Annual Financial Report
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC
Annual Financial Report for the year ended 31 March 2010
A copy of the Company's Annual Financial Report can be found on the Company's
website at
www.finsburywp.com
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY *31 31 31 31 31 31 March %
March March March March March 2010 Change
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 for the
year
ended
31
March
2010
Shareholders' funds £226.4m £334.8m £273.6m £224.8m £263.0m £346.2m 31.6
Net asset value per 414.7p 564.1p 511.2p 482.4p 600.5p 752.7p 25.3
share - diluted~
(dilution for warrants
/subscription shares)
Net asset value per 414.7p 583.0p 520.9p 486.6p 635.9p 780.8p 22.8
share - basic
Share price 430.0p 575.0p 477.8p 457.0p 550.5p 701.5p 27.4
Premium/(discount) of 3.7% 1.9% (6.5%) (5.3%) (8.3%) (6.8%) N/A
share price to diluted
net asset value per
share
Premium/(discount) of 3.7% (1.4%) (8.3%) (6.1%) (13.4%) (10.2%) N/A
share price to basic
net asset value per
share
Benchmark Index†6,173.2 7,787.8 7,507.7 7,049.7 8,101.0 10,094.2 24.6
Total expense ratio 1.5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.0% N/A
(excluding performance
fees)#
* Restated for accounting policy introduction of FRS 26 and FRS 21.
†Datastream World Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index, (total return,
sterling adjusted).
~ There was no dilution in years prior to 2006. Dilution for conversion of all
outstanding warrants at the conversion price of 464p and the conversion of all
outstanding subscription shares at a conversion price of 614p (see note 14 on
page 48).
# Excludes indexation of the deferred fee paid to M and I Investors, Inc. on 24
January 2006. However, this includes the VAT repayment of £255,000 received
during the year ended 31 March 2010.
PERFORMANCE TO 31 MARCH 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Chairman's Statement
THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
If you are in any doubt about any aspect of the proposal described in this
document or as to the action you should take, you should consult your
stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other appropriate
independent adviser.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your ordinary shares of 25p each
in Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC (the "Company"), please forward
this document to the purchaser or transferee, or to the bank, stockbroker or
other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for transmission to
the purchaser or transferee.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR AND PERFORMANCE
I am pleased to report that during the year ended 31 March 2010 the Company's
diluted net asset value
per share rose by 25.3% compared
to a rise of 24.6% in the Company's Martin Smith benchmark index during the
same
period. The Company benefitted from solid investment performance across its
holdings, ranging from large pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Johnson
& Johnson and Shire to emerging Hong Kong based pharmaceutical company
Sinopharm and US biotechnology company Dendreon. The Company's performance in
sterling terms was achieved despite the appreciation of sterling against the
U.S. dollar during this period and uncertainty surrounding President Obama's
U.S. healthcare reform proposals.
During the year, the Company's share price rose by 27.4% and the discount of
the share price to diluted net asset value per share narrowed to close at 6.8%
compared to 8.3% a year ago. This discount level at the year end was slightly
wider than the 6% target, however I would like to remind shareholders that it
remains possible for the share price to trade outside the discount target from
time to time, the discount reflecting the balance of supply and demand for the
Company's shares on any one day.
Further information on the Company's investments can be found in the Review of
Investments beginning on page 7.
CAPITAL
In implementing its policy of actively managing the discount by buying back
shares at prices representing a discount greater than 6% to the diluted net
asset value per share, if there is demand in the market for it to do so, a
total of 8,508,938 shares was repurchased by the Company during the year at a
cost of £48.5m (including expenses). The Company's share buy-back authority was
renewed at a General Meeting held on 2 March 2010 when authority was granted to
repurchase 6,716,138 shares; a total of 2,105,102 shares have so far been
repurchased
for treasury under this authority. I would like to remind shareholders that the
Board has resolved that any shares held in treasury will be cancelled on the
date of the Annual General Meeting each year and consequently all shares held
in treasury on 15 July 2010 will be cancelled.
Shareholder approval to renew the authority to repurchase the Company's shares
will be sought at the Annual General Meeting.
The final exercise date for the Company's warrants was 31 July 2009 and all of
the remaining warrants in issue on that date were converted into shares. As a
result, 10,745,610 new shares were issued by the Company on 5 August 2009,
raising £49.9m of additional funds for the Company.
On 4 September 2009, the Company undertook a bonus issue of subscription shares
on the basis of one subscription share for every five ordinary shares held at
that date. The subscription shares have quarterly subscription dates and so far
a total of 1,019,447 new shares have been issued, raising £6.3m of additional
funds for the Company, as a result of holders of subscription shares exercising
their subscriptions rights.
REVENUE AND DIVIDENDS
The revenue return for the year was £4.2 million
(2009: £2.4 million) and the Board, in order to maintain investment trust
status, has declared an interim dividend of 8.5p per share, compared to last
year's interim dividend of 5.0p per share, an increase of 70%. Based on the
current share price of 657.25p that represents a yield of 1.3%.
The interim dividend will be payable on 26 July 2010 to ordinary shareholders
on the register of members on 25 June 2010. The associated ex-dividend date
will be 23 June 2010.
GEARING
The Company's borrowing requirements are met through a loan facility, which is
repayable on demand, provided by the custodian Goldman Sachs & Co New York. At
the time of writing a total of £24.1m of this facility has been drawn down.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGER (`AIFM') DIRECTIVE
There is currently draft legislation under consideration in Europe, the AIFM
Directive, designed to regulate `alternative investment funds' including
investment trusts. Our trade association, the Association of Investment
Companies, continues to work towards ensuring that the AIFM Directive is
drafted to accommodate the UK investment company structure. Your Board will
continue to keep shareholders informed of major developments concerning the
Directive as they arise.
OUTLOOK
2009 saw a remarkable recovery in the fortunes of global markets due, in part,
to radical and unprecedented stimulus packages from central governments;
however, there still remains a degree of uncertainty concerning the rate of
global economic recovery. The removal of the uncertainty surrounding healthcare
reform in the U.S. should continue to benefit the sector and this, together
with a combination of low valuations and strong earnings growth potential,
continued merger and acquisition activity and a number of anticipated high
profile product approvals are all positive indicators for the future. Your
Board believes that the Company is well positioned to take advantage of these
factors and so remains optimistic for the Company's future performance. The
Board would like to thank shareholders for their continued support. I would
also like to thank our Investment Manager and our Manager for their hard work
during the year.
PROPOSED CHANGE TO INVESTMENT POLICY
Under the Listing Rules the Company is required to seek the approval of
shareholders for any material change to its investment policy and any related
party transaction and so I set out below information about some proposed
changes. An ordinary resolution to approve these changes will be proposed at
the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held at 12 noon on Thursday, 15 July
2010 at the Barber-Surgeons Hall, Monkwell Square, Wood Street, London EC2Y
5BL.
The Company's investment policy is to invest worldwide in pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and related companies in the healthcare sector with the objective
of achieving a high level of capital growth. Our Investment Manager believes
that it would be beneficial to shareholders to broaden the definition of the
healthcare sector as referred to within the investment policy, to include
companies in the healthcare equipment and healthcare technology sectors and
also to include companies that provide healthcare and related services. None of
these three areas of the healthcare sector will represent more than 15% of the
portfolio at the date of acquisition and any investment made will be subject to
the Company's existing investment limitations and guidelines, details of which,
together with the Company's current investment policy, can be found on page 14.
As a consequence of this development, the Board is proposing a change from the
Company's existing benchmark index which is the Datastream World Pharmaceutical
and Biotechnology Index (measured in sterling terms on a total return basis),
to the MSCI World Healthcare Index (measured in sterling terms on a total
return basis). Your Board believes that this index will more accurately reflect
the makeup of the Company's portfolio. Further details of the changes are set
out at page 21.
Your Board strongly supports the investment philosophy and approach of our
Investment Manager, OrbiMed Capital LLC, and is of the view that these changes
will be of benefit to shareholders.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF NAME
In addition, and as a direct consequence of the proposals discussed above, a
special resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to change the
Company's name from Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC to Worldwide
Healthcare Trust PLC, which your Board believes more accurately describes the
Company today and going forward.
Martin Smith Chairman
21 June 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Your Board
The Board of Directors, all of whom are non-executive, supervise the management
of Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC and look after the interests of
shareholders.
MARTIN SMITH+ (CHAIRMAN)
Martin Smith, aged 67, joined the Board in 2007. He was a founder of Phoenix
Securities, a private investment banking firm. Following the acquisition of
Phoenix in 1997 by Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette (DLJ), he chaired DLJ's
European Investment Banking Group. He subsequently founded and was a non
executive director of New Star Asset Management Group PLC. He attended Oxford
University and has an MBA from Stanford University.
JOSEPHINE DIXON*+
Josephine ("Jo") Dixon, aged 50, joined the Board in 2004. A Chartered
Accountant, having trained with Deloitte & Co. in London, Jo is Chairman of the
Audit Committee. Jo is self-employed and is also a non-executive director of
Baring Emerging Europe PLC. Until 2003 Jo held a number of senior executive
positions in investment banking, leisure and support services. She currently
acts as a consultant to a number of companies.
PROFESSOR DUNCAN GEDDES*+
Professor Geddes, aged 68, joined the Board at launch in 1995 and has been
designated as the Senior Independent Director. An author of numerous
publications on respiratory medicine, Professor Geddes is self-employed.
PAUL GAUNT+
Paul Gaunt, aged 61, joined the Board at launch in 1995. Paul is self-employed
and has 30 years' experience in the investment industry. He was formerly Senior
Investment Manager and an Assistant General Manager of The Equitable Life
Assurance Society and a Director of Brit Insurance Holdings PLC and Oasis
Healthcare PLC. Paul is a Director of RCM Technology Trust PLC and also of The
Biotech Growth Trust PLC; OrbiMed Capital LLC, the Company's Investment
Manager, also acts as Investment Manager for The Biotech GrowthTrust PLC.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
DR DAVID HOLBROOK*+
Dr David Holbrook, aged 50, joined the Board in 2007. He is a qualified
physician and a Director of MTI Partners Limited, a leading technology venture
capital investor. He attended London and Oxford Universities, and has an MBA
from Harvard Business School. He has held senior positions in number of blue
chip biopharmaceutical organisations including GlaxoSmithKline and Roche.
SAMUEL D ISALY+
Sam Isaly, aged 65, joined the Board at launch in 1995. Sam is Managing Partner
of OrbiMed Capital LLC, the Company's Investment Manager, and has been an
international pharmaceutical investment specialist for more than 20 years
having worked in New York and Europe with Chase Manhattan, Société Générale,
Crédit Suisse and UBS Warburg.
Other than those stated above, none of the Directors has any other connections
with the Investment Manager and is not employed by any of the companies in
which the Company holds an investment.
* Member of the Audit Committee.
+Member of the Nominations and Management Engagement and Remuneration
Committees.
ANTHONY TOWNSEND*+
Anthony Townsend, aged 62, joined the Board at launch in 1995. Anthony has
spent 40 years working in the City and was Chairman of The Association of
Investment Companies from 2001to 2003. Anthony is Chairman of iimia Investment
Trust plc, British & American Investment Trust PLC, F&C Global Smaller
Companies PLC, Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC and Baronsmead VCT3 plc.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
A Special Relationship
FINSBURY WORLDWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL TRUST PLC OUTSOURCES THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS
PORTFOLIO TO ORBIMED CAPITAL LLC, A NEW YORK BASED BOUTIQUE COMPANY WHICH
SPECIALISES EXCLUSIVELY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ASSETS IN THE GLOBAL HEALTH
SCIENCES INDUSTRY. PERSONAL INVESTMENT, THROUGH COMPANY OWNERSHIP, MEANS THAT
THE TEAM IS COMMITTED TO PRODUCING EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE.
OrbiMed has managed the portfolio since the Company's launch in 1995, and the
many awards won by the Company over the years are a testament to the strength
and talent harnessed by the OrbiMed team.
OrbiMed had approximately US$5 billion in assets under management as at 31
March 2010, across a range of funds, including investment trusts, hedge funds
and private equity funds. OrbiMed's investment management activities were
founded in 1989 by Samuel D Isaly.
OrbiMed Capital LLC - Investment Manager
THE TEAM
OrbiMed's investment team, headed up by Samuel D Isaly, includes over 30
experienced professionals with expertise in science, medicine, finance and law,
many of whom have advanced degrees and broad experience in science and
medicine. Collectively, the team currently serves on the boards of over 25
biotechnology and healthcare companies.
With a coverage universe of over 750 public companies, OrbiMed's professionals
maintain an exceptional level of research intensity. The team has a
demonstrated record of investing successfully across market cycles in both
public and private companies.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND PROCESS
`Bottom-up' fundamental research provides the investment thesis for all
positions. In addition to meeting frequently with industry executives and
healthcare practitioners, OrbiMed attends many major medical conferences
worldwide. Portfolio positions are discussed and selected during daily
portfolio management meetings. OrbiMed invests with a worldwide perspective,
selecting ideas from across all major geographical markets.
OrbiMed emphasises investments in companies with under-appreciated products in
the pipeline, high quality management teams and adequate financial resources.
A disciplined portfolio construction process is utilised to ensure that the
portfolio is focused on 30 to 40 `high conviction' positions.
Finally, the portfolio is subject to a rigorous risk management process to
moderate portfolio volatility.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Review of Investments
We present with pleasure our 15th annual Review of Investments for Finsbury
Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
The year ended 31 March 2010 was Samuel D Isaly a challenging one. With broader
markets recovering after the worst financial market collapse in a generation,
historic healthcare reform being passed in the U.S. and currency markets
displaying continued volatility, the year certainly provided its share of
headwinds. But the Company's returns proved they were surmountable.
The Company's diluted net asset value per share increased by 25.3% during the
year. This result compares to a return of 24.6% from our benchmark, the
Datastream World Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index (measured in sterling
terms on a total return basis). Since inception in 1995, the cumulative
increase of the Company's undiluted net asset value per share now measures 708%
compared to a cumulative increase of 354% in the benchmark index.
While not as volatile as the Company's previous financial year, there were
still major currency movements in 2010. Notably, the U.S. dollar weakened
against sterling by 5.8% in the year. As a significant majority of the
portfolio holdings are denominated in U.S. dollars (70% as of 31 March 2010)
this had a negative drag on the Company's reported returns this year. Thus far
in 2010 the dollar has appreciated significantly against sterling, providing
support for returns to date in the new financial year.
DIVERSE CONTRIBUTION TO PERFORMANCE
Successful performance came in a variety of subsectors and geographies in 2010.
First and foremost, the top contributor to performance this year was the Swiss
drug giant, Novartis. A considerable amount of positive pipeline and earnings
news flowed throughout the year. We also believe the truly
diversified healthcare platform that Novartis is building (pharmaceuticals,
generics, vaccines, and consumer) is finally being rewarded by investors. The
addition of ophthalmology leader, Alcon, to the Novartis group adds another
diverse element to the business.
The number two contributor in 2010 came as a result of a Chinese
initial-public-offering ("I PO") involving a leading pharmaceutical
distributor, Sinopharm. Since the IPO in September of 2009, the stock has more
than doubled. Sinopharm's business model of aggressive acquisitions in this
space has been well rewarded. We expect future growth rates to remain very
attractive.
Another top contributor during the year was Dendreon, the maker of a novel
therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of prostate cancer, Provenge. This
U.S.-based company announced stellar data in April 2009 that convinced us that
Provenge will be a "blockbuster product". The stock remains a core holding in
the portfolio and it has, in our view, a good chance of being acquired by a
large drug company.
Our fourth biggest contributor in 2010 was a UK company, Shire Pharmaceuticals.
This underappreciated growth story together with solid business fundamentals
finally received some recognition this past year, in terms of share price
appreciation.
Finally, rounding out the top five contributors to performance was the
U.S.-based global healthcare leader, Johnson & Johnson. Like Novartis, the
share price increase was in part due to the diverse nature of the company, with
exposure to pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics, and consumer markets.
However, Johnson & Johnson is also the first of the major pharmas to emerge
from its "patent cliff", which for them was in 2009 and 2010 compared to the
industry low point in 2012. With few remaining patent concerns coupled with a
strong earnings recovery, J&J boasts possibly the best new product flow of any
major pharmaceutical company and yet still possesses a pipeline with several
potential blockbusters in late stage development.
The only significant area of weak performance in the portfolio came from major
biotechnology companies. While we continue to believe that current valuations
are at historical
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Review of Investments (continued)
lows, a number of company-specific events have led this group of companies to
underperform other segments of healthcare. For example, Genzyme, a flagship
biotechnology company, has been beset by manufacturing challenges that have
prevented the company from producing several key products in sufficient
quantities. We continue to believe that the depressed valuations of these
companies will eventually be recognised either by financial investors or
strategic acquirers.
HEALTHCARE REFORM PASSES - FINALLY
Since Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States in
January 2009, a major focus for investors has been the potential legislative
changes to the U.S. healthcare system. It has taken just over one year for the
speculation to become law: March 2010 bore witness to an historic event in the
United States as a major healthcare reform bill was passed by both the House
and Senate and signed into law by President Obama. We believe this to be a net
positive for the healthcare sector and in particular the pharmaceutical
industry. While there may be some near term earnings pressure on the margin for
some pharmaceutical companies, in the long term the addition of 30 million new
entrants into the healthcare insurance and drug coverage markets will benefit
the industry.
