In application of the Group’s accounting policies above, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors considered relevant. Actual results may differ from estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future payments if the revision affects both current and future periods.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below.
Impairment of intangible assets
Determining whether an intangible asset is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the asset. The value in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. In relation to patents, it is assumed that patents applied for will be granted in due course unless the Group has evidence to suggest otherwise. If a patent application is not pursued or rejected an impairment loss will arise.
During the year, certain patents have been abandoned and the appropriate impairment charge recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. The judgement of the directors is that the remaining patents, to the extent that they have not yet been granted, will be granted in due course and that their value in use exceeds their carrying value. As at 31 March 2025, the carrying amount of patents and trademarks, subject to this judgement, was £605,042.
Revenue recognition
The deferred income arising from the 2016 upfront licence payment of £12,500,000 from Daiichi Sankyo was being recognised over a period of 20 years with £625,000 released each year, this being the initial expected life of the Heartcel patent, which was granted in 2017. This assumption was based on both the patent and licence agreement remaining in force over this period.
These assumptions were key judgements which have been reviewed for the year ended 31 March 2025 where the deferred income of £7,708,334 brought forward has been released in full due to the cancellation of the patent and licence agreement on 31 March 2025. There is no cash impact from this change.
Share options
The share option expense is calculated using the fair value of them at the grant date which is estimated using the Blac-Sscholes method which uses severable variables which include some estimates as shown in the share based payment transactions disclosure. The expected number of share options to vest is also estimated.