Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. The Company and its principal activity

BB Biotech AG (the Company) is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, in the «Prime Standard Segment» of the German Exchange as well as in the «Star Segment» of the Italian Exchange and has its registered office in Schaffhausen, Schwertstrasse 6. Its principal activity is to invest in companies active in the biotechnology industry for the purpose of capital appreciation. The investments are held through its wholly owned subsidiaries.

2. Accounting policies

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary companies (the Group) have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) 34 «Interim Financial Reporting,» as well as the provisions of the rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange for Investment Companies and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make assumptions and estimates that have an impact on the balance sheet values and items of the statement of comprehensive income in the current financial period. In certain circumstances, the actual values may diverge from these estimates.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the consolidated annual financial statements.

The following amended standards, valid since January 1, 2023, have been applied in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements:

• IAS 1 (amended, effective January 1, 2023) – Disclosure of Accounting Policies
• IAS 8 (amended, effective January 1, 2023) – Definition of Accounting Estimates
• IAS 12 (amended, effective January 1, 2023) – Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

The following amended standards were approved, but will only be applicable for the Group prospectively and were not early adopted in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements:

• IFRS 16 (amended, effective January 1, 2024) – Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback 
• IAS 1 (amended, effective January 1, 2024) – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current

The Board of Directors do not expect that the adoption of the above-mentioned standards will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods.

The following exchange rates have been used for the preparation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements:

3. Financial assets

Fair Values

The following table presents the Group’s assets that are measured at fair value (in CHF 1 000):

The table below summarizes the transactions in level 3 instruments (in CHF 1 000):

There were no transfers between level 1, 2 and 3 during the reporting period.

The level 3 instrument as at December 31, 2021, (Valuation: TCHF 2 222) was allocated as part of a corporate action in 2019 and sold at a value of TCHF 5 071 in March 2022. 

The fair value of the level 3 instrument at initial recognition represents the transaction price (purchase of Series B-1 Preferred Stock of Rivus Pharmaceuticals in August 2022 for TCHF 16 875), which was paid in a financing round together with other investors. For the valuation as at March 31, 2023, it is deemed to be appropriate to use the transaction price in USD, as it is a reasonable approximation of fair value at the valuation date given the fact that no events occurred which significantly impact the fair value.

In August 2022 8 733 538 Contingent Value Rights were allocated from a corporate action. The valuation as of March 31, 2023, is CHF 0.

For assets and liabilities carried at amortised cost, their carrying values are a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Securities

The changes in value of securities at fair value through profit or loss by investment category are as follows (in CHF 1 000):

Securities comprise the following:

4. Short-term borrowings from banks

At March 31, 2023, a CHF 315.5 mn short-term loan is outstanding with interest payable at 1.83% p.a. (December 31, 2022: CHF 363 mn at 1.36% p.a.).

5. Shareholders’ equity

The share capital of the Company consists of 55.4 mn fully paid registered shares (December 31, 2022: 55.4 mn) with a par value of CHF 0.20 each (December 31, 2022: CHF 0.20).

Treasury shares

The Company can buy and sell treasury shares in accordance with the Company’s articles of association and Swiss company law and in compliance with the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. During the period from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023, the Company has not bought or sold any treasury shares (01.01.–31.03.2022: Purchase of 164 834 treasury shares to the amount of TCHF 10 511; no sales). As at March 31, 2023, the Company holds 554 000 treasury shares (December 31, 2022: 554 000 shares). The treasury shares as at March 31, 2023, were treated as a deduction from the consolidated shareholders’ equity using cost values of TCHF 36 508 (December 31, 2022: TCHF 36 508).

Share buyback 2nd line (bought for cancellation)

In April 2019, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of a maximum of 5 540 000 own registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.20 each. Until the end of the program, at April 11, 2022, no shares had been repurchased under this share buy-back program.

The Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of a maximum of 5 540 000 own registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.20 each. The share buy-back program will run from April 13, 2022 until April 11, 2025 at the latest. Until March 31, 2023, no shares had been repurchased under this share buy-back program. The repurchase will take place via second trading line for the purpose of a subsequent capital reduction.

6. Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses comprise the following:

The remuneration model of BB Biotech AG is determined by the Board of Directors.

Since 2014 the remuneration paid to the investment manager is based upon a 1.1% p.a. all-in fee on the average market capitalization without any additional fixed or performance-based elements of compensation. The compensation of the Board of Directors consists since 2014 of a fixed compensation.

7. Segment reporting

The sole operating segment of the Group reflects the internal management structure and is evaluated on an overall basis. Revenue is derived by investing in a portfolio of companies active in the biotechnology industry for the purpose of capital appreciation. The following results correspond to the sole operating segment of investing in companies active in the biotechnology industry.

The geographical analysis of the profit/(loss) before tax is as follows – all income from financial assets are attributed to a country based on the domiciliation of the issuer of the instrument.

8. Earnings per share

9. Assets pledged

At March 31, 2023, securities in the amount of CHF 2 594.4 mn (December 31, 2022: CHF 3 051.3 mn) are collateral for a credit line of CHF 700 mn (December 31, 2022: CHF 700 mn). At March 31, 2023, a CHF 315.5 mn short-term loan is outstanding (December 31, 2022: CHF 363 mn).

10. Transactions with the Investment Manager and related party transactions

Detailed information regarding the remuneration model for the Board of Directors and the investment manager are mentioned under note «6. Administrative Expenses».

11. Commitments, contingencies and other off-balance sheet transactions

The Group had no commitments or other off-balance sheet transactions open at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The operations of the Group are affected by legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments for which provisions are made where deemed necessary. The Board of Directors concludes that as at March 31, 2023, no proceedings existed which could have any material effect on the financial position of the Group (December 31, 2022: none).

12. Significant shareholders

The Board of Directors is not aware of any major shareholder with a holding exceeding 3% of all votes as at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

13. Subsequent events

There have been no events subsequent to March 31, 2023, which would affect the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.