Importantly, this bill contains no provisions that will impose price controls
or introduce the federal government as a major buyer of drugs, a scenario that
was considered by many as the worst case scenario. In fact, the term "reform"
as applied to this legislation is somewhat misleading. Rather, this new law
essentially expands the current Medicaid and Medicare programmes, simply
allowing more individuals to qualify. While pharmaceutical companies had to
help pay for this expansion through increased drug rebates to both programmes,
it is expected to cost the industry only $8 billion per year over 10 years (or
$80 billion of the nearly $1 trillion total price tag). Note that the U.S.
pharmaceutical market reached over $300 billion in 2009. Thus, we believe that
over time, the additional lives under coverage and the commensurate increase in
drug consumption will more than offset any rebate pressure.
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS TO CONTINUE
This year saw additional mergers and acquisitions, some of which certainly
aided in our performance. Most notable was the announced take-over-bid for OSI
Pharmaceuticals of New York by the Japanese global pharmaceutical player,
Astellas. OSI Pharmaceuticals is a leader in oncology, a therapeutic class that
is deemed as a "must have"for pharmaceutical companies. The bid was for nearly
$3 billion, representing a 41% premium to the company valuation prior to the
acquisition offer.
Headwinds facing the major pharmaceutical companies are reaching their zenith,
with patent expirations and poor product pipelines taking their toll. As a
result, we expect further acquisitions of biotechnology companies by
pharmaceutical companies.
We also expect a pause in major pharmaceutical company mergers following the
completion this year of two such transactions, namely Pfizer/Wyeth and Merck/
Schering-Ploug h.
We anticipate that diversification plays will continue, however, such as the
Novartis takeover of Alcon. We suspect generic drug manufactures could come
into focus as acquisition targets for major pharmaceutical companies.
OUR STRATEGY FOR 2010 AND BEYOND
Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the prospects for performance in the
coming fiscal year. Low valuations across sub-sectors and the strong earnings
growth potential of our holdings has historically been a rewarding combination.
We will continue to be selective with regard to the pharmaceutical sector, due
to sector related challenges, and to focus on companies with new products,
earnings growth, diversification of revenues, and attractive valuations.
Healthy dividend yields and acquisition potential are also potential aspects
for our investment theses in this area.
One area in which we have increased our exposure is generic drug manufacturers.
We think this sector is on a secular global growth trajectory and we have thus
made substantial strategic investments in generic pharma companies in the U.S.
and Asia.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Review of Investments (continued)
We believe the Japanese generic drug market is in the nascent stages and
represents a compelling long term growth investment opportunity.
With regard to biotechnology, we remain optimistic for the major capitalisation
companies. Following a difficult year, valuations are near generational lows,
despite excellent growth potential and very limited patent exposure (unlike
some of their pharmaceutical company peers). For specialty companies, we
continue to favour those with novel product opportunities for major unmet
medical needs with near term regulatory and commercial objectives. We are
focused in areas such as oncology, rheumatology, antivirals, and neuroscience.
These companies also are high probability targets for acquisitions.
Our geographic exposure continues to place significant emphasis on our holdings
in North America, with 70% of the portfolio in that region. The balance of our
exposure resides in Europe (19%), Asia (8%) and Israel (3%).
Finally, we believe that the proposed change to the Company's investment
policy, as described in the Chairman's Statement on page 3 of the Annual
Report, will be of benefit to shareholders and plays to OrbiMed's strengths as
we have significant experience in these areas of the healthcare sector.
Samuel D Isaly
OrbiMed Capital LLC Investment Manager 21 June 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
*
Review of Investments (continued)
CONTRIBUTION BY INVESTMENT - EXCLUDING DERIVATIVES
Top Five Contributors Contribution Contribution
for the year per share
to (pence)*
31 March 2010
£'000
Novartis 6,504 14.74
Sinopharm 5,954 13.49
Dendreon (Including Dendreon 4.75% convertible bond) 5,003 11.34
Shire 4,710 10.67
Johnson & Johnson 3,897 8.83
59.07
Bottom Five Contributors
Biogen Idec (2,744) (6.22)
Genmab (2,117) (4.80)
Genzyme (1,885) (4.27)
Gilead Science (1,270) (2.88)
GlaxoSmithKline (1,095) (2.48)
(20.65)
* based on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year ended
31 March 2010 (44,122,846). Source: Frostrow Capital LLP
Contribution for the Contribution
year to 31 March 2010 per share
(pence)*
Top Five Contributors £'000
Novartis 6,504 14.74
Sinopharm ,954 13.49
Dendreon (Including Dendreon 4.75% 5,003 11 .34
convertible bond)
Shire 4,710 10.67
Johnson & Johnson 3,897 8.83
59.07
Bottom Five Contributors
Biogen Idec (2,744) (6.22)
Genmab (2,117) (4.80)
Genzyme (1,885) (4.27)
Gilead Science (1,270) (2.88)
GlaxoSmithKline (1,095) (2.48)
(20.65)
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Champions of Innovation
INDUSTRY LEADING INVESTMENTS IN THE PORTFOLIO
1) BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
Major pharmaceutical companies across the globe are all facing the same problem
- how to fill the new product gap. We believe that Bristol-Myers is poised to
do it best, with one of, if not the strongest, pipelines in the industry.
Perhaps the most innovative of those compounds is ipilimumab, an antibody that
boosts one's own immune system to treat cancer. The lead indication is for the
devastating disease of advanced melanoma for which there are no approved
treatments. We believe that ipilimumab could be practically curative in some
patients. Perhaps the largest commercial opportunity for Bristol-Myers lies
with their cardiovascular drug, apixiban. This compound belongs to a class of
drugs called Factor Xa Inhibitors and we believe this compound to be
best-in-class with multi-billion dollar sales potential. We expect these two
compounds to enter the market over the next two years.
3) DEN DREON CORPORATION
Dendreon is an emerging biotech company focused on cancer therapies. The
company's lead product, Provenge, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration
("FDA") approval in April 2010 for the treatment of prostate cancer. Provenge
is the first cell-based immunotherapy, commonly referred to as a "cancer
vaccine", to demonstrate efficacy against cancer. With this therapy, a
patient's antigen presenting cells are harvested and combined with an antigen
found on prostate cancer cells and then re-infused into the patient. This
process "programmes" the patient's immune system to recognise and fight the
cancer. In a phase three trial released last year, prostate cancer patients
receiving Provenge lived four months longer than those receiving placebo. We
expect Provenge sales to eventually exceed $2 billion annually. Dendreon is one
of the few late stage biotechnology companies launching a blockbuster product,
and as such, is a prime acquisition target for big pharma.
2) AMGEN
Amgen is the world's largest biotechnology company and markets protein
therapeutics in supportive cancer care, nephrology, and inflammation. Its base
business consists of its Epogen/Aranesp franchise to treat anaemia, its
Neupogen/Neulasta franchise to treat low white blood cell counts due to
chemotherapy, and its drug Enbrel to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
The company's anaemia business has been under pressure over the past couple of
years due to safety concerns and reimbursement cutbacks, but we believe the
pressures on this business are now well-understood by investors. The major
growth driver for the company is a novel antibody called Prolia, which is
expected to be approved and launched in 2010. Prolia has shown strong Phase
three data for preventing fractures in osteoporosis and cancer patients. The
company expects to announce additional Phase three results in mid-2010 for the
prevention of bone metastases. We believe peak sales for this drug could
approach $5 billion, making it one of the largest biotech products to be
launched in the near-term.
4) HUMAN GENOME SCIENCES, INC.
Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) is an emerging biotechnology company developing
drugs for autoimmune disease, infectious disease and cancer. In 2009, the
company announced positive phase three clinical trial results for Benlysta, a
novel treatment for the inflammatory disorder known as lupus. Benlysta is an
antibody that targets the "BLyS" protein and thus inhibits B-cell activity
which is implicated in lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Lupus has
traditionally been a very difficult disease to treat; there has not been a new
drug approved in the U.S. for lupus in over 50 years. With a poorly-served
market, we expect rapid uptake of Benlysta once approved (around year-end).
HGSI and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are co-developing and commercializing Benlysta
and therefore HGSI would be a natural acquisition candidate for GSK to obtain
full rights to this potential blockbuster product.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Portfolio
as at 31 March 2010
Investments Country Market % of
value investments
£'000
Johnson & Johnson USA 26,653 6.9
Roche Switzerland 26,487 6.9
Pfizer USA 19,484 5.1
Novartis Switzerland 19,244 5.0
Merck USA 18,452 4.8
Bristol-Myers Squibb USA 17,954 4.7
Shire # UK 14,110 3.7
Amgen USA 10,834 2.8
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Israel 10,814 2.8
Genzyme USA 10,592 2.8
Top 10 investments 174,624 45.5
Dendreon ^ USA 10,512 2.7
Celgene USA 10,202 2.7
Mylan USA 10,035 2.6
Sinopharm China 9,602 2.5
Abbott Laboratories USA 8,228 2.1
Perrigo USA 8,207 2.1
Sawai Pharmaceutical Japan 8,177 2.1
Hospira USA 8,065 2.1
Elan ~ Ireland 7,776 2.0
Towa Pharmaceutical Japan 7,220 1.9
Top 20 investments 262,648 68.3
Vertex Pharmaceuticals USA 7,406 1.9
Gilead Sciences USA 7,376 1.9
Vertex Milestone Monetization (unquoted, USA 7,314 1.9
CPEC)â€
Illumina USA 7,005 1.8
Cubist Pharmaceuticals USA 6,951 1.8
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Japan 6,950 1.8
Allergan USA 6,739 1.8
Endo Pharmaceuticals USA 6,430 1.7
NPS Pharmaceuticals USA 6,122 1.6
Allos Therapeutics USA 6,033 1.6
Top 30 investments 330,974 86.1
BioMarin Pharmaceutical USA 5,919 1.5
Incyte 4.75% 01/10/2015 USA 5,854 1.5
Intermune USA 5,275 1.4
Warner Chilcott Ireland 5,215 1.4
VWR Funding 10.25% 15/07/2015 USA 4,635 1.2
Momenta Pharmaceuticals USA 4,293 1.1
OSI Pharmaceuticals USA 3,864 1.0
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals FRN 01/12/2013 USA 3,204 0.8
Pharma 10 Cinacalcet Royalty 15.5% 30/03/ USA 2,983 0.8
2017
QHP Royalty 10.25% 15/03/2015 USA 2,564 0.7
Top 40 investments 374,780 97.5
384,227 100.0
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Salix Pharmaceuticals 5.5% 15/08/2028 USA 2,690 0.7
Medicines USA 2,331 0.6
Endo Pharmaceutical 1.75% 15/04/2015 USA 1,644 0.4
Genmab Denmark 1,324 0.3
Genomic Health USA 830 0.3
Total investments (excluding options) 383,599 99.8
Options
Johnson & Johnson >* USA 292 0.1
Celgene > USA 274 0.1
SPDR * USA 135 -
Myriad Genetics * USA (5) -
Pfizer >* USA (10) -
Merck > USA (58) -
Total options 628 0.2
Total investments including options 384,227 100.0
As at 31 March 2010 the U.S.$/£ exchange rate was U.S.$1.5169/£1.00 (31 March
2009: U.S $1.4334/£1.00).
# includes Shire 2.75% 09/05/2014 equating to 0.4% of investments.
^ includes Dendreon 4.75% 15/06/2014 equating to 1.0% of investments.
~ includes Elan 8.75% 15/10/2016 equating to 0.7% of investments.
> includes Call Options.
* includes Put Options.
†Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates (CPEC).
Analysis of the Portfolio
THE PORTFOLIO
as at 31 March 2010
Market value % of
£'000 investments
Equities (including options) 352,442 91.8
Convertibles 18,399 4.7
Fixed Interest Securities 13,386 3.5
Total of all investments 384,227 100.0
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors
Incorporating the Business Review
The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the
year ended 31 March 2010.
STATUS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMPANY During the year under review the Company
has continued to conduct its affairs so as to qualify as an investment company,
as defined under s833 of the Companies Act 2006, and an investment trust within
the meaning of s842 of the Income & Corporation Taxes Act 1988. HM Revenue &
Customs approval of the Company's status as an investment trust has been
received for all years up to and including the year ended 31 March 2009. This
is, however, subject to review should there be any enquiry under Corporation
Tax Self Assessment. The Directors are of the opinion that the Company has
subsequently directed its affairs so as to enable it to continue to obtain HM
Revenue & Customs approval as an investment trust.
The Company's shares are eligible for inclusion in the stocks and shares
component of an Individual Savings Account.
CONTINUATION OF THE COMPANY
A resolution was passed at last year's Annual General Meeting that the Company
continue as an investment trust for a further five year period. In accordance
with the Company's Articles of Association, shareholders will have an
opportunity to vote on the continuation of the Company at the Annual General
Meeting in 2014 and every five years thereafter.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND BENCHMARK The Company invests worldwide in
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related companies in the healthcare sector
with the objective of achieving a high level of capital growth. Performance is
measured against the Datastream World Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index
(total return, sterling adjusted).
INVESTMENT POLICY
In order to achieve its investment objective, the Company invests in a
diversified portfolio of shares in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related
companies in the healthcare sector with the objective of achieving a high level
of capital growth. It uses gearing and derivative transactions to mitigate risk
and also to enhance capital returns.
Investment Limitations and Guidelines
The Board seeks to manage the Company's risk by imposing various investment
limits and restrictions:
* The Company will not invest more than 10% of its gross assets in other
listed investment companies (including listed investment trusts);
* The Company will not invest more than 15% of the portfolio in any one
individual stock at the time of acquisition;
* At least 60% of the portfolio will normally be invested in larger companies
(i.e. with a market capitalisation of at least US$5bn);
* At least 20% of the portfolio will normally be invested in smaller
companies (i.e. with a market capitalisation of less than US$5bn);
* Investment in unquoted securities will not exceed 10% of the portfolio at
the time of acquisition;
* A maximum of 5% of the portfolio, at the time of acquisition, may be
invested in each of debt instruments, convertibles and royalty bonds issued
by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;
* The Company's gearing policy is to borrow up to the lower of £70m or 20% of
the Company's net asset value;
* Derivative transactions can be used to mitigate risk and/or enhance capital
returns and will be restricted to 5% of the portfolio; and
* Equity Swaps may be used in order to meet the Company's investment
objective of achieving a high level of capital growth and is restricted to
5% of the portfolio.
Compliance with the Board's investment limitations and guidelines is monitored
continuously by Frostrow Capital LLP ("Frostrow"or the "Manager") and OrbiMed
Capital LLC ("OrbiMed"or the "Investment Manager") and is reported to the Board
on a monthly basis.
PERFORMANCE
In the year to 31 March 2010, the Company's diluted net asset value per share
increased by 25.3% compared to a rise of 24.6% in the Datastream World
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index (total return, sterling adjusted). The
Company's share price rose by 27.4% in the same period.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
The Review of Investments on pages 7 to 10 includes a review of the principal
developments during the year, together with information on investment activity
within the
Company's portfolio.
RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results attributable to shareholders for the year and the transfer to
reserves are shown on page 36. In order to maintain investment trust status the
Directors have declared an interim dividend for the year of 8.5p per share
(2009: interim dividend of 5.0p) payable on 26 July 2010.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (`KPIs') At each Board meeting the Board assesses
the Company's performance in meeting its investment objective and against the
following key performance indicators:
* Net asset value total return (see page 1)
* Share price total return (see pages 1 and 33)
* Stock contribution analysis (see page 10)
* Share price premium/discount to net asset value per share (see page 1)
* Total expense ratio (see page 1)
* Benchmark and peer group performance (see pages 1 and 33)
* Issue of new shares/repurchase of own shares (see pages 16 and 17)
The management of the portfolio is conducted by the Investment Manager and the
management of the Company's affairs, including marketing, administration and
company secretarial matters is conducted by the Manager. Each provider is
responsible to the Board which is ultimately responsible to the shareholders
for performing against, inter alia, the above KPIs within the terms of their
respective agreements by utilising the capabilities of the experienced
professionals within each firm.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND THEIR MITIGATION The Company's assets consist principally
of listed equities; its main area of risk is therefore stockmarket-related. The
specific key risks faced by the Company, together with the Board's mitigation
approach, are as follows:
Objective and Strategy - The Company and its investment objective become
unattractive to investors
The Board regularly reviews the investment mandate and the long-term investment
strategy in relation to market and economic conditions, and the operation of
the Company's peers, thereby monitoring whether the Company should continue in
its present form. A continuation vote was held at last year's Annual General
Meeting and will be held every five years thereafter. Each month the Board
receives a monthly review, which monitors the Company's investment performance
(both on an absolute basis and against the benchmark and peer group) and its
compliance with the investment guidelines. Additional reports and presentations
are regularly presented to investors by the Company's Manager, Investment
Manager and Corporate Stockbroker.
Level of discount/premium - Share price performance lags NAV performance
The Board undertakes a regular review of the level of discount/premium and
consideration is given to ways in which share price performance may be
enhanced, including the effectiveness of marketing and share buy-backs, where
appropriate. The Board has implemented a discount control mechanism intended to
establish a maximum level of 6% discount of share price to the diluted net
asset value per share. Shareholders should note that it remains possible for
the share price discount to net asset value per share to be greater than 6% on
any one day and is due to the fact that the share price continues to be
influenced by overall supply and demand for the Company's shares in the
secondary market. The average month end share price discount during the year
was 7.1%, a level that has been broadly maintained since the year end. The
making and timing of any share buy-backs is at the absolute discretion of the
Board.
Market Price and Industry Risk
Market price risk arises mainly from uncertainty about future prices of
financial instruments held. It represents the potential loss the Company might
suffer through holding market positions in the face of price movements.
