Vitally important AGM tactics

For anyone intending to ask a question at the AGM in person or by phone, firstly good on you. It always takes a little bit of courage as asking questions in a public forum is not for everybody.

However, I would implore you to not waste your moment, and to make it count. It is vitally important to not ask a soft and generalised question that can be answered with a fluffy and generalised answer. This is what Chairman and CEOs are skilled at doing, so lessen the opportunity.

For example, there is zero point in asking: “Can you please give us a update on xxx “ or “Can you tell me where we are at with xxx”

These types of questions can be batted away and answered with a flick of disdain and a non-committal answer. This is your chance to corner and embarrass the CEO and Chairman into giving an accountable and perhaps uncomfortable answer in front of shareholders and brokers and it will be on record for all to hear (and subsequently follow up on.)

So instead, ask questions like:
“Jackie Fairley you initially indicated that the Phase 2 DEP-Docetaxel trial may be completed in 2018. Why are shareholders still waiting and when do expect full results will be available?”

“In June 2021, in a major announcement you told the market that a partnership deal for Viraleze in India was well advanced and being finalised. Why has the market not been adequately updated and when can we expect this deal to be finalised?”

“It’s been 3.5 years since Starpharma announced a development and option agreement with AstraZeneca. Why have shareholders not been adequately updated on the progress and when is the option agreement likely to be triggered”

“‘In 2016 you announced a partnership with Sky and Land and told shareholders that regulatory activities to gain approval of VivaGel condom in China had commenced. Is this really an active partnership and when do you expect approval will be gained?”

“Jackie Fairley in Feb 2018 you joined the board of Mirrabooka Investments, and since then the Starpharma share price has fallen from $1.40 to 53 cents. Don’t shareholders deserve a CEO that is solely focused on Starpharma only?”

“When you were appointed CEO of Starpharma in 2006 the share price was 53 cents. After 16 long years of share price underperformance and no dividends the share price is still 53 cents. Please explain clearly why you deserve a 17th consecutive year as CEO?”

In summary, make a clear awkward statement and ask two questions in one. Make sure the questions are targeted, narrow and to the point. Don’t waste the opportunity to hold the feet of Jackie Fairley and Rob Thomas to the fire.

Good luck all.