The financial information set out in these results does not constitute the Group's consolidated statutory accounts for the years ended 30 September 2024 or 2023. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2023 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 will be delivered to the Registrar in due course. Those accounts have been reported on by the Independent Auditors; their report for the accounts for both financial years was (i) unqualfied; (ii) did not include a reference of any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report; and (iii) did not contain a statement under 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies act 2006.

 

1.     Presentation of the financial statements

 

a.     General information

 

IXICO plc (the 'Company') is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales and is admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol IXI. The address of its registered office is 4th Floor, Griffin Court, 15 Long Lane, London EC1A 9PN.

 

The Company is the parent of the subsidiaries detailed in note 16, together referred to throughout as 'the Group'. The Group is an established provider of technology-enabled services to the global biopharmaceutical industry. The Group's services are used to select participants for clinical trials and assess the safety and efficacy of new drugs in development within the field of neurological disease.

 

b.     Basis of preparation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirement of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The consolidated financial statements comprise a Statement of Comprehensive Income, a Statement of Financial Position, a Statement of Changes in Equity, a Statement of Cash Flows, and accompanying notes. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention modified by the revaluation of certain financial instruments.

 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Great British Pounds ('£' or 'GBP') and are rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated. This is the predominant functional currency of the Group, and is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. Foreign currency transactions are accounted in accordance with the policies set out below.

 

The Company has elected to use Financial Reporting Standard - 'The Reduced Disclosure Framework' (FRS101). In preparing these financial statements the Company has taken advantage of all disclosure exemptions conferred by FRS 101. Therefore, these financial statements do not include:

 

·      A statement of cash flows and related notes;

·      The requirement to produce a statement of financial position at the beginning of the earliest comparative period;

·      The requirements of IAS 24 'Related Party Disclosures' to disclose related party transactions entered in to between two or more members of the group as they are wholly owned within the group;

·      The effect of future accounting standards not adopted;

·      Paragraphs 45(b) and 46 to 52 of IFRS 2, 'Share-based payment' (details of the number and weighted average exercise prices of share options, and how the fair value of goods or services received was determined);

·      Paragraphs 91 to 99 of IFRS 13, 'Fair value measurement' (disclosure of valuation techniques and inputs used for fair value measurement of assets and liabilities).

·      Disclosures in relation to impairment of assets

·      IFRS 7, 'Financial instruments: Disclosures'.

 

c.     Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary companies adjusted to eliminate intra-Group balances and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses arising from intra-Group transactions. The Company's subsidiaries are detailed in note 16. When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with the Group's accounting policies.

 

The Group controls a subsidiary when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with a subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over a subsidiary. In assessing control, potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are taken into account.

 

 

 

The results of subsidiary companies are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into GBP at exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Income statements and cash flows of foreign operations are translated into GBP at average monthly exchange rates which approximate foreign exchange rates at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange differences arising on retranslation are recognised directly in a separate translation reserve.

 

d.     Going concern

 

Following the completion of a £4 million oversubscribed capital raise in October 2024, the Group is well capitalised to deliver on its strategic goals.  This capital raise was supported by both existing and new institutional investors confirming strong alignment to the Group's strategy.  In addition, the commercial traction of the Group, following a challenging eighteen-month period, improved materially during the second half of the 2024 financial year, resulting in a larger orderbook (book of signed contracts) compared to twelve months previous.

 

The Group has a strong balance sheet for its size with financial year end net assets of £9.5 million, a £1.8 million cash balance that was subsequently bolstered by a capital raise in October 2024. During the year the Group secured £8.9 million of new contracts providing it with good visibility of future revenues across a diversified portfolio of clients and projects..

 

In assessing going concern, management has prepared detailed sensitised forecasts which consider different scenarios through to December 2025. These include the risk to current projects and expected future sales pipelines. The Directors have considered these forecasts, alongside the Group's strong balance sheet and cash balance as well as the ability for the Group to mitigate costs if necessary. After due consideration of these forecasts, the Directors concluded with confidence that the Group has adequate financial resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future.

 

2.     New and amended accounting standards and interpretations

 

a.     Adoption of new accounting standards for the year ended 30 September 2024

 

The Group has adopted all new and amended accounting standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') that are mandatory for the current reporting period.

