Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Consumed less than 40 MWh of energy during the reporting period, exempt from disclosing actual kWh of energy emitted.

Social Achievements

• Committed to creating a positive, inclusive and welcoming work environment for its employees, workers, job applicants and academic and business partners. Ensures equal treatment regardless of gender, gender-identity, age, disability, religion, belief, political views, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality or race, physical or mental health.
• Operates a comprehensive health and safety programme to ensure the wellbeing and security of its employees.
• Strictly complies with all applicable international and local legislation and regulatory guidelines on the humane treatment of animals, upholding the “3Rs” of animal research (replacement, reduction, refinement).

Governance Achievements

• Established an Audit Committee and a Remuneration and Nomination Committee following Admission to the London Stock Exchange.
• Enhanced corporate governance policies to those more appropriate for a listed company.
• Appointed three additional non-executive directors following Admission.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Dependence on the Exclusive Licence Agreement with the University of Rochester.
• Uncertainty regarding patent applications.
• Future funding requirements for clinical trials.
• Dependence on key personnel.
• Risks associated with research and development, including the potential for failure in preclinical testing or clinical trials.
• Timeline risks associated with clinical development.
• Risks related to the use of Adeno-Associated Viruses.

Mitigation Strategies

• Designed a licensing agreement that aligns the interests of all parties involved.
• Engaged ICOSA Europe for a Freedom To Operate (FTO) analysis.
• Constant monitoring of third parties’ activities and the right to file infringement complaints.
• Close control over budgeted vs actual expenditure and exploration of alternative funding such as grants.
• Attractive remuneration packages including share-based compensation for key personnel.
• Scientific collaborations with organizations in UK, Europe, and USA.
• Broadening the drug candidate portfolio.
• Application for Orphan Drug Designation.
• Engineering safer AAVs and exploring alternative gene delivery methods such as exosomes.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• The Board is committed to conserving natural resources and striving for environmental sustainability, by ensuring that its facilities (and the facilities of academic and contracted collaborators) are operated to optimise energy usage; minimise waste production; and protect nature and people.

Social Achievements

• The Board is committed to creating a positive, inclusive and welcoming work environment for its employees, workers, job applicants and academic and business partners.
• The Group ensures that people receive equal treatment, regardless of gender, gender-identity, age, disability, religion, belief, political views, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality or race, physical or mental health.

Governance Achievements

• In June 2022, the Board welcomed two new Independent Non-Executive Directors: Ms Tamara Joseph and Dr Guy-Charles Fanneau de la Horie.
• The Company is proud to uphold a good standard of corporate governance by putting in place: • An effective board of directors that is collectively responsible for ensuring success in the long term, led by a chairman who is committed to continuous improvement • A board that features a balance of competencies, experience, diversity, company knowledge and independence • Directors that are able to dedicate sufficient time to their responsibilities, receive a great induction and have the opportunity to regularly update their skillset • Regular evaluation of the board performance as well as that of the individual directors and committees.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Research and development risk
• Timeline risk
• Risks related to future funding requirements
• Risk related to dependence on key personnel
• The Exclusive Licence Agreement risk
• IP risk
• Risk related to the use of Adeno Associated Viruses

Mitigation Strategies

• Broadening its drug candidate portfolio and establishing a culture of collaboration with other research organisations.
• Retaining the skills and knowledge of the Scientific Advisory Board and monitoring R&D progress against budget and milestones. Applying for Orphan Drug Designation.
• Close control over budgeted vs actual expenditure, tracking progress against milestones, and seeking alternative funding such as grants.
• Bringing additional competencies within the management team, offering an attractive remuneration package and including share-based compensation.
• Designing a licensing agreement that aligns the interests of all parties involved.
• Constant monitoring of third parties’ activities by IP counsel.
• Engineering its AAVs as safer non immunologic gene delivery vectors and exploring other gene delivery methods such as exosomes.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: TCFD

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Used less than 40,000kWh of energy in the United Kingdom during 2023; therefore, does not report on energy consumption and emissions.

Social Achievements

• Committed to creating a positive, inclusive and welcoming work environment; ensures equal treatment regardless of gender, gender-identity, age, disability, religion, belief, political views, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality or race, physical or mental health; committed to creating a diverse environment where the rights and differences of everyone are valued.
• Operates a comprehensive health and safety programme; committed to ensuring that hazardous chemicals and biological materials are handled safely; complies with all applicable international and local legislation and regulatory guidelines on the humane treatment of animals; upholds the “3Rs” of animal research (replacement, reduction, refinement).

Governance Achievements

• Strengthened its Scientific Advisory Board with the appointment of Prof. Sven Francque and Prof. Dr Mary E. Rinella; transitioned leadership of the board and SAB to individuals based in the US with strong ties to US markets and academic research institutions; further strengthened its corporate governance by implementing an effective board of directors, a balance of competencies, experience, diversity, company knowledge and independence; regular evaluation of board and individual directors and committees performance.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Research and development risk (failure of research, preclinical testing, or clinical trials); timeline risk (delays to clinical development plan); risks related to future funding requirements; risk related to dependence on key personnel; Exclusive Licence Agreement risk (failure to meet obligations or termination); IP risk (no guarantee of patent applications resulting in granted patents); risk related to the use of Adeno Associated Viruses (safety issues).

Mitigation Strategies

• Broadening drug candidate portfolio; establishing a culture of collaboration; retaining skills and knowledge of the Scientific Advisory Board; monitoring R&D progress; applying for Orphan Drug Designation; keeping close control over budgeted vs actual expenditure; seeking alternative funding; bringing additional competencies within the management team; offering an attractive remuneration package; entering into scientific collaborations; designing a licensing agreement that aligns the interests of all parties; constant monitoring of third parties’ activities by IP counsel; engineering safer AAVs; exploring other gene delivery methods such as exosomes.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: TCFD

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed