Following the recent consultation by the London Stock Exchange, new AIM Rules were published in March 2018. One of the key amendments is in respect of AIM Rule 26 (as set out in AIM Notice 50), which now requires AIM companies to state on their website which recognised corporate governance code they apply and how they have applied that code.
The Board of Directors of the Company is committed to developing and applying high standards of corporate governance. The Board of Directors seeks to apply the QCA Code, revised in April 2018 as devised by the Quoted Companies Alliance.
The Quoted Companies Alliance is the independent membership organisation that champions the interests of small to mid-size quoted companies. The QCA Code takes key elements of good governance and applies them in a manner which is workable for the different needs of growing companies.
A revised version of the QCA Code (the “Revised Code”) was published in April 2018, based on the ‘comply or explain’ principle. The QCA Code is constructed around ten broad principles (accompanied by an explanation of what these principles entail, under ‘application’) and a set of disclosures. The Code states what is considered to be appropriate arrangements for growing companies, and asks companies to provide an explanation about how they are meeting the principles through the prescribed disclosures.
The table below sets out the principles, the application recommended by the QCA code. It then sets out how the Company complies with these requirements and departures from code, and provides links to appropriate disclosures. These are based upon the recommended disclosures provided in the QCA code.
These arrangements are also disclosed in the Corporate Governance section of our Annual Report and Accounts which can be viewed here.
These disclosures were last reviewed on the 30 June 2022.
The following paragraphs set out ValiRx’s compliance with the ten principles of the QCA Code.
QCA Principle | 1. Establish a strategy and business model which promote long-term value for shareholders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The board must be able to express a shared view of the company’s purpose, business model and strategy. It should go beyond the simple description of products and corporate structures and set out how the company intends to deliver shareholder value in the medium to long-term. It should demonstrate that the delivery of long-term growth is underpinned by a clear set of values aimed at protecting the company from unnecessary risk and securing its long-term future. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies |
ValiRx is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing personalised, otherwise called precision medicines to bring more advanced therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer. For many years the Company has progressively exploited its proprietary epigenomic technology, which has led to the discovery of promising therapeutics that may prove in clinical trials to treat, among other conditions, cancer safely and more effectively than currently used chemotherapeutics, which act indiscriminately, attacking the whole body and causing irreparable damage to normal cellular processes. ValiRx has four lead drug candidates at varying stages of development for multiple indications. The Company’s business model focuses on out-licensing therapeutic candidates early in the development process. By aiming for early-stage value creation, the company reduces costs considerably while increasing the potential for realising value. The Group is already in licensing discussions with major players in the oncology field. ValiRx operates through the following divisional companies: ValiPharma: a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing personalised medicines to bring more advanced therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer. Currently, ValiPharma is primarily focused on three drug candidates in clinical and late stage pre-clinical development for four indications – androgen independent prostate cancer (VAL201), hormone refractory prostate cancer (VAL201), endometriosis (VAL301), and pancreatic cancer (VAL101); ValiSeek: a joint venture company with Tangent Reprofiling Limited (a SEEK group company), which was formed in 2014 and has progressed product VAL401 through pre-clinical development and into a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer; and ValiRx’s therapeutics have each shown potential for meeting hitherto unmet clinical needs by existing treatments, have worldwide patent filings and agreed commercial rights. They originate or derive from Word class institutions, such as Cancer Research UK and Imperial College. |
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 2. Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | Directors must develop a good understanding of the needs and expectations of all elements of the company’s shareholder base. The board must manage shareholders’ expectations and should seek to understand the motivations behind shareholder voting decisions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies |
The Board is accountable to shareholders and other stakeholders and is ultimately responsible for the implementation of sound corporate governance practices throughout the Group. Our Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that the Group adheres to high standards of corporate governance in the conduct of its business. The Board attaches considerable importance to providing shareholders with clear and transparent information on the Group’s activities, strategy, and financial position. Details of all shareholder communications are provided on the Group’s website. Private shareholders constitute the main body of investors in ValiRx. As such, the Board regards the annual general meeting as the principal opportunity for shareholders to meet and discuss the Group’s business with the Directors. There is an open question and answer session during which shareholders may ask questions both about the resolutions being proposed and the business in general. The Directors are also available after the meeting for an informal discussion with shareholders. Moreover, the Company’s contact details are provided on the website should shareholders wish to communicate with the Board. Announcements on the Group’s half and full-year results presenting all shareholders with an assessment of the Group’s position and prospects are found here. Shareholders vote on each resolution, by way of a poll. For each resolution we announce the number of votes received for, against and withheld and subsequently publish them on our website. The directors actively seek to build a mutual understanding of objectives with institutional shareholders. The Chair and CEO make presentations to institutional shareholders and analysts immediately following the release of the full-year and half-year results. We communicate with institutional investors frequently through a combination of formal meetings, roadshows and informal briefings with management. The majority of meetings with shareholders and potential investors are arranged by the Company’s broker. Following meetings, the broker provides feedback to the board from all fund managers met, from which sentiments, expectations and intentions may be gleaned. In addition, we review analysts’ notes to achieve a wide understanding of investors’ views. |
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 3. Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long-term success | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | Long-term success relies upon good relations with a range of different stakeholder groups both internal (workforce) and external (suppliers, customers, regulators and others).