 

There was no impact on the Group's financial statements as a result of adopting these standards.

 

b.     Accounting developments affecting financial statements in subsequent periods

 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, several new, but not yet effective, standards and amendments to existing standards and interpretations have been published by the IASB. The standards and amendments that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Group include:

•     Classification of liabilities as current or non-current (Amendments to IAS 1)

•     Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

•     Definition of Accounting Estimates

•     Disclosure of Accounting Policies

 

The Directors anticipate, based on current business processes, that the introduction of the above standards and amendments will not have a material impact on the Group and Company financial statements and therefore the impact of these changes on the financial statements has not been assessed.

 

3.     Prior period adjustment

 

The Company has reclassified Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings to non-current assets based on the likelihood of this being repaid in the following 12 months, this is in line with the assessment of the subsidiary undertaking. Following this assessment, the Company reassessed the classification of this in the previous financial year. The Company has determined the available information in the previous year would lead to this same conclusion and has so restated this comparative information in the current year.

 

The impact on the Company's Financial Statements is limited to the non-current and current asset lines with no effect on loss for the financial year or net assets, as restated in the Company balance sheet and note 17.

 

4.     Material accounting policies

 

4.1   Revenue

 

Revenue is principally derived from service revenue. Revenue comprises the transaction price, being the amount of consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer in the ordinary course of business net of value-added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the Group.

 

In determining whether to recognise revenue, the Group follows a 5-step process:

 

1.   Identifying the contract with a client;

2.   Identifying the performance obligations;

3.   Determining the transaction price;

4.   Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations; and

5.   Recognising revenue when/as performance obligation(s) are satisfied.

 

All services provided to clients are agreed at the inception of a project through contracts, wherein the transaction price is determined and agreed for each performance obligation in the schedule of work. The transaction price agreed at the outset is not variable or subject to any refunds or warranties, and this is consistent across all revenue streams.  A critical part of the contract is a detailed schedule of work that provides the list of services to be provided by the Group. Under the requirements of IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Group is required to identify individual and distinct performance obligations within each contract. This represents a judgement, and the Group has considered whether each individual service provided meets these requirements in its own right and in the context of the contract, by assessing in particular the level of interrelationship between each type of service and the nature of the contract entered in to with clients. 

 

The Group has identified performance obligations within each of the revenue streams as set out below. The transaction price associated to each performance obligation is allocated based on their relative stand-alone selling price. Revenue is recognised once the performance obligation is met for each distinct service. Deferred income and advanced payments are recognised where consideration is received before all performance considerations have been completed. They are then released in line with contractual terms which dictate which performance obligations they relate to. In some instances the Group invoices in advance of work being completed, a corresponding contract liability is therefore created to account for this. The Group also invoices on completion of contractual milestone. In these instances accrued income is recognised until the invoices are issued to reflect the Group's right to compensation for these completed but not invoiced performance obligations.

 

Revenue types

The Group's contracts comprise a variety of performance obligations. These obligations are all considered streams of a single revenue type, being service revenue. Most of the Group's revenue is recognised at a point in time; the Group recognises this revenue once control is passed to the client, or once the service has been delivered on behalf of the client.

 

The Group's most significant streams of service revenue are outlined below and have the respective recognition criteria:

 

