UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
☒ ANNUAL
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended: December 31 , 2021
OR
☐ TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from to
Commission
file number: 333-91436
ABVC
BioPharma, Inc.
(Exact
name of Company in its charter)
Nevada 26-0014658
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification)
44370
Old Warm Springs Blvd .
Fremont ,
CA 94538
(Address
of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s
Telephone number, including area code: (510) -668-0881
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share ABVC The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No
☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for at least the part 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.406 of this chapter) during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller Reporting Company ☒
Emerging growth company ☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of March 30, 2022 was
$ 16,488,373 and 0, based on the closing price of $5.05 on June 30, 2021.
As
of March 30, 2022, the registrant had 30,307,329 shares of common stock outstanding and 0 shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
ABVC
BioPharma, Inc.
Form
10-K
For
the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021
Table
of Contents
Page
Part
I
Item
1. Business
1
Item
1A. Risk Factors
15
Item
1B. Unresolved staff comments
33
Item
2. Properties
33
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
33
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures
33
Part
II
Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholders Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
34
Item
6. [Reserved]
37
Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
37
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
55
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
F-1
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
56
Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
56
Item
9B. Other Information
56
Item
9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections
56
Part
III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
57
Item
11. Executive Compensation
62
Item
12. Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
66
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
67
Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
70
Part
IV
Item
15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
71
Item
16. Form 10-K Summary
72
Signatures
73
i
CONVENTIONS
Except
where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report only:
“APR”
or “annual percentage rate” refers to the annual rate that is charged to borrowers, including a fixed interest rate and a
transaction fee rate, expressed as a single percentage number that represents the actual yearly cost of borrowing over the life of a
loan;
“BioKey”
means BioKey, Inc. refers to a California corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of ABVC;
“BioLite”
means BioLite Holding, Inc. refers to a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABVC;
The
“Board” or “Board of Directors” refers to the board of directors of the Company;
“CDMO”
refers to the Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization services BioKey provides, such as a API characterization,
pre-formulation studies, formulation development, analytical method development, stability studies, IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions, and
manufacturing clinical trial materials (phase I through phase III) and commercial manufacturing.
“China”,
“mainland China” and “P.R.C.” refer to the People’s Republic of China, excluding Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau
for purposes of this report;
“Common
Stock” is the Common Stock of ABVC Biopharma, Inc., par value US$0.001 per share;
“Merger
Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 31, 2018, pursuant to which the Company, BioLite, BioKey,
“BioLite Acquisition Corp.” a Nevada corporation, and BioKey Acquisition Corp.” a California corporation completed
a business combination on February 8, 2019 where ABVC acquired BioLite and BioKey via the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock
to the shareholders of BioLite and BioKey;
“Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock” is the Series A convertible preferred stock of ABVC Biopharma, Inc., par value US$0.001 per share;
The
terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” “our Company” or “ABVC”
refers to ABVC Biopharma, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and all of the Subsidiaries as defined herein unless the context specifies;
“R.O.C.”
or “Taiwan” refers to Taiwan, the Republic of China;
“Subsidiary”
or “Subsidiaries,” refer to American BriVision Corporation, sometimes referred to as “BriVision”, BioLite Holding,
Inc. or BioLite and BioKey, Inc. or BioKey;
All
references to “NTD” and “New Taiwan Dollars” are to the legal currency of R.O.C.; and
All
references to “U.S. dollars”, “dollars”, and “$” are to the legal currency of the U.S.
This
report specifies certain NTD amounts and in parenthesis the approximate U.S. dollar amounts at the exchange rate on the date of this
report. The conversion rates regarding NTD and U.S. dollars are subject to change and, therefore, we can provide no assurance that U.S.
dollar amounts specified in this report will not change.
For
clarification, this report follows English naming convention of first name followed by last name, regardless of whether an individual’s
name is Chinese or English.
This
report does not discuss any affiliates of the Company that are not controlled by the Company.
ii
PART
I
Except
for statements of historical fact, the information presented herein constitutes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
generally can be identified by phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,”
“forecasts,” “foresees,” “intends,” “plans,” or other words of similar import. Similarly,
statements herein that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to: successfully commercialize our technology;
generate revenues and achieve profitability in an intensely competitive industry; compete in products and prices with substantially larger
and better capitalized competitors; secure, maintain and enforce a strong intellectual property portfolio; attract additional capital
sufficient to finance our working capital requirements, as well as any investment of plant, property and equipment; develop a sales and
marketing infrastructure; identify and maintain relationships with third party suppliers who can provide us a reliable source of raw
materials; acquire, develop, or identify for our own use, a manufacturing capability; attract and retain talented individuals; continue
operations during periods of uncertain general economic or market conditions, and; other events, factors and risks previously and from
time to time disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although
we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
ITEM
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Industry
Overview
The
biotechnology industry focuses on developing breakthrough products and technologies to combat various types of diseases through efficient
industrial manufacturing process. Biotechnology is an important business sector in the world’s economies and plays a key role
in human health. Companies engaged in biotechnology generally require large amounts of capital investment for their research &
development activities and it may take up to tens of years to develop and commercialize a new drug or a new medical device. ABVC (“we”
or the “Company”) is an early stage biotechnology company with a pipeline of six new drugs and one medical device under development,
all of which are licensed from related parties of the Company.
Our Mission
We
devote our resources to building a sophisticated biotech company and becoming a pioneer in the biopharmaceutical industry. Dr. Howard
Doong, our Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Tsung-Shann Jiang, the founder and majority shareholder of the Company, understand the challenges
and opportunities of the biotech industry and intend to provide therapeutic solutions to significant unmet medical needs and to improve
health and quality of human life by developing innovative botanical drugs to treat central nervous system (“CNS”) and oncology/
hematology diseases.
Business
Overview
As
of the date of this Report, the Company’s minimal revenue has come from the sale of CDMO services through BioKey. However, the
Company’s focus is on developing a pipeline of products by carefully tracking new medical discoveries or medical device technologies
in research institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Pre-clinical, disease animal model and Phase I safety studies are examined closely
by the Company’s scientists and other specialists known to the Company to identify drugs or medical devices that it believes demonstrate
efficacy and safety based on the Company’s internal qualifications. Once a drug or medical device is shown to be a good candidate
for further development and ultimately commercialization, ABVC licenses the drug or medical device from the original researchers and
introduces the drug or medical device clinical trial plan to highly respected principal investigators in the United States, Australia
and Taiwan. In almost all cases, ABVC has found that research institutions in each of those countries are eager to work with the Company
to move forward with Phase II clinical trials.
Institutions
that have or are now conducting phase II clinical trials in partnership with ABVC include:
●
Drug: ABV-1504, Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD), Phase II completed. NCE drug Principal Investigators: Charles DeBattista M.D. and Alan F. Schatzberg, MD, Stanford
University Medical Center, Cheng-Ta Li, MD, Ph.D – Taipei Veterans General Hospital
1
●
Drug: ABV-1505, Adult Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Phase II Part 1 completed. NCE drug Principal Investigators: Keith McBurnett, Ph.D. and Linda Pfiffner,
Ph.D., University of California San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine. Phase II, Part 2 is expected to begin in the 1 st
quarter of 2022 at UCSF and 5 locations in Taiwan.The Principal Investigators are Keith McBurnett, Ph.D. and Linda Pfiffner,
Ph.D., University of California San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine; Susan Shur-Fen Gau, M.D., National Taiwan University
Hospital; Xinzhang Ni, M.D. Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; Wenjun Xhou, M.D., Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; Ton-Ping
Su, M.D., Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Cheng-Ta Li, M.D., Taipei Veterans General Hospital
●
Drug: ABV-1601, Major Depression
in Cancer Patients, Phase I/II, NCE drug Principal Investigator: Scott Irwin, MD, Ph.D. – Cedars Sinai Medical Center
(CSMC)
●
Drug: ABV-1703, Advanced
Inoperable or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, Phase II, NCE drug Principal Investigator: Andrew E. Hendifar, MD – Cedars
Sinai Medical Center (CSMC)
The
following trials are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2022:
●
Medical Device: ABV-1701,
Vitargus® in vitrectomy surgery, Phase II Study in Australia and Thailand, Principal Investigator: Duangnate Rojanaporn, M.D.,
Ramathibodi Hospital; Thuss Sanguansak, M.D., Srinagarind Hospital
●
Drug: ABV-1601, Major Depression
in Cancer Patients, Phase I/II, NCE drug Principal Investigator: Scott Irwin, MD, Ph.D. – Cedars Sinai Medical Center
(CSMC)
●
Drug: ABV-1505, Adult Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Phase II Part 2 is in progress. Principal Investigators: Keith McBurnett, Ph.D. and Linda
Pfiffner, Ph.D., University of California San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine; Susan Shur-Fen Gau, M.D., National Taiwan
University Hospital; Xinzhang Ni, M.D. Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; Wenjun Xhou, M.D., Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital;
Ton-Ping Su, M.D., Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Cheng-Ta Li, M.D., Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Upon
successful completion of a Phase II trial, ABVC will seek a partner, typically a large pharmaceutical company, to complete a Phase III
study and commercialize the drug or medical device upon approval by the US FDA, Taiwan TFDA and other country regulatory authorities.
GMP Manufacturing
ABVC
owns a certified GMP manufacturing facility, through BioKey, that is qualified to deliver small quantities of drugs for use by its clients
in clinical trials from Phase I to Phase III. The GMP facility can manufacture direct API or blend fill-in capsules, manual and automated
encapsulation, wet granulation or tray drying process, tablet compression and coating process, packaging solid dosage forms for ANDA
and IND submission.
The
BioKey facility consists of a GMP suite, product development area, analytical laboratory, food processing area, caged GMP storage area,
receiving area and two warehouses. The facility was remodeled in December 2008 and received its first drug manufacturing license
in June 2009. ABVC’s current drug manufacturing license allows it to manufacture drug products under IND for human clinical trials
until the expiration of the license on December 2, 2024.
2
In
2022, BioKey will begin manufacturing a dietary supplement based on the maitake mushroom. The mushrooms, supplied by Shogun Maitake Canada,
Co. Ltd., are grown in a controlled temperature and humid environment free of pesticides and chemicals. Initially, sales of the new supplement
in the US and Canada will be targeted to high end grocery stores and worldwide via online distribution. While there are many mushroom-based
supplements currently available to customers, BioKey believes its new line has a significant competitive advantage since the purity and
consistency of the mushrooms themselves exceeds any maitake mushrooms currently available and the extraction process employed by BioKey
delivers a particularly strong dose. The maitake mushroom is rich in bioactive polysaccharides, especially beta-glucans. These polysaccharides
have well-documented immune-protecting and antitumor properties. BioKey has developed both a tablet and a liquid version of the supplement
which are scheduled for commercial launch in the US and Canada in mid-2022.
Beta-glucans
in maitake mushrooms has been shown to reduce cholesterol, resulting in improved artery functionality and overall better cardiovascular
health that lowers the risk of heart disease. Further, studies have shown that the beta-glucans in maitake mushroom have the effect of
strengthening the immune system 1 . In a trial of postmenopausal breast cancer patients, oral administration of a maitake extract
was shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In a different trial done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, maitake extracts were
shown to enhance neutrophil and monocyte function in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. It boosts production of lymphokines (protein
mediators) and interleukins (secreted proteins) resulting in improved immune response. Further, beta-glucans, has been shown in
clinical trials to lower blood glucose levels thereby helping to activate insulin receptors, while reducing insulin resistance in diabetes
management.
BioKey
has entered into a three-year distribution agreement with Define Biotech Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based pharmaceutical marketing
company that focuses on sales of drugs, dietary supplements and medical products in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement grants Define
Biotech the exclusive right to distribute this new dietary supplement in China and Taiwan in exchange for the commitment to purchase
$3.0 million worth of the new product over the three-year period.
NASDAQ
Listing
On
August 5, 2021, we closed a public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,100,000 units (the “Units”), with
each Unit consisting of one share of our common stock (the “Common Stock”), one Series A warrant (the “Series A Warrants”)
to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $6.30 per share, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of
the issuance date, and one Series B warrant (the “Series B Warrants,” and together with the Series A Warrants, the “Public
Warrants”) to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share, exercisable until the fifth
anniversary of the issuance date; the exercise price of the Public Warrants are subject to certain adjustment and cashless exercise provisions
as described therein. The Company completed the Offering pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255112), originally
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 8, 2021 (as amended, the “Original Registration
Statement”), that the SEC declared effective on August 2, 2021 and the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-258404)
that was filed and automatically effective on August 4, 2021 (the “S-1MEF,” together with the Original Registration Statement,
the “Registration Statement”). The Units were priced at $6.25 per Unit, before underwriting discounts and offering expenses,
resulting in gross proceeds of $6,875,000. The Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. The Common Stock was approved for listing
on The Nasdaq Capital Market and commenced trading under the ticker symbol “ABVC” on August 3, 2021.
Name
Change and Cusip Number
The
Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the Company’s corporate
name to “ABVC BioPharma, Inc.” and approved and adopted the Certificate of Amendment to affect same at the 2020 annual meeting
of shareholders (the “ Annual Meeting ”). Nevada’s Secretary of State approved the name change on March 8, 2021,
but since are still in the FINRA approval process for such name change, the new name is not yet effective. Stock certificates will remain
valid and stockholders are not required to submit their stock certificates for exchange as a result of the name change. New stock
certificates issued by the Company will be printed with the Company’s new name, ABVC BioPharma, Inc.; existing stock certificates
will remain valid.
The Company’s
cusip number is 0091F106. The Company’s stock symbol remains ABVC.
1
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol (2009) 135:1215-1221
3
Our
Pipeline
I. Central
Nervous System
1. ABV-1504
to treat Major Depressive Disorder (“MDD”)
We
are developing and researching ABV-1504, a botanical reuptake inhibitor that targets norepinephrine. Prior to clinical trials, we conducted
radioligand-binding assay tests on ABV-1504. Radioligand-binding assays are used to characterize the binding effects of a drug to its
target receptor. In the case of ABV-1504, the receptors of radioligand-binding assays are norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. The
radioligand-binding assay test on norepinephrine was conducted from May 3 to May 8, 2007 and the radioligand-binding assay test on dopamine
and serotonin was administered from November 26 to December 5, 2007. The result of radioligand-binding assay to norepinephrine of ABV-1504was
2.102 μg/ml of IC50, which indicated ABV-1504’s high inhibitory efficiency on norepinephrine. The results of radioligand-binding
assay to dopamine and serotonin were not as good as to norepinephrine, which indicated lower inhibitory efficiency. Because research
has shown that norepinephrine inhibitors can alleviate the level of depression, our research team saw ABV-1504’s potential to treat
depression and decided to commence the clinical trial process of ABV-1504.
In
2013, ABVC successfully completed the Phase I clinical trial of ABV-1504. The primary objective of the Phase I study was to assess the
safety profile of ABV-1504. The safety endpoint was assessed based on the results of physical examinations, vital signs, laboratory data,
electrocardiograms (“ECG”), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale evaluation and a number of adverse events during the study
period. We began recruiting healthy people as subjects for the Phase I trial in Taiwan on October 30, 2012. For the Phase I trial, we
screened 85 healthy volunteers at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and eventually enrolled 30 people as trial subjects. We divided
the subjects into four cohort groups and administered ABV-1504oral capsules of 380 mg, 1140 mg, 2280 mg, and 3800 mg to the subjects
in each cohort group, respectively. BioLite visited the first subject the first time on November 13, 2012 and the last subject the last
time on July 5, 2013. During the said period, no subject had a serious adverse event nor discontinued the trial due to any adverse events.
ABVC did not observe any clinically significant findings in physical examinations, vital signs, electrocardiogram, laboratory measurements,
and C-SSRS throughout the treatment period. However, ABVC observed the following mild adverse events: two subjects with flatulence and
one subject with constipation in the single-dose 380mg cohort of seven subjects; one subject with somnolence and one subject with stomatitis
ulcer in the single-dose 2,280 mg cohort. Comparatively, two subjects with somnolence and one subject with stomatitis ulcer were observed
in the placebo group of seven subjects. ABVC did not observe any suicidal ideation or behavior throughout the trial period. ABV-1504’s
Phase I clinical trial results reflected that the oral administration of ABV-1504 to healthy volunteers was safe and well-tolerated at
the dose levels of from 380 mg to 3,800 mg.
ABVC
received an IND approval to proceed with the Phase II clinical trial of ABV-1504 from the F.D.A. in March 2014 and an IND approval of
its Phase II trial from the Taiwan F.D.A. in June 2014. For the Phase II trial, BioLite administered oral capsules to 72 MDD patients
(the trial subjects) in a randomized, double-blind study with a placebo control group to assess ABV-1504’s efficacy and safety
profile, primarily in accordance with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (“MADRS”). ABVC via BioLite began
recruiting Phase II subjects in March 2015 at the following study sites, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial
Hospital, Taipei City Hospital-Songde Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, Wan Fang Hospital and started recruiting MDD patients at
Stanford Depression Research Clinic. The first five sites are in Taiwan and the last one is in the United States. The primary endpoint
of the Phase II trial is to see changes of the subjects’ MADRS total scores from the baseline scores of the placebo subjects within
the first six weeks. The secondary objectives of the Phase II trial are to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of ABV-1504 on other
rating scales with secondary endpoints of (i) demonstrating changes in MADRS total scores from baseline scores within the second to seventh
weeks and (ii) showing changes in the total scores on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety
(HAM-A), Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) from the baseline scores in the second,
fourth, sixth and seventh week. ABVC plans to measure the percentages of partial responders (subjects with a 25% to 50% decrease of total
MADRS scores from the baseline score) and responders (subjects with 50% or more decrease of total MADRS scores from the baseline score)
by the second, fourth, sixth and seventh week. Additionally, ABVC intends to monitor the subjects’ performance in accordance with
the Safety Assessments and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale from the screening stage to each subject’s last visit as well
as to analyze the differences in the mean changes of MADRS, HAM-D-17, HAM-A, DSSS, CGI and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale scores
of the subjects administered with ABV-1504 and the placebo group in the second, fourth, sixth and seventh week.
4
On
May 23, 2019, the Company announced the Phase II clinical study results of ABV-1504. The clinical study results showed that PDC-1421,
the active pharmaceutical ingredient of ABV-1504, met the pre-specified primary endpoint of the Phase II clinical trial and significantly
improved the symptoms of MDD. The Phase II clinical study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, in
which sixty (60) adult patients with confirmed moderate to severe MDD were treated with PDC-1421 in either low dose (380 mg) or high
dose (2 x 380 mg) compared with placebo administration, three times a day for six weeks. PDC-1421 high dose (2 x 380 mg) met the pre-specified
primary endpoint by demonstrating a highly significant 13.2-point reduction in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
total score by Intention-To-Treat (ITT) analysis, averaged over the 6-week treatment period (overall treatment effect) from baseline,
as compared to 9.2-point reduction of the placebo group. By Per-Protocol (PP) analysis, PDC-1421 showed a dose dependent efficacy toward
MDD in which high dose (2 x 380 mg) gave 13.4-point reduction in MADRS total score from baseline and low dose (380 mg) gave 10.4-point
reduction as compared to a 8.6-point in the placebo group. Based on the trial results as set forth above, the Company has decided to
use the high dose formula for ABV-1504’s Phase III clinical trial.
2. ABV-1505
to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”)
We
developed the ADHD indication from the same API of ABV-1504. Also, ABV-1505 shares similar pharmaceutical mechanism of action as ABV-1504
in as much as ABV-1505 shows the potential of increasing the level of norepinephrine in the human’s nervous system by inhibiting
its reabsorption. Because of ABV-1505’s sufficient similarity with ABV-1504, in January 2016 the FDA approved our IND application
to conduct ABV-1505’s Phase II clinical trial based on its preclinical research and the Phase I trial results of ABV-1504.
For
the ADHD Phase II trial, ABVC plans to recruit a maximum of 105 ADHD patients as trial subjects in the United States and Taiwan, to whom
ABVC intends to administer ABV-1505 oral capsules. ABVC has designed a randomized, double-blind dose escalation study with a placebo-controlled
group to assess the efficacy and safety profile of ABV-1505, primarily against the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (“ADHD-RS-IV”). The
primary endpoint of the Phase II trial is a 40% or higher improvement on the ADHD-RS-IV from the respective baseline scores within a
period of up to eight weeks. The secondary objective is to determine the efficacy and safety profile of ABV-1505 on other rating scales
with secondary endpoints of (i) improvements of the total ADHD symptom scores from the respective baseline scores on the Conners’
Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Self Report: Short Version (“CAARS-S:S”) 18-Item for a treatment period of eight weeks at maximum;
and (ii) achievement of scores of two or lower on both the Clinical Global Impression-ADHD- Severity (“CGI-ADHD-S”) and Clinical
Global Impression-ADHD-Improvement (“CGI-ADHD-I”) from the subjects’ respective baseline scores. The University of
California San Francisco (“UCSF”) initiated the Phase II, Part 1 clinical trial entitled “A Phase II Tolerability and
Efficacy Study of PDC-1421 Treatment in Adult Patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Part I, on January 14, 2020.
The Part 1 trial is a single center, open label, dose escalation evaluation with two dosage levels in six subjects. Six subjects were
initially evaluated for safety and efficacy assessments at low-dose (1 capsule of PDC-1421, three times a day (TID)) for 28 days. A safety
checkpoint was evaluated at day-28 for entering the high-dose (2 capsules TID). The subjects who passed the checkpoint were evaluated
for safety and efficacy assessments at high-dose (2 capsules of PDC-1421 TID) for 28 days. On July 15, 2020, the last patient last visit
(LPLV) marked the final step toward the completion of the ABV-1505 Phase II Part I clinical trial for the treatment of adult ADHD. On
October 24, 2020, a full clinical study report (CSR) of ABV-1505 Phase II Part I clinical trial was issued. The study results showed
that the PDC-1421 Capsule was safe, well tolerated and efficacious during its treatment and the follow-up period with six adult patients.
For the primary endpoints, the percentages of improvement in ADHD-RS-IV score from baseline to 8 weeks treatment were 83.3% (N=5) in
the ITT population and 80.0% (N=4) in the PP population. Both low and high doses of PDC-1421 Capsule met the primary end points by passing
the required 40% population in ADHD-RS-IV test scores. Overall, the results from this study, which demonstrate the therapeutic value
of PDC-1421, support further Phase II Part II clinical development of ABV-1505 for the treatment of adult ADHD.
The
Phase II Part II study with its clinical protocol entitled “A Phase II Tolerability and Efficacy Study of PDC-1421 Treatment in
Adult Patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Part II” is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
parallel three-groups with a maximum 99 subjects to be enrolled. This study will be conducted at the University of California, San Francisco,
and five Taiwan medical centers beginning in April 2022.
5
3. ABV-1601
to treat Depression in Cancer Patients
We
developed a treatment for depression in cancer patient from the same active pharmaceutical ingredients as ABV-1504.
ABV-1601 shares similar pharmaceutical mechanisms of action as ABV-1504 in that ABV-1601 shows the potential of increasing the level
of norepinephrine in the human nervous system by inhibiting its reabsorption. Due to ABV-1601’s similarity with ABV-1504, the FDA
approved our ABV-1601-001 clinical protocol under the same IND as for ABV-1504 (IND 112567) in December 2018.
For
the Phase II trial of ABV-1601, ABVC plans to recruit a maximum number of 54 cancer patients with depression, to whom ABVC intends to
administer ABV-1601 oral capsules. ABVC is engaging the Principal Investigator at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the U.S. which designed
a randomized, double-blind dose escalation study with a comparator-controlled group to assess the efficacy and safety profile of ABV-1601,
primarily against Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score. The primary endpoint of the Phase II trial is
a change in MADRS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), subscales (HADS-A and HADS-D), and Clinical Global Impression Scale
(CGI) total scores from baseline in patients taking PDC-1421 compared to the comparator. As of the date of this reports, the Part I of
Phase II clinical protocol, which is an open trial, has been approved by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center IRB Committee. This study was
initiated in the first quarter of 2022.
II. Oncology
1. ABV-1505
to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”)
ABVC
started the preparation for ABV-1702’s Phase II clinical trials after receiving its IND approval from the FDA in July 2016. ABVC
plans to recruit fifty-two subjects in the United States who are diagnosed with either IPSS int-1, IPSS int-2 or high risk MDS or CMML
and may take azacitidine as part of the subjects’ prescription. Azacitidine is an FDA-approved drug used to treat MDS. ABVC intends
to administer ABV-1702 in the oral liquid form along with azacitidine. The Phase II trial is divided into two parts, where Part 1 is
to determine the safety and recommended dose level (“RDL”) of ABV-1702 in combination with azacitidine and Part 2 is to determine
whether ABV-1702 under the established RDL reduces bactericidal and fungicidal infection in the subjects’ respiratory systems.
The primary endpoint of Part 1 Phase II trial is to assess the safety and RDL profile of ABV-1702 administered with azacitidine by measuring
ABV-1702’s prohibited toxicity. The secondary endpoints of Phase II Part 1 are to determine the safety, time-to-first infection
after first dose (Day 1) of the first azacitidine treatment cycle, reduction in treatment requirements and duration of infections, enhancement
of immune responses, improvements of response rates, progression, and survival rates of the subjects under such ABV-1702 - azacitidine
combination treatment. The primary endpoint of Part 2 of Phase II is to determine whether ABV-1702 under the established RDL reduces
bactericidal and fungicidal infection risks in the subjects’ respiratory systems in combination with azacitidine as compared to
the control group with incidence of infections and incidence/frequency of inpatient hospitalization due to infections. The secondary
endpoints of Part 2 of Phase II are to determine the safety, time-to-first infection after first dose (Day 1) of the first azacitidine
treatment cycle, reduction in required dosage and duration of infection, enhancement of immune responses, improvement of response rate,
progression, and survival rates of the subjects under the trial conditions. In April 2016, BioLite submitted a letter to the FDA in response
to its queries with additional information about the proposed Phase II trial.
The
Company expects to begin Phase II clinical trials of ABV-1702 in the fourth quarter of 2022 and is actively looking for qualified principal
investigators and an appropriate site for the study and therefore the timing cannot be guaranteed.
2. ABV-1505
to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”)
ABVC
developed a new indication for Pancreatic Cancer from Maitake Extract, which is named as ABV-1703 and out licensed it to Rgene for the
preparation of its IND application with the FDA. On August 25, 2017, ABV-1703’s Phase II trial was approved by FDA. Pursuant to
the ABVC-Rgene Co-development Agreement, ABVC is responsible for coordinating and conducting the clinical trials of ABV-1703 globally
and Rgene is responsible for preparing the related FDA applications. As of the date of this reports, we are engaging Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center in the U.S. to conduct the Phase II clinical trial and plan to initiate the Phase II trial in the third quarter of 2022. We plan
to submit ABV-1703’s Phase II clinical trial IND to the Taiwan FDA after we commence the clinical trials in the United States.
6
3. ABV-
1501 Triple Negative Breast Cancer - Combination therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
(“TNBC”)
●
ABV- 1501 is developed
from BLI-1401-2 whose active pharmaceutical ingredient is Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (“MSKCC”)
conducted the Phase I clinical trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom), which is very similar
to Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404. The Phase I trial focused on Grifola frondosa extract’s immunological effects on breast cancer
patients. The results of the Phase I trial showed that oral administration of a polysaccharide extract from Maitake mushroom is associated
with both immunologically stimulatory and inhibitory measurable effects in peripheral blood.
●
Our ABV-1501 Investigational
New Drug (“IND”) application to the US FDA for the Phase II clinical trials referencing the MSKCC maitake research resulted
in a Phase II IND approval in March of 2016 by the U.S. FDA.
●
We are currently collaborating
with BHK to file clinical trial application to the Taiwan FDA (“TFDA”) for conducting this combination therapy trial
in Taiwan.