The board needs to identify the company’s stakeholders and understand their needs, interests and expectations. Where matters that relate to the company’s impact on society, the communities within which it operates or the environment have the potential to affect the company’s ability to deliver shareholder value over the medium to long-term, then those matters must be integrated into the company’s strategy and business model. Feedback is an essential part of all control mechanisms. Systems need to be in place to solicit, consider and act on feedback from all stakeholder groups. |
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How Company complies |
The Board recognises its prime responsibility under UK corporate law is to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole. The Board also understands that it has a responsibility towards employees, partners, customers, suppliers, and the patients who ultimately benefit from its research and drug development programmes. Our corporate social responsibility approach continues to meet these expectations. The Board also understands that it has a responsibility to take into account, where practicable, the social, environmental and economic impact of its approach. Responsibility for the Company’s corporate activities lies with the Senior Management Team (“SMT”) who set the Group’s strategic approach and develop key policies. The Company engages with stakeholders through a number of channels, which include shareholder communications via the Regulatory News service (“RNS”), the Company’s website and its Annual Report & Accounts, results presentations and the Annual General Meeting and via interviews in the broadcast media and attendance at investor shows around the country. Corporate communication and shareholder engagement through these channels not only gives shareholders a deeper insight into and understanding of the Company’s activities and of its development, but it also invites feedback, either face-to-face at such meetings or via email, on how the Company can improve its communications with stakeholders to better support their needs. By so doing, such engagement enables the SMT to more effectively work with stakeholders in the future to their mutual advantage. The Board receives formal feedback from the SMT on a quarterly basis on the nature of interaction with the stakeholders they meet during each period. The SMT is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer who take leading roles in key strategic areas such as Gender, HR, and Environmental Management. The SMT is also responsible for ensuring global compliance with key internal and external policies including:
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 4. Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The board needs to ensure that the company’s risk management framework identifies and addresses all relevant risks in order to execute and deliver strategy; companies need to consider their extended business, including the company’s supply chain, from key suppliers to end-customer. Setting strategy includes determining the extent of exposure to the identified risks that the company is able to bear and willing to take (risk tolerance and risk appetite). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies |
An important aspect of risk management is to put in place and consistently work according to unambiguous Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). A SOP is a compulsory instruction to carry out s series of operations correctly and always in the same manner, avoiding deviations or non-conformances to ensure that the integrity of scientific investigations and drug manufacture are consistently maintained. ValiRx operates an internal Quality Management System (QMS) comprising 14 SOPs to comply with the most stringent quality standards expected of a drug development company. Furthermore, the Company regularly audits its suppliers to ensure the manufacturing process, quality process, and also the drug’s shipment process all conform to the standard required.
