TIDMDEST
RNS Number : 3585V
Destiny Pharma PLC
14 April 2021
Destiny Pharma plc
("Destiny Pharma" or "the Company")
Audited results for the year ended 31 December 2020
Phase 2b XF-73 clinical trial: patient recruitment completed
and
positive Phase 2b data announced post year-end
GBP10.4M equity raise to acquire NTCD-M3 completed
Grant supported COVID-19 collaboration announced
Company funded through to Q4 2022
Brighton, United Kingdom - 14th April 2021 - Destiny Pharma plc
(AIM: DEST), a clinical stage innovative biotechnology company
focused on the development of novel medicines that can prevent
life-threatening infections, announces its audited financial
results for the year ended 31 December 2020.
Financial and corporate highlights
-- Successful equity fund raise of GBP10.4 million (gross) to
acquire NTCD-M3 for the prevention of Clostridioides difficile (C.
difficile) infection recurrence
-- Strong year end cash position with cash and term deposits of
GBP9.7 million (2019: GBP7.5 million)
-- Increase in R&D expenditure to GBP4.5 million (2019:
GBP3.8 million) due to planned clinical development costs
associated with XF-73 nasal gel Phase 2b study
-- Cash runway extended to Q4 2022 as a result of equity fund
raise and careful management of operational activities
Operational highlights
Phase 2b clinical trial: XF-73 nasal gel for prevention of
post-surgical infections
-- Patient recruitment successfully completed in December
-- Positive top-line results reported in March 2021. Primary
efficacy endpoint successfully met with an exceptionally high
statistical significance and no treatment related safety events
-- In discussion with US FDA with regards study design for Phase 3 clinical study
NTCD-M3 for prevention of C. difficile infection recurrence
-- Acquisition of global rights to NTCD-M3, a Phase 3 ready
asset for prevention of C. difficile infection recurrence completed
during Q4 2020
-- Protocol for Phase 3 clinical study agreed with FDA
-- Commencement of key work required to prepare for a Phase 3
clinical study to be ready to start in 2022
-- Professor Dale Gerding, discoverer of NTCD-M3 and world
leading expert in C. difficile infections appointed to the
Company's Scientific Advisory Board
-- Major new contract signed with leading biotherapeutics
manufacturing company for production of Phase 3 clinical trial
doses
SporeGen COVID-19 collaboration
-- Destiny Pharma and SporeGen Limited announced collaboration
and Innovate UK grant award of GBP800,000 to co-develop a novel,
preventative product for COVID-19
-- Expands Destiny Pharma's novel pipeline targeted at preventing infections with novel biologics/microbiome approach
Earlier pipeline and research projects
-- Research projects with Cardiff, Sheffield, Southampton and
Aston Universities making good progress after COVID-19 delays
-- New grant awarded by National Biofilms Innovation Centre
(NBIC) to fund a second research collaboration with Cardiff
University in oral infections
-- Oxford University review supports the unique target profile
of XF-73 and its potential to address the threat of anti-microbial
resistance (AMR)
Post period highlights
-- Brazilian patent granted for XF-73 nasal gel
-- Agreement with the US National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to evaluate a novel XF-73 formulation
in skin wound infections
-- Professor Mark Wilcox, a recognised leader in infection
prevention and control and renowned expert in C. difficile
infection, appointed to the Company's Scientific Advisory Board
Neil Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Destiny Pharma,
commented:
"Destiny Pharma has delivered a very strong performance in the
last 12 months and we look forward to further progress this year.
We have delivered excellent Phase 2b data from our XF-73 nasal gel
clinical study for the prevention of post-surgical infections and
also expanded our pipeline through the acquisition of NTCD-M3 - a
Phase 3 ready project targeting C. difficile gut infections. The
Company has also progressed its earlier pipeline and been awarded
additional grant funding including a GBP800,000 grant from Innovate
UK to fund our COVID-19 collaboration. We closed a GBP10.4m equity
funding in December to enable the NTCD-M3 acquisition and have a
cash runway through to Q4 2022. We remain committed to developing
novel products that prevent infections and have a clear clinical
need and a substantial commercial opportunity"
Webcast and Conference Call
Destiny Pharma will host a webcast presentation followed by a
live Q&A conference call for analysts and investors today,
Wednesday 14th April 2021 at 09:30 am BST.
The webcast of the presentation will be available here and on
the Company's website at https://www.destinypharma.com/
For details of the Q&A conference call, please contact
DestinyPharma@optimumcomms.com
This announcement has been released by Shaun Claydon, CFO, on
behalf of the Company.
