years following the date of the new warrant agreement.
The warrants were measured at fair value at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes model, with the following assumptions:
Date of grant | Exercise price
pence | Number of warrants | Share price at grant date
pence | Expected volatility | Risk free rate | Expected life
years | Fair value per share under warrant pence |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11-Sep-13 | 4.44 | 10,000,000 | 0.915 | 75% | 0.79% | 5 | 0.262 |
An expected dividend yield of 0% was used in the above valuation.
The assumption made for the expected life of the warrants is not necessarily indicative of the exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be the actual outcome.
The existing 10 September 2013 warrant agreement with Darwin continues to be in place under the new PrimaryBid.com arrangements.
The total fair value of the warrants, £26,200, has previously been held within prepayments and in the warrants reserve within equity. During the year ended 31 March 2015 the prepayment was released in full against share premium.
The warrants reserve will be released to share premium if the warrants are exercised. If the warrants lapse then the reserve will be transferred to retained earnings.
Allotted, called up and fully paid | Ordinary 0.1p shares | Ordinary 0.1p shares |
| £ | number |
|
|
|
At 31 March 2015 | 1,584,846 | 1,584,845,944 |
Issue of shares - PrimaryBid placing 9 July 2015 | 62,222 | 62,222,223 |
At 31 March 2016 | 1,647,068 | 1,647,068,167 |
Allotted, called up and fully paid | Ordinary 0.1p shares | Ordinary 0.1p shares |
| £ | number |
|
|
|
At 31 March 2014 | 1,554,816 | 1,554,815,614 |
Issue on subscription - equity financing facility | 30,030 | 30,030,330 |
At 31 March 2015 | 1,584,846 | 1,584,845,944 |
During the year ended 31 March 2016 the Company issued ordinary shares of 0.1p each as follows:
Date | Reason for issue | Shares issued | |
|
| £ | Number |
09.07.15 | PrimaryBid placing | 62,222 | 62,222,223 |
|
| 62,222 | 62,222,223 |
During the year ended 31 March 2015 the Company issued ordinary shares of 0.1p each as follows:
Date | Reason for issue | Shares issued | |
|
| £ | Number |
29.04.14 | Share subscription - equity financing facility | 7,000 | 7,000,000 |
15.12.14 | Share subscription - equity financing facility | 23,030 | 23,030,330 |
|
| 30,030 | 30,030,330 |
16. Share options
In June 2005 the Company adopted a new share option scheme for employees ('the Provexis 2005 share option scheme'). Under the scheme, options to purchase ordinary shares are granted by the Board of Directors, subject to the exercise price of the option being not less than the market value at the grant date. The options typically vest after a period of 3 years and the vesting schedule is subject to predetermined overall company selection criteria. In the event that the option holder's employment is terminated, the option may not be exercised unless the Board of Directors so permits. The options expire 10 years from the date of grant.
The Company undertook a reverse takeover of Provexis Natural Products Limited ('PNP', formerly Provexis Limited) in June 2005 through a share for share exchange. Prior to the takeover the Company and PNP had granted EMI options and unapproved options. Options granted by the Company prior to the takeover remain subject to the same terms as contained in the individual share option contracts under which they were originally granted. The PNP EMI options and unapproved options were rolled over into options over the Company's ordinary shares, and these replacement options remain subject to the same terms as contained in the individual PNP share option contracts under which they were originally granted.
Following the demerger of SiS (Science in Sport) Limited in August 2013 appropriate modifications were proposed to the exercise price of certain outstanding EMI and unapproved share option awards under Provexis' share option schemes. The proposed modifications were to reflect the reduction in value of Provexis which arose from the share re-organisation, reduction of capital and demerger of SiS (Science in Sport) Limited, calculated on a pro rata basis immediately after the demerger using the respective market values of Provexis plc and Science in Sport plc, net of Science in Sport plc's August 2013 placing ('the Demerger Modifications').
Details of the share re-organisation, reduction of capital, demerger of SiS (Science in Sport) Limited and proposed option Demerger Modifications were provided on 28 June 2013 in a circular to shareholders and in an AIM admission document for Science in Sport plc, which are available to download from the Company's website www.provexis.com.
As envisaged in the June 2013 circular to shareholders an advance assurance was sought from HMRC to approve the variation in the exercise price arising out of the reduction of capital and demerger for unexercised EMI options as at 9 August 2013, the demerger effective date. The advance assurance was not successful, and the Company remains in dialogue with HMRC on this issue. On 20 August 2014 it was agreed that the modifications proposed to the exercise price of certain outstanding awards under Provexis' share option schemes would take immediate effect.
