Half Year Results

RNS Number : 7630E

SkinBioTherapeutics PLC

03 March 2020

 

SkinBioTherapeutics plc

Half year results

Manchester, UK - 03 March 2020 -   SkinBioTherapeutics plc (AIM: SBTX or the "Company") a life sciences company focused on skin health, announces its unaudited half year results for the six months to 31 December 2019.

Operational and financial highlights

· New strategy presented to shareholders, defining five pillars of development and commercial focus

· Signed first commercial agreement in November 2019, with Croda International Plc ("Croda"), using SkinBiotix ® as the foundation of an active skincare ingredient

· Post period end, signed a development agreement around the skin-gut axis with Winclove Probiotics B.V. ("Winclove") to create a specialist probiotic food supplement targeting psoriasis

· Loss from operations of £889k (H1 2018: £632k) with increase due to R&D and operating expenditure

· Cash as at 31 December 2019 £2.5m (30 June 2019: £3.1m), in line with management's expectations

Stuart Ashman, CEO of SkinBioTherapeutics, said:

"The first half of the year has been focused on refining and starting to deliver on our strategy to commercialise the SkinBiotix ® technology. The five pillars of the strategy comprise SkinBiotix®, AxisBiotix™, MediBiotix™, CleanBiotix™ and PharmaBiotix™ demonstrating our belief in the applicability of our technology.

"From talks initiated by Prof. Cath O'Neill, we have concluded agreements around two of the pillars already - SkinBiotix ® and AxisBiotix™ - with Croda and Winclove respectively. Both companies are specialists in their fields and we believe both deals offer good growth and value opportunities to the Company, whilst aligning with our current cash position and timeline.

"As we integrate these initial agreements into our day to day working practices, we continue to seek other commercial partners as well as furthering the scientific base behind our technology."

The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 and has been arranged for release by Doug Quinn, CFO of the Company. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:

SkinBioTherapeutics plc Stuart Ashman, CEO Doug Quinn, CFO	Tel: [phone]
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nominated Adviser) Tony Rawlinson / Sandy Jamieson	Tel: [phone]
Turner Pope Investments (Joint Broker) Andy Thacker / Zoe Alexander SP Angel Corporate Finance (Joint Broker) Vadim Alexandre / Abigail Wayne	Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Phillip Marriage / Nathan Billis	Tel: [phone] [e-mail]

About SkinBioTherapeutics plc

SkinBioTherapeutics is a life science company focused on skin health. The Company's proprietary platform technology, SkinBiotix®, is based upon discoveries made by Professor Catherine O'Neill and Professor Andrew McBain.

The Company has demonstrated, through scientific testing, that the SkinBiotix® platform can improve the barrier effect of skin models, protect from infection and repair wounds. Proof of principle studies have also shown that the SkinBiotix® platform has beneficial attributes applicable to each of these areas. The technology achieved positive results in clinical studies in human volunteers in early 2019.

The Company listed on AIM in April 2017 and is based in Manchester, UK.  For more information, visit: www.skinbiotherapeutics.com .  

 

Chairman and Chief Executive's Statement

During the first half of the financial year, the Company began its transition from one of scientific focus to progressing opportunities to commercialise its technology. SkinBioTherapeutics seeks to harness the microbiome for human health and has identified five channels in which it intends to develop its focus, encompassing both existing and new technology.

· SkinBiotix® - the Company's core technology that is designed to promote skin health by harnessing the beneficial properties of probiotic bacteria

· AxisBiotix™ - addressing the emerging area of science that is focused on the gut-skin axis and its role in various diseases

· MediBiotix™ - this channel is targeting the use of the SkinBiotix® technology for medical device applications including the treatment of eczema and woundcare

· CleanBiotix™ - targeting the use of the SkinBiotix® technology to address certain categories of health care acquired infections

· PharmaBiotix™ - an extension to the medical device and AxisBiotix™ applications through a pathway of medicinal prescription registrations.   

In support of the commercial focus and broader technology scope for the Company, Stuart Ashman and Prof. Cath O'Neill transitioned to their respective roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer in July 2019. This change coincided with both Prof. Cath O'Neill and Stephen O'Hara stepping down from the Board of the Company.

The first step on the delivery of the new strategy was a commercial agreement with Croda International Plc (RNS 20 November 2019) for the development and commercialisation of a new active skincare cosmetic ingredient, incorporating the Company's SkinBiotix® technology.

