CELADON PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Sustainability
- Societal Benefit (Chronic Pain Treatment)
Environmental Achievements
- Transitioned to a sustainable energy supplier in December 2022.
- Ongoing investigation of solar power to reduce environmental impact.
Social Achievements
- LVL Health's chronic pain feasibility study showed promising results in pain reduction, opioid reduction, and sleep improvement.
- Multiple expressions of interest in the sale of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products.
Governance Achievements
- Successful MHRA inspection and GMP certification in January 2023.
- Home Office licence updated in March 2023 to allow commercial supply of cannabis products.
- Establishment of a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) for key employees and consultants.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Develop advanced cannabinoid medicines with novel delivery technologies.
Medium-term Goals:
- Ramp up operations in Phase 2 facility to achieve annualised yield of approximately three tonnes of high THC pharmaceutical cannabis.
Short-term Goals:
- Commence full clinical trial of chronic pain treatment following REC authorization.
- Convert expressions of interest into long-term supply agreements.
Environmental Challenges
- High regulatory and capital barriers to entry in the medicinal cannabis market.
- Inflationary cost pressures during Phase 2 facility fit-out.
- Lower than anticipated patient uptake in LVL's chronic pain trial due to conditional approval.
- Potential for increased competition from other products and treatments.
- Risks associated with cultivation, including plant diseases, pests, and security breaches.
- Potential for banks and financial institutions to refuse services due to the nature of the business.
Mitigation Strategies
- In-housing the management of Phase 2 facility fit-out to mitigate inflationary pressures.
- Active monitoring of the regulatory landscape and frequent dialogue with authorities.
- Development of a comprehensive risk management process.
- Investment in differentiation through advanced growing methods and R&D.
- Extensive security precautions at the facility and during transportation.
- Active dialogue with banks and financial counterparties.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Regular reviews to ensure construction activity is proceeding in line with expectations.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: QCA Code
Certifications: GMP
Third-party Assurance: RSM UK Audit LLP
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Sustainability
Environmental Achievements
- Transitioned to a sustainable energy supplier in December 2022.
- Anticipates installation of solar panels capable of generating 1MW of renewable energy in 2024.
Social Achievements
- Improved quality of life for patients with chronic pain through breakthrough cannabis-based medicines.
- Working to align with NHS requirements for emissions reporting and carbon reduction plans by 2027.
Governance Achievements
- Annual review of corporate governance framework.
- Compliance with the Quoted Companies Alliance Code (QCA Code).
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Capitalise on the significant market opportunities for cannabis-based medicines in the UK and internationally.
Medium-term Goals:
- Deliver on commercial supply agreements and secure additional customer contracts.
- Launch the CANPAIN trial at scale to collect real-world evidence for NHS reimbursement.
Short-term Goals:
- Maximise patient numbers in the CANPAIN trial.
Environmental Challenges
- Licensing risks associated with the cultivation and sale of medical cannabis.
- Funding risks associated with the development and expansion of the business.
- Design and construction risks associated with the building of a new facility.
- Agricultural risks associated with the cultivation of cannabis.
- Competition from other products and treatments.
- Reputational risks associated with the medical cannabis industry.
- Clinical trial risks, including delays or negative results.
- Security risks associated with the transportation and storage of high-value cannabis products.
- Banking and financial services risks associated with the cannabis sector.
Mitigation Strategies
- Established Quality Assurance team and frequent contact with the Home Office.
- Plans to raise additional funds through equity financing or debt financing.
- Regular reviews of construction activity and lessons learned from Phase 1.
- Research and development into agricultural environment, product testing, and traceability.
- Active monitoring of the competitive landscape and investment in differentiation.
- Active monitoring of news and communications efforts.
- Diversification of research into other conditions beyond chronic pain.
- Extensive security precautions and close collaboration with local police forces.
- Active dialogue with banks and financial counterparties.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: QCA Code
Certifications: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)