GRAFT POLYMER (UK) PLC - COMPANY NUMBER 10776788

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1              GENERAL INFORMATION

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc ("the Company" or "GPUK") was incorporated in England and Wales as a limited company on 18 May 2017 as Graft Polymer (UK) Limited and was re-registered as a public limited company on 1 July 2021. The Company is domiciled in England and Wales with its registered office at Eccleston Yards, 25 Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF. The Company's registered number is 10776788.

The Group successfully completed an IPO and admission to the standard segment of the London Stock Exchange on 6 January 2022.

The principal activities of the Company and all of its subsidiaries collectively referred to as "the Group" are the research, development and polymer modification technologies and polymer modification techniques.

The consolidated financial statements ("financial statements") were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 30 April 2024.

2              ACCOUNTING POLICIES

IAS 8 requires that management shall use its judgement in developing and applying accounting policies that result in information which is relevant to the economic decision-making needs of users, that are reliable, free from bias, prudent, complete and represent faithfully the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the entity.

2.1          Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statement have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless stated otherwise. The principal accounting policies are set out below and have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently for all periods presented in these financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in £GBP and presented to the nearest £'000.

The functional currency for each entity in the Group is determined as the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates.  The functional currency of the Company is Pounds Sterling (£) as this is the currency that finance was raised in.

The functional currency of the operating subsidiary in Slovenia is the Euro (€) as this is the currency that mainly influences labour, material and other costs of providing services. The presentational currency of the Group is Pounds Sterling (£). Foreign operations are translated in accordance with the policies set out further below in the notes at note 2.4.

The Group presents its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 and presents comparatives for the year ending 31 December 2022.

2.2          Going concern

The Directors, having made due and careful enquiry, are of the opinion that the Company and the Group will have access to adequate working capital to execute its operations over the next 12 months.

The Directors have assessed the cash position of the Group as of the signing of this report and are aware that these alone are not sufficient to meet the expenditure requirements for the going concern period.

To supplement this the Group has put in place a £200,000 loan facility with the intention that this will support the Group as they prepare a prospectus which will in turn facilitate a larger fundraise.

The Directors have prepared in depth cash flow forecasts that would suggest on the expected fundraise amount the Group would have significant headroom to support the going concern assumption however should the actual fundraise prove to be significantly lower than anticipated this could raise concerns about going concern. The events or conditions noted above indicate the existence of a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that may be necessary if the Company was not a going concern but note that the auditors make reference to going concern by way of a material uncertainty over the ability of the company to fund the recurring and projected expenditure.

2.3          Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Per IFRS 10, control is achieved when the Company:

·    has the power over the investee;

·    is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

·    has the ability to use its power to affects its returns.

 

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.  When the Company has less than a majority of the voting rights of an investee, it considers that it has power over the investee when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee unilaterally. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company's voting rights in an investee are sufficient to give it power, including:

·   the size of the Company's holding of voting rights relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the other vote holders;

·   potential voting rights held by the Company, other vote holders or other parties;

·   rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

·   any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Company has, or does not have,     the current ability to direct the relevant activities at the time that decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders' meetings.

 

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in profit or loss from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary.  Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with the Group's accounting policies.

All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between the members of the Group are eliminated on consolidation.

2.4          Foreign currency translation

i.          Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements for each of the Group's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ('the functional currency'). The consolidated financial statements is presented in £ Sterling, which is the Company's presentation and functional currency. The individual financial statements of each of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries are prepared in the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates (its functional currency). IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates requires that assets and liabilities be translated using the exchange rate at period end, and income, expenses and cash flow items are translated using the rate that approximates the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions (i.e. the average rate for the period). The foreign exchange differences on translation is recognised in other comprehensive income (loss).

ii.         Transactions and balances

Transactions denominated in a foreign currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at rates of exchange ruling at balance date. Gains or losses arising from settlement of transactions and from translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement for the period.

iii.        Group companies

The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

-     assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of the balance sheet;

-     income and expenses for each income statement are translated at the average exchange rate; and all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations are taken to shareholders' equity. When a foreign operation is partially disposed or sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

2.5          Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision makers. The chief operating decision maker, who are responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the executive Board of Directors.

2.6          Impairment of non-financial assets

Non-financial assets and intangible assets not subject to amortisation are tested annually for impairment at each reporting date and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment review is based on forecasted future cash flows. If the expected discounted future cash flow from the use of the assets and their eventual disposal is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss and not subsequently reversed.