Industry risk exists in all specialist industries. Risks are inherent in
pharmaceutical companies with, for example, the potential for drug withdrawals
from the market or failures after launch and lack of expected profit growth.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
The Board meets on a quarterly basis during the year and on an ad hoc basis if
necessary. At each meeting they consider the asset allocation of the portfolio.
The Investment Manager has responsibility for selecting investments in
accordance with the Company's investment objective and seeks to ensure that
individual stocks meet an acceptable risk-reward profile.
Liquidity Risk
The Company's assets comprise mainly realisable securities, which can be sold
to meet funding requirements if necessary.
Portfolio Performance and Financial Instruments - Investment performance may
not be meeting the Investment objective or shareholder requirements
The Board regularly reviews investment performance against the benchmark and
against peer group. The Board also receives regular reports that show an
analysis of performance compared with other relevant indices. The Investment
Manager provides an explanation of stock selection decisions and an overall
rationale for the make-up of the portfolio. The Investment Manager discusses
current and potential investment holdings with the Board on a regular basis in
addition to new initiatives, which may enhance shareholder returns.
Operational and Regulatory - Compliance with s1158 of the Corporation Taxes Act
2010 (formerly s842 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988)
A breach of s1158 of the Corporation Taxes Act 2010 could lead to the Company
being subject to capital gains tax on the sale of its investments, whilst
serious breach of other regulatory rules may lead to suspension from the Stock
Exchange or to a qualified Audit Report. Other control failures, either by the
Manager, the Investment Manager or any other of the Company's service
providers, may result in operational and/or reputational problems, erroneous
disclosures or loss of assets through fraud, as well as breaches of
regulations.
The Manager reviews the level of compliance with s1158 and other financial
regulatory requirements on a daily basis. All investment transactions and
income and expenditure forecasts are reported to the Board. The Board regularly
considers all risks, the measures in place to control them and the possibility
of any other risks that could arise. The Board ensures that satisfactory
assurances are received from service providers. The Compliance Officer of the
Manager and the Investment Manager produce regular reports for review by the
Company's Audit Committee and are available to attend meetings in person if
required.
Currency Risk
A significant proportion of the Company's assets are, and will continue to be,
invested in securities denominated in foreign currencies, in particular U.S.
dollars. As the Company's shares are denominated and traded in sterling, the
return to shareholders will be affected by changes in the value of sterling
relative to those foreign currencies. The Board has made clear the Company's
position with regard to currency fluctuation, which is that it does not
currently hedge against currency exposure.
Loan Facility Risk - The provider of the Company's loan facility may no longer
be prepared to lend to the Company
The Board and the Investment Manager are kept fully informed of any likelihood
of the withdrawal of the loan facility so that repayment can be effected in an
orderly fashion.
Credit Risk
The Company's assets can be held by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York as collateral
for the loan provided by them to the Company. Such assets taken as collateral
may be used, loaned, sold, rehypothecated or transferred by Goldman Sachs & Co.
New York, although the Company maintains the economic benefits from ownership
of those assets. Goldman Sachs & Co. New York may take up to 140% of the value
of the outstanding loan as collateral. The Company is fully protected, such
protection being equal to the net assets held by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York,
by SEC rules and U.S. legislation.
Assets held by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York, as custodian, that are not used as
collateral, are held in segregated client accounts. (Also see Glossary on page
62).
Further information on financial instruments and risk, as required by FRS 29,
can be found in note 18 to the financial statements beginning on page 49.
LOAN FACILITY
The Company's borrowing requirements are met through the utilisation of a loan
facility, repayable on demand, provided by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York.
SHARE CAPITAL
The final exercise date for the Company's warrants was 31 July 2009 and all of
the remaining warrants in issue on that date were converted into shares. As a
result, 10,745,610 shares were
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
allotted by the Company on 5 August 2009, raising £49.9m of additional funds
for the Company. On 4 September 2009, the Company made a bonus issue of
subscription shares on the basis of one subscription share for every five
ordinary shares held at that date. The subscription shares have quarterly
subscription dates and the following shares were allotted by the Company as a
result of holders of the subscription shares exercising their subscription
rights during the year: 42,148 shares were allotted on 13 November 2009 raising
£259,000. 696,505 shares were allotted on 3 February 2010 raising £4.3m.
Subsequent to the year-end, 280,794 shares were allotted on 7 May 2010 raising
£1.7m.
At the Annual General Meeting held on 17 July 2009, authority was granted for
the repurchase of 5,898,027 shares of 25p, representing 14.99% of the issued
share capital at that time. This authority was renewed by the Company at a
General Meeting held on 2 March 2010 where authority was granted to repurchase
6,716,138 shares of 25p, representing 14.99% of the issued share capital at
that time. In the year under review, the Company bought back a total of
8,508,938 shares, 6,239,416 of which were held in treasury at 31 March 2010, at
a cost of £48,453,000 (including expenses). Since the year end and to 21 June
2010, a further 1,637,733 shares, costing £10,905,000 (including expenses),
have been repurchased and held in treasury. In aggregate, to 21 June 2010, the
shares bought back equate to a total of 24.5% of the issued share capital at
the beginning of the year. As indicated in the Chairman's Statement, the Board
has agreed that any treasury shares remaining on 15 July 2010, the date of the
Annual General Meeting, will be cancelled. A total of 3,985,397 shares held in
treasury were cancelled on 20 July 2009.
PROSPECTS
Following a general and developing recovery in global markets, the Company's
Investment Manager believes strongly that the sector will benefit from the
removal of uncertainty surrounding healthcare reform in the U.S. In addition, a
combination of low valuations and strong earnings growth potential together
with continued merger and acquisition activity and a number of expected high
profile product approvals will all be key drivers for future performance.
The Association of Investment Companies continues to work towards ensuring that
the AIFM Directive is drafted to
accommodate the UK investment company structure. The Board will continue to
keep this situation under close review.
Further information on the Company's performance can be found in the Review of
Investments provided by the Company's Investment Manager, that begins on page
7.
MANAGEMENT
Management, Administrative and Secretarial Services Agreement: Management,
Administrative, Secretarial and other services are provided to the Company by
the Manager. The Manager is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services
Authority.
Frostrow Capital LLP, as Manager, receives a periodic fee equal to 0.30% per
annum of the Company's market capitalisation up to £150m and 0.20% per annum of
the market capitalisation in excess of £1 50m, plus a fixed amount equal to £
50,000 per annum.
The notice period on the Management, Administration and Company Secretarial
Agreement with Frostrow is 12 months, termination can be initiated by either
party.
The Manager, under the terms of the agreement provides, inter alia, the
following services:
* marketing and shareholder services;
* administrative services;
* advice and guidance in respect of corporate governance requirements;
* maintaining the books of account and record in respect of Company dealing,
investments, transactions, dividends and other income, the income account,
balance sheet and cash books and statements;
* preparation and despatch of the audited annual and unaudited interim report
and accounts and interim management statements; and
* attending to general tax affairs where necessary.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Investment Management Agreement:
Investment Management Services are provided by the Investment Manager. The
Investment Manager is authorised and regulated by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Investment Manager receives a periodic fee equal to
0.65% p.a. of the Company's net asset value. The Investment Management
Agreement may be terminated by
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
either party giving notice of not less than 12 months. The Investment Manager
under the terms of the agreement provides, inter alia, the following services:
* seeking out and evaluating investment opportunities;
* recommending the manner by which monies should be invested, disinvested,
retained or realised;
* advising on how rights conferred by the investments should be exercised;
* analysing the performance of investments made; and
* advising the Company in relation to trends, market movements and other
matters which may affect the investment policy of the Company.
Performance Fee:
Dependent on the level of performance achieved, the Manager and Investment
Manager are also entitled to the payment of a performance fee. The performance
fee is calculated by reference to the amount by which the Company's portfolio
has out-performed the Datastream World Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index
(total return, sterling adjusted) (the "Benchmark").
The fee is calculated quarterly by comparing the cumulative performance of the
Company's portfolio with the cumulative performance of the Benchmark since the
launch of the Company in 1995. The performance fee amounts to 16.5% of any
outperformance of the net asset value over the Benchmark, the Investment
Manager receiving 15.0% and the Manager receiving 1.5% of the outperformance.
At each quarterly calculation date any performance fee payable is based on the
lower of:
i. the cumulative outperformance of the portfolio over the Benchmark as at the
quarter end date; and
ii. the cumulative out-performance of the portfolio over the Benchmark as at
the corresponding quarter end date in the previous year.
In the year under review no performance fee was paid. However, a performance
fee of £2,983,000 was accrued as at 31 March 2010 (see note 3 on page 42) and
the accrual at 31 March 2009 crystallised and became payable post year end.
CONTINUING APPOINTMENT OF THE MANAGER AND INVESTMENT MANAGER The Board has
concluded that it is in shareholders' interests that the Manager and the
Investment Manager continue in their roles. The review undertaken by the Board
considered the Company's investment performance over both the short and longer
terms, together with the quality and adequacy of other services provided. The
Board also reviewed the appropriateness of the terms of the Investment
Management and Management Agreements, in particular the length of notice period
and the fee structures.
GOING CONCERN
The Company's business activities together with the factors likely to affect
its future development, performance and position are set out in the Report of
the Directors on pages 14 to 24. The financial position of the Company, its
liquidity position and its borrowing facility are set out in the notes to the
financial statements beginning on page 40. In addition, the Corporate
Governance Report, the Financial Statements and the associated notes give
details of the Company's objectives, policies and processes, its financial risk
management objectives and its exposure to risks. The Company has considerable
financial resources and a good spread of investments across different
geographical areas. The majority of the Company's investments are listed on
stock exchanges and are readily realisable. Having considered the Company's
prospects, the Directors believe that it is appropriate to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing the financial statements as the assets of the
Company consist mainly of securities that are readily realisable and,
accordingly, the Company has adequate financial resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future.
CREDITORS PAYMENT POLICY
Terms of payment are negotiated with suppliers when agreeing settlement details
for transactions. While the Company does not follow a formal code, it is the
Company's continuing policy to pay amounts due to creditors as and when they
become due. As at 31 March 2010, the Company did not have any trade creditors
(2009: Nil).
CHARITABLE AND POLITICAL DONATIONS The Company has not in the past and does not
intend in future to make any charitable or political donations.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ETHICAL POLICY
The Company's primary objective is to achieve a high level of capital growth by
investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and the Board
recognises that this should be done in an environmentally responsible way. The
Directors support the action being taken by the major pharmaceutical companies
to make products more affordable to patients in developing countries. The
Directors believe that the Company would be in breach of its fiduciary duties
to shareholders if investment decisions were based solely on ethical or
environmental considerations.
DIRECTORS' INTERESTS
DIRECTORS
The Directors of the Company, who served throughout the year, are all
non-executive and are listed below. Their biographies can be found on pages 4
and 5.
Martin Smith (Chairman) Josephine Dixon
Paul Gaunt
Professor Duncan Geddes Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D Isaly
Anthony Townsend
The beneficial interests of the Directors and their families in the Company
were as set out below:
Shares of 25p each Warrants to subscribe
for Shares/Subscription
Shares*
31 March 2010 1 April 31 March 1 April
2009 2010 2009
Martin Smith 2,000 - 400 -
Josephine Dixon 3,000 - 600 25,680
Paul Gaunt - - - -
Professor Duncan Geddes 42,250 38,250 8,450 4,000
Dr David Holbrook - - - -
Samuel D Isaly 353,600 235,673 100,720 407,134
Anthony Townsend 18,785 17,370 3,757 1,415
*The warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares expired on 31 July 2009. The
subscription shares were issued on 4 September 2009.
As at 21 June 2010 there had been no changes in the above details.
Samuel D Isaly is a partner in OrbiMed Capital LLC which is party to the
Investment Management Agreement with the Company and receives fees as described
on pages 17 and 18. A number of the partners at OrbiMed Capital LLC have a
minority financial interest totaling 20% in Frostrow Capital LLP, the Company's
Manager.
DIRECTORS' FEES
A report on Directors' Remuneration is set out on pages 32 and 33.
DIRECTORS' & OFFICERS' LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER
Directors'& officers' liability insurance cover was maintained by the Board
during the year ended 31 March 2010. It is intended that this policy will
continue for the year ending 31 March 2011 and subsequent years.
DIRECTORS' INDEMNITIES
As at the date of this report, indemnities are in force between the Company and
each of its Directors under which the Company
has agreed to indemnify each Director, to the extent permitted by law, in
respect of certain liabilities incurred as a result of carrying out his role as
a Director of the Company. The Directors are also indemnified against the costs
of defending any criminal or civil proceedings or any claim by the Company or a
regulator as they are incurred provided that where the defence is unsuccessful
the Director must repay those defence costs to the Company. The indemnities are
qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the purposes of the Companies
Act 2006.
A copy of each deed of indemnity is available for inspection at the Company's
registered office during normal business hours and will be available for
inspection at the Annual General Meeting.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS
As at 30 April 2010 the Company was aware of the following interests in the
shares of the Company, which exceeded 3% of the issued share capital(excluding
treasury shares):
Beneficial shareholder Registered holder Number of % of issued
shares share capital
East Riding of Yorkshire Nortrust Nominees 4,723,495 10.65
Council
Newton Investment Management Various Nominees 3,512,919 7.92
Rensburg Sheppards Investment Ferlim Nominees/Hero 2,800,225 6.32
Management Nominees
Alliance Trust Savings Alliance Trust Savings 2,003,705 4.52
Nominees
Legal & General Investment Various Nominees 1,772,830 4.00
Management
Smith &Williamson Various Nominees 1,562,728 3.52
Investec Asset Management Various Nominees 1,500,974 3.39
Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Pershing Nominees 1,356,978 3.06
Management
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP have indicated their willingness to continue to act as
Auditors to the Company and a resolution for their re-appointment, will be
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
AUDIT INFORMATION
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors' Report
confirm that, so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information
of which the Auditors are unaware; and that each Director has taken all steps
they ought to have taken as a Director to make themselves aware of any relevant
audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of such
information.
SECTION 992 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 The following disclosures are made in
accordance with Section 992 of the Companies Act 2006.
Capital Structure
The Company's capital structure is summarised in note 13 on page 47.
Voting Rights in the Company's shares
Details of the voting rights in the Company's shares at the date of this Annual
Report are given in note 9 to the Notice of Annual General Meeting on page 59.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
A formal statement on Corporate Governance, which forms part of this Report of
the Directors, is set out on pages 26 to 31.
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SHARES - INFORMATION RIGHTS
Beneficial owners of shares who have been nominated by the registered holder of
those shares to receive information rights under section 146 of the Companies
Act 2006 are required to direct all communications to the registered holder of
their
shares rather than to the Company's registrar, Capita Registrars, or to the
Company directly.
NOTICE PERIOD FOR GENERAL MEETINGS Recent amendments made to the Company's
Articles of Association included a provision allowing general meetings of the
Company to be called on the minimum notice period provided for in the Companies
Act 2006. For meetings other than Annual General Meetings this is currently a
period of 14 clear days.
A SpecialResolution was passed by shareholders at last year's Annual General
Meeting approving this. The Board is proposing Resolution 14 as a Special
Resolution to renew this approval for a further year. The notice period for
Annual General Meetings will remain 21 clear days.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Included with notice of the Annual General Meeting is a letter to shareholders
asking for their individual consent to receive documents, notices and
information either electronically or via the Company's website. Ordinary
Resolution 13 also requests the consent of shareholders to send or supply
documents by electronic means.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
Ordinary Resolution 13 and your individual consent will give the Company more
flexibility to supply notices, documents or information in electronic form and
by means of a website pursuant to the FSA's Disclosure Rules and Transparency
Rules. The Company's Articles of Association were updated at last year's Annual
General Meeting to enable the Company to send all documents and notices
electronically rather than just notices of meetings, proxies, and copies of
annual reports and accounts and summary financial statements and to permit the
Company to send documents by means of a website and to ensure the Articles of
Association are consistent with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
Shareholders should note that even if Ordinary Resolution 13 is passed no
action will be taken and no documents will be sent electronically until the
consent of shareholders in General Meeting has been obtained and until the
Company receives individual consent to electronic communication. However,
provided that Ordinary Resolution 13 is passed at the Annual General Meeting
and provided we have not received a response from you by 23 July 2010, the
Companies Act 2006 allows us to assume that you have agreed that the documents
and information referred to in the consent letter can be sent to you by posting
them on the Company's website.
A shareholder may, if he or she wishes, continue to receive all company
communications in hard copy form. Moreover, a shareholder may, in relation to a
particular communication, request a hard copy form of that communication or, at
any time, revoke his or her general agreement to be provided documentation in
electronic form or by means of a website by delivering written notice or such
revocation to the Company.
PROPOSED CHANGE TO INVESTMENT POLICY
The Company's current investment policy is to invest worldwide in
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related companies in the healthcare sector
with the objective of achieving a high level of capital growth. However, the
Company's Investment manager believes that it would be beneficial to
shareholders to broaden the definition of the healthcare sector as referred to
within the investment policy, to include companies in the healthcare equipment
and healthcare technology sectors and also to include companies that provide
healthcare and related services. None of these areas of the healthcare sector
would individually represent
more than 15% of the portfolio at the date of acquisition and any investment
made would be subject to the Company's existing limitations and guidelines.