●
As an alternative route
to Taiwan FDA approval, we are also working towards setting up a clinical site in the U.S. to obtain IRB approval of our IND application,
which based on a recent adopted policy in Taiwan, the TFDA will then automatically approve.
Our
Collaborative Agreements
I.
ABV-1701 Vitreous Substitute
for Vitrectomy and Collaboration Agreement with BioFirst
On
July 24, 2017, BriVision, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a collaboration agreement (the “BioFirst Agreement”)
with BioFirst, pursuant to which BioFirst granted BriVision the global license to co-develop BFC-1401 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy
(“BFC-1401”) for medical purposes. BioFirst is a related party to the Company because BioFirst and YuanGene Corporation (“YuanGene”),
the Company’s controlling shareholder, are under common control, being both controlled by the controlling beneficiary shareholder
of YuanGene.
According
to the BioFirst Agreement, we are to co-develop and commercialize BFC-1401 or ABV-1701 with BioFirst and are obligated to pay BioFirst
$3,000,000 (the “Total Payment”) in cash or common stock of BriVision on or before September 30, 2018 in two installments.
An upfront payment of $300,000, representing 10% of the Total Payment due under the Collaboration Agreement, was to be paid upon execution
of the BioFirst Agreement. BriVision is entitled to receive 50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit when ABV-1701
is sublicensed or commercialized. On June 30, 2019, the Company and BioFirst entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase
Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will issue 428,571 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration
for $3,000,000 owed by the Company to BioFirst in connection with the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement. For more information about the
BioFirst Agreement and Purchase Agreement, please refer to the current reports on Form 8-K filed on July 24, 2017 and July 12, 2019.
On
November 7, 2016, the application of Phase I clinical trial prepared and submitted by BioFirst was approved by the Human Research Ethics
Committee, Australia (“HREC”), and on November 14, 2016, it was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia
(“TGA”).
We
successfully finished the Phase I clinical trial of ABV-1701 at Sydney Retina Clinic and Day Surgery, a clinic located in Sydney, Australia.
This was the only site for this Phase I clinical trial. The trial started on November 17, 2016, and was completed with positive results
in July 2018. The Protocol Title is “A Phase I, single center, safety and tolerability study of Vitargus in the treatment of Retinal
Detachment.”
The
primary endpoint of this Phase I clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single intravitreal dose of Vitargus
in patients as a vitreous substitute during vitrectomy surgery for retinal detachment. Intravitreal is a route of administration of a
drug or other substance, in which the substance is delivered into the eyes. The secondary endpoint of this Phase I clinical trial is
to assess retinal attachment and Virtagus degradation at day 90 and to assess best corrected visual acuity (“BVCA”) after
vitrectomy surgery. BVCA refers to the best possible vision a person can achieve. The primary and second endpoints are required by HREC
for the purpose of evaluation of our Phase I clinical trial application. We enrolled an aggregate number of 10 patient subjects in this
trial. On November 17, 2016, we received the approval from the Data and Safety Monitoring Board for the first subject, and nine more
subjects were enrolled thereafter. In this trial, Vitargus was injected into the vitreous cavity of vitrectomised eyes, whose vitreous
gel was removed from the vitreous cavity after a vitrectomy surgery. On August 24, 2020, a full clinical study report (CSR) of ABV-1701
Phase I clinical trial was issued. The study results showed that ABV-1701 (Vitargus) was well-tolerated as a vitreous substitute without
any apparent toxicity to ocular tissues. Further, there was no indication of an increased overall safety risk with Vitargus. For efficacy,
participants showed significant improvement in visual acuity. The optical properties of Vitargus allowed the patients to see well and
facilitated visualisation of the fundus immediately following surgery. In addition, since Vitargus set as a stable semisolid gel adhering
to the retina, it maintained its position without requiring the patient to remain face-down following surgery.
7
We
are currently planning the pivotal study for ABV-1701 and the necessary step to obtain the Premarket Approval for this medical device.
The pivotal study for ABV-1701 is designed to be a multi-nation and multi-site clinical trial involving several countries, including
Australia, the U.S.A., Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and the People’s Republic of China. The pivotal study will be initiated in Australia
in the third quarter of 2021.
II. Co-development
Agreement with Rgene
On
May 26, 2017, American BriVision Corporation entered into a co-development agreement (the “Co-Dev Agreement”) with Rgene
Corporation (the “Rgene”), a related party under common control by controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation
and the Company. Pursuant to Co-Dev Agreement, BriVision and Rgene agreed to co-develop and commercialize ABV-1507 HER2/neu Positive
Breast Cancer Combination Therapy, ABV-17 Pancreatic Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy. Under
the terms of the Co-Dev Agreement, Rgene is required to pay the Company $3,000,000 in cash or stock of Rgene with equivalent value by
August 15, 2017. The payment is for the compensation of BriVision’s past research efforts and contributions made by BriVision before
the Co-Dev Agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BriVision and Rgene in this Co-Dev Agreement.
In addition to the $3,000,000, the Company is entitled to receive 50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit earned by
Rgene, if any, and any development costs shall be equally shared by both BriVision and Rgene.
By
June 1, 2017, the Company had delivered all research, technical, data and development data to Rgene. Since both Rgene and the Company
are related parties and under common control by a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company, the Company
has recorded the full amount of $3,000,000 in connection with the Co-Dev Agreement as additional paid-in capital during the year ended
September 30, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company received $450,000 in cash. On December 24, 2018, the Company
received the remaining balance of $2,550,000 in the form of newly issued shares of Rgene’s Common Stock, at the price of NT$50
(approximately equivalent to $1.60 per share), for an aggregate number of 1,530,000 shares, which accounted for equity method long-term
investment as of December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has recognized investment loss of $549. On December
31, 2018, the Company determined to fully write off this investment based on the Company’s assessment of the severity and duration
of the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating performance of the investee, adverse changes in market
conditions and the regulatory or economic environment, changes in operating structure of Rgene, additional funding requirements, and
Rgene’s ability to remain in business. All projects that have been initiated will be managed and supported by the Company and Rgene.
The
Company and Rgene signed an amendment to the Co-Dev Agreement on November 10, 2020, pursuant to which both parties agreed to delete AB-1507
HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination Therapy and AB 1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy and add ABV-1519 EGFR Positive Non-Small
Cell Lung Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1526 Large Intestine / Colon / Rectal Cancer Combination Therapy to the products to be co-developed
and commercialized. Other provisions of the Co-Dev Agreement remain in full force and effect.
Market
Distribution Strategy
We
focus primarily on developing botanical drugs, which are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation or treatment of disease
in humans. Together with our strategic partners, we plan to market, distribute and sell our drug products internationally once those
drug candidates comply with the local authorities regulating drugs and foods. Currently, many countries follow the International Council
for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (the “ICH”) guidelines that
are published by European Medicines to provide guidance on quality and safety of pharmaceutical development and new drug commercialization
in Japan, the United States and Europe. All of our drug candidates first go through the United States FDA process for new drug development
first and then seek regulatory approval from regulators equivalent to the FDA in the jurisdictions where we plan to distribute those
candidates.
8
Intellectual
Property
The new drug
candidates are dependent on or are the subject of the following patents and patent applications.
No.
Status
Patent
No.
Patent
Starting
Date
Patent
Expiration
Date
Patent
Name
Territory
Patent
Owner (1)(2)
1
granted
6911222
6/28/2005
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract, Part 1
The U.S.
MPITDC
2
granted
7175861
2/13/2007
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract, Part 2
The U.S.
MPITDC
3
granted
7179496
2/20/2007
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract, Part 3
The U.S.
MPITDC
4
granted
7223425
5/29/2007
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract, Part 4
The U.S.
MPITDC
5
granted
0001337647
1/31/2007
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
Italy
MPITDC
6
granted
CH693499
9/15/2003
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
Switzerland
MPITDC
7
granted
10220149
4/26/2007
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
Germany
MPITDC
8
granted
GB2383951
6/7/2006
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
United Kingdom
MPITDC
9
granted
4109907
6/6/2002
6/5/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
Japan
MPITDC
10
granted
FR2834643
7/18/2003
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
France
MPITDC
11
granted
I295576
4/11/2008
1/10/2022
Anti-depression Pharmaceutical
Composition Containing Polygala Extract
Taiwan
MPITDC
12
granted
DE202007003503
U1
8/23/2007
9/20/2026
Novel Polygalatenosides
and use thereof as an antidepressant agent
Germany
MPITDC
13
granted
7531519
5/12/2009
9/20/2026
Novel Polygalatenosides
and use thereof as an antidepressant agent
The U.S.
MPITDC
14
granted
4620652
11/20/2006
11/19/2026
Novel Polygalatenosides
and use thereof as an antidepressant agent
Japan
MPITDC
15
granted
I 314453
9/21/2006
9/20/2026
Novel Polygalatenosides
and use thereof as an antidepressant agent
Taiwan
MPITDC
16
granted
I389713
3/21/2013
10/13/2030
Cross-linked oxidized hyaluronic
acid for use as a vitreous substitute (3)
Taiwan
NHRI
17
granted
US 8197849 B2
6/12/2012
8/30/2030
Cross-linked oxidized hyaluronic
acid for use as a vitreous substitute
The U.S.
NHRI
9
18
granted
AU
2011/215775 B2
4/17/2014
2/9/2031
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute
Australia
NHRI
19
granted
KR
10-1428898
8/4/2014
2/9/2031
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute
Korea
NHRI
20
granted
CA
2786911 (C)
10/6/2015
2/10/2031
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute
Canada
NHRI
21
granted
WO2011100469
A1
N/A (4)
N/A (4)
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute
PCT
NHRI
22
granted
EP
2534200
4/8/2015
2/9/2031
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute
European
Union (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy)
NHRI
23
granted
特許第
5885349號
2/9/2011
2/9/2031
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute
Japan
NHRI
24
granted
ZL
201180005494.7
12/24/2014
2/9/2031
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute (3)
China
NHRI
25
granted
HK1178188
3/6/2015
6/21/2030
Cross-linked
oxidized hyaluronic acid for use as a vitreous substitute (3)
Hong
Kong (5)
NHRI
26
applied
US
16/936,032
9/4/2020
9/4/2040
Polygala
extract for the treatment of major depressive disorder
US
ABVC
27
applied
TW
109130285
9/4/2020
9/4/2040
Polygala
extract for the treatment of major depressive disorder
Taiwan
ABVC
28
applied
US17/120,965
12/20/2020
12/20/2040
Polygala
Extract for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
U.S.
ABVC
29
applied
TW
110106546
2/24/2021
2/24/2041
Polygala
Extract for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Taiwan
ABVC
(1)
“MPITDC” stands
for Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center, Taiwan.
(2)
“NHRI” stands
for National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.
(3)
The patent name is translated
into English and the original patent name is written as “交联氧化透明质酸作为眼球玻璃体之替代物.”
(4)
The starting date and expiration
date of patents under PTC are subject to the laws of the specific participating jurisdiction where the patent application is filed.
We have subsequently submitted such patent to the jurisdictions listed in No.22 herein above.
(5)
NHRI has obtained standard
patent in Hong Kong based on the registration of the patent (listed as No.24 herein) granted by the State Intellectual Property Office,
People’s Republic of China.
10
Corporate
History and Structure
ABVC
was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on February 6, 2002 and has three wholly-owned Subsidiaries: BriVision, BioLite
Holding, Inc. and BioKey, Inc. BriVision was incorporated in July 2015 in the State of Delaware and is in the business of developing
pharmaceutical products in North America.
BioLite
Holding was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on July 27, 2016, with 500,000,000 shares authorized, par value $0.0001.
Its key Subsidiaries include BioLite BVI, Inc. (“BioLite BVI”) that was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on September
13, 2016 and BioLite Inc. (“BioLite Taiwan”), a Taiwanese corporation that was founded in February 2006. BioLite Taiwan has
been in the business of developing new drugs for over twelve years. Certain shareholders of BioLite Taiwan exchanged approximately 73%
of equity securities in BioLite Taiwan for the Common Stock in BioLite Holding in accordance with a share purchase/ exchange agreement
(the “Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement”). As a result, BioLite Holding owns via BioLite BVI approximately 73% of BioLite
Taiwan. The other shareholders who did not enter this Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement retain their equity ownership in BioLite Taiwan.
Incorporated
in California on November 20, 2000, BioKey has chosen to initially focus on developing generic drugs to ride the opportunity of the booming
industry.
Upon
closing of the Mergers on February 8, 2019, BioLite and BioKey became two wholly-owned subsidiaries of ABVC.
The following
chart illustrates the corporate structure of ABVC:
Effective
March 5, 2022, the Company’s Board for Directors approved amending the Company’s Bylaws to remove Section 2.8, which permitted
cumulative voting for directors since cumulative voting is specifically prohibited by our Articles of Incorporation. Since it is not
otherwise stated in our Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the election,
as provided in the Nevada Revised Statutes.
Competition
The
healthcare industry is highly competitive and subject to significant and rapid technological change as researchers learn more about diseases
and develop new technologies and treatments. Significant competitive factors in our industry include product efficacy and safety; quality
and breadth of an organization’s technology; skill of an organization’s employees and its ability to recruit and retain key
employees; timing and scope of regulatory approvals; the average selling price of products; the availability of raw materials and qualified
manufacturing capacity; manufacturing costs; intellectual property and patent rights and their protection; and our capabilities of securing
competent collaborators. Market acceptance of our current products and product candidates will depend on a number of factors, including:
(i) potential advantages over existing or alternative therapies or tests, (ii) the actual or perceived safety of similar classes of products,
(iii) the effectiveness of sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities, and (iv) the scope of any approval provided by the FDA or
foreign regulatory authorities.
Since
we are a small biopharmaceutical company compared to other companies that we may compete against, it is our intention to license our
products to much larger pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical and generic drug companies with the financial, technical and human resources
to compete effectively in the markets we address.
We
anticipate that our license partners will face intense and increasing competition when and as our new drug candidates enter the markets,
as advanced technologies become available and as generic forms of currently branded products become available. Finally, the development
of new treatment methods for the diseases we are targeting could render our products non-competitive or obsolete. There can be no assurance
that any of our new drug candidates will be clinically superior or scientifically preferable to products developed or introduced by our
competitors.
11
The
following chart lists some, not all, of the biopharmaceutical companies that research, develop, commercialize, distribute or sell drugs
that are in competition with our drug candidates.
Disease
Drug
Name
Pharmaceutical
Companies
Headquarters
Major Depressive Disorder
Cymbalta oral
Eli Lilly and Co., Inc.
IN
Lexapro oral
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
NJ
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CT
Attention-Deficit
Adderall XR
Shire Development LLC
MA
Hyperactivity Disease
Ritalin
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
NJ
Dexedrine
Amedra Pharmaceuticals LLC
PA
Myelodysplastic
Vidaza
Celgene Corporation
NJ
Syndromes
Dacogen
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CA
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Avastin
Genentech, Inc.
CA
Erbitux (Cetuximab)
ImClone Systems Incorporated
NY
Pancreatic Cancer
Abraxane, Abraxis BioScience LLC
Los Angeles
CA
Novartis Pharma Stein AG
Stein
Switzerland
Vitargus for the treatments
Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
Fort Worth
TX
of
Retinal Detachment or
Vitreous
Hemorrhage
Arcadophta
Toulouse
France
Government
Regulations
Currently,
we are focusing on the research and development of six therapeutic candidates in the fields of CNS, oncology/hematology and autoimmune,
for which regulatory approval must be received before we can commence marketing. In addition, our cGMP facility is subject to review
by the FDA. Regulatory approval processes and FDA regulations for ABVC’s current and any future product candidates are discussed
below.
Approval
Process for Pharmaceutical Products
FDA Approval
Process for Pharmaceutical Products
In
the U.S., pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the “FDC
Act”), and other federal and state statutes and regulations, govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture,
storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling,
and import and export of pharmaceutical products. Failure to comply with applicable U.S. requirements may subject a company to a variety
of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as FDA refusal to approve pending NDAs, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures,
total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution. Pharmaceutical
product development in the U.S. typically involves the performance of satisfactory nonclinical, also referred to as pre-clinical, laboratory
and animal studies under the FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice, or GLP, regulation, the development and demonstration of manufacturing
processes, which conform to FDA mandated current good manufacturing requirements, or cGMPs, including a quality system regulating manufacturing,
the submission and acceptance of an IND application, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin in the U.S.,
obtaining the approval of Institutional Review Boards, or IRBs, at each site where we plan to conduct a clinical trial to protect the
welfare and rights of human subjects in clinical trials, adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and effectiveness
of the drug for each indication for which FDA approval is sought, and the submission to the FDA for review and approval of an NDA. Satisfaction
of FDA requirements typically takes many years and the actual time required may vary substantially based upon the type, complexity, and
novelty of the product or disease.
Pre-clinical
tests generally include laboratory evaluation of a product candidate, its chemistry, formulation, stability and toxicity, as well as
certain animal studies to assess its potential safety and efficacy. Results of these pre-clinical tests, together with chemistry, manufacturing
controls and analytical data and the clinical trial protocol, which details the objectives of the trial, the parameters to be used in
monitoring safety, and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated, along with other requirements must be submitted to the FDA as part
of an IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials can begin. The entire clinical trial and its protocol must be in
compliance with what are referred to as good clinical practice, or GCP, requirements. The term, GCP, is used to refer to various FDA
laws and regulations, as well as international scientific standards intended to protect the rights, health and safety of patients, define
the roles of clinical trial sponsors and assure the integrity of clinical trial data.
An
IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, raises concerns
or questions about the intended conduct of the trials and imposes what is referred to as a clinical hold. Pre-clinical studies generally
take several years to complete, and there is no guarantee that an IND based on those studies will become effective, allowing clinical
testing to begin. In addition to FDA review of an IND, each medical site that desires to participate in a proposed clinical trial must
have the protocol reviewed and approved by an independent IRB or Ethics Committee, or EC. The IRB considers, among other things, ethical
factors, and the selection and safety of human subjects. Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with the FDA’s GCP requirements.
The FDA and/or IRB may order the temporary, or permanent, discontinuation of a clinical trial or that a specific clinical trial site
be halted at any time, or impose other sanctions for failure to comply with requirements under the appropriate entity jurisdiction.
12
Clinical
trials to support NDAs for marketing approval are typically conducted in three sequential phases, but the phases may overlap.
In
Phase I clinical trials, a product candidate is typically introduced either into healthy human subjects or patients with the medical
condition for which the new drug is intended to be used. The main purpose of the trial is to assess a product candidate’s safety
and the ability of the human body to tolerate the product candidate. Phase I clinical trials generally include less than 50 subjects
or patients.
During
Phase 2 trials, a product candidate is studied in an exploratory trial or trials in a limited number of patients with the disease or
medical condition for which it is intended to be used in order to: (i) further identify any possible adverse side effects and safety
risks, (ii) assess the preliminary or potential efficacy of the product candidate for specific target diseases or medical conditions,
and (iii) assess dosage tolerance and determine the optimal dose for Phase III trials.
Phase
III trials are generally undertaken to demonstrate clinical efficacy and to further test for safety in an expanded patient population
with the goal of evaluating the overall risk-benefit relationship of the product candidate. Phase III trials are generally designed to
reach a specific goal or endpoint, the achievement of which is intended to demonstrate the candidate product’s clinical efficacy
and adequate information for labeling of the approved drug.
The
FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the FDA’s
threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the
FDA begins an in-depth review. The FDA has agreed to certain performance goals in the review of NDAs. Most applications for standard
review drug products are reviewed within ten months; most applications for priority review drugs are reviewed within six months. Priority
review can be applied to drugs that the FDA determines offer major advances in treatment, or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy
exists. The review process for both standard and priority review may be extended by the FDA for three additional months to consider certain
late-submitted information, or information intended to clarify information already provided in the submission. The FDA may also refer
applications for novel drug products, or drug products which present difficult questions of safety or efficacy, to an advisory committee — typically
a panel that includes clinicians and other experts — for review, evaluation, and a recommendation as to whether the application
should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it generally follows such recommendations.
Before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP. Additionally, the FDA
will inspect the facility or the facilities at which the drug is manufactured. The FDA will not approve the product unless compliance
with cGMPs is satisfactory and the NDA contains data that provide substantial evidence that the drug is safe and effective in the indication
studied.
After
the FDA evaluates the NDA and the manufacturing facilities, it issues either an approval letter or a complete response letter. A complete
response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing or information in
order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If and when those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in
a resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue an approval letter. The FDA has committed to reviewing such resubmissions in two or six
months depending on the type of information included. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing
information for specific indications. As a condition of NDA approval, the FDA may require a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy,
or REMS, to help ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh the potential risks.
REMS
can include medication guides, communication plans for healthcare professionals, and elements to assure safe use, or ETASU. ETASU can
include, but are not limited to, special training or certification for prescribing or dispensing, dispensing only under certain circumstances,
special monitoring, and the use of patient registries. The requirement for a REMS can materially affect the potential market and profitability
of the drug. Moreover, product approval may require substantial post-approval testing and surveillance to monitor the drug’s safety
or efficacy. Once granted, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or problems are
identified following initial marketing.
Post-Approval
Regulations
Even
if a product candidate receives regulatory approval, the approval is typically limited to specific clinical indications. Further, even
after regulatory approval is obtained, subsequent discovery of previously unknown problems with a product may result in restrictions
on its use or even complete withdrawal of the product from the market. Any FDA-approved products manufactured or distributed by us are
subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including record-keeping requirements and reporting of adverse events or experiences. Further,
drug manufacturers and their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and state agencies, and are subject
to periodic inspections by the FDA and state agencies for compliance with cGMPs, which impose rigorous procedural and documentation requirements
upon us and our contract manufacturers. ABVC cannot be certain that ABVC or its present or future contract manufacturers or suppliers
will be able to comply with cGMPs regulations and other FDA regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result
in, among other things, total or partial suspension of production activities, failure of the FDA to grant approval for marketing, and
withdrawal, suspension, or revocation of marketing approvals.
13
If
the FDA approves one or more of our product candidates, ABVC must provide certain updated safety and efficacy information. Product changes,
as well as certain changes in the manufacturing process or facilities where the manufacturing occurs or other post-approval changes may
necessitate additional FDA review and approval. The labeling, advertising, promotion, marketing and distribution of a drug must be in
compliance with FDA and Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, requirements which include, among others, standards and regulations for direct-to-consumer
advertising, off-label promotion, industry sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the
Internet. The FDA and FTC have very broad enforcement authority, and failure to abide by these regulations can result in penalties, including
the issuance of a warning letter directing us to correct deviations from regulatory standards and enforcement actions that can include
seizures, fines, injunctions and criminal prosecution.
Foreign
Regulatory Approval
Outside
of the U.S., ABVC’s ability to market our product candidates will be contingent also upon its receiving marketing authorizations
from the appropriate foreign regulatory authorities, whether or not FDA approval has been obtained. The foreign regulatory approval process
in most industrialized countries generally encompasses risks similar to those ABVC will encounter in the FDA approval process. The requirements
governing conduct of clinical trials and marketing authorizations, and the time required to obtain requisite approvals, may vary widely
from country to country and differ from those required for FDA approval.
ABVC
will be subject to additional regulations in other countries in which we market, sell and import our products, including Canada. ABVC
or its distributors must receive all necessary approvals or clearance prior to marketing and/or importing our products in those markets.
Other
Regulatory Matters
Manufacturing,
sales, promotion and other activities following product approval are also subject to regulation by numerous regulatory authorities in
addition to the FDA, including, in the U.S., the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, other divisions of the Department of Health
and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Occupational
Safety &Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and state and local governments. In the U.S., sales, marketing
and scientific/educational programs must also comply with state and federal fraud and abuse laws. Pricing and rebate programs must comply
with the Medicaid rebate requirements of the U.S. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and more recent requirements in the Health
Care Reform Law, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, or ACA. If products are made available
to authorized users of the Federal Supply Schedule of the General Services Administration, additional laws and requirements apply. The
handling of any controlled substances must comply with the U.S. Controlled Substances Act and Controlled Substances Import and Export
Act. Products must meet applicable child-resistant packaging requirements under the U.S. Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Manufacturing,
sales, promotion and other activities are also potentially subject to federal and state consumer protection and unfair competition laws.
The
distribution of pharmaceutical products is subject to additional requirements and regulations, including extensive recordkeeping, licensing,
storage and security requirements intended to prevent the unauthorized sale of pharmaceutical products.
The
failure to comply with regulatory requirements subjects firms to possible legal or regulatory action. Depending on the circumstances,
failure to meet applicable regulatory requirements can result in criminal prosecution, fines, imprisonment or other penalties, injunctions,
recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, denial or withdrawal of product approvals, or refusal to allow
a firm to enter into supply contracts, including government contracts. In addition, even if a firm complies with FDA and other requirements,
new information regarding the safety or effectiveness of a product could lead the FDA to modify or withdraw product approval. Prohibitions
or restrictions on sales or withdrawal of future products marketed by us could materially affect our business in an adverse way.
Changes
in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact our business in the future by requiring, for example:
(i) changes to our manufacturing arrangements; (ii) additions or modifications to product labeling; (iii) the recall or discontinuation
of our products; or (iv) additional record-keeping requirements. If any such changes were to be imposed, they could adversely affect
the operation of our business.
Employees
As
of March 30, 2022, we, including the subsidiaries, have 30 employees, 28 of which are full-time, located in the U.S. and Taiwan.
14
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing
in our securities includes a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should consider carefully
the specific factors discussed below, together with all of the other information contained in this report. If any of the following risks
actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects would likely be materially and adversely
affected. This could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline and could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Risks
Related to the Company’s Business
Unfavorable
global economic conditions, including as a result of health and safety concerns, could adversely affect our business, financial condition
or results of operations.
Our
results of operations could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy, including conditions that are outside
of our control, such as the impact of health and safety concerns from the current outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus (“COVID-19”).
The spread of the COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, has caused different countries
and cities to mandate curfews, including “shelter-in-place” and closures of most non-essential businesses as well as other
measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
The
negative impact of COVID-19 on our operations is ongoing and the extent of which remains uncertain and potentially wide-spread, including:
●
our ability to successfully execute our long-term growth
strategy during these uncertain times;
●
our ability to recruit the necessary number of patients
to complete future clinical trials;
●
supply chain disruptions
in projects ABV-1504, ABV-1505 and ABV-1601, resulting from reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing
of goods produced in infected areas;
●
our ability to perform
on-site due-diligence for project ABV-1505 (MDD Phase II completed new drug candidate) and ABV-1701 (Vitargus FIH completed medical
device) with our potential partners/collaborators in US, Mainland China, and Japan;
●
our ability to access capital
sources, as well as the ability of our key customers, suppliers, and vendors to do the same in regard to their own obligations; and
●
diversion of management
and employee attention and resources from key business activities and risk management outside of COVID-19 response efforts, including
maintenance of internal controls.
The
COVID-19 pandemic remains highly volatile and continues to evolve on a daily basis and therefore, despite our efforts and developments
to combat the virus, there can be no assurance that these measures will prove successful. The extent to which COVID-19 continues to impact
the Company’s business, sales, and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot
be predicted.
The
Company is a development stage biopharmaceutical company and is thus subject to the risks associated with new businesses in that industry.
The
Company acquired the sole licensing rights to develop and commercialize for therapeutic purposes six compounds from BioLite and the right
to co-develop with BioFirst a medical device (collectively the “ABVC Pipeline Products”). As such, the Company is a clinical
stage biopharmaceutical company with operations that generate unsubstantial revenues. The Company is establishing and implementing many
important functions necessary to operate a business, including the clinical research and development of the ABVC Pipeline Products, further
establishment of the Company’s managerial and administrative structure, accounting systems and internal financial controls
BioLite
and BioKey are expected to continue to have limited revenue and remain unprofitable for an indefinite period of time.
