Final Results
Cambridge Antibody Tech Group PLC
28 November 2005
05/CAT/18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07.00 GMT, 02.00 EST Monday 28 November 2005
For Further Information Contact:
Cambridge Antibody Technology Weber Shandwick Square Mile (Europe)
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 471 471 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7067 0700
Peter Chambre, Chief Executive Officer Kevin Smith
John Aston, Chief Financial Officer Yvonne Alexander
Rowena Gardner, Director of Corporate Communications Rachel Taylor
BMC Communications/The Trout Group (USA)
Tel: 001 212 477 9007
Brad Miles, ext 17 (media)
Brandon Lewis, ext.15 (investors)
CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
30 SEPTEMBER 2005
Cambridge, UK - Cambridge Antibody Technology (LSE: CAT; NASDAQ: CATG) today
announces preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2005 and an update
on business since year end.
Highlights
Legal action against Abbott Laboratories in respect of HUMIRA(R) royalties
settled on acceptable terms in October 2005.
Royalty agreement secures a significant and growing revenue stream from HUMIRA:
HUMIRA sales of US$959 million for the first nine months of 2005.
Abbott continues development of HUMIRA for a number of additional
indications.
Three proprietary product candidates, and one product candidate which CAT is
developing with Genzyme, in clinical trials:
Positive preliminary results from the Phase I clinical trial of CAT-354,
being developed as a potential treatment for severe asthma.
Acquisition of two oncology product candidates from Genencor, CAT-3888 and
CAT-8015.
GC-1008 commenced a Phase I clinical trial as a potential treatment for
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
First US operation, CAT Inc, established in Palo Alto, California.
Excellent progress in the major Strategic Alliance with AstraZeneca in the field
of inflammatory disease, with six Discovery programmes now active.
Ten further licensed product candidates in clinical development, funded by CATs
licensees.
Balance sheet remains strong with net cash and liquid resources of £175.6
million as at 30 September 2005.
Peter Chambre, Chief Executive Officer, commented: This has been a year of
significant achievement for CAT. Substantial headway has been made with the
development of CAT-354 and GC-1008 and our proprietary pipeline has been
strengthened further since the year end with the acquisition of two promising
oncology candidates from Genencor. Our major Strategic Alliance with AstraZeneca
continues to make excellent progress.
Following the settlement of our long running legal action against Abbott, we are
now able to plan for the future with a higher degree of certainty than has been
the case for the last three years. The royalty stream from HUMIRA and our
balance sheet strength provide firm foundations for the future development of
CAT.
Chairmans Statement
A number of important achievements have been accomplished during the past year.
I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to CAT during the year. I welcome
in particular two directors to the Board. Following our Annual General Meeting
(AGM) in February, Diane Mellett, General Counsel at CAT, joined the Board of
Directors as an Executive Director. Diane joined CAT in October 1997 as Vice
President Legal Affairs and Company Secretary. She is an English lawyer and a US
attorney admitted to the Illinois Bar, and has previously worked in private
practice. In September, we appointed Dr John Brown as a new non-executive
director. John has held a number of positions within our sector, most recently
as Chief Executive of Acambis plc. John has widespread commercial, financial and
scientific experience within the biopharmaceutical industry and is already
making a significant contribution to the Board and also the Audit and
Remuneration Committees.
I would also like to thank two non-executive directors who will not be seeking
re-election at the companys AGM in February 2006. Professor Sir Aaron Klug has
been a director of CAT for over 15 years, and has made a significant and
valuable contribution to the company during that time. He has also served as a
member of CATs Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). His scientific contribution, his
commitment and his belief in the company have been instrumental in keeping CAT
at the forefront of molecular display and drug discovery. He will continue to be
a member of CATs SAB and act as a scientific advisor to the company. Professor
Uwe Bicker has served two three-year terms on CATs Board and has contributed
substantially to CATs continuing transition.
We are delighted to note that the University of Heidelberg has recently
conferred upon him its highest honour, electing him to the honorary position of
Senator in recognition of his active work for the benefit of this prestigious
university.
I would like to acknowledge the contributions to the business from CATs
collaborators - AstraZeneca, Genzyme and Amrad - with whom we
have formed effective and productive relationships, and also from our licensees.
In addition, I would like to thank CATs SAB, which continues to play an
important role in guiding the scientific direction of our company, and my
colleagues on the Board. And last, but by no means least, I would like to thank
the staff, whose dedication and commitment to CAT has delivered a year of
achievement.
Paul Nicholson
Product Development Pipeline
CAT is a biopharmaceutical company aiming to bring improvements to seriously ill
patients lives and in this way create outstanding returns for shareholders. The
company seeks to develop high value products in which it has a significant
economic interest, both independently and in collaboration with partners, by
using its capabilities and technologies in the discovery and development of
antibody medicines in selected therapeutic areas. CAT also licenses its
technologies to enable others to develop drugs in which CAT has a financial
interest.
CAT has recently (post year end) acquired two oncology candidates from Genencor
and a development organisation in the US to take these programmes forward. The
acquisition of these product candidates accelerates the development of CATs
proprietary pipeline and signals the intention to focus future proprietary
research and development activities in oncology - the area where CAT
believes the opportunities are greatest for a company of CATs technologies and
capabilities.
Proprietary
CAT-354 is a fully human anti-IL13 monoclonal antibody being developed by CAT,
initially as a potential treatment for severe asthma. CAT commenced a Phase I
clinical trial in the UK in September 2004 to assess safety, tolerability and
pharmacokinetics. The trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, rising
single dose intravenous study in 34 mild asthmatic patients. In June 2005, CAT
announced preliminary results which showed that CAT-354 was well tolerated at
all doses and no safety concerns were identified; pharmacokinetics met
expectations. The trial results will be submitted to an appropriate scientific
meeting in due course.
