25 May 2022

Intuitive Investments Group plc

Interim report for the period from incorporation to 31 March 2022

Intuitive Investments Group plc (AIM: IIG) ("IIG" or the "Company"), a closed-end investment company focussed on the life sciences sector, announces its interim results for the six months to 31 March 2022.

Financial highlights

Operational highlights

·   Acquisition of Touchless Innovation Limited, including the wholly owned subsidiary Touch-Less Hygiene UK Limited and the business and assets of Sanoserv International Franchising Limited (trading as Sanondaf) for the initial consideration of 28.8 million new ordinary shares and £1 million in cash.

·   Subscription to raise £607,000 by the issue of 2.76 million new ordinary shares at a price of 22 pence per share, principally subscribed for by directors of IIG.

·   Appointment of Julian Baines MBE as Non-Executive Chairman with David Evans moving to chair of the Investment Committee.

·   Investment in Ocutec Limited, a private company in the late-stage portfolio at a cost of £250,000.

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About Intuitive Investments Group plc

The Company is an investment company seeking to provide investors with exposure to a portfolio concentrating on fast growing and/or high potential Life Sciences businesses operating predominantly in the UK, continental Europe and the US, utilising the Board's experience and in particular that of the chairman of the Investment Committee, David Evans, to seek to generate capital growth over the long term for shareholders.

Chairman and Chief Executive's Report

We are pleased to present the interim report for Intuitive Investments Group plc, which covers the six months ended 31 March 2022. Overall, the period under review has been one of notable progress, particularly in the unquoted portfolio, with the acquisition of Touchless Innovation Limited including the wholly owned subsidiary Touch-Less Hygiene UK Limited and the business and assets of Sanoserv International Franchising Limited (trading as Sanondaf) ("Sanondaf") and an investment into Ocutec Limited ("Ocutec"). The publicly traded portfolio, however, has not performed well, except for Light Science Technologies plc which at the period end was valued at £1.49 million, a premium to the £1 million we initially invested. We believe that the publicly traded portfolio is undervalued and in the medium-term there is the potential for good returns from these investments.

Evolution of strategy and acquisition of Sanondaf

As noted in our year end results, we found the interpretation of aspects of the regulatory framework had constrained our ability to take advantage of certain opportunities. Therefore, we shifted the Company's strategic focus to take larger stakes in companies, which was resoundingly endorsed by Shareholders at IIG's Annual General Meeting in December 2021.

We acquired Sanondaf in February 2022. The initial aggregate consideration for Sanondaf was the issue of 28.8 million new ordinary shares of 1 penny each ("Ordinary Share") and £1 million in cash, with deferred consideration of £900,000 payable six months from completion and an earn out of 30% of US profits for the three years from completion. The consideration shares were issued in two tranches, with the second tranche requiring a waiver under Rule 9 of the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Again, with the support of Shareholders, we were able to achieve this via an accelerated Rule 9 waiver, which had the benefits of significant cost and time savings.

Sanondaf is by far the largest investment in IIG's portfolio, therefore we will provide separate updates by RNS as to this investment's progress.

Sanondaf is a market-leading provider of specialist disinfection and decontamination services operating in 10 countries and has 25 regional sites in the UK. Sanondaf's core technology is spraying and fogging of a hydrogen peroxide formula, which is administered as a dry vapour disinfection treatment which can be used on all electrical and electronic devices and all hard and soft furnishings safely, without causing damage or leaving any unsightly residue on the surfaces treated.

Sanondaf's strategy is to grow by increasing services to existing customers and focussing on specific sectors including life science, transport and heavy engineering. In addition, Sanondaf is developing a pipeline of innovative products around its fogging technology and an anatomical tissue processing technology. This growth strategy will be supported nationally by selling regional franchises in the UK and internationally by selling country master franchises globally. The strategic goal of Sanondaf is to become a market leader in professional decontamination, disinfection and anatomical waste management in the countries in which it operates, principally by organic growth.

As a franchise-based business, we believe sales and market share can be increased significantly without the need for large amounts of capital investment. However, we expect, in the short term, cash generated in Sanondaf will be used firstly to meet the deferred consideration of £900,000 payable to the vendors of the business and assets of Sanoserv International Franchising Limited and secondly to invest into Sanondaf's infrastructure, product development and working capital. As such there will not be distributions from Sanondaf to IIG in the near term.

