Allergy Therapeutics plc - Interim Results

RNS Number : 5111D

Allergy Therapeutics PLC

03 March 2022

 

Allergy Therapeutics plc

("Allergy Therapeutics" or the "Company" or the "Group")

Interim Results for the six months ended 31 December 2021

~ US readiness plan underway including two pivotal trials

· Portfolio focused on high value growth products to enhance future profitability

· Ground-breaking Phase I trial of peanut allergy vaccine on track to commence in 2022 following recent FDA clearance of IND application with data expected sooner than previously anticipated

· Pivotal Phase III trial of short-course grass pollen immunotherapy to commence in Q3 2022 following impressive results from exploratory field trial

· Solid revenue of £49m, increased cash position of £41m

3 March 2022 Allergy Therapeutics plc (AIM: AGY), the fully integrated commercial biotechnology company specialising in allergy vaccines, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2021.

Highlights

Financial

· Solid revenue from commercial portfolio of £48.7m. Strategic streamlining of older products has affected a short-term revenue decrease of 10% (5% at constant currency* and up 4% on like for like constant currency* plus phasing) from £54.0m in H1 2021

· Operating profit pre-R&D of £12.5m (H1 2021 £20.5m) reflecting portfolio streamlining and activity to pre-Covid-19 levels

· Increased cash balance of £41.4m (30 June 2021: £40.3m). Net cash of £38.5m (30 June 2021 £36.9m)

· £10m revolving credit facility signed post period to replace previous £7m overdraft facility

· Strong outlook for the full year with operating profit (pre-R&D) expected to be in line with consensus forecasts

Operational

· IND application cleared by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for peanut allergy vaccine candidate, VLP Peanut, with initial patient treatment due to begin in 2022 and top line data expected H1 2023, earlier than originally intended data readout of Q4 2023

o  $8bn per annum market opportunity

o  VLP Peanut has the potential to provide long-term immune response in comparison to continual dosing required by other treatments

· Impressive results from exploratory field trial of wholly owned short-course grass pollen immunotherapy, Grass MATA MPL, enabling pivotal Phase III trial to begin in Q3 2022

· Growth of key commercial portfolio products, Pollinex, Venomil and Acarovac

Manuel Llobet, CEO at Allergy Therapeutics , stated: "This year will see the Company prepare for entry into the US market where the allergy immunotherapy market is estimated to be worth $2 billion . Our Company continues to stand out as a high value hybrid, with its strong commercial business and high science R&D programmes. We are well placed to create shareholder value through our pivotal stage grass pollen immunotherapy and our innovative peanut allergy vaccine, both of which have significant potential in the US market.

"Our strong cash position and commercial capabilities give Allergy Therapeutics a highly differentiated position and opportunity to investors compared to solely R&D-focused healthcare companies."

*Constant currency uses prior year weighted average exchange rates to translate current year foreign currency denominated revenue to give a year-on-year comparison excluding the effects of foreign exchange movements. See table in finance review for an analysis of revenue.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulatory (EU) No596/2014.

- ENDS -

Analyst briefing and webcast today

Manuel Llobet, Chief Executive Officer, Nick Wykeman, Chief Financial Officer, and Alan Bullimore, Head of Business Innovation, will host a virtual presentation for analysts to provide an update on the Group, followed by a Q&A session, at 09.30am GMT.

The live webcast can be accessed here .

For further information, please contact:

Allergy Therapeutics

[phone]

Manuel Llobet, Chief Executive Officer

Nick Wykeman, Chief Financial Officer

Panmure Gordon

[phone]

Freddy Crossley, Emma Earl, Corporate Finance

Rupert Dearden, Corporate Broking

Consilium Strategic Communications

[phone]

Mary-Jane Elliott / David Daley / Davide Salvi

[e-mail]

Stern Investor Relations, Inc.

[phone]

Christina Tartaglia

[e-mail]

Notes for editors:

About Allergy Therapeutics

Allergy Therapeutics is an international commercial biotechnology company focussed on the treatment and diagnosis of allergic disorders, including aluminium free immunotherapy vaccines that have the potential to cure disease. The Group sells proprietary and third-party products from its subsidiaries in nine major European countries and via distribution agreements in an additional ten countries. Its broad pipeline of products in clinical development includes vaccines for grass, tree and house dust mite, and peanut allergy vaccine in pre-clinical development. Adjuvant systems to boost performance of vaccines outside allergy are also in development.