Based on these results, CAT is now planning to start a further clinical trial in
the first quarter of 2006. This is being planned as a repeat-dose safety study
in patients with mild/moderate asthma. The trial will study safety, tolerability
and pharmacokinetics, and is likely to take place in the UK.
Given the size of the market and complexity of the likely development plan for
CAT-354, CAT has decided that the programme will benefit from having a partner
experienced in developing drugs for major respiratory indications prior to
commencing Phase III clinical trials. Accordingly, CAT has started to assess
interest in the product candidate from a limited number of potential licensees.
In November 2005, CAT announced the acquisition of CAT-3888 (formerly GCR-3888)
and CAT-8015 (formerly GCR-8015) from Genencor, a subsidiary of Danisco, based
in Palo Alto, California.
CAT-3888 and CAT-8015 are anti-CD22 immunotoxins. Each comprises a
disulphide-linked antibody fragment (dsFv) that targets the CD22 receptor, fused
with a specifically engineered toxin molecule (Pseudomonas exotoxin PE38) that
minimises non-targeted toxicity, potentially resulting in a highly specific
therapeutic molecule. CD22 is a cell-surface receptor expressed in a variety of
B-cell malignancies. CAT-3888 and CAT-8015 act by releasing the toxin
intracellularly, after the whole immunotoxin has been internalised via the CD22
receptor.
CAT-3888 and CAT-8015 were discovered and initially developed by the US National
Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the US National Institutes of Health
(NIH). Genencor licensed the candidates for haematological malignancies and
entered into a co-operative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the
NIH, which is now being continued by CAT. Under the original licence agreement
with the NIH, CAT has rights to a portfolio of intellectual property associated
with the programmes and will pay future royalties to the NIH.
The NCI has demonstrated significant efficacy of CAT-3888 in patients with hairy
cell leukaemia (HCL) in a Phase I clinical trial. The trial was carried out in
46 patients and performed at the NCI. The patients suffered from one of three
types of CD22 positive B-cell tumours: four patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma
(NHL), 11 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and 31 patients with
HCL. The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Vol. 23 No.
27 September 20, 2005) and included data from 265 cycles of treatment. Results
showed that CAT-3888 was active in HCL, with 19 complete remissions (61%) and
six partial responses (19%) in 31 patients. Lower, but significant, activity
occurred in CLL. The publication concluded that the drug was well tolerated and
highly effective in HCL even after one cycle of treatment.
CAT-3888 is currently in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of HCL in
25 patients. The trial started in October 2003. There are also two ongoing Phase
I clinical trials. In February 2004, a trial commenced in paediatric refractory
CD22-positive leukaemias and lymphomas in up to 54 patients. In September 2005,
a Phase I study in 20 patients with CLL and NHL commenced. All the clinical
trials are in patients who are resistant/refractory to conventional treatment
and all are being run at the NCI. CAT will support the NCIs ongoing development
of CAT-3888 in all these indications. Data are expected to be available from all
three trials by the end of 2006.
CAT-8015 is an optimised version of CAT-3888 with increased affinity for CD22,
and is currently in pre-clinical development as a potential treatment for B-cell
malignancies including NHL and CLL.
CAT intends to file an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for CAT-8015
in various CD22 positive B-cell malignancies, including NHL and CLL, following a
period of manufacturing development that is expected to be complete by the end
of 2006.
Trabio(R) (lerdelimumab) is a fully human anti-TGF beta2 monoclonal antibody
developed by CAT as a potential treatment for improving the outcome of glaucoma
surgery. Trabio failed to demonstrate efficacy in two Phase III clinical trials
(in November 2004 and March 2005). CAT has now terminated all further
development of Trabio, subject only to continuing with its minimum obligations
in completing an ongoing US clinical trial.
Collaborative
a) Genzyme - TGF beta
GC-1008 is a pan-specific fully human anti-TGF beta monoclonal antibody being
developed by CAT and Genzyme. In October 2005, a Phase I clinical trial of
GC-1008 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) commenced. The objectives of the
trial are to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single
intravenous infusions of GC-1008 in patients with IPF. The trial, which is an
open-label, single dose, dose-escalating study will be in 25 patients in five
centres in the US. Preliminary results are expected to be available in 2007.
Subject to ongoing discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
the companies are planning to file an IND for a Phase I clinical trial in
oncology early in 2006.
b) Amrad - GM-CSF
CAT and Amrad have selected a lead antibody, CAM-3001. Preliminary safety
studies are ongoing and scale-up of production prior to pre-clinical development
is underway.
c) AstraZeneca - Respiratory and Inflammation
Since November 2004, excellent progress has been made. CAT and AstraZeneca are
working on six Discovery projects: one pre-existing CAT Discovery programme
adopted into the Alliance and five new programmes, all of which had progressed
to lead isolation stage on schedule by June 2005. Selection of the next targets
for Alliance Discovery projects is already underway and during the next year,
the companies intend to commence a further five programmes.
Licensed
a) Product licensees
HUMIRA(R) (adalimumab) is a fully human anti-TNF alpha monoclonal antibody,
isolated and optimised by CAT in collaboration with Abbott and now approved for
marketing as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 57 countries.
In August 2005, Abbott announced that it had received approval from the European
Commission to market HUMIRA as a treatment for psoriatic arthritis and early RA
in Europe. In October 2005, Abbott announced that the FDA had approved HUMIRA as
a first-line treatment of recent onset moderate to severe RA and for reducing
the signs and symptoms of active arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
Also in October 2005, Abbott announced that it had simultaneously submitted a
supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) with the US FDA and a Type II
Variation to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) seeking approval to market
HUMIRA as a treatment for ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease of the
spine and spinal joints.
Abbott continues to develop HUMIRA as a potential treatment for a number of
additional indications and has stated that it expects to file applications for
RA in Japan and, possibly, for Juvenile RA in 2005.
Phase III clinical trials in chronic plaque psoriasis commenced at the end of
2004 and Abbott has stated that it expects to submit a regulatory application
for this indication in 2006 or early 2007.
In October 2005, Abbott announced new data in Crohns disease from a Phase III
extension study. It showed that of the 55 patients who initially achieved
remission in the Phase III study who were maintained on HUMIRA, approximately
three quarters were still in remission at one year. Of those not initially in
remission, 43% who stayed on HUMIRA therapy had achieved remission by one year.
Abbott has stated that it intends to file a BLA for Crohns disease in 2006.
Abbott reported worldwide sales of HUMIRA of US$852 million in 2004 and sales of
US$959 million for the first nine months of 2005. Abbott has forecast revenues
from HUMIRA of more than US$1.3 billion in 2005.
ABT-874 is a fully human anti-IL12 monoclonal antibody, isolated and optimised
by CAT in collaboration with Abbott, and licensed to Abbott. Abbott is
developing ABT-874 as a potential treatment for Crohns disease, psoriasis and
multiple sclerosis. A Phase II clinical trial continues in multiple sclerosis.
LymphoStat-B(TM) is a fully human anti-BLyS monoclonal antibody, licensed by CAT
to Human Genome Sciences, Inc (HGSI). HGSI is developing LymphoStat-B as a
potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for which HGSI has a
Fast Track designation from the US FDA, and RA. In July 2005, HGSI announced
that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) had exercised its option to develop and commercialise
LymphoStat-B jointly with HGSI.
In April 2005, HGSI announced positive Phase II results of LymphoStat-B in a
283-patient trial in RA and, in November 2005, the results were presented at the
69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of
Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) in San Diego. The results show that
LymphoStat-B met the primary efficacy and safety endpoints, and demonstrate that
it is safe and well tolerated, biologically active and reduces RA activity at a
level of statistical significance.
In October 2005, HGSI announced the results of a Phase II trial of LymphoStat-B
in 449 patients with SLE: LymphoStat-B was shown to be safe and well-tolerated
and, although the drug did not meet the overall primary efficacy endpoints,
showed signs of statistically significant clinical effect in seropositive
patients representing 75% of patient population in the study. Based on the
results, HGSI stated that it now has a path forward to Phase III for
LymphoStat-B in SLE and planning is underway.
HGS-ETR1 (mapatumumab) is a fully human anti-TRAIL Receptor-1 monoclonal
antibody licensed by CAT to HGSI. HGSI is developing HGS-ETR1 as a potential
treatment for multiple cancer indications. In August 2005, HGSI announced that
GSK had exercised its option to develop and commercialise HGS-ETR1 jointly with
HGSI.
Three Phase II clinical trials of HGS-ETR1 have been initiated: in NHL,
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer.
In June 2005, HGSI announced interim results from an ongoing Phase II trial of
HGSI-ETR1 in patients with advanced NHL, which demonstrated that it is well
tolerated and shows signs of clinical activity. Partial responses were observed
in some patients. HGSI expects that full data from the study will be presented
in December 2005 at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Society of
Hematology.
In July 2005, HGSI announced that the results of a Phase II clinical trial of
HGS-ETR1 demonstrated that HGS-ETR1 was well tolerated and could be administered
safely and repetitively in patients with advanced NSCLC. Stable disease was
observed a number of patients and the results support continued evaluation of
HGS-ETR1 in NSCLC patients in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.
In November 2005, at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 13) in Paris, HGSI
announced results of a Phase II clinical trial of HGS-ETR1 in patients with
advanced colorectal cancer. In the open-label study in 38 patients conducted in
Germany, HGS-ETR1 was found to be well-tolerated and could be administered
safely and repetitively to patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The results
support the continued evaluation of HGS-ETR1 in combination with chemotherapy
for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Additionally, two Phase Ib open-label, dose escalation clinical studies are
currently underway to evaluate the safety and tolerability of HGS-ETR1 in
combination with chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of patients with
advanced solid malignancies. The first is being conducted in the US and the
second in The Netherlands. Interim results of both studies were presented in
November 2005 at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular
Therapeutics in Philadelphia. The results to date demonstrate that HGS-ETR1 in
combination with chemotherapy was well tolerated and could be administered
safely and repetitively at the doses and schedules evaluated. Partial response
was observed in a number of patients in each of the studies. These results
support further evaluation of HGS-ETR1 in combination with chemotherapy Phase II
trials.
HGS-ETR2 is a fully human anti-TRAIL Receptor-2 monoclonal antibody licensed by
CAT to HSGI and being developed by HGSI as a potential treatment for cancer.
In January 2005, HGSI reported plans to initiate Phase II clinical trials of
HGS-ETR2. At the AACR-NCI-EORTC conference in Philadelphia, HGSI presented
results from two Phase I clinical trials that demonstrate that HGS-ETR2 is well
tolerated and can be administered safely and repetitively in patients with
advanced solid tumours. Stable disease was observed in a number of patients in
each of the studies. These data support further evaluation of HGS-ETR2 in Phase
II trials.
MYO-029 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that neutralises the effects of
GDF-8 (a protein which is associated with reduced skeletal muscle mass). The
antibody was discovered by CAT in collaboration with Wyeth and is licensed to
Wyeth, which is studying it as a potential therapy for muscle-wasting diseases
such as muscular dystrophy. In February 2005, Wyeth announced a Phase I/II
clinical trial in adult patients with muscular dystrophy (MD). The trial, which
will take place in 12 clinical sites, is a prospective, randomised, placebo-
controlled study in 108 patients, including equal numbers of patients with
facioscapulohumeral MD (FSHD), Becker MD (BMD) and limb-girdle MD (LGMD).
Results of the study are expected to be available in late 2006.
ABthrax(TM) is a fully human monoclonal antibody licensed by CAT to HGSI.
ABthraxTM was isolated and developed by HGSI from antibody libraries licensed
from CAT and HGSI is developing it as a potential treatment for anthrax disease.
In October 2005, HGSI announced that it had been awarded a two-phase contract to
supply ABthrax, a human monoclonal antibody developed for use in the treatment
of anthrax disease, to the US Government. Under the first phase of the contract,
HGSI will supply ten grams ABthrax to the US Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) for comparative in vitro and in vivo testing. Under the second
phase of the contract, under the Project BioShield Act of 2004, the US
Government has the option to place an order within one year for up to 100,000
doses of ABthrax for the Strategic National Stockpile, for use in the treatment
of anthrax disease. The HHS comparative testing results, along with HGSIs own
pre-clinical and clinical study results, will form the basis of the US
Governments decision process for exercising its option for additional product
for the Strategic National Stockpile.
b) Patent licensees
CAT and Dyax have cross-licensing agreements. In January 2005, Dyax announced
that two fully human monoclonal antibodies from Dyaxs proprietary phage display
libraries, IMC-11F8 and IMC-1121B, entered Phase I clinical development at
ImClone Systems.
In June 2005, CAT and BioInvent entered into a licence agreement under which CAT
granted BioInvent and its partners the rights to use its Phage Display
technology patents to enable BioInvent to develop antibody products from its
n-CoDeR antibody libraries. As part of the agreement, BioInvent withdrew its
opposition to CATs patents filed at the European Patent Office in Munich. CAT
has received an initial licence fee from BioInvent and will receive milestone
payments and royalties on any successful antibody therapeutics that BioInvent
and its partners develop using CATs Phage Display technology. One product
candidate, BI-201, a human antibody that binds the TAT toxoid protein, is in
Phase I/IIa clinical testing as a potential treatment for HIV infection.
BioInvent expects to begin Phase II clinical trials in 2006.
In August 2005, CAT granted Symphogen a patent licence to use CATs Phage Display
technology for research purposes and to develop and commercialise a number of
therapeutic and diagnostic human monoclonal antibody products. Symphogen made an
upfront payment for the licence and exercised its first product option to
develop and commercialise its lead product Sym001. Symphogen paid a product
licence fee and will make future milestone and royalty payments to CAT upon the
successful development of Sym001.
In September 2003, CAT granted Micromet a patent licence for the development and
commercialisation of Micromets human therapeutic antibody candidate MT201
(adecatumumab), specific for the epithelial tumour target Ep-CAM. In December
2004, Micromet and Serono signed an exclusive collaboration and licence
agreement for the development and commercialisation of MT201, which is currently
being tested in two multi-centre Phase II clinical trials. CAT receives
milestone and royalty payments on human antibody-based products developed
against the Ep-CAM target by Micromet and its partners. The first milestone
payment would be due on filing for product approval.
CAT believes that approximately 25 discovery and pre-clinical programmes are
underway at licensees with fully human antibodies derived from CATs
technologies.
Financial Review
The following review is based on the Groups consolidated financial statements
which are prepared under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Results of operations: Years ended 30 September 2005 and 2004
Turnover, consisting of royalties, licence fees, milestone payments, contract
research fees and other, increased from £15.9 million in the 2004 financial year
(2004) to £194.0 million in the 2005 financial year (2005).
In November 2003, CAT announced that it had commenced legal proceedings against
Abbott in the High Court in London regarding the royalty rate payable on sales
of HUMIRA under a licence agreement between the parties. In October 2005, CAT
announced it had reached an agreement with Abbott regarding royalties payable to
CAT under this licence agreement.
Abbott will pay CAT royalties at 2.688% on sales of HUMIRA from 1 January 2005.
CAT will retain all of these royalties.
CAT will retain all royalties received from Abbott in respect of sales of HUMIRA
up to 31 December 2004, net of approximately £7.6 million which will be paid to
its licensors, Medical Research Council, Scripps Institute and Stratagene.
Abbott paid CAT the sum of US$255 million, which CAT paid to its licensors in
lieu of their entitlement to royalties arising on sales of HUMIRA from 1 January
2005 onwards. This was both received from Abbott and paid to CATs licensors in
October 2005.
CAT refunded to Abbott approximately £9.2 million for royalties paid in respect
of sales of HUMIRA from 1 January 2005 through to 30 June 2005.
Abbott will pay CAT five annual payments of US$9.375 million commencing January
2006, contingent on the continued sale of HUMIRA. From each of these payments,
CAT will pay US$2 million to its licensors.
The settlement was an extension of the litigation and has therefore been
accounted for as an adjusting post balance sheet event, that is, as though it
had occurred as at 30 September 2005. The settlement accounts for the
significant increase in revenue, namely royalties, in 2005 as compared with
2004.
Prior to settlement being reached, the royalty arrears received from Abbott in
January 2005, pursuant to the High Court Judgement, and the royalties received
in March 2005 in excess of two per cent argued by Abbott, were not recognised as
revenue. These receipts were held in other creditors on the balance sheet
pending resolution of the appeal. These amounts have been released to revenue in
CATs results for the full year as a result of the settlement. Of the royalty
payment received from Abbott in September 2005 (in respect of sales of HUMIRA
for the six months to 30 June 2005), the £9.2 million due back to Abbott has
been recognised in other creditors. The remainder, equating to 2.688% of sales,
has been recognised as revenue.
Royalty income for 2005 comprises the following, all in respect of HUMIRA:
2005 2005 2005
Excluding Settlement with Abbott Total
Settlement £000 £000
with Abbott
£000
Sales: 6 months to 31 Dec 04 5,167 8,114 13,281
- at 2%, adjusted to 5-6%
Sales: 6 months to 30 Jun 05 6,529 2,346 8,875
- at 2%, adjusted to
2.688%
Accrued royalty on sales 3 4,041 1,390 5,431
months to 30 Sep 05
- at 2%, adjusted to
2.688%
Release of back dated - 12,934 12,934
royalties for sales to 30
Jun 2004 - excess of
5-6% over 2%
Royalty buy out (due to CATs - 144,722 144,722
licensors)
Total 15,737 169,506 185,243
As reflected above, royalties due on sales of HUMIRA have been accounted for on
an accruals basis for the first time, resulting in an accrual of income for the
final quarter of the 2005 financial year. This means that the results of 2005
reflect five quarters of royalty income.