The Company has also been exploring other opportunities for microbiome-related technologies, and post period end, in February 2020 (RNS 19 February 2020), signed an agreement with Winclove Probiotics B.V. for the joint development and subsequent commercialisation of a food supplement to help manage symptoms associated with the skin condition psoriasis. This is the second channel of the five identified by the Company.

Financial review

Research and development expenditure in the period was £455k (H1 2018: £392k), incorporating development work with the University of Manchester and ongoing formulation work. All such expenditure was expensed in the period. Ongoing operating costs were £434k (H1 2018: £240k) covering employment, consultancy, PLC support costs and marketing. Overall the Company made a loss from operations of £889k (H1 2018: £632k).

Cash burn during the period was £642k (H1 2018: £666k) and in line with management's expectations. Having raised £1.5m in gross proceeds through a placing in February 2019 the Company finished the six month period to 31 December 2019 with a cash balance of £2.5m (H1 2018: £2.5m).

Operational review

SkinBiotix®

The Company completed its human safety study for the cosmetic application in early 2019 and having generated positive data, progressed its discussions with third parties interested in licencing the technology. This culminated in the agreement with Croda (RNS 20 November 2019).

Under the terms of the agreement, SkinBioTherapeutics' proprietary SkinBiotix® platform will be paired with Croda's expertise in the development and commercialisation of unique, sustainable, cosmetic ingredients, focusing specifically on the growing skincare actives market. Sederma, part of Croda International plc, is a specialist manufacturer of bioactive ingredients for the cosmetic industry, and will be responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of the SkinBiotix® technology.

Croda will be creating a separate manufacturing line for the technology and as design and manufacture of the active ingredient is carried out, there will be concurrent testing in focused ingredient application areas which will be detailed in further, additional agreements.

Any licensed products resulting from these agreements will be sold to Croda's global portfolio of Personal Care customers, which amount to >12,000, some of which are the leading companies and brands in the market. SkinBioTherapeutics will be paid tiered royalties based on global sales revenues on any licensed products subsequently derived from the successful development of the partnership. Recognising the development activity required by Croda, the Company anticipates revenue generation to commence from these additional agreements during 2021.

Sales and distribution rights are for the cosmetic sector alone, leaving SkinBioTherapeutics to focus on further applications of its technology in other sectors. A key component of the Croda agreement is access to a reliable supply of material and Croda will supply SkinBiotix® for the Company to be able to use in sectors outside of those covered by this agreement.

AxisBiotix™

Within the emerging area of science focused on the gut-skin axis, one disease that is considered to be influenced by the gut-skin axis is psoriasis. This is a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition of the skin with a prevalence of c.2-3% in the western world. The worldwide market for psoriasis treatments was valued at approximately $30bn in 2018 and is expected to grow to $47bn in 2022 with a CAGR of 11.5%.

Current treatments include emollients for relatively mild disease, through to the biologic therapies in severe cases. For the group with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, the mainstay therapies tend to be steroid-based, which cannot be used long term and have side effects. Thus, there is an unmet clinical need for new, safer ways of treating patients with mild to moderate psoriasis.  Anecdotal evidence from patients suggests that many of them have turned to oral probiotics as an 'alternative' therapy and report success in control of their disease. However, the effects of probiotics on psoriasis has been investigated in only two studies which did not make the choice of probiotic organisms based on known disease pathways.

As detailed in the RNS of 19 February 2020, SkinBioTherapeutics has signed an agreement with Winclove Probiotics to jointly develop a probiotic food supplement to help manage the symptoms associated with psoriasis. SkinBioTherapeutics and Winclove will design and develop a probiotic blend of 'good' bacterial strains based on the modifying properties of specific bacterial species on known psoriasis disease pathways. 

This blend will be developed into a probiotic food supplement which will be called AxisBiotix™.  SkinBioTherapeutics will be responsible for the identification and selection of the bacterial strains and patient testing; Winclove will be responsible for the formulation and manufacture of AxisBiotix™.  The development agreement is for a period of three years but can be extended by mutual agreement. Each party retains ownership of its respective intellectual property and will be responsible for their own costs in relation to the development programme.

As a pre-requisite to commercialisation, AxisBiotix™ will be tested in a UK human study for patients suffering from mild to moderate psoriasis. The study, to be managed by SkinBioTherapeutics, is expected to start in 2020 on completion of the development phase and is estimated to take approximately 12-18 months to complete. On the basis of a positive read-out of the study, SkinBioTherapeutics will then proceed with commercialisation, concluding discussions with third parties that will run in parallel to the human study.