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent cash flows (cash generating units or 'CGUs').

2.7          Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs of inventories are determined on a first-in-first out basis. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for inventories less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale.

2.8          Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand, and demand deposits with banks and other financial institutions and bank overdrafts.

2.9          Financial instruments

IFRS 9 requires an entity to address the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and liabilities.

a)  Classification

The Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:

·    those to be measured at amortised cost; and

 

·    those to be measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss.

 

The classification depends on the Group's business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.

The Group classifies financial assets as at amortised cost only if both of the following criteria are met:

·  the asset is held within a business model whose objective is to collect contractual cash flows; and

·  the contractual terms give rise to cash flows that are solely payment of principal and interest.

b)  Recognition

Purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on trade date (that is, the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset). Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

c)  Measurement

At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset.

Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL are expensed in profit or loss.

Debt instruments

Amortised cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows, where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at amortised cost. Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition is recognised directly in profit or loss and presented in other gains/(losses)  together with foreign exchange gains and losses. Impairment losses are presented as a separate line item in the statement of profit or loss.

d)  Impairment

The Group assesses, on a forward looking basis, the expected credit losses associated with any debt instruments carried at amortised cost. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. For trade receivables, the Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables.

2.10        Leases

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be readily determined, which is generally the case for leases in the Company, the lessee's incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions. In all instances the leases were discounted using the incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost which comprises the following:

-    The amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;

-    Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;

-    Any initial direct costs; and

-    Restoration costs.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight line basis. If the Company is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the underlying asset's useful life.

Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability.

Payments associated with short-term leases (term less than 12 months) and all leases of low-value assets (generally less than £5k) are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss.

2.11        Equity

Share capital is determined using the nominal value of shares that have been issued.

Share capital to be issued relates to salaries foregone by Directors and other consultants. Upon the issue publication of a prospectus shares will be issued to compensate the necessary parties and will be allocated amongst the share capital and share premium accounts.

The Share premium account includes any premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from the Share premium account, net of any related income tax benefits.

For the purposes of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of group's foreign operations are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date and items of income and expenditure are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange differences arising are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the Foreign Currency Reserve within equity.

Equity-settled share-based payments are credited to a share-based payment reserve as a component of equity until related options or warrants are exercised or lapse.

The foreign exchange reserve policy is set out in note 2.5.

Capital reduction reserve represents funds sent from the parent company to subsidiary that on the approval of Directors was reclassified from a loan in the subsidiary to an investment.

Retained losses includes all current and prior period results as disclosed in the income statement.

2.12        Share based payments

The Group has made awards of warrants and options on its unissued share capital to certain parties in return for services provided to the Group. The valuation of these warrants involved making a number of critical estimates relating to price volatility, future dividend yields, expected life of the options and interest rates. These assumptions have been integrated into the Black Scholes Option Pricing model and the Monte Carlo valuation model to derive a value for any share-based payments. These assumptions are described in more detail in note 21.  

2.13        Earnings per share

The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share data for its Ordinary Shares.

Basic earnings per Ordinary Share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to Shareholders by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share is calculated by adjusting the earnings and number of Ordinary Shares for the effects of dilutive potential Ordinary Shares.

2.14        Revenue

Under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, five key points to recognise revenue have been assessed:

Step 1: Identity the contract(s) with a customer;

Step 2: Identity the performance obligations in the contract;

Step 3: Determine the transaction price;

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

Step 5: Recognise revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The Group recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured and it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

Revenue is reduced for estimated customer returns, rebates and other similar allowances. Sales of goods are recognised when the control of the goods is transferred to the buyer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods. Control is considered to have transferred generally on despatch as most items are sold on a cost includes freight basis; or on delivery where Delivered Duty Paid ("DDP") Incoterms are used. The normal credit terms are 30 to 60 days upon delivery. Invoices that are issued before the transfer of control has occurred are allocated as deferred income and then recognised as revenue when the performance obligation has been satisfied.

The Group also derives revenue from the rendering of services, whereby revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

-    the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

-    it is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the contract;

-    the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and

-    the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.

In arrangements where fees are invoiced ahead of revenue being recognized, deferred income is recorded.

2.15        Taxation

Tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the period. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income and expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is proved in full on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statement. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised of the deferred tax liability is settled.

2.16        Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

When the Company acquires any plant and equipment it is stated in the accounts at its cost of acquisition less a provision.