On 3 September 2015 the Company granted a total of 2,500,000 new options over Ordinary Shares ('Options') under the Provexis 2005 share option scheme to Professor Asim Duttaroy, with an exercise price of 0.49 pence, being the closing mid-market price on 3 September 2015. The Options are exercisable between 3 and 10 years from date of grant and are subject to performance criteria, including share price appreciation.
Professor Asim Duttaroy was the original inventor of Fruitflow® and he serves on the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. On 18 November 2014 the Company announced it had signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Oslo to undertake further research into the relationship between Fruitflow® and blood pressure regulation, with the University's collaboration work to be led by Professor Duttaroy. The Company believes the grant of these Options will closely align the interests of Professor Duttaroy with those of shareholders.
Following the issue of the new Options the total number of Ordinary Shares under option which could be issued if all of the performance criteria are met are 118,617,620 Ordinary Shares.
The fair values of the options granted during the year were estimated at the date of grant in accordance with IFRS 2, using a Black-Scholes model. Where options have been approved but not formally granted and optionholders have provided services in advance of the grant of options a charge is recognised using an estimated fair value based on the period end share price.
At 31 March 2016 the number of ordinary shares subject to options granted over the 2005 and prior option schemes were:
EMI options
| 31 March 2016 |
| 31 March 2015 | |||
| Weighted average exercise price (pence) | Weighted average share price at date of exercise (pence) | Number | Weighted average exercise price (pence) | Weighted average share price at date of exercise (pence) | Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at the beginning of the year | 0.77 | - | 56,078,090 | 0.78 | - | 58,494,665 |
Cancelled during the year | - | - | - | 0.90 | - | (2,416,575) |
Outstanding at the end of the year | 0.77 | - | 56,078,090 | 0.77 | - | 56,078,090 |
The exercise price of EMI options outstanding at the end of the year ranged between 0.59p and 1.85p (2015: 0.59p and 1.85p) and their weighted average contractual life was 4.3 years (2015: 5.3 years).
Of the total number of EMI options outstanding at the end of the year, 49,078,090 (2015: 49,078,090) had vested and were exercisable at the end of the year. Their weighted average exercise price was 0.74 pence (2015: 0.74 pence).
Unapproved options
| 31 March 2016 | 31 March 2015 | ||
| Weighted average exercise price (pence) | Number | Weighted average exercise price (pence) | Number |
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at the beginning of the year | 1.20 | 62,145,845 | 1.30 | 52,145,845 |
Granted during the year | 0.49 | 2,500,000 | 0.67 | 10,000,000 |
Cancelled during the year | 0.66 | (2,106,315) | - | - |
Outstanding at the end of the year | 1.19 | 62,539,530 | 1.20 | 62,145,845 |
The exercise price of unapproved options outstanding at the end of the year ranged between 0.49p and 1.85p (2015: 0.59p and 1.85p) and their weighted average contractual life was 6.2 years (2015: 6.9 years).
Of the total number of unapproved options outstanding at the end of the year, 43,039,530 (2015: 45,145,845) had vested and were exercisable at the end of the year. Their weighted average exercise price was 1.38 pence (2015: 1.35 pence).
Grant of options
The fair values of the options have been estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes model, using the following assumptions:
Tranche
| Date of grant | Exercise price
pence | Number of options | Share price at grant date
pence | Expected volatility | Risk free rate | Expected life
years | Fair value per share under option
pence |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 | 26-Aug-08 | 0.9 | 44,166,575 | 0.87 | 65% | 4.45% | 10 | 0.585 |
2 | 17-Jun-11 | 2.8 | 51,300,000 | 2.00 | 88% | 4.48% | 10 | 1.17 |
3 | 27-Jun-13 | 1.475 | 40,000,000 | 1.475 | 88% | 0.79% | 10 | 0.785 |
4 | 17-Nov-14 | 0.67 | 10,000,000 | 0.67 | 74% | 0.94% | 10 | 0.515 |
5 | 03-Sep-15 | 0.49 | 2,500,000 | 0.49 | 66% | 0.80% | 10 | 0.350 |
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|
|
The fair value of the Demerger Modifications made to the exercise price of certain outstanding awards under Provexis' share option schemes has been estimated in accordance with IFRS 2, using a Black-Scholes model. The fair value of the Demerger Modifications is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period as part of the share based payment charge.
An expected dividend yield of 0% has been used in all of the above valuations.
The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of the exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be the actual outcome.
The total share based payment charge for the year relating to employee share based payment plans was £70,269 (2015: £54,375) all of which related to equity settled share-based payment transactions. The Group's share based payment charge for the year ended 31 March 2015 totalling £89,375 included an additional £35,000 share based payment charge (2016: £Nil) in respect of a fee which was paid to Darwin in September 2013 by way of an issue of Ordinary Shares, as further detailed in note 15.
17. Reserves
| Share premium reserve | Warrant reserve | Merger reserve | Retained earnings | Total attributable to equity holders of the parent | Non-controlling interest | Total reserves |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 March 2016 | 16,503,221 | 26,200 | 6,599,174 | (24,226,036) | (1,097,441) | (406,789) | (1,504,230) |
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|
|
At 31 March 2015 | 16,298,043 | 26,200 | 6,599,174 | (23,886,736) | (963,319) | (375,627) | (1,338,946) |
Details of movements in reserves are provided as part of the consolidated statement of changes in equity.
The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within total equity:
Share premium | Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value, less the related costs of share issues. |
Warrant reserve | The warrant reserve represents warrants issued as part of the Equity Financing Facility (see note 15). |
Merger reserve | The merger reserve arose on the reverse takeover in 2005 of Provexis Natural Products Limited (formerly Provexis Limited) by Provexis plc through a share for share exchange and on the issue of shares for the acquisition of SiS (Science in Sport) Limited in 2011. SiS (Science in Sport) Limited was demerged from Provexis with effect from 9 August 2013 by way of a capital reduction demerger and transferred to a newly incorporated parent company, Science in Sport plc. |
Retained earnings | Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. |
18. Pension costs
The pension charge represents contributions payable by the Group to independently administered funds which for continuing operations during the year ended 31 March 2016 amounted to £Nil (2015: £Nil). Pension contributions payable but not yet paid at 31 March 2016 totalled £3,871, in respect of pension contribution entitlements where employees had not yet provided details of the funds to which the contributions should be made (2015: £3,871).
19. Related party transactions
On 1 June 2010 the Company announced a long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM Nutritional Products, which has seen the Company collaborate with DSM to develop Fruitflow® in all major global markets. DSM has invested substantially in the manufacture, technology development, marketing and sale of Fruitflow® since the Alliance Agreement was signed. Provexis continues to contribute scientific expertise and is collaborating in areas such as cost of goods optimisation and regulatory matters. The financial model is based upon the division of profits between the two partners on an agreed basis, linked to certain revenue targets, following the deduction of the cost of goods and a fixed level of overhead from sales.
The Company is working closely with DSM in various areas of the project, and in June 2015 it was announced that the Company had agreed significantly enhanced financial terms for its long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM, involving a reduction in the fixed level of overhead deduction from sales which permanently decreased with effect from 1 January 2015, backdated, thus increasing the profit share payable to the Company. It is not possible to determine the financial impact of the Alliance Agreement at this time.
DSM is classified as a related party of the Group in accordance with IAS 24 as it holds shares in the Group. Further, K Rietveld is a director of the Company, and a senior employee of DSM. The directors of Provexis (the 'Directors'), having consulted with Cenkos Securities Limited ('Cenkos Securities'), the Company's nominated adviser, consider that the terms of the Alliance Agreement are fair and reasonable insofar as Provexis's shareholders are concerned. In providing advice to the Directors, Cenkos Securities has taken into account the Directors' commercial assessments.
Revenue recognised by the Group under agreements with DSM amounted to £90,549 (2015: £37,124). At 31 March 2016 the Group was owed £Nil (2015: £Nil) by DSM.
Key management compensation
The directors represent the key management personnel. Details of their compensation and share options are given in note 6.
20. Post balance sheet events
On 29 June 2016 the Group announced the launch of a high quality dietary supplement product containing Fruitflow® and Omega-3 which is being sold initially from a separate, dedicated website www.fruitflowplus.com on a mail order basis. The new dietary supplement product is expected to provide the Group with an additional income and profit stream.
On 2 August 2016 the Group announced that it had raised proceeds of £224,000 via the placing of 93,333,340 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at a gross 0.24p per share with investors. The placing shares were admitted to AIM on 8 August 2016.
On 2 August 2016 as part of the placing announcement the Group also announced that the Company's Chairman Dawson Buck had given a stated intention to subscribe to 10,416,667 shares at a subscription price of 0.24p totalling £25,000, with his formal commitment to and payment for the subscription to take effect in September 2016 immediately after publication of the Company's annual report and accounts.