As a consequence of this development, the Board is also proposing a change from
the Company's existing benchmark index which is the Datastream World
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index (measured in sterling terms on a total
return basis), to the MSCI World Healthcare Index (measured in sterling terms
on a total return basis) as it is believed that this index will more accurately
reflect the makeup of the Company's portfolio. The MSCI World Healthcare Index,
as described above, will be used in relation to the calculation of any
performance fee to be paid to the Investment Manager and Manager.
Under the Listing Rules the Company is required to seek the approval of
shareholders for any material change in its investment policy and any related
party transaction, such as the change to the Company's benchmark in relation to
the calculation of any future performance fee. Therefore an ordinary resolution
to approve the above-mentioned changes to the Company's investment policy and
benchmark will be proposed at the Company's forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
As required for a related party transaction of this nature, the Manager,
Investment Manager and their associates will not be entitled to vote on this
resolution.
The Manager, Investment Manager and their associates have not participated in
the Board's consideration of the change to the Company's benchmark for the
purposes of determining whether it is fair and reasonable as far as the holders
of the Company's ordinary and subscription shares are concerned.
The Board strongly supports the investment philosophy and approach of the
Company's Investment Manager and is of the view that these changes will be of
benefit to shareholders.
Full details of the Company's current investment policy are set out on page 14.
The proposed revised investment policy is set out below.
INVESTMENT POLICY
In order to achieve its investment objective, the Company invests worldwide in
a diversified portfolio of shares in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related
companies in the healthcare sector with the objective of achieving a high level
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
of capital growth. It uses gearing and derivative transactions to mitigate risk
and also to enhance capital returns.
* The Company will not invest more than 10% of its gross assets in other
listed investment companies (including listed investment trusts);
* The Company will not invest more than 15% of the portfolio in any one
individual stock at the time of acquisition;
* At least 60% of the portfolio will normally be invested in larger companies
(i.e. with a market capitalisation of at least US$5bn);
* At least 20% of the portfolio will normally be invested in smaller
companies (i.e. with a market capitalisation of less than US$5bn);
* Investment in unquoted securities will not exceed 10% of the portfolio at
the time of acquisition;
* A maximum of 5% of the portfolio, at the time of acquisition, may be
invested in each of debt instruments, convertibles and royalty bonds issued
by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;
* A maximum of 15% of the portfolio, at the time of acquisition, may be
invested in companies in each of the following sectors:
* healthcare equipment
* healthcare technology
* providers of healthcare and related services
* The Company's gearing policy is to borrow up to the lower of £70m or 20% of
the Company's net asset value;
* Derivative transactions can be used to mitigate risk or enhance capital
returns and will be restricted to 5% of the portfolio; and
* Equity Swaps may be used in order to meet the Company's investment
objective of achieving a high level of capital growth and is restricted to
5% of the portfolio.
PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE COMPANY'S NAME As a consequence of the proposals to
amend the Company's investment policy a Special Resolution will be proposed at
the Annual General Meeting to change the Company's name to the Worldwide
Healthcare Trust PLC.
PERFORMANCE FEE
As a consequence of the proposed change to the Company's benchmark,
shareholders should note that the Company's performance fee, described on page
18 will be amended to substitute the MSCI World Healthcare Index (measured in
sterling terms on a total return basis) for the Company's current benchmark.
Shareholders should further note that the Company's performance fee is not
capped and the proposed change of benchmark could potentially result in a
performance fee being paid where none or a lesser amount would be paid under
current arrangements. Likewise, under the proposed change of benchmark, the
situation could arise where no performance fee is paid where one would be
payable under the current arrangements. No change to the quantum of the
performance fee is proposed.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The formal Notice of Annual General Meeting is set out on pages 56 to 60 of
this Annual Report.
Resolutions relating to the following items of special business will be
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting:
Issue of Shares
Ordinary Resolution 9 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting gives authority
to the Directors to allot the unissued share capital up to an aggregate nominal
amount of £1,074,495 (equivalent to 4,297,982 shares, or 10% of the Company's
existing issued share capital on 21 June 2010, being the nearest practicable
date prior to the signing of this Report). Such authority will expire on the
date of the next Annual General Meeting or after a period of 15 months from the
date of the passing of the resolution, whichever is earlier. This means that
the authority will have to be renewed at the next Annual General Meeting.
When shares are to be allotted for cash, Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006
(the "Act") provides that existing shareholders have pre-emption rights and
that the new shares must be offered first to such shareholders in proportion to
their existing holding of shares. However, shareholders can, by special
resolution, authorise the Directors to allot shares otherwise than by a pro
rata issue to existing shareholders. Special Resolution 10 will, if passed,
give the Directors power to allot for cash equity securities up to 10% of the
Company's existing share capital on 21 June 2010 (reduced by any
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
treasury shares sold by the Company pursuant to Special Resolution 11, as
described below), as if Section 551 of the Act does not apply. This is the same
nominal amount of share capital which the Directors are seeking the authority
to allot pursuant to Resolution 9. This authority will also expire on the date
of the next Annual General Meeting or after a period of 15 months, whichever is
earlier. This authority will not be used in connection with a rights issue by
the Company.
Under the Companies (Acquisition of Own Shares) (Treasury Shares) Regulations
2003 (as amended) (the "Treasury Share Regulations") the Company is permitted
to buy back and hold shares in treasury and then sell them at a later date for
cash, rather than cancelling them. The Treasury Share Regulations require such
sale to be on a pre-emptive, pro rata, basis to existing shareholders unless
shareholders agree by special resolution to disapply such pre-emption rights.
Accordingly, in addition to giving the Directors power to allot unissued share
capital on a non pre-emptive basis pursuant to Resolution 10, Resolution 11, if
passed, will give the Directors authority to sell shares held in treasury on a
non pre-emptive basis. No dividends may be paid on any shares held in treasury
and no voting rights will attach to such shares. The benefit of the ability to
hold treasury shares is that such shares may be resold. This should give the
Company greater flexibility in managing its share capital, and improve
liquidity in its shares. It is the intention of the Board that any re-sale of
treasury shares would only take place at a narrower discount to the net asset
value per share than that at which they had been bought into treasury, and in
any event at a discount no greater than 5% to the prevailing net asset value
per share, and this is reflected in the text of Resolution 11. It is also the
intention of the Board that sales from treasury would only take place when the
Board believes that to do so would assist in the provision of liquidity to the
market. The number of treasury shares which may be sold pursuant to this
authority is limited to 10% of the Company's existing share capital on 21 June
2010 (reduced by any equity securities allotted for cash on a non-pro rata
basis pursuant to Resolution 10, as described above). This authority will also
expire on the date of the next Annual General Meeting or after a period of 15
months, whichever is earlier.
The Directors intend to use the authority given by Resolutions 10 and 11 to
allot shares and disapply pre-emption rights only in circumstances where this
will be clearly beneficial to
shareholders as a whole. The issue proceeds would be available for investment
in line with the Company's investment policy. No issue of shares will be made
which would effectively alter the control of the Company without the prior
approval of shareholders in General Meeting.
Share Repurchases
At the Annual General Meeting held on 17 July 2009, and at a subsequent General
Meeting, held on 2 March 2010, shareholders approved the renewal of the
authority permitting the Company to repurchase its own shares.
The Directors wish to renew the authority given by shareholders at the recent
General Meeting. The principal aim of a share buy-back facility is to enhance
shareholder value by acquiring shares at a discount to net asset value, as and
when the Directors consider this to be appropriate. The purchase of shares,
when they are trading at a discount to net asset value per share, should result
in an increase in the net asset value per share for the remaining shareholders.
This authority, if conferred, will only be exercised if to do so would result
in an increase in the net asset value per share for the remaining shareholders
and if it is in the best interests of shareholders generally. Any purchase of
shares will be made within guidelines established from time to time by the
Board. It is proposed to seek shareholder authority to renew this facility for
another year at the Annual General Meeting.
Under the current Listing Rules, the maximum price that may be paid on the
exercise of this authority must not exceed the higher of (i) 105% of the
average of the middle market quotations for the shares over the five business
days immediately preceding the date of purchase and (ii) the higher of the last
independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venue
where the purchase is carried out. The minimum price which may be paid is 25p
per share. Shares which are purchased under this authority will either be
cancelled or held as treasury shares.
Special Resolution 12 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting will renew the
authority to purchase in the market a maximum of 14.99% of shares in issue on
21 June 2010, being the nearest practicable date prior to the signing of this
Report, (amounting to 6,442,675 shares). Such authority will expire on the date
of
the next Annual General Meeting or after a period of 15 months from the date of
passing of the resolution, whichever is earlier. This means in effect that the
authority will have to be
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review
renewed at the next Annual General Meeting or earlier if the authority has been
exhausted.
Electronic Communications
Ordinary Resolution 13 seeks shareholder approval for the Company to send them
documents, notices and information either electronically or via the Company's
website.
General Meetings
Special Resolution 14 seeks shareholder approval for the Company to hold
GeneralMeetings (other than Annual General Meetings) at 14 clear days' notice.
Significant Changes
Save for the fall in the audited value of the Company's net assets from £346.2
million as at 31 March 2010 to
£327.4 million (unaudited) as at 17 June 2010 (being the latest practicable
date prior to the publication of this document), there has been no significant
change in the financial or trading position of the Company since 31 March 2010.
Change to Investment Policy
Ordinary Resolution 15 seeks shareholder approval for the Company to make an
amendment to its investment policy.
Change of Name
Special Resolution 16 seeks shareholder approval to change the name of the
Company to Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC.
The authorities being sought under Resolutions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 will last
until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting or, if less, a period
of 15 months.
The Board considers that the resolutions set out above are, in the Board's
opinion, in the best interests of shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the
Board unanimously recommends to shareholders that they vote in favour of the
above resolutions to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
The Board, which has been so advised by Winterflood Investment Trusts, believes
that the proposed change to the Company's benchmark is fair and reasonable as
far as the holders of both the ordinary shares and the subscription shares of
the Company are concerned.
The Directors of the Company, whose names appear on
page 63 accept responsibility for the information contained in this document.
To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Directors (who have taken
reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained in
this document is in
accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the
import of such information.
By order of the Board Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary 21 June 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial
statements in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and regulations.
Company law in the United Kingdom requires the Directors to prepare financial
statements for each financial year. Under this law the Directors have elected
to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice, (United Kingdom standards and applicable law).
Under Company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of
affairs of the Company and the profit and loss of the Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
* select suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently;
* make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
* state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed,
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial
statements.
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and which disclose
with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies
Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud
and other irregularities.
Under applicable law and regulation, the Directors are also responsible for
preparing a Report of the Directors, including a formal statement on Corporate
Governance and a Directors' Remuneration Report that comply with such law and
regulations.
The financial statements are published on the Company's website (website
address: www.finsburywp.com), which is a website maintained by the Manager. The
maintenance and integrity of the website is, so far as it relates to the
Company, the responsibility of the Manager. The work carried out by the
Auditors does not involve consideration of the maintenance and integrity of
this website and accordingly, the Auditors accept no responsibility for any
changes that have occurred to the financial statements since they were
initially presented on the website. Visitors to the website need to be aware
that legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of the financial statements may differ from legislation in their
jurisdiction.
The Directors, whose details can be found on pages 4 and 5, each confirm that
to the best of their knowledge the financial statements, within the Annual
Report, have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards,
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
the profit for the year ended 31 March 2010, and that the Chairman's Statement,
Review of Investments and the Report of the Directors include a fair review of
the information required by 4.1.8R to 4.2.11 R of the FSAs Disclosure and
Transparency Rules.
On behalf of the Board Martin Smith
Chairman
21 June 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Corporate Governance
This Corporate Governance Statement forms part of the Report of the Directors.
COMPLIANCE
The Board has considered the principles and recommendations of the AIC Code of
Corporate Governance ("AIC Code") by reference to the AIC Corporate Governance
Guide for Investment Companies ("AIC Guide"). The AIC Code, as explained by the
AIC Guide, addresses all the principles set out in Section 1 of the Combined
Code, as well as setting out additional principles and recommendations on
issues that are of specific relevance to Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical
Trust PLC.
The Board considers that reporting against the principles and recommendations
of the AIC Code, and by reference to the AIC Guide (which incorporates the
Combined Code), will provide better information to shareholders.
The Company has complied with the recommendations of the AIC Code and the
relevant provisions of Section 1 of the Combined Code throughout the year ended
31 March 2010 and up to the date of this report, except with regard to the fact
that the Chairman of the Company is Chairman of the Management Engagement and
Remuneration Committee and as set out below.
The Combined Code includes provision relating to:
* the role of the chief executive (section A.2);
* executive directors' remuneration (section B.1); and
* the need for an internal audit function (section C.3).
For the reasons set out in the AIC Guide, and in the preamble to the AIC Code,
the Board considers these provisions are not relevant to the position of
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC, being an externally managed
investment company. The Company has therefore not reported further in respect
of these provisions.
INTERNAL AUDIT
As the Company delegates to third parties its day-to-day operations and has no
employees, the Board has determined that there are no requirements for an
internal audit function. The Board reviews annually whether a function
equivalent to an internal audit is needed and it will continue to monitor its
systems of internal controls in order to provide assurance that they operate as
intended.
BOARD INDEPENDENCE, COMPOSITION AND TENURE
The Board, chaired by Martin Smith, currently consists of seven non-executive
Directors. The Directors' biographical details, set out on pages 4 and 5,
demonstrate a breadth of investment, commercial and professional experience.
Professor Duncan Geddes has been designated as the Senior Independent Director.
The Directors review their independence annually. The Directors retire by
rotation at every third Annual General Meeting and any Directors appointed to
the Board since the previous Annual General Meeting also retire and stand for
election. Any Director who has served on the Board for more than nine years is
subject to annual re-election. Jo Dixon retires by rotation in accordance with
the Company's Articles of Association and, being eligible, offers herself for
re-election at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Paul Gaunt is a Director
of The Biotech Growth Trust PLC for which OrbiMed also acts as Investment
Manager; he has also served on the Board for over nine years. Despite being
considered by the Board to be independent in character and judgment Mr Gaunt is
not considered to be an Independent Director. Samuel D Isaly is Managing
Partner of OrbiMed, the Company's Investment Manager, and has also served on
the Board for over nine years. Mr Isaly is therefore not considered to be an
Independent Director. Professor Geddes and Anthony Townsend have both also
served on the Board for over nine years. However, the Board considers them to
be independent in character and judgment and, in accordance with the AIC Code,
does not believe that the criterion of length of service should necessarily
preclude them from being considered independent; they also have no other links
to the Investment Manager and have a wide range of other interests. The Board
has considered the position of Ms Dixon and Messrs Gaunt, Isaly, Townsend and
Professor Geddes, as part of the evaluation process, and believes that it would
be in the Company's best interests to propose them for re-election at the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting. In line with the Company's strong
commitment to its corporate governance responsibilities, the Board regularly
reviews its performance and composition to ensure it has the correct mix of
relevant skills and experience for the good conduct of the Company's business.
As part of this process the Board is in the process of agreeing a programme of
refreshment, which will see its membership change as current Directors retire
in an orderly manner, and new Directors are appointed.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Corporate Governance (continued)
None of the Directors has a service contract with the Company. New Directors
are appointed with the expectation that they will serve for a minimum period of
three years. Any Director may resign in writing to the Board at any time. The
terms of their appointment are detailed in a letter sent to them when they join
the Board. These letters are available for inspection at the offices of the
Company's Manager and will be available at the Annual General Meeting. When a
new Director is appointed to the Board, they are provided with all relevant
information regarding the Company and their duties and responsibilities as a
Director. In addition, a new Director will also spend time with representatives
of the Manager and Investment Manager in order to learn more about their
processes and procedures. The Board also receives regular briefings from,
amongst others, the Auditors and the Company Secretary regarding any proposed
developments or changes in laws or regulations that could affect the Company
and/or the Directors.
THE BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board is responsible for efficient and effective leadership of the Company
and regularly reviews the schedule of matters reserved for its decision. The
Board meets at least on a quarterly basis and at other times as necessary. The
Board is responsible for all aspects of the Company's affairs, including the
setting of parameters for and the monitoring of investment strategy, the review
of investment performance (including peer group performance) and investment
policy. It also has responsibility for all corporate strategy issues, dividend
policy, share buy-back policy, gearing, share price and discount/premium
monitoring and corporate governance matters. To enable them to discharge their
responsibilities, prior to each meeting the Directors are provided, in a timely
manner, with a comprehensive set of papers giving detailed information on the
Company's transactions, financial position and performance. Representatives of
the Manager and Investment Manager attend each Board meeting, enabling the
Directors to seek clarification on specific issues or to probe further on
matters of concern; a full written report is also received from the Manager and
Investment Manager at each quarterly meeting. In light of these reports, the
Board gives direction to the Investment Manager with regard to the Company's
investment objectives and guidelines. Within these established guidelines, the
Investment Manager takes
decisions as to the purchase and sale of individual investments.
There is an agreed procedure for Directors, in the furtherance of their duties,
to take independent professional advice, if necessary, at the Company's
expense. The Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company
Secretary, through its appointed representative, who is responsible to the
Board for ensuring that Board procedures are followed.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The Board has carried out an evaluation process for the year ended 31 March
2010, independently managed by Professor Geddes, the Senior Independent
Director. This took the form of a questionnaire followed by discussions to
identify how the effectiveness of its activities, including the performance of
investment, Directors and the Company's committees, together with the Company's
policies and processes, might be improved. The results of the evaluation
process were presented to and discussed by the Board and, as a result, it was
agreed that the current Directors contributed effectively and that all had the
skills and experience which are relevant to the leadership and direction of the
Company.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
On 1 October 2008 it became a statutory requirement that a Director must avoid
a situation in which he or she has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest
that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the Company's interests (a
"situational conflict"). The Company's Articles of Association were amended at
the last Annual General Meeting to give the Directors authority to approve such
situations, where appropriate.