Depreciation is charged to write off the costs less estimated residual value of plant and equipment on a straight basis over their estimated useful lives being:

-        Plant and equipment:    5 - 7 years

-        Buildings and leasehold improvements: 20 years

Estimated useful lives and residual values are reviewed each year and amended as required.

2.17        Intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired are initially recognised at cost.  Indefinite life intangible assets are not amortised and are subsequently measured at cost less any impairment. The gains and losses recognised in profit or loss arising from the derecognition of intangible assets are measured as the difference between net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the intangible asset. 

Intangible asset impairment reviews are undertaken annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The method and useful lives of finite life intangible assets are reviewed annually.  Changes in the expected pattern of consumption or useful life are accounted for prospectively by changing the amortisation method or period.

2.18        Investments in Subsidiaries

Investments in Group undertakings are stated at cost.

2.19        Provisions

Provisions represent liabilities of uncertain timing or amount that are recognized when an entity has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

The provision is measured at the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is discounted using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

 

Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.

 

2.20        Financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair values less any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.21        Critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements and form assumptions that affects the reported amounts of the assets, liabilities, revenue and costs during the periods presented therein, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial information. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and based on management's historical experience and other factors, including future expectations and events that are believed to be reasonable.

Know-how as an intangible asset (note 11)

The estimates and assumptions in relation to the carrying value of the know-how intangible assets are considered to have the most significant effect on the carrying amounts of the financial statements.

Management have prepared a 5 year financial forecast ending at December 2028 which looks at the revenue generating ability of these intangible assets. They have confidence in various networks and contracts that the know-how will allow the Group to generate significant royalty and licensing revenue with relatively low associated costs. The Directors have a high level of confidence that these contracts will ultimately prove to be highly lucrative for the Group and support the current carrying value of the intangible assets.

As a result the intangible assets were assessed and concluded that no impairment charge was required.

Recoverability of the investment in subsidiary and intercompany receivable (note 15)

As at 31 December 2022 the carrying value of the Company's investment in its subsidiary Graft Polymer d.o.o. was approximately £1,304,000. The Directors have performed an impairment assessment on the value of the subsidiary considering a number of factors and have determined that because of the uncertainty related to the future profitability of the subsidiary the value of the investment should be impaired to nil at 31 December 2023.

Post year end the Directors have considered factors in the subsidiary such as slow pick up of revenue, ongoing constraints and a net cash drain on the Group's cash flow and accordingly plan to announce that they will dispose of the subsidiary to a private consortium in Slovenia for nominal consideration.

Impairment of operating assets in Slovenian Subsidiary (Note 13 & 14)

On review of the Group's operating division in Slovenia and the uncertainty relating to trading going forward the Directors have taken the decision to impair the total values of fixed assets (£736,000) and any unrecoverable inventory (£117,000) at year end.

Share based payments (Note 21)

The Group issues options and warrants to its employees, directors, investors and advisors.  These are valued in accordance with IFRS 2 "Share-based payments".  In calculating the related charge on issuing shares and warrants the Group will use a variety of estimates and judgements in respect of inputs used including share price volatility, risk free rate, and expected life.  Changes to these inputs may impact the related charge. In the period the Group did not perform any new valuations but released expenses to the statement of other comprehensive income from valuations in prior periods.

2.22        New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations which have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases have not yet been adopted by the UK):

 

Standard	Effective date	Overview
Amendments to IAS 1   Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current	1 January 2024 (early adoption permitted)	The standard has been amended to clarify that the classification of liabilities as current or non-current should be based on rights that exist at the end of the reporting period.   In order to conclude a liability is non-current, the right to defer settlement of a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date must exist as at the end of the reporting period.   The amendments also clarify that (for the purposes of classification as current or non-current), settlement is the transfer of cash, the entity's own equity instruments (except as described below), other assets or services.
Amendments to IAS 1   Non-current Liabilities with Covenants	1 January 2024 (early adoption permitted)	The standard confirms that only those covenants with which an entity must comply on or before the end of the reporting period affect the classification of a liability as current or non-current.
Amendments to IFRS 16   Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback	1 January 2024 (early adoption permitted)	The amendments address the accounting that should be applied by a seller-lessee in a sale and leaseback transaction when the leaseback contains variable lease payments, such as turnover rentals, that do not depend on an index or rate.    Specifically, they confirm that the 'lease payments' or the 'revised lease payments' arising from the leaseback arrangement are measured in such a way that no gain or loss is recognised on the right of use retained by the seller-lessee.
Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7   Supplier Finance Arrangements	1 January 2024 (early adoption permitted)	The amendments require an entity to disclose information about its supplier finance arrangements to enable users of financial statements to assess the effects of those arrangements on the entity's liabilities and cash flows and on the entity's exposure to liquidity risk.
Amendments to IAS 21 - Lack of Exchangeability	1 January 2025 (early adoption permitted)	The amendments have been made to clarify: - when a currency is exchangeable into another currency; and - how a company estimates a spot rate when a currency lacks exchangeability.