For further information, please contact:
Destiny Pharma plc
Neil Clark, CEO
Shaun Claydon, CFO
+44 (0) 1273 704 440
pressoffice@destinypharma.com
Optimum Strategic Communications
Mary Clark, Shabnam Bashir, Manel Mateus
+44 (0) 203 174 1789
destinypharma@optimumcomms.com
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Advisor & Joint Broker)
Geoff Nash / Kate Bannatyne, Corporate Finance
Alice Lane, Corporate Broking
+44 (0) 20 7220 0500
WG Partners (Joint Broker)
Nigel Barnes / Claes SpÄng / Nigel Birks
+44 (0) 203 705 9330
About Destiny Pharma
Destiny Pharma is a clinical stage, innovative biotechnology
company focused on the development of novel medicines that can
prevent life-threatening infections. Its pipeline has novel
microbiome-based biotherapeutics and XF drug clinical assets
including NTCD-M3, a Phase 3 ready treatment for the prevention of
C. difficile infection (CDI) recurrence which is the leading cause
of hospital acquired infection in the US and also XF-73 nasal gel,
which has recently completed a positive Phase 2b clinical trial
targeting the prevention of post-surgical staphylococcal hospital
infections including MRSA. It is also co-developing SPOR-COV, a
novel, biotherapeutic product for the prevention of COVID-19 and
other viral respiratory infections and has earlier grant funded XF
research projects.
For further information on the company, please visit https://www.destinypharma.com
Forward looking statements
Certain information contained in this announcement, including
any information as to the Group's strategy, plans or future
financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking
statements". These forward looking statements may be identified by
the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms
"believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "projects", "expects",
"intends", "aims", "plans", "predicts", "may", "will", "seeks"
"could" "targets" "assumes" "positioned" or "should" or, in each
case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology,
or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future
events or intentions. These forward-looking statements include all
matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of
places throughout this announcement and include statements
regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the
Directors concerning, among other things, the Group's results of
operations, financial condition, prospects, growth, strategies and
the industries in which the Group operates. The directors of the
company believe that the expectations reflected in these statements
are reasonable, but may be affected by a number of variables which
could cause actual results or trends to differ materially. Each
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the
particular statement. By their nature, forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and
depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future or
are beyond the Group's control. Forward looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance. Even if the Group's actual
results of operations, financial condition and the development of
the industries in which the Group operates are consistent with the
forward-looking statements contained in this document, those
results or developments may not be indicative of results or
developments in subsequent periods.
Chief Executive Officer's Statement
Operational review
Destiny Pharma is a clinical phase biotechnology company
dedicated to the development of novel anti-infectives with a focus
on infection prevention. The Company is developing novel
antimicrobial drugs from its "in-house" XF platform and also from
two biotherapeutic products acquired in 2020 that harness
beneficial components of the human microbiome. We now have two
exciting late-stage Phase 3 ready clinical assets that have both
reported strong Phase 2 data and a range of earlier research
programmes.
XF-73 nasal is our novel Phase 2b clinical asset from our own XF
platform being developed for the prevention of post-surgical
staphylococcal infections which reported positive top-line data in
Q1 2021.
Destiny Pharma recently acquired global rights to NTCD-M3 for
the prevention of recurring Clostridioides difficile gut infections
that is planned to start Phase 3 studies in 2022.
Destiny Pharma is also collaborating with SporeGen Limited on a
novel treatment for the prevention of COVID-19 and similar
respiratory viral infections using a Bacillus based approach. This
project is at the preclinical development stage as are several
earlier XF projects.
XF-73 nasal gel - Phase 2b clinical trial reported positive
results in March 2021
There is a global need for better treatments to reduce
post-surgical infections such as Destiny Pharma's XF-73, which has
been awarded Qualifying Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast
Track status by the US FDA. The recent clinical study tested the
XF-73 nasal gel as a new product for the prevention of the
incidence of post-surgical infections caused by Staphylococcus
aureus (S. aureus) such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
The primary efficacy endpoint was met with an exceptionally high
statistical significance and there were no treatment related safety
events.
Clinical Study Results Highlights
1. Met primary endpoint: XF-73 reduced the mean nasal burden of
S. aureus in patients undergoing open heart surgery by 2.5 log
(CFU/ml) in the 24 hours immediately before surgery in the
micro-ITT (microbiological Intend to Treat) population, a
statistically highly significant result, (p<0.0001). This
equates to a 99.5% reduction in S. aureus bacterial nasal carriage
which is a very effective reduction by accepted clinical
measures.
2. XF-73 showed 2.1 log, (>99%), greater reduction than
placebo in the same patient population and this difference in
reduction of nasal burden of S. aureus was statistically highly
significant (p<0.0001) in both the micro-ITT and per protocol
populations. The effect was maintained during surgery, considered
the period when the risk for infections is the highest.
3. Initial analysis of secondary endpoints showed a higher
reduction of burden of nasal S. aureus in the XF-73 arm compared to
placebo arm in the 24 hours before surgery, and this was also
observed when the data was analysed by area under the curve (AUC)
and percentage of patients reaching a specific log reduction.
4. These positive results were achieved with just four doses of
0.2% (w/w) XF-73 nasal gel in the 24 hours before incision and the
start of surgery.