MediBiotix™

The MediBiotix channel will focus on medical device applications incorporating the SkinBiotix® technology. The initial target is eczema and, having completed its lab work to demonstrate the required characteristics of a medical device application, the Company is preparing a data pack for review by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

The management also believes there is utility for the technology in the treatment of various classes of skin wounds and is in discussion with a number of global advanced woundcare companies in this regard. The Company is targeting a commercial agreement to develop and test the SkinBiotix® technology in these indications by the end of 2020.

CleanBiotix™

Healthcare acquired infections (HAI) remains an area of critical concern for healthcare providers. The growing resistance of certain infection strains and the lack of new antibiotics is driving the need to discover and develop new methods of controlling bacterial growth and infection.

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is the most common skin pathogen and one of the major causes of HAI. The Company's SkinBiotix® technology has been shown to have capabilities in preventing SA from adhering to and growing on the skin and thus offers a potential route of protection from SA-induced healthcare acquired infections.

The Company is investigating whether SkinBiotix® offers utility to protect other non-human surfaces and interfaces from SA induced healthcare acquired infections. This potential application of the SkinBiotix® technology is attracting early attention from potential partners.

Outlook

Securing its first commercial agreement with Croda, a FTSE 100 company, has been a significant achievement for SkinBioTherapeutics and is a strong validation of the technology and its potential. The agreement with Winclove incorporates a different aspect of the microbiome, recognising the influence of the gut-skin axis and in an area of significant unmet clinical need. However, this second agreement also demonstrates the management team's commitment and drive to deliver on the commercial strategy. The team is targeting further commercial progress in the areas of MediBiotix™ and CleanBiotix™ during the course of the year. The scientific focus will also continue with the intended commencement of a human study for psoriasis and clarity on the regulatory pathway for the treatment of eczema. 

Martin Hunt (Non-executive Chairman)

Stuart J. Ashman (Chief Executive Officer)
 

2 March 2020
 

Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the 6 months ended 31 December 2019

			Notes	6 months to 31 Dec 2019	6 months to 31 Dec 2018	12 months to 30 Jun 2019
				Unaudited	Unaudited	Audited
				£	£	£
Continuing operations
Research and development				(455,052)	(391,907)	(708,081)
Operating expenses				(433,950)	(240,372)	(652,400)
Loss from operations				(889,002)	(632,279)	(1,360,481)
Loss before taxation				(889,002)	(632,279)	(1,360,481)
Taxation			4	64,698)	99,546)	212,388)
Loss for the period				(824,304)	(532,733)	(1,148,093)
Total comprehensive loss for the period				(824,304)	(532,733)	(1,148,093)
Basic and diluted loss per share (pence)			6	(0.64)	(0.45)	(0.94)

 

Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2019

			Note	As at 31 Dec 2019	As at 31 Dec 2018	As at 30 Jun 2019
				Unaudited	Unaudited	Audited
				£	£	£
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant & equipment				4,250	9,350	6,800
Intangible assets				378,949	308,104	346,870
Total non-current assets				383,199	317,454	353,670
Current assets
Other receivables				78,167	26,227	242,580
Corporation tax receivable				275,049	185,818	210,351
Cash and cash equivalents				2,483,243	2,516,876	3,124,864
Total current assets				2,836,459	2,728,921	3,577,795
Total assets				3,219,658	3,046,375	3,931,465
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital			5	1,280,835	1,187,085	1,280,835
Share premium				4,923,890	3,577,640	4,923,890
Other reserves				301,554	205,166	247,672
Accumulated deficit				(3,466,570)	(2,026,906)	(2,642,266)
Total equity				3,039,709	2,942,985	3,810,131
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables				179,949	103,390	121,334
Total current liabilities				179,949	103,390	121,334
Total liabilities				179,949	103,390	121,334
Total equity and liabilities				3,219,658	3,046,375	3,931,465

 

Statement of Cash Flows

For the 6 months ended 31 December 2019

			6 months to 31 Dec 2019	6 months to 31 Dec 2018	12 months to 30 Jun 2019
			Unaudited	Unaudited	Audited
			£	£	£
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before tax for the period			(889,002)	(632,279)	(1,360,481)
Depreciation			2,550	850	3,400
Share option expenses			53,882	34,748	77,254
			(832,570)	(596,681)	(1,279,827)
Changes in working capital
Decrease / (increase) in trade and other receivables			164,413	67,194	(146,160)
Increase / (decrease) in trade and other payables			58,615	(105,903)	(90,958)
Cash generated by / (used in) operations			223,028	(38,709)	(237,118)
Taxation received			-	-	88,309
Net cash used in operating activities			(609,542)	(635,390)	(1,428,636)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant & equipment			-	(10,200)	(10,200)
Payments for intangible assets			(32,079)	(20,432)	(59,198)
Net cash used in investing activities			(32,079)	(30,632)	(69,398)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of equity instruments of the Company			-	-	1,440,000
Net cash generated by financing activities			-	-	1,440,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(641,621)	(666,022)	(58,034)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period			3,124,864	3,182,898	3,182,898
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period			2,483,243	2,516,876	3,124,864