It is the responsibility of each individual Director to avoid an unauthorised
conflict situation arising. He or she must request authorisation from the Board
as soon as he or she becomes aware of the possibility of a situational conflict
arising.
The Board is responsible for considering Directors' requests for authorisation
of situational conflicts and for deciding whether they should be authorised.
The factors to be considered will include whether the situational conflict
could prevent the Director from performing his or her duties, whether it has,
or could have, any impact on the Company and whether it could be regarded as
likely to affect the judgment and/or actions of the Director in question. When
the Board is deciding whether
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Corporate Governance (continued)
to authorise a conflict or potential conflict, only Directors who have no
interest in the matter being considered are able to take the relevant decision,
and in taking the decision the Directors must act in a way they consider, in
good faith, will be most likely to promote the Company's success. The Directors
are able to impose limits or conditions when giving authorisation if they think
this is appropriate in the circumstances.
A register of conflicts is maintained by the Company Secretary and is reviewed
at quarterly Board meetings, to ensure that any authorised conflicts remain
appropriate. Directors are required to confirm at these meetings whether there
has been any change to their position.
The Directors must also comply with the statutory rules requiring company
directors to declare any interest in an actual or proposed transaction or
arrangement with the Company.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
During the year the Board delegated certain responsibilities and functions to
committees. Copies of the full terms of reference, which clearly define the
responsibilities of each Committee, can be obtained from the Company Secretary,
will be available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting, and can be
found at the Company's website at www.finsburywp.com. Following a review by the
Board in 2008, it was agreed that due to the size of the Board, the membership
of the Management Engagement and Remuneration and Nominations Committees should
comprise the whole Board, under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Company
and Professor Geddes respectively (provided that a majority of the Directors
present are independent). It was further agreed that the membership of the
Audit Committee comprise the following independent Directors: Jo Dixon
(Chairman), Dr David Holbrook, Professor Duncan Geddes and Anthony Townsend.
Directors who are not members of the Audit Committee may attend at the
invitation of the Chairman. Details of
the membership of the Committees as at 31 March 2010 are shown with the
Directors' biographies on pages 4 and 5. Following a review by the Board during
the year, it was agreed that the Company's Remuneration Committee should be
reconstituted as Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee under the
chairmanship of Mr Martin Smith, the Chairman of the Company.
The table overleaf details the number of Board and Committee meetings attended
by each Director. During the year there were four Board meetings, three Board
Committee meetings, two Audit Committee meetings, one meeting of the
Nominations Committee, one meeting of the Management Engagement and
Remuneration Committee and three Share Allotment Committee meetings.
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The Nominations Committee is responsible for the Board appraisal process and
for making recommendations to the Board on the appointment of new Directors.
Where appropriate, each Director is invited to submit nominations and external
advisers may be used to identify potential candidates.
MANAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The level of Directors'fees is reviewed on a regular basis relative to other
comparable investment companies and in the light of Directors'
responsibilities. Neither the Chairman nor individual Directors participate in
discussions involving personal remuneration. Details of the fees paid to the
Directors in the year under review are detailed in the Directors' Remuneration
Report on pages 32 and 33.
This committee also reviews the terms of engagement of the Investment Manager,
the Manager and the Company's other service providers.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Corporate Governance (continued)
Type and number of Board Board Allotment Audit Nominations Management
meetings held in (4) Committee Committee Committee Committee Engagement
2009/10 (3) (3) (2) (1) and
Remuneration
Committee
(1)
Martin Smith 4 2 3 N/A 1 1
Josephine Dixon 4 2 1 2 1 1
Paul Gaunt 4 N/A 1 N/A 1 1
Professor Duncan 4 N/A N/A 2 1 1
Geddes
Dr David Holbrook 4 1 N/A 2 1 1
Samuel D Isaly 4 N/A 1 N/A 1 1
Anthony Townsend 4 3 N/A 2 1 1
All of the Directors attended the Annual General Meeting held on 17 July 2009.
Mr Townsend attended the General Meeting of the Company held on 4 September
2009.
Professor Geddes attended the General Meeting of the Company held on 2 March
2010.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee meets at least twice a year and is responsible for the
review of the interim and annual financial statements, the nature and scope of
the external audit and the findings therefrom and the terms of appointment of
the Auditors, including their remuneration and the provision of any non-audit
services by them.
The Audit Committee meets representatives of the Manager and Investment Manager
and their Compliance Officers who report as to the proper conduct of business
in accordance with the regulatory environment in which the Company, Manager and
Investment Manager operate. The Company's externalAuditors also attend meetings
of this Committee at its request and report on their work procedures and their
findings in relation to the Company's statutory audit. They also have the
opportunity to meet with the Committee without representatives of the Manager
or the Investment Manager being present. The Audit Committee reviews the need
for non-audit services and authorises such on a case by case basis, having
consideration to the cost effectiveness of the services and the independence
and objectivity of the Auditors. Non-audit fees of £15,000 were paid to Ernst &
Young LLP during the year for their review of the Company's options strategy
and for the provision of tax advice in relation to royalty bonds and
convertible preferred equity certificates (CPECs). The Board has concluded, on
the recommendation of the Audit Committee, that the Auditors continued to be
independent and that their reappointment be proposed at the Annual General
Meeting.
INTERNAL CONTROLS
The Directors are responsible for the Company's system of internal control
which is designed to safeguard the Company's assets, maintain proper accounting
records and ensure that financial information used within the business, or
published, is reliable. However, such a system can only be designed to manage
rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and
therefore can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against
fraud, material misstatement or loss. Risk assessment and the review of
internal controls are undertaken by the Board in the context of the Company's
overall investment objective. The review covers the key business, operational,
compliance and financial risks facing the Company. In arriving at its judgement
of what risks the Company faces, the Board has considered the Company's
operations in the light of the following factors:
* the nature and extent of risks which it regards as acceptable for the
Company to bear within its overall business objective;
* the threat of such risks becoming a reality; and
* the Company's ability to reduce the incidence and impact of risk on its
performance.
Against this background, the Board has split the review of risk and associated
controls into five sections reflecting the nature of the risks being addressed.
These sections are as follows:
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Corporate Governance (continued)
* corporate strategy;
* investment activity;
* published information, compliance with laws and regulations;
* service providers; and
* financial activity.
The Company has appointed agents to provide administrative services to the
Company. The Company has obtained from its various service providers assurances
and information relating to their internal systems and controls to enable the
Board to make an appropriate risk and control assessment, including the
following:
* details of the control environment in operation;
* identification and evaluation of risks and control objectives;
* review of communication methods and procedures; and
* assessment of the control procedures.
The key procedures which have been established to provide internal financial
controls are as follows:
* investment management is provided by OrbiMed Capital LLC. The Board is
responsible for setting the overall investment policy and monitors the
actions of the Investment Manager at regular Board meeting;
* administration, company secretarial and marketing duties for the Company
are performed by Frostrow Capital LLP;
* custody of assets is undertaken by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York;
* the Board clearly defines the duties and responsibilities of their agents
and advisers. The appointment of agents and advisers to the Company is
conducted by the Board after consideration of the quality of the parties
involved; the Board monitors their ongoing performance and contractual
arrangements;
* mandates for authorisation of investment transactions and expense payments
are set by the Board; and
* the Board reviews financial information produced by the Investment Manager
and the Manager in detail on a regular basis.
All of the Company's management functions are performed by third parties whose
internal controls are reviewed by the Board or on its behalf by Frostrow
Capital LLP.
In accordance with guidance issued to directors of listed companies, ("the
Turnbull Guidance") the Directors confirm that they have carried out a review
of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control during the
year and up to the date of approval of the financial statements, as set out
above.
RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Board reviews the shareholder register at each Board meeting. The Company
has regular contact with its institutional shareholders particularly through
the Manager. The Board supports the principle that the Annual General Meeting
be used to communicate with private investors. The full Board attends the
Annual General Meeting under the Chairmanship of the Chairman of the Board.
Details of proxy votes received in respect of each resolution are made
available to shareholders at the meeting and are also published on the
Company's website at www.finsburywp.com. Representatives from the Investment
Manager attend the Annual General Meeting and give a presentation on investment
matters to those present. The Company has adopted a nominee share code which is
set out on page 31.
The Board receives marketing and public relations reports from the Manager to
whom the marketing function has been delegated. The Board reviews and considers
the marketing plans of the Manager on a regular basis.
The annual and interim financial reports, the interim management statements and
a monthly fact sheet are available to all shareholders. The Board considers the
format of the annual and interim financial reports so as to ensure they are
useful to all shareholders and others taking an interest in the Company. In
accordance with best practice, the annual report, including the Notice of the
Annual General Meeting, is sent to shareholders at least 20 working days before
the Meeting. Separate resolutions are proposed for substantive issues.
EXERCISE OF VOTING POWERS
The Board has delegated authority to the Investment Manager to vote the shares
owned by the Company that are held on its behalf by its custodian, Goldman
Sachs & Co. New York. The Board has instructed that the Investment Manager
submit votes
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Corporate Governance (continued)
for such shares wherever possible. This accords with current best practice
whilst maintaining a primary focus on financial returns. The Investment Manager
may refer to the Board on any matters of a contentious nature. The Company does
not retain voting rights on any shares that are subject to rehypothecation in
connection with the loan facility provided by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT
The Statement of Directors' Responsibilities in respect of the financial
statements is set out on page 25. The report of the Auditors is set out on
pages 34 and 35. The Board has delegated contractually to external agencies,
including the Manager and the Investment Manager, the management of the
portfolio, custodial services (which includes the safeguarding of the Company's
assets), the day to day marketing, accounting administration, company
secretarial requirements and registration services. Each of these contracts was
entered into after full and proper consideration by the Board of the quality
and cost of the services offered, including the control systems in operation in
so far as they relate to the affairs of the Company. The Board receives and
considers regular reports from the
Manager and the Investment Manager and ad hoc reports and information are
supplied to the Board as required.
NOMINEE SHARE CODE
Where shares are held in a nominee company name, the Company undertakes:
* to provide the nominee company with multiple copies of shareholder
communications, so long as an indication of quantities has been provided in
advance;
* to allow investors holding shares through a nominee company to attend
General Meetings, provided the correct authority from the nominee company
is available; and
* that investors in the Alliance Trust Savings Scheme or ISA are
automatically sent shareholder communications, including details of General
Meetings, together with a form of direction to facilitate voting and to
seek authority to attend.
Nominee companies are encouraged to provide the necessary authority to
underlying shareholders to attend the Company's General Meetings.
Shareholder Analysis
as at 31 March
2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009
number of % of number of % of issued number of % of number of % of
shares issued subscription subscription shares issued warrants# issued
share shares^ shares^ share warrants
capital capital #
Nominee Companies* 34,236,796 77.4 7,978,398 91.6 34,386,134 83.1 8,330,379 77.5
Other Institutions,
Investment
Funds and Companies 6,867,690 15.5 118,963 1.4 3,957,834 9.6 722,709 6.7
Private Individuals 1,390,944 3.2 342,682 3.9 1,316,008 3.2 544,730 5.1
Banks and Bank 1,739,860 3.9 271,470 3.1 1,701,455 4.1 1,147,792 10.7
Nominees
Total shares/ 44,235,290 100.0 8,711,513 100.00 41,361,431 100.0 10,745,610 100.0
warrants in issue * * â€
* Includes Alliance 2,003,705 4.5 372,160 4.1 2,013,822 4.9 126,341 1.2
Trust Savings
Scheme, and ISA
clients
# Warrants to subscribe for shares, created on 17 December 2004.
†All of the remaining 10,745,610 warrants in issue on 31 July 2009, the last
exercise date, were exercised on this date.
^ Subscription shares, created on 4 September 2009.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Directors' Remuneration Report
The Board has prepared this report in accordance with the requirements of
Section 420 to 422 of the Companies
Act 2006. An ordinary resolution for the approval of this report will be put to
the members at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
The law requires the Company's auditors to audit certain of the disclosures
provided. Where disclosures have been audited, they are indicated as such. The
Auditors'opinion is included in their report on pages 34 and 35.
MANAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The Company has seven non-executive Directors, five of whom are considered by
the Board to be independent. The whole Board fulfils the function of the
Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee (provided that a majority of
the Directors present are independent). The Board may utilise the services of
the Company Secretary or external advisers to provide advice when the Directors
consider the level of Directors'fees.
The Directors' fees are reviewed annually by the Management Engagement and
Remuneration Committee and such review will not necessarily result in a change
to the rates paid; the current level of fees paid to the Directors has been in
place since 2004. During the year, the Management Engagement and Remuneration
Committee carried out a review of the level of Directors' fees in relation both
to fees paid to the boards of other investment trust companies and also to the
Board's corporate governance obligations. The Board decided, on the advice of
the Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee, that the fees paid to the
Directors should be increased with effect from 1 April 2010. The revised fee
levels are set out on page 33.
POLICY ON DIRECTORS' FEES
The Board's policy is that the remuneration of Directors should reflect the
experience of the Board as a whole, be fair and comparable to that of other
investment trusts that are similar in size, have a similar capital structure
(Ordinary shares), and have a similar investment objective. It is intended that
this policy will continue for the year ending 31 March 2011 and subsequent
years.
The fees for the Directors are determined within the limits set out in the
Company's Articles of Association, the maximum aggregate amount currently being
£200,000. Directors are not eligible for bonuses, pension benefits, share
options, long-term incentive schemes or other benefits. The policy is for the
Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee to be paid higher
fees than the other Directors to reflect their more onerous roles and
additional responsibilities.
DIRECTORS' SERVICE CONTRACTS
It is the Board's policy that none of the Directors has a service contract. The
terms of their appointment provide that Directors shall retire and be subject
to election at the first Annual General Meeting after their appointment and
re-election at least every three years thereafter. The terms also provide that
a Director may resign by notice in writing to the Board at any time and may be
removed without notice and that compensation will not be due on leaving office.
The Company's policy is for the Directors to be remunerated in the form of fees
payable quarterly in arrears, to the Director personally or to a specified
third party.
YOUR COMPANY'S PERFORMANCE
The Regulations require a line graph be included in the Directors' Remuneration
Report comparing, for a period of five years, on a cumulative basis, the total
share price return (assuming all dividends are reinvested) to shareholders and
the total shareholder return on a notional investment made up of shares of the
same kind and number as those by reference to which the DataStream World
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Index (total return, sterling adjusted),
chosen as it is the Company's stated benchmark, is calculated.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
*
Directors' Remuneration Report (continued)
DIRECTORS' EMOLUMENTS FOR THE YEAR (AUDITED)
The Directors who served in the year received the following emoluments in the
form of fees:
Fees 2010 £'000 Fees 2009
£ '000
Martin Smith+ 30 27
Josephine Dixon (Chairman of the Audit 21 21
Committee)
Paul Gaunt 19 19
Professor Duncan Geddes 19 19
Dr David Holbrook 19 19
Ian Ivory* - 9
Samuel D Isaly 19 19
Anthony Townsend 19 19
146 152
Retired from the Board on 23 July 2008.
+Appointed Chairman 23 July 2008.
With effect from 1 April 2010 the fees paid to the Directors increased as
follows:
Chairman £35,000 pa
Chairman of the Audit Committee £25,000 pa
Director £22,000 pa
SHAREHOLDER TOTAL RETURN FOR THE FIVE YEARS TO 31 MARCH 2010
APPROVAL
The Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 32 and 33 was approved by the Board
of Directors on 21 June 2010 and signed on its behalf by:
Martin Smith
Chairman
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Independent Auditors' Report
to the Members of Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC
We have audited the financial statements of Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical
Trust PLC for the year ended 31 March 2010 which comprise the Income Statement,
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow
Statement and the related notes 1 to 19. The financial reporting framework that
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom
Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance
with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been
undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are
required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To
the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility
to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body, for our
audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS AND AUDITORS
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out
on page 25, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our
responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those
standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board's (APB's)
Ethical Standards for Auditors.
SCOPE OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial
statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or
error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are
appropriate to the Company's circumstances and have been consistently applied
and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting
estimates made by the Directors; and the overall presentation of the financial
statements.
OPINION ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In our opinion the financial statements:
* give a true and fair view of the state of the Company's affairs as at 31
March 2010 and of its profit for the year then ended;
* have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice; and
* have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act
2006.
OPINION ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
In our opinion:
* the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited has been
properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006;
* the information given in the Directors' Report for the financial year for
which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the
financial statements.
MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our
opinion:
* adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our
audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
* the financial statements and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report
to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns;
or
* certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not
made; or
* we have not received all the information and explanations we require for
our audit;
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Independent Auditors' Report (continued)
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
* the Directors' statement, set out on page 18, in relation to going concern;
and
* the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on pages 26 to 31 of the
financial statements relating to the Company's compliance with the nine
provisions of the June 2008 Combined Code specified for our review.