Formed in 1999 out of Smith Kline Beecham, Allergy Therapeutics is headquartered in Worthing, UK with more than 11,000m² of state-of-the-art MHRA-approved manufacturing facilities and laboratories. The Group employs c.600 employees and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIM:AGY). For more information, please see www.allergytherapeutics.com .

 

Joint Statement from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Operating Review

Overview

2021 provides a strong springboard for pivotal year ahead

2021 was the springboard for Allergy Therapeutics' pivotal year, 2022.  This year will see the Company prepare for entry into the US market with two significant clinical trials. The Group has generated strong revenue since its formation in 1999, significantly outperforming the market. We expect that strong commercial performance to continue.

The Group's innovative and high value pipeline continues to progress at pace with a successful exploratory field trial paving the way for the pivotal Phase III Grass MATA MPL trial to start later this year. Clearance by the FDA of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application and protocol for the upcoming, ground-breaking, Phase I PROTECT trial investigating the Group's peanut allergy vaccine candidate, VLP Peanut, was another important step and further validation of the strength of Allergy Therapeutics' innovative and potentially disruptive future portfolio.

In order to focus the business, as previously announced, the Group continues to strategically streamline its portfolio to focus on its high margin, differentiated short course subcutaneous immunotherapies and innovative allergy treatments. The Group will continue robust cost controls while its significant clinical programmes progress.

The Market

Maintaining focus on high value and highly differentiated immunotherapies

Allergy Therapeutics reported solid revenue of £48.7m from its commercial portfolio. Strategic streamlining of the Group's non-differentiated older products led to a 10% reduction from £54.0m in 2020 on a reported basis (down 5% on constant currency* basis). This repositioning of the portfolio maintains focus on high value and highly differentiated short course subcutaneous immunotherapies (SCIT) and innovative allergy treatments to drive the growth of the business. On this revised basis, revenues have increased 4% on a like-for-like product and phasing basis (on constant currency* basis). As most manufacturing costs are fixed, the lower sales have directly affected the gross margin along with increased cost of sales and the foreign exchange impact of the weaker Euro.

Revenues were also affected by phasing, headwinds in Germany and the continuing effect of Covid-19 in Italy and Germany, which are expected to be short term. While the supply chain was hampered by the spread of Covid-19, these delays in delivery were short term and should be recovered this year. Spain, the Group's second most important market, saw a double-digit growth in sales, while the Netherlands, UK, and Rest of World (RoW) also grew strongly. There was double-digit growth for key products Pollinex, Venomil and Acarovac (on constant currency* basis).

On current internal assumptions and as previously communicated, the Group will be able to fund the Grass MATA MPL Phase III trial (G306), as well as the VLP Peanut Phase I PROTECT trial, from existing resources with some additional debt. The Board continually reviews the Group's funding requirements, including opportunities to further de-risk its clinical trial programmes to optimise future value creation. These options include, but are not limited to, a potential path to a Nasdaq dual listing.

Regulatory Affairs & Clinical Development

Maximising the chances of success in grass pollen immunotherapy

The Group achieved very impressive results from its exploratory field study (G309) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of its short-course subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) candidate, Grass MATA MPL, that aims to address the cause of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen. Results from the trial indicated a significant reduction in daily symptoms and use of relief medication among participants receiving Grass MATA MPL. Both dosing regimens used in the trial were safe and well tolerated.

Given its extensive experience and leadership in allergy focused clinical development, the Group used a novel study design and methodology in the G309 trial to examine multiple endpoints and enable extensive biomarker analysis. Learnings from the trial, alongside the excellent results, have enabled the Company to optimally design its upcoming pivotal G306 Phase III field trial, to maximise the chances of success and support the Group's future regulatory plans for entry into the US. The Company has further decided to increase the confidence interval of the trial, increasing the number of patients and will fund the extra cost with additional debt.

The Group is now on track to begin patient treatment in the Grass MATA MPL pivotal Phase III trial (G306) in the autumn of this calendar year.

The total US allergy immunotherapy market is estimated to be worth $2bn with around 25% of the patients suffering from grass allergy. This could imply potential peak sales for the Grass MATA MPL product of about $300 to $400m per annum.

A paradigm shift in the future treatment of peanut allergy

FDA clearance of the Group's IND application for VLP Peanut in January was a key milestone in the development programme of this peanut allergy vaccine candidate. Following consultation with experts in the field, the IND application included a protocol for the upcoming Phase I PROTECT trial that moves the planned paediatric and adolescent arms into a future Phase II trial. As a result, top line data from the Phase I PROTECT trial, in adult patients, are now anticipated in H1 2023, ahead of the original intended Q4 2023 data readout.

The protocol includes multiple cohorts starting with subcutaneous injection of healthy subjects, followed by skin prick tests for peanut allergic patients and then moving to subcutaneous injection of peanut allergic subjects. Although the trial protocol does not allow reporting of results mid-trial, to avoid biasing the outcome, the Group expects to communicate the transitions between cohorts, to update on the trial's progress.

The batch of investigational medicinal product (IMP) intended for use in the trial has been successfully manufactured, tested and released. Initial dosing of patients is expected in 2022.

The Group continues to believe that VLP Peanut has the potential to be a transformative treatment option for one of the most dangerous allergies. The availability of a safe and effective short-course vaccine that provides long-term protection and induces a long-lasting protective immune response would present a paradigm shift in how peanut allergy can be managed and has the potential to be a significant product in the $8bn worldwide food allergy market. While currently available immunotherapy products provide an important treatment approach for patients and families who have, for too long, been without options, they require continual dosing over the long-term to maintain a tolerance to peanut, which might limit patient adherence.

Strengthening an innovative immunotherapy portfolio

The Group's portfolio is broad and strong with two additional key MATA MPL product candidates (Ragweed and Birch/Trees MATA MPL) which currently have INDs and could be progressed through late-stage development and commercialisation to join the Grass MATA MPL product in the US. These three products, along with VLP Peanut, form a strong and compelling portfolio that would enable the Company to lead the allergy immunology market in the US.

With further paediatric trials, the Group also expects to be able to expand into the paediatric segment of the market. The state-of-the-art portfolio of ultra-short course allergy immunotherapies offer greater flexibility and treatment options for patients. Some of these products are already available under a named patient basis in Europe.

Investing in infrastructure to maintain leadership

Allergy Therapeutics has a strong track record of quality and compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements at its facilities. Accordingly, the Group continues to upgrade the Worthing site and enhance its processes to maintain the Group's excellent levels of quality.

The Company has continued its infrastructure investment to ensure Allergy Therapeutics maintains a sterile, pharmaceutical controlled environment within its own production facilities, including a more efficient and reliable energy centre that will be owned and run by the Group.

Financial Review

Streamlining and focus on shareholder value creation

Reported revenue for the first half of the financial year was £48.7m (H1 2021: £54.0m), representing a decrease of 5% at constant currency* (see table below) and 10% in actual terms. The sales movement has been driven primarily by the Group's planned streamlining of the product portfolio.

A reconciliation between reported revenue and revenue in constant currency* is provided in a table at the link below:

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5111D_1-2022-3-3.pdf

As in previous years, owing to the seasonality of the pollen allergy market, between 60%-70% of Allergy Therapeutics' revenue is generated in the first half of the financial year and, as a consequence, the Group typically reports profits in the first half of the year and losses in the second half.

Cost of goods sold increased in the period to £12.8m (H1 2021: £11.8m), mainly due to lower overhead recovery (driven by Covid-19 issues) and labour cost rises. Gross profit decreased to £35.9m (H1 2021: £42.2m), which represents a gross margin of 74% (H1 2021: 78%). This reflects the fact that most of the manufacturing costs are fixed and decreases in sales directly affect the gross margin along with the lower absorption of overheads and foreign exchange.

Sales, marketing and distribution costs of £13.1m (H1 2021: £12.4m) were higher due to increased activity. The increase in administrative expenses to £10.6m (H1 2021: £9.6m) reflects investment in infrastructure, particularly IT systems related to cyber security and compliance.

Research and development costs were £5.0m (H1 2021: £4.7m) due to preparation for the VLP Peanut PROTECT trial as well as the Grass MATA MPL exploratory field trial which finished in the late autumn.

The tax charge in the period of £0.6m (H1 2021: £0.6m) relates to overseas subsidiaries.

Property, plant and equipment decreased by £0.5m to £19.0m (H1 2021: £19.5m) compared with the year before, mainly as a result of a natural reduction in the remaining leasehold period of leased assets. Goodwill was £3.3m (H1 2021: £3.4m) and was lower than the prior year due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Other intangible assets have decreased by £0.2m due to the amortisation charge being in excess of additions.

Total current assets excluding cash have increased by £0.8m to £21.7m (H1 2021: £20.9m) mainly due to increased stock levels to protect against Brexit, a longer supply chain and R&D tax credits. 

Retirement benefit obligations, which relate solely to the German pension scheme, decreased to £11.6m (H1 2021: £13.4m) due to currency movements.

Net cash generated by operations was positive but lower than last year mostly due to lower revenue creating low margins as well as a longer supply chain with an inflow of £3.7m (H1 2021: £13.0m).

All periods now are based on IFRS16, the new accounting standard on leased assets. Assets that were previously shown as operating lease assets are now on the balance sheet with an accompanying liability. The measure of earnings before interest, tax and depreciation and amortisation has benefited to the order of £0.9m in comparison with pre IFRS 16 treatment. There is no material impact on the operating profit.

Financing

Strong cash position

The Group had cash of £41.4m (30 June 2021 £40.3m) and debt on its balance sheet at the close of the period relating to loans held in the Spanish subsidiary of £2.9m (H1 2021: £3.8m) with £0.2m due to the exchange rate movement. The seasonal overdraft was not used during the calendar year 2021.

Following the half year end, the Group signed a £10m revolving credit facility to replace the £7m overdraft facility that was previously in place.

The Directors believe that the Group will have sufficient facilities for the foreseeable future and, accordingly, they have applied the Going Concern principle in preparing these interim financial statements.

Movements in the currency markets between the respective values of the Euro and Sterling have an effect on the Group's operations. The Group manages its cash exposure in this respect by foreign currency hedges. Over 90% of our gross sales are denominated in Euro whereas approximately 60% of costs are incurred in the United Kingdom and denominated in Sterling.

Outlook

Well placed for an exciting and pivotal year ahead

Allergy Therapeutics is keen to capitalise on the significant opportunities that lie ahead with the commencement of two important clinical trials in the US.

The Group's solid commercial performance of its operations is expected to continue this financial year, while the planned commencement of two important clinical trials is anticipated to result in increased R&D expenses.

The Board remains confident that market consensus for the operating profit (pre-R&D) will be achieved despite an expected short-term decline in 2022 revenues partly linked to the strategic streamlining of older products.

The strategic streamlining of the portfolio is expected to continue in combination with robust cost controls as the Group advances the clinical development of its candidates VLP Peanut and Grass MATA MPL and rapidly returns to growth.

Peter Jensen

Chairman

Manuel Llobet

Chief Executive Officer

3 March 2022

 

ALLERGY THERAPEUTICS PLC
Consolidated income statement
	Note	6 months to  31 Dec	6 months to  31 Dec		12 months to  30 Jun
		2021	2020		2021
	2	£'000	£'000		£'000
		unaudited	unaudited		audited
Revenue		48,696	54,032		84,331
Cost of sales		(12,786)	(11,788)		(22,106)
Gross profit		35,910	42,244		62,225
Sales, marketing and distribution costs		(13,080)	(12,413)		(25,200)
Administration expenses - other		(10,630)	(9,637)		(20,674)
Research and development costs		(5,033)	(4,695)		(12,887)
Administrative expenses		(15,663)	(14,332)		(33,561)
Other income		250	280		567
Operating profit		7,417	15,779		4,031
Finance income		53	36		117
Finance expense		(204)	(242)		(491)
Profit before tax		7,266	15,573		3,657
Income tax		(595)	(634)		(771)
Profit for the period		6,671	14,939		2,886
Earnings per share	3
Basic (pence per share)		1.04p	2.34p		0.45p
Diluted (pence per share)		0.97p	2.19p		0.43p

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
		6 months to 31 Dec	6 months to  31 Dec	12 months to  30 Jun
		2021	2020	2021
		£'000	£'000	£'000
		unaudited	unaudited	audited
Profit for the period		6,671	14,939	2,886
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability		(498)	45	1,689
Remeasurement of investments-retirement benefit assets		(58)	(13)	(58)
Revaluation gains - freehold land and buildings		-	-	94
Deferred tax movement - freehold land and buildings		-	-	5
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations		1	(126)	(503)
Total comprehensive income		6,116	14,845	4,113

	Consolidated balance sheet				31 Dec	31 Dec			30 Jun
					2021	2020			2021
					£'000	£'000			£'000
					unaudited	unaudited			audited
	Assets
	Non-current assets
	Property, plant and equipment				18,992	19,503			19,717
	Intangible assets - goodwill				3,374	3,438			3,343
	Intangible assets - other				791	980			1,411
	Investment - retirement benefit asset				5,726	5,927			5,760
	Total non-current assets				28,883	29,848			30,231
	Current assets
	Inventories				10,602	10,092			10,838
	Trade and other receivables				10,773	10,772			6,222
	Cash and cash equivalents				41,385	48,289			40,273
	Derivative financial instruments				330	2			525
	Total current assets				63,090	69,155			57,858
	Total assets				91,973	99,003			88,089
	Liabilities
	Current liabilities
	Trade and other payables				(14,942)	(14,152)			(16,475)
	Current borrowings				(1,008)	(800)			(963)
	Lease liabilities				(654)	(1,400)			(792)
	Total current liabilities				(16,604)	(16,352)			(18,230)
	Net current assets				46,486	52,803			39,628
	Non-current liabilities
	Retirement benefit obligations				(11,590)	(13,388)			(11,291)
	Deferred taxation liability				(387)	(439)			(408)
	Non-current provisions				(150)	(304)			(208)
	Lease liabilities				(6,398)	(6,769)			(6,967)
	Long term borrowings				(1,870)	(3,023)			(2,450)
	Total non-current liabilities				(20,395)	(23,923)			(21,324)
	Total liabilities				(36,999)	(40,275)			(39,554)
	Net assets				54,974	58,728			48,535
	Equity
	Capital and reserves
	Issued share capital				652	651			651
	Share premium				112,576	112,576			112,576
	Merger reserve - shares issued by subsidiary				40,128	40,128			40,128
	Reserve - share based payments				3,015	3,200			2,693
	Revaluation reserve				1,073	974			1,073
	Foreign exchange reserve				(1,187)	(811)			(1,188)
	Retained earnings				(101,283)	(97,990)			(107,398)
	Total equity				54,974	58,728			48,535

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

	Issued share Capital	Share premium	Merger reserve - shares issued by subsidiary	Reserve - share based payment	Revaluation reserve	Foreign exchange reserve	Retained earnings	Total  equity
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
At 31 December 2020	651	112,576	40,128	3,200	974	(811)	(97,990)	58,728
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations	-	-	-	-	99	(377)	-	(278)
Valuation gains taken to equity (land and buildings) - net of deferred tax	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability	-	-	-	-	-	-	1,644	1,644
Remeasurement of investments - retirement benefit assets	-	-	-	-	-	-	(45)	(45)
Total other comprehensive income	-	-	-	-	99	(377)	1,599	1,321
Loss for the period	-	-	-	-	-	-	(12,053)	(12,053)
Total comprehensive income	-	-	-	-	99	(377)	(10,454)	(10,732)
Share based payments	-	-	-	539	-	-	-	539
Shares issued	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Transfer of lapsed options To retained earnings	-	-	-	(1,046)	-	-	1,046	-
Transfer of depreciation on revalued property	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
At 30 June 2021	651	112,576	40,128	2,693	1,073	(1,188)	(107,398)	48,535
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability	-	-	-	-	-	-	(498)	(498)
Remeasurement of investments - retirement benefit assets	-	-	-	-	-	-	(58)	(58)
Total other comprehensive income	-	-	-	-	-	1	(556)	(555)
Profit for the period	-	-	-	-	-	-	6,671	6,671
Total comprehensive income	-	-	-	-	-	1	6,115	6,116
Share based payments	-	-	-	322	-	-	-	322
Shares issued	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
At 31 December 2021	652	112,576	40,128	3,015	1,073	(1,187)	(101,283)	54,974

 

Consolidated cash flow statement
			6 months to  31Dec	6 months to  31Dec	12 months to  30Jun
			2021	2020	2021
			£'000	£'000	£'000
			unaudited	unaudited	audited
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax			7,266	15,573	3,657
Adjustments for:
Finance income			(53)	(36)	(117)
Finance expense			204	242	491
	Non cash movements on defined benefit pension plan		29	67	85
	Depreciation and amortisation		2,400	2,033	4,132
	Net monetary value of above the line R&D tax credit		(250)	(280)	(567)
	Charge for share based payments		322	96	635
	Movement in fair value of derivative financial instruments		150	(818)	(1,340)
	(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables		(4,971)	(3,702)	2,141
	Decrease/(increase) in inventories		32	3	(1,117)
	Decrease/increase in trade and other payables		(1,385)	(189)	548
	Net cash generated by operations		3,744	12,989	8,548
	Bank loan fees and Interest paid		(204)	(242)	(190)
	Income tax received		119	340	41
	Net cash generated by operating activities		3,659	13,087	8,399
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Interest received		53	36	117
	Payments for retirement benefit investments		(87)	(96)	(194)
	Payments for intangible assets		(151)	(33)	-
	Payments for property plant and equipment		(996)	(665)	(2,562)
	Net cash used in investing activities		(1,181)	(758)	(2,639)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Proceeds from issue of equity shares		1	4	4
	Repayment of bank loan borrowings		(466)	(424)	(757)
	Repayment of principal on lease liabilities		(878)	(720)	(1,605)
	Interest paid on lease liabilities Proceeds from borrowings		(140) -	(145)   541	(301)   625
	Net cash used in financing activities		(1,483)	(744)	(2,034)
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		995	11,585	3,726
	Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		117	(258)	(415)
	Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period		40,273	36,962	36,962
	Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		41,385	48,289	40,273

 

1. Interim financial information

The unaudited consolidated interim financial information is for the six-month period ended 31 December 2021. The financial information does not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2021, which were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in issue as adopted by the UK and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are relevant to the Group preparing its accounts in accordance with UK-adopted IFRS.

The interim financial information has not been audited nor has it been reviewed under ISRE 2410 of the Auditing Practices Board. The financial information set out in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company's statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 prepared under IFRS have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

2. Basis of preparation

As permitted, this Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with the AIM rules and not in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting". The accounting policies adopted in this report are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year to 30 June 2021 as described in those financial statements. There are no accounting standards that have become effective in the current period that would have a material impact upon the financial statements.

Going Concern

The Group has been profit making in the six months to 31 December 2021, as it was in the corresponding period ended 31 December 2020.

Detailed budgets have been prepared, including cash flow projections for the periods ending 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023. These projections include assumptions on the trading performance of the operating business and the continued availability of the existing bank facilities. The Group had a cash balance of £41.4m at 31 December 2021 and now has in place a £10m revolving credit facility which commenced in February 2022 and is for three years. After making appropriate enquiries, which included a review of the annual budget and latest forecast, by considering the cash flow requirements for the foreseeable future and the effects of sales and other sensitivities on the Group's funding plans, the Directors continue to believe that the Group will have sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and accordingly have applied the Going Concern principle in preparing these interim financial statements.

3. Earnings per share

	6 months to 31 Dec 2021	6 months to 31 Dec 2020	12 months to 30 Jun 2021
	unaudited	unaudited	audited
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Profit after tax attributable to equity shareholders	6,671	14,939	2,886
	Shares	Shares	Shares
	'000	'000	'000
Issued ordinary shares at start of the period	641,773	637,286	637,286
Ordinary shares issued in the period	1,824	3,506	4,487
Issued ordinary shares at end of the period	643,597	640,792	641,773
Weighted average number of shares in issue for the period	641,794	637,286	639,190
Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share	686,135	681,352	676,658
Basic earnings per ordinary share (pence)	1.04p	2.34p	0.45p
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)	0.97p	2.19p	0.43p

4. Contingent liabilities

On 23 February 2015, the Company received notification that The Federal Office for Economics and Export ("BAFA") had made a decision to reverse their preliminary exemption to the increased manufacturers rebate in Germany for the period July to December 2012. The Company was granted a preliminary exemption to the increased rebate for this period by BAFA in 2013. The Company recognised revenue of €1.4m (£1.1m at that time, now £1.2m) against this exemption in the year ended 30 June 2013. All other preliminary exemptions (granted for periods up to 30 June 2012) have previously been ratified as final by BAFA. After taking legal advice, the Company has lodged an appeal against this decision and is confident that the exemption will be re-instated. Therefore, as at 31 December 2021, no provision has been recognised for the repayment of the rebate refund. This position will be kept under review.

In respect of net revenue relating to certain products, there is a risk that up to £12.5m cumulative revenue (2021: £10.7m) recorded in periods up to and including December 2021 may be subject to a retrospective change.  This is due to the level of rebate being applied.

5. Events after the balance sheet date

A £10m Revolving Credit Facility was signed after the balance sheet date to replace the £7m overdraft facility that was in place.

 

END

 

 

IR SSWSMDEESELD