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Departure and Reason | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 5. Maintain the board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The board members have a collective responsibility and legal obligation to promote the interests of the company, and are collectively responsible for defining corporate governance arrangements. Ultimate responsibility for the quality of, and approach to, corporate governance lies with the chair of the board. The board (and any committees) should be provided with high quality information in a timely manner to facilitate proper assessment of the matters requiring a decision or insight. The board should have an appropriate balance between executive and non-executive directors and should have at least two independent non-executive directors. Independence is a board judgement. The board should be supported by committees (e.g. audit, remuneration, nomination) that have the necessary skills and knowledge to discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively. Directors must commit the time necessary to fulfil their roles. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies | Board Composition
The Board currently consists of one Executive Director, one proposed Non-Executive Chairman, one proposed Chief Executive Officer and two Non-Executive Directors, who collectively hold scientific, financial, legal, and business experience necessary to advance the Company and apply corporate governance best practices. The Board is satisfied with its composition and the balance between Executive and Non-Executive Director(s). These are: Dr Kevin Cox (Non-Executive Chairman) Dr Suzanne Dilly (Chief Executive Officer) Gerry Desler (Executive Chief Financial Officer) Martin Lampshire (Non-Executive Director)
ROLE OF THE CEO
Role of the Non-Executive Director(s) As members of the Board, all Non-Executive director(s) have key accountabilities, which include the following:
Independence As recommended in the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board will identify in the annual report each Non-Executive Director it considers to be independent. The Board will determine whether the Director is independent in character and judgement and whether there are relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect, or could appear to affect, the Director’s judgement. The Board will state its reasons if it determines that a Director is independent notwithstanding the existence of relationships or circumstances which are relevant to its determination, including if the Director:
ROLE OF THE BOARD COMMITTEES The Board has established three committees: remuneration, audit and risk and nomination and governance. All of these committees have terms of reference, which set out clearly their role, stating whether it is to take decisions or make recommendations to the Board of Directors. These are available on the Company’s website (See below). |
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 6. Ensure that between them the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and capabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The board must have an appropriate balance of sector, financial and public markets skills and experience, as well as an appropriate balance of personal qualities and capabilities. The board should understand and challenge its own diversity, including gender balance, as part of its composition. The board should not be dominated by one person or a group of people. Strong personal bonds can be important but can also divide a board. As companies evolve, the mix of skills and experience required on the board will change, and board composition will need to evolve to reflect this change. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies |
Biographical details of the Directors & Management can be found here. ValiRx seeks to recruit the best candidates at Board level and considers candidates on merit and against objective criteria and with due regard for the benefits of diversity on the Board (including gender), taking care that appointees have the necessary experience and time available to allocate to the position. Each Director appointed by the Board is subject to election by the shareholders at the first AGM after their appointment. Following advice from the Nomination and Governance Committee, the Board has concluded that each Director is qualified for election or re-election. The current Board members are individuals with extensive industry-specific experience as well as professionals that bring to the Board the skill sets required to meet its strategic, operational and compliance objectives. Their suitability as Directors has therefore been determined largely on the basis of their ability to deliver outcomes in accordance with the company’s short and longer-term objectives and thus add value to shareholders. |
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 7. Evaluate board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The board should regularly review the effectiveness of its performance as a unit, as well as that of its committees and the individual directors. The board performance review may be carried out internally or, ideally, externally facilitated from time to time. The review should identify development or mentoring needs of individual directors or the wider senior management team. It is healthy for membership of the board to be periodically refreshed. Succession planning is a vital task for boards. No member of the board should become indispensable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies |
ValiRx considers that assessments of the performance of the Board, the Board committees, the Chief Executive, the Company Secretary and each of the individual Non-Executive Director(s) are pivotal to good corporate governance, bringing significant benefits and performance improvements on three levels: organisational; board and individual member level. Establishing an effective process for board evaluation sends a positive signal to the organisation that board members are committed to acting professionally. Performance assessments are conducted annually across the board, applying a matrix of key areas of focus to identify collective and individual strengths and weaknesses within the Company for continuous improvement. Board Composition:
Effectiveness of the Board of Directors in:
Effectiveness of Executive Management in:
Structure and competency of Committees to:
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 8. Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The board should embody and promote a corporate culture that is based on sound ethical values and behaviours and use it as an asset and a source of competitive advantage. The policy set by the board should be visible in the actions and decisions of the chief executive and the rest of the management team. Corporate values should guide the objectives and strategy of the company. The culture should be visible in every aspect of the business, including recruitment, nominations, training and engagement. The performance and reward system should endorse the desired ethical behaviours across all levels of the company. The corporate culture should be recognisable throughout the disclosures in the annual report, website and any other statements issued by the company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How Company complies |
The Board understands the importance of setting the right culture for a biotechnology oncology-focused company specialising in developing novel treatments for cancer that will provide a breakthrough into human health and wellbeing through the early detection of cancer and its therapeutic intervention. Moreover, it ensures that the Company’s strategies and requirements for excellence and good governance are instilled into the culture of our business. The Executive Directors interface regularly with all personnel within ValiRx. In this way we encourage them to take responsibility for advancing their projects within parameters and controls set by the Board. This approach creates a culture that motivates and enables our personnel to develop and express their talents and skills. Moreover, in the performance of its duties the Board listens to the views of key stakeholders, including scientists, clinicians, regulators and suppliers and is mindful of the potential impacts of decisions it makes. |
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 9. Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-making by the board | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | The company should maintain governance structures and processes in line with its corporate culture and appropriate to its:
The governance structures should evolve over time in parallel with its objectives, strategy and business model to reflect the development of the company. |
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How Company complies |
The Board of Directors, with the support of the Executive Management and Committees, is ultimately responsible for establishing and maintaining good standards of governance. This can be achieved by creating conditions that enhance overall Board’s and individual Directors’ effectiveness in order that all key issues are addressed and sound decisions are taken in a timely manner. Other responsibilities of the Board of Directors include:
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Departure and Reason | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QCA Principle | 10. Communicate how the company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Application | A healthy dialogue should exist between the board and all of its stakeholders, including shareholders, to enable all interested parties to come to informed decisions about the company. In particular, appropriate communication and reporting structures should exist between the board and all constituent parts of its shareholder base. This will assist:
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How Company complies |
The Board recognises the importance of sound corporate governance. The Board is satisfied with its composition. The Non-Executive Director(s) bring a wide range of skills and experience to the Company, as well as independent judgment on strategy, risk and performance. The independence of each Non-Executive Director is assessed at least annually, and both are considered to be independent at the date of this report. Attendance at Board meetings A minimum of ten (10) Board meetings are held each year at which it is expected that all Directors attend in addition to relevant Committee meetings, General Meetings and the Annual General Meeting. Where Directors are unable to attend meetings due to conflicts in their schedules, they will receive the papers scheduled for discussion in the relevant meetings, giving them the opportunity to relay any comments to board members in advance of the meeting. Directors are required to leave the meeting where matters relating to them, or which may constitute a conflict of interest to them, are being discussed.