Caroline Gulliver, (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor London
21 June 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Income Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2010
Notes 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009
Revenue Capital Total £ Revenue Capital Total £
£'000 £'000 '000 £'000 £'000 '000
Gains on investments 9 - 76,180 76,180 - 76,505 76,505
held at fair
value through profit
or loss
Exchange gains/ - 3,946 3,946 - (12,042) (12,042)
(losses) on currency
balances
Income from 2 5,825 - 5,825 4,018 - 4,018
investments held at
fair value through
profit or loss
Investment management, 3 (133) (5,025) (5,158) (116) (2,436) (2,552)
management and and
performance fees
Other expenses 4 (506) - (506) (588) - (588)
Net return before 5,186 75,101 80,287 3,314 62,027 65,341
finance charges and
taxation
Finance costs 5 (11) (212) (223) (29) (543) (572)
Net return before 5,175 74,889 80,064 3,285 61,484 64,769
taxation
Taxation on net return 6 (965) 303 (662) (866) 360 (506)
on ordinary activities
Net return after 4,210 75,192 79,402 2,419 61,844 64,263
taxation
Return per share - 7 9.5p 1 70.5p 180.0p 5.5p 141 .4p 1 46.9p
basic
Return per share - 7 9.5p 1 70.5p 180.0p 5.4p 1 38.2p 1 43.6p
diluted
The "Total" column of this statement is the Income Statement of the Company.
The "Revenue" and "Capital" columns are supplementary to this and are prepared
under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.
The Company has no recognised gains and losses other than those disclosed in
the Income Statement and Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds.
Accordingly no separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has been
presented.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Reconciliation of Movements
in Shareholders' Funds
Ordinary Subscription Share Warrant Capital Capital Revenue Total
share share premium reserve reserve redemption reserve £'000
capital capital account £'000 £'000 reserve £'000
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 31 March 2009 11,105 - 117,706 7,417 118,709 3,678 4,402 263,017
Net return from - - - - 75,192 - 4,210 79,402
ordinary activities
after taxation
Dividend paid in - - - - - - (1,982) (1,982)
respect of year
ended 31 March 2009
Proceeds from 2,686 - 47,174 - - - - 49,860
warrant exercise
Transfer from - - 7,417 (7,417) - - - -
warrant reserve
following exercise
of warrants
Subscription shares - 97 - - (295) - - (198)
issued less issue
costs
Subscription shares 184 (7) 4,351 - 7 - - 4,535
exercised for
ordinary shares
Shares purchased (1,331) - - - (48,453) 1,331 - (48,453)
including expenses
At 31 March 2010 12,644 90 176,648 - 145,160 5,009 6,630 346,181
For the year ended 31 March 2009
Ordinary Subscription Share Warrant Capital Capital Revenue Total
share share premium reserve reserve redemption reserve £'000
capital capital account £'000 £'000 reserve £'000
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 31 March 2008 11,772 - 117,639 7,426 81,611 3,008 3,327 224,783
Net return from - - - - 61,844 - 2,419 64,263
ordinary
activities after
taxation
Dividend paid in - - - - - - (1,344) (1,344)
respect of year
ended 31 March
2008
Proceeds from 3 - 58 - - - - 61
warrant exercise
Transfer from - - 9 (9) - - - -
warrant reserve
following exercise
of warrants
Shares purchased (670) - - - (24,746) 670 - (24,746)
including expenses
At 31 March 2009 11,105 - 117,706 7,417 118,709 3,678 4,402 263,017
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2010
Notes 2010 £'000 2009 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments held at fair value through 9 383,599 294,928
profit or loss
Derivative - OTC swaps 9 & 12 - 10,321
383,599 305,249
Current assets
Debtors 10 1,757 1,307
Derivative - financial instruments 9 & 12 628 -
Cash at bank 16 - 9,979
2,385 11,286
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one 11 (39,803) (52,564)
year
Derivative - financial instruments 9 & 12 - (954)
(39,803) (53,518)
Net current liabilities (37,418) (42,232)
Total net assets 346,181 263,017
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital 13 12,644 11,105
Subscription share capital 13 90 -
Share premium account 176,648 117,706
Warrant reserve - 7,417
Capital reserve 19 145,160 118,709
Capital redemption reserve 5,009 3,678
Revenue reserve 6,630 4,402
Total shareholders'funds 346,181 263,017
Net asset value per share - basic 14 780.8p 635.9p
Diluted net asset value per share - for 14 752.7p 600.5p
subscription shares/warrants
The financial statements on pages 36 to 55 were approved by the Board of
Directors and authorised for issue on 21 June 2010 and were signed on its
behalf by:
Martin Smith Chairman
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC - Company Registration Number
3023689 (Registered in England)
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2010
Notes 2010 £'000 2009 £'000
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 15 2,108 (61)
operating activities
Servicing of finance
Interest paid (223) (582)
Taxation
Taxation recovered 93 91
Financial investments
Purchases of investments and (265,795) (251,520)
derivatives
Sales of investments and derivatives 250,859 257,286
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from (14,936) 5,766
financial investment
Equity dividends paid (1,982) (1,344)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before (14,940) 3,870
financing
Financing
Issue of ordinary shares - 61
Proceeds from exercise of warrants 49,860 -
Subscription share issue costs (198) -
Purchase of own shares (49,061) (25,068)
Subscription shares exercised for 4,535 -
ordinary shares
Repayment of short term loans - (14,813)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 5,136 (39,820)
financing
Decrease in cash 16 (9,804) (35,950)
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently
throughout the year in the preparation of these financial statements, are set
out below:
a. Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom
generally accepted accounting standards (UK GAAP) and with the Statement of
Recommended Practice `Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and
Venture Capital Trusts' dated January 2009 (the `SORP').
The Company's financial statements are presented in sterling. All values are
rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000) except where otherwise
indicated.
b. Investments held at fair value through profit or loss
Listed investments have been designated by the Board as held at fair value
through profit or loss and accordingly are valued at fair value, deemed to be
bid market prices.
Unquoted investments have also been designated by the Board as held at fair
value through profit or loss, and are valued by the Directors using primary
valuation techniques such as earnings multiples, option pricing models,
discounted cash flow analysis and recent transactions.
Changes in the fair value of investments held at fair value through profit or
loss and gains and losses on disposal are recognised in the Income Statement as
`gains or losses on investments held at fair value through profit or loss'.
Also included within this caption are transaction costs in relation to the
purchase or sale of investments, including the difference between the purchase
price of an investment and its bid price at the date of purchase. All purchases
and sales are accounted for on a trade date basis.
The Company has classified its financial assets designated at fair value
through profit or loss and the fair value of derivative financial instruments
using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used
in making the fair value measurements. The hierarchy has the following levels:
* Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities;
* Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included with Level 1 that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or
indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and
* Level 3 - inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable market data (unobservable inputs).
c. Investment Income
Dividends receivable on equity shares are recognised on the ex-dividend date.
Where no ex-dividend date is quoted, dividends are recognised when the
Company's right to receive payment is established.
Income from fixed interest securities is recognised on a time apportionment
basis so as to reflect the effective interest rate. Deposit interest is
accounted for on an accruals basis.
d. Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are charged
through the revenue column of the Income Statement except as follows:
i. expenses which are incidental to the acquisition or disposal of an
investment, categorised as fixed assets held at fair value through profit
or loss are charged to the capital column of the Income Statement; and
ii. expenses are charged to the capital column of the Income Statement where a
connection with the maintenance or enhancement of the value of the
investments can be demonstrated. In this respect the investment management
and management fees have been charged to the Income Statement in line with
the Board's expected long-term split of returns, in the form of capital
gains and income, from the Company's portfolio. As a result 5% of the
investment management and management fees are charged to the revenue column
of the Income Statement and 95% are charged to the capital column of the
Income Statement.
Any performance fee accrued or paid is charged in full to the capital column of
the Income Statement.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
e. Finance costs
Finance costs are accounted for on an accruals basis. Finance costs are charged
to the Income Statement in line with the Board's expected long-term split of
returns, in the form of capital gains and income, from the Company's portfolio.
As a result 5% of the finance costs are charged to the revenue column of the
Income Statement and 95% are charged to the capitalcolumn of the Income
Statement. Finance charges, if applicable, including interest payable and
premiums on settlement or redemption, are accounted for on an accruals basis in
the Income Statement using the effective interest rate method and are added to
the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled
in the period in which they arise.
f. Taxation The tax effect of different items of expenditure is allocated
between capital and revenue using the marginal basis.
Deferred taxation is provided on all timing differences that have originated
but not been reversed by the Balance Sheet date other than those differences
regarded as permanent. This is subject to deferred tax assets only being
recognised if it is considered more likely than not that there will be suitable
profits from which the reversal of timing differences can be deducted. Any
liability to deferred tax is provided for at the average rate of tax expected
to apply. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted to reflect the
time value of money.
g. Foreign Currency
The results and financial position of the Company are expressed in sterling,
which is the functional and presentational currency of the Company. Sterling is
the functional currency because it is the currency of the primary economic
environment in which the Company operates.
Transactions recorded in overseas currencies during the year are translated
into sterling at the appropriate daily exchange rates. Assets and liabilities
denominated in overseas currencies at the Balance Sheet date are translated
into sterling at the exchange rates ruling at the date.
Any gains or losses on the translation of foreign currency balances, whether
realised or unrealised, are taken to the capital or the revenue column of the
Income Statement, depending on whether the gain or loss is of a capital or
revenue nature.
h. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments (namely put and call
options). The merits and rationale behind such strategies are to enhance the
capital return of the portfolio, facilitate management of the portfolio
volatility and improve the risk-return profile of the Company relative to its
benchmark.
All derivative instruments are valued at fair value in the Balance Sheet in
accordance with FRS 26: `Financial instruments: measurement'.
Each investment in options is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are all
deemed to be capital in nature. As such, all gains and losses on the above
strategies have been debited or credited to the capital column of the Income
Statement.
All gains and losses on over-the-counter (OTC) equity swaps, during the swap
term, are accounted for as investment holding gains or losses on investments.
Where there has been a re-positioning of the swap, gains and losses are
accounted for on a realised basis. All such gains and losses have been debited
or credited to the capital column of the Income Statement.
(i) Capital Reserves
The following are transferred to this reserve:
* gains and losses on the realisation of investments;
* realised and unrealised exchange differences of a capital nature;
* expenses, together with the related taxation effect, in accordance with the
above policies;
* increases and decreases in the valuation of investments held at the year
end; and
* unrealised exchange differences of a capital nature.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
2. INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
3.
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Income from investments
UK listed dividends - 212
Overseas dividends 4,612 3,594
Money market dividend - 48
Fixed interest income 1,151 71
5,763 3,925
Other income
Deposit interest 5 93
Interest received from VAT recovery 57 -
Total income from investments held at fair value through 5,825 4,018
profit or loss
Total income comprises:
Dividends 4,612 3,854
Interest 1,213 164
5,825 4,018
3. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE FEES
2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Investment Management fee 96 1,828 1,924 83 1,584 1,667
Management fee 37 693 730 33 628 661
Refund of VAT previously paid - (255) (255) - - -
on management fees
Performance fee accrual - 2,759 2,759 - 224 224
133 5,025 5,158 116 2,436 2,552
In accordance with the performance fee arrangements described in the Report of
the Directors on page 18 no performance fee was paid during the year ended 31
March 2010 (2009: nil). At the year end a performance fee of £2,759,000 was
accrued, in addition, the performance fee of £224,000 accrued at 31 March 2009
crystalised and become payable post the year end. Of the £224,000 fee payable,
£204,000 is payable to the Investment Manager and £20,000 is payable to the
Manager.
.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
4. OTHER EXPENSES
2010 2009
Revenue Revenue
£'000 £'000
Directors' remuneration 146 152
Auditors' remuneration for the audit of the Company's 23 22
financial statements
Auditors' remuneration for other services 15 4
Marketing 32 38
ISA and savings scheme expenses 3 18
Registrar 56 41
Custody 13 37
Other 218 276
506 588
Details of the amounts paid to Directors are included in the Directors'
Remuneration Report on page 33.
5. FINANCE CHARGES
2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Finance charges 11 212 223 29 543 572
6. TAXATION ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
(a) Analysis of charge in year:
2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
UK corporation tax at 28% (2009:
28%)
Tax relief to capital 303 (303) - 360 (360) -
Overseas taxation 662 - 662 506 - 506
965 (303) 662 866 (360) 506
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
6. TAXATION ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
b. Factors affecting current tax charge for the year The tax charged for the
year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK for a
large company 28% (2009: 28%).
c.
The difference is explained below.
2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009
Revenue Capital Total £ Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 '000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Total return before tax 5,175 74,889 80,064 3,285 61,484 64,769
Corporation tax at 28% 1,449 20,969 22,418 920 17,216 18,136
(2009:28%)
Non-taxable gains on - (22,435) (22,435) - (18,049) (18,049)
investments held at fair
value through profit and
loss
Overseas withholding tax 662 - 662 506 - 506
not recoverable
Non taxable overseas (1,100) - (1,100) - - -
dividends
Non taxable UK dividend - - - (59) - (59)
Expenses charged to capital (122) 1,163 1,041 (479) 473 (6)
available to be utilised
Timing differences on 75 - 75 (27) - (27)
overseas dividends
Disallowed expenses 1 - 1 5 - 5
Current tax charge 965 (303) 662 866 (360) 506
b. Provision for deferred tax
The Company has not recognised a deferred tax asset of £10,324,000 (2009: £
10,996,000) arising as a result of unutilised expenses. These expenses will
only be utilised if the Company generates sufficient taxable profits in the
future or if there is a change in the legislation and capital gains become
taxable for investment trust companies. It is considered too uncertain that
either of these will occur and, therefore, no deferred tax asset has been
recognised. There is no capital gains tax payable by the Company because
investment trust companies are exempt from this tax.
7. RETURN PER SHARE
2010 £'000 2009 £'000
The return per share is based in the following 4,210 75,192 2,419 61,844
figures: Revenue return
Capital return
Total return 79,402 64,263
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in 44,122,846 43,756,755
issue during the year - basic
Revenue return per share Capital return per 9.5p 1 70.5p 5.5p 141 .4p
share
Total return per share - basic 180.0p 146.9p
Weighted average number of shares in issue 44,122,846 44,764,156
during the year - diluted
Revenue return per share Capital return per 9.5p* 1 70.5p* 5.4p 1 38.2p
share
Total return per share - diluted 180.0p* 143.6p
* dilution not applicable
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
8. INTERIM DIVIDEND
Under UK GAAP, final dividends are not recognised until they are approved by
shareholders and interim dividends are not recognised until they are paid. They
are also debited directly from reserves. Amounts recognised as distributable to
ordinary shareholders for the year ended 31 March 2010 were as follows:
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Interim dividend in respect of the year ended 1,982 -
31 March 2009
Interim dividend in respect of the year ended - 1,344
31 March 2008
1,982 1,344
In respect of the year ended 31 March 2010, an interim dividend of 8.5p per
share (2009: 5.0p per share) has been declared. The aggregate cost of this
dividend based on the number of shares in issue at 21 June 2010 is estimated to
be £3,653,000. In accordance with FRS 21 this dividend will be reflected in the
interim accounts for the period ending 30 September 201 0. Total dividends in
respect of the financial year, which is the basis on which the requirements of
s842 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 are considered, are set out
below:
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Revenue available for distribution by way of dividend for the 4,210 2,419
year
Dividends for the year ended 31 March (3,653) (1,982)
557 437
based on 42,979,817 shares in issue as at 21 June 2010.
9. INVESTMENTS
Derivatives
Listed Unlisted Options OTC Total
investments investments £'000 swap £'000
£'000 £'000
Cost at 1 April 2009 252,165 1,094 (158) 10,031 263,132
Investment holdings gains/ 42,763 (1,094) (796) 290 41,163
(losses) at 1 April 2009
Valuation at 1 April 2009 294,928 - (954) 10,321 304,295
Movement in the year:
Purchases at cost 241,009 6,318 7,574 - 254,901
Sales - proceeds (231,909) (7) (8,980) (10,253) (251,149)
- realised gains/(losses) on 45,750 (1,087) 1,942 222 46,827
sales
Net movement in investment 26,507 2,090 1,046 (290) 29,353
holding gains/(losses)
Valuation at 31 March 2010 376,285 7,314 628 - 384,227
Cost at 31 March 2010 307,015 6,318 378 - 313,711
Investment holding gains at 31 69,270 996 250 - 70,516
March 2010
Valuation at 31 March 2010 376,285 7,314 628 - 384,227
Gains on investment
2010 £'000 2009 £'000
Realised gains based on historical cost - sales 46,827 35,421
Less: amounts recognised as investment holding (40,817) (5,043)
gains in previous years
Realised gains based on carrying value at 6,010 30,378
previous Balance Sheet date
Movement in investment holding gains in the 70,170 46,127
year
Gains on investments 76,180 76,505
Purchase transaction costs for the year to 31 March 2010 were £467,000 (year
ended 31 March 2009: £492,000). These comprise mainly stamp duty and
commission.
Sales transaction costs for the year to 31 March 2010 were £372,000 (year ended
31 March 2009: £367,000). These comprise mainly commission.
10. DEBTORS
2010 £'000 2009 £'000
Amounts due from brokers 535 245
Withholding taxation recoverable 323 416
VAT recoverable 37 33
Prepayments and accrued income 862 613
1,757 1,307
13. CREDITORS
2010 2009
Amounts falling due within one year £'000 £'000
Amounts due to brokers - 100
Amounts due to brokers - OTC swap - 10,794
Amounts due to brokers - purchase of own - 608
shares
Stamp duty due on purchase of own shares 4 4
Bank loan facility* 36,062 40,183
Performance fee accrual 2,983 224
Other creditors and accruals 754 651
39,803 52,564
* The Company's borrowing requirements are met through the utilisation of a
loan facility, repayable on demand, provided by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York
("Goldman Sachs"). Interest on the facility is charged at the Federal effective
rate plus 1 week OIS+ Spread plus 45 basis points. As at 31 March 2010 assets
to the value of approximately 140% of the Company's debt were held by Goldman
Sachs as collateral.