Other unquoted investments

We also invested £250,000 in Ocutec, representing a 6.04%. interest in Ocutec's enlarged share capital, as part of a £1.36 million fundraising round. Ocutec has patented technology covering the formulation of novel contact lens products, contact lens comfort solutions and injection moulding technology for rapid manufacturing. Ocutec is based in Glasgow, and has been operating since 2006, having been spun out of the University of Strathclyde.

The unquoted portfolio continues, in the main, to be held at cost, plus accrued interest if applicable, or the valuation of the most recent investment round. Both Axol Bioscience Limited and Momentum Limited have raised additional capital, but this is at the same valuation as the round in which IIG participated and therefore there is no increase or decrease in valuation. We are aware of three investee companies currently raising capital which may provide an uplift in their valuations. Further details of the companies in the unquoted portfolio are contained at the end of this statement.

Publicly traded investments as 31 March 2022

In the small cap healthcare sector, during the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw many fundraisings, inflated trading volumes and some valuations pushed to excessive levels, particularly those companies with a Covid-19 related exposure. We do not perceive that any of our investments achieved excessive valuations. The subsequent sell off has been indiscriminate, with many investors reducing their exposure to the sector. Inevitably our own portfolio has not been immune to this decline in the small cap healthcare sector. Overall, we believe that the publicly traded portfolio is undervalued and in the medium-term there is potential for excellent returns from these investments. In context, during the period under review the AIM All-Share (AXX) and Nasdaq Biotechnology (NBI) indices fell by 15.3% and 16.6% respectively and have continued to materially decline post the period end.

Financial performance

NAV per Ordinary Share at flotation: 18.78 pence; 30 September 2021: 20.14 pence; 31 March 2022: 18.73 pence. There are investment losses of £696,000, comprising unrealised losses of £889,000, interest income from the convertible loan notes of £99,000, gains on realisation of publicly traded companies of £76,000 and management fee income of £18,000.

The structure of the Company is purposefully simple, and the administrative costs of the business were £195,000 for the period. Overall, the loss for the period was £717,000. Given the size of the Company, the Board does not propose to declare a dividend.

During the period there was a subscription to raise £607,000 by the issue of 2,759,091 new Ordinary Shares at a price of 22 pence per share, of which £423,000 was subscribed for by Directors of IIG.

Outlook

Given our current cash position and in the absence of realisations, we do not anticipate making new investments. We may make follow on investment in some of our existing investments. We are clearly focussed on realising value from our existing portfolio, in particular our investment in Sanondaf, which we perceive, in the medium term, will be the best driver of shareholder value. We look forward to updating you as to our progress.

Later stage investments

BioQ Pharma Incorporated ("BioQ") (www.bioqpharma.com)

Investment of US$1 million by way of unsecured convertible loan notes and warrants, valued at cost plus accrued interest. 6.65% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

BioQ is a well-established, commercial-stage, medical device and pharmaceutical company, addressing the infusible drugs market. BioQ's proprietary Invenious^TM platform comprises a "connect-and-go" drug-device system combination, which can be utilised to improve the delivery of infusible medicines. BioQ's platform includes a bespoke unit-dose delivery solution for infusible drugs, whereby a diluent delivery system and administration line are combined in one self-contained, ready-to-use presentation. The key benefits of the platform include reduced cost and complexity compared to current infusion techniques.

Ocutec Limited ("Ocutec") (www.ocutec.com)

Investment of £250,000 in ordinary shares, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 2.03% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

As noted above Ocutec has patented technology covering the formulation of novel contact lens products, contact lens comfort solutions and injection moulding technology for rapid manufacturing.

Touchless Innovations Limited ("Sanondaf") (www.sanondaf.co.uk)

Investment of £5.3 million to acquire the entire issued share capital, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 43.11% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

As noted above Sanondaf is a market-leading provider of specialist disinfection and decontamination services operating in 10 countries and has 25 regional sites in the UK. Treatments are non-corrosive, contain no toxic ingredients and Sanondaf's application methods ensure they are not harmful to people, animals or the environment. It is safe for use in all settings, including operating theatres, critical care units, and is CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) approved. Sanondaf's disinfection formula has proven efficacy against pathogens, included, viruses, mould, bacteria and fungi.