Matters reserved for the Board.
The Board is responsible to the Company’s shareholders with its main objective to increase the value of assets and long-term sustainability of the Company. The Board reviews business opportunities and determines the risks and control framework. It also makes decisions on budgets, Group strategy and major capital expenditure. The day-to day management of the business is delegated to the Executive Directors. The Board meets monthly with agendas, Committee papers and other appropriate information distributed prior to each meeting to allow the Board to meet its duties. Effective procedures are in place to deal with conflicts of interest. The Board knows other interests and commitments of Directors and any changes to their commitments are reported. In addition to the Executive Committee, the Board has established a Remuneration Committee, an Audit and Risk Committee, and a Nomination and Governance Committee, which also report into ValiRx’s Board. The Executive Committee is in charge of the daily management of the Group and is mandated to prepare and plan the overall policies and strategies of the Company for approval by the Board. It may approve intra-group transactions, provided that they are consistent with the consolidated annual budget of the Company, as well as specific transactions with third parties provided that the cost per transaction is within specified spending limits. It informs the Board at its next meeting on each such transaction. Dr Suzanne Dilly (Chief Executive Officer) Gerry Desler (Executive Chief Financial Officer) The Audit and Risk Committee meets at least twice per annum and is responsible for assisting the Board in carrying out its oversight responsibilities in relation to corporate policies, risk management, internal control, internal and external audit and financial and regulatory reporting practices. The Committee has an oversight function, providing a link between the external auditors and the Board; it also determines the terms of engagement of the Company’s auditors. The current members of the Audit and Risk Committee are: Gerry Desler (Executive Chief Financial Officer) The Remuneration Committee meets at least twice per annum to determine and agree with the Board the framework or broad policy for the remuneration of executive directors of the Company and advises on the overall remuneration policies applied throughout the Company. The objective of this committee is to attract, retain and motivate executives capable of delivering the Company’s objectives. Agreed personal objectives and targets including financial and non-financial metrics are set each year for the executive directors and other personnel and performance measured against these metrics. The committee is made up of: Non-Executive Director(s), namely: Dr Kevin Cox (Non-Executive Chairman) Martin Lampshire (Non-Executive Director) The Chief Executive Officer is consulted on remuneration packages and policy but does not attend discussions regarding her own package. The Board determines the remuneration and terms and conditions of the appointment of Non-Executive Directors. The Nomination Committee is a sub-committee of the whole Board responsible for the selection and proposal to the Board of suitable candidates for appointment as Executive and Non-Executive Director(s) The Committee may engage external search consultants to identify candidates for Board vacancies before recommending a preferred candidate to the Board for consideration. The Committee comprises: Dr Kevin Cox (Non-Executive Chairman) Gerry Desler (Executive Chief Financial Officer) |
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None |
General Meeting and Documentation
Please click here to access this information.
UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
Valirx is subject to the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
The Bribery Act 2010
ValiRx plc prohibits any inducement which may result in a personal gain or advantage to the recipient or any person or body associated with them, and which is intended to influence them to take action which may not be solely in the interests of ValiRx plc or of the person or body employing them or whom they represent.
The information above was last updated on 30 June 2022.
ValiRx plc is listed on AIM of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker code VAL
ValiRx plc is a member of the Quoted Companies Alliance, the independent membership organisation that champions the interests of small to mid-size quoted companies.
ValiRx plc is a member of One Nucleus, the heart of Europe’s largest life science and healthcare cluster.