12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Fair value of call and put options 628 (954)
Fair value of OTC equity swap - 10,321
628 9,367
See note 9 on pages 45 and 46 for movements in the year.
See Glossary on page 62.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
13.SHARE CAPITAL
Total Total
Ordinary Subscription
Ordinary Treasury shares shares
shares shares in issue in issue
number number number number
Issued and fully paid:
At 1 April 2009 41,361,431 3,058,050 44,419,481 -
Ordinary shares bought back (7,166,763) 7,166,763 - -
and held in treasury
Treasury shares cancelled - (3,985,397) (3,985,397) -
following 2009 AGM
Ordinary shares bought back (1,342,175) - (1,342,175) -
for cancellation
Exercise of remaining 10,745,610 - 10,745,610 -
warrants
Subscription share of 1 p - - - 9,730,960
Subscription shares converted 738,653 - 738,653 (738,653)
to Ordinary shares
At 31 March 2010 44,336,756 6,239,416 50,576,172 8,992,307
£'000
Issued and fully paid:
50,576,172 Ordinary shares of 12,644
25p
8,992,307 Subscription shares 90
1 p
During the year ended 31 March 2010 a total of 8,508,938 shares were bought
back by the Company (2009:4,841,800), 6,239,416 of these were held in treasury
at 31 March 2010 (2009: 3,058,050), at a cost of £48,453,000 including expenses
of £337,000 (2009: £24,746,000); 1,342,175 of the shares repurchased were
immediately cancelled. In addition, all of the 3,985,397 shares held in
treasury at 17 July 2009, date of the Company's Annual General Meeting, were
cancelled in accordance with the Board's stated policy.
The final exercise date for the Company's warrants was 31 July 2009 and all of
the 10,745,610 remaining warrants in issue on that date were converted into
shares (on a one for one basis) on 5 August 2009 raising £49,860,000 of
additional funds for the Company.
On 4 September 2009, the Company made bonus issue of subscription shares on the
basis of one subscription share for every five ordinary shares held at that
date. The subscription shares have quarterly subscription dates and the
following shares were allotted by the Company as a result of certain holders of
the subscription shares exercising their subscription rights during the year:
42,148 shares were allotted on 13 November 2009 raising £259,000,
696,505 shares were allotted on 3 February 2009m raising £4,276,000,
At the year end there were 8,992,307 subscription shares in issue (2009:
10,745,610 warrants).
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
14. NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Net asset value per share - basic 780.8p 635.9p
Net asset value per share - diluted for 752.7p 600.5p
subscription shares/warrants
The net asset value per share is based on the assets attributable to equity
shareholders of £346,181,000 (2009: £263,017,000) and on the number of shares
in issue at the year end of 44,336,756 (excluding shares held in treasury)
(2009: 41,361,431). As at
31 March 2010, there were 8,992,307 subscription shares in issue (2009:
10,745,610 warrants). The diluted net asset value per share assumes all
outstanding subscription shares were exercised at 614p resulting in assets
attributable to equity shareholders of £401,394,000 and on 53,329,063 shares
(2009: assumed all outstanding warrants were exercised at 464p resulting in
assets attributable to shareholders of £3 12,877,000 and on 52,107,041 shares).
As at 31 March 2010 the Company held 6,239,416 shares in treasury (2009:
3,058,050). The treasury shares were not dilutive at 31 March 2010.
15. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING RETURN TO NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
2010 £'000 2009 £'000
Gains before finance costs and taxation 80,287 65,341
Less: capital gain before finance costs (75,101) (62,027)
and taxation
Revenue return before finance costs and 5,186 3,314
taxation
Expenses charged to capital (5,025) (2,436)
Increase in accrued income (249) (422)
(Increase)/decrease in other debtors (4) 3
Increase in creditors and accruals 2,862 220
Net taxation suffered on investment income (662) (740)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 2,108 (61)
activities
16. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW MOVEMENT TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT
2010 £'000 2009 £'000
Increase in net debt (9,804) (35,950)
resulting from cashflows
Exchange movements 3,946 (12,042)
Decrease in short term loans - 14,813
/bank overdraft
Movement in net debt in the (5,858) (33,179)
year
Net (debt)/funds at start of (30,204) 2,975
year
Net debt at end of year (36,062) (30,204)
Represented by:
At 1 April Exchange At 31 March
2009 Cash flows movements 2010
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Net bank overdraft/cash at (30,204) (9,804) 3,946 (36,062)
bank
Net debt (30,204) (9,804) 3,946 (36,062)
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
17. RELATED PARTIES
Details of the relationship between the Company, Frostrow Capital LLP and
OrbiMed Capital LLC are disclosed in the Report of the Directors on pages 17
and 18. Samuel D Isaly is a Director of the Company, as well as Managing
Partner of the Company's Investment Manager, OrbiMed Capital LLC; also a number
of the partners at OrbiMed Capital LLC have a minority financial interest
totaling 20% in Frostrow Capital LLP. During the year ended 31 March 2010,
OrbiMed Capital LLC received £1,924,000 in respect of Investment Management
fees, of which £554,000 was outstanding at the year end. In addition an amount
of £204,000 was outstanding in respect of performance fees which crystalised at
31 March 2010.
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The Company's financial instruments comprise securities and other investments,
derivative instruments, cash balances, loans, debtors and creditors that arise
directly from its operations.
As an investment trust, the Company invests in equities and other investments
for the long term so as to secure its investment objective as stated on page
14. In pursuing its investment objective, the Company is exposed to a variety
of risks that could result in a reduction in the Company's net assets.
The main risks that the Company faces arising from its financial instruments
are:
i. market risk (including foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and other
price risk)
ii. liquidity risk
(iii) credit risk
These risks and the Directors' approach to the management of them, are set out
in the Report of Directors on pages 15 and 16 and have not changed from the
previous accounting period. The Investment Manager, in close co-operation with
the Board of Directors, co-ordinates the Company's risk management.
(i) Market risk:
The Company's portfolio is exposed to market price fluctuations which are
monitored by the Investment Manager in pursuance of the investment objective.
Further information on the portfolio is set out on page 12.
Management of risk:
Derivative instruments are used to mitigate market price risk, the following
option strategies or a combination of such have been used during the financial
year:
* Buy calls: provides leveraged long exposure, facilitates exposure while
minimising capital at risk.
* Buy puts: provides leveraged protection, facilitates exposure while
minimising capital at risk.
* Sell calls: against an existing position, provides partial protection from
a decline in stock price; facilitates commitment to an exit strategy and
exit price that is consistent with fundamental analysis.
* Sell puts: provides an effective entry price at which to add to an existing
position, or provides an effective entry price at which to initiate a new
position.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
(a) Foreign Currency risk
A significant proportion of the Company's portfolio is denominated in
currencies other than sterling (the Company's functional currency, and the
currency in which it reports its results). As a result, movements in exchange
rates can significantly affect the sterling value of those items.
Rate of exchange against sterling at 31 March
2010 2009
U.S. dollar 1.5169 1.4334
Japanese yen 141.7392 141.5720
Swiss franc 1.5967 1.6298
Euro/Danish kroner 1.1211 1.0796
Foreign currency exposure and sensitivity
The fair values of the Company's monetary items that are denominated in foreign
currency as at 31 March 2010 are shown below:
2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009
Current Current Current Current
assets liabilities investments assets liabilities investments
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
U.S. dollar 2,004 (35,990) 305,223 9,619 (52,031) 209,994
Swiss franc 323 - 45,731 - - 28,976
Japanese yen - - 22,347 147 - 25,464
Euro/Danish kroner - - 1,324 - - 7,167
Hong Kong dollar - - 9,602 - - -
2,327 (35,990) 384,227 9,766 (52,031) 271,601
Management of risk:
Management of risk:
The Investment Manager and Manager monitor the Company's exposure to foreign
currencies on a daily basis and report to the Board on a regular basis. The
Investment Manager does not hedge against foreign currency movements, but takes
account of the risk when making investment decisions.
Foreign currency borrowing facilities are available and are currently being
utilised, to limit the Company's exposure to anticipated future changes in
exchange rates, which might otherwise adversely affect the value of portfolio
investments.
Income denominated in foreign currencies is converted into sterling on receipt.
The Company does not use financial instruments to mitigate the currency
exposure in the period between the time that the income is included in the
financial statements and its receipt.
Foreign currency sensitivity
The following table details the sensitivity of the Company's profit or loss
after taxation for the year and shareholders'funds to a 10% increase and
decrease in sterling against the U.S. dollar (2009: 30% increase and decrease),
a 5% increase and decrease in sterling against the Japanese yen (2009: 30%
increase and decrease), and a 5% increase and decrease in sterling against the
Swiss franc (2009: 20% increase and decrease).
These percentages have been determined based on market volatility in exchange
rates over the previous 12 months. The sensitivity analysis is based on the
Company's foreign currency financial instruments held at each Balance Sheet
date.
2010 USD £'000 2010 2010 2009 USD 2009 2009 CHF
YEN £ CHF £ £'000 YEN £ £'000
'000 '000 '000
Sterling depreciates 29,910 (24,471) 1,180 2,456 76,283 10,899 7,394
Sterling appreciates (1,069) (2,228) (41,084) (5,871) (4,918)
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
(b) Interest rate risk
Interest rate movement may affect:
* the interest payable on the Company's variable rate borrowings;
* the level of income receivable from floating rate securities and cash at
bank and on deposit;
* the fair value of investments of fixed interest securities.
Management of the risk
The possible effects on fair value and cash flows that could arise as a result
of changes in interest tares are taken into account when making investment
decisions and borrowing under the multicurrency loan facility.
The Company generally does not hold significant cash balances (except when
required for collateral against the Company's derivative positions), with short
term borrowing being used when required.
Interest rate exposure
The Company has a loan facility with Goldman Sachs which is repayable on
demand. £35,992,000 was drawn down under this facility at 31 March 201 0. The
exposure of financial assets and liabilities to floating interest rates, giving
cash flow interest rate risk when rates are re-set, is shown below.
Floating rate
The floating interest rate exposure of the financial assets and financial
liabilities to interest rate risk at 31 march 2010 in respect of cash was nil
(2009: £9,979,000). At 31 March 2010 there was a overdraft position with Bank
of New York Mellon of £70,000 (2009:nil) and a bank overdraft position at
Goldman Sachs of £35,992,000 (2009:£40,183,000).
Fixed rate
In the year to 31 March 2010, the Company held 8.2% of the portfolio in fixed
interest securities. This percentage is deemed not to be material and
accordingly no sensitivity analysis has been presented.
Fixed rate
(c) Other price risk
Other price risk may affect the value of the Company's investments. If market
prices at the Balance Sheet date had been 25% higher or lower (2009:20% higher
or lower) while all other variables remained constant, the revenue return would
have decreased/increased by £43,000 (2009: £22,000), and the capital return
would have increased/decreased by £95,187,000 (2009:£60,273,000) and the return
on equity would have increased/decreased by £95,230,000. The calculations are
based on the portfolio valuations as at the respective balance sheet dates and
are not representative of the year as a whole.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
(ii) Liquidity risk
This is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting
obligations associated with financial liabilities.
Management of the risk
Liquidity risk is not significant as the majority of the Company's assets are
investments in quoted equities and other quoted securities that are readily
realisable. The Company has a loan facility repayable on demand with Goldman
Sachs.
Interest on the facility is charged at the Federal effective rate plus 1 week
OIS Spread plus 45 basis points.
In order to ensure diversification within the portfolio, the Board gives
guidance to the Investment Manager concerning exposure limits to individual
companies. Geographical and sectoral exposure are also reviewed regularly by
the Directors.
Liquidity exposure
Contractual maturities of the financial liabilities as at 31 March 2010, based
on the earliest date on which payment can be required are as follows:
3 months or less 2010 Total
Not more than
one year
31 March 2010 £'000 £'000 £'000
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under the loan 36,062 - 36,062
facility
Amounts due to brokers and 982 2,759* 3,741
accruals
37,044 2,759 39,803
* assuming the performance fee accrued at 31 March
2010 crystalises at 31 March 2011.
2009
3 months Not more
or less than one year Total
31 March 2009 £'000 £'000 £'000
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under the loan 40,183 - 40,183
facility
Amounts due to brokers and 1,363 11,018 12,381
accruals
41,546 11,018 52,564
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
(iii) Credit risk
The failure of the counterparty to a transaction to discharge its obligations
under that transaction could result in the Company suffering a loss.
The carrying amounts of financial assets best represent the maximum credit risk
at the Balance Sheet date. The Company's listed investments are held on its
behalf by Goldman Sachs acting as the Company's custodian.
Bankruptcy or insolvency of a custodian may cause the Company's rights with
respect to securities held by that custodian to be delayed, however, the Board
monitors the Company's risk to its custodians by reviewing continuously their
internal control reports and their credit ratings.
Certain of the Company's assets are held by Goldman Sachs as collateral for the
loan provided by them to the Company. Such assets held by Goldman Sachs are
available for rehypothecation.â€
Management of the risk
The risk is not significant, and is managed as follows:
* by only dealing with brokers which have been approved by OrbiMed Capital
LLC and banks with high credit ratings;
* by setting limits to the maximum exposure to any one counterparty at any
time; and
* by monitoring the assets subject to rehypothecation†.
†See Glossary on page 62.
Credit risk exposure
2010 Balance Sheet £ 2009 Balance
'000 Sheet £'000
Fixed interest securities and convertibles 31,785 2,344
M&A Basket - OTC equity swap - 10,321
Current assets:
Other receivables (amounts due from brokers, 2,385 1,307
dividends and interest receivable)
Cash at bank and on deposit* - 9,979
* Includes cash held as collateral.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
(CONTINUED) Company's hierarchy as quoted in note 1b on page 40.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
As of 31 March 2010 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Assets/(liabilities)
Financial investments designated at 376,285 - 7,314 383,599
fair value through
profit or loss
Fair value of derivative financial - 628 - 628
instruments
Assets measured at fair value 376,285 628 7,314 384,227
As at 31 March 2010, the put and call options have been classified as level two
and the investment in the unquoted Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates
(CPEC) has been classed as level three. All of the remaining investments have
been classified as level one.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
As of 31 March 2009 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Assets/(liabilities)
Financial investments designated at 294,928 - - 294,928
fair value through
profit or loss
Fair value of derivative financial - 9,367 - 9,367
instruments
Assets measured at fair value 294,928 9,367 - 304,295
Level 3 Reconciliation
2010
Equity
investments
At 31 March 2010 £'000
Purchases at cost 6,318
Total gains included in gains on investments in the income
statement:
- on assets held at the end of the year 996
Closing balance 7,314
Level 3 valuation techniques used by the Company are explained in the
accounting policies in note 1b.
Fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities
The fair value of the financial assets and financial liabilities are either
carried in the Balance Sheet at their fair value (investments and derivatives)
or the Balance Sheet amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value (due
from brokers, dividends and interest receivable, due to brokers, accrual, cash
at bank, bank overdraft and amounts due under the loan facility).
Capital management policies and procedures
The Company's capital management objectives are to ensure that it will be able
to continue as a going concern and to maximise the income and capital return to
its equity shareholders through an appropriate level of gearing.
The Board's policy is to limit gearing to the lower of £70m and 20% of the
Company's net assets.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS' EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
The capital structure of the Company consists of the equity share capital,
retained earnings and other reserves as disclosed on the Balance Sheet on page
38.
Gearing for this purpose is defined as net debt as a percentage of total net
assets. As at 31 March 2010 the gearing percentage of the Company was 10.4%
(2009: 11 .5%).
The Board with the assistance of the Investment Manager monitors and reviews
the broad structure of the Company's capital on an ongoing basis. This includes
a review of:
* the planned level of gearing, which takes into account the Investment
Manager's view of the market;
* the need to buy back equity shares, either for cancellation or to hold in
treasury, in light of any share price discount to net asset value per share
in accordance with the Company's share buyback policy;
* the need for new issues of equity shares, including issues from treasury;
and
* the extent to which revenue in excess of that which is required to be
distributed should be retained.
The Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing capital are
unchanged from the preceding accounting period. The Company is also subject to
several externally imposed capital requirements and are as follows:
* as a public company, the Company has a minimum share capital of £50,000;
and
* in order to be able to pay dividends out of profits available for
distribution, the Company has to be able to meet one of the two capital
restriction tests imposed on investment companies by company law.
These requirements are unchanged since last year and the Company has complied
with them.