 

2.23        New standards and interpretations adopted

The effect of these amended Standards and Interpretations which are in issue have not had a material effect on the financial statements.

Standard	Overview
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts	IFRS 17 will replace IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts, a temporary standard which permits a variety of accounting practices for insurance contracts.
Amendments to IFRS 17 - Initial Application of IFRS 17 & IFRS 9 Comparative Information	Many insurance entities will now be applying both IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 for the first time in annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 - Making Materiality Judgements Disclosure of Accounting Policies	The amendments to IAS 1 will require an entity to disclose material accounting policies. Accounting policy information is likely to be considered material if users need the disclosure to understand other material information in the accounts.
Amendments to IAS 8 - Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors   Definition of Accounting Estimates	The amendments introduce a definition for accounting estimates which is 'monetary amounts in financial statements that are subject to measurement uncertainty'. Measurement uncertainty will arise when monetary amounts required to apply an accounting policy cannot be observed directly. In such cases, accounting estimates will need to be developed using judgements and assumptions.
Amendments to IAS 12 - Income Taxes Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction	This amendment to IAS 12 Income Taxes introduces an exception to the "initial recognition exemption" when the transaction gives rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences.
Amendments to IAS 12 - Income Taxes International Tax Reform - Pillar Two Model Rules	This amendment to IAS 12 Income Taxes introduces disclosures to help investors better understand a company's exposure to income taxes arising from the reform, particularly before legislation implementing the rules is in effect.

 

3.            SEGMENT REPORTING

The following information is given about the Group's reportable segments:

The Chief Operating Decision Maker is the Board of Directors. The Board reviews the Group's internal reporting in order to assess performance of the Group. Management has determined the operating segment based on the reports reviewed by the Board.

The Board considers that during the year ended 31 December 2023 the Group operated in two business segments being polymer development and production in Slovenia and corporate functions in the UK.

 

	United Kingdom		Slovenia		Total
	£'000		£'000		£'000
Revenue	-		587		587
Cost of sales	-		(329)		(329)
	-		258		258
Operational costs	-		(213)		(213)
Depreciation & amortisation	-		(179)		(179)
Administrative expenses	(1,736)		(409)		(2,145)
Impairment charge	-		(838)		(838)
Operating loss from continued operations per reportable segment	(1,736)		(1,381)		(3,117)
Finance costs	-		(3)		(3)
Loss for the year from continuing operations	(1,736)		(1,384)		(3,120)
Reportable segment assets	2,111		323		2,434
Reportable segment liabilities	(150)		(258)		(408)
Total	1,961		65		2,026

 

4.            REVENUE

		Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £'000	Year ended 31 Dec 2022 £'000
Product Sales Revenue
Slovenia		5	41
Europe		355	415
Rest of the world		66	-
		426	456
Services Sales Revenue
Slovenia		161	86
		161	86
Total Sales Revenue		587	542

 

5.            OPERATING COSTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE

		Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £'000	Year ended 31 Dec 2022 £'000
Operating costs
Depreciation		(179)	(113)
Operational costs		(213)	(238)
		(392)	(351)
Administrative costs
Directors remuneration		(754)	(1,162)
Salary and wages		(276)	(111)
Professional and consulting fees		(389)	(703)
Travel expenses		(21)	(6)
Foreign exchange		(69)	(10)
Other expenses		(267)	(336)
Share based payments*		(369)	(339)
		(2,145)	(2,667)

*£268k of share based payments are shown in directors remuneration to reconcile to the remuneration report on page 23. Remaining amount relates to external consultants.