Statement of Changes in Equity

For the 6 months ended 31 December 2019

			Share capital	Share premium	Other reserves	Retained earnings	Total
			£	£	£	£	£
As at 1 Jul 2018			1,187,085	3,577,640	170,418	(1,494,173)	3,440,970
Loss for the period			-	-	-	(532,733)	(532,733)
Share-based payments			-	-	34,748	-	34,748
As at 31 Dec 2018			1,187,085	3,577,640	205,166	(2,026,906)	2,942,985
As at 1 Jan 2019			1,187,085	3,577,640	205,166	(2,026,906)	2,942,985
Loss for the period			-	-	-	(615,360)	(615,360)
Issue of shares			93,750	1,406,250	-	-	1,500,000
Costs of share issue			-	(60,000)	-	-	(60,000)
Share-based payments			-	-	42,506	-	42,506
As at 30 Jun 2019			1,280,835	4,923,890	247,672	(2,642,266)	3,810,131
As at 1 Jul 2019			1,280,835	4,923,890	247,672	(2,642,266)	3,810,131
Loss for the period			-	-	-	(824,304)	(824,304)
Share-based payments			-	-	53,882	-	53,882
As at 31 Dec 2019			1,280,835	4,923,890	301,554	(3,466,570)	3,039,709
Share capital is the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value. Share premium is the amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value. Other reserves arise from the equity element of a convertible loan issued and converted in the period to 30 June 2017, and from share options granted on 5 April 2017. Retained earnings represents accumulated profit or losses to date.

 

Notes to the half yearly report

1.  General information

SkinBioTherapeutics plc is a public limited company incorporated in England under the Companies Act and quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: SBTX).  The address of its registered office is 15 Silk House, Park Green, Macclesfield, SK11 7QJ.

The principal activity of the Company is that of research and development into the effects of lysates derived from the human microbiome on skin.

The financial information set out in this half yearly report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019, prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain statements under Sections 498(2) and 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Copies of the annual statutory accounts and the half yearly report can be found on the Company's website at www.skinbiotherapeutics.com/.

2.  Significant accounting policies and basis of preparation

2.1  Statement of compliance

This half yearly report has been prepared using the historical cost convention, on a going concern basis and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union, IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS, using accounting policies which are consistent with those set out in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019.

2.2  Application of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)

There are no IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are effective for the first time in this financial period that would be expected to have a material impact on the Company.

3.  Segmental reporting

The Company has one reportable segment, namely the research and development of the SkinBiotix® technology, all within the United Kingdom.

 

4.	Taxation
Income taxes recognised in profit or loss										6 months to 31 Dec 2019		6 months to 31 Dec 2018			12 months to 30 Jun 2019
Current tax
R&D tax credit										64,698		97,509			210,350
R&D tax credit - prior year										-		2,037			2,038
Tax credit for the period										64,698		99,546			212,388
5.	Share capital
Issued share capital comprises										31 Dec 2019		31 Dec 2018			30 Jun 2019
128,083,494 ordinary shares of £0.01 each										1,280,835		1,187,085			1,280,835
6.	Loss per share
										6 months to 31 Dec 2019		6 months to 31 Dec 2018			12 months to 30 Jun 2019
Basic and diluted loss per share
Loss after tax (£)										(824,304)		(532,733)			(1,148,093)
Weighted average number of shares										122,047,535		118,708,494			122,047,535
Basic and diluted loss per share (pence)										(0.64)		(0.45)			(0.94)
As the Company is reporting a loss from continuing operations for the period then, in accordance with IAS 33, the share options are not considered dilutive because the exercise of the share options would have an anti-dilutive effect.  The basic and diluted earnings per share as presented on the face of the income statement are therefore identical.
7.	Events after the reporting date
The Company has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred after 31 December 2019 up to the date of signing of the financial statements. No material subsequent events have occurred that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.

Caution regarding forward looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect", ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.

 

END

 

 

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