Accordingly,
you should consider the Company’s prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties that a pharmaceutical company with a limited
operating history and revenue faces. In particular, potential investors should consider that there are significant risks that the Company
will not be able to:
●
implement or execute its
current business plan, or generate profits;
●
attract and maintain a
skillful management team;
●
raise sufficient funds
in the capital markets or otherwise to effectuate its business plan;
●
determine that the processes
and technologies that it has developed are commercially viable; and/or
●
enter into contracts with
commercial partners, such as licensors and suppliers.
If
any of the above risks occurs, the Company’s business may fail, in which case you may lose the entire amount of your investment
in the Company. The Company cannot assure that any of its efforts in business operations will be successful or result in the timely development
of new products, or ultimately produce any material revenue and profits.
15
As
a pre-profit biopharmaceutical company, the Company needs to transition from a company with a research and development focus to a company
capable of supporting commercial activities. The Company may not be able to reach such transition point or make such a transition, which
would have affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If
the Company fails to raise additional capital, its ability to implement its business model and strategy could be compromised.
The
Company has limited capital resources and operations. The CDMO services provided by BioKey generates a limited amount of revenue that
can only partially support the operations of the Company. To date, the Company’s operations have been funded partially from
the proceeds from financings or loans from its shareholders . From time to time, we may seek additional financing to provide the
capital required to expand research and development (“R&D”) initiatives and/or working capital, as well as to repay outstanding
loans if cash flow from operations is insufficient to do so. We cannot predict with certainty the timing or amount of any such capital
requirements.
If
the Company does not raise sufficient capital to fund its ongoing development activities, it is likely that it will be unable to carry
out its business plans, including R&D development and expansion of production facilities. Even if the Company obtains financing for
near term operations and product development, the Company may require additional capital beyond the near term. Furthermore, additional
capital may not be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms, if at all, and our ability to raise additional capital may
be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to and volatility in the credit and
financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If the Company is unable to raise
capital when needed, its business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected, and it could
be forced to reduce or discontinue our operations.
The
Company has no history in obtaining regulatory approval for, or commercializing, any new drug candidate.
With
limited operating history, the Company has never obtained regulatory approval for, or commercialized, any new drug candidate. It is possible
that the FDA may refuse to accept our planned New Drug Application (or “NDA”) for any of the six drug products for substantive
review or may conclude after review of our data that our application is insufficient to obtain regulatory approval of the new drug candidates
or the medical device. Although our CDMO strategic business department has experience in obtaining abbreviated new drug application (or
“ANDA”) approvals, the processes and timelines of obtaining an NDA approval and ANDA approval can differentiate substantially.
If the FDA does not accept or approve our planned NDA for our product candidates, it may require that we conduct additional clinical,
preclinical or manufacturing validation studies, which may be costly. Depending on the FDA required studies, approval of any NDA or application
that we submit may be significantly delayed, possibly for several years, or may require us to expend more resources than we have. Any
delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, regulatory approvals of any of our drug candidate will prevent us from sublicensing such
product. It is also possible that additional studies, if performed and completed, may not be considered sufficient by the FDA. If any
of these outcomes occurs, we may be forced to abandon our planned NDA for such drug candidate, which materially adversely affects our
business and could potentially cause us to cease operations. We face similar regulatory risks in a foreign jurisdiction.
Our
growth is dependent on our ability to successfully develop, acquire or license new drugs.
Our
growth is supported by continuous investment in time, resources and capital to identify and develop new products or new formulations
for the market and market penetration. If we are unable to either develop new products on our own or acquire licenses for new products
from other parties, our ability to grow revenues and market share will be adversely affected. In addition, we may not be able to
recover our investment in the development of new drugs and medical devices, given that projects may be interrupted, unsuccessful, not
as profitable as initially contemplated or we may not be able to obtain necessary financing for such development. Similarly, there is
no assurance that we can successfully secure such rights from third parties on an economically feasible basis.
Our
current products have certain side effects. If the side effects associated with our current or future products are not identified prior
to their marketing and sale, we may be required to withdraw such products from the market, perform lengthy additional clinical trials
or change the labeling of our products, any of which could adversely impact our growth.
The
Company researches and develops the following six drug products and one medical device: ABV-1501, ABV-1504, ABV-1505, ABV-1701, ABV-1702,
ABV-1601 and ABV-1703. Each of these seven products may cause serious adverse effects to their users. For example, the API of ABV-1501,
ABV-1702 and ABV-1703 is Maitake mushroom extract. Side effects, or adverse events, associated with Maitake mushroom extract include
blood bilirubin increase, lymphocyte count decrease, neutrophil count decrease, platelet count decrease, white blood cell decrease, headache,
and hyperglycemia. Serious adverse events (collectively, the “SAE”) associated with this compound include leukocytosis, platelet
count decrease, eye disorders, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disorders, aphonia, lung infection, muscle weakness right-sided, confusion,
edema cerebral, stroke, dyspnea, wheezing, and pruritus.
16
ABV-1504
and ABV-1505 have the same API, “Radix Polygala”, which is known as Polygala tenuifolia Willd or PDC-1421 Capsule (“Polygala
tenuifolia Willd”). Side effects, or adverse events, associated with ABV-1504 and ABV-1505, coming from administration of the trial
medicine or examination procedure such as the procedure of taking blood (fainting, pain and/or bruising), may lead to gastrointestinal
disorders (abdominal fullness and constipation), nervous system disorders (drowsiness, sleepiness, and oral ulcer). In addition, long-term
use may cause miscarriages.
The
safety and preliminary efficacy findings from this study, combined with the unique properties of ABV-1701, are supportive of further
investigation for its use following vitrectomy surgery in patients requiring vitreous replacement. However, new serious side effects
of ABV-1701 may be uncovered as the clinical trials continue.
The
occurrence of any of those adverse events would harm our future sales of these medicines and substantially increase the costs and expenses
of marketing these medicines, which in turn could cause our revenues and net income to decline. In addition, the reputation and
sales of our future medicines could be adversely affected due to the severe side effects discovered.
We
may be subject to product liability claims in the future, which could divert our resources, cause us to incur substantial liabilities
and limit commercialization of any products that we may develop.
We
face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the uses of our products are alleged to have
caused adverse side effects. Side effects or marketing or manufacturing problems pertaining to any of our products could result
in product liability claims or adverse publicity. These risks will exist for those products in clinical development and with respect
to those products that receive regulatory approval for commercial sale. Furthermore, although we have not historically experienced
any problems associated with claims by users of our products, we do not currently maintain product liability insurance and there
could be no assurance that we are able to acquire product liability insurance with terms that are commercially feasible.
We
face an inherent risk of product liability claims as a result of the clinical testing of our products and potentially commercially selling
any products that we may develop. For example, we may be sued if any product we develop allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise
unsuitable during clinical testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects
in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability or a breach of
warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product
liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our product candidate. Regardless
of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
●
decreased demand for our product candidates or products
that we may develop;
●
injury to our reputation and significant negative media
attention;
●
withdrawal of clinical trial participants;
●
significant costs to defend resulting litigation;
●
substantial monetary awards to trial participants or
patients;
●
loss of revenue;
●
reduced resources of our management to pursue our business
strategy; and
●
the inability to commercialize any products that we
may develop.
We
currently have insurance policies to cover liabilities under the clinic trials but do not maintain general liability insurance; and even
if we have a general liability insurance in the future, this insurance may not fully cover potential liabilities that we may incur. The
cost of any product liability litigation or other proceeding, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial. We would need to increase
our insurance coverage if and when we begin selling any product candidate that receives marketing approval. In addition, insurance coverage
is becoming increasingly expensive. If we are unable to obtain or maintain sufficient insurance coverage at an acceptable cost or to
otherwise protect against potential product liability claims, it could prevent or inhibit the development and commercial production and
sale of our product candidate, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
17
We
have conducted, and may in the future conduct, clinical trials for certain of our product candidates at sites outside the United States,
and the FDA may not accept data from trials conducted in such locations.
We
have conducted and may in the future choose to conduct one or more of our clinical trials outside the United States. Although the FDA
may accept data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States, acceptance of this data is subject to certain conditions imposed
by the FDA. For example, the clinical trial must be well designed and conducted and performed by qualified investigators in accordance
with ethical principles. The trial population must also adequately represent the U.S. population, and the data must be applicable to
the U.S. population and U.S. medical practice in ways that the FDA deems clinically meaningful. In addition, while these clinical trials
are subject to the applicable local laws, FDA acceptance of the data will be dependent upon its determination that the trials also complied
with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations. There can be no assurance that the FDA will accept data from trials conducted outside
of the United States. If the FDA does not accept the data from any of our clinical trials that we determine to conduct outside the United
States, it would likely result in the need for additional trials, which would be costly and time-consuming and delay or permanently halt
our development of the product candidate.
In
addition, the conduct of clinical trials outside the United States could have a significant impact on us. Risks inherent in conducting
international clinical trials include:
●
foreign regulatory requirements that could restrict
or limit our ability to conduct our clinical trials;
●
administrative burdens of conducting clinical trials
under multiple foreign regulatory schema;
●
foreign exchange fluctuations; and
●
diminished protection of intellectual property in some
countries.
If
clinical trials of our product candidates fail to demonstrate safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of the FDA and comparable non-U.S.
regulators, we may incur additional costs or experience delays in completing, or ultimately be unable to complete the development and
commercialization of our product candidates.
We
are not permitted to commercialize, market, promote or sell any product candidate in the United States without obtaining marketing approval
from the FDA. Comparable non-U.S. regulatory authorities impose similar restrictions. We may never receive such approvals. We must complete
extensive preclinical development and clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our product candidate in humans before
we will be able to obtain these approvals.
Clinical
testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and is inherently uncertain as to outcome. Any
inability to successfully complete preclinical and clinical development could result in additional costs to us and impair our ability
to generate revenues from product sales, regulatory and commercialization milestones and royalties. In addition, if (1) we are required
to conduct additional clinical trials or other testing of our product candidate beyond the trials and testing that we contemplate, (2)
we are unable to successfully complete clinical trials of our product candidate or other testing, (3) the results of these trials or
tests are unfavorable, uncertain or are only modestly favorable, or (4) there are unacceptable safety concerns associated with our product
candidate, we, in addition to incurring additional costs, may:
●
be delayed in obtaining
marketing approval for our product candidates;
●
not obtain marketing approval
at all;
●
obtain approval for indications
or patient populations that are not as broad as we intended or desired;
●
obtain approval with labeling
that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or significant safety warnings, including boxed warnings;
●
be subject to additional
post-marketing testing or other requirements; or
●
be required to remove the
product from the market after obtaining marketing approval.
18
Even
if any of our product candidates receives marketing approval, it may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients,
third party payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success and the market opportunity for the product candidate
may be smaller than we estimate.
We
have never completed a new drug or new medical device FDA application process from Phase I to FDA approval and commercialization. Even
if our products are approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities for marketing and sale, they may nonetheless fail to gain sufficient
market acceptance by physicians, patients, third party payors and others in the medical community. For example, physicians are often
reluctant to switch their patients from existing therapies even when new and potentially more effective or convenient treatments enter
the market. Further, patients often acclimate to the therapy that they are currently taking and do not want to switch unless their physicians
recommend switching products or they are required to switch therapies due to lack of reimbursement for existing therapies.
The
potential market opportunities for our products are difficult to estimate precisely. Our estimates of the potential market opportunities
are predicated on many assumptions, including industry knowledge and publications, third party research reports and other surveys. While
we believe that our internal assumptions are reasonable, these assumptions involve the exercise of significant judgment on the part of
our management, are inherently uncertain and the reasonableness of these assumptions has not been assessed by an independent source.
If any of the assumptions proves to be inaccurate, the actual markets for our products could be smaller than our estimates of the potential
market opportunities.
We
may seek to enter into collaborations with third parties for the development and commercialization of our product candidates. If we fail
to enter into such collaborations, or such collaborations are not successful, we may not be able to capitalize on the market potential
of our product candidates.
We
may seek third-party collaborators for development and commercialization of our products. Our likely collaborators for any marketing,
distribution, development, licensing or broader collaboration arrangements include large and mid-size pharmaceutical companies, regional
and national pharmaceutical companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and biotechnology companies. Our ability to generate
revenues from these arrangements will depend on our collaborators’ abilities to successfully perform the functions assigned
to them in these arrangements.
Collaborations
involving our products will pose the following risks to us:
●
collaborators may have
significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations;
●
collaborators may not pursue
development and commercialization of our product candidate or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization
programs based on preclinical or clinical trial results, changes in the collaborators’ strategic focus or available funding,
or external factors such as an acquisition that diverts resources or creates competing priorities;
●
collaborators may delay
clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial or abandon a product candidate,
repeat or conduct new clinical trials or require a new formulation of a product candidate for clinical testing;
19
●
collaborators
could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidate
if the collaborators believe that competitive products are more likely to be successfully developed or can be commercialized under
terms that are more economically attractive than ours;
●
collaborators with marketing
and distribution rights to one or more products may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of such product
or products;
●
collaborators may not properly
maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation
that could jeopardize or invalidate our intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to potential litigation;
●
collaborators may infringe
the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability;
●
disputes may arise between
the collaborators and us that result in the delay or termination of the research, development or commercialization of our product
candidate or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management attention and resources; and
●
collaborations may be terminated
and, if terminated, may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable
product candidates.
Collaborative
agreements may not lead to development or commercialization of our product candidate in the most efficient manner or at all. If a collaborator
of ours were to be involved in a business combination, the continued pursuit and emphasis on our product development or commercialization
program could be delayed, diminished or terminated.
ABVC,
through BioLite, may not be able to receive the full amounts available under the collaboration agreement by and between BioLite, Inc.
and BioHopeKing, which could increase its burden to seek additional capital to fund the business operations.
In
February and December 2015, BioLite, Inc., a subsidiary of BioLite, entered into a total of three collaboration agreements with BioHopeKing
to jointly develop ABV-1501 for TNBC (or BLI-1401-2 as used by BioLite internally) and ABV-1504 for MDD (or BLI-1005 as used by BioLite
internally) in most Asian countries and BLI-1006, which has been later replaced with BLI-1008 for ADHD in Asia, excluding Japan. ABVC
and BioLite are co-developing ABV-1501 for TNBC and ABV-1504 for MDD pursuant to the Collaboration Agreement and its Addendum entered
by and between BriVision and BioLite Taiwan where ABVC and BriVision are responsible for the clinical trials of such two new drug candidates.
In accordance with the terms of the BioHopeKing Collaboration Agreement for ABV-1501 or BLI-1401-2 and the Addendum thereto, BioLite
shall receive payments of a total of $10 million in cash and equity of BioHopeKing or equity securities owned by it at various stages
on a schedule dictated by BioLite’s achievements of certain milestones and twelve per cent (12%) of net sales of the drug products
when ABV-1501 or BLI-1401-2 is approved for sale in the licensed territories. If BioLite fails to reach any of the milestones in a timely
manner, it may not receive the rest of the payments from BioHopeKing. As a result of BioLite’s potential inability to receive the
full payments under those collaboration agreements with BioHopeKing, ABVC may have to seek other sources of financing to fund its operation
activities.
20
ABVC
and its Subsidiaries may not be successful in establishing and maintaining additional strategic partnerships, which could adversely affect
ABVC’s ability to develop and commercialize products, negatively impacting its operating results.
In
addition to ABVC’s current collaboration with BioHopeKing for selected Asian markets, a part of its strategy is to evaluate and,
as deemed appropriate, enter into additional partnerships in the future with major biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. ABVC’s
products may prove to be difficult to effectively license out as planned. Various regulatory, commercial and manufacturing factors may
impact ABVC’s ability to seek co-developers of or grow revenues from licensing out any of the six products in the pipeline, none
of which has been fully licensed out. Specifically, ABVC may encounter difficulty by virtue of:
●
its inability to effectively
identify and align with commercial partners in the U.S. to collaborate the development of ABV-1504 for the treatment of Major Depressive
Disorder, ABV-1505 to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disease, ABV-1501 for the treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer,
ABV-1703 to the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, ABV-1601 to treat Depression in Cancer Patients and ABV-1702 to treat Myelodysplastic
syndromes and ABV-1701 Vitargus for the treatments of Retinal Detachment or Vitreous Hemorrhage;
●
its inability to secure
appropriate contract research organizations (“CRO”s) to conduct data analysis, lab research and FDA communication; and
●
its inability to effectively
continue clinical studies on and secure positive research results of all of our investigational new drugs to attract additional commercial
collaborators outside the U.S.
ABVC
faces significant competition in seeking appropriate partners for its therapeutic candidates, and the negotiation process is time-consuming
and complex. In order for ABVC to successfully partner its autoimmune, CNS and hematology therapeutic candidates, as well as Vitargus,
its medical device, potential partners must view these medicinal candidates as economically valuable in markets they determine to be
attractive in light of the terms that ABVC is seeking and compared to other available products for licensing by other companies. Even
if ABVC is successful in its efforts to establish new strategic partnerships, the terms that ABVC agrees upon may not be favorable, and
it may not be able to maintain such strategic partnerships if, for example, development or approval of an autoimmune therapeutic is delayed
or sales of an approved product are disappointing. Any delay in entering into new strategic partnership agreements related to any of
ABVC’s therapeutic candidates could delay the development and commercialization of such candidates and reduce its competitiveness
even if it reaches the market.
If
ABVC fails to establish and maintain additional strategic partnerships or collaboration related to its therapeutic candidates that have
not been fully licensed, it will bear all of the risk and costs related to the development of any such drug candidate, and it may need
to seek additional financing, hire additional employees and otherwise develop expertise for which it has not budgeted. This could negatively
affect the development of any incompletely partnered new drug candidates.
ABVC’s
licensors may choose to terminate any of the license agreements with ABVC. As a result, ABVC’s research and development of new
drug candidates that contain the underlying API may be terminated abruptly.
If
ABVC’s Subsidiary BioLite materially breaches any license agreements it has with Yukiguni Maitake Co. (“Yukiguni”),
Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center (“MPITDC”) or Industrial Technology Research Institute
(“ITRI”), or any of such license agreement terminates unexpectedly, BioLite may not be able to continue its research and
development of the new drug candidate which contains the underlying API whose license has been terminated. Pursuant to the Yukiguni License
Agreement, if BioLite fails to meet the milestone sales requirement or submit certain applications to the appropriate health authorities
on a schedule prescribed therein, Yukiguni shall have the right to terminate the Yukiguni License Agreement. If the Yukiguni License
Agreement is terminated involuntarily, BioLite will be forced to discontinue its new drug development of ABV-1703, ABV-1502 and ABV-1501
and terminate the collaboration agreements relating to the three new drug candidates. The termination of the right to use the underlying
API will materially disrupt the operations of ABVC. Pursuant to the license agreement between BioLite Taiwan and ITRI, if BioLite Taiwan
fails to complete the research submission milestones according to the schedule set forth therein without reasons or with reasons unstatisfied
with ITRI, ITRI shall have the right to terminate the license agreement with BioLite Taiwan without refund to BioLite Taiwan. BioLite
Taiwan and BioLite have submitted the IND for PDC-1421 and subsequently conducted Phase II clinical trials of two drug candidiates developed
from PDC-1421 according to the schedule listed in the license agreement between BioLite Taiwan and MPITDC.
21
ABVC’s
Subsidiary BioLite depends on one supplier for the API of ABV-1703, ABV-1502 and ABV-1501 and any failure of such supplier to deliver
sufficient quantities of the API that meets its quality standard could have a material adverse effect on its research of these three
drug candidates.
Currently
BioLite relies primarily on Yukiguni, a Japanese supplier, to provide Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404, the API which is contained in ABV-1703,
ABV-1502 and ABV-1501, three of the six drug candidates in BioLite’s oncology/hematology portfolio. It has entered into the Yukiguni
License Agreement, among other things, for the delivery of Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404,. BioLite agrees to fulfill its demand of the
Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404 by purchasing first from Yukiguni respecting the therapeutic products and Yukiguni represents that it will
provide sufficient quantities of such API that meets cGMP standards. If the supplies of Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404 were interrupted
for any reason, BioLite’s research and development activities of these three drug candidates could be delayed. These delays could
be extensive and expensive, especially in situations where a substitution is not readily available.
BioLite
is currently negotiating with another supplier of Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404 that is located in Canada. However, there can be no assurance
that the negotiation will be successful. Failure to obtain adequate supplies of high quality Yukiguni Maitake Extract 404 in a timely
manner could have a disruptive effect on ABVC and BioLite’s research and development activities of ABV-1703, ABV-1502 and ABV-1501,
resulting in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
ABVC
may use hazardous chemicals and biological materials in its business. Any claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of
these materials could be time consuming and costly.
ABVC’s
research and development may involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, including chemicals and biological materials. ABVC cannot
eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or discharge and any resulting injury from these materials. ABVC may be sued for any injury
or contamination that results from its use or the use by third parties of these materials, and its liability may exceed any insurance
coverage and its total assets. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal
of these hazardous materials and specified waste products, as well as the discharge of pollutants into the environment and human health
and safety matters. Although ABVC makes its best efforts to comply with environmental laws and regulations despite the associated high
costs and inconvenience, ABVC cannot guarantee that it will not mishandle any hazardous materials in the future. If it fails to comply
with these requirements or any improper handling of hazardous materials occurs, it could incur substantial costs, including civil or
criminal fines and penalties, clean-up costs or capital expenditures for control equipment or operational changes necessary to achieve
and maintain compliance. In addition, ABVC cannot predict the impact on its business of new or amended environmental laws or regulations
or any changes in the way existing and future laws and regulations are interpreted and enforced.
The
facilities where the samples of drug candidates are manufactured need to be maintained and monitored in compliance with the good manufacturing
practice standards, the failure of such maintenance could contaminate the results of our clinical trials and adversely affect our operations.
ABVC’s
Subsidiary BioKey operates a laboratory facility that is a certified good manufacturing practice facility (“cGMP”) and some
of its contract clinical trial service providers use cGMP facilities to conduct clinical studies. ABVC cannot be certain that ABVC or
its present or future contract manufacturers or suppliers will be able to comply with cGMPs regulations and other FDA regulatory requirements.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in, among other things, total or partial suspension of production activities, failure
of the FDA to grant approval for marketing, and withdrawal, suspension, or revocation of marketing approvals.
Risks
Related to Intellectual Property
Pharmaceutical
patents and patent applications involve highly complex legal and factual questions, which, if determined adversely to the Company, could
negatively impact its respective licensors’ patent position and interrupt its research activities.
The
patent positions of pharmaceutical companies and research institutions can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual
questions. The interpretation and breadth of claims allowed in some patents covering pharmaceutical compositions may be uncertain and
difficult to determine, and are often affected materially by the facts and circumstances that pertain to the patented compositions and
the related patent claims. The standards of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, are sometimes uncertain and could change
in the future. Consequently, the issuance and scope of patents cannot be predicted with certainty. Patents, if issued, may be challenged,
invalidated or circumvented. U.S. patents and patent applications may also be subject to interference proceedings, and U.S. patents may
be subject to re-examination proceedings, post-grant review and/or inter parties review in the USPTO. Foreign patents may be subject
to opposition or comparable proceedings in the corresponding foreign patent office, which could result in either loss of the patent or
denial of the patent application or loss or reduction in the scope of one or more of the claims of the patent or patent application.
In addition, such interference, re-examination, post-grant review, inter parties review and opposition proceedings may be costly. Accordingly,
rights under any issued patents may not provide the Company with sufficient protection against competitive products or processes.
In
addition, changes in or different interpretations of patent laws in the U.S. and foreign countries may permit others to use discoveries
of the Company or to develop and commercialize their new drug candidates without providing any compensation thereto, or may limit the
number of patents or claims the Company can obtain. The laws of some countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same
extent as U.S. laws and those countries may lack adequate rules and procedures for defending the intellectual property rights of the
Company.
If
the Company fails to obtain and maintain patent protection and trade secret protection of its respective products, the Company could
lose their competitive advantages and competition it faces would increase, reducing any potential revenues and adversely affecting its
ability to attain or maintain profitability.
22
Developments
in patent law could have a negative impact on the Company’s Licensors’ patent positions and the Company’s business.
From
time to time, the U.S. Supreme Court, other federal courts, the U.S. Congress or the USPTO may change the standards of patentability
and any such changes could have a negative impact on the Company’s business.
In
addition, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the America Invents Act, which was signed into law in 2011, includes a number of significant
changes to U.S. patent law. These changes include a transition from a “first-to-invent” system to a “first-to-file”
system, changes the way issued patents are challenged, and changes the way patent applications are disputed during the examination process.
These changes may favor larger and more established companies that have greater resources to devote to patent application filing and
prosecution. The USPTO has developed regulations and procedures to govern the full implementation of the America Invents Act, and many
of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the America Invents Act, and, in particular, the first-to-file provisions, became
effective on March 16, 2013. Substantive changes to patent law associated with the America Invents Act may affect the Company, BioLite
and BioKey’s ability to obtain patents, and if obtained, to enforce or defend them. Accordingly, it is not clear what, if any,
impact the America Invents Act will ultimately have on the cost of prosecuting the Company’s patent applications, its ability to
obtain patents based on its discoveries and its ability to enforce or defend its patents.
If
the Company is unable to protect the confidentiality of its trade secrets, its business and competitive position would be harmed, respectively.
In
addition to patent protection, because the Company operates in the highly technical field of discovery and development of therapies,
it relies in part on trade secret protection in order to protect its proprietary technology and processes. However, trade secrets are
difficult to protect. The Company has entered into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with its employees, consultants, outside
scientific and commercial collaborators, sponsored researchers, and other advisors. These agreements generally require that the other
party keep confidential and not disclose to third parties any confidential information developed by the party or made known to the party
by the Company during the course of the party’s relationship therewith. These agreements also generally provide that inventions
conceived by the party in the course of rendering services to the Company will be ABVC’s exclusive property. However, these agreements
may not be honored and may not effectively assign intellectual property rights to the Company.
In
addition to contractual measures, the Company tries to protect the confidential nature of its proprietary information using physical
and technological security measures. Such measures may not, for example, in the case of misappropriation of a trade secret by an employee
or third party with authorized access, provide adequate protection for the Company. The Company’s security measures may not prevent
an employee or consultant from misappropriating its trade secrets and providing them to a competitor, and recourse it takes against such
misconduct may not provide an adequate remedy to protect the Company’s interests fully. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally
disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret can be difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition,
courts outside the U.S. may be less willing to protect trade secrets. Trade secrets may be independently developed by others in a manner
that could prevent legal recourse by the Company. If the Company’s confidential or proprietary information, such as the trade secrets,
were to be disclosed or misappropriated, or if any such information was independently developed by a competitor, its competitive position
could be harmed.
Third
parties may assert that the Company’s employees or consultants have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information or misappropriated
trade secrets.
The
Company might employ individuals who were previously employed at universities or other biopharmaceutical companies, including its competitors
or potential competitors. Although through certain non-disclosure covenants and employment agreements with its officers and employees,
the Company tries to ensure that its employees and consultants do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in the work
for the Company, the Company may be subject to claims that it or its employees, consultants or independent contractors have inadvertently
or otherwise used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of a former employer
or other third parties. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If the Company fails in defending any such claims,
in addition to paying monetary damages, the Company may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. Even if the Company
is successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to the Company’s
management and other employees.
ABVC’s
ability to compete may decline if it does not adequately protect its proprietary rights or if it is barred by the intellectual property
rights of others.