Royalties recognised during the 2004 financial year relate to HUMIRA. Abbott
announced that it had received US FDA approval to market HUMIRA in the US in
December 2002 and, that it had received approval to market HUMIRA in the EU
during September 2003. Sales of HUMIRA commenced in January 2003. The three
royalty payments received during the 2004 financial year, and recognised as
revenue, represent Abbotts calculation of the 2% royalties due on HUMIRA sales
in the period from January 2003 to 30 June 2004.
Licence fees increased from £4.6 million to £5.2 million in 2005. A full years
revenue was recognised under the Genzyme library licence for the first time
during 2005 which, with the new licence granted to NovImmune, accounts for the
majority of the increase between 2005 and 2004.
Clinical milestone payments were £1.1 million in 2005 (2004: £1.1 million). In
2004, a milestone payment was received from Wyeth with the initiation of a Phase
I clinical trial for MYO-029. Fifty percent of the value of this royalty payment
is creditable against any future royalties payable by Wyeth and therefore only
half the value was recognised as revenue in the year. A clinical milestone
payment was received from Abbott during the 2003 financial year following US FDA
approval of HUMIRA. The milestone was not recognised as revenue during the 2003
financial year as it was creditable against royalties receivable from Abbott.
Three fifths of this milestone were released as revenue during the 2004
financial year, the remainder was released as revenue in 2005. In addition, in
2005 two clinical milestones were received from Dyax. Technical milestone
payments decreased from £1.6 million in 2004 to £1.1 million in 2005. Technical
milestone payments were received from Amgen in both financial years. Unless
otherwise stated, the above milestone receipts have been recognised in full as
revenue under the Groups accounting policy.
CAT receives a percentage of certain revenues generated by MorphoSys under the
terms of the Agreement signed in December 2002 and a percentage of certain
revenues generated by Dyax under the terms of a licensing agreement. The
majority of the increase in Other Revenues between 2004 and 2005, arose as a
result of an increase in such revenues received from MorphoSys and Dyax.
CATs direct costs are typically payments made to third parties as a proportion
of certain CAT revenues. The majority of direct costs for the 2005 and 2004
financial years comprised royalties payable to the Medical Research Council
(MRC) and other licensors, primarily arising from the payments received from
Abbott regarding sales of HUMIRA. The amounts due to CATs licensors on royalties
received from Abbott regarding sales of HUMIRA, were dependent on the outcome of
the legal proceedings between CAT and Abbott. Prior to the resolution of the
litigation proceedings with Abbott, royalties due to CATs licensors were
provided for at the mid-point of the expected possible outcomes. Subsequent to
the Settlement Agreement reached with Abbott, final amounts due to CATs
licensors have been agreed between the parties and provided for in CATs full
year results for 2005, resulting in the adjustments shown below. As part of the
settlement agreement reached with Abbott, Abbott paid CAT US$255 million, which
CAT paid to its licensors in lieu of their entitlement to royalties arising on
sales of HUMIRA from 1 January 2005 onwards. This one off payment due to CATs
licensors has been recorded in direct costs in 2005 and accounts for the
significant increase in direct costs between 2004 and 2005.
2005 2005 2005
Excluding Settlement Settlement Total
with Abbott with Abbott £000
£000 £000
Direct costs
On royalty in respect of sales six months to 31 Dec 2004 - at 2,035 - 2,035
0.75%
On royalty in respect of sales six months to 30 Jun 2005 - 0.75% 2,560 (2,560) -
adjusted to 0%
On accrued royalty in respect of sales three months to 30 Sep 2005 1,515 (1,515) -
- at 0.75% adjusted to 0%
Payments on account made to MRC on sales of HUMIRA to 31 Dec 2004 - 2,302 2,302
Payments made to licensors pursuant to settlement (Oct 2005) - 7,606 7,606
Excess of amounts accrued (0.75%) over amounts paid to licensors (0.5%) - (1,584) (1,584)
(prior to payments on account referred to above)
Royalty buy out - 144,722 144,722
Other (non HUMIRA) 144 - 144
Total 6,254 148,971 155,225
In the 2004 financial year, direct costs included an amount payable to the MRC
arising following CATs settlement of all pending litigation with MorphoSys.
Research and development expenses decreased to £39.2 million in 2005 from £44.1
million in 2004. External development costs fell by £7.0 million between 2004
and 2005 due primarily, to lower spend on the Trabio programme which was
terminated in March 2005. Consumable costs increased with the high levels of
activity on the AstraZeneca programmes. There was an increase in the
amortisation charge between 2004 and 2005 due to an impairment provision of £2.9
million made in 2005 against an intangible asset.
General and administration expenses fell from £11.0 million in 2004 to £8.8
million in 2005. Litigation expenses of £3.9 million were incurred during 2005,
£2.5 million in 2004. The increase year on year in litigation expenses is due to
the legal proceedings commenced by CAT against Abbott in the High Court in
London. CAT received £2.5 million towards its legal costs from Abbott in January
2005, pursuant to the High Court Judgment. In October 2005, CAT received an
additional £1.73 million towards its legal costs. Following resolution of the
litigation process, the total received from Abbott, of £4.6 million, has been
credited against litigation within general and administration expenses in CATs
full year results for 2005, resulting in a net credit in 2005 of £0.7 million.
General and administration staff costs increased between 2004 and 2005,
reflecting reallocations of staff from research. General and administration
expenses for 2005 include a foreign exchange translation credit of £0.4 million
(2004: charge of £1.1 million) arising from the conversion from US Dollars to
Sterling of CATs trading balances with its US subsidiary, Aptein, due to the
appreciation of the US Dollar compared with sterling over the period.