5. There were no treatment related adverse events.
6. Full results will be published in due course in a peer reviewed journal.
The trial was a multi-centre, randomised, blinded,
placebo-controlled study of multiple applications of a single
concentration of XF-73 nasal gel to assess the microbiological
effect of XF-73 on commensal S. aureus nasal carriage in patients
scheduled for cardiac surgical procedures deemed to be at high risk
of post-operative S. aureus infection. Destiny Pharma now plans to
discuss possible Phase 3 clinical study designs with regulatory
bodies including the US FDA.
In parallel with the clinical work, good progress has been made
with improving the efficiency of the synthesis and scale up of
XF-73 in order to further reduce the costs of goods. Work is also
progressing well on a prototype final product presentation with the
objective of offering an accurate, stable, easy-to-use single dose
final formulation.
XF-73 is administered topically as a nasal gel whereby it
reduces the nasal carriage of the bacteria S. aureus which is the
source of many post-surgical bacterial infections. Approximately a
third of all patients across the world have this nasal carriage as
they enter surgery and it has the potential to be a very valuable
market due to the millions of surgical procedures carried out each
year.
The Company believes XF-73 is clearly differentiated from
traditional antibiotics and many current anti-infective drugs in
development due to the XF approach being prophylactic, following
the well-established medical truth that "prevention is better than
cure". The XF's target product profile also addresses the key issue
of AMR. This belief is supported by feedback from our market
research targeting physicians, pharmacists and payers in the US who
are responsible for managing hospital infections and the associated
cost implications. This research also supports our proposed pricing
strategies for XF-73 nasal gel as a new hospital product and the
Company estimates that there is a $1 billion peak sales opportunity
in the US alone.
Acquisition of NTCD-M3 for the prevention of C. difficile
infection (CDI) recurrence
In November 2020, Destiny Pharma announced the completion of the
acquisition of global rights to NTCD-M3. By acquiring the global
rights for NTCD-M3, the Company extended its microbiome portfolio
alongside the SPOR-COV COVID-19 asset that was added in September
2020. The acquisition also strengthened the Company's focus on the
prevention of infections and was in line with the Board's strategy
to build a world leading anti-infection company.
To complete the acquisition of NTCD-M3 and to help fund the
required Phase 3 preparatory work the company also completed a
fundraising in November 2020 that raised GBP10.4 million from
existing and new shareholders.
NTCD-M3 is a naturally occurring non-toxigenic strain of C.
difficile which lacks the genes that can express C. difficile
toxins. It is an oral formulation of NTCD-M3 spores and patients
who have taken NTCD-M3 were found to be protected from CDI in a
Phase 2 clinical trial. NTCD-M3 acts as a safe "ground cover"
preventing toxic strains of C. difficile proliferating in the colon
after antibiotic treatment. NTCD-M3 temporarily colonizes the human
gut without causing any symptoms and the gut microbiome returns to
normal a few weeks after treatment. Destiny Pharma plans to
complete the preparations of manufacturing and clinical trial
preparation with the intention of starting a single Phase 3
clinical trial in 2022.
NTCD-M3 has already completed a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled Phase 2b clinical study among 173 patients, who
were diagnosed as having CDI (first episode or first recurrence)
and reported strong, statistically significant data confirming
efficacy. The rate of recurrence (RR) of CDI after treatment with
the optimal dose of NTCD-M3 was only 5%, compared to 30% CDI
recurrence for those receiving a placebo ( JAMA 2015;313:1719 ).
The rapid onset of colonization of NTCD-M3 provides 95% protection
from CDI recurrence during the post-treatment period, which makes
it an ideal complement to all currently approved antibiotic
treatments.
NTCD-M3 Phase 3 Design - discussed with FDA July 2020
Discussions with the US FDA resulted in an agreed structure for
a single, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3
clinical study, with agreed endpoints, target CDI patient
population, NTCD-M3 oral dosing regimen requiring 800 patients
which is planned to start in mid-2022.
C. difficile is the leading cause of hospital acquired infection
in the US and poor treatments lead to recurrence. In the US, there
are approximately 500,000 cases of CDI each year; 25% of these
initial cases then recur leading to 29,000 deaths per year. Current
CDI treatment options are limited, with lower efficacy observed
when patients are retreated with the same antibiotic for recurrence
of CDI. NTCD-M3 is a potential breakthrough in CDI treatment which
has completed a Phase 2 trial of 173 patients. Clinical data for
NTCD-M3 appears superior to current treatments and drugs in
development for the treatment of the recurrence of C. difficile
infection.
XF-73 dermal - US NIAID support for next preclinical studies
Destiny Pharma's second most advanced programme with XF-73 is
targeting the prevention and treatment of serious infections
associated with wounds and ulcers such as diabetic foot ulcers
(DFUs). This programme has previously demonstrated positive results
across a range of preclinical efficacy studies and two Phase 1
dermal irritancy trials.