ABVC’s
commercial success depends on obtaining and maintaining proprietary rights to its drug candidates as well as successfully defending these
rights against third-party challenges. ABVC obtains its rights to use and research certain proprietary information to further develop
the drug candidates primarily from three institutions, MPITDC, ITRI and Yukiguni (collectively the “Licensors”). These three
institutions own the intellectual property rights in the products that have been licensed to us and may prosecute new patents of the
drug candidates that are invented or discovered within the licensed scope of use under the respective license agreements. ABVC will only
be able to protect its new drug candidates from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that its valid and enforceable patents,
or effectively protected trade secrets and know-how, cover them.
23
ABVC’s
ability to obtain new patent protection for its new drug candidates is uncertain due to a number of factors, including that:
●
ABVC may not have been
the first to make the inventions covered by pending patent applications or issued patents;
●
ABVC may not have been
the first to file patent applications for its new drug candidates;
●
others may independently
develop identical, similar or alternative products or compositions and uses thereof;
●
ABVC’s disclosures
in patent applications may not be sufficient to meet the statutory requirements for patentability;
●
any or all of ABVC’s
pending patent applications may not result in issued patents;
●
ABVC may not seek or obtain
patent protection in countries that may eventually provide a significant business opportunity;
●
any patents issued to ABVC
may not provide a basis for commercially viable products, may not provide any competitive advantages, or may be successfully challenged
by third parties;
●
ABVC’s methods may
not be patentable;
●
ABVC’s licensors
may successfully challenge that ABVC’s new patent application fall outside the licensed use of the products; or
●
others may design around
ABVC’s patent claims to produce competitive products which fall outside of the scope of its patents.
Even
if ABVC has or obtains new patents covering its new drug candidates, ABVC may still be barred from making, using and selling them because
of the patent rights of others. Others may have filed, and in the future may file, patent applications covering products that are similar
or identical to ABVC. There are many issued U.S. and foreign patents relating to therapeutic products and some of these relate to ABVC’s
new drug candidates. These could materially affect ABVC’s ability to develop its drug candidates. Because patent applications can
take many years to issue, there may be currently pending applications unknown to ABVC that may later result in issued patents that its
new drug candidates may infringe. These patent applications may have priority over patent applications filed by ABVC.
The
Company and its respective licensors may not be able to enforce their intellectual property rights throughout the world.
The
laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. Many companies
have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. The
legal systems of some countries, particularly developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property
protection, especially those relating to pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This could make it difficult for the Company and its respective
licensors to stop the infringement of some of the Licensors’ patents, or the misappropriation of their other intellectual property
rights. For example, many foreign countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner must grant licenses to third parties.
In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against third parties, including government agencies or government contractors.
In these countries, patents may provide limited or no benefit. Patent protection must ultimately be sought on a country-by-country basis,
which is an expensive and time-consuming process with uncertain outcomes. Accordingly, the Company and its licensors have chosen in the
past and may choose in the future not to seek patent protection in certain countries, and as a result the Company will not have the benefit
of patent protection in such countries. Moreover, the Company may choose in the future not to seek patent protection in certain countries,
and as a result it will not have the benefit of patent protection in such countries.
Proceedings
to enforce the Company’s and its licensors’ patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and
divert its efforts and attention from other aspects of the businesses. Accordingly, the efforts to protect the Company’s intellectual
property rights in such countries may be inadequate. In addition, changes in the law and legal decisions by courts in the U.S. and foreign
countries may affect the Company’s ability to obtain adequate protection for its technology and the enforcement of intellectual
property.
Regulatory
Risks Relating to Biopharmaceutical Business
The
Company is subject to various government regulations.
The
manufacture and sale of human therapeutic and diagnostic products in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions are governed by a variety of
statutes and regulations. These laws require approval of manufacturing facilities, controlled research and testing of products and government
review and approval of a submission containing manufacturing, preclinical and clinical data in order to obtain marketing approval based
on establishing the safety and efficacy of the product for each use sought, including adherence to current PIC/S Guide to Good Manufacturing
Practice for Medicinal products during production and storage, and control of marketing activities, including advertising and labeling.
The
products the Company is currently developing will require significant development, preclinical and clinical testing and investment of
substantial funds prior to its commercialization. The process of obtaining required approvals can be costly and time-consuming, and there
can be no assurance that future products will be successfully developed and will prove to be safe and effective in clinical trials or
receive applicable regulatory approvals. Markets other than the U.S. have similar restrictions. Potential investors and shareholders
should be aware of the risks, problems, delays, expenses and difficulties which we may encounter in view of the extensive regulatory
environment which controls our business.
24
The
Company cannot be certain that it will be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, any of its current or
future product candidates.
The
Company may not be able to develop any current or future product candidates. The Company’s new drug candidates will require substantial
additional clinical development, testing, and regulatory approval before the commencement of commercialization. The clinical trials of
the Company’s drug candidates are, and the manufacturing and marketing of our new drug candidates will be subject to extensive
and rigorous review and regulation by numerous government authorities in the U.S. and in other countries where the Company intend to
test and, if approved, market any new drug candidate. Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any product candidate,
the Company must demonstrate through pre-clinical testing and clinical trials that the product candidate is safe and effective for use
in each target indication. This process can take many years and may include post-marketing studies and surveillance, which will require
the expenditure of substantial resources. Of the large number of drugs in development in the U.S., only a small percentage successfully
completes the FDA regulatory approval process and is commercialized. Accordingly, even if the Company is able to obtain the requisite
financing to continue to fund its development and clinical programs, it cannot assure the investors that any of the product candidates
will be successfully developed or commercialized.
The
Company is not permitted to market a therapeutic product in the U.S. until it receives approval of an NDA or ANDA, for that product from
the FDA, or in any foreign countries until they receive the requisite approval from such countries. Obtaining approval of an NDA is a
complex, lengthy, expensive and uncertain process, and the FDA may delay, limit or deny approval of any product candidate for many reasons,
including, among others:
●
Unable to demonstrate that
a product candidate is safe and effective to the satisfaction of the FDA;
●
the results of the Company’s
clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical or clinical significance required by the FDA for marketing approval;
●
the FDA may not approve
the formulation of any product candidate;
●
the CROs, that BioLite
or the Company retains to conduct its clinical trials may take actions outside of its control that materially adversely impact its
clinical trials;
●
delays in patient enrollment,
variability in the number and types of patients available for clinical trials, and lower-than anticipated retention rates for patients
in clinical trials;
●
the FDA may find the data
from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials insufficient to demonstrate that a product candidate’s clinical and other benefits
outweigh its safety risks, such as the risk of drug abuse by patients or the public in general;
●
the FDA may disagree with
the interpretation of data from the Company’s pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;
●
the FDA may not accept
data generated at the Company’s clinical trial sites;
●
if an NDA, if and when
submitted, is reviewed by an advisory committee, the FDA may have difficulties scheduling an advisory committee meeting in a timely
manner or the advisory committee may recommend against approval of our application or may recommend that the FDA require, as a condition
of approval, additional pre-clinical studies or clinical trials, limitations on approved labeling or distribution and use restrictions;
●
the FDA may require development
of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, as a condition of approval or post-approval; or
●
the FDA may change its
approval policies or adopt new regulations.
These
same risks apply to applicable foreign regulatory agencies from which the Company, through BioLite, may seek approval for any of our
new drug candidates.
Any
of these factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, could jeopardize its ability to obtain regulatory approval for
and successfully market any new drug candidate. As a result, any such setback in the Company’s pursuit of initial or additional
regulatory approval would have a material adverse effect on its business and prospects.
25
If
the Company does not successfully complete pre-clinical and Phase I and II clinical development, it will be unable to receive full payments
under their respective collaboration agreements, find future collaborators or partners to take the drug candidates to Phase III clinical
trials. Even if the Company successfully completes all Phase I and II clinical trials, those results are not necessarily predictive of
results of additional trials that may be needed before an NDA for Phase III trials may be submitted to the FDA. Although there are a
large number of drugs in development in the U.S. and other countries, only a very small percentage result in commercialization, and even
fewer achieve widespread physician and consumer acceptance following the regulatory approval.
In
addition, the Company may encounter delays or drug candidate rejections based on new governmental regulations, future legislative or
administrative actions, or changes in FDA policy or interpretation during the period of product development. If the Company obtains required
regulatory approvals, such approvals may later be withdrawn. Delays or failures in obtaining regulatory approvals may result in:
●
varying interpretations of data and commitments by
the FDA and similar foreign regulatory agencies; and
●
diminishment of any competitive advantages that such
drug candidates may have or attain.
Furthermore,
if the Company fails to comply with applicable FDA and other regulatory requirements at any stage during this regulatory process, the
Company may encounter or be subject to:
●
delays or termination in clinical trials or commercialization;
●
refusal by the FDA or similar foreign regulatory agencies
to review pending applications or supplements to approved applications;
●
product recalls or seizures;
●
suspension of manufacturing;
●
withdrawals of previously approved marketing applications;
and
●
fines, civil penalties, and criminal prosecutions.
The
Company faces substantial competition from companies with considerably more resources and experience than the Company has, which may
result in others discovering, developing, receiving approval for, or commercializing products before or more successfully than the Company.
The
Company competes with companies that research, develop, manufacture and market already-existing and new pharmaceutical products in the
fields of CNS, hematology/oncology and autoimmune. The Company anticipates that it will face increased competition in the future as new
companies enter the market with new drugs and/or technologies and/or their competitors improve their current products. One or more of
their competitors may offer new drugs superior to the Company’s and render the Company’s drugs uneconomical. A lot of the
Company’s current competitors, as well as many of its respective potential competitors, have greater name recognition, more substantial
intellectual property portfolios, longer operating histories, significantly greater resources to invest in new drug development, more
substantial experience in product marketing and new product development, greater regulatory expertise, more extensive manufacturing capabilities
and the distribution channels to deliver products to customers. If the Company is not able to compete successfully, it may not generate
sufficient revenue to become profitable. The Company’s ability to compete successfully will depend largely on its ability to:
●
successfully commercialize its drug candidates with
commercial partners;
●
discover and develop new drug candidates that are superior
to other products in the market;
●
with its collaborators, obtain required regulatory
approvals;
●
attract and retain qualified personnel; and
●
obtain patent and/or other proprietary protection for
its product candidates.
Established
pharmaceutical companies devote significant financial resources to discovering, developing or licensing novel compounds that could make
the Company’s products and product candidates obsolete. Our competitors may obtain patent protection, receive FDA approval, and
commercialize medicines before we do. Other companies are or may become engaged in the discovery of compounds or botanical materials
that may compete with the drug candidates the Company is developing.
The
Company competes with a large number of well-established pharmaceutical companies that may have more resources than the Company does
in developing therapeutics in the fields of CNS, oncology/hematology and ophthalmology.
Any
new drug candidate the Company is developing or commercializing that competes with a currently-approved product must demonstrate compelling
advantages in efficacy, convenience, tolerability and/or safety in order to address price competition and be commercially successful.
If the Company is not able to compete effectively against its current and future competitors, its business will not grow and its financial
condition and operations will suffer.
26
Risks
Relating to Doing Business Outside the United States
Because
part of ABVC’s pharmaceutical research and development is conducted outside of the U.S., the Company is subject to the risks of
doing business internationally, including periodic foreign economic downturns and political instability, which may adversely affect the
Company’s revenue and cost of doing business in Taiwan.
ABVC
collaborates with partners whose primary place of business is in Taiwan, Republic of China and the Company has certain key employees
in Taiwan. Foreign economic downturns may affect our results of operations in the future. Additionally, other facts relating to the operation
of the Company’s business outside of the U.S. may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition
and results of operations, including:
●
international economic and political changes;
●
the imposition of governmental
controls or changes in government regulations, including tax laws, regulations and treaties;
●
changes in, or impositions
of, legislative or regulatory requirements regarding the pharmaceutical industry;
●
compliance with U.S. and
international laws involving international operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and export control laws;
●
difficulties in achieving
headcount reductions due to unionized labor and works councils;
●
restrictions on transfers
of funds and assets between jurisdictions; and
●
China- Taiwan geo-political
instability.
As
the Company continues to operate its business globally, its success will depend in part, on its ability to anticipate and effectively
manage these risks. The impact of any one or more of these factors could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The
Company may be exposed to liabilities under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and Chinese anti-corruption law.
The
Company is subject to the FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments, foreign
government officials and political parties by U.S. persons as defined by the statute for purposes of obtaining or retaining businesses.
The Company may have agreements with third parties who may make sales in mainland China and the U.S., during the process of which the
Company may be exposed to corruption. Activities in Taiwan create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by an employee,
consultant or agent of the Company, because these parties are not always subject to the Company’s control.
Although
the Company believes to date it has complied in all material aspects with the provisions of the FCPA and Chinese anti-corruption law,
the existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective and any of the Company’s employees, consultants
or agents may engage in corruptive conduct for which the Company might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption
law may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions against the Company and individuals and therefore could negatively affect the Company’s
business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the Taiwanese government may seek to hold the Company liable as a successor
for FCPA violations committed by companies in which the Company invests or acquires.
International
operations expose the Company to currency exchange and repatriation risks, and the Company cannot predict the effect of future exchange
rate fluctuations on its business and operating results.
The
Company has business operations in Taiwan and collaborative activities in the U.S. and Japan. Substantial amounts of revenues are received
and expenses are incurred in New Taiwan Dollars and U.S. dollars. Thus, the Company has exposure to currency fluctuations. The Company
cannot assure you that the effect of currency exchange fluctuations will not materially affect its revenues and net income in the future.
We
conduct our operations internationally and the effect of business, legal and political risks associated with international operations
may seriously harm our business.
Sales
to customers outside the United States accounted for 7 % and 0% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Our international sales and operations are subject to a wide range of risks, which may vary from country to country or region to region.
These risks include the following:
●
export
and import duties, changes to import and export regulations, and restrictions on the transfer of funds;
●
political
and economic instability;
●
issues
arising from cultural or language differences and labor unrest;
●
longer
payment cycles and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;
●
compliance
with trade and technical standards in a variety of jurisdictions;
●
difficulties
in staffing and managing international operations, including the risks associated with fraud, theft and other illegal conduct;
●
compliance
with laws and regulations, including environmental, employment and tax laws, which vary from country to country and over time, increasing
the costs of compliance and potential risks of non-compliance;
●
difficulties
enforcing our contractual and intellectual property rights, especially in those foreign countries that do not respect and protect
intellectual property rights to the same extent as the United States and European countries;
27
●
operations
may be affected by political tensions, trade disputes and similar matters, particularly between China and Taiwan or between China
and the United States;
●
United
States and foreign trade restrictions, including those that may limit the importation of technology or components to or from various
countries or impose tariffs or quotas; and
●
imposition
of currency exchange controls or taxes that make it impracticable or costly to repatriate funds from foreign countries.
We
cannot assure you that risks relating to our international operations will not seriously harm our business.
If
the Company becomes directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies,
we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matters. Any unfavorable results from the investigations could
harm our business operations, this offering and our reputation.
Recently,
U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, have been subjects of intense scrutiny, criticism and
negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and
negative publicity has centered on financial and accounting irregularities, lack of effective internal control over financial accountings,
inadequate corporate governance and ineffective implementation thereof and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of enhanced
scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stocks of many U.S. listed Chinese companies have sharply decreased in
value and, in some cases, have become virtually worthless or illiquid. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits
and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effects
the sector-wide investigations will have on the Company. If the Company becomes a subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such
allegations are proven to be true or untrue, the Company will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and
defend the Company. If such allegations were not proven to be baseless, the Company would be severely hampered and the price of the stock
of the Company could decline substantially. If such allegations were proven to be groundless, the investigation might have significantly
distracted the attention of the Company’s management.
Risks
Related to the Company’s Financial Condition
Our
existing indebtedness may adversely affect our ability to obtain additional funds and may increase our vulnerability to economic or business
downturns.
We
are subject to a number of risks associated with our indebtedness, including: 1) we must dedicate a portion of our cash flows from operations
to pay debt service costs, and therefore we have less funds available for operations and other purposes; 2) it may be more difficult
and expensive to obtain additional funds through financings, if available at all; 3) we are more vulnerable to economic downturns and
fluctuations in interest rates, less able to withstand competitive pressures and less flexible in reacting to changes in our industry
and general economic conditions; and 4) if we default under any of our existing credit facilities or if our creditors demand payment
of a portion or all of our indebtedness, we may not have sufficient funds to make such payments. As of December 31, 2021, our outstanding
current liabilities were approximately $3.7 million, which consisted primarily of short-term bank loans and accrued expenses. On
April 5 and 20, 2020, we entered into certain exchange agreements separately with certain U.S. and non-U.S. holders of certain convertible
promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $1,446,780; pursuant to the exchange agreements, we issued to the Holders an aggregate of
795,735 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 795,735 shares of Common Stock. On November 9, 2020, we entered into an exchange
agreement with a certain non-U.S. holder of certain convertible promissory notes in the amount of $270,272; pursuant to the exchange
agreements, we will issue to the holder an aggregate of 120,121 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 120,121 shares of Common
Stock. We also agreed to issue an aggregate of 545,182 options of common stock to some of our employees in lieu of
their deferred salaries in an aggregate amount of $1,090,360.
Failure
to maintain the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures may lead to restatement of our financial statements, harm our
operating results, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanction, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information
and have a negative effect on the market prices for our Common Stock.
The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have requirements that we may fail to meet or we may fall
out of compliance with, such as the internal controls auditor attestation required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
with which we are not currently required to comply as we are a smaller reporting company. If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy
of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that
we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Moreover, effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition, are necessary
for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial
reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial
information, and the trading price of our stock could drop significantly.
28
Our
articles of incorporation allow for our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our shareholders, which
could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our Common Stock.
Our
Board of Directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock without shareholder
approval. As a result, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders
the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders
of Common Stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our Common Stock.
In addition, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our
Common Stock or that is convertible into our Common Stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our Common Stock or result
in dilution to our existing shareholders.
We
may create any additional series of preferred stock and issue such shares in the future although we do not have any present intention
of doing so.
We
may not be able to secure financing needed for future operating needs on acceptable terms, or on any terms at all.
From
time to time, we may seek additional financing to provide the capital required to expand our production facilities, Research and development
(“R&D”) initiatives and/or working capital, as well as to repay outstanding loans if cash flow from operations is insufficient
to do so. We cannot predict with certainty the timing or amount of any such capital requirements. If such financing is not
available on satisfactory terms, we may be unable to expand our business or to develop new business at the rate desired. If we are
able to incur debt, we may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by the terms of the debt and the repayment of such debt may limit
our cash flow and growth. If we are unable to incur debt, we may be forced to issue additional equity, which could have a dilutive
effect on our current shareholders.
Our
internal computer systems, or those of our third-party contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches, which could
result in a material disruption of our product development programs.
Despite
the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our third-party contractors and consultants are vulnerable
to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures.
While we do not believe that we have experienced any such system failure, accident, or security breach to date, if such an event were
to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a loss of clinical trial data for our new drug candidates which
could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. To the
extent that any disruption or security breach results in a loss of or damage to our data or applications or other data or applications
relating to our technology or new drug candidates, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur
liabilities and the further development of our product candidates could be delayed.
The
elimination of personal liability against our directors and officers under Nevada law and the existence of indemnification rights held
by our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenses.
ABVC
Bylaws eliminate the personal liability of our directors and officers to us and our shareholders for damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director or officer to the extent permissible under Nevada law. Further, our Bylaws provide that we are obligated to indemnify
each of our directors or officers to the fullest extent authorized by Nevada law and, subject to certain conditions, advance the expenses
incurred by any director or officer in defending any action, suit or proceeding prior to its final disposition. Those indemnification
obligations could expose us to substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against our directors or officers,
which we may be unable to afford. Further, those provisions and resulting costs may discourage us or our shareholders from bringing a
lawsuit against any of our current or former directors or officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties, even if such actions might
otherwise benefit our shareholders.
29
Risks
Related to the Company’s Common Stock
The
share price of our Common Stock is volatile and may be influenced by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control.
There
is currently only a limited public market for our Common Stock, which is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and there can be no assurance
that a trading market will develop further or be maintained for our Common Stock in the future. The trading price of our Common Stock
is likely to be highly volatile, and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our
control. In addition to the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this reports, these factors
include:
●
the new drug candidates we acquire for commercialization;
●
the product candidates
we seek to pursue, and our ability to obtain rights to develop those product candidates;
●
our decision to initiate
a clinical trial, not to initiate a clinical trial or to terminate an existing clinical trial;
●
actual or anticipated adverse
results or delays in our pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;
●
our failure to get any
of our new drug candidates approved;
●
unanticipated serious safety
and environmental concerns related to the use and research activities of any of our new drug candidates;
●
overall performance of
the equity markets and other factors that may be unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors,
including changes in market valuations of similar companies;
●
conditions or trends in
the healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries;
●
introduction of new products
offered by us or our competitors;
●
announcements of significant
acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors;
●
our ability to maintain
an adequate rate of growth and manage such growth;
●
issuances of debt or equity
securities by us;
●
sales of our securities
by us or our shareholders in the future, or the perception that such sales could occur;
●
trading volume of our Common
Stock;
●
ineffectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures;
●
general political and economic
conditions in U.S. and other countries and territories where we conduct our business;
●
effects of natural or man-made
catastrophic events; and
●
adverse regulatory decisions;
●
additions or departures
of key scientific or management personnel;
●
changes in laws or regulations
applicable to our product candidates, including without limitation clinical trial requirements for approvals;
●
disputes or other developments
relating to patents and other proprietary rights and our ability to obtain protection for our products;
●
our dependence on third
parties, including CROs and scientific and medical advisors;
●
failure to meet or exceed
any financial guidance or expectations regarding development milestones that we may provide to the public;
●
actual or anticipated variations
in quarterly operating results;
●
failure to meet or exceed
the estimates and projections of the investment community;
●
other events or factors,
many of which are beyond our control.
In
addition, the stock market in general, and the stocks of small-cap healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in particular,
have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance
of these companies. Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our actual
operating performance. The realization of any of the above risks or any of a broad range of other risks, including those described in
these “Risk Factors,” could have a dramatic and material adverse impact on the market price of our Common Stock.
30
Insiders
have substantial control over us, and they could delay or prevent a change in our corporate control even if our other shareholders wanted
it to occur.
Our
executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 70.8% of our outstanding Common
Stock. As a result of their stockholdings, these shareholders are able to assert substantial control over matters requiring shareholder
approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This could delay or prevent an
outside party from acquiring or merging with us even if our other shareholders wanted it to occur.
The
market price of our Common Stock may be volatile and there may not be sufficient liquidity in the market for our securities
in order for investors to sell their securities.
The
market price of our Common Stock has been and will likely continue to be highly volatile, as is the stock market in general. Factors
that may materially affect the market price of our Common Stock are beyond our control, these factors may materially adversely affect
the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our performance. In addition, the public stock markets have experienced
extreme price and trading volume volatility. These broad market fluctuations may influence the market price of our Common Stock.
There is currently only a limited public market for our Common Stock, which is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and there can be
no assurance that a trading market will develop further or be maintained in the future.
The
stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity
securities of many companies, including very recently in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in decreased
stock prices for many companies notwithstanding the lack of a fundamental change in their underlying business models or prospects. These
fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry
factors, including potentially worsening economic conditions and other adverse effects or developments relating to the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic, political, regulatory and other market conditions, may negatively affect the market price of shares of our common stock, regardless
of our actual operating performance. The market price of shares of our common stock may decline and you may lose some or all of your
investment.
We
have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future, and any return on investment may be limited to
the value of our shares.
We
have never paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and
any return on investment may be limited to the value of our Common Stock. We plan to retain any future earnings to finance growth.
Under
applicable Nevada law, we, as a Nevada corporation, generally may not make a distribution if i) we would not be able to pay our debts
as they become due in the usual course of business, or ii) our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus
the amount that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution
of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price
and any trading volume could decline.
Any
trading market for our Common Stock that may develop will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts
publish about us or our business. As of the date of this Report, there is only 1 publish research report about our business. If securities
or industry analysts provide additional coverage, and one or more of those analysts downgrade our stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable
research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or
fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Common Stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price and any trading
volume to decline.
Future
sales and issuances of our Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock, including pursuant to our equity incentive plan or otherwise,
could result in dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause our stock price to fall.
We
expect that we will need significant additional capital in the future to continue our planned operations. To raise capital, we may sell
Common Stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from
time to time. If we sell Common Stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in more than one transaction, including issuance
of equity securities pursuant to any future stock incentive plan to our officers, directors, employees and non-employee consultants for
their services to us, investors in a prior transaction may be materially diluted by subsequent sales. Additionally, any such sales may
result in material dilution to our existing shareholders, and new investors could gain rights, preferences and privileges senior to those
of holders of our Common Stock. Further, any future sales of our Common Stock by us or resales of our Common Stock by our existing shareholders
could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. Any future grants of options, warrants or other securities exercisable or
convertible into our Common Stock, or the exercise or conversion of such shares, and any sales of such shares in the market, could have
an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock. On October 29, 2021, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3, as amended
on November 16, 2021, which was declared effective on November 29, 2021. As of the date hereof, we have not yet issued any shares through
the Form S-3, but may in the future, which would further dilute your ownership.
Our
Common Stock may be subject to the “penny stock” rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may make it more
difficult for shareholders to sell our Common Stock.
The
SEC has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity
security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock,
unless exempt, the rules require that a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, and the broker
or dealer receive from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock
to be purchased.
31
In
order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must obtain financial information and
investment experience objectives of the person, and make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable
for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of
transactions in penny stocks.
The
broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to
the penny stock market, which, in highlight form sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination,
and that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction.
Generally,
brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more
difficult for investors to dispose of the Company’s Common Stock if and when such shares are eligible for sale and may cause a
decline in the market value of its stock.
Disclosure
also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions
payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies
available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent
price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stock.
Our
failure to meet the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market could result in a delisting of our Common Stock .
If
we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, such as the corporate governance requirements or
the minimum closing bid price requirement, the Nasdaq Capital Market may take steps to delist our common stock. Such a delisting would
likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when
you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we anticipate that we would take actions to restore our compliance with the Nasdaq Capital
Market or another national exchange’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would
allow our Common Stock to remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, stabilize our market price, improve the liquidity of our common
stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below the Nasdaq Capital Market’s minimum bid price requirement, or prevent future
non-compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national exchange’s listing requirements.
We
will continue to incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required
to devote substantial time to new compliance requirements as a result of our Common Stock being listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
We
will continue to incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required
to devote substantial time to new compliance requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market. As a public company, we will continue to incur
significant legal, accounting and other expenses. We are subject to mandatory reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which require,
among other things, that we continue to file with the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial
condition, that we were not required to file as a voluntary reporting company (though we did file such reports with the SEC on a voluntary
basis). We have incurred and will continue to incur costs associated with the preparation and filing of these SEC reports. Furthermore,
we are subject to mandatory new corporate governance and other compliance requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market. In addition, the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
and the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national exchange have imposed various other requirements on public companies. Stockholder activism,
the current political environment and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial
new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact (in ways we cannot currently anticipate)
the way we operate our business. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance
initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations have and will continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will
make some activities more time-consuming and costly.
In
addition, if and when we cease to be a smaller reporting company and become subject to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we will
be required to furnish an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public
accounting firm. To achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed time period, we will continue to be engaged in a process
to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, we will
need to dedicate substantially greater internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants and adopt a detailed work plan to assess
and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate
through testing that controls are functioning as documented and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal
control over financial reporting. Despite our efforts, there is a risk that our independent registered public accounting firm, when required,
will not be able to conclude within the prescribed timeframe that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as required
by Section 404. This could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our
financial statements.
32
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not
applicable to us since we are not an accelerated filer, a large accelerated filer or a well-known seasoned issuer under SEC rules.
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
Our
Subsidiary BioLite has its laboratories located in Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, with an address of 20, Sec. 2, Shengyi Rd., 2nd Floor,
Zhubei City, Hsinchu County 302, Taiwan (R.O.C.). On January 1, 2015, BioLite Taiwan entered into a lease agreement with the National
Science Park Administrative Office (Hsinchu City) under which it rents two dormitory buildings in Hsinchu County, Taiwan for a period
of five years. The aggregate leasing area amounts to approximately 678 square meters (equivalent to approximately 7,298 square feet)
on the second floor of the building. The leased space counts for approximately 1.9% of the total space of the building. On January 1,
2020, BioLite Taiwan extended the contract for another five years. The new expiration date is on December 31, 2024. The rent increases
by a small percentage each year during the term of the lease agreement. BioLite paid $60,296 and $64,506 in rental expense for the laboratory
space for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Another
subsidiary BioKey is headquartered in Fremont, California. BioKey’s office lease will end on February 28, 2026 and the office occupies
approximately 28,186 square feet. BioKey’s space consists of offices, research and production laboratories, and manufacturing facilities,
which are GMP certified. BioKey has an option to extend the lease for its offices in Fremont for a period of five years commencing February
28, 2026, and BioKey may exercise this option for 5 more years. The total BioKey’s rental expenses were $331,482 and $403,776 for
the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Unless
disclosed otherwise, we are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings and are not aware of any pending
legal or administrative proceedings against us. We may from time to time become a party to various legal or administrative proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of our business.
ITEM
4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not
applicable
33
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market
Information . As of August 3, 2021, our common stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), is currently
quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Markets under the symbol “ABVC”.
The
following table sets forth the range of high and low bid quotations for our common stock. The quotations represent inter-dealer
prices without retail markup, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Quarter
Ended
High
Bid
($)
Low
Bid
($)
12/31/21
3.52
3.36
9/30/21
2.40
2.26
6/30/21
5.05
5.00
3/31/21
4.50
4.40
12/31/20
5.50
2.75
9/30/20
4.00
2.60
6/30/20
3.00
1.05
3/31/20
5.05
1.80
12/31/19
7.18
2.00
9/30/19
13.00
5.12
6/30/19
27.00
11.95
3/31/19
37.80
26.10
Holders .
As of March 30, 2022, we had approximately 706 shareholders of record of our common stock.
Dividends .
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. No dividends on
our common stock have ever been paid, and we do not anticipate that dividends will be paid on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Securities
authorized for issuance under equity incentive plans.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The following
table discloses information as of December 31, 2021, with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements)
under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance, aggregated as follows:
Plan category
Number
of
securities
to be issued
upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
Shares
of
common
stock
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
1,825,184
$
2.70
2,979,264
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
1,825,184
$
2.70
2,979,264
See,
Item 11, Executive Compensation for additional details about our option plan.
34
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities .
During
the period covered by this report, the Company has not issued unregistered securities to any person, except as described below. None
of these transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, except as specified below, or any public offering,
and, unless otherwise indicated below, the Registrant believes that each transaction was exempt from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder,
and/or Regulation S promulgated thereunder regarding offshore offers and sales. All recipients had adequate access, though
their relationships with the Registrant, to information about the Registrant.
On
January 21, 2020, the Company entered into three note agreements with existing note investors who executed the agreements in 2018. These
three investors are Guoliang Yu and Yingfei Wei Family Trust, Keypoint Technology Ltd., and Yoshinobu Odaira. The new agreements bear
the same term as other notes investors who executed the contract in 2019. On April 5, 2020, the Company entered into exchange agreements
with such note holders. Pursuant to the exchange agreements, the Holders agreed to deliver the Notes to the Company for cancellation,
of which the aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest expenses are $931,584, and the Company issued to the Holders an aggregate
of 506,297 shares of the Company’s common stock, and warrants to purchase 506,297 shares of the Company’s common stock.
On
April 5, 2020 and April 20, 2020, the Company entered into certain exchange agreements separately with certain U.S. and non-U.S. holders
who are holders of certain convertible promissory notes issued by the Company in the aggregate amount of $1,446,780. Pursuant to the
exchange agreements, the Company agreed to issue to the Holders an aggregate of 795,735 shares of the Company’s common stock, and
warrants to purchase 795,735 shares of common stock. Each warrant is exercisable upon issuance and expires three years from the date
of issuance. The initial exercise price of the warrant is $5.00, subject to stock, splits, stock dividend and other similar events. In
addition, when the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for twenty Trading Days (as defined in the exchange
agreements) during any thirty-day period, the Company shall have the right to require the holders to exercise all or any portion of the
note holders’ warrants for a cash exercise. On September 30, 2020, the Company has issued such note holders’ shares warrants
to the holders and closed the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreements.
In
May 2020, the Company received capital contributions of approximately $1,602,040 in cash from 40 investors through private placements
of the sale of certain number of Common Stocks for the purchase price of $2.25 per share of Common Stock and a free warrant attaches
with each Common stock that was purchased. The exercise price of the warrant is at $6.00 per common stock with a mandatory redemption
at $9.00 per common stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the warrants.
On
July 8, 2020, the Company entered an agreement with View Trade Securities Inc. (“ ViewTrade ”) to engage ViewTrade as
the placement agent and the Company’s advisor with respect to its ongoing capital events. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company
agreed to pay View Trade (“ ViewTrade Securities ”) 60,000 restricted common shares of the Company and 60,000 warrants
to purchase common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $6 per share for a period of 5 years with cashless exercise provision.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has issued 60,000 shares of common stock to ViewTrade for the advisory services with an estimated
value of $135,000. The warrants were never issued and the parties mutually agreed to terminate the agreement on November 19, 2020. As
a termination fee, the Company agreed to issue ViewTrade 50,000 restricted common shares of the Company.
Also
on November 19, 2020, the Company and ViewTrade agreed to a new Advisory agreement under which ViewTrade was engaged to provide advisory
services only. In addition to a retainer fee, the Company agreed to issue 200,000 warrants, with an exercise price of $2.25, an industry
standard cashless exercise provision, and a term of 5 years from November 19, 2020.
On
September 30, 2020, the Company also issued to Ever Adventure inv. (Formosa) Consultant Co., Ltd. (or its designee), Jinwei International
Co., Ltd. (or its designee), and Thalia Media Ltd. (or its designee) (the “ Consultants ”) 120,000 shares, 180,000 shares
and 120,000 shares of common stock (collectively, “ Consultants’ Shares ”), respectively, as their compensation
as the Company’s investor relations and business development advisors. Each Consultant has entered into certain consulting agreement
with the Company.
On
September 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 795,735 shares of Common Stock to five previous note holders, who had converted
their outstanding principals and accrued and unpaid interests during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
On
November 8, 2020, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with a holder of convertible promissory notes issued by the Company
in the aggregate amount of $270,272. Pursuant to the exchange agreements, the Company agreed to issue to the Holder an aggregate of 120,121
shares of the Company’s common stock, and warrants to purchase 120,121 shares of common stock. On December 31, 2021, the Company
issued an aggregated of 120,121 shares of Common Stock to the note holder.
On
November 11, 2020, the Company conducted a closing with regard to certain securities purchase agreements (the “ SPAs ”)
dated October 23, 2020, separately with two non-U.S. investors (the “ Investors ”). Each of the Investors agreed to
purchase and the Company agreed to sell to each of the Investors 1,111,112 shares of the Company’s common stock, and warrants to
purchase 1,111,112 shares of common stock, for a purchase price of $2,500,000. The warrants are exercisable upon issuance and expires
three years from the date of issuance. The initial exercise price of the warrants is $6.00, subject to stock, splits, stock dividend
and other similar events. In addition, when the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for twenty Trading
Days (as defined in the exchange agreements) during any thirty-day period, the Company shall have the right to require the investors
to exercise all or any portion of the warrants for a cash exercise. The aggregate net proceeds of the Offering were $5,000,000. The Company
and the investors further agreed to amend the terms of the SPA to permit the closing of the offering to occur on a rolling basis. In
July 2021, 1,111,112 shares of the Company’s common stock and warrants were issued pursuant to the conversion of a $2,500,000
convertible promissory note.
35
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a service provider for consulting and advisory
services, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay the service fee by issuing 50,000 shares of unrestricted common shares,
valued at the closing price of $2.9 per share on the grant date. These shares were issued in 2020.
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received aggregated capital contributions of $7,615,331 in cash from 45 investors
through private placements of the sale of the Company’s common stock for the purchase price of $2.25 per share and a
free warrant attached with each common stock purchased. In December 2020, 3,384,615 shares of the Company’s common stock
have been issued.
During
the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company entered into consulting agreements with four service providers for consulting and advisory
services, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay the aggregate service fee by issuing a total of 521,887 shares of unrestricted
common shares, valued at the closing price from $2 to $3.68 per share on the grant date. As of December 31, 2021, these shares have been
issued.
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 915,856 shares of common stock to six previous note holders, who
had converted their outstanding principals and accrued and unpaid interests.
On
August 5, 2021, the Company closed its public offering (the “Public Offering”) of 1,100,000 units (the “Units”),
with each Unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock, one Series A warrant (the “Series A Warrants”)
to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $6.30 per share, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of the issuance
date, and one Series B warrant (the “Series B Warrants,” and together with the Series A Warrants, the “Public Warrants”)
to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of the
issuance date; the exercise price of the Public Warrants are subject to certain adjustment and cashless exercise provisions as described
therein. The Company completed the Public Offering pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255112), originally
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 8, 2021 (as amended, the “Original Registration
Statement”), that the SEC declared effective on August 2, 2021 and the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-258404)
that was filed and automatically effective on August 4, 2021 (the “S-1MEF,” together with the Original Registration Statement,
the “Registration Statement”). The Units were priced at $6.25 per Unit, before underwriting discounts and offering expenses,
resulting in gross proceeds of $6,875,000. The Public Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. In August 2021, 2,354,145 shares
of the Company’s common stock were issued for gross proceeds of $6,875,000, before placement agent fees and legal fees of $850,429.
During
the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company entered into service agreements with Euro-Asia Investment & Finance Corp Ltd. (a related
party), Ever Adventure inv. (Formosa) Consultant Co., Ltd., New Eastern Asia (a related party), and Kimho Consultants Co., Ltd. (a related
party) for the maintenance of the listing in the U.S. stock exchange market, investor relations, and business development. Pursuant to
the agreements, the Company issued 644,972 shares of the Company’s common stock for the consulting service from July 2019 to July
2024 for the service fee of $4,514,800 in aggregate, and recorded as stock subscription receivable. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020,
stock subscription receivable was $2,257,400 and $3,160,360, respectively.
The
Company paid the following fees to a FINRA member firm in connection with the private financing transaction that closed on November
11, 2020: (i) a cash success fee of $175,000 and (ii) warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 7% of the number
of shares of Common Stock sold in this offering, at an exercise price per share equal to $6.00 subject to adjustment (the “ Comp
Warrants ”). The Comp Warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis, at the holder’s discretion.
On
June 29, 2021, we issued 6,000 shares of Common Stock to WallachBeth as compensation for consulting services.
In
November 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 316,934 shares of Common Stock to Consultants.
The
Company also issued an aggregate of 1,306,007 shares of Common Stock to Consultants, who provided consulting services in January 2022;
it issued an additional 75,000 shares to another consultant in March 2022, based on the 6-month consulting and advisory services agreement,
with a monthly payment of USD $15,000.
In
November 2021, the Company issued 55,000 underwriter warrants to WallachBeth, pursuant to the Company’s engagement of WallachBeth
as the Company’s exclusive placement agent and advisor in connection with the offering for the listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
In
November 2021, the Company received $4,244,452 in gross proceeds from the exercise of warrants issued in the Company’s August
3, 2021 public offering of securities. Investors exercised a total of 673,405 Series A warrants at a price of $6.30 per
share and 200 Series B warrants at a price of $10 per share. Pursuant to these exercises, the Company issued an aggregate
of 673,605 shares of Common Stock.
In
March 2022, the Company issued 75,000 shares to BarLew Holdings, LLC, a consultant (“Barlew”). On January 1, 2022, the Company
engaged Barlew for consulting and advisory services for six months, with a monthly payment of USD15,000, as well as additional compensation
of 75,000 shares of restricted common stock.
In
March 2022, the Company issued 242,247 warrants to a FINRA member firm.
36
ITEM 6.
[Reserved]
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Caution
Regarding Forward-Looking Information
The
following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and result of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited
consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion
contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties contained in this report and the other reports we file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
Overview
From
its inception, the Company has not generated substantial revenue from its medical device and new drug development. For the year ended
December 31, 2021, the Company generated $483,045 in revenue, mainly from the sale of Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization
(“CDMO”) services.
Business
Overview
ABVC
BioPharma Inc., which was incorporated in July 2015 in the State of Delaware, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on
development of new drugs and medical devices, all of which are derived from plants.
Medicines
derived from plants have a long history of relieving or preventing many diseases and, typically, have exhibited fewer side effects than
drugs developed from animals or chemical ingredients. Perhaps the most famous example is aspirin, which evolved from a compound found
in the bark and leaves of the willow tree and was later marketed by Bayer starting in 1899. Aspirin has very few serious side effects
and has proven to be one of the most successful drugs in medical history. Some 50 years later, scientists identified anticancer compounds
in the rosy periwinkle, which Eli Lilly subsequently produced for the treatment of leukemia and Hodgkins disease. Other well-known examples
of successful botanical drugs include the cancer-fighting Taxol, isolated from the Pacific yew tree.
The
Company develops its pipeline by carefully tracking new medical discoveries or medical device technologies in research institutions in
the Asia-Pacific region. Pre-clinical, disease animal model and Phase I safety studies are examined closely by the Company’s scientists
and other specialists known to the Company to identify drugs that it believes demonstrate efficacy and safety based on the Company’s
internal qualifications. Once a drug is shown to be a good candidate for further development and ultimately commercialization, BriVision
licenses the drug or medical device from the original researchers and begins to introduce the drugs clinical plan to highly respected
principal investigators in the United States, Australia and Taiwan. In almost all cases, we have found that research institutions in
each of those countries are eager to work with the Company to move forward with Phase II clinical trials.
Currently,
institutions conducting phase II clinical trials in partnership with ABVC include:
●
Medical Device: ABV-1701,
Vitargus® in vitrectomy surgery, Pivotal Study in Australia, Principal Investigator: Andrew Chang, MD, Ph.D., Sydney Eye Hospital,
Australia
●
Drug: ABV-1504, Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD), Phase II, NCE drug Principal Investigators: Charles DeBattista M.D. and Alan F. Schatzberg, MD, Stanford University
Medical Center, Cheng-Ta Li, MD, Ph.D – Taipei Veterans General Hospital
●
Drug: ABV-1505, Adult Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Phase II, NCE drug Principal Investigators: Keith McBurnett, Ph.D. and Linda Pfiffner, Ph.D., University
of California San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine
●
Drug: ABV-1601, Major Depression
in Cancer Patients, Phase I/II, NCE drug Principal Investigator: Scott Irwin, MD, Ph.D. – Cedars Sinai Medical Center
(CSMC)
●
Drug: ABV-1703, Advanced
Inoperable or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, Phase II, NCE drug Principal Investigator: Andrew E. Hendifar, MD – Cedars
Sinai Medical Center (CSMC)
●
Drug: ABV-1501, A Phase
I/II, Open Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of BLEX 404 Oral Liquid Combined with Docetaxel Monotherapy in Patients
with Stage IV or Recurrent Breast Cancer Patients
●
Medical Device: ABV-2002,
Class I/II through 510K for market launch, Corneal Storage Media, Technology Licensing in progress
37
Upon
successful completion of the Phase II trial, the Company will seek a partner – a large pharmaceutical company – to complete
a Phase III study, submit the New Drug Application (NDA), and commercialize the drug upon approval by the FDA and Taiwan FDAs. The Company
expects to seek its first commercialization partner in 2021 for Vitargus, its vitreous substitute that helps to maintain a round shape
and retinal location during vitrectomy surgery.
Another
part of the Company’s business is conducted by BioKey, a wholly owned subsidiary, that is engaged in a wide range of services,
including, API characterization, pre-formulation studies, formulation development, analytical method development, stability studies,
IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions, and manufacturing clinical trial materials (phase I through phase III) and commercial manufacturing.
On
February 8, 2019, the Company, BioLite Holding, Inc. (“BioLite”), BioKey, Inc. (“BioKey”), BioLite Acquisition
Corp., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 1”), and BioKey Acquisition Corp., a direct wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 2”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties”) completed the business
combination pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated January 31, 2018, pursuant
to which the Company acquired BioLite and BioKey via issuing shares of the Company’s Common Stock to the shareholders of BioLite
and BioKey. As a result, BioLite and BioKey became two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company on February 8, 2019. The Company issued
an aggregate of 104,558,777 shares of Common Stock (prior to the reverse stock split in 2019) to the shareholders of both BioLite and
BioKey under a registration statement on Form S-4 (file number 333-226285), which became effective by operation of law on or about February
5, 2019.
BioLite
was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on July 27, 2016, with 500,000,000 shares authorized, par value $0.0001. BioLite’s
key subsidiaries include BioLite BVI, Inc. (“BioLite BVI”) that was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on September
13, 2016 and BioLite, Inc. (“BioLite Taiwan”), a Taiwanese corporation that was founded in February 2006. BioLite Taiwan
has been in the business of developing new drugs for over ten years.
BioLite
and BioLite BVI are holding companies and have not carried out substantive business operations of their own.
In
January 2017, BioLite, BioLite BVI, BioLite Taiwan, and certain shareholders of BioLite Taiwan entered into a share purchase / exchange
agreement (the “BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement”). Pursuant to the BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement,
the shareholder participants to the BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement sold their equity in BioLite Taiwan and used the proceeds
from such sales to purchase shares of Common Stock of BioLite at the same price per share, resulting in their owning the same number
of shares of Common Stock as they owned in BioLite Taiwan. Upon closing of the Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement in August 2017, BioLite
owns, via BioLite BVI, approximately 73% of BioLite Taiwan. The other shareholders who did not enter this Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement
retain their equity ownership in BioLite Taiwan.
BioKey
was incorporated on August 9, 2000 in the State of California. It is engaged primarily in research and development, manufacturing, and
distribution of generic drugs and nutraceuticals with strategic partners. BioKey provides a wide range of services, including, API characterization,
pre-formulation studies, formulation development, analytical method development, stability studies, IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions, and
manufacturing clinical trial materials (phase 1 through phase 3) and commercial manufacturing. It also licenses out its technologies
and initiates joint research and development processes with other biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical companies.
Common
Stock Reverse Split
On
March 12, 2019, the Board by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting approved to i) effect a stock reverse split at the ratio
of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Split”) of both the authorized common stock of the Company and the issued and outstanding common
stock and ii) to amend the articles of incorporation of the Company to reflect the Reverse Split. The Board approved and authorized the
Reverse Split without obtaining approval of the Company’s shareholders pursuant to Section 78.207 of Nevada Revised Statutes.
On
May 3, 2019, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation (the “Amendment”)
to effect the Reverse Split with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The Reverse Split took effect on May 8, 2019.
Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock
On
June 28, 2019, the Company filed a certificate of designation (the “Series A COD”) of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
(the “Series A Stock”) with the Secretary of the State of Nevada.
Pursuant
to the Series A COD, the Company designated 3,500,000 shares of preferred stock as Series A Stock, par value of $0.001 per share. Subject
to the laws of Nevada, the Company will pay cumulative dividends on the Series A Stock on each anniversary from the date of original
issue for a period of four calendar years. The Series A Stock will rank senior to the outstanding common stock of the Company, par value
$0.001 (the “Common Stock”) with respect to dividend rights, rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in the amount
of accrued but unpaid dividend. Holders of the Series A Stock will have the same voting rights as the Company’s Common Stock holders.
Each share of Series A Stock is initially convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of Common Stock and automatically
converts into one share of Common Stock on the four-year anniversary of its issuance.
As
of December 31, 2021, no Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has been issued by the Company.
Increasing
the Authorized Shares
On
March 12, 2020, our board of directors approved and adopted an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, to increase
the authorized shares of the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, from 20,000,000 to 100,000,000, such that, after including the
previously authorized 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, the aggregate number of shares of stock that
the Company has authority to issue is 120,000,000 shares. The amendment became effective on April 2, 2020.
38
NASDAQ
Listing
On
August 5, 2021, we closed a public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,100,000 units (the “Units”), with
each Unit consisting of one share of our common stock (the “Common Stock”), one Series A warrant (the “Series A Warrants”)
to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $6.30 per share, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of
the issuance date, and one Series B warrant (the “Series B Warrants,” and together with the Series A Warrants, the “Public
Warrants”) to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share, exercisable until the fifth
anniversary of the issuance date; the exercise price of the Public Warrants are subject to certain adjustment and cashless exercise provisions
as described therein. The Company completed the Offering pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255112), originally
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 8, 2021 (as amended, the “Original Registration
Statement”), that the SEC declared effective on August 2, 2021 and the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-258404)
that was filed and automatically effective on August 4, 2021 (the “S-1MEF,” together with the Original Registration Statement,
the “Registration Statement”). The Units were priced at $6.25 per Unit, before underwriting discounts and offering expenses,
resulting in gross proceeds of $6,875,000. The Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. The Common Stock was approved for listing
on The Nasdaq Capital Market and commenced trading under the ticker symbol “ABVC” on August 3, 2021.
Name
Change and Cusip Number
The
Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the Company’s corporate
name to “ABVC BioPharma, Inc.” and approved and adopted the Certificate of Amendment to affect same at the 2020 annual meeting
of shareholders (the “ Annual Meeting ”). Nevada’s Secretary of State approved the name change on March 8, 2021,
but since are still in the FINRA approval process for such name change, the new name is not yet effective. S tock
certificates will remain valid and stockholders are not required to submit their stock certificates for exchange as a result of the name
change. New stock certificates issued by the Company will be printed with the Company’s new name, ABVC BioPharma, Inc.;
existing stock certificates will remain valid.
The
Company’s cusip number is 0091F106. The Company’s stock symbol remains ABVC.
Joint
Venture Agreement
On
October 6, 2021 (the “ Completion Date ”), ABVC BioPharma, Inc. (the “ Company ”), Lucidaim Co., Ltd.,
a Japanese corporation (“ Lucidaim ,” together with the Company, the “ Shareholders ”), and BioLite
Japan K.K., a Japanese corporation (“ Biolite JP” ) entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (the “ Agreement ”).
Biolite JP is a private limited company (a Japanese Kabushiki Kaisha ) incorporated on December 18, 2018 and at the date of
the Agreement has 10,000 ordinary shares authorized, with 3,049 ordinary shares issued and outstanding (the “ Ordinary Shares ”).
Immediately prior to the execution of the Agreement, Lucidaim owned 1,501 ordinary shares and the Company owned the 1,548 ordinary shares.
The Shareholders entered into the joint venture to formally reduce to writing their desire to invest in and operate Biolite JP as a joint
venture. The business of the joint venture shall be the research and development of drugs, medical device and digital media, investment,
fund running and consulting, distribution and marketing of supplements carried on by Biolite JP and its subsidiaries in Japan, or any
other territory or businesses as may from time to time be agreed by an amendment to the Agreement. The closing of the transaction is
conditioned upon the approval and receipt of all necessary government approvals, which have been received.
Pursuant
to the Agreement and the related share transfer agreement, the Company shall transfer 54 of its Ordinary Shares to Lucidaim for no consideration,
such that following the transfer, Lucidaim shall own 1,555 Ordinary Shares (51%) and the Company shall own 1,494 Ordinary Shares (49%).
Also pursuant to the Agreement, there shall be 3 directors of Biolite JP, consisting of 1 director appointed by the Company and 2 appointed
by Lucidiam. The Company shall appoint Eugene Jiang, the Company’s current Chairman and Chief Business Officer and Lucidaim shall
appoint Michihito Onishi; the current director of Biolite JP, Toru Seo (who is also a director of BioLite Japan’s other shareholder),
is considered the second Lucidaim director. The Agreement further provides that the Company and Biolite JP shall assign the research
collaboration and license agreement between them to Biolite JP or prepare the same (the “ License Agreement ”). The
aforementioned transactions occurred on the Completion Date.
As
per the Agreement, the Shareholders shall supervise and manage the business and operations of Biolite JP. The directors shall not be
entitled to any renumeration for their services as a director and each Shareholder can remove and replace the director he/she/it appointed.
If a Shareholder sells or disposes of all of its Ordinary Shares, the director such Shareholder appointed must tender his/her resignation.
The Agreement also sets forth certain corporate actions that must be pre-approved by all Shareholders (the “ Reserved Matters ”).
If the Shareholders are unable to make a decision on any Reserved Matter, then either Shareholder can submit a deadlock notice to the
other shareholder, 5 days after which they must refer the matter to each Shareholder’s chairman and use good faith to resolve the
dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within 10 days thereafter, then either Shareholder can offer to buy all of the other Shareholder’s
Ordinary Shares for cash at a specified price; if there is not affirmative acceptance of the sale, the sale shall proceed as set forth
in the sale offer.
Each
of the Shareholders maintains a pre-emptive right to purchase such number of additional Ordinary Shares as would allow such Shareholder
to maintain its ownership percentage in Biolite JP if Biolite JP issues any new Ordinary Shares. However, the Agreement provides that
the Company shall lose its pre-emptive rights under certain conditions. The Shareholders also maintain a right of first refusal if the
other Shareholder receives an offer to buy such shareholder’s Ordinary Shares.
39
The
Agreement also requires Biolite JP to obtain a bank facility in the amount of JPY 30,460,000 (approximately USD272,000), for its initial
working capital purposes. Pursuant to the Agreement, each Shareholder agrees to guarantee such bank facility if the bank requires a guarantee.
Accordingly, the Company may be liable for the bank facility in an amount up to JPY 14,925,400 (approximately USD134,000), which represents
49% of the maximum bank facility. The Agreement further provides that Biolite JP shall issue annual dividends at the rate of at least
1.5% of Biolite JP’s profits, if it has sufficient cash to do so.
Pursuant
to the Agreement, the Company and Biolite JP agree to use their best efforts to execute the License Agreement by the end of December
2021. The Company agreed that any negotiation on behalf of Biolite JP regarding the terms of the License Agreement shall be handled by
the directors appointed by Lucidaim. If the Company and such Lucidaim directors do not reach agreement on the terms, Biolite JP may at
its sole discretion determine not to execute the License Agreement without any liability to the Company.
The
Agreement contains non-solicitation and non-compete clauses for a period of 2 years after a Shareholder or its subsidiaries ceases to
be a Shareholder, with such restrictive covenants limited to business within the ophthalmologic filed or central neurological field.
Any rights to intellectual property that arise from Biolite JP’s activities, shall belong to Biolite JP.
The
Agreement contains standard indemnification terms, except that no indemnifying party shall have any liability for an individual liability
unless it exceeds JPY 500,000 (approximately USD4,500) and until the aggregate amount of all liabilities exceeds JPY 2,000,000 (approximately
USD18,000) and then only to the extent such liability exceed such limit.
The
Company paid $150,000 towards the setup of the joint venture and BioLite Japan’s other shareholder paid $150,000 after the Letter
of Intent was signed.
The
Agreement shall continue for 10 years, unless earlier terminated and shall continue until terminated by: (i) either party by giving the
other party at least 6 months written notice, until the end of the 10 years, after which the parties can terminate at any time or (ii)
or by written agreement of all Shareholders, in which case it shall terminate automatically on the date upon which all Ordinary Shares
are owned by one Shareholder. The Agreement also allows a Shareholder to terminate the agreement upon certain defaults committed by another
Shareholder, as set forth in the Agreement.