 

6.            AUDITORS REMUNERATION

		Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £'000	Year ended 31 Dec 2022 £'000
Fees payable to the Group's auditor for the audit of parent company and consolidated financial statements		(50)	(46)
		(50)	(46)

 

7.            STAFF COSTS AND DIRECTORS' EMOLUMENTS

Directors' remuneration  and staff costs are referenced below. Directors remuneration can also be reference in the remuneration report:

	Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £'000	Year ended 31 Dec 2022 £'000
Directors salaries	252	319
Directors bonus	-	103
Directors pension	1	1
Directors fees	233	220
Share based payments	268	519
Employee costs	204	111
	958	1,273

On average, excluding directors, the Group employed 3 technical staff members (31 December 2022:6) and 4 administration staff members (31 December 2022: 3).

The highest paid director received remuneration of approximately £224,000 (31 December 2022: £454,000).

8.            FINANCE COSTS

	Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £'000	Year ended 31  Dec 2022 £'000
Finance charge on leased assets	(3)	(4)
Finance costs	(3)	(4)

 

9.            TAXATION

No liability to income taxes arise in the period.

The current tax for the year differs from the loss before tax at a standard rate of corporation tax in the UK.

The differences are explained below:		Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £'000	Year ended 31 Dec 2022 £'000
The charge for year is made up as follows:
Corporation tax on the results for the year		-	-
A reconciliation of the tax charge appearing in the income statement to the tax that would result from applying the standard rate of tax to the results for the year is:
Loss per the financial statements		(3,120)	(2,705)
Tax credit at the weighted average of the standard rate of corporation tax in Slovenia of 19% and UK of 19% - being 19% (31 Dec 2022: 19%) Non-deductible expenses		(592)   234	(514)   163
Current year losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised		(358)	(351)
Income tax charge for the year		-	-

Deferred tax assets carried forward have not been recognised in the accounts because there is currently insufficient evidence of the timing of suitable future taxable profits against which they can be recovered. The accumulated tax losses are estimated to amount to approximately £6,127,000 (31 Dec 2022: £1,958k) and the carried forward deferred tax asset is estimated to amount to approximately £1,164,000.

No deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses have not been recognised in the accounts because there is currently insufficient evidence of the timing of suitable future taxable profits against which they can be recovered.

10.          EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss for the year by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

	Year ended 31 Dec 2023	Year ended 31 Dec 2022
Loss for the year/period from continuing operations - £'000	(3,120)	(2,705)
Weighted number of ordinary shares in issue	104,057,299	103,589,479
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations - pence	(3.00)	(2.61)

There is no difference between the diluted loss per share and the basic loss per share presented. Share options and warrants could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they are anti-dilutive for the year presented.

11.          INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Group and Company

	£'000
Cost and carrying value - 1 January 2022	2,068
Additions		-
Impairment		-
At 31 December 2022	2,068
Additions	-
Impairment	-
At 31 December 2023	2,068

The additions in 2018 relates to the issue of 22,500,000 shares to founding director Victor Bolduev on the acquisition of his Know-how and patents that have been transferred to the Group. In line with International Accounting Standard 36 (IAS 36) the Directors have undertaken an assessment of these intangible assets to discern whether they are impaired.

The assessment encompasses various aspects such as preparing detailed cashflow forecasts that  include revenue projections from agreements with entities like Argent BioPharma and potential royalties from products such as ArtemiC™ and CannEpil-IL™.

The Directors also considered that despite challenges like lower than forecasted revenue from its Slovenian subsidiary and competitive market pressures, several factors indicate the assets retain significant value. These include licensing agreements yielding royalties, such as with Argent BioPharma for drug delivery systems; research and supply partnerships; a major investment supporting commercial exploitation of existing patents; and continuity with key personnel like Victor Bolduev.

Although the Directors are confident in the future revenues to be derived from the know-how they do recognise the inherent risk in these forecasts. As a result of this they have applied a conservative discount rate of 18% to the forecasts giving them extra confidence over the future revenues

Ultimately whilst recent performance would suggest impairment indicators, management has concluded the intangible assets should not be impaired given the various factors mentioned above.

12.          LEASES

Group

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Right-of-use assets
Motor vehicles		39	27
		39	27
Lease liabilities
Current		12	4
Non-current		22	18
		34	22

Right of use assets

A reconciliation of the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is as follows:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Motor vehicles
Opening balance		27	-
Additions		24	32
Amortisation		(12)	(5)
		39	27

 

Lease liabilities

A reconciliation of the carrying amount of the lease liabilities is as follows:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Opening balance		22	-
Additions		25	28
Finance charge		3	2
Repayments		(16)	(8)
		34	22

13.          PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Group

				Leasehold improvements £'000			Plant & Equipment £'000		Total £'000
Cost
At 1 January 2022				-			537		537
Additions				85			352		437
Exchange impact				4			48		52
At 31 December 2022				89			937		1,026
Additions				15			201		216
Disposals				-			(27)		(27)
Impairment				(107)			(1,117)		(1,224)
Exchange impact				3			6		9
At 31 December 2023				-			-		-
Depreciation
At 1 January 2022			-			(227)				(227)
Charge for the period			(27)			(81)				(108)
Exchange impact			(2)			(15)				(17)
At 31 December 2022			(29)			(323)				(352)
Charge for the year			(11)			(143)				(154)
Disposals			-			6				6
Impairment			40			463				503
Exchange impact			-			(3)				(3)
At 31 December 2023			-			-				-
Net book value at 31 December 2022		60			614					674
Net book value at 31 December 2023		-			-					-

 

 

14.          INVENTORY

Group		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Raw materials		51	123
Finished goods		-	64
		51	187

*An amount equal to approximately £117,000 was impaired in the period

15.          INVESTMENTS

Company

	£'000
Cost and carrying value - 1 January 2022	1,304
Additions		-
Impairment		-
At 31 December 2022	1,304
Additions	-
Impairment	(1,304)
At 31 December 2023	-

*Immaterial investment in Graft Polymer IP Limited & GraftBio Limited of £1 each

Investments in subsidiary relate to the investment in Graft Polymer D.o.o which is the wholly owned subsidiary operating out of Slovenia. At each period end, the Directors assess the investment for any indicators of impairment and have concluded that due to the recent performance of the subsidiary that it needs to be fully impaired and hence the entire value has been written off at period end.

Company subsidiary undertakings

The Group owned interests in the following subsidiary undertakings, which are included in the consolidated financial statements:

Name	Business Activity	Country of Incorporation	Registered Address	Percentage Holding
Graft Polymer d.o.o.	Polymer development and production	Slovenia	Emonska Cesta 8, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia	100%
Graft Polymer IP Limited	Intellectual property	England and Wales	Eccleston Yards, 25 Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF	100%
GRAFTBIO Limited	Bio-Polymer development and production	England and Wales	Eccleston Yards, 25 Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF	100%

 

16.          TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

GROUP		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Trade receivables		65	35
Other taxes and social security		16	55
Prepayments		21	232
Other receivables		6	8
		108	330

The carrying amounts of the Group's trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
UK Pounds		30	45
Euros		78	285
		108	330

 

COMPANY		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Other taxes and social security		4	21
Prepayments		21	-
Other receivables		6	24
		31	45

 

As at 31 December 2023 all trade and other receivables were fully performing and hence no provision has been processed. Trade receivables have the following aging:

				31 Dec 2023 £'000		31 Dec 2022 £'000
Current			65		39
1 - 3 months			-		-
3 - 6 months			-		-
> 6 months			-		6
			65		45

 

17.          CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and short term deposits held with banks with a A-1+ rating. The carrying value of these approximates to their fair value. Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement comprise the following balance sheet amounts.

 

GROUP		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents		155	1,640
		155	1,640

 

COMPANY		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents		12	1,548
		12	1,548

 

18.          TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

GROUP		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Trade payables		159	185
Accruals		68	114
VAT payable		22	23
		249	322

 

COMPANY		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Trade payables		66	34
Accruals		51	114
		117	148

 

19.          Provisions

GROUP		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
HMRC obligations		32	-
		32	-

In the month of the December, Directors and other senior management waived fees owed to them with the intention of having shares issued at a later date. Directors fees in their usual circumstance would attract tax and or national insurance contributions. The shares have not been issued as of period end so the Company has raised a provision to allow for potential obligations that may occur in the future. The issue of these shares is contingent on the preparation of a prospectus which at the publishing of this has not been completed.

20.          SHARE CAPITAL

	31 Dec 2023  £'000	31 Dec 2022  £'000
Issued and fully paid ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.1p (31 Dec 2022: 0.1p)
Number of shares	104,097,299	104,097,299
Nominal value (£'000)	41	41

 

Change in issued Share Capital and Share Premium:

	Number of shares	Share     capital	Shares capital to issue	Share premium	Total
Ordinary shares		£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Balance at 1 January 2023	104,097,229	41	-	7,001	7,042
Waiver of fees1	-	-	175	-	-
Balance at 31 December 2023	104,097,229	41	175	7,001	7,042

¹In the month of the December, Directors and other senior management waived fees owed to them with the intention of having shares issued at a later date. The issue of the shares is contingent on the preparation of a prospectus to allow for sufficient headroom in line with the London Stock Exchange general rules. 

The share premium represents the difference between the nominal value of the shares issued and the actual amount subscribed less; the cost of issue of the shares, the value of the bonus share issue, or any bonus warrant issue.

21.          SHARE BASED PAYMENTS RESERVE

		Company £'000			Group £'000
At 31 December 2021			-		-
Advisor warrants issued			143		143
Employee options issued1			715		715
At 31 December 2022			858		858
Employee options 1			369		369
At 31 December 2023			1,227		1,227

 

¹On 6 January 2022, 11,173,611 employee options were granted to a number of employees within the Group. These options have different vesting conditions based on performance milestones. The charge that relates to the 2023 year has been brought to account above.

 

Warrants

 

	As at 31 December 2023
	Weighted average exercise price	Number of warrants
Brought forward at 1 January 2023	22p	2,031,008
Granted in period		-
Outstanding at 31 December 2023	22p	2,031,008
Exercisable at 31 December 2023	22p	2,031,008

The weighted average time to expiry of the warrants as at 31 December 2023 is 233 days.

Options

	As at 31 December 2023
	Weighted average exercise price	Number of options
Brought forward at 1 January 2023	-	11,000,000
Granted in period	-	-
Outstanding at 31 December 2023	0.1p	11,000,000
Exercisable at 31 December 2023	-	-

The weighted average time to expiry of the warrants as at 31 December 2023 is 7 days.

22.          FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Capital Risk Management

The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to stakeholders. The overall strategy of the Company and the Group is to minimise costs and liquidity risk.

The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued share capital, foreign exchange reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes of Equity.

The Group is exposed to a number of risks through its normal operations, the most significant of which are interest, credit, foreign exchange, commodity and liquidity risks. Sensitivity analysis has not been performed because the potential impact is not considered material. The management of these risks is vested to the Board of Directors.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Group's receivables from customers. Indicators that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others, failure to make contractual payments for a period of greater than 120 days past due.

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.

The principal financial assets of the Company and Group are bank balances and trade receivables. The Group deposits surplus liquid funds with counterparty banks that have high credit ratings and the Directors consider the credit risk to be minimal.

The Group's maximum exposure to credit by class of individual financial instrument is shown in the table below:

	31 Dec 2023 Carrying Value	31 Dec 2023 Maximum Exposure	31 Dec 2022 Carrying Value	31 Dec 2022 Maximum Exposure
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Cash and cash equivalents	155	155	1,640	1,640
Trade receivables	65	65	35	35
	220	220	1,675	1,675

Currency Risk

The Group operates in a global market with income and costs possibly arising in a number of currencies and is exposed to foreign currency risk arising from commercial transactions, translation of assets and liabilities and net investment in foreign subsidiaries. Exposure to commercial transactions arise from sales or purchases by operating companies in currencies other than the Companies' functional currency. Currency exposures are reviewed regularly.

The Group has a limited level of exposure to foreign exchange risk through their foreign currency denominated cash balances and a portion of the Group's costs being incurred in US Dollars and Euros. Accordingly, movements in the Sterling exchange rate against these currencies could have a detrimental effect on the Group's results and financial condition. Such changes are not considered likely to have a material effect on the Group's financial position at 31 December 2023. Funds of the parent company are held with HSBC which has the following credit ratings (Fitch: A+, Stable, Moody's A3, Stable, S&P A-, stable)

Currency risk is managed by maintaining some cash deposits in currencies other than Sterling. The table below shows the currency profiles of cash and cash equivalents:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents
Sterling		12	1,548
Euro		143	92
		155	1,640

The table below shows an analysis of the currency of the monetary asset and liabilities in Sterling being the functional currency of the Group:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Balance denominated in
Sterling		(27)	1,520
Euro		50	(60)
		23	1,460

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group's approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when they are due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the group's reputation.

The Group seeks to manage liquidity risk by regularly reviewing cash flow budgets and forecasts to ensure that sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. The Group deems there is sufficient liquidity for the foreseeable future.

The Group had cash and cash equivalents at period end as below:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents		155	1,640
		155	1,640

 

The table below sets out the maturity profile of the financial liabilities at 31 December:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Due in less than one month		(34)	(56)
Due between one and three months		(93)	(129)
Due between three months and one year		(32)	-
		(159)	(185)

Interest Rate Risk

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk whereby the risk can be a reduction of interest received on cash surpluses held and an increase in interest on borrowings the Group may have. The maximum exposure to interest rate risk at the reporting date by class of financial asset was:

		31 Dec 2023 £'000	31 Dec 2022 £'000
Bank balances		155	1,640
		155	1,640

The Group is not materially reliant on interest revenue on cash and cash equivalents and therefore represents a low volume of risk.

 

23.          FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

 

GROUP 31 Dec 2023			Financial assets at amortised cost	Financial liabilities at amortised cost	Total
Financial assets / (liabilities)			£'000	£'000	£'000
Trade and other receivables1			81	-	81
Cash and cash equivalents			155	-	155
Trade and other payables2			-	(159)	(159)
			236	(159)	77

¹ Trade and other receivables excludes prepayments

² Trade and other payables excludes accruals, taxes and social security

 

 

GROUP 31 Dec 2022			Financial assets at amortised cost	Financial liabilities at amortised cost	Total
Financial assets / (liabilities)			£'000	£'000	£'000
Trade and other receivables1			90	-	90
Cash and cash equivalents			1,640	-	1,640
Trade and other payables2			-	(203)	(203)
			1,730	(203)	1,527

 

COMPANY 31 Dec 2023			Financial assets at amortised cost	Financial liabilities at amortised cost	Total
Financial assets / (liabilities)			£'000	£'000	£'000
Trade and other receivables1			4	-	4
Cash and cash equivalents			12	-	12
Trade and other payables2			-	(66)	(66)
			16	(66)	(50)

 

 

COMPANY 31 Dec 2022			Financial assets at amortised cost	Financial liabilities at amortised cost	Total
Financial assets / (liabilities)			£'000	£'000	£'000
Trade and other receivables1			45	-	45
Cash and cash equivalents			1,548	-	1,548
Trade and other payables2			-	(34)	(34)
			1,593	(34)	1,559

 

24.          CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

There were no capital commitments at 31 December 2023.

25.          CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

In December 2021 the Company entered a royalty agreement with Victor was replaced by a Profit Share Agreement, whereby Victor is due 7% of the Company's annual operating profit that accrues on a monthly basis, up to an aggregate amount of €3,500,000, which will commence upon the Company achieving monthly operating profit of €20,000.

Other than above, there were no further contingent liabilities at 31 December 2023.

 

26.          COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES

There were no commitments under operating leases at 31 December 2023.

27.          RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Group's investments in subsidiaries have been disclosed in note 15.

During the year the Company entered into the following transactions with other Group companies:

		Amounts owed by / (to) group companies
		Opening Balance £'000	Movement in year £'000	Provisions in year £'000		Closing Balance £'000
Graft Polymer d.o.o. - 31 Dec 2022		302	1,412	-		1,714
Graft Polymer d.o.o. - 31 Dec 2023		1,714	330	(2,044)		-
Graft Polymer IP Limited - 31 Dec 2022		(29)	-	-		(29)
Graft Polymer IP Limited - 31 Dec 2023		(29)	29	-		-

At 31 December 2023 the Company did not have any amounts receivable from Graft Polymer d.o.o. (31 Dec 2022 approximately £1,714k).

Details of directors' emoluments are set out in the directors remuneration report.

Argent BioPharma Ltd

During the period the Group received €185,425 of revenue from Argent BioPharma Ltd (formerly MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd). Roby Zomer was a director of Graft Polymer (UK) Plc before his resignation on 8 January 2024 and remains a Director of Argent BioPharma Ltd.

28.          EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO PERIOD END

Issue of equity

On 5 January 2024 the Company issued 20,666,667 ordinary shares at a placing price of £0.006 to CMC Markets Plc in turn raising £124,000.

Directorate change

On 15 March 2024, Roby Zomer, the Non-Executive Chairman of the Company, and Alex Brooks a Non-Executive Director resigned from the Board.  Nicholas Nelson was appointed as a director of the Company replacing Mr Zomer as Non-Executive Chairman of the Company with immediate effect.

Implementation of Loan facility

On 15 March 2024 provision of a £100,000 working capital loan facility to the Company by Nicholas Nelson and another private individual (the "Loan Facility"). The Loan Facility is intended to be drawn down in full against expenses incurred by the Company as they arise, and it attracts an interest rate of 10% per month. On 23 April 2024 the loan facility was increased by a further £100,000.

29.          CONTROL

In the opinion of the Directors as at the year end and the date of these financial statements there is no single ultimate controlling party.