19. CAPITAL RESERVE
Capital
Reserve -
Capital Investment
Reserve -
Other Holding Gains Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
At 31 March 2009 77,546 41,163 118,709
Transfer on disposal of investments 40,817 (40,817) -
Net gains on investments 6,010 70,170 76,180
Expenses charged to capital (4,934) - (4,934)
Subscription shares issued less issue (288) - (288)
costs
Shares purchased including expenses (48,453) - (48,453)
Exchange gain on currency balances 3,946 - 3,946
At 31 March 2010 74,644 70,516 145,160
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Finsbury Worldwide
Pharmaceutical Trust PLC will be held at the Barber-Surgeons' Hall, Monkwell
Square, Wood Street, London, EC2Y 5BL on Thursday, 15 July 2010 from 12 noon
for the following purposes:
ORDINARY BUSINESS
1. To receive and, if thought fit, to accept the Audited Accounts and the
Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2010
2. To re-elect Ms Jo Dixon as a Director of the Company
3. To re-elect Mr Paul Gaunt as a Director of the Company
4. To re-elect Professor Duncan Geddes as a Director of the Company
5. To re-elect Mr Samuel D Isaly as a Director of the Company
6. To re-elect Mr Anthony Townsend as a Director of the Company
7. To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's Auditors and to authorise
the Directors to determine their remuneration
8. To approve the Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March
2010
SPECIAL BUSINESS
To consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolutions of which
resolutions 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 will be proposed as special resolutions:
Authority to Allot Shares
9. THAT in substitution for all existing authorities the Directors be and are
hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section
551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to exercise all powers of the
Company to allot relevant securities (within the meaning of section 551 of
the Act) up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £1,074,495 (being 10%
of the issued share capital of the Company at 21 June 2010) and
representing 4,297,982 shares of 25 pence each (or, if less, the number
representing 10% of the issued share capital of the Company at the date at
which this resolution is passed), provided that this authority shall expire
at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held
in 2011 or 15 months from the date of passing this resolution, whichever is
the earlier, unless previously revoked, varied or renewed, by the Company
in General Meeting and provided that the Company shall be entitled to make,
prior to the expiry of such authority, an offer or agreement which would or
might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the
Directors may allot relevant securities pursuant to such offer or agreement
as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.
Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights
10. THAT in substitution of all existing powers (but in addition to any power
conferred on them by resolution 11 set out in the notice convening the
Annual General Meeting at which this resolution is proposed ("Notice of
Annual General Meeting")) the Directors be and are hereby generally
empowered pursuant to Section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to
allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) for
cash pursuant to the authority conferred on them by resolution 9 set out in
the Notice of Annual General Meeting or otherwise as if Section 561(1) of
the Act did not apply to any such allotment:
(a) pursuant to an offer of equity securities open for acceptance for a period
fixed by the Directors where the equity securities respectively attributable to
the interests of holders of shares of 25p each in the Company ("Shares") are
proportionate (as nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of Shares held by
them but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements in connection with
the issue as the Directors may consider necessary, appropriate or expedient to
deal with equity securities representing fractional entitlements or to deal
with legal or practical problems arising in any overseas territory, the
requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange, or any other matter
whatsoever; and
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)
(b) provided that (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) this
power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to an aggregate
nominal value of £1,074,495, being 10% of the issued share capital of the
Company as at 21 June 2010 and representing 4,297,982 Shares or, if changed,
the number representing 10% of the issued share capital of the Company at the
date of the meeting at which this resolution is passed, and provided further
that (i) the number of equity securities to which this power applies shall be
reduced from time to time by the number of treasury shares which are sold
pursuant to any power conferred on the Directors by resolution 11 set out in
the Notice of Annual General Meeting and (ii) no allotment of equity securities
shall be made under this power which would result in Shares being issued at a
price which is less than the net asset value per Share as at the latest
practicable date before such allotment of equity securities as determined by
the Directors in their reasonable discretion,
and such power shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General
Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or 15 months from
the date of passing this resolution, whichever is earlier, unless previously
revoked, varied or renewed by the Company in general meeting and provided that
the Company shall be entitled to make, prior to the expiry of such authority,
an offer or agreement which would or might otherwise require equity securities
to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities
pursuant to such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not
expired.
11. THAT in substitution of all existing powers (but in addition to any power
conferred on them by resolution 10 set out in the Notice of Annual General
Meeting) the Directors be and are hereby generally empowered pursuant to
Section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to sell relevant shares
(within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) if, immediately before the sale,
such shares are held by the Company as treasury shares (as defined in Section
724 of the Act ("treasury shares")), for cash as if Section 561(1) of the Act
did not apply to any such sale provided that:
a. where any treasury shares are sold pursuant to this power at a discount to
the then prevailing net asset value of ordinary shares of 25p each in the
Company ("Shares"), such discount must be (i) lower than the discount to
the net asset value per Share at which the Company acquired the Shares
which it then holds in treasury and (ii) not greater than 5% to the
prevailing net asset value per Share at the latest practicable time before
such sale (and for this purpose the Directors shall be entitled to
determine in their reasonable discretion the discount to their net asset
value at which such Shares were acquired by the Company and the net asset
value per Share at the latest practicable time before such Shares are sold
pursuant to this power); and
b. this power shall be limited to the sale of relevant shares having an
aggregate nominal value of £1,074,495, being 10% of the issued share
capital of the Company as at 21 June 2010 and representing 4,297,982 Shares
or, if changed, the number representing 10% of the issued share capital of
the Company at the date of the meeting at which this resolution is passed,
and provided further that the number of relevant shares to which power
applies shall be reduced from time to time by the number of Shares which
are allotted for cash as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply
pursuant to the power conferred on the Directors by resolution 10 set out
in the Notice of Annual General Meeting,
and such power shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General
Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or 15 months from
the date of passing this resolution, whichever is earlier, unless previously
revoked, varied or renewed by the Company in General Meeting and provided that
the Company shall be entitled to make, prior to the expiry of such authority,
an offer or agreement which would or might otherwise require treasury shares to
be sold after such expiry and the Directors may sell treasury shares pursuant
to such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.
Authority to Repurchase Ordinary Shares
12. THAT the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised
in accordance with section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to make
one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act)
of ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the capital of the Company ("Shares")
provided that:
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)
a. the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorised to be purchased is
6,442,675 (representing approximately 14.99% of the issued share capital of
the Company at the date of the notice convening the meeting at which this
resolution is proposed);
b. the minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Share is
25 pence;
c. the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Share is
an amount equal to the greater of (i) 105% of the average of the middle
market quotations for a Share as derived from the Daily Official List of
the London Stock Exchange for the five business days immediately preceding
the day on which that Share is purchased and (ii) the higher of the price
of the last independent trade in shares and the highest then current
independent bid for shares on the London Stock Exchange as stipulated in
Article 5(1) of Regulation No. 2233/2003 of the European Commission
(Commission Regulation of 22 December 2003 implementing the Market Abuse
Directive as regards exemptions for buyback programmes and stabilisation of
financial instruments);
d. the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual
General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2011 or, if earlier, on the
expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this resolution unless
such authority is renewed prior to such time; and
(e) the Company may make a contract to purchase Shares under this authority
before the expiry of such authority which will or may be executed wholly or
partly after the expiration of such authority, and may make a purchase of
Shares in pursuance of any such contract.
Electronic Communication
13. THAT the Company be authorised, subject to and in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and the articles of association of the
Company (as from time to time amended or varied) to send, convey or supply
all types of notices, documents or information to the members by means of
electronic equipment (such term is defined in the Financial Services
Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules) for the processing
(including, without limitation, by means of digital compression) storage
and transmission of data, employing wires, radio optical technologies, or
any other electromagnetic means, including without limitation, by making
such notices, documents or information available on a website.
General Meetings
14. THAT as permitted by the EU Shareholders' Rights Directive (2007/36/EC) any
General Meeting of the Company (other than the Annual General Meeting of
the Company) shall be called by notice of at least 14 clear days in
accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association of the
Company provided that the authority shall expire on the conclusion of the
next Annual General Meeting of the Company, or, if earlier, on the expiry
15 months from the date of the passing of the resolution.
Change to Investment Policy
15. THAT the proposed revised investment policy and benchmark set out on pages
21 and 22 of the Company's annual report and accounts dated 21 June 2010, a
copy of which marked "A"and signed for the purpose of identification by the
Chairman of the Meeting and produced to the Meeting, be and it is hereby
approved and adopted with immediate effect as the Company's investment
policy in place of the Company's existing investment policy.
Change of the Company's name
13. THAT the name of the Company be changed to Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC.
By order of the Board Registered Office:
One Wood Street
London EC2V 7WS
Frostrow Capital LLP
Company Secretary
21 June 2010
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)
Notes
1. Members are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their
rights to attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at the meeting.
A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the meeting
provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a
different share or shares held by that shareholder. A proxy need not be a
shareholder of the Company. A proxy form which may be used to make such
appointment and give proxy instructions accompanies this notice.
1. A vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the vote will not be
counted in the calculation of votes for or against the resolutions. If no
voting indication is given, a proxy may vote or abstain from voting at his/
her discretion. A proxy may vote (or abstain from voting) as he or she
thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is put before the meeting.
2. To be valid any proxy form or other instrument appointing a proxy must be
completed and signed and received by post or (during normal business hours
only) by hand at Capita Registrars, PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent
BR3 4TU no later than 12 noon on 13 July 2010.
3. In the case of a member which is a company, the instrument appointing a
proxy must be executed under its seal or signed on its behalf by a duly
authorised officer or attorney or other person authorised to sign. Any
power of attorney or other authority under which the instrument is signed
(or a certified copy of it) must be included with the instrument.
4. The return of a completed proxy form, other such instrument or any CREST
Proxy Instruction (as described below) will not prevent a shareholder
attending the meeting and voting in person if he/she wishes to do so.
2. Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under
section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights (a
"Nominated Person") may, under an agreement between him/her and the
shareholder by whom he/she was nominated, have a right to be appointed (or
have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the meeting. If a Nominated
Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it,
he/she may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to
the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights.
5. The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the appointment
of proxies in paragraphs 1 and 3 above does not apply to Nominated Persons.
The rights described in these paragraphs can only be exercised by
shareholders of the Company.
1. Pursuant to regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations
2001, only shareholders registered on the register of members of the
Company (the "Register of Members") at 5.30 p.m. on 13 July 2010 (or, in
the event of any adjournment, on the date which is two days before the time
of the adjourned meeting) will be entitled to attend and vote or be
represented at the meeting in respect of shares registered in their name at
that time. Changes to the Register of Members after that time will be
disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at
the meeting.
1. As at 21 June 2010 (being the last business day prior to the publication of
this notice) the Company's issued share capital consists of 42,979,817
ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights
in the Company as at 21 June 2010 are 42,979,817.
3. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST
electronic proxy appointment service may do so by using the
procedures described in the CREST Manual. CREST Personal Members or other
CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a
service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service
provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their
behalf.
4. In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST
service to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a "CREST Proxy
Instruction") must be properly authenticated in accordance with the
specifications of Euroclear UK and Ireland Limited ("CRESTCo"), and must
contain the information required for such instruction, as described in the
CREST Manual. The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the
appointment of a proxy or is an amendment to the instruction given to a
previously appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as
to be received by the issuer's agent (ID RA1 0) no later than 48 hours
before the time appointed for holding the meeting. For this purpose, the
time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the
timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Application Host) from which
the issuer's agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in
the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time any change of instructions
to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee
through other means.
5. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors, or voting
service providers should note that CRESTCo does not make available
special procedures in CREST for any particular message. Normal system
timings and limitations will, therefore, apply in relation to the input of
CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member
concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or
sponsored member, or has appointed a voting service provider, to procure
that his CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action
as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of
the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members
and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting system providers are
referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning
practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.
13. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the
circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated
Securities Regulations 2001.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)
14. In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders
purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the most
senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in
which the names of the joint holders appear in the Register of Members in
respect of the joint holding (the first named being the most senior).
15. Members who wish to change their proxy instructions should submit a new
proxy appointment using the methods set out above. Note that the cut-off
time for receipt of proxy appointments (see above) also applies in relation
to amended instructions; any amended proxy appointment received after the
relevant cut-off time will be disregarded.
16. Members who have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy proxy form and who
wish to change the instructions using another hard-copy form, should
contact Capita Registrars on 0871 664 0300 (calls cost 1 0p per minute plus
network extras).
17. If a member submits more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment
received last before the latest time for the receipt of proxies will take
precedence.
18. In order to revoke a proxy instruction, members will need to inform the
Company. Members should send a signed hard copy notice clearly stating
their intention to revoke a proxy appointment to Capita Registrars, PXS, 34
Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU.
14. In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation notice must be
executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an officer of the
company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other
authority under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified
copy of such power of attorney) must be included with the revocation
notice. If a member attempts to revoke their proxy appointment but the
revocation is received after the time for receipt of proxy appointments
(see above) then, subject to paragraph 4, the proxy appointment will remain
valid.
LOCATION OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
How to Invest
Alliance Trust Savings Limited
SAVINGS PLAN
The Company participates in the Alliance Trust Savings Limited Investment Trust
Savings Plan, which facilities both regular monthly investments and occasional
lump sum investments in the Company's shares. Shareholders who would like
information on the Savings Plan should call Alliance Trust Savings Limited on
01382 573737. Calls to this number are recorded for monitoring purposes and are
charged at local rates, non-BT line charges may vary.
INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ("ISA")
Capita Registrars - Share Dealing Service
Type of trade
Online
Telephone
Share certificates
1% of the value of the deal
1.5% of the value of the deal
(Minimum £20.00, max £75.00)
(Minimum £25.00, max £102.50)
To deal online or by telephone all you need is your surname, shareholder
reference number, full postcode and your date of birth. Your shareholder
reference number can be found on your latest statement or certificate where it
will appear as either a `folio number'or `investor code'. Please have theappropriate documents to hand when you log on or call, as this information will
be needed before you can buy or sell shares.
For further information on this service please contact:
www.capitadeal.com (online dealing) or 0871 664 0446†(telephone dealing)
†Calls cost 1 0p per minute plus network extras and may be recorded for
training purposes. Lines are open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
RISK WARNINGS
* Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
* The value of your investment and any income from it may go down as well as
up and you may not get back the amount invested. This is because the share
price is determined by the changing conditions in the relevant stockmarkets
in which the Company invests and by the supply and demand for the Company's
shares.
* As the shares in an investment trust are traded on a stockmarket, the share
price will fluctuate in accordance with supply and demand and may not
reflect the underlying net asset value of the shares; where the share price
is less than the underlying value of the assets, the difference is known as
the `discount'. For these reasons, investors may not get back the original
amount invested.
* Although the Company's financial statements are denominated in sterling, it
may invest in stocks and shares that are denominated in currencies other
than sterling and to the extent they do so, they may be affected by
movements in exchange rates. As a result, the value of your investment may
rise or fall with movements in exchange rates.
* Investors should note that tax rates and reliefs may change at any time in
the future.
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC > Annual Report 2010
Company Information
DIRECTORS
Martin Smith (Chairman) Josephine Dixon
Paul Gaunt
Professor Duncan Geddes Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D Isaly
Anthony Townsend
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER
3023689 (Registered in England)
The Company is an investment company as defined under Section 833 of the
Companies Act 2006
The Company was incorporated in England and Wales on 14 February 1995. The
Company was incorporated as Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC.
WEBSITE
Website: www.finsburywp.com
REGISTERED OFFICE One Wood Street
London EC2V 7WS
INVESTMENT MANAGER OrbiMed Capital LLC
767 Third Avenue, 30th Floor New York NY1 0017 - 2023
Website: www.orbimed.com
Registered under the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
MANAGER, ADMINISTRATOR AND COMPANY SECRETARY
Frostrow Capital LLP
25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL
Telephone: 0203 008 4910 E-mail: info@frostrow.com Website: www.frostrow.com
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
If you have an enquiry about the Company or if you would like to receive a copy
of the Company's monthly fact sheet by e-mail, please contact Frostrow Capital
using the above e-mail address.
CUSTODIAN
Goldman Sachs & Co.
200 West Street, Third Floor New York, NY1 0282
AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place London SE1 2AF
REGISTRARS
Capita Registrars
Northern House, Woodsome Park Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield
West Yorkshire HD8 0GA
Telephone (in UK): 0871 664 0300â€
Telephone (from overseas): + 44 208 639 3399
Facsimile: + 44 (0) 1484 600911 E-mail: ssd@capitaregistrars.com Website:
www.capitaregistrars.com
REGISTRARS (CONTINUED)
Please contact the Registrars if you have a query about a certificated holding
in the Company's shares.
†calls cost 10p per minute plus network charges and may be recorded for
training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
STOCKBROKER
Winterflood Securities Limited The Atrium Building
Cannon Bridge, 25 Dowgate Hill London EC4R 2GA
ALLIANCE TRUST SAVINGS LIMITED PO Box 164
8 West Marketgait
Dundee
DD1 9YP
Customer Services: 01382 573737*
E-mail: contact@alliancetrust.co.uk.
Please contact Alliance Trust Savings Limited if you have a query concerning an
Alliance Trust Savings Scheme, First Steps Plan or ISA account.
*Calls to this number are recorded for monitoring purposes only and will be
charged at local rates, non-BT line charges may vary.
SHARE AND WARRANT PRICE LISTINGS
The price of your shares and warrants can be found in various publications
including the Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Scotsman and
The Herald.
The Company's net asset value per share is announced daily and is available,
together with the share price, on the TrustNet website at www.trustnet.com.
IDENTIFICATION CODES
Shares: SEDOL : 0338530
ISIN : GB0003385308
BLOOMBERG : FWP LN
EPIC : FWP
Subscription Shares: SEDOL : B3VMCB0
ISIN : GB00B3VMCB07
BLOOMBERG : FWPS LN
DISABILITY ACT
Copies of this annual report and other documents issued by the Company are
available from the Company Secretary. If needed, copies can be made available
in a variety of formats, including Braille, audio tape or larger type as
appropriate. You can contact the Registrar to the Company, Capita Registrars,
which has installed telephones to allow speech and hearing impaired people who
have their own telephone to contact them directly, without the need for an
intermediate operator, for this service please call 0800 731 1888. Specially
trained operators are available during normal business hours to answer queries
via this service. Alternatively, if you prefer to go through a `typetalk'
operator (provided by the RN ID) you should dial 18001 followed by the number
you wish to dial.
The Company is a member of the Association of Investment Companies.