This
was a related party transaction and was conducted at arm’s length. In addition to the Company’s
board of directors providing approval for the Company to enter into the Agreement, the Company’s audit committee approved the Company’s
entry into the Agreement. The Board believes that this joint venture will enhance the Company’s ability to provide therapeutic
solutions to significant unmet medical needs and to develop innovative botanical drugs to treat central nervous system (“CNS”)
and oncology/ hematology diseases. The Company’s Board of Directors believes that the joint venture has the potential to provide
the Company with access to additional early-stage product candidates that it would not otherwise have access to and to introduce the
Company to early-stage opportunities, and therefore the Board believes the joint venture is in the best interest of the Company and its
shareholders.
Recent
PPP
On
April 14, 2020, the Company received a loan in the amount of $124,400 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) administered
by the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) from East West Bank. According to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act (the “Cares Act”), PPP loan provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount and accrued
interest if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. However, at least 60% of the forgiven amount
must have been used for payroll. The loan was granted pursuant to a promissory note dated April 14, 2020 issued by the Company, which
matures on April 13, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 1.00% per annum. The Company will pay the principal in one payment of all outstanding
principal plus all accrued unpaid interest on that date that is two years after the date of the promissory note. On March 15, 2021 the
US Government approved our application of the loan forgiveness program, so there will be no obligation to pay back this loan.
On
January 29, 2021, BioKey received a loan in the amount of $132,331 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) administered
by the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) from East West Bank. According to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act (the “Cares Act”), PPP loan provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount and accrued
interest if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. However, at least 60% of the forgiven amount
must have been used for payroll. The loan was granted pursuant to a promissory note dated January 27, 2021 issued by the Company, which
matures on January 28, 2026 and bears interest at a rate of 1.00% per annum. The Company will pay the principal in one payment of all
outstanding principal plus all accrued unpaid interest on that date that is five years after the date of the promissory note. In addition,
on September 28, 2021, the US Government approved our application of the loan forgiveness program,
so there will be no obligation to pay back this loan.
On
February 7, 2021, the Company received a loan in the amount of $104,167 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) administered
by the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) from Cathay Bank. According to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act (the “Cares Act”), PPP loan provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount and accrued
interest if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. However, at least 60% of the forgiven amount
must have been used for payroll. The loan was granted pursuant to a promissory note dated February 7, 2021 issued by the Company, which
matures on February 6, 2026 and bears interest at a rate of 1.00% per annum. The Company will pay the principal in one payment of all
outstanding principal plus all accrued unpaid interest on that date that is five years after the date of the promissory note. In addition,
on November 15, 2021, the US Government approved our application of the loan forgiveness program,
so there will be no obligation to pay back this loan.
40
Recent
Research Results
On
May 23, 2019, the Company announced its internal Phase II clinical study results of ABV-1504 for Major Depression Disorder (“MDD”).
The clinical study results showed that PDC-1421, the active pharmaceutical ingredient of ABV-1504, met the pre-specified primary endpoint
of the Phase II clinical trial and significantly improved the symptoms of MDD.
The
Phase II clinical study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, in which 60 adult patients with confirmed
moderate to severe MDD were treated with PDC-1421 in either low dose (380 mg) or high dose (2 x 380 mg) compared with placebo administration,
three times a day for six weeks. PDC-1421 high dose (2 x 380 mg) met the pre-specified primary endpoint by demonstrating a highly significant
13.2-point reduction in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score by Intention-To-Treat (ITT) analysis,
averaged over the 6-week treatment period (overall treatment effect) from baseline, as compared to 9.2-point reduction of the placebo
group. By Per-Protocol (PP) analysis, PDC-1421 showed a dose dependent efficacy toward MDD in which high dose (2 x 380 mg) gave 13.4-point
reduction in MADRS total score from baseline and low dose (380 mg) gave 10.4-point reduction as compared to a 8.6-point in the placebo
group. The Company has decided to use the high dose formula in the Phase III clinical trial of ABV-1504.
On
September 9, 2020 the Company issued a full clinical study report (CSR) of Vitargus® First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Trial . The
safety and preliminary efficacy findings from this study, combined with the unique properties of Vitargus® (BFC-1401), are supportive
of further development for its use during vitrectomy surgery in patients requiring vitreous replacement.
The
study was an open label, Phase I study undertaken at a single study center in Sydney, Australia. A total of 11 participants were
enrolled for the study in which each participant had been diagnosed with either (1) a complex or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment or
chronic retinal detachment with failure of gas or silicone oil treatment or (2) a vitreous hemorrhage that requires vitrectomy surgery.
The study found that Vitargus® was well-tolerated as a vitreous substitute without any apparent toxicity to ocular tissues. Further,
there was no indication of an increased overall safety risk with Vitargus®.
On
November 9, 2020 the Company issued a full clinical study report (CSR) of its ABV-1505 Phase II Part I clinical trial conducted at the
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) for the treatment of adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The
Phase II Part I clinical study for treating ADHD found that the PDC-1421 Capsule was safe, well tolerated and efficacious during its
treatment and the follow-up period with six adult patients. For the primary endpoints, the percentages of improvement in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder Rating Scale-Investigator Rated-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) score from baseline to 8 weeks treatment were 83.3% (N=5) in the Intention-To-Treat
(ITT) population and 80.0% (N=4) in the Per-Protocol (PP) population. Both low and high doses of PDC-1421 Capsule met the primary end
points by passing the required 40% population in ADHD-RS-IV test scores.
Overall,
the results from this study, which demonstrate the therapeutic value of PDC-1421, support further clinical development of ABV-1505 for
the treatment of adult ADHD.
On
November 4, 2020, we executed an amendment to our collaboration agreement with BioFirst to add BFC-1403 Intraocular Irrigation Solution
and BFC-1404 Corneal Storage Solution to our agreement. BFC-1404 is utilized during a corneal transplant procedure to replace a damaged
or diseased cornea while BFC-1403 has broader utilization during a variety of ocular procedures.
Initially
the Company will focus on BFC-1404, a solution utilized to store a donor cornea prior to either penetrating keratoplasty (full thickness
cornea transplant) or endothelial keratoplasty (back layer cornea transplant). Designated ABV-2002 under the Company’s product
identification system, the solution is comprised of a specific poly amino acid that protects ocular tissue from damage caused by external
osmolarity exposure during pre-surgery storage. The specific polymer in ABV-2002 can adjust osmolarity to maintain a range of 330 to
390 mOsM thereby permitting hydration within the corneal stroma during the storage period. Stromal hydration results in (a) maintaining
acceptable corneal transparency and (b) prevents donor cornea swelling. ABV-2002 also contains an abundant phenolic phytochemical found
in plant cell walls that provides antioxidant antibacterial properties and neuroprotection.
Early
testing by BioFirst indicates that ABV-2002 may be more effective for protecting the cornea and retina during long-term storage than
other storage media available today and can be manufactured at lower cost. Categorized as a Class I Medical Device which has the lowest
risk to patients, the Company intends to submit a Premarket Notification 510(K) submission to the FDA before the end of 2021 to demonstrate
the device is at least as safe and effective as current products on the market.
41
Public
Offering & Financings
On
August 5, 2021, the Company closed its public offering (the “Public Offering”) of 1,100,000 units (the “Units”),
with each Unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock, one Series A warrant (the “Series A Warrants”)
to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $6.30 per share, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of the issuance
date, and one Series B warrant (the “Series B Warrants,” and together with the Series A Warrants, the “Public Warrants”)
to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of the
issuance date; the exercise price of the Public Warrants are subject to certain adjustment and cashless exercise provisions as described
therein. The Company completed the Public Offering pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255112), originally
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 8, 2021 (as amended, the “Original Registration
Statement”), that the SEC declared effective on August 2, 2021 and the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-258404)
that was filed and automatically effective on August 4, 2021 (the “S-1MEF,” together with the Original Registration Statement,
the “Registration Statement”). The Units were priced at $6.25 per Unit, before underwriting discounts and offering expenses,
resulting in gross proceeds of $6,875,000. The Public Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis.
Financing
in November 2020
On
November 11, 2020, we conducted a closing with regard to certain securities purchase agreements (the “ SPAs ”) dated
October 23, 2020, separately with two non-U.S. investors (the “ Investors ”). Each of the Investors agreed to purchase
and the Company agreed to sell to each of the Investors 1,111,112 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and warrants (the “ November
Warrants ”) to purchase 1,111,112 shares of Common Stock, for a purchase price of $2,500,000. The November Warrants are exercisable
upon issuance and will expire three years from the date of issuance. The initial exercise price of the November Warrants is $6.00, subject
to stock, splits, stock dividend and other similar events. In addition, when the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds
$9.00 per share for twenty Trading Days (as defined in the SPAs) during any thirty-day period, the Company shall have the right to require
the Investors to exercise all or any portion of the November Warrants for a cash exercise. The aggregate net proceeds were $5,000,000.
The Company and the Investors further agreed to amend the terms of the SPA to permit the closing of the offering to occur on a rolling
basis.
The
Company paid the following fees to a FINRA member firm in connection with such offering: (i) a cash success fee of $175,000 and
(ii) warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 7% of the number of shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering,
at an exercise price per share equal to $6.00 subject to adjustment (the “ Comp Warrants ”). The Comp Warrants are exercisable
on a cashless basis, at the holder’s discretion.
Financing
in October 2020
On
October 23, 2020, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “ October SPA ”) with one accredited investor.
Pursuant to the October SPA, the Company sold and issued a convertible promissory note (the “ October Note ”) in the
principal amount of $2,500,000 to the investor and received the payment from such investor on October 30, 2020.
The
October Note was issued on October 23, 2020 and the maturity date of the October Note is the twenty-four (24) month anniversary from
the issuance date (the “ Maturity Date ”). Upon the Maturity Date, the Company shall pay to the holder, in cash, an
amount representing all outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest under the October Note. The October Note bears an
interest rate of ten percent (10%) per annum and may be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion
price of $2.25 per share. The holder of the October Note may elect to convert part or all of the outstanding balance of the October Note
from the issuance date until the Maturity Date. The Company may prepay the outstanding amount at any time, in whole or in part, without
any penalty. On June 3, 2021, the parties to the October SPA signed Amendment No. 1 to Promissory Note (the “ Amendment ”).
Pursuant to the Amendment, the October Note shall now also automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock immediately
following the Company’s receipt of conditional approval to list its common stock on the NASDAQ stock market, if and when we receive
such approval, which cannot be guaranteed, at a conversion price equal to the then current conversion price.
In
connection with the October Note and pursuant to the terms of an agreement entered into between the Company and a FINRA member firm,
such firm shall receive (i) a cash success fee of $78,750 and (ii) upon conversion of the October Note, warrants equal to 7.0% of the
number of shares of Common Stock received by the investor at the time of conversion (“ Note Warrants ”). The warrants
are exercisable on a cashless basis, at the holder’s discretion.
The
issuance and sale of the Common Stock, the Investor Warrants, Comp Warrants, Note Warrants and the shares of Common Stock underlying
the Investor Warrants, the Comp Warrants and the October Note were made in reliance on an exemption from registration contained in either Regulation
D or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
42
Financing
in May 2020
In
May 2020, the Company received capital contributions of approximately $1,602,040 in cash from 40 investors through private placements
with the term of $2.25 per share and a free warrant attaches with each Common stock that was purchased. The exercise price of the warrant
will be at $6.00 with a mandatory exercise price of $9.00.
Pursuant
to the terms of an agreement entered into between the Company and a FINRA member firm, such firm shall receive (i) a cash success fee
of $60,831.65 (ii) a warrant to purchase 37,852 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $2.25 per share, and (iii) a warrant
to purchase 37,852 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $6.00 per share.
Financing
in April 2020
On
January 21, 2020, the Company entered into three note agreements with existing note investors who executed the agreements in 2018. These
three investors are Guoliang Yu and Yingfei Wei Family Trust, Keypoint Technology Ltd., and Yoshinobu Odaira. The new agreements bear
the same term as other notes investors who executed the contract in 2019. On April 5, 2020, the Company entered into exchange agreements
with such note holders. Pursuant to the exchange agreements, the Holders agreed to deliver the Notes to the Company for cancellation,
of which the aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest expenses are $931,584, and the Company agreed to issue to the Holders an
aggregate of 506,297 shares of the Company’s common stock and warrants to purchase 506,297 shares of the Company’s common
stock.
On
August 28, 2019 and September 4, 2019, the Company issued convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount plus accrued
interest expenses are $515,196 to Kuo, Li Shen, Chang, Ping Shan, Lin, Shan Tyan, and Liu, Ching Hsuan. On April 20, 2020, the Company
entered into separate exchange agreements with each note holder. Pursuant to the exchange agreements, the note holders agreed to cancel
the notes and the Company agreed to issue to the holders an aggregate of 289,438 shares of the Company’s common stock and warrants
to purchase 289,438 shares of the Company’s common stock.
Strategy
Key
elements of our business strategy include:
● Advancing
to the pivotal trial phase of ABV-1701 Vitargus® for the treatments of Retinal Detachment
or Vitreous Hemorrhage, which we expect to generate revenues in the future.
● Focusing
on licensing ABV-1504 for the treatment of major depressive disorder, MDD, after the successful
completion of its Phase II clinical trials.
● Completing
Phase II, Part 2 clinical trial for ABV-1505 for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, ADHD.
● Out
licensing drug candidates and medical device candidates to major pharmaceutical companies
for phase III and pivotal clinical trials, as applicable, and further marketing if approved
by the FDA.
We
plan to augment our core research and development capability and assets by conducting Phase I and II clinical trials for investigational
new drugs and medical devices in the fields of CNS, Hematology/Oncology and Ophthalmology.
Our
management team has extensive experiences across a wide range of new drug and medical device development and we have in-licensed new
drug and medical device candidates from large research institutes and universities in both the U.S. and Taiwan. Through an assertive
product development approach, we expect that we will build a substantial portfolio of Oncology/ Hematology, CNS and Ophthalmology products.
We primarily focus on Phase I and II research of new drug candidates and out license the post-Phase-II products to pharmaceutical companies;
we do not expect to devote substantial efforts and resources to building the disease-specific distribution channels.
Business
Objectives
The
Company is operating its core business based on collaborative activities that can generate current and future revenues through research,
development and/or commercialization joint venture agreements. The terms of these agreements typically include payment to the Company
related to one or more of the following:
● nonrefundable
upfront license fees,
● development
and commercial milestones,
● partial
or complete reimbursement of research and development costs and
● royalties
on net sales of licensed products.
Each
type of payments results in revenue except for revenue from royalties on net sales of licensed products, which are classified as royalty
revenues. To date, we have not received any royalty revenues. Revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of a performance obligation by
transferring control of a good or service to the joint venture partner.
43
As
part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company applies judgment to determine whether the performance obligations are distinct
and develop assumptions in determining the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation identified in the collaboration
agreements. To determine the stand-alone selling price, the Company relies on assumptions which may include forecasted revenues, development
timelines, reimbursement rates for R&D personnel costs, discount rates and probabilities of technical and regulatory success.
The
Company had multiple deliverables under the collaborative agreements, including deliverables relating to grants of technology licenses,
regulatory and clinical development, and marketing activities. Estimation of the performance periods of the Company’s deliverables
requires the use of management’s judgment. Significant factors considered in management’s evaluation of the estimated performance
periods include, but are not limited to, the Company’s experience in conducting clinical development, regulatory and manufacturing
activities. The Company reviews the estimated duration of its performance periods under its collaborative agreements on an annually basis,
and makes any appropriate adjustments on a prospective basis. Future changes in estimates of the performance period under its collaborative
agreements could impact the timing of future revenue recognition.
(i)
Nonrefundable upfront payments
If
a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified
in an arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from the related nonrefundable upfront payments based on the relative standalone selling
price prescribed to the license compared to the total selling price of the arrangement. The revenue is recognized when the license is
transferred to the collaboration partners and the collaboration partners are able to use and benefit from the license. To date, the receipt
of nonrefundable upfront fees was solely for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by the Company before the
collaborative agreements entered into and it does not relate to any future obligations and commitments made between the Company and the
collaboration partners in the collaborative agreements.
(ii)
Milestone payments
The
Company is eligible to receive milestone payments under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners based on achievement
of specified development, regulatory and commercial events. Management evaluated the nature of the events triggering these contingent
payments, and concluded that these events fall into two categories: (a) events which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations
under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners, and (b) events which do not involve the performance of the Company’s
obligations under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners.
The
former category of milestone payments consists of those triggered by development and regulatory activities in the territories specified
in the collaborative agreements. Management concluded that each of these payments constitute substantive milestone payments. This conclusion
was based primarily on the facts that (i) each triggering event represents a specific outcome that can be achieved only through successful
performance by the Company of one or more of its deliverables, (ii) achievement of each triggering event was subject to inherent risk
and uncertainty and would result in additional payments becoming due to the Company, (iii) each of the milestone payments is nonrefundable,
(iv) substantial effort is required to complete each milestone, (v) the amount of each milestone payment is reasonable in relation to
the value created in achieving the milestone, (vi) a substantial amount of time is expected to pass between the upfront payment and the
potential milestone payments, and (vii) the milestone payments relate solely to past performance. Based on the foregoing, the Company
recognizes any revenue from these milestone payments in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs.
(iii)
Multiple Element Arrangements
The
Company evaluates multiple element arrangements to determine (1) the deliverables included in the arrangement and (2) whether the individual
deliverables represent separate units of accounting or whether they must be accounted for as a combined unit of accounting. This evaluation
involves subjective determinations and requires management to make judgments about the individual deliverables and whether such deliverables
are separate from other aspects of the contractual relationship. Deliverables are considered separate units of accounting provided that:
(i) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and (ii) if the arrangement includes a general right of return
relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially within
its control. In assessing whether an item under a collaboration has standalone value, the Company considers factors such as the research,
manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities of the collaboration partner and the availability of the associated expertise in the
general marketplace. The Company also considers whether its collaboration partners can use the other deliverable(s) for their intended
purpose without the receipt of the remaining element(s), whether the value of the deliverable is dependent on the undelivered item(s),
and whether there are other vendors that can provide the undelivered element(s).
The
Company recognizes arrangement consideration allocated to each unit of accounting when all of the revenue recognition criteria in ASC
606 are satisfied for that particular unit of accounting. In the event that a deliverable does not represent a separate unit of accounting,
the Company recognizes revenue from the combined unit of accounting over the Company’s contractual or estimated performance period
for the undelivered elements, which is typically the term of the Company’s research and development obligations. If there is no
discernible pattern of performance or objectively measurable performance measures do not exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under
the arrangement on a straight-line basis over the period the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations. Conversely,
if the pattern of performance in which the service is provided to the customer can be determined and objectively measurable performance
measures exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under the arrangement using the proportional performance method. Revenue recognized
is limited to the lesser of the cumulative amount of payments received or the cumulative amount of revenue earned, as determined using
the straight-line method or proportional performance method, as applicable, as of the period ending date.
44
At
the inception of an arrangement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive and at
risk to both parties on the basis of the contingent nature of the milestone. This evaluation includes an assessment of whether: (1) the
consideration is commensurate with either the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of
the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from its performance to achieve the milestone, (2) the consideration
relates solely to past performance and (3) the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within
the arrangement. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be
overcome to achieve the particular milestone and the level of effort and investment required to achieve the particular milestone in making
this assessment. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether a milestone satisfies all of the criteria required to
conclude that a milestone is substantive. Milestones that are not considered substantive are recognized as earned if there are no remaining
performance obligations or over the remaining period of performance, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
(iv)
Royalties and Profit Sharing Payments
Under
the collaborative agreement with the collaboration partners, the Company is entitled to receive royalties on sales of products, which
is at certain percentage of the net sales. The Company recognizes revenue from these events based on the revenue recognition criteria
set forth in ASC 606. Based on those criteria, the Company considers these payments to be contingent revenues, and recognizes them as
revenue in the period in which the applicable contingency is resolved.
Revenues
Derived from Research and Development Activities Services — Revenues related to research and development and regulatory activities
are recognized when the related services or activities are performed, in accordance with the contract terms. The Company typically has
only one performance obligation at the inception of a contract, which is to perform research and development services. The Company may
also provide its customers with an option to request that the Company provides additional goods or services in the future, such as active
pharmaceutical ingredient, API, or IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions. The Company evaluates whether these options are material rights at
the inception of the contract. If the Company determines an option is a material right, the Company will consider the option a separate
performance obligation.
If
the Company is entitled to reimbursement from its customers for specified research and development expenses, the Company accounts for
the related services that it provides as separate performance obligations if it determines that these services represent a material right.
The Company also determines whether the reimbursement of research and development expenses should be accounted for as revenues or an
offset to research and development expenses in accordance with provisions of gross or net revenue presentation. The Company recognizes
the corresponding revenues or records the corresponding offset to research and development expenses as it satisfies the related performance
obligations.
The
Company then determines the transaction price by reviewing the amount of consideration the Company is eligible to earn under the contracts,
including any variable consideration. Under the outstanding contracts, consideration typically includes fixed consideration and variable
consideration in the form of potential milestone payments. At the start of an agreement, the Company’s transaction price usually
consists of the payments made to or by the Company based on the number of full-time equivalent researchers assigned to the project and
the related research and development expenses incurred. The Company does not typically include any payments that the Company may receive
in the future in its initial transaction price because the payments are not probable. The Company would reassess the total transaction
price at each reporting period to determine if the Company should include additional payments in the transaction price.
The
Company receives payments from its customers based on billing schedules established in each contract. Upfront payments and fees may be
recorded as advance from customers upon receipt or when due, and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until
the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the right of the Company
to consideration is unconditional. The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation
at contract inception is such that the period between payment by the customers and the transfer of the promised goods or services to
the customers will be one year or less.
Examples
of collaborative agreements the Company has entered into are as follows:
Collaborative
agreements with BHK
(i) In
February and December of 2015, BioLite, Inc. entered into a total of three joint venture
agreements with BioHopeKing to jointly develop ABV-1501 for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
(TNBC), ABV-1504 for MDD and ABV-1505 for ADHD. The agreements granted marketing rights to
BioHopeKing for certain Asian countries in return for a series of milestone payments totaling
$10 million in cash and equity of BioHopeKing or equity securities owned by BioHopeKing.
The
milestone payments are determined by a schedule of BioLite development achievements as shown below:
Milestone
Payment
Execution
of BHK Co-Development Agreement
$ 1,000,000
Investigational
New Drug (IND) Submission
$ 1,000,000
Phase
II Clinical Trial Complete
$ 1,000,000
Initiation
of Phase III Clinical Trial
$ 3,000,000
New
Drug Application (NDA) Submission
$ 4,000,000
Total
$ 10,000,000
45
(ii) In
December of 2015, BHK paid the initial cash payment of $1 million upon the execution of the
BHK Agreement. The Company concluded that certain deliverables are considered separate units
of accounting as the delivered items have value to the customer on a standalone basis and
recognized this cash payment as collaboration revenue when all research, technical, and development
data was delivered to BHK in 2015. The payment included compensation for past research efforts
and contributions made by BioLite Taiwan before the BHK agreement was signed and does not
relate to any future commitments made by BioLite Taiwan and BHK in the BHK Agreement.
(iii)
In August
2016, the Company received the second milestone payment of $1 million, and recognized collaboration revenue for the year ended December
31, 2016. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had completed the phase II clinical trial for ABV-1504 MDD on October 31, 2019, but
has not yet completed the phase II clinical trial for ABV-1505 ADHD.
(iv)
In addition
to the milestone payments, BioLite Taiwan is entitled to receive a royalty equal to 12% of BHK’s net sales related to ABV-1501,
ABV-1504 and ABV-1505 Products. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has not earned royalties under the BHK Co-Development Agreement.
(v) The
BHK Co-Development Agreement will remain in effect for fifteen years from the date of first
commercial sale of the Product in in Asia excluding Japan.
Co-Development
agreement with Rgene Corporation, a related party
On
May 26, 2017, the Company entered into a co-development agreement (the “Rgene Agreement”) with Rgene Corporation (the “Rgene”),
a related party under common control by the controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company (See Note 12).
Pursuant to the Rgene Agreement, BriVision and Rgene agreed to co-develop and commercialize ABV-1507 HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer
Combination Therapy, ABV-1703 Pancreatic Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy. Under the terms of
the Rgene Agreement, Rgene is required to pay the Company $3,000,000 in cash or stock of Rgene with equivalent value by August 15,
2017 as compensation of BriVision’s past research efforts and contributions made by BriVision before the Rgene Agreement was executed.
The payment does not relate to any future milestones attained by BriVision. In addition to $3,000,000, the Company is entitled to receive
50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit earned by Rgene. All development costs shall be equally shared by both BriVision
and Rgene.
On
June 1, 2017, the Company delivered all research, technical data and development data to Rgene pursuant to the Rgene Agreement in return
for a cash payment of $450,000 and 1,530,000 common shares of Rgene stock valued at $2,550,000, which in 2018 was accounted for using
the equity method long-term investment. On December 31, 2018, the Company determined to fully write off this investment based on the
Company’s assessment of the severity and duration of the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating
performance of the investee, adverse changes in market conditions, the regulatory or economic environment, changes in operating structure
of Rgene, additional funding requirements and Rgene’s ability to remain in business. All research projects that were initiated
will be managed and funded equally by the Company and Rgene.
The
Company and Rgene signed an amendment to the Rgene Agreement on November 10, 2020, pursuant to which both parties agreed to delete AB-1507
HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination Therapy and AB-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy and add ABV-1519 EGFR Positive Non-Small
Cell Lung Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1526 Large Intestine / Colon / Rectal Cancer Combination Therapy to the products to be co-developed
and commercialized. Other provisions of the Rgene Agreement remain in full force and effect.
Collaborative
agreement with BioFirst Corporation, a related party
On
July 24, 2017, the Company entered into a collaborative agreement (the “BioFirst Agreement”) with BioFirst Corporation, a
corporation incorporated under the laws of Taiwan (“BioFirst”), pursuant to which BioFirst granted the Company global licensing
rights to medical use of ABV-1701 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy. BioFirst is a related party to the Company because a controlling
beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company is a Director and shareholders of BioFirst (See Note 12).
Pursuant
to the BioFirst Agreement, the Company and BioFirst will co-develop and commercialize BFC-1401. The Company will pay BioFirst a total
amount of $3,000,000 in cash or stock of the Company before September 30, 2018 as payment in full for BioFirst’s past research
efforts and contributions made by BioFirst before the BioFirst Agreement was executed. The Company is entitled to receive 50% of any
future net licensing revenue or net profit associated with Vitargus®. All development cost will be equally shared by both BriVision
and BioFirst.
On
September 25, 2017, BioFirst delivered all research, technical, data and development data to the Company. For the year ended September
30, 2017, the Company determined to fully expense the entire amount of $3,000,000 since the related licensing rights do not have alternative
future uses. According to ASC 730-10-25-1, absent alternative future uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and
development activities must be charged to research and development expenses immediately. Hence, the entire amount of $3,000,000 is fully
expensed as research and development expense during the year ended September 30, 2017.
On
June 30, 2019, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with BioFirst. Pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 428,571 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst as payment for $3,000,000 owed
by the Company to BioFirst in connection with the BioFirst Agreement.
46
On
August 5, 2019, the Company entered into a second Stock Purchase Agreement with BioFirst whereby the Company issued 414,702 shares of
the Company’s common stock to BioFirst as repayment in full for a loan in the amount of $2,902,911 provided to BriVision from BioFirst.
On
November 4, 2020, the Company executed an amendment to the BioFirst Agreement with BioFirst to add ABV-2001 Intraocular Irrigation Solution
and ABV-2002 Corneal Storage Solution to the agreement. ABV-2002 is utilized during a corneal transplant procedure to replace a damaged
or diseased cornea while ABV-2001 has broader utilization during a variety of ocular procedures.
Initially
the Company will focus on ABV-2002, a solution utilized to store a donor cornea prior to either penetrating keratoplasty (full thickness
cornea transplant) or endothelial keratoplasty (back layer cornea transplant). ABV-2002 is a solution comprised of a specific poly amino
acid that protects ocular tissue from damage caused by external osmolarity exposure during pre-surgery storage. The specific polymer
in ABV-2002 can adjust osmolarity to maintain a range of 330 to 390 mOsM thereby permitting hydration within the corneal stroma during
the storage period. Stromal hydration results in (a) maintaining acceptable corneal transparency and (b) prevents donor cornea swelling.
ABV-2002 also contains an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in plant cell walls that provides antioxidant antibacterial properties
and neuroprotection.
Early
testing by BioFirst indicates that ABV-2002 may be more effective for protecting the cornea and retina during long-term storage than
other storage media available today and can be manufactured at lower cost. Categorized as a lower risk Class I Medical Device, the Company
intends to submit a Premarket Notification 510(K) submission to the FDA before the end of 2021 to demonstrate the device is at least
as safe and effective as current products on the market.
Co-Development
agreement with BioLite Japan K.K.
On
October 6, 2021 (the “ Completion Date ”), the Company, Lucidaim Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation (“ Lucidaim ,”
together with the Company, the “ Shareholders ”), and BioLite Japan K.K., a Japanese corporation (“ Biolite” )
entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (the “ Agreement ”). Biolite is a private limited company (a Japanese Kabushiki
Kaisha ) incorporated on December 18, 2018 and at the date of the Agreement has 10,000 ordinary shares authorized, with 3,049 ordinary
shares issued and outstanding (the “ Ordinary Shares ”). Immediately prior to the execution of the Agreement, Lucidaim
owned 1,501 ordinary shares and the Company owned the 1,548 ordinary shares. The Shareholders entered into the joint venture to formally
reduce to writing their desire to invest in and operate Biolite as a joint venture. The business of the joint venture shall be the research
and development of drugs, medical device and digital media, investment, fund running and consulting, distribution and marketing of supplements
carried on by Biolite and its subsidiaries in Japan, or any other territory or businesses as may from time to time be agreed by an amendment
to the Agreement. The closing of the transaction is conditioned upon the approval and receipt of all necessary government approvals,
which have been received.
Pursuant
to the Agreement and the related share transfer agreement, the Company shall transfer 54 of its Ordinary Shares to Lucidaim for no consideration,
such that following the transfer, Lucidaim shall own 1,555 Ordinary Shares (51%) and the Company shall own 1,494 Ordinary Shares (49%).
Also pursuant to the Agreement, there shall be 3 directors of Biolite, consisting of 1 director appointed by the Company and 2 appointed
by Lucidiam. The Company shall appoint Eugene Jiang, the Company’s current Chairman and Chief Business Officer and Lucidaim shall
appoint Michihito Onishi; the current director of Biolite, Toru Seo (who is also a director of BioLite Japan’s other shareholder),
is considered the second Lucidaim director. The Agreement further provides that the Company and Biolite shall assign the research collaboration
and license agreement between them to Biolite or prepare the same (the “ License Agreement ”). The aforementioned transactions
occurred on the Completion Date.
As
per the Agreement, the Shareholders shall supervise and manage the business and operations of Biolite. The directors shall not be entitled
to any renumeration for their services as a director and each Shareholder can remove and replace the director he/she/it appointed. If
a Shareholder sells or disposes of all of its Ordinary Shares, the director such Shareholder appointed must tender his/her resignation.
The Agreement also sets forth certain corporate actions that must be pre-approved by all Shareholders (the “ Reserved Matters ”).
If the Shareholders are unable to make a decision on any Reserved Matter, then either Shareholder can submit a deadlock notice to the
other shareholder, 5 days after which they must refer the matter to each Shareholder’s chairman and use good faith to resolve the
dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within 10 days thereafter, then either Shareholder can offer to buy all of the other Shareholder’s
Ordinary Shares for cash at a specified price; if there is not affirmative acceptance of the sale, the sale shall proceed as set forth
in the sale offer.
Each
of the Shareholders maintains a pre-emptive right to purchase such number of additional Ordinary Shares as would allow such Shareholder
to maintain its ownership percentage in Biolite if Biolite issues any new Ordinary Shares. However, the Agreement provides that the Company
shall lose its pre-emptive rights under certain conditions. The Shareholders also maintain a right of first refusal if the other Shareholder
receives an offer to buy such shareholder’s Ordinary Shares.
The
Agreement also requires Biolite to obtain a bank facility in the amount of JPY 30,460,000 (approximately USD272,000), for its initial
working capital purposes. Pursuant to the Agreement, each Shareholder agrees to guarantee such bank facility if the bank requires a guarantee.
Accordingly, the Company may be liable for the bank facility in an amount up to JPY 14,925,400 (approximately USD134,000), which represents
49% of the maximum bank facility. The Agreement further provides that Biolite shall issue annual dividends at the rate of at least 1.5%
of Biolite’s profits, if it has sufficient cash to do so.
47
Pursuant
to the Agreement, the Company and Biolite agree to use their best efforts to execute the License Agreement by the end of December 2021.
The Company agreed that any negotiation on behalf of Biolite regarding the terms of the License Agreement shall be handled by the directors
appointed by Lucidaim. If the Company and such Lucidaim directors do not reach agreement on the terms, Biolite may at its sole discretion
determine not to execute the License Agreement without any liability to the Company.
The
Agreement contains non-solicitation and non-compete clauses for a period of 2 years after a Shareholder or its subsidiaries ceases to
be a Shareholder, with such restrictive covenants limited to business within the ophthalmologic filed or central neurological field.
Any rights to intellectual property that arise from Biolite’s activities, shall belong to Biolite.
The
Agreement contains standard indemnification terms, except that no indemnifying party shall have any liability for an individual liability
unless it exceeds JPY 500,000 (approximately USD4,500) and until the aggregate amount of all liabilities exceeds JPY 2,000,000 (approximately
USD18,000) and then only to the extent such liability exceed such limit.
The
Company paid $150,000 towards the setup of the joint venture; BioLite Japan’s other shareholder also paid $150,000 after the Letter
of Intent was signed.
The
Agreement shall continue for 10 years, unless earlier terminated. The Agreement also allows a Shareholder to terminate the agreement
upon certain defaults committed by another Shareholder, as set forth in the Agreement.
This
was a related party transaction.
In November
2021, the Company received $4,244,452 in gross proceeds from the exercise of warrants issued in the Company’s August 3, 2021, public
offering of securities. Investors exercised a total of 673,405 Series A warrants at a price of $6.30 per share, and 200 Series B warrants
at a price of $10 per share.
BioKey
Revenues
In
addition to collaborative agreements, ABVC earns revenue through its wholly owned BioKey subsidiary which provides a wide range of Contract
Development & Manufacturing Organization (“CDMO”) services including API characterization, pre-formulation studies, formulation
development, analytical method development, stability studies, IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions, and manufacturing clinical trial materials
(from Phase I through Phase III) and commercial manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.
In
addition, BioKey provides a variety of regulatory services tailored to the needs of its customers, which include proofreading and regulatory
review of submission documents related to formulation development, clinical trials, marketed products, generics, nutraceuticals and OTC
products and training presentations. In addition to supporting ABVC’s new drug development, BioKey submits INDs, NDAs, ANDAs, and
DMFs to the FDA, on ABVC’s behalf in compliance with new electronic submission guidelines of the FDA.
Impact
of COVID-19 Outbreak
On
January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”
and on March 10, 2020, declared it to be a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus include
restrictions on travel, and quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. The
coronavirus and actions taken to mitigate it have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial
markets of many countries, including the geographical area in which the Company operates. While the closures and limitations on movement,
domestically and internationally, are expected to be temporary, if the outbreak continues on its current trajectory the duration of the
supply chain disruption could reduce the availability, or result in delays, of materials or supplies to and from the Company, which in
turn could materially interrupt the Company’s business operations. Given the speed and frequency of the continuously evolving developments
with respect to this pandemic, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the magnitude of the impact to its consolidated results of operations.
We have taken every precaution possible to ensure the safety of our employees.
Due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, our revenue for the fiscal 2020 and 2021 were significantly impacted. As we have not seen a stronger signal
to indicate that overall global economies will be back to normal in the first half of fiscal 2022, our business’s overall revenue
stream may be impacted further until the restrictions of COVID-19 can be released, after which we expect the Company can resume normal
operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic,
including variants, has adversely affected, and is expected to continue to adversely affect, elements of our CDMO business sector. The
COVID-19 pandemic government imposed restrictions constrained researcher access to labs globally. These constraints limited scientific
discovery capacity and we observed that demand in those labs fell well below historic levels. As constraints on social distancing were
gradually lifted around the world recently, labs have been able to increase research activity. While we believe that underlying demand
is still not yet at pre-COVID-19 levels since lab operations remain below their normal capacity, we are hopeful that the vaccination
programs that are underway combined with policy changes planned for the summer will further increase research activity and support a
return to pre-COVID-19 demand levels worldwide.
The
global pandemic of COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely, including its potential
effect on our plans and timelines.
Additionally,
it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the financial statements have been, or will be, materially and adversely impacted in
the near term as a result of these conditions, including losses on inventory; impairment losses related to goodwill and other long-lived
assets and current obligations.
48
Summary
of Critical Accounting Policies
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America (the “U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions and account balances have been
eliminated.
This
basis of accounting involves the application of accrual accounting and consequently, revenues and gains are recognized when earned, and
expenses and losses are recognized when incurred. The Company’s financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars.
Fiscal
Year
The
Company changed its fiscal year from the period beginning on October 1st and ending on September 30th to the period beginning on January
1st and ending on December 31st, beginning January 1, 2018. All references herein to a fiscal year prior to December 31, 2017 refer to
the twelve months ended September 30th of such year.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting
periods. Actual results could differ materially from those results.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and merchandise. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and
valued on a moving weighted average cost basis. Market is determined based on net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews
the age and turnover of its inventory to determine whether any inventory has become obsolete or has declined in value, and incurs a charge
to operations for known and anticipated inventory obsolescence.
Forward
Stock Split
On
March 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to Articles of Incorporation to effect a forward split at
a ratio of 1 to 3.141 and increase the number of our authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, to 360,000,000, which
was effective on April 8, 2016.
Stock
Reverse Split
On
March 12, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting approved to i) effect a stock
reverse split at the ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Split”) of both the authorized common stock of the Company (the “Common
Stock”) and the issued and outstanding Common Stock and ii) to amend the articles of incorporation of the Company to reflect the
Reverse Split. The Board approved and authorized the Reverse Split without obtaining approval of the Company’s shareholders pursuant
to Section 78.207 of Nevada Revised Statutes. On May 3, 2019, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Company’s articles
of incorporation (the “Amendment”) to effect the Reverse Split with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) informed the Company that the Reverse Split was effective on May 8, 2019. All shares and related
financial information in this Form 10-Q reflect this 1-for-18 reverse stock split.
49
Fair
Value Measurements
FASB
ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” defines fair value for certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that
are recorded at fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It
requires that an entity measure its financial instruments to base fair value on exit price, maximize the use of observable units and
minimize the use of unobservable inputs to determine the exit price. It establishes a hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy increases the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and related
disclosures by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs
be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the assets
or liabilities based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the
Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based
on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels based on the reliability
of the inputs as follows:
● Level
1 - Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the
Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Valuation of these instruments
does not require a high degree of judgment as the valuations are based on quoted prices in
active markets that are readily and regularly available.
● Level
2 - Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly
observable as of the measurement date, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities;
quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can
be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or
liabilities.
● Level
3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.
The fair value for such assets and liabilities is generally determined using pricing models,
discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that incorporate the assumptions
a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The
carrying values of certain assets and liabilities of the Company, such as cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable,
due from related parties, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and due to related
parties approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities. The carrying value of the Company’s short-term bank loan,
convertible notes payable, and accrued interest approximates their fair value as the terms of the borrowing are consistent with current
market rates and the duration to maturity is short. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term bank loan approximates fair value
because the interest rates approximate market rates that the Company could obtain for debt with similar terms and maturities.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. As of December
31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents amounted $5,828,548 and $4,273,208, respectively. Some of the Company’s
cash deposits are held in financial institutions located in Taiwan where there is currently regulation mandated on obligatory insurance
of bank accounts. The Company believes this financial institution is of high credit quality.
Restricted
Cash Equivalents
Restricted
cash equivalents primarily consist of cash held in a reserve bank account in Taiwan. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s
restricted cash equivalents amounted $736,667 and $728,163, respectively.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
The
Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents.
The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments in high quality credit institutions, but these investments may be in excess
of Taiwan Central Deposit Insurance Corporation and the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insurance limits. The Company
does not enter into financial instruments for hedging, trading or speculative purposes.
Revenue
Recognition
During
the fiscal year 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts
with Customers, using the modified retrospective method to all contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018, and applying
the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit at the beginning of 2018 for the cumulative effect.
The results for the Company’s reporting periods beginning on and after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior
period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. Based on the
Company’s review of existing collaborative agreements as of January 1, 2018, the Company concluded that the adoption of the new
guidance did not have a significant change on the Company’s revenue during all periods presented.
Pursuant
to ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects
the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements
that the Company determines is within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s)
with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the
transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance
obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration
the Company is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services the Company transfers to the customers. At inception of the contract,
once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract,
determines those that are performance obligations, and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes
as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance
obligation is satisfied.
50
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that
improve the functionality of the related asset or extend the useful life are capitalized. When property and equipment is retired or otherwise
disposed of, the related gain or loss is included in operating income. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on the straight-line method
over the shorter of the remaining lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method,
including property and equipment under capital leases, generally based on the following useful lives:
Estimated Life
in Years
Buildings and leasehold improvements
5
~ 50
Machinery and equipment
5
~ 10
Office equipment
3
~ 6
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
The
Company has adopted Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360-10”). ASC
360-10 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used by the Company be reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates its long-lived
assets for impairment annually or more often if events and circumstances warrant. Events relating to recoverability may include significant
unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over
an extended period. Should impairment in value be indicated, the carrying value of intangible assets will be adjusted, based on estimates
of future discounted cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. ASC 360-10 also requires assets to be disposed
of be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.
Long-term
Equity Investment
The
Company acquires the equity investments to promote business and strategic objectives. The Company accounts for non-marketable equity
and other equity investments for which the Company does not have control over the investees as:
● Equity
method investments when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but
not control, over the investee. Its proportionate share of the income or loss is recognized
monthly and is recorded in gains (losses) on equity investments.
● Non-marketable
cost method investments when the equity method does not apply.
Significant
judgment is required to identify whether an impairment exists in the valuation of the Company’s non-marketable equity investments,
and therefore the Company considers this a critical accounting estimate. Its yearly analysis considers both qualitative and quantitative
factors that may have a significant impact on the investee’s fair value. Qualitative analysis of its investments involves understanding
the financial performance and near-term prospects of the investee, changes in general market conditions in the investee’s industry
or geographic area, and the management and governance structure of the investee. Quantitative assessments of the fair value of its investments
are developed using the market and income approaches. The market approach includes the use of comparable financial metrics of private
and public companies and recent financing rounds. The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which requires
significant estimates regarding the investees’ revenue, costs, and discount rates. The Company’s assessment of these factors
in determining whether an impairment exists could change in the future due to new developments or changes in applied assumptions.
Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment
The
Company’s long-term equity investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. Impairments affect earnings as follows:
● Marketable
equity securities include the consideration of general market conditions, the duration and
extent to which the fair value is below cost, and our ability and intent to hold the investment
for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery of value in the foreseeable future.
The Company also considers specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of,
and the business outlook for, the investee, which may include industry and sector performance,
changes in technology, operational and financing cash flow factors, and changes in the investee’s
credit rating. The Company records other-than-temporary impairments on marketable equity
securities and marketable equity method investments in gains (losses) on equity investments.
● Non-marketable
equity investments based on the Company’s assessment of the severity and duration of
the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating performance of
the investee; adverse changes in market conditions and the regulatory or economic environment;
changes in operating structure or management of the investee; additional funding requirements;
and the investee’s ability to remain in business. A series of operating losses of an
investee or other factors may indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred
that is other than temporary and that shall be recognized even though the decrease in value
is in excess of what would otherwise be recognized by application of the equity method. A
loss in value of an investment that is other than a temporary decline shall be recognized.
Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence
of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee
to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.
The Company records other-than-temporary impairments for non-marketable cost method investments
and equity method investments in gains (losses) on equity investments. Other-than-temporary
impairments of equity investments were $0 and $0 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively.
51
Goodwill
The
Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the
carrying value may not be recoverable. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment
to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative
assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, the Company performs a two-step impairment test. The Company tests
goodwill for impairment under the two-step impairment test by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting
units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not
that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair
value of goodwill and the carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts
of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category
expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions.
The
Company completed the required testing of goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2021, and determined that goodwill was impaired
because of the current financial condition of the Company and the Company’s inability to generate future operating income without
substantial sales volume increases, which are highly uncertain. Furthermore, the Company anticipates future cash flows indicate that
the recoverability of goodwill is not reasonably assured.
Research
and Development Expenses
The
Company accounts for the cost of using licensing rights in research and development cost according to ASC Topic 730-10-25-1. This guidance
provides that absent alternative future uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and development activities must
be charged to research and development expenses when incurred.
The
Company accounts for R&D costs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 730, Research and Development
(“ASC 730”). Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred unless there is an alternative future use
in other research and development projects or otherwise. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing
research and development activities, including personnel-related costs, facilities-related overhead, and outside contracted services
including clinical trial costs, manufacturing and process development costs for both clinical and preclinical materials, research costs,
and other consulting services. Non-refundable advance payment for goods and services that will be used in future research and development
activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made.
In instances where the Company enters into agreements with third parties to provide research and development services, costs are expensed
as services are performed.
Post-retirement
and post-employment benefits
The
Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan adopted the government mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to the Labor Pension Act (the
“Act”) in Taiwan. Such labor regulations require that the rate of contribution made by an employer to the Labor Pension Fund
per month shall not be less than 6% of the worker’s monthly salaries. Pursuant to the Act, the Company makes monthly contribution
equal to 6% of employees’ salaries to the employees’ pension fund. The Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond
the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $11,375 and $13,961 for the
year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Other than the above, the Company does not provide any other post-retirement or
post-employment benefits.
Stock-based
Compensation
The
Company measures expense associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and recognizes such expense
in the consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in accordance with FASB ASC Topic
718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Total employee stock-based compensation expenses were $2,675,205 and $1,623,102 for
the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The
Company accounted for stock-based compensation to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”
and FASB ASC Topic 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” which requires that the cost of services received from
non-employees is measured at fair value at the earlier of the performance commitment date or the date service is completed and recognized
over the period the service is provided. Total non-employee stock-based compensation expenses were $2,631,550 and $2,523,877 for the
years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Beneficial
Conversion Feature
From
time to time, the Company may issue convertible notes that may contain an imbedded beneficial conversion feature. A beneficial conversion
feature exists on the date a convertible note is issued when the fair value of the underlying common stock to which the note is convertible
into is in excess of the remaining unallocated proceeds of the note after first considering the allocation of a portion of the note proceeds
to the fair value of the warrants, if related warrants have been granted. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature is
recorded as a debt discount with a corresponding amount to additional paid in capital. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense
over the life of the note using the effective interest method.
52
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach which allows the recognition and measurement of deferred tax
assets to be based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred
taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more
likely than not these items will expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or future deductibility is uncertain.
Under
ASC 740, a tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would
be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process.
The first step is to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the
resolution of any related appeals or litigations based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax
position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold to determine the amount of benefits recognized in the financial statements. A
tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent
period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not criteria should
be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer satisfied. Penalties and interest
incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the year incurred. No significant penalty or interest
relating to income taxes has been incurred for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. GAAP also provides guidance on
de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.
On
December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects
of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies
to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects
of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax
effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate to be included
in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should
continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provision of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax
Act. While the Company is able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in corporate rate and the deemed repatriation
transition tax, the final impact of the Tax Act may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in our interpretations
and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by the I.R.S., and actions the Company may take. The Company is continuing to
gather additional information to determine the final impact.
Valuation
of Deferred Tax Assets
A
valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the Company’s deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, management considers, among other things, projections of future taxable income and
ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. If the Company determines that sufficient negative evidence exists, then it will
consider recording a valuation allowance against a portion or all of the deferred tax assets in that jurisdiction. If, after recording
a valuation allowance, the Company’s projections of future taxable income and other positive evidence considered in evaluating
the need for a valuation allowance prove, with the benefit of hindsight, to be inaccurate, it could prove to be more difficult to support
the realization of its deferred tax assets. As a result, an additional valuation allowance could be required, which would have an adverse
impact on its effective income tax rate and results. Conversely, if, after recording a valuation allowance, the Company determines that
sufficient positive evidence exists in the jurisdiction in which the valuation allowance was recorded, it may reverse a portion or all
of the valuation allowance in that jurisdiction. In such situations, the adjustment made to the deferred tax asset would have a favorable
impact on its effective income tax rate and results in the period such determination was made.
Loss
Per Share of Common Stock
The
Company calculates net loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”. Basic loss per share is computed
by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is computed
similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would
have been outstanding if the potential common stock equivalents had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Diluted
earnings per share excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
Commitments
and Contingencies
The
Company has adopted ASC Topic 450 “Contingencies” subtopic 20, in determining its accruals and disclosures with respect to
loss contingencies. Accordingly, estimated losses from loss contingencies are accrued by a charge to income when information available
before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued indicates that it is probable that an assets had been impaired or
a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses
associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. If a loss contingency is not probable or reasonably estimable, disclosure of
the loss contingency is made in the financial statements when it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss could be incurred.
53
Foreign-currency
Transactions
For
the Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan, the foreign-currency transactions are recorded in New Taiwan dollars (“NTD”)
at the rates of exchange in effect when the transactions occur. Gains or losses resulting from the application of different foreign exchange
rates when cash in foreign currency is converted into New Taiwan dollars, or when foreign-currency receivables or payables are settled,
are credited or charged to income in the year of conversion or settlement. On the balance sheet dates, the balances of foreign-currency
assets and liabilities are restated at the prevailing exchange rates and the resulting differences are charged to current income except
for those foreign currencies denominated investments in shares of stock where such differences are accounted for as translation adjustments
under the Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit).
Translation
Adjustment
The
accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan were maintained, and their financial statements were expressed, in New Taiwan
Dollar (“NT$”). Such financial statements were translated into U.S. Dollars (“$” or “USD”) in accordance
ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”, with the NT$ as the functional currency. According to the Statement, all assets and
liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate, shareholder’s deficit are translated at the historical rates and income
statement items are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under other
comprehensive income (loss) as a component of shareholders’ equity (deficit).
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts
in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity
(“ASU 2020-06”). ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for convertible debt by eliminating the beneficial conversion and
cash conversion accounting models. Upon adoption of ASU 2020-06, convertible debt, unless issued with a substantial premium or an embedded
conversion feature that is not clearly and closely related to the host contract, will no longer be allocated between debt and equity
components. This modification will reduce the issue discount and result in less non-cash interest expense in financial statements. ASU
2020-06 also updates the earnings per share calculation and requires entities to assume share settlement when the convertible debt can
be settled in cash or shares. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, the type of contracts primarily affected by ASU 2020-06
are freestanding and embedded features that are accounted for as derivatives under the current guidance due to a failure to meet the
settlement assessment by removing the requirements to (i) consider whether the contract would be settled in registered shares, (ii) consider
whether collateral is required to be posted, and (iii) assess shareholder rights. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and only if
adopted as of the beginning of such fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated
financial statements.
In
May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt — Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50),
Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options (“ASU
2021-04”). ASU 2021-04 provides guidance as to how an issuer should account for a modification of the terms or conditions or an
exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option (i.e., a warrant) that remains classified after modification or exchange
as an exchange of the original instrument for a new instrument. An issuer should measure the effect of a modification or exchange as
the difference between the fair value of the modified or exchanged warrant and the fair value of that warrant immediately before modification
or exchange and then apply a recognition model that comprises four categories of transactions and the corresponding accounting treatment
for each category (equity issuance, debt origination, debt modification, and modifications unrelated to equity issuance and debt origination
or modification). ASU 2021-04 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods
within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the guidance provided in ASU 2021-04 prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring
on or after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity elects
to early adopt ASU 2021-04 in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes
that interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Estimates
and Assumptions
In
preparing our consolidated financial statements, we use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Our
estimates are often based on complex judgments, probabilities and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but that are inherently
uncertain and unpredictable. We are also subject to other risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from estimated
amounts.
Results
of Operations — Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020.
Revenues. We
generated $355,797 and $483,045 in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease of $127,248, or
approximately 26%, was primarily caused by the decrease in contract services due to continuous impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operating
Expenses. Our operating expenses were $12,056,679 in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $8,970,105 in the year
ended December 31, 2020. Such increase in operating expenses was mainly attributable to the increase in stock based compensation and
selling, general and administrative expenses by $2,632,427 which relates to costs in conjunction with our public offering and our recent
stock issuances, as well as increasing research and development expenses of $454,147 to continue to develop our pipeline.
Other
Income (expense). The other income was $495,141 in the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to other expense of
$2,308,160 in the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was principally caused by the increase in foreign currency exchange income,
government PPP forgiveness, and decrease in impairment loss and loss on investment in equity securities.
Loss
on impairment loss was $0 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $961,217 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease
of $961,217 was due to our re-assessment of valuation based on the latest market consensus and trading price.
54
Loss
on investment in equity securities was $269,844 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $1,168,733 for the year ended December
31, 2020, representing a decrease of $898,889, or approximately 77%, which was mainly due to the investment in a related party, BioFirst,
accounted for using the equity method accounting treatment.
Gain
(loss) on foreign currency exchange was $426,316 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to ($3,275) for the year ended December
31, 2020. The increase of $429,591 was mainly due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against
the NT dollar from the repayment by BioLite, in currency other than the functional currency of such subsidiaries.
Government
grant income was $360,898 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $0 for year ended December 31, 2020. The increase
of $360,898 was due to the approval of PPP Forgiveness by the government.
Net
Loss. The net loss was $12,035,851 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $10,593,584 for the year ended December
31, 2020. The Company’s net loss increased by $1,442,267 or approximately 14% during the year ended December 31, 2021 from 2020.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Working
Capital
As
of
December 31,
2021
As
of
December 31,
2020
Current Assets
$ 9,625,120
$ 6,172,966
Current Liabilities
$ 3,692,312
$ 4,844,391
Working Capital (deficit)
$ 5,932,808
$ 1,328,575
Cash
Flow from Operating Activities
During
the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the net cash used in operating activities were ($7,597,719) and ($4,563,919), respectively.
The increase in the amount of $3,033,800 was primarily due to the increased net loss, account receivables, due from related parties,
prepaid expenses, partially offset by the decrease of gain on sales of investment in equity securities, stock-based compensation, and
investment loss; and by the increase of deferred tax during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Cash
Flow from Investing Activities
During
the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the net cash used in investing activities was ($805,966) and the net cash generated was ($225,431),
respectively. The increase in the amount of $580,535 was primarily due to the decrease in net proceeds from sale of investment occurred
in 2020, and increase in purchase of investments, prepayment for equity investment and purchase of equipment during the year ended December
31, 2021, and partially offset by the decrease of loan to related parties during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Cash
Flow from Financing Activities
During
the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the net cash provided by financing activities were $9,995,550 and $9,567,843, respectively.
