Interim Results
Fulcrum Pharma PLC
16 May 2001
Fulcrum Pharma Plc
Chairman's Report
Fulcrum's Half Year Financial Figures on Target and Show Increased Profit
I am pleased to report that Fulcrum has made a profit before tax of £127,000
in the first six months of its second financial year. This was achieved from a
turnover of £3,033,000 that represents a pro rata increase of 336% on the
whole of our first year of trading since September 1999.
Duration and Number of Contracts is Increasing
Our business development activities have resulted in further contracts with
clients in our target market sectors. We have also been encouraged by the
amount of repeat business obtained from customers who have recognised the
value that Fulcrum can bring to their organisation.
Domestic, European and US Clients: we have been successful in expanding the
number of clients in our home market. We now are working for Pharmagene, Shire
and Xenova. In Europe and the US, our clients include three of the top ten
global Pharma companies.
Japanese Clients: our investment in experienced Japanese staff aligned with
the Company's understanding of the local business culture is paying dividends.
In the last six months we have seen a significant number of companies
requesting our services to manage drug development in Japan. Our active
customer base now contains four of the top ten Japanese pharmaceutical
companies.
Resources Added to Japan Office to Meet Client Demand
We have relocated our Japanese Branch Office into the center of Tokyo within
easy reach of existing and potential clients. Two further highly experienced
staff have been recruited and other potential staff have been identified to
join the Company within the next six months. The business development of the
Tokyo office continues to be supported by frequent visits and operational
input by directors and staff from the UK.
Strategic Expansion of the Business
In January 2001 Fulcrum raised a further £1,250,000 through a placing of 12.5
million shares for the purposes of strategic expansion. These expansion plans
are progressing well and our target is to utilise these funds for expansion
before the end of financial year 2001/2002.
Future Prospects
We expect that profits will continue to rise based on contracts in place and
our continuing business development activities and I look forward to reporting
a positive outcome for the full year.
Professor Sir Charles F George
Chairman
15th May 2001
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
For the Period Ended 28th February 2001
Notes Six Months Ended Period to
28th February 31st August
2001 2000
Unaudited Audited
(£'000) (£'000)
Turnover 3,033 1,804
Cost of Sales (2,276) (987)
Gross Profits 757 817
Selling expenses (65) (86)
Administration expenses (581) (720)
Operating Profit 111 11
Interest receivable and similar income 16 13
Profit on Ordinary Activities Before 127 24
Taxation
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 3 (39) (7)
Retained Profit for the Period 88 17
Earnings per share (pence) 4 0.18p 0.07p
Basic 4 0.18p 0.07p
Diluted
All items included in the Profit and Loss accounts relate to continuing
operations. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the profit for
the period.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
At 28th February 2001
Notes 28th February 31st August
2001 2000
Unaudited Audited
£000 £000
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 61 13
Current Assets
Debtors 1,215 892
Cash at bank and in hand 1,726 716
2,941 1,608
Creditors: amounts falling due within one (942) (849)
year
Net Current Assets 1,999 759
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 2,060 772
Capital and Reserves
Called up share capital 5 592 467
Share premium 5 1,496 421
Merger reserve (133) (133)
Profit and loss account 105 17
Equity shareholders' funds 2,060 772
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the Period Ended 28th February 2001
Notes Six Months to Period to
28th February 31st August
2001 2000
Unaudited £000
£000
Net Cash Outflow From Operating Activities (143) (29)
Returns on Investments and Servicing of Finance
Interest received 16 13
Capital Expenditure and Financial Investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (63) (23)
Net Cash Outflow Before Management of Liquid (190) (39)
Resources and Financing
Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital 1,250 1,000
Share issue costs (50) (245)
1,200 755
Increase in Cash 1,010 716
Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in
Net Funds
Increase in cash 1,010 716
Net Funds at Start of Period 716 -
Net Funds at End of Period 1,726 716
1. Financial Information
For the 6 Months Ended 28th February 2001
The interim results for the six months ended 28th February 2001 are
un-audited and do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of
section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. They have been drawn up using
accounting policies and principles consistent with those applied in the
preparation of the audited accounts for the period ended 31st August
2000. The comparative information contained in the report for accounts
for the year ended 31st August 2000 does not constitute the statutory
accounts for the financial period. Those accounts have been reported on
by the Company's Auditors, Ernst & Young, and delivered to the Registrar
of Companies. The report of the Auditors was unqualified and did not
contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act.
2. Dividends
No dividend is proposed
3. Tax on Profit on Ordinary Activities Six Months to Period to
28th February 31st August
2001 2000
£000 £000
UK Corporation tax at 30% (2000:20%) 26 7
4. Earnings Per Share Six Months to Period to
28th February 31st August
2001 2000
£000 £000
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in 49,636,280 24,423,559
issue
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary 58,404,167 29,308,123
shares in issue
5. Issue of Ordinary Shares
On 16th January 2001 the Company issued 12,500,000 new ordinary shares of
1p each for 10p per share. There was a resultant increase in share
capital of £125,000 and an increase in share premium of £1,075,000 after
share issue costs of £50,000.
6. Notes to the Statement of Cash Flow
a. Reconciliation of the operating profit to net cash outflow from
operating activities
Six Months to Period to
28th February 31st August
2001 2000
Unaudited Audited
£000 £000
Operating profit 111 11
Depreciation 16 10
Increase in debtors (324) (892)
Increase in creditors 54 842
Net cash outflow from operating activities (143) (29)
b. Analysis of net funds
At At
28th February 31st August
2001 2000
£000 £000
Cash at bank and in hand 1,726 716
7. Copies of Unaudited Interim Report
Copies of this report are being sent to shareholders and are also
available at the registered office of Fulcrum Pharma PLC, Hamilton House,
111 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB