The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the company's accounting policies.

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis notwithstanding the fact that the company has a deficiency on total equity at the end of the year. The company continues to be supported by its creditors. It is currently seeking substantial external funding on the basis of the good progress made in its research projects.

Turnover comprises the invoiced value of goods and services supplied by the company, net of Value Added Tax and trade discounts.

Grants are accounted under the accruals model as permitted by FRS 102. Grants of a revenue

nature are recognised in the profit and loss account in the same period as the related expenditure.

Research and development expenditure is charged to the income statement in the period in which it is incurred.

Functional and presentation currency

The company's functional and presentational currency is GBP.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the profit and loss account within 'interest receivable and similar income' or 'interest payable and similar expenses'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within 'administrative expenses'.

Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model,

intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

At each reporting date the company assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the

useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated

depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

At each reporting date the company assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

The company adds to the carrying amount of an item of fixed assets the cost of replacing part of such an item when that cost is incurred, if the replacement part is expected to provide incremental future benefits to the company. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. Repairs and maintenance are charged to profit or loss during the period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 Basic Financial Instruments and Section 12 Other Financial Instruments Issues of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.


Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.


Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.


The companies policies for its major classes of financial assets and financial liabilities are set out below.


Financial assets 
Basic financial assets, including trade and other debtors, cash and bank balances, intercompany working capital balances and intercompany financing are initially recognised at transaction price, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Financing transactions are those in which payment is deferred beyond normal business terms or is financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate.


Such assets are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.


Financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Financing transactions are those in which payment is deferred beyond normal business terms or is financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate.


Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.


Impairment of financial assets


Financial assets measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the profit and loss account.


For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the best estimate of the amount the company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.
For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If the financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.


If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.


Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets are derecognised when (a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or (b) substantially all the risks and rewards of the ownership of the asset are transferred to another party or (c) despite having retained some significant risks and rewards of ownership, control of the asset has been transferred to another party who has the practical ability to unilaterally sell the asset to an unrelated third party without imposing additional restrictions.


Financial liabilities are derecognised when the liability is extinguished, that is when the contractual obligation is discharged, cancelled or expires.


Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is an enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.