The net cash provided by financing activities increased by $427,707, due to the issuance of common stock through up-list, partially offset
by the payment for up-list offering costs, repayment of convertible notes, repayment of short-term loans during the year ended December
31, 2021
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As
of December 31, 2021, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future
effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures,
or capital resources that is material to investors.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not
applicable.
55
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and the report of KCCW Accountancy Corp, our independent registered public accounting
firm, are set forth on pages F-1 through F-40 of this Report.
PAGE F-2 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (PCAOB ID 2851 )
PAGE F-3 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020.
PAGE F-4 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020.
PAGE F-5 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020.
PAGES F-6 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020.
PAGES F-7 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
F- 1
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
ABVC
BioPharma, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion
on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ABVC BioPharma, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively “the Company”)
as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’
equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated
financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended,
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis
for Opinion
These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company
in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part
of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether
due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical
Audit Matters
The
critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements
that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are
material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The
communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole,
and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the
accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Recognition
of Stock-Based Compensation Cost for Stock Options Issued
As
described in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company granted stock options to its directors and employees and estimated
total stock compensation expense related to the issuance of stock options of $2,675,205 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The stock
compensation cost was valued at the grant date, and management evaluated the fair value of these stock options at the grant date and
recognized based on the vesting schedule.
We
identified the recognition of stock options as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management when developing
underlying assumptions.
The
following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We obtained an understanding and evaluated the
design and implementation of certain controls relating to significant judgments and assumptions developed by management. We evaluated
and tested sources of data and assumptions used by management. In addition, we tested the completeness and accuracy of the underlying
assumptions used by management.
/s/
KCCW Accountancy Corp.
We
have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
Diamond
Bar, California
March
31, 2022
KCCW
Accountancy Corp. 3333 S. Brea Canyon Road, Suite 206, CA 91765 USA
Tel:
+1 909 348 7228 • Fax: +1 909 895 4155
F- 2
ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash
and cash equivalents
$ 5,828,548
$ 4,273,208
Restricted
cash and cash equivalents
736,667
728,163
Accounts
receivable, net
280,692
159,712
Accounts
receivable - related parties, net
145,399
143,435
Due
from related parties
1,286,618
696,255
Inventory,
net
25,975
-
Short-term
investments
108,147
-
Prepayment
for long-term investments
684,720
-
Prepaid
expense and other current assets
528,354
172,193
Total
Current Assets
9,625,120
6,172,966
Property
and equipment, net
525,881
514,834
Operating
lease right-of-use assets
1,471,899
1,772,747
Goodwill,
net
-
-
Long-term
investments
932,755
1,190,727
Deferred
tax assets
981,912
1,790,597
Prepaid
expenses – noncurrent
119,309
119,315
Security
deposits
41,157
45,519
Total
Assets
$ 13,698,033
$ 11,606,705
LIABILITIES
AND EQUITY
Current
Liabilities
Accounts
payable
$ -
$ 23,044
Short-term
bank loans
1,640,000
1,629,000
Short-term
loan
-
100,000
Notes
payable
-
106,800
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
1,300,803
2,118,854
Advance
from customers
10,985
12,070
Operating
lease liabilities – current portion
347,100
316,178
Due
to related parties
393,424
288,445
Convertible
notes payable – related parties, current portion
-
250,000
Total
Current Liabilities
3,692,312
4,844,391
Paycheck
Protection Program Loan Payable
-
124,400
Tenant
security deposit
10,580
19,280
Operating
lease liability – noncurrent portion
1,124,799
1,456,567
Convertible
notes payable – noncurrent portion
-
2,500,000
Total
Liabilities
4,827,691
8,944,638
Equity
Preferred stock, $ 0.001 par value, 20,000,000 authorized, nil shares issued and outstanding
-
-
Common stock, $ 0.001 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 28,926,322 and 24,420,526 shares issued and outstanding
28,926
24,420
Additional
paid-in capital
58,113,667
40,751,807
Stock
subscription receivable
( 2,257,400 )
( 3,160,360 )
Accumulated
deficit
( 38,481,200 )
( 25,642,387 )
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
539,660
564,860
Treasury
stock
( 9,100,000 )
( 9,100,000 )
Total
Stockholders’ equity
8,843,653
3,438,340
Noncontrolling
interest
26,689
( 776,273 )
Total
Equity
8,870,342
2,662,067
Total
Liabilities and Equity
$ 13,698,033
$ 11,606,705
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 3
ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Year
Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Revenues
$ 355,797
$ 483,045
Cost of revenues
5,086
18,716
Gross
profit
350,711
464,329
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
5,746,119
4,273,468
Research and development
expenses
1,003,805
549,658
Stock
based compensation
5,306,755
4,146,979
Total
operating expenses
12,056,679
8,970,105
Loss
from operations
( 11,705,968 )
( 8,505,776 )
Other income (expense)
Interest income
43,196
71,045
Interest expense
( 227,210 )
( 405,032 )
Operating sublease income
134,576
20,071
Operating sublease income
– related parties
4,800
4,800
Impairment loss
-
( 961,217 )
Investment loss
-
( 40,589 )
Gain/Loss on foreign exchange
changes
426,316
( 3,275 )
Gain/Loss on investment
in equity securities
( 269,844 )
( 1,168,733 )
Other income
22,409
174,770
Government
grant income
360,898
-
Total
other income (expenses)
495,141
( 2,308,160 )
Loss before provision income
tax
( 11,210,827 )
( 10,813,936 )
Provision for income
tax expense (benefit)
825,024
( 220,352 )
Net loss
( 12,035,851 )
( 10,593,584 )
Net loss attributable
to noncontrolling interests
802,962
( 802,420 )
Net loss attributed to ABVC and subsidiaries
( 12,838,813 )
( 9,791,164 )
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
( 25,200 )
( 98,893 )
Comprehensive loss
$ ( 12,864,013 )
$ ( 9,890,057 )
Net loss per share:
Basic
and diluted
$ ( 0.51 )
$ ( 0.50 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
and diluted
25,053,522
19,715,559
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 4
ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
2021
2020
Cash
flows from operating activities
Net
loss
$ ( 12,035,851 )
$ ( 10,593,584 )
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
11,993
37,142
Stock
based compensation
5,306,755
4,146,979
Gain/Loss
on investment in equity securities
269,844
1,168,733
Government
grant income
( 360,898 )
-
Other
non-cash income and expenses
-
( 15,360 )
Investment
loss
-
1,001,806
Deferred
tax
824,199
( 223,201 )
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease
(increase) in accounts receivable
( 120,980 )
3,696
Decrease
(increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
( 357,276 )
( 15,778 )
Decrease
(increase) in due from related parties
( 595,037 )
20,645
Decrease
(increase) in inventory
( 25,830 )
-
Increase
(decrease) in accounts payable
( 23,044 )
( 951 )
Increase
(decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities
( 173,151 )
( 359,822 )
Increase
(decrease) in advanced from others
( 1,085 )
( 1,015 )
Increase
(decrease) in due to related parties
( 317,358 )
266,791
Net
cash used in operating activities
( 7,597,719 )
( 4,563,919 )
Cash
flows from investing activities
Net
proceeds from sale of investment
-
147,804
Purchase of investments
( 107,547 )
-
Purchase of equipment
( 17,503 )
-
Loan
to related parties
-
( 373,235 )
Prepayment
for equity investment
( 680,916 )
-
Net
cash used in investing activities
( 805,966 )
( 225,431 )
Cash
flows from financing activities
Issuance
of common stock
11,119,452
7,615,331
Payment
for offering costs
( 850,429 )
-
Proceeds
from convertible notes
-
2,500,000
Repayment
of convertible notes
( 306,836 )
-
Repayment
of short-term loan
( 100,000 )
-
Repayment
of notes payable
( 107,400 )
-
Repayment
of short-term bank loan
-
( 350,000 )
Proceeds
from short-term loan
-
100,000
Proceeds
from long-term loan
236,498
124,400
Proceeds
from (repayments of) short term borrowings from third parties
4,265
( 480,989 )
Proceeds
from borrowings from related parties
-
72,704
Repayment
of long-term bank loans
-
( 13,603 )
Net
cash provided by financing activities
9,995,550
9,567,843
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
( 28,021 )
62,435
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
1,563,844
4,840,928
Cash
and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning
5,001,371
160,443
Ending
$ 6,565,215
$ 5,001,371
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flows
Cash
paid during the year for:
Interest
expense paid
$ 333,873
$ 208,556
Income
taxes paid
$ -
$ -
Non-cash
financing and investing activities
Common
shares issued for debt conversion
$ 2,693,548
$ 1,717,051
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements .
F- 5
ABVC
BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Common
Stock
Stock
Additional
Accumulated
Other
Treasury
Stock
Non
Stockholders’
Number
of
shares
Amounts
Subscription
Receivable
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Comprehensive
Income
Number of
Shares
Amount
controlling
Interest
Equity
(Deficit)
Balance at
December 31, 2019
19,478,168
$ 19,478
$ ( 4,063,320 )
$ 28,180,348
$ ( 15,851,223 )
$ 663,753
( 275,347 )
$ ( 9,100,000 )
$ 26,147
$ ( 124,817 )
Capital
contribution
3,384,615
3,385
-
7,611,946
-
-
-
-
-
7,615,331
Stock
based compensation for options granted
-
-
-
1,706,419
-
-
-
-
-
1,706,419
Stock
based compensation for services
641,887
642
902,960
1,536,958
-
-
-
-
-
2,440,560
Debt
conversion
915,856
915
-
1,716,136
-
-
-
-
-
1,717,051
Net loss
for the year
-
-
-
-
( 9,791,164 )
-
-
-
( 802,420 )
( 10,593,584 )
Cumulative
transaction adjustments
-
-
-
-
-
( 98,893 )
-
-
-
( 98,893 )
Balance at December 31,
2020
24,420,526
$ 24,420
$ ( 3,160,360 )
$ 40,751,807
$ ( 25,642,387 )
$ 564,860
( 275,347 )
$ ( 9,100,000 )
$ ( 776,273 )
$ 2,662,067
Issuance
of common shares for cash
3,027,750
3,028
-
10,265,995
-
-
-
-
-
10,269,023
Issuance
of common shares for consulting service
366,934
367
-
1,728,223
-
-
-
-
-
1,728,590
Issuance
of common shares for debt conversion
1,111,112
1,111
-
2,692,437
-
-
-
-
-
2,693,548
Stock
based compensation for services
-
-
902,960
-
-
-
-
-
-
902,960
Stock
based compensation for options granted
-
-
-
2,675,205
-
-
-
-
-
2,675,205
Net loss
for the year
-
-
-
-
( 12,838,813 )
-
-
-
802,962
( 12,035,851 )
Cumulative
transaction adjustments
-
-
-
-
-
( 25,200 )
-
-
-
( 25,200 )
Balance
at December 31, 2021
28,926,322
$ 28,926
$ ( 2,257,400 )
$ 58,113,667
$ ( 38,481,200 )
$ 539,660
( 275,347 )
$ ( 9,100,000 )
$ 26,689
$ 8,870,342
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 6
ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
ABVC
BioPharma, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly known as American BriVision (Holding) Corporation, a Nevada corporation, through
the Company’s operating entity, American BriVision Corporation (“BriVision”), which was incorporated in July 2015 in
the State of Delaware, engages in biotechnology to fulfill unmet medical needs and focuses on the development of new drugs and medical
devices derived from plants. BriVision develops its pipeline by carefully tracking new medical discoveries or medical device technologies
in research institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Pre-clinical, disease animal model and Phase I safety studies are examined closely
by the Company to identify drugs that BriVision believes demonstrate efficacy and safety. Once a drug appears to be a good candidate
for development and ultimately commercialization, BriVision licenses the drug or medical device from the original researchers and begins
to introduce the drugs clinical plan to highly respected principal investigators in the United States, Australia and Taiwan to conduct
a Phase II clinical trial. At present, clinical trials for the Company’s drugs and medical devices are being conducted at such
world-famous institutions as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (“MSKCC”) and MD Anderson Cancer Center. BriVision had
no predecessor operations prior to its formation on July 21, 2015.
Name
Change
The
Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the Company’s corporate
name from American BriVision (Holding) Corporation to ABVC BioPharma, Inc. and approved and adopted the Certificate of Amendment to affect
same at the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). The name change amendment to the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation was filed with Nevada’s Secretary of State and became effective on March 8, 2021 and FINRA processed
our request to change our name on April 30, 2021, which became effective as of May 3, 2021.
The
Company’s stock symbol remains ABVC.
Reverse
Merger
On
February 8, 2016, a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) was entered into by and among the Company,
BriVision, and Euro-Asia Investment & Finance Corp. Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Euro-Asia”), being the owners of record of 164,387,376 ( 52,336,000 pre-stock
split) shares of Common Stock of the Company, and the owners of record of all of the issued share capital of BriVision (the “BriVision
Stock”).
Pursuant
to the Share Exchange Agreement, upon surrender by the BriVision Shareholders and the cancellation by BriVision of the certificates evidencing
the BriVision Stock as registered in the name of each BriVision Shareholder, and pursuant to the registration of the Company in the register
of members maintained by BriVision as the new holder of the BriVision Stock and the issuance of the certificates evidencing the aforementioned
registration of the BriVision Stock in the name of the Company, the Company issued 166,273,921 ( 52,936,583 pre-stock split) shares (the
“Acquisition Stock”) (subject to adjustment for fractionalized shares as set forth below) of the Company’s Common Stock
to the BriVision Shareholders (or their designees), and 163,159,952 ( 51,945,225 pre-stock split) shares of the Company’s Common
Stock owned by Euro-Asia were cancelled and retired to treasury. The Acquisition Stock collectively represented 79.70 % of the issued
and outstanding Common Stock of the Company immediately after the Closing, in exchange for the BriVision Stock, representing 100 % of
the issued share capital of BriVision in a reverse merger (the “Merger”).
Pursuant
to the Merger, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BriVision were converted, at an exchange ratio of 0. 2536-for-1, into
an aggregate of 166,273,921 (52,936,583 pre-stock split) common shares of the Company and BriVision had become a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company. The holders of Company’s Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Merger held an aggregate of 205,519,223 ( 65,431,144
pre-stock split) shares of Company’s Common Stock. Because of the exchange of the BriVision Stock for the Acquisition Stock (the
“Share Exchange”), BriVision had become a wholly owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Company and there
was a change of control of the Company following the closing. There were no warrants, options or other equity instruments issued in connection
with the share exchange agreement.
Upon
the consummation of the Share Exchange, BriVision became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Following
the Share Exchange, the Company has abandoned prior business plan and is now pursuing BriVision’s historically proposed businesses,
which focus on the development of new drugs and innovative medical devices to fulfill unmet medical needs. The business model of the
Company is to integrate research achievements from world-famous institutions, conduct clinical trials of translational medicine for Proof
of Concept (“POC”), out-license to international pharmaceutical companies, and explore global markets.
F- 7
Accounting
Treatment of the Reverse Merger
For
financial reporting purposes, the Share Exchange represents a “reverse merger” rather than a business combination and BriVision is
deemed the accounting acquirer in the transaction. The Share Exchange is being accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization.
BriVision is the acquirer for financial reporting purposes and the Company is the acquired company. Consequently, the
assets and liabilities and the operations reflected in the historical financial statements prior to the Share Exchange will be those
of BriVision and recorded at the historical cost basis of BriVision. In addition, the consolidated financial statements
after completion of the Share Exchange will include the assets and liabilities of the Company and BriVision, and the historical operations
of BriVision and operations of the Combined Company from the closing date of the Share Exchange.
Merger
On
February 8, 2019, the Company, BioLite Holding, Inc. (“BioLite”), BioKey, Inc. (“BioKey”), BioLite Acquisition
Corp., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub 1”), and BioKey Acquisition Corp., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary
of Parent (“Merger Sub 2”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties”) completed the business combination pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of January 31, 2018 where ABVC acquired BioLite and
BioKey via issuing additional Common Stock of ABVC to the shareholders of BioLite and BioKey.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Merger Agreement, BioLite and BioKey became two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company on February 8, 2019. ABVC
issued an aggregate of 104,558,777 shares (prior to the reverse stock split in 2019) to the shareholders of both BioLite and BioKey under
a registration statement on Form S-4 (file number 333-226285), which became effective by operation of law on or about February 5, 2019.
BioLite
Holding, Inc. (the “BioLite Holding”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on July 27, 2016. BioLite BVI,
Inc. (the “BioLite BVI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of BioLite Holding, was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on
September 13, 2016. BioLite Holding and BioLite BVI are holding companies and have not carried out substantive business operations of
their own.
BioLite,
Inc., (the “BioLite Taiwan”) was incorporated on February 13, 2006 under the laws of Taiwan. BioLite is in the business of
developing and commercialization of new botanical drugs with application in central nervous system, autoimmunity, inflammation, hematology,
and oncology. In addition, BioLite Taiwan distributes dietary supplements made from extracts of Chinese herbs and Maitake mushroom.
In
January 2017, BioLite Holding, BioLite BVI, BioLite Taiwan, and certain shareholders of BioLite Taiwan entered into a share purchase
/ exchange agreement (the “BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement”). Pursuant to the BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange
Agreement, the shareholder participants to the BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement have sold their equity in BioLite Taiwan and
were using the proceeds from such sales to purchase shares of Common Stock of BioLite Holding at the same price per share, resulting
in their owning the same number of shares of Common Stock as they owned in the BioLite Taiwan. Upon closing of the Share Purchase/ Exchange
Agreement in August 2017, BioLite Holding ultimately owns via BioLite BVI approximately 73 % of BioLite Taiwan. The other shareholders
who did not enter this Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement retain their equity ownership in BioLite Taiwan.
BioKey,
Inc. was incorporated on August 9, 2000 in the State of California. BioKey provides a wide range of services, including, API characterization,
pre-formulation studies, formulation development, analytical method development, stability studies, IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions, and
manufacturing clinical trial materials (Phase I through phase III) and commercial manufacturing. It also licenses out its technologies
and initiates joint research and development processes with other biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical companies.
F- 8
Accounting
Treatment of the Merger
The
Company adopted ASC 805, “Business Combination” to record the merger transactions of BioKey. Since the Company and BioLite
Holding are the entities under Dr. Tsung-Shann Jiang’s common control, the transaction is accounted for as a restructuring transaction. All
the assets and liabilities of BioLite Holding, BioLite BVI, and BioLite Taiwan were transferred to the Company at their respective carrying
amounts on the closing date of the Merger. The Company has recast prior period financial statements to reflect the conveyance of BioLite
Holding’s common shares as if the restructuring transaction had occurred as of the earliest date of the financial statements. All
material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. The nature of and effects on earnings
per share (EPS) of nonrecurring intra-entity transactions involving long-term assets and liabilities is not required to be eliminated
and EPS amounts have been recast to include the earnings (or losses) of the transferred net assets.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America (the “U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions and account balances have been
eliminated.
This
basis of accounting involves the application of accrual accounting and consequently, revenues and gains are recognized when earned, and
expenses and losses are recognized when incurred. The Company’s financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars.
Fiscal
Year
The
Company changed its fiscal year from the period beginning on October 1st and ending on September 30th to the period beginning on January
1st and ending on December 31st, beginning January 1, 2018. All references herein to a fiscal year prior to December 31, 2017 refer to
the twelve months ended September 30th of such year.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting
periods. Actual results could differ materially from those results.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and merchandise. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and
valued on a moving weighted average cost basis. Market is determined based on net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews
the age and turnover of its inventory to determine whether any inventory has become obsolete or has declined in value, and incurs a charge
to operations for known and anticipated inventory obsolescence.
Forward
Stock Split
On
March 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to Articles of Incorporation to effect a forward split at
a ratio of 1 to 3.141 and increase the number of our authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, to 360,000,000, which
was effective on April 8, 2016.
F- 9
Stock
Reverse Split
On
March 12, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting approved to i) effect a stock
reverse split at the ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Split”) of both the authorized common stock of the Company (the “Common
Stock”) and the issued and outstanding Common Stock and ii) to amend the articles of incorporation of the Company to reflect the
Reverse Split. The Board approved and authorized the Reverse Split without obtaining approval of the Company’s shareholders pursuant
to Section 78.207 of Nevada Revised Statutes. On May 3, 2019, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Company’s articles
of incorporation (the “Amendment”) to effect the Reverse Split with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) informed the Company that the Reverse Split was effective on May 8, 2019. All shares and related
financial information in this Form 10-K reflect this 1-for-18 reverse stock split.
Fair
Value Measurements
FASB
ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” defines fair value for certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that
are recorded at fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It
requires that an entity measure its financial instruments to base fair value on exit price, maximize the use of observable units and
minimize the use of unobservable inputs to determine the exit price. It establishes a hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy increases the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and related
disclosures by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs
be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the assets
or liabilities based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the
Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based
on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels based on the reliability
of the inputs as follows:
●
Level
1 - Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at
the measurement date. Valuation of these instruments does not require a high degree of judgment as the valuations are based on quoted
prices in active markets that are readily and regularly available.
●
Level 2 - Inputs other
than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the measurement date, such as quoted
prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can
be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
●
Level 3 - Valuations based
on inputs that are unobservable and not corroborated by market data. The fair value for such assets and liabilities is generally
determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that incorporate the assumptions a market
participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The
carrying values of certain assets and liabilities of the Company, such as cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable,
due from related parties, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and due to related
parties approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities. The carrying value of the Company’s short-term bank loan,
convertible notes payable, and accrued interest approximates their fair value as the terms of the borrowing are consistent with current
market rates and the duration to maturity is short. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term bank loan approximates fair value
because the interest rates approximate market rates that the Company could obtain for debt with similar terms and maturities.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. As of December
31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents amounted $ 5,828,548 and $ 4,273,208 , respectively. Some of the Company’s
cash deposits are held in financial institutions located in Taiwan where there is currently regulation mandated on obligatory insurance
of bank accounts. The Company believes this financial institution is of high credit quality.
F- 10
Restricted
Cash Equivalents
Restricted
cash equivalents primarily consist of cash held in a reserve bank account in Taiwan. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s
restricted cash equivalents amounted $ 736,667 and $ 728,163 , respectively.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
The
Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents.
The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments in high quality credit institutions, but these investments may be in excess
of Taiwan Central Deposit Insurance Corporation and the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insurance limits. The Company
does not enter into financial instruments for hedging, trading or speculative purposes.
Revenue
Recognition
During
the fiscal year 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts
with Customers, using the modified retrospective method to all contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018, and applying
the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit at the beginning of 2018 for the cumulative effect.
The results for the Company’s reporting periods beginning on and after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior
period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. Based on the
Company’s review of existing collaborative agreements as of January 1, 2018, the Company concluded that the adoption of the new
guidance did not have a significant change on the Company’s revenue during all periods presented.
Pursuant
to ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects
the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements
that the Company determines is within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s)
with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the
transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance
obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration
the Company is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services the Company transfers to the customers. At inception of the contract,
once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract,
determines those that are performance obligations, and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes
as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance
obligation is satisfied.
The
following are examples of when the Company recognizes revenue based on the types of payments the Company receives.
Collaborative
Revenues — The Company recognizes collaborative revenues generated through collaborative research, development and/or commercialization
agreements. The terms of these agreements typically include payment to the Company related to one or more of the following: non-refundable
upfront license fees, development and commercial milestones, partial or complete reimbursement of research and development costs, and
royalties on net sales of licensed products. Each type of payments results in collaborative revenues except for revenues from royalties
on net sales of licensed products, which are classified as royalty revenues. To date, the Company has not received any royalty revenues.
Revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of a performance obligation by transferring control of a good or service to the collaboration
partners.
F- 11
As
part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company applies judgment to determine whether the performance obligations are distinct,
and develop assumptions in determining the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation identified in the collaboration
agreements. To determine the stand-alone selling price, the Company relies on assumptions which may include forecasted revenues, development
timelines, reimbursement rates for R&D personnel costs, discount rates and probabilities of technical and regulatory success.
The
Company had multiple deliverables under the collaborative agreements, including deliverables relating to grants of technology licenses,
regulatory and clinical development, and marketing activities. Estimation of the performance periods of the Company’s deliverables
requires the use of management’s judgment. Significant factors considered in management’s evaluation of the estimated performance
periods include, but are not limited to, the Company’s experience in conducting clinical development, regulatory and manufacturing
activities. The Company reviews the estimated duration of its performance periods under its collaborative agreements on an annually basis,
and makes any appropriate adjustments on a prospective basis. Future changes in estimates of the performance period under its collaborative
agreements could impact the timing of future revenue recognition.
(i) Non-refundable
upfront payments
If
a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified
in an arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from the related non-refundable upfront payments based on the relative standalone selling
price prescribed to the license compared to the total selling price of the arrangement. The revenue is recognized when the license is
transferred to the collaboration partners and the collaboration partners are able to use and benefit from the license. To date, the receipt
of non-refundable upfront fees was solely for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by the Company before
the collaborative agreements entered into and it does not relate to any future obligations and commitments made between the Company and
the collaboration partners in the collaborative agreements.
(ii)
Milestone payments
The
Company is eligible to receive milestone payments under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners based on achievement
of specified development, regulatory and commercial events. Management evaluated the nature of the events triggering these contingent
payments, and concluded that these events fall into two categories: (a) events which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations
under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners, and (b) events which do not involve the performance of the Company’s
obligations under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners.
The
former category of milestone payments consists of those triggered by development and regulatory activities in the territories specified
in the collaborative agreements. Management concluded that each of these payments constitute substantive milestone payments. This conclusion
was based primarily on the facts that (i) each triggering event represents a specific outcome that can be achieved only through successful
performance by the Company of one or more of its deliverables, (ii) achievement of each triggering event was subject to inherent risk
and uncertainty and would result in additional payments becoming due to the Company, (iii) each of the milestone payments is non-refundable,
(iv) substantial effort is required to complete each milestone, (v) the amount of each milestone payment is reasonable in relation to
the value created in achieving the milestone, (vi) a substantial amount of time is expected to pass between the upfront payment and the
potential milestone payments, and (vii) the milestone payments relate solely to past performance. Based on the foregoing, the Company
recognizes any revenue from these milestone payments in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs.
(iii) Multiple
Element Arrangements
The
Company evaluates multiple element arrangements to determine (1) the deliverables included in the arrangement and (2) whether the individual
deliverables represent separate units of accounting or whether they must be accounted for as a combined unit of accounting. This evaluation
involves subjective determinations and requires management to make judgments about the individual deliverables and whether such deliverables
are separate from other aspects of the contractual relationship. Deliverables are considered separate units of accounting provided that:
(i) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and (ii) if the arrangement includes a general right of return
relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially within
its control. In assessing whether an item under a collaboration has standalone value, the Company considers factors such as the research,
manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities of the collaboration partner and the availability of the associated expertise in the
general marketplace. The Company also considers whether its collaboration partners can use the other deliverable(s) for their intended
purpose without the receipt of the remaining element(s), whether the value of the deliverable is dependent on the undelivered item(s),
and whether there are other vendors that can provide the undelivered element(s).
F- 12
The
Company recognizes arrangement consideration allocated to each unit of accounting when all of the revenue recognition criteria in ASC
606 are satisfied for that particular unit of accounting. In the event that a deliverable does not represent a separate unit of accounting,
the Company recognizes revenue from the combined unit of accounting over the Company’s contractual or estimated performance period
for the undelivered elements, which is typically the term of the Company’s research and development obligations. If there is no
discernible pattern of performance or objectively measurable performance measures do not exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under
the arrangement on a straight-line basis over the period the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations. Conversely,
if the pattern of performance in which the service is provided to the customer can be determined and objectively measurable performance
measures exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under the arrangement using the proportional performance method. Revenue recognized
is limited to the lesser of the cumulative amount of payments received or the cumulative amount of revenue earned, as determined