Post year end, in March 2021 the company entered into a
Non-Clinical Evaluation Agreement (NCEA) with the US government's
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part
of the US National Institutes of Health, to evaluate the
preclinical safety of a dermal formulation of XF-73. Under NIAID's
suite of preclinical services, NIAID-funded contractors will
conduct these clinically enabling safety studies. Destiny Pharma
will utilize NIAID's preclinical services programme to complete the
preclinical safety studies that will support the planned clinical
development in serious wound infections. Destiny Pharma will
provide the XF-73 formulation to be tested in these preclinical
studies and the project is planned to complete in 2022.
The Company is undertaking this work as part of its plan to
develop XF-73 as a new treatment for DFU infections. Driven by the
growing number of diabetics and their associated ulcer infections
this represents a significant market opportunity for XF-73. As with
all anti-infectives, AMR is also a concern within this market.
There is no dominant treatment for DFUs, and specialist physicians
are very interested in developing better treatment options
including new topical formulations.
SPOR-COV COVID-19 grant funded research collaboration
In September 2020, the Company announced that it had entered
into a collaboration agreement with SporeGen Limited ("SporeGen"),
a UK biotechnology company working exclusively on Bacillus bacteria
and its applications, to co-develop SporeGen's SPOR-COV product as
a novel, preventive treatment for COVID-19.
Under the agreement, the parties will share any costs and
commercial returns from SPOR-COV and plan to complete a preclinical
programme with the aim of being ready to enter the first human
clinical trials in Q2 2022. Destiny Pharma's expertise in
preclinical and clinical drug development will be combined with
SporeGen's world leading understanding of Bacillus bacterial spores
to progress the SPOR--COV project.
The SPOR--COV product consists of a proprietary formulation of
Bacillus bacteria that will be administered nasally as a spray.
SPOR-COV has already been shown by SporeGen to provide complete
(100%) protection in preclinical models of influenza virus.
SporeGen has IP protection supporting the SPOR--COV approach and
this will be expanded during the project.
SPOR-COV is different to vaccines in that it utilises the innate
immune system with the aim of developing COVID-19 protection a few
days after dosing. As an "easy to use" first line of defence, it
has the potential to reduce COVID-19 infection rates and
transmission significantly. The final SPOR-COV product is planned
to be straightforward to produce at high volumes and at low cost.
Additional attributes are that it could be stockpiled almost
indefinitely without the need for cold chain refrigeration as it is
a very stable product. It could be made available globally as a
cost-effective measure in the fight against COVID-19 as well as new
SARS-CoV-2 strains and other respiratory viral infections.
GBP800,000 grant from Innovate UK (IUK) to support SPOR-COV
preclinical programme
Destiny Pharma and SporeGen were also very pleased that IUK
awarded a grant of GBP800,000 to fund the majority of the GBP1
million cost of the initial SPOR-COV programme. The preclinical
efficacy work is being undertaken in collaboration with Professor
Aras Kadioglu, at University of Liverpool who is Professor of
Bacterial Pathogenesis in the Department of Clinical Infection,
Microbiology & Immunology, where he heads the Bacterial
Pathogenesis and Immunity group and is a leading expert in
respiratory infection models and host immunity to infection. The
manufacturing and formulation development work is being carried out
by HURO, an experienced manufacturer of bacterial product
formulations based in Vietnam and part of PAN Group. The plan is to
complete the required preclinical safety and efficacy studies and
also develop the manufacturing process by early 2022 and be ready
to commence the first human clinical studies thereafter. The
project has progressed well so far and further announcements will
be made as research data is finalised.
XF platform research collaborations
Work on earlier infection programmes such as respiratory,
dermal, ocular, biofilms and other indications is being undertaken
though five grant funded research projects with funding of over
GBP2.5 million. This includes a new grant project with Cardiff
University that was announced in June 2020 and post-year end a
collaboration was signed with NIAID as noted above to help progress
the XF-73 dermal programme.
All of these grant funded projects are now up and running again
after delays caused by COVID-19 and we are looking forward to their
progress and the potential to identify new product opportunities
for the XF platform.
Management changes
In January 2021, the Company was pleased to appoint Dr Stephanie
Bewick as Chief Business Officer. Destiny has also started a search
for a new Chief Medical Officer as Jesus Gonzalez Moreno MD will be
leaving the Company to join a large pharma company working on
projects targeting global health infection challenges. Dr Gonzales
is assisting in the handover and the Company has interim medical
and clinical trial support in place to enable a seamless
transfer.
Outlook
The strong balance sheet will provide Destiny Pharma with
working capital through to Q4 2022 enabling it to complete the
preparation of NTCD-M3 for its single Phase 3 study. Following the
recent positive Phase 2b clinical trial results for XF-73 nasal,
Phase 3 preparation can now start and the successful Phase 2b
results will enable us to deliver a strong package for potential
partnering discussions and will assist in planning the further
Phase 3 development with regulatory authorities.
Our cash resources are also being used to develop new clinical
candidates from the preclinical XF pipeline, contribute to our
COVID-19 SPOR-COV project and to capitalise on commercial
opportunities including additional grant funding, partnering and
licensing. Destiny Pharma will continue to establish discovery
stage research programmes through existing and new collaborations
and, where possible, seek additional non-dilutive funding support
as it has done successfully in the period under review.
During the coming year we will also progress our financial
strategy for funding the Phase 3 clinical studies for our two lead
assets planned to start in 2022. This will include actively seeking
partners as well as exploring alternative funding options.
Destiny Pharma now has a great opportunity as a focused UK
biotechnology company with full control of two high quality
clinical assets targeted at infection prevention and backed up by
strong Phase 2 clinical data and clear commercial positioning. The
Board and employees are excited about the next stage in the
Company's development and delivering on our strategy to build a
world leading infection prevention company.
Neil Clark
Chief Executive Officer
14 April 2021
Chief Financial Officer's Statement
Financial review
Our key focus during 2020 was on progressing our lead XF-73
nasal gel programme through a Phase 2b clinical trial, which
accounts for the majority of our R&D spend during the year.
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity levels we
successfully completed patient recruitment into the study during
December and reported positive data at the end of March 2021. We
also continued to develop our earlier programmes in conjunction
with our research partners and were pleased to announce two further
grant-funded collaborations, with Cardiff University and SporeGen
Ltd, during the year.
In November we announced that we had successfully raised equity
funding of GBP10.4 million to acquire the global rights to NTCD-M3,
a Phase 3 ready asset for prevention of C. difficile infection
(CDI) recurrence. The initial acquisition cost of GBP2.3 million
has been recognised as an intangible asset on the balance sheet at
31 December 2020. Future development milestones payable under the
terms of the licence will be recognised within intangibles at the
time they are paid. In addition to the initial acquisition cost,
net funds are being used to complete the preparation of NTCD-M3 for
its single Phase 3 clinical study and for general working capital
purposes. We were very pleased to receive support from both
existing and new investors in bringing this attractive late stage
asset into our portfolio during the year.
Revenue
Destiny Pharma is a clinical stage research and development
company and is yet to commercialise and generate sales from its
current programmes. The Company received grant income of GBP0.01
million (2019: GBP0.3 million) during the period.
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses, which exclude the share-based payment
charge of GBP0.1 million (2019: GBP0.2 million) during the period,
amounted to GBP6.4 million (2019: GBP5.7 million). Included within
this total are R&D costs totalling GBP4.5 million (2019: GBP3.8
million) which reflect, in particular, the increase in activity in
relation to our Phase 2b clinical trial.
Other administrative costs remained flat at GBP1.9 million
(2019: GBP1.9 million) reflecting a reduction in overhead costs due
to reduced activity levels brought about by COVID-19, which were
offset by one-off corporate costs in relation to the NTCD-M3
acquisition.
Taxation
The company received a repayment of GBP0.8 million in respect of
the R&D tax credit claimed during the year ended 31 December
2019. The R&D tax credit receivable in the balance sheet of
GBP1.1 million is an estimate of the cash repayment the company
expects to qualify for in respect of activities during the year
ended 31 December 2020. However, as at the date of this report,
these amounts have not yet been agreed with HMRC.
Loss per share
Basic and diluted loss per share for the year was 12.0 pence
(2019: 10.7 pence).
Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits
The company's cash, cash equivalents and term deposits at the
year-end totalled GBP9.7 million (2019: GBP7.5 million).
The net cash outflow from operating activities in 2020 was
GBP5.5 million (2019: GBP4.6 million) against an operating loss of
GBP6.5 million (2019: GBP5.5 million), with the major reconciling
items being the non-cash charge for share-based payments of GBP0.1
million, the R&D credit received of GBP0.8 million and other
net movements in working capital of GBP0.1 million.
Net proceeds (after expenses) from the equity fund raise of
GBP9.6 million were applied to the initial upfront payment of
GBP2.3 million to acquire NTCD-M3, with the balance included in the
company's year-end cash reserves.
Outlook
The Company remains financially robust and well positioned to
advance the development of its lead assets and earlier pipeline
during 2021 with an estimated cash runway to Q4 2022.