Series A and B investments

Axol Bioscience Ltd ("Axol") (www.axolbio.com)

Investment of £249,091 in A ordinary shares, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 2.02% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

Axol produces high quality human cell products, particularly in relation to pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) and critical reagents such as media and growth supplements, which are sold to medical research and drug discovery organisations. Axol also provides contract research for example customising cell lines for customers, such as reprogramming and differentiation. The Chairman of Axol is Jonathan Milner, who is the company's co-founder and was previously deputy chairman of Abcam plc.

CardiNor AS ("CardiNor") (www.cardinor.com)

Investment of £125,002 in ordinary shares, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 1.01% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

CardiNor is a Norwegian biotech company established in June 2015 to commercialise the development of secretoneurin ("SN"), an important new biomarker for cardiovascular disease ("CVD"). SN is the only biomarker shown to be associated with biological processes linked to cardiomyocyte handling. This unique biological function explains why SN presents as an independent and strong predictor of mortality in all major patient cohorts, including ventricular arrhythmia, acute heart failure, acute respiratory failure patients with CVD and severe sepsis. CardiNor has completed development of a research assay based on immunoassay technology to measure SN in blood and the assay is under further clinical development, including to obtain a CE mark.

The Electrospinning Company Ltd ("TECL") (www.electrospinning.co.uk)

Investment of £500,000 in ordinary shares, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 4.06% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

TECL has a technology platform built around the process of electrospinning, a technique for production of micro and nano-fibre biomaterials from a variety of natural and synthetic polymers, and a suite of post-processing technologies to convert the biomaterials into medical device components. The core business is the sale of product development and manufacturing services to medical device companies. TECL is also using its know-how to develop proprietary materials for targeted out-licensing opportunities, aiming to capture more of the end-market value created by its innovations and expertise.

Micrima Ltd ("Micrima") (www.micrima.com)

Investment of £200,000 by way of convertible loan note held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 1.75% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

Micrima is a commercial stage company which has developed a new imaging method, the MARIA® system, based on radiofrequency technology to improve early diagnosis of breast cancer. Micrima has reached a significant development milestone with its novel breast imaging technology. Micrima is now set to embark on commercial launch.

Momentum Bioscience Ltd ("Momentum") (www.momentumbio.co.uk)

Investment of £125,000 in preferred A ordinary shares, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 1.01% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

Momentum is developing a revolutionary rapid diagnostic test for patients suspected of sepsis, an infection of the blood stream resulting in symptoms including a drop in a blood pressure, increase in heart rate and fever. Momentum's SepsiSTAT® system enables reporting of the presence or absence and 'pan gram identification' of viable organisms in just two hours, helping direct the right antimicrobials. The system also provides a pure concentrate of growing organisms for further analysis. Faster testing in suspected sepsis patients can reduce mortality, accelerate hospital discharge, lower hospital costs, and reduce pressure on antimicrobial resistance. SepsiSTAT® is a diagnostic test that runs from a sample of whole blood before any culturing steps are taken and is currently being studied in clinical practice with highly encouraging early results indicating competitive sensitivity versus the current standard of care. Over 120 million blood tests for sepsis are run annually representing a market potential of over £1 billion.

PneumoWave Ltd ("PneumoWave") (www.pneumowave.com)

Investment of £350,000 in new ordinary shares, held at fair value, for which cost is deemed the most appropriate basis of measurement. 2.84% of NAV as at 31 March 2022.

The investment in PneumoWave allowed for the company to nominate a director to the board. Dr Stewart White, Chair of IIG's Advisory Panel was appointed director on 31 March 2021. All fees paid by PneumoWave are remitted to the company and shown as management fees in the statement of comprehensive income.

PneumoWave, which was incorporated in February 2018, is developing an innovative remote respiratory monitoring platform comprising a small, chest-worn biosensor and AI-driven data analysis/alerting software for the early detection, prediction, and prevention of adverse events in respiratory patients, both in hospitals and at home. In 2020, PneumoWave was awarded the Breakthrough Medical Device designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the development of the device, which is designed to monitor breathing in real-time to a clinical standard of care.

The specially designed wireless biosensor is one of the smallest available and transmits data to the cloud using a data hub or smartphone, alerting the patient, their household members, doctor, nurse, or emergency services where life-threatening changes occur. PneumoWave's technology will be able to accurately monitor large numbers of patients in any location at any time.

Intuitive Investments Group Plc

Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the 6 months to 31 March 2022                       

Intuitive Investments Group Plc

Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 March 2022