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NUCANA PLC UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the Three Months Ended March 31, Notes 2026 2025 (in thousands, except per share data) Research and development expenses (3,213 ) (1,725 ) Administ

Key Takeaway: NuCana PLC released its unaudited consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026. The report indicates a substantial increase in both operating losses and overall loss compared to the previous year, with operating loss rising to $4.42 million and total comprehensive loss increasing to $3.85 million. Research and development expenses have notably surged, rising from $1.73 million to $3.21 million. The company's losses reflect ongoing financial challenges as it continues to develop cancer treatments using its proprietary ProTide technology.

Market Sentiment Analysis

CONCERNS & RISKS

  • The company reported an increase in operating loss from $2.85 million to $4.42 million.
  • There was a significant rise in research and development expenses from $1.73 million to $3.21 million.
  • Loss for the period increased from $2.47 million in 2025 to $3.87 million in 2026.
  • Total comprehensive loss also rose from $2.5 million to $3.85 million year over year.

Full Press Release Details

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Notes 2026 2025
(in thousands, except per share data)
Research and development expenses (3,213 ) (1,725 )
Administrative expenses (1,568 ) (1,067 )
Net foreign exchange gains (losses) 363 (59 )
Operating loss (4,418 ) (2,851 )
Finance income 143 25
Loss before tax (4,275 ) (2,826 )
Income tax credit 3 410 353
Loss for the period (3,865 ) (2,473 )
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share 4 (0.00 ) (0.02 )
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
(in thousands)
Loss for the period (3,865 ) (2,473 )
Other comprehensive income (expense):
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 18 (27 )
Other comprehensive income (expense) for the period 18 (27 )
Total comprehensive loss for the period (3,847 ) (2,500 )
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company (3,847 ) (2,500 )
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
(in thousands)
Notes
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 5 2,224 2,198
Property, plant and equipment 641 658
Deferred tax asset 3 122 117
2,987 2,973
Current assets
Prepayments, accrued income and other receivables 869 849
Current income tax receivable 3 2,168 1,761
Cash and cash equivalents 6 21,529 24,251
24,566 26,861
Total assets 27,553 29,834
Equity and liabilities
Capital and reserves
Share capital and share premium 8 189,586 189,586
Other reserves 83,953 87,075
Accumulated deficit (251,172 ) (252,334 )
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 22,367 24,327
Non-current liabilities
Provisions 58 58
Lease liabilities 647 656
705 714
Current liabilities
Trade payables 673 522
Payroll taxes and social security 138 99
Accrued expenditure 3,637 4,152
Lease liabilities 33 20
4,481 4,793
Total liabilities 5,186 5,507
Total equity and liabilities 27,553 29,834
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Share capital Share premium Own share reserve Share option reserve Foreign currency translation reserve Capital reserve Accumulated deficit Total equity attributable to equity holders
(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2025 5,681 146,146 (339 ) 36,276 18 42,466 (224,294 ) 5,954
Loss for the period - - - - - - (2,473 ) (2,473 )
Other comprehensive expense for the period - - - - (27 ) - - (27 )
Total comprehensive loss for the period - - - - (27 ) - (2,473 ) (2,500 )
Share-based payments - - - 258 - - - 258
Exercise of share options 1 - - (43 ) - - 43 1
Issue of share capital 394 81 - - - - - 475
Share issue expenses - (14 ) - - - - - (14 )
Balance at March 31, 2025 6,076 146,213 (339 ) 36,491 (9 ) 42,466 (226,724 ) 4,174
Balance at January 1, 2026 14,340 175,246 (339 ) 44,991 (43 ) 42,466 (252,334 ) 24,327
Loss for the period - - - - - - (3,865 ) (3,865 )
Other comprehensive income for the period - - - - 18 - - 18
Total comprehensive loss for the period - - - - 18 - (3,865 ) (3,847 )
Share-based payments - - - 1,887 - - - 1,887
Lapse of share options - - - (5,027 ) - - 5,027 -
Balance at March 31, 2026 14,340 175,246 (339 ) 41,851 (25 ) 42,466 (251,172 ) 22,367
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss for the period (3,865 ) (2,473 )
Adjustments for:
Income tax credit (410 ) (353 )
Amortization and depreciation 68 67
Finance income (143 ) (25 )
Interest expense on lease liabilities 12 3
Share-based payments 1,887 258
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses (380 ) 101
(2,831 ) (2,422 )
Movements in working capital:
Increase in prepayments, accrued income and other receivables (26 ) (309 )
Increase (decrease) in trade payables 151 (302 )
Decrease in payroll taxes, social security and accrued expenditure (476 ) (1,075 )
Movements in working capital (351 ) (1,686 )
Cash used in operations (3,182 ) (4,108 )
Net income tax received - 999
Net cash used in operating activities (3,182 ) (3,109 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received 149 28
Payments for intangible assets (77 ) (39 )
Net cash from (used in) investing activities 72 (11 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments for lease liabilities (7 ) (20 )
Proceeds from exercise of share options - 1
Proceeds from issue of share capital - 475
Share issue expenses - (14 )
Net cash (used in) from financing activities (7 ) 442
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (3,117 ) (2,678 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 24,251 6,749
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 395 (118 )
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 21,529 3,953
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. General information
("NuCana" or the "Company") is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of new medicines to treat patients with cancer. NuCana is harnessing the power of phosphoramidate chemistry to generate new
medicines called ProTides. These compounds have the potential to improve cancer treatment by enhancing the efficacy and safety of several current standards of care.
The Company has had American Depository Shares ("ADSs") registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") and has been listed on Nasdaq since October 2, 2017. From November 9, 2023 the Company transferred its listing to The Nasdaq Capital Market. On April 16, 2024, the Company effected a ratio change of its ADSs to its
ordinary shares from one ADS representing one ordinary share, to one ADS representing 25 ordinary shares. On August 11, 2025, the Company effected a ratio change of its ADSs to its ordinary shares from one ADS representing 25 ordinary shares,
to one ADS representing 5,000 ordinary shares.
The Company is incorporated in England and Wales and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The
Company's registered office is located at 77/78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AF, United Kingdom and its principal place of business is located at 3 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT, United Kingdom.
The Company has three wholly owned subsidiaries, NuCana, Inc., NuCana Limited and NuCana BioMed Trustee Company Limited (together referred to
The financial information presented in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements does not
constitute the Group's statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the U.K. Companies Act 2006.
statutory accounts for the year ended December 31, 2025 have been reported on by the Company's auditor, but not yet delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified and (ii) did not include
a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report.
2. Material accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") for the three months ended March 31,
2026 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" ("IAS 34"). The material accounting policies and methods of computation applied in the preparation of the
financial statements are consistent with those applied in the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. No new standards, amendments or interpretations have had an impact on the financial statements for
the three months ended March 31, 2026. The financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Group at March 31, 2026. The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is also the Company's functional
currency. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand, except where otherwise indicated.
The financial statements do not include all
the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025.
In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary
for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the Company's
fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern. The Company has not
generated any revenues from operations to date and does not expect to in the foreseeable future. As such, the Company has incurred recurring net losses, has an accumulated deficit totaling 251.2 million and cash flows used in operating
activities of 3.2 million as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2026. The Company had 21.5 million of cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2026.
In reviewing the going concern assessment the Company's board of directors have considered a going concern period of 12-months from the issuance of these financial statements. Based on its current operating budgets and development plans, the Company's cash and cash equivalents on hand will be sufficient to fund its
anticipated operations for the entirety of the going concern assessment period. The board of directors is therefore satisfied that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
As the Company continues to incur losses, the transition to profitability is dependent upon
the successful development, approval and commercialization of its product candidates and achieving a level of revenues adequate to support its cost structure. The Company may never achieve profitability, and unless and until it does, it will
continue to need additional capital beyond the going concern assessment period. The Company may also need to raise additional funds if it chooses to expand its current development program. There can be no assurances, however, that additional funding
will be available on acceptable terms.
Judgements and estimates
The accounting estimates and judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies that have the most material effect
on the amounts included within these financial statements were the same as those that applied to the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025.
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
(in thousands)
Current tax:
In respect of current period U.K. 407 347
Deferred tax:
In respect of current period U.S. 3 6
Income tax credit 410 353
The income tax credit recognized primarily represents the U.K. research and development tax credits. In the
United Kingdom, the Company is able to surrender some of its losses for a cash rebate of up to 26.97% of expenditure related to eligible research and development projects.
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
(in thousands)
Current income tax receivable
U.K. tax 2,166 1,759
U.S. tax 2 2
2,168 1,761
Deferred tax asset
U.S. deferred tax asset 122 117
4. Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
$ $
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
(in thousands, except per share data)
Loss for the period (3,865 ) (2,473 )
Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares 20,809,855 151,802
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share (0.00 ) (0.02 )
Basic loss per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the loss for the period attributable to the equity
holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
The potential ordinary shares
issued through equity settled transactions were considered to be anti-dilutive as they would have decreased the loss per ordinary share and were therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per ordinary share.
5. Intangible assets
comprise patents with a carrying value of 2.2 million as of March 31, 2026 (as of December 31, 2025: 2.2 million).
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company acquired intangible assets with a cost of 0.1 million in relation to
6. Cash and cash equivalents
$ $
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents 21,529 24,251
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks with deposit maturity terms of three months or less. Cash at
banks earns interest at fixed or variable rates based on the terms agreed for each account.
7. Share-based payments
The Company has six share-based payment plans for employees, directors and consultants. The share options granted will be settled in equity. If
the Company determines, and at its discretion, an arrangement may be made under the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan to substitute the right to acquire shares with a cash alternative of equivalent value. Options granted under each of the six plans have
a maximum life of 10 years.
As detailed in the table below, during the three months ended March 31, 2026, 3,851 million share
options were granted under the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (three months ended March 31, 2025: nil). Options granted under this plan will vest if the option holder remains under respective contract of employment or contract of service for the
agreed vesting period. The share options granted in the period will vest over a period of up to four years.
The fair values of options
granted were determined using the Black-Scholes model that takes into account factors specific to the share incentive plan such as the assumption that the options are exercised at a point in time of up to two years after vesting. This has been
incorporated into the measurement by means of actuarial modelling.
Grant date Jan-14-2026 Jan-14-2026 Jan-14-2026
Vesting dates Jan-14-2026 Jan-14-2027 Jan-14-2027
- - Jan-14-2028
- - Jan-14-2029
- - Jan-14-2030
Volatility 1 260.56 % 226.67 % 193.02 %
Dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 %
Risk-free investment rate 1 3.51 % 3.53 % 3.67 %
Fair value of option at grant date 1 0.0004 0.0005 0.0005
Fair value of share at grant date 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005
Exercise price at date of grant 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004
Lapse date Jan-14-2036 Jan-14-2036 Jan-14-2036
Expected option life (years) 1 1.0 2.0 3.5
Number of options granted 1,951,153,811 174,109,121 1,324,308,581
Grant date Jan-14-2026 Jan-14-2026
Vesting dates Jan-14-2026 Jan-14-2027
- Jan-14-2028
- Jan-14-2029
- Jan-14-2030
Volatility 1 226.67 % 175.64 %
Dividend yield 0 % 0 %
Risk-free investment rate 1 3.53 % 3.78 %
Fair value of option at grant date 1 0.0005 0.0005
Fair value of share at grant date 0.0005 0.0005
Exercise price at date of grant 0.0005 0.0005
Lapse date Jan-14-2036 Jan-14-2036
Expected option life (years) 1 2.0 4.5
Number of options granted 313,694,177 87,871,006
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company recognized 1.9 million of share-based payment expense in the statement
of operations (three months ended March 31, 2025: 0.3 million).
8. Share capital and share premium
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
(in thousands)
Share capital 14,340 14,340
Share premium 175,246 175,246
189,586 189,586
Number (in thousands)
Issued share capital comprises:
Ordinary shares of 0.0004 each 20,809,855 20,809,855
Deferred shares of 0.0004 each 15,040,466 15,040,466
35,850,321 35,850,321
9. Events after the reporting period
On May 6, 2026, the Company distributed a notice of its annual general meeting to be held on June 8, 2026 (the "AGM").
The purpose of the AGM is for the Company's ordinary shareholders to consider and vote upon, and if thought fit, pass and approve a number of resolutions, including that:
Therefore, on the passing of these resolutions, the
Company's issued share capital shall be comprised of 20,809,854,947 ordinary shares and 3,564,222,220,053 deferred shares of 0.000004 each. The deferred shares continue to have no economic value, dividend or voting rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the research and development expenses for Q1 2026?

The research and development expenses for Q1 2026 were £3,213,000.

What was the net loss for the period ended March 31, 2026?

The net loss for the period ended March 31, 2026, was £3,865,000.

How much cash was available at the end of Q1 2026?

The cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q1 2026 were £21,529,000.

What was the total comprehensive loss for Q1 2026?

The total comprehensive loss for Q1 2026 was £3,847,000.

How did the income tax credit change from 2025 to 2026?

The income tax credit increased from £353,000 in 2025 to £410,000 in 2026.

Last updated: May 14, 2026