Service type	Performance obligations	Revenue recognition policy
Project & site set up Training materials and delivery Scientific reports	This service type includes the initial project set up documentation, such as scientific protocols and operational guides, and close out activities such as scientific reports. Where a tangible product is created, the performance obligation is met once the item is transferred to the client.   In respect of training, materials are prepared in advance and provided to clients as tools for site training. Site training is provided either through live online training or through a self-paced training module. The performance obligation is met once each individual site has completed the training.	Revenue for this service is recognised at a point in time once the Group has delivered the relevant material on behalf of the client.   For training materials and delivery, revenue is recognised at the point in time when a site has completed its training.
Project management Site management	Each contract requires various project management activities. These services are provided throughout the duration of a contract. Site management services are provided throughout the duration of a site being operational and would typically be shorter than the project management cycle. For both activities, the costs and time spent delivering these services are generally spread evenly over the project lifetime. As such the performance obligation is met when the specific service is provided each month.	The services provided for project and site management represents a provision of ongoing services. As the fee is charged monthly to the client over the duration for which management services are provided, revenue for these items is recognised over a series of points in time across the contract.
TrialTracker configuration and access	The TrialTracker platform delivers a robust and comprehensive set of centralised imaging services designed to efficiently manage the complex imaging workflow, including image upload, quality control, reading and analysis. The platform also allows for reporting and data transfer. This involves the initial configuration and deployment of TrialTracker, and access granted to client trial sites for upload of clinical information.   Due to the lack of interrelationship between the two distinct services provided, each are recognised independently. The performance obligations for each are:   ·      The performance obligation for deployment is met over a period of time during the configuration and development of TrialTracker.   ·      The performance obligation for ongoing access to TrialTracker for the upload of data by client trial sites is recognised over the duration of the project once TrialTracker is deployed.	The deployment of TrialTracker is recognised over time as the platform is configured for the customer. This is because an asset is being created that has no alternative use for the Group and there is an enforceable entitlement to receive payment for the work completed to date.   The ongoing access fee is charged monthly to the client and so revenue is recognised over a series of points in time across the contract.
Data management and quality control	Ensuring data are managed appropriately and that the data are of a high quality is critical in the delivery of the Group's service. The data management and imaging teams work in collaboration to ensure ongoing integrity of data.   The data will go through a series of quality control reviews prior to being used in the Group's performance of reading and analysis. Therefore, the performance obligation is met once the data is quality checked.   Data management is an ongoing service performed throughout the duration of a project whilst data is being received and managed on a project. The respective costs and time spent delivering this service is generally spread evenly over the duration in which data is being managed and as such the performance obligation is met when the specific service is provided each month.	In respect of data quality control, revenue will be recognised at the point in time when data is quality checked.   The services provided for data management represents a provision of ongoing services.   As the fee is charged monthly to the client over the duration for which data management is required, revenue for these items is recognised over a series of points in time across the contract.
Data reading and analysis	The Group provides data analysis services across a range of biomarkers, providing high-quality, clinically meaningful data. The performance obligation for these services is met once the analysis is completed.	Revenue from reading and analysis of clinical data is recognised at the point in time when the work is complete.
Licence revenue	Revenue relating to licencing is entirely attributable to TrialTracker. Each agreement will grant the user rights to access the software for their own use and receive associated technical support during the licence period.   The granting of the licence and its associated support are distinct performance obligations and are met on a straight-line basis over the contract term.	Revenue for both the licencing and support are recognised on a straight-line basis over the duration of the contract and is therefore recognised over time. Licence revenue in the current year is not material.

 

Change orders

Throughout the duration of a contract, the client may request additional services or service changes to be made. For revenue recognition purposes, the Group treats a change order or contract modification to a client agreement as a separate contract, if both:

 

·      the scope changes due to the addition, or reduction, of 'distinct' services; and

·      the price change reflects the services stand-alone selling prices ('SSP') under the circumstances of the modified contract.

 

The revenue recognition for the change order is applied in the same way as the original contract, as detailed above, with the original client agreement remaining unchanged.

 

The Group has determined that it acted as an agent in no material contracts in the year. The Group charges a management fee and recognises this as revenue. This contract delivered £nil (2023: £13,000) of revenues in the year.

 

4.2   Other income

 

Government grants and assistance

A government grant is recognised only when there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with any conditions attached to the grant and the grant will be received. The grants are recognised as income over the period necessary to match them with the related costs, for which they are intended to compensate, on a systematic basis. The Group recognises grant income as an item of other income.

 

Research and Development Expenditure Credit ('RDEC')

The Group has elected to take advantage of the RDEC introduced in the Finance Act 2013. A company may surrender corporation tax losses on research and development expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2013 for a corporation tax refund. Relief is given as a taxable credit on 13% of qualifying research and development expenditure, with the rate increasing to 20% for expenses incurred from 1 April 2024. The Group recognises research and development expenditure credit as an item of other income, taking advantage of the 'above the line' presentation, and is recognised in the year for which the research and development relates.

 

4.3   Research and development expenditure

 

In all instances across the Group, research expenditure is expensed through the income statement. For development expenditure, items will be expensed where the recognition criteria for internally generated intangible assets is not met.

 

The main criteria used to assess this, as required under IAS 38 - Intangible Assets, are:

-     Demonstrating technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset;

-     Intention to complete the asset;

-     Ability to use or sell the asset in order to generate future economic benefit;

-     Availability of adequate technical or other resources to complete development; and

-     Ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the asset.