Shaun Claydon
Chief Financial Officer
14 April 2021
Statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2020
Year ended Year ended
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
Notes GBP GBP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Continuing operations
Other operating income 4 12,450 305,906
Administrative expenses (6,425,471) (5,687,003)
Share-based payment expense (139,491) (203,655)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Loss from operations (6,552,512) (5,584,752)
Finance income 5 71,611 63,478
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Loss before tax (6,480,901) (5,521,274)
Taxation 6 1,069,824 813,250
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year from continuing operations (5,411,077) (4,708,024)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Loss per share - pence
Basic 7 (12.0)p (10.7)p
Diluted 7 (12.0)p (10.7)p
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2020
As at As at
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
Notes GBP GBP
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 18,141 32,922
Intangible assets 8 2,261,435 -
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Non-current assets 2,279,576 32,922
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 9 1,172,403 911,198
Cash and cash equivalents 10 9,744,217 7,479,642
Prepayments 508,363 133,702
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Current assets 11,424,983 8,524,542
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Total assets 13,704,559 8,557,464
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Share capital 11 598,169 438,652
Share premium 27,085,506 17,296,337
Accumulated losses (15,247,250) (9,975,664)
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Shareholders' equity 12,436,425 7,759,325
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 12 1,268,134 798,139
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Current liabilities 1,268,134 798,139
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Total equity and liabilities 13,704,559 8,557,464
------------------------------ ----- ------------ -----------
Statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2020
Share Share Accumulated
capital premium losses Total
GBP GBP GBP GBP
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
1 January 2019 435,626 17,292,284 (5,471,295) 12,256,615
Comprehensive loss for the year
Total comprehensive loss - - (4,708,024) (4,708,024)
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Total comprehensive loss for the year - - (4,708,024) (4,708,024)
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of share capital 3,026 4,053 - 7,079
Share-based payment expense - - 203,655 203,655
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Total contributions by and distributions to owners 3,026 4,053 203,655 210,734
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
31 December 2019 438,652 17,296,337 (9,975,664) 7,759,325
Comprehensive loss for the year
Total comprehensive loss - - (5,411,077) (5,411,077)
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Total comprehensive loss for the year - - (5,411,077) (5,411,077)
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of share capital 159,517 10,209,105 - 10,368,622
Costs of share issue - (419,936) - (419,936)
Share-based payment expense - - 139,491 139,491
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Total contributions by and distributions to owners 159,517 9,789,169 139,491 10,088,177
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
31 December 2020 598,169 27,085,506 (15,247,250) 12,436,425
--------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------- ------------ -----------
Statement of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December 2020
Year ended Year ended
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before income tax (6,480,901) (5,521,274)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 16,881 18,440
Share-based payment expense 139,491 203,655
Finance income (71,611) (63,478)
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
(6,396,140) (5,362,657)
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Increase in trade and other receivables and prepayments (379,293) (79,800)
Increase in trade and other payables 469,995 (3,653)
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Cash used in operations (6,305,438) (5,446,110)
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Tax received 813,250 815,316
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Net cash used in operating activities (5,492,188) (4,630,794)
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,099) (20,942)
Purchase of intangible assets (2,261,435) -
Sale of other financial assets - 5,000,000
Interest received 71,611 63,478
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Net cash inflow from investing activities (2,191,923) 5,042,536
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities
New shares issued net of issue costs 9,948,686 7,079
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Net cash inflow from financing activities 9,948,686 7,079
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,264,575 418,821
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 7,479,642 7,060,821
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 9,744,217 7,479,642
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Notes to the financial statements
1.Corporate information
Destiny Pharma plc (the "company") was incorporated and
domiciled in the UK on 4 March 1996 with registration number
03167025. The company's registered office is located at Unit 36,
Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton BN1
9SB.
The company is engaged in the discovery, development and
commercialisation of novel medicines that prevent serious
infections.
2. Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as adopted by
the European Union. The financial statements have been prepared
under the historical cost convention.
The company's financial statements have been presented in pounds
sterling ("GBP"), being the functional and presentation currency of
the company.
Going concern
The company has not yet recorded any revenues and funds its
operations through periodic capital issues and research grants.
Management prepares detailed working capital forecasts which are
reviewed by the Board on a regular basis. Cash flow forecasts and
projections take into account sensitivities on receipts, and costs.
In their assessment of going concern the directors have considered
the possible impact on the business of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having made relevant and appropriate enquiries, including
consideration of the company's current cash resources and the
working capital forecasts, the Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the company will have adequate cash resources to
continue to meet the requirements of the business for at least the
next twelve months. Accordingly, the Board continues to adopt the
going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Standards and interpretations issued
Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been
published that are not mandatory for 31 December 2020 reporting
periods and have not been early adopted by the group. These
standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity
in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable
future transactions.
3. Segment reporting
The chief operating decision-maker is considered to be the Board
of Directors of the company. The chief operating decision-maker
allocates resources and assesses performance of the business and
other activities at the operating segment level.
The chief operating decision-maker has determined that the
company has one operating segment, the development and
commercialisation of pharmaceutical formulations. All activities
take place in the United Kingdom.
4. Other operating income
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
-------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Government grants received during the year 12,450 269,216
Government grants accrued at 31 December - 36,690
-------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
12,450 305,906
-------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Included in trade and other receivables (note 11) - 36,690
-------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Grant funding has been received to support research and
development activities which seek to extend the knowledge base and
activity profile of the company's novel XF drugs. There are no
unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attached to these
grants.