Interest income increased between 2004 and 2005 due to the increase in CATs cash
and liquid resources during the period (2005: £175.6 million; 2004: £93.7
million) as a result of the £75 million subscription monies received from
AstraZeneca in December 2004, and backdated royalties received from Abbott in
January 2005.
Taxation: CAT has accounted for significant revenues in the 2005 financial year
arising from the settlement reached with Abbott. As a result, CAT Limited has
insufficient current year taxable losses to be offset against the taxable profit
generated in CAT Group plc. Therefore, a tax charge of £1.0 million has arisen
in the 2005 financial year. If CAT Limited makes a trading loss in the 2006
financial year, a significant proportion of this tax charge is potentially
recoverable.
Liquidity and capital resources
Net cash inflow before management of liquid resources and financing was £6.2
million for 2005 as compared with an outflow of £27.9 million in 2004. As at 30
September 2005, CAT had cash and liquid resources of £175.6 million (£93.7
million at 30 September 2004).
During 2005 and 2004, CATs net cash used by operating activities was £0.2
million and £31.1 million respectively, in each case resulting principally from
operating losses, offset by depreciation, amortisation and other non-cash
movements. In both 2004 and 2005, operating losses were also offset by increases
in creditors. In 2004 this was primarily due to the increase in deferred income
resulting from new licence agreements. In 2005, the significant increase in
creditors arose from the settlement agreement reached with Abbott in October
2005. Creditors in 2005 included an amount of £9.2 million due back to Abbott
under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, regarding the royalty payment for
sales of HUMIRA in the six months to 30 June 2005. Creditors in 2005, also
included amounts of £7.6 million due to CATs licensors regarding sales of HUMIRA
to 31 December 2004. In October 2005, these amounts were paid to Abbott and the
licensors respectively.
CATs capital expenditure is primarily for laboratory equipment, laboratory
facilities and related information technology equipment. Capital expenditure
increased from £1.0 million in 2004 to £2.0 million in 2005 as a result of
increased spend on laboratory equipment. CAT sold some of its shares in
MorphoSys during 2005 resulting in a cash inflow of £2.1 million during the
year.
CATs net cash inflows from financing activities primarily resulted from the
issue of ordinary shares. In the 2004 financial year Genzyme increased its
equity stake in CAT through a subscription of 2.5 million shares with a value of
£13.3 million, being the second of two tranches, the first tranche occurred in
the 2003 financial year. In the 2005 financial year, CAT received £75 million
from AstraZeneca for 10,217,983 CAT shares.
CAT stated in November 2004 that it expected net cash outflow for 2005 before
financing to be of the order of £32 million. In May 2005, CAT stated that,
pursuant to the payments received from Abbott as a result of the High Court
judgement in CATs favour, this would now equate to a net cash inflow before
financing of the order of £2 million for 2005. The actual result of £6.2 million
net cash inflow before management of liquid resources and financing reflects
lower levels of expenditure than anticipated, most notably in external
development, plus a favourable effect from currency rate movement.
Financial outlook for 2006
Further royalty income from Abbott in respect of HUMIRA is expected in the 2006
financial year. Royalties will be credited at the rate of 2.688% on HUMIRA sales
from October 2005 to September 2006. Cash royalty receipts are in March and
September, representing royalties for the preceding calendar half year. In
addition, Abbott will make a payment of US$9.375 million in January 2006, US$2
million of which is payable to CATs licensors.
Recurring revenues, representing release of deferred income from licensing
arrangements entered into prior to 30 September 2005 are expected to be of the
order of £5 million for 2006 (this is a non-cash item). Additional revenues may
arise from technical and clinical milestone receipts and any further licensing
arrangements. External development costs are expected to show an increase over
2005, with higher spend on the collaborative programme with Genzyme and on
CAT-354, plus spending on CAT-3888 and CAT-8015.
The establishment of CAT Inc. will also give rise to additional costs in the
period. Also, capital expenditure is expected to be higher than in 2005.
The settlement with Abbott gave rise to a one-off net cash outflow of £15.3
million in the early part of this financial year. It is expected that CATs Cash
Spend* for 2006, assuming current exchange rates, will be of the order of £20
million plus the outflow of £15.3 million referred to above.
*Cash Spend represents, under IFRS, net cash used in operating activities plus
capital expenditure.
International Accounting Standards
The Group will be required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards
and International Accounting Standards for the financial year ending 30
September 2006 onwards. A reconciled opening balance sheet for the year ended 30
September 2004, and an IFRS reconciliation of the Groups results for the year
ended 30 September 2005 will be included in the Groups 2005 Annual Report.
CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Year ended Year ended Year ended
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Convenience
translation
(i) (i)
US$000 £000 £000
Turnover 341,765 193,964 15,925
Direct costs (273,506) (155,225) (3,023)
Gross profit 68,259 38,739 12,902
Research and development expenses (69,018) (39,170) (44,125)
General and administration expenses (15,566) (8,834) (10,969)
Operating loss (16,325) (9,265) (42,192)
Profit on sale of fixed asset 2,574 1,461 -
investments
Interest receivable (net) 12,817 7,274 4,130
Loss on ordinary activities before (934) (530) (38,062)
taxation
Tax on loss on ordinary activities (1,845) (1,047) (64)
Loss for the financial period (2,779) (1,577) (38,126)
Loss per share - basic and diluted 3.2p 93.3p
(pence)
(i) Includes settlement with Abbott - see notes to the financial
information for effect of settlement
Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
Year ended Year ended Year ended
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Convenience
translation
US$000 £000 £000
Loss for the financial period (2,779) (1,577) (38,126)
(Loss)/gain on foreign exchange (728) (413) 1,099
translation
Total recognised losses relating to the (3,507) (1,990) (37,027)
period
The losses for all periods arise from continuing operations.
This financial information has been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The
dollar translations are solely for the convenience of the reader.
CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at As at As at
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Convenience
translation
US$000 £000 £000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 4,548 2,581 5,832
Tangible assets 20,626 11,706 12,362
Investments 4,051 2,299 2,942
29,225 16,586 21,136
Current assets
Debtors - due within one year 23,621 13,406 4,460
Debtors - due after one year 2,044 1,160 -
Short term investments 275,563 156,392 93,061
Cash at bank and in hand 35,735 20,281 2,678
336,963 191,239 100,199
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year (52,515) (29,804) (15,603)
Net current assets 284,448 161,435 84,596
Total assets less current liabilities 313,673 178,021 105,732
Creditors
Amounts falling due after more than one year (32,800) (18,615) (20,650)
Net assets 280,873 159,406 85,082
Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital 9,099 5,164 4,111
Share premium account 531,779 301,804 226,829
Other reserve 23,709 13,456 13,456
Profit and loss account (283,714) (161,018) (159,314)
Shareholders funds - all equity 280,873 159,406 85,082
This financial information has been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The
dollar translations are solely for the convenience of the reader.
CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Year ended Year ended Year ended
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Convenience
translation
US$000 £000 £000
Net cash outflow from operations (283) (161) (31,067)
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest received 11,051 6,272 4,295
Interest element of finance leases (86) (49) (78)
10,965 6,223 4,217
Taxation - - (64)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (3,520) (1,998) (1,032)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 4 2 6
Sale of fixed asset investments 3,707 2,104 -
191 108 (1,026)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before management
of liquid resources and financing
10,873 6,170 (27,940)
Management of liquid resources (111,924) (63,521) 15,357
Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital 133,961 76,028 14,223
Capital elements of finance lease rental (661) (375) (348)
payments
133,300 75,653 13,875
Increase in cash 32,249 18,302 1,292
This financial information has been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The
dollar translations are solely for the convenience of the reader.
Notes to the financial information
Accounting policies
This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the policies set
out in the statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2005.
Convenience translation
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Sterling. The
consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended 30 September 2005
are also presented in US Dollars as a convenience translation. The Dollar
amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the reader and have been
calculated using an exchange rate of £1:US$1.762, the closing rate as of 30
September 2005. No representation is made that the amounts could have been or
could be converted into US Dollars at this or any other rates.
Loss per share
FRS 14 requires presentation of diluted EPS when a company could be called upon
to issue shares that would decrease net profit or increase net loss per share.
For a loss making company with outstanding share options, net loss per share
would only be increased by the exercise of out-of-the-money options. Since it
seems inappropriate to assume that option holders would act irrationally, no
adjustment has been made to diluted EPS for out-of-the-money share options,
diluted EPS equals basic EPS. The calculation is based on information in the
table below.
Year ended Year ended
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Losses (£000) 1,577 38,126
Weighted average number of shares 49,381,476 40,866,684
The Company had ordinary shares in issue of 51,639,868 and a total of 2,133,856
ordinary shares under option as of 30 September 2005.
Abbott settlement
2005 2005 2005
Excluding Settlement with Total
settlement with Abbott
Abbott
£000 £000 £000
Turnover 24,458 169,506 193,964
Direct costs (6,254) (148,971) (155,225)
Gross profit 18,204 20,535 38,739
Research and development expenses (39,170) - (39,170)
General and administration expenses (13,386) 4,552 (8,834)
Operating loss (34,352) 25,087 (9,265)
Profit on sale of fixed asset investments 1,461 - 1,461
Interest receivable (net) 6,430 844 7,274
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (26,461) 25,931 (530)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities (1,047)
Loss for the financial period (1,577)
Refer to the financial text for details of the Abbott Settlement and the
accounting treatment thereof.
Turnover
Year Year Year
ended ended ended
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Convenience
translation
US $000 £000 £000
Royalties 326,398 185,243 6,328
Licence fees 9,106 5,168 4,601
Technical milestones 1,936 1,099 1,610
Clinical milestones 1,970 1,118 1,091
Contract research fees 627 356 1,829
Other 1,728 980 466
Total 341,765 193,964 15,925
Deferred income
£000
Balance brought forward at 1 October 2004 25,810
Cash receipts 2,106
Held in debtors 1,750
Released to revenue (5,885)
Other (229)
Deferred income at 30 September 2005 23,552
Reconciliation of operating loss to operating cash outflow
Year ended Year ended Year ended
30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2005 30 Sep 2004
Convenience
translation
US$000 £000 £000
Operating loss (16,325) (9,265) (42,192)
Depreciation charge 4,745 2,693 2,826
Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 5,728 3,251 1,051
Profit on disposal of fixed assets (4) (2) (3)
Write down of fixed asset investment - - 215
EIP charge 504 286 144
Increase in debtors (15,631) (8,871) (24)
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income (3,979) (2,258) 4,086
Increase in creditors (excluding deferred 24,679 14,005 2,830
income)
Operating cash outflow (283) (161) (31,067)
Analysis and reconciliation of net funds
1 October Cash Exchange 30 30
2004 flow movement September September
2005 2005
Convenience
translation
£000 £000 £000 £000 US$000
Cash at bank and in hand 2,678 17,593 10 20,281 35,735
Overdrafts (1,512) 709 (803) (1,415)
18,302 10
Liquid resources 92,559 63,521 - 156,080 275,013
Net cash and liquid 93,725 81,823 10 175,558 309,333
resources
Finance leases (820) 375 - (445) (784)
Net funds 92,905 82,198 10 175,113 308,549
Liquid resources shown above is included within short term investments on the
Balance Sheet, which also includes a part of the investment in MorphoSys shares.