 

It was determined that the Group continued to meet the above criteria in respect of specific developments to its TrialTracker platform and data analytics service offering. As a result, associated development costs are capitalised in the year and an intangible asset is recognised as set out in note 15.

 

4.4   Share-based payments

 

Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payment is expensed on a straight-line basis over the performance period, based on the Group's estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of any non-market-based performance conditions.

 

Any changes that impact the original estimates, for example the effect of employees who have left the Group in the year and have forfeited their options, is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves.

 

Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set out in note 22 of the consolidated financial statements.

 

4.5   Employee benefits

 

All employee benefit costs are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as they are incurred. These principally relate to holiday pay and contributions to the Group defined contribution pension plan.

 

The assets of the Group pension scheme are held separately from those of the Group in independently administered pension funds. The Group does not offer any other post-retirement benefits.

 

4.6   Leased assets

 

A lease is defined as a contract that gives the Group the right to use an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Group identifies from the contract the total length and cost of the lease contract, and determines whether it meets the definition of a right-of-use asset. Recognition of a right-of-use asset is met if it is longer than 12 months and of a high value. For those leases that do not meet these criteria, the rental charge payable under these leases are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The initial recognition and subsequent measurement of right-of-use asset leases are:

 

Initial recognition

At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease liability at the present value of future lease payments, discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate. The Group also recognises a right-of-use asset which is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs and an estimate of any costs to reinstate the asset to its original condition. 

 

 

Subsequent measurement

The lease liability is reduced for payments made and increased for interest accrued, and is remeasured for any modifications made to the lease. The right-of-use asset is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The asset is also assessed for impairment when such indicators exist.

 

On the statement of financial position, right-of-use assets are included in property, plant and equipment and lease liabilities are shown separately. Please see note 19 for more information.

4.7   Property, plant and equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and, where appropriate, less provisions for impairment. The initial recognition and subsequent measurement of property, plant and equipment are:

 

Initial recognition

Property, plant and equipment is initially recognised at acquisition cost, including any costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating. In most circumstances, the cost will be its purchase cost, together with the cost of delivery.

 

Subsequent measurement

An asset will only be depreciated once it is ready for use. Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of property, plant and equipment, less its estimated residual value, over the expected useful economic lives of the assets.

 

Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis as follows:

 

-     Office buildings	over expected lease term
-     Leasehold improvements	shorter of 5 years or the lease term
-     Fixtures and fittings	3 years
-     Equipment	3 years

 

The disposal or retirement of an asset is determined by comparing the sales proceeds with the carrying amount. Any gains or losses are recognised within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

4.8   Intangible assets

 

Acquired intangibles

Intangible assets that are acquired through business combinations are recognised as intangible assets if they are separable from the acquired business or arise from contractual or legal rights. These assets will only be recognised if they are also expected to generate future economic benefits and their fair value can be reliably measured.

 

Initial recognition

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value at the date of acquisition.

 

Subsequent measurement

Following capitalisation, the intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation, and where appropriate, less provisions for impairment.

 

Intangible assets are amortised using the straight-line method over their estimated useful economic life as follows:

 

-     Intangibles acquired through business combinations	5 years
-     Computer software	3 years
-     Data acquisition	5 years

 

Amortisation is charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and is included within cost of sales for those items directly related to project activities, or otherwise within general and administrative expenses.

 

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets that are capitalised internally are deemed to have met the recognition criteria set out in IAS 38. These items relate to research and development costs and are considered in note 4.3.

 

Initial recognition

Internally generated intangible assets are initially recognised at cost once the recognition criteria of IAS 38 are met.

 

Subsequent measurement

Any assets that are not yet ready for use will be capitalised as assets under construction and will not be amortised. Once the asset is ready for use, amortisation will begin. The amortisation rates adopted are based on the expected useful economic life of the projects to which they relate, with the charges recognised in accordance with how the Group receives the benefit from the technology. The assets useful economic life is as follows:

 

-     Internally generated technology	3 - 5 years
-     Proprietary clinical trial platform	15 years based on revenue generated by the asset

 

4.9   Impairment of non-current assets

 

Each category of non-current assets is reviewed for impairment annually when under construction or when there is an indication that an asset may be impaired, being when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the amount by which the asset's carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount.

 

The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less cost to sell and value in use. Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, which have suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

 

4.10 Investments in Group undertakings

 

Investments in Group undertakings are initially recognised at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any impairment provision. Investments are subject to an annual impairment review, with any impairment charge being recognised through the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Additions to investments are amounts relating to share options for the services performed by employees of the subsidiaries of the Company and are classified as capital contributions within note 16.

 

4.11 Trade and other receivables

 

Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any expected credit losses. The Group makes use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables as well as contract assets and records the loss allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash flows, considering the potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. In calculating, the Group uses its historical experience, external indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses.

 

The Group assess impairment of trade receivables on an individual basis as they possess individual credit risk characteristics based on each client. Refer to note 17 for further information on aging of trade receivables and an analysis of any expected credit losses.

 

The Group recognises commission payments as incremental costs from obtaining a contract. Those that are paid immediately are capitalised under IFRS 15 and amortised over 3 years (2023: 3 years), being the average length of contracts entered into by the Group, as opposed to using a tailored time period for each project. Management reviews this assessment annually to determine that there are no material variances. Those not paid immediately are accrued over a period of time as this element of the commission payment requires the respective employee to remain in service for a specific period. Commission assets.

 

4.12 Taxation

 

Current tax

Current tax represents amounts recoverable within the United Kingdom and is provided at amounts expected to be recovered using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted at the Statement of Financial Position date.

 

Research and development credits

The benefit associated with UK-based research and development is recognised under the UK's Research and Development Expenditure Credit scheme. Details of the recognition are set out in note 4.2.

 

Deferred taxation

Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IAS 12 - Income taxes. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences. A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available in future years to utilise the temporary difference. Deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction, other than a business combination, that at the time of the transaction affects neither the accounting, nor taxable profit or loss.

 

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the Statement of Financial Position date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities, they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle these on a net basis.

 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent it is probable that the underlying tax loss or deductible temporary difference will be utilised against future taxable income. This is assessed based on the Group's forecast of future operating results, adjusted for significant non-taxable income and expenses and specific limits on the use of any unused tax loss or credit. As such, the Group does not recognise any deferred tax assets, see note 20.

 

4.13 Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand with original maturities at inception of 3 months or less.

 

4.14 Foreign currency translation

 

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Great British Pounds at actual rates of exchange prevailing at the date of transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are translated into Great British Pounds at rates of exchange prevailing at the end of the financial year. All foreign currency exchange differences are taken to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year in which they arise.

 

Non-monetary items are not retranslated at year end and are measured at historical cost (translated using the exchange rates at the transaction date), except for non-monetary items measured at fair value which are translated using the exchange rates at the date when fair value was determined.

 

4.15 Trade and other payables

 

Trade and other payables are non-interest-bearing, unless significantly overdue, and are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently stated at amortised cost.

 

4.16 Provisions, contingent assets and contingent liabilities

 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic resources will be required from the Group and amounts can be estimated reliably. The timing of such outflows may still be uncertain. Such provisions are measured at the estimated expenditure required to settle the present obligation based on the most reliable estimate available at the reporting date, discounted to the present value where material.

 

Any reimbursement that the Group is virtually certain to collect from a third party in relation to the related provision will be recognised as a separate asset.

Liabilities are not recognised where the outflow of economic resources is not probable, but are instead disclosed as contingent liabilities.

 

4.17 Equity instruments

 

Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

 

4.18 Financial instruments

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position when the Group or the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.

 

The Group utilises one type of derivative financial instrument - forward contracts used for the purposes of hedging. These are designated as cash flow hedges and held at fair value with changes held in the cash flow hedge reserve. On crystallisation the gain or loss is recycled to revenue to reflect the risks being hedged. The ineffective portion of the hedging instrument is recognised in the profit or loss account immediately.

 

Further information relating to financial instruments and the policies adopted by the Group to manage risk is found in note 23.

 

5.     Significant management judgement in applying accounting policies and estimation uncertainty

 

When preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors make a number of judgements, estimates and assumptions about the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

 

Significant management judgements

The following are significant management judgements in applying the accounting policies of the Group that have the most significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Capitalisation of internally developed software

Distinguishing the research and development phases of a new software product and determining whether the requirements for the capitalisation of development costs are met requires judgement. Management will assess whether a project meets the recognition criteria as set out in IAS 38 based on an individual project basis. More detail is included in note 4.3 as to the specific considerations given to each project when determining whether to capitalise internally developed software. Where the criteria are not met, the research and development expenditure will be expensed in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Where the recognition criteria are met, the items will be capitalised as an intangible asset.

 

During the year ended 30 September 2024, research and development expenses totalled £1,659,000 (2023: £2,152,000). Of this amount, £322,000 (2023: £1,211,000) was capitalised as an intangible asset relating to employee costs. The balance of expenditure being £1,337,000 (2023: £925,000) is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as an expense.

 

Recovery of deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised for deductible temporary differences and tax losses. The Directors consider that there is not sufficient certainty that future taxable profits will be available to utilise those temporary differences and tax losses. Further information on the Group's deferred tax asset can be found in note 20 of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Estimation uncertainty

Information about estimates and assumptions that have the most significant effect on recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses is provided below. Changes to these estimations may result in substantially different results for the year.

 

 

Share-based payments

The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. Details of the estimations used in determining the fair value of the options in issue are detailed in note 22. In line with IAS 2, management assess whether non-market conditions will be achieved and adjusts appropriately.

 

Useful lives of depreciable assets

The useful lives of depreciable assets are determined by management at the date of purchase based on the expected useful lives of the assets. These are subsequently monitored and reviewed annually and where there is objective evidence of changes in the useful economic lives, these estimates are adjusted. Any changes to these estimates may result in significantly different results for the period.

 

The Group amortises its newly developed proprietary clinical trial platform (TTNx) in accordance with its anticipated usage pattern. The platform's useful life has been estimated at 15 years. Amortisation is applied on an escalating basis, aligned with the increasing utilisation of the platform as additional clinical trials are deployed on the platform. Once the platform reaches an equivalent operational capacity to the existing platform, defined as accommodating the number of trials supported by the previous platform, a straight-line amortisation method will be adopted for the remainder of its useful life.

6.     Revenue

 

An analysis of the Group's revenue by type is as follows:

 

					2024	2023
					£000	£000
Service revenue					5,766	6,665

 

All material revenue streams derived by the Group relate to the delivery of services in support of clinical trials. As such, all revenue is deemed to belong to one stream, being service revenue.

 

Revenue derived from services provided over time do not constitute a material portion of revenue and therefore disclosure distinguishing between revenue recognised at a point in time versus over time is not made.

 

For the year ended 30 September 2024, revenue includes £22,000 (2023: £214,000) held in contract liabilities within trade and other payables at the beginning of the period. This amount also includes performance obligations relating to advance payments that were not yet complete at the end of the prior year. Advance payments are charged to clients to de-risk start-up activities and are recognised at a point in time once an activities performance obligation is met. At 30 September 2024, £532,000 (2023: £343,000) of advanced payments were recognised on the balance sheet.

 

7.     Segmental information

 

The Board considers there to be only one core operating segment for the Group's activities. This is based on the Group's development, commercial and operational delivery teams operating across the entirety of the Group, which is primarily based in the United Kingdom. The projects undertaken by the Group are managed by project managers, who receive inputs for each project from other team members. Performance information is reported as a single business unit to the management team.

 

The information gathered for each project is subsequently reported to the Group's Chief Executive Officer, who is considered to be the chief operating decision-maker. This information is used for resource allocation and assessment of performance. Therefore, the entirety of the Group's revenue and assets can be attributed wholly to this operating segment with reference to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

During the year ended 30 September 2024, the Group had three clients (2023: five clients) that exceeded 10% of total revenue. In 2024, the individual percentage revenue associated with these clients was 13% (£771,000), 13% (£742,000) and 13% (£729,000). In 2023, the individual percentage revenue associated with the five largest clients 14% (£966,000), 14% (£949,000), 13% (£862,000), 12% (£792,000) and 10% (£699,000).

 

Geographical information

 

The Group's revenue can be categorised by country, based on the location of the contracting client. Sometimes clients of the Group, which include global biopharmaceutical companies with offices in multiple locations across the world, request the Group to contract directly with their regional offices in the United Kingdom or European locations. In such circumstances the associated revenues are reported as being based in the contracting location even though much of the operational execution of the contract will include entities or partners of the client based elsewhere in the world.

 

					2024	2023
					£000	£000
United States of America					2,365	3,053
United Kingdom					1,330	952
Netherlands					742	862
Ireland					557	689
Switzerland					500	816
Other - Europe					272	293
Revenue					5,766	6,665

 

As the Group is domiciled in the United Kingdom, the entirety of the revenue originates from this location.

 

8.     Other income

 

Items of other income principally relate to government grants received. Grants are recognised as income over the period required to match them with the related costs, for which they are intended to compensate, on a systematic basis.

 

The Group also recognises Research and Development Expenditure Credit ('RDEC') as other income.

 

	2024	2023
	£000	£000
Grant income	376	38
RDEC	405	355
Other income	781	393

 

9.     Auditor's remuneration

					2024	2023
					£000	£000
Audit services
- Group and Parent Company					51	56
- subsidiary companies					34	37
Total audit fees					85	93
Audit-related assurance services					8	8
Total auditor's remuneration					93	101

 

 

10.   Employees and Directors

 

The average monthly number of persons (including Executive and Non-Executive Directors) employed by the Group was:

				2024	2023
				Number	Number
Administration				15	14
Operations, research and development				66	75
Average total persons employed				81	89

 

The aggregate remuneration of employees in the Group was:

				2024	2023
				£000	£000
Wages and salaries				5,474	5,944
Social security costs				671	702
Other pension costs				279	303
Share-based payments charge				8	52
Total remuneration for employees				6,432	7,001
Employee costs capitalised				(322)	(1,211)
Net employee costs				6,110	5,790

 

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds. The amounts outstanding at 30 September 2024 in respect of pension costs were £40,000 (2023: £46,000).

 

The remuneration of the Group's Directors is set out in the Directors' Remuneration Report in the full annual report, as well as in note 24 under related party transactions.

 

The Company did not directly employ any staff and therefore there is no cost recognised in respect of staff costs.

 

11.   Loss on ordinary activities before taxation

 

The Group's loss on ordinary activities before taxation has been achieved after charging:

			2024	2023
			£000	£000
Research and development expenses			1,304	903
Research and development related impairment			-	14
Research and development related amortisation			33	8
Sales and marketing expenses			1,347	1,262
Amortisation of commission assets			49	59
Expenses relating to lease of low-value assets			1	1
Depreciation of tangible assets			239	400
Amortisation of intangible assets			15	24
Foreign exchange (gain) / loss			52	85
Administrative expenses			2,606	2,344
Total operating expenses			5,646	5,100
Interest income from cash held at bank			(85)	(105)
Interest incurred on finance leases			22	29
Interest due on overdue taxation			3	-
			5,586	5,024

 

There is a further amortisation charge of £188,000 (2023: £193,000) recognised in cost of sales for those items directly related to project activities. The total amortisation charge for the year is £236,000 (2023: £225,000).

 

12.   Taxation

 

The tax charge for each period can be reconciled to the result per the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as follows:

	2024	2023
	£000	£000
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation	(2,094)	(1,361)
Loss before tax at the effective rate of corporation tax
in the United Kingdom of 25% (2023: 22%)	(524)	(299)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes	(13)	(17)
Origination and reversal of temporary differences	(51)	(291)
Research and development uplifts net of losses surrendered for tax credits	520	406
Overseas taxation	1	16
Prior period adjustment	(26)	2
Tax credit for the period	(93)	(183)

 

The tax credit for each period can be reconciled as follows:

	2024	2023
	£000	£000
Small or medium enterprise research and development credit	(172)	(276)
Deduction for corporation tax on RDEC	104	75
Overseas taxation	1	16
Prior period adjustment	(26)	2
Tax credit for the period	(93)	(183)

 

The Group has elected to take advantage of the RDEC, introduced in the Finance Act 2013 whereby a company may surrender corporation tax losses on research and development expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2013 for a corporation tax refund.

 

The following is a reconciliation between the tax charge and the tax receivable within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position:

	2024	2023
	£000	£000
Current tax receivable at start of period	549	453
Current period credit	497	552
Corporation tax repayment	(554)	(456)
Current tax receivable at end of period	492	549

 

The tax credit for each period can be reconciled to the current period credit recognised in tax receivable within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position in each period as follows:

	2024	2023
	£000	£000
Tax credit for the year	93	183
RDEC gross of corporation tax deduction	405	355
Overseas taxation	(1)	15
Tax recoverable	-	(1)
Current period credit	497	552

 

 

13.   Earnings per share

 

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share ('EPS') of the Group is based on the following data:

		2024	2023
Earnings
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted EPS, being net profit attributable to the owners of the Company (£000)
		(2,001)	(1,178)
Number of shares
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic EPS		48,309,181	48,309,181
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of diluted EPS		48,309,181	48,309,181

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing earnings attributable to the owners of the Company by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The diluted EPS is calculated by dividing earnings attributable to the owners of the Company by the weighted average number of shares in issue taking into account the share options outstanding during the year. For the year ended to 30 September 2024, there was no dilutive effect as the share options in issue would have decreased the loss per share.

 

The basic and diluted earnings per share for the Group and Company is:

		2024	2023
Basic earnings per share		(4.14p)	(2.44p)
Diluted earnings per share		(4.14p)	(2.44p)

 

14.   Property, plant and equipment

 

Group

	Office	Leasehold	Fixtures and
	building	improvement	fittings	Equipment	Total
Cost	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
At 1 October 2022	777	185	5	1,117	2,084
Additions	-	7	-	94	101
Disposals	-	-	-	(20)	(20)
At 30 September 2023	777	192	5	1,191	2,165
Additions	-	3	1	30	34
Disposals	-	-	-	(10)	(10)
At 30 September 2024	777	195	6	1,211	2,189

 

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 October 2022	379	157	5	726	1,267
Charge for the period	102	19	-	279	400
Disposals	-	-	-	(20)	(20)
At 30 September 2023	481	176	5	985	1,647
Charge for the period	101	14	0	124	239
Disposals	-	-	-	(10)	(10)
At 30 September 2024	582	190	5	1,099	1,876

 

Net book value
At 30 September 2023	296	16	-	206	518
At 30 September 2024	195	5	1	112	313

 

The tangible right-of-use asset is held within the office building category. At 30 September 2024, the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset was £195,000 (2023: £296,000).

 

Company

At 30 September 2024 and 30 September 2023, the Company had no property, plant and equipment.

15.   Intangible assets

 

Group

	Right-of-use asset	Other acquired intangibles	Other Internally developed technology	Next generation TrialTracker platform	Total
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Cost
At 1 October 2022	-	221	710	4,111	5,042
Additions	-	121	89	1,589	1,799
Impairment	-	-	(14)	-	(14)
At 30 September 2023	-	342	785	5,700	6,827
Additions	39	-	20	404	463
Disposals	-	(32)	(218)	-	(250)
At 30 September 2024	39	310	587	6,104	7,040

 

Accumulated amortisation
At 1 October 2022	-	141	314	-	455
Amortisation	-	47	178	-	225
At 30 September 2023	-	188	492	-	680
Amortisation	2	52	163	19	236
Disposals	-	(32)	(218)	-	(250)
At 30 September 2024	2	208	437	19	666

 

Net book value
At 30 September 2023	-	154	293	5,700	6,147
At 30 September 2024	37	102	150	6,085	6,374

 

Amortisation is charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and is included within cost of sales for those items directly related to project activities, research and development for those items directly related to the research activities of the company or otherwise within general and administrative expenses.

 

Internally developed technology

The Group has capitalised research and development costs during the year in relation to the development of its proprietary TrialTracker software. Development includes TrialTracker platform upgrades as well as additional algorithm development. The costs capitalised include time and expenses in relation to staff costs. In recognising these assets, the Group has applied the recognition criteria of IAS 38 relating to internally generated intangible assets, where costs in relation to the development phase must be capitalised under certain circumstances. More information in relation to this is included in the accounting policies of the Group in notes 4 and 5.

 

Assets under construction

Assets that are still under construction undergo an annual impairment test which is carried out at the end of the reporting period. This impairment test considers the carrying amount of the asset and compares it with its recoverable amount, with an impairment being recognised if the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount. Management have determined the recoverable amount as being the value-in-use, which is calculated using management expectations of future revenues, discounted at an applicable rate. Whilst the asset remains under construction, amortisation is not charged.

 

Company

At 30 September 2024 and 30 September 2023, the Company had no intangible assets.