5. Net finance income
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
------------------------- ----------- -----------
Finance income
Deposit account interest 71,611 63,478
------------------------- ----------- -----------
6. Income tax
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Research and development tax credits based on costs in the financial year (1,069,824) (839,079)
Non -- recoverable tax credit in prior year - 25,829
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------------
(1,069,824) (813,250)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Tax reconciliation
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Loss before tax (6,480,901) (5,521,274)
Loss before tax multiplied by the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2019: 19%) (1,231,371) (1,049,042)
Effects of:
Non-deductible expenditure 29,738 38,911
Employee share acquisition relief (26,503) (43,860)
R&D enhanced expenditure (792,343) (621,447)
Lower tax rate on R&D losses 332,014 260,404
Tax losses carried forward 618,641 575,955
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total tax credit on loss (1,069,824) (839,079)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
There were no tax charges in the period. There are tax losses
available to carry forward amounting to approximately GBP20.2
million (2019: GBP16.9 million), which includes GBPnil (2019:
GBP0.2 million) in respect of tax deductions on share options. A
deferred tax asset on losses is not recognised in the accounts due
to the uncertainty of future profits against which they will be
utilised.
7. Loss per ordinary share
The calculation for loss per ordinary share (basic and diluted)
for the relevant period is based on the earnings after income tax
attributable to equity shareholders for the period. As the company
made losses during the period, there are no dilutive potential
ordinary shares in issue, and therefore basic and diluted loss per
share are identical. The calculation is as follows:
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Loss for the year attributable to shareholders (5,411,077) (4,708,024)
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Weighted average number of shares 45,219,999 43,799,945
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Loss per share - pence
- Basic and diluted (12.0)p (10.7)p
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
8. Intangible assets
Acquired
development
programmes
GBP
-------------------- -----------
Cost
At 31 December 2019 -
Additions 2,261,435
-------------------- -----------
At 31 December 2020 2,261,435
-------------------- -----------
In November 2020, the company acquired NTCD-M3, a development
stage programme for preventing toxic strains of C. difficile
proliferating in the colon after antibiotic treatment. The asset
has not been amortised in the year as the programme has not yet
generated products available for commercial use.
The programme has been assessed for impairment. The company
considers the future development costs, the probability of
successfully progressing to product approval and the likely
commercial returns, among other factors. The result of this
assessment did not indicate any impairment in the year.
The key sensitivity for all development programmes is the
probability of successful completion of clinical trials in order to
obtain regulatory approval for sale. Should trials be unsuccessful
the programme will be fully impaired.
9. Trade and other receivables
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Other receivables 102,579 72,119
Research and development tax repayment 1,069,824 839,079
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
1,172,403 911,198
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
10. Cash and cash equivalents
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
----------------------- ----------- -----------
Cash and bank balances 9,744,217 7,479,642
----------------------- ----------- -----------
11. Share capital
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
Ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each Number Number
-------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Authorised(1) n/a n/a
Allotted and fully paid
At 1 January 43,865,195 43,562,598
Issued for cash during the year 15,951,726 302,597
-------------------------------- ----------- -----------
At 31 December 59,816,921 43,865,195
-------------------------------- ----------- -----------
(1) During the year ended 31 December 2017 the company adopted
new Articles of Association, which do not require the company to
have authorised share capital.
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
------------------------ ----------- -----------
Authorised n/a n/a
Allotted and fully paid 598,169 438,652
------------------------ ----------- -----------
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
---------------------- ----------- -----------
Share premium account 27,085,506 17,296,337
---------------------- ----------- -----------
15,951,726 ordinary shares were issued during the year at a
premium of GBP10,209,105. Transactional costs associated with the
issue of shares in the year totalling GBP419,936 have been charged
against share premium.
Each ordinary share ranks pari passu for voting rights,
dividends and distributions, and return of capital on winding
up.
Share options
The company's share-based payment arrangements are summarised
below.
Unapproved Scheme 2000
Established on 15 November 2000. Options are granted at the
discretion of the Directors. The price per share to be paid on
exercise of an option will be the market value as agreed with the
Share Valuation Division of HM Revenue & Customs at the time of
the grant of the option and as detailed in the option certificate.
Options may be exercised three years from the date of grant and
lapse on the expiry of ten years from the date of grant of the
option.
EMI Scheme 2000
Established on 15(th) November 2000. Options granted under the
EMI Scheme are on substantially the same terms as options granted
under the Unapproved Scheme, save that the EMI Scheme rules comply
with the terms of the enterprise management incentive as set out in
Schedule 14 of the Finance Act 2000.
Employee LTIP 2017 (EMI and non-tax advantaged options)
Established on 18 April 2017. Options are granted at the
discretion of the Directors to eligible employees. The price per
share to be paid on exercise will be the market value as agreed
with HMRC at the time of the grant of the option. Options lapse on
the expiry of ten years from the date of grant, the date specified
in any leaver provisions or any other lapse date specified in the
relevant option agreement.
Non-Employee LTIP 2017 (non-tax advantaged options)
Established on 18 April 2017. Options are granted on
substantially similar terms to the Employee LTIP Scheme except that
the EMI and/or employment related provisions and requirements do
not apply. These options can be granted to any Director of, or
individual providing consultancy or other services to, the
company.
Employee LTIP 2018 (EMI and non-tax advantaged options)
Established on 25 January 2018. Options are granted at the
discretion of the Directors to eligible employees. The exercise
price per share is determined by the Directors, such price being
not less than the nominal value of a share. Options lapse on the
expiry of ten years from the date of grant, the date specified in
any leaver provisions or any other lapse date specified in the
relevant option agreement.
Employee LTIP 2020 (EMI and non-tax advantaged options)
Established on 22 December 2020. Options are granted at the
discretion of the Directors to eligible employees and may be
subject to one or more performance conditions. The exercise price
per share is determined by the Directors, such price being not less
than the nominal value of a share. Options subject to performance
conditions will lapse at the end of the performance period
(typically three years) if the applicable performance conditions
are not met. Options where there are no performance conditions or
where performance conditions are met during the performance period
lapse on the expiry of ten years from the date of grant, the date
specified in any leaver provisions or any other lapse date
specified in the relevant option agreement.
Grants of options
On 19(th) June 2020, 165,000 Employee LTIP 2018 options were
granted to two employees at an exercise price of GBP0.01 per
ordinary share. The fair value per option was GBP0.39.
On 22(nd) December 2020, 340,000 Employee LTIP 2018 options were
granted to seven employees at an exercise price of GBP0.65 per
ordinary share, the fair value per option was GBP0.52, 570,695
Employee LTIP 2018 options were granted to four employees at an
exercise price of GBP0.01 per ordinary share, the fair value per
option was GBP0.66, and 1,074,925 2020 Employee LTIP 2020 options
were granted to four employees at an exercise price of GBP0.01 per
ordinary share, the fair value per option was GBP0.35.
IFRS 2 valuation
The estimated fair value of share options granted during the
period without performance conditions has been calculated by
applying a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of
options with performance conditions have been estimated using Monte
Carlo modelling. The weighted average exercise price of options
granted in the period was GBP0.11 (2019: GBP0.01).
Measurement Assumptions were as follows:
2020 2020 2019
--------------------- ----------- ----------------- -------------
Share price GBP0.665 GBP0.400 - GBP0.785
GBP0.665
Exercise price GBP0.01 GBP0.01 - GBP0.65 GBP0.01
Expected volatility 76% 49% -76% 49%
Expected option life 3 years 10 years 10 years
Risk -- free rate 0.38% 0.28% -0.38% 0.92%
Expected dividends GBPnil GBPnil GBPnil
Model used Monte Carlo Black-Scholes Black-Scholes
--------------------- ----------- ----------------- -------------
Prior to the year ended 31 December 2020, historical volatility
was measured using a composite basket of listed entities in similar
operating environments, given the limited trading history of the
company following its IPO in 2017; with effect from the year ended
31 December 2020, historical volatility is measured using the
company's share price only.
The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options
were as follows:
31 December 2020 31 December 2019
------------------- -------------------
Weighted Weighted
Number average Number average
of of
options exercise options exercise
price price
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Balance outstanding at beginning of the year 7,090,226 GBP0.068 7,098,823 GBP0.075
Granted during year 2,150,620 GBP0.111 335,000 GBP0.010
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Exercised during year - - (302,597) GBP0.023
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Canceled during year (150,000) GBP0.765 - -
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Lapsed during year - - (41,000) GBP1.066
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Options outstanding at end of the year 9,090,846 GBP0.067 7,090,226 GBP0.068
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Options exercisable at the end of the year 6,555,226 GBP0.056 6,455,226 GBP0.068
--------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------- --------
The expense arising from share-based payment transactions
recognised in the year was as follows:
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
---------------------------- ----------- -----------
Share-based payment expense 139,491 203,655
---------------------------- ----------- -----------
12. Trade and other payables
31 December 31 December
2020 2019
GBP GBP
-------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Trade payables 725,593 513,508
Social security and other taxes 49,015 45,761
Accrued expenses 485,261 234,729
Pension contributions payable 8,265 4,141
-------------------------------- ----------- -----------
1,268,134 798,139
-------------------------------- ----------- -----------
13. Statutory accounts
The financial information set out above does not constitute the
company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2020
or 2019 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for
2019 have been delivered to the registrar of companies, and those
for 2020 will be delivered in due course. The auditor has reported
on those accounts; their reports (i) were unqualified, (ii) did not
include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew
attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and
(iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of
the Companies Act 2006.
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