Reconciliation of movements in group shareholders funds
Year ended Year ended
30 September 30 September
2005 2004
£000 £000
Loss for the financial period (1,577) (38,126)
Other recognised gains and losses relating to the period (413) 1,099
(1,990) (37,027)
New shares issued (net of expenses) 76,028 14,223
Executive Incentive Plan 286 144
Net increase/(decrease) in shareholders funds 74,324 (22,660)
Opening shareholders funds 85,082 107,742
Closing shareholders funds 159,406 85,082
Financial Statements
The preceding information, comprising the Consolidated Profit and Loss Account,
Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses, Consolidated
Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and associated notes, does not
constitute the Companys statutory financial statements for the years ended 30
September 2005 and 2004 within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act
1985, but is derived from those financial statements. Statutory financial
statements for the year ended 30 September 2004 have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies and those for the year ended 30 September 2005 will be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies after the Companys Annual General
Meeting. The auditors have reported on those financial statements: their
reports were unqualified and did not contain any statements under s237(2) or (3)
Companies Act 1985.
The annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2005
will be posted to shareholders by 31 December 2005 and will be available shortly
thereafter from our registered office:
Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc
Milstein Building
Granta Park
Cambridge
CB1 6GH, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 471471
This preliminary announcement was approved by the board on 28 November 2005.
Quarterly financial information
Three months Three months Three months Three months
ended 30 Sep ended 30 Jun ended 31 Mar ended 31 Dec
2005 2005 2005 2004
£000 £000 £000 £000
Consolidated profit and loss
account:
Turnover 181,828 2,291 7,130 2,715
Direct costs (153,047) (143) (2,035) -
Gross profit 28,781 2,148 5,095 2,715
Research and development (11,765) (9,322) (8,907) (9,176)
expenses
General and administration 1,741 (1,500) (2,650) (6,425)
expenses
Operating profit/(loss) 18,757 (8,674) (6,462) (12,886)
Profit on sale of fixed asset - 1,461 - -
investments
Interest receivable (net) 2,333 1,934 1,835 1,172
Profit/(loss) on ordinary 21,090 (5,279) (4,627) (11,714)
activities before
taxation
Taxation on profit/(loss) on (1,047) - - -
ordinary activities
Profit/(loss) for the financial 20,043 (5,279) (4,627) (11,714)
period
Consolidated cash flow
statement
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 1,793 (9,101) 17,374 (10,227)
operations
Returns on investments and
servicing of finance
Interest received 2,135 1,638 1,672 827
Interest paid (9) (11) (14) (15)
2,126 1,627 1,658 812
Taxation - - - -
Capital expenditure and
financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed (410) (725) (597) (266)
assets
Sale of tangible fixed assets 2 - - -
Sale of fixed asset investment - 2,104 - -
(408) 1,379 (597) (266)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) 3,511 (6,095) 18,435 (9,681)
before management
of liquid resources and
financing
Management of liquid resources 13,776 (6,619) (8,372) (62,306)
Financing
Issue of ordinary share 57 34 555 75,382
capital
Capital elements of finance (96) (95) (93) (91)
lease rental
payments
(39) (61) 462 75,291
Increase/(decrease) in cash 17,248 (12,775) 10,525 3,304
Notes to Editors:
Business:
CAT is a biopharmaceutical company, aiming to bring improvements to seriously
ill patients lives and thereby create outstanding returns for shareholders. CAT
seeks to develop products independently and in collaboration with partners,
using its capabilities and technologies in the discovery and development of new
and innovative antibody medicines in selected therapeutic areas. CAT also seeks
to licence its technologies to enable others to develop new medicines.
Products:
HUMIRA(R), licensed to Abbott, is the first CAT-derived antibody to be approved
for marketing. It was isolated and optimised in collaboration with Abbott and
has been approved for marketing as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in
57 countries, and for psoriatic arthritis and early RA in some European
countries and the US.
There are six further CAT-derived antibodies licensed to partners at various
stages of clinical development: ABT-874 (Abbott), LymphoStat-B(TM), HGS-ETR1,
HGS-ETR2, ABthrax(TM) (all Human Genome Sciences (HGSI)) and MYO-029 (Wyeth).
CAT has also licensed its proprietary technologies and patents to several
companies. CATs licensees include Amgen, Chugai, Dyax, Genzyme, HGSI, Merck &
Co, Micromet, Pfizer and Wyeth, and three antibody drug candidates are in
clinical development at patent licensees.
There are three further human therapeutic product candidates in clinical
development: CAT-354 and CAT-3888, proprietary CAT products, and GC-1008, in
collaboration with Genzyme.
Collaborations:
CAT has a broad collaboration with Genzyme for the development and
commercialisation of antibodies directed against TGF beta, a family of proteins
associated with fibrosis and scarring, and with potential application in the
treatment of some cancers.
CAT has a major strategic alliance with AstraZeneca to discover and develop
human antibody therapeutics, principally in inflammatory disorders. This
provides CAT with the opportunity to build a substantial pipeline of antibody
therapeutics with a significant pharmaceutical partner.
CAT has a co-development collaboration with Amrad against GM-CSF Receptor, a
potential drug target in the development of RA.
Science:
CAT has an advanced proprietary technology for rapidly isolating human
monoclonal antibodies using Phage Display and Ribosome Display systems. CAT has
extensive phage antibody libraries, currently incorporating more than 100
billion distinct antibodies, which form the basis for the Companys strategy to
develop a portfolio of antibody-based drugs.
Business Background:
CAT is based near Cambridge, UK, with a new site in Palo Alto, USA. CAT
currently employs around 290 people.
CAT is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CAT) and on NASDAQ (CATG).
More information can be found at www.cambridgeantibody.com
Application of the Safe Harbor of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: This press release contains statements about Cambridge Antibody
Technology Group plc (CAT) that are forward looking statements. All statements
other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may be
forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. These forward looking statements are based on numerous
assumptions regarding the companys present and future business strategies and
the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Certain factors
that could cause the companys actual results, performance or achievements to
differ materially from those in the forward looking statements include: market
conditions, CATs ability to enter into and maintain collaborative arrangements,
success of product candidates in clinical trials, regulatory developments and
competition. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward
looking statements contained in this press release. These statements speak only
as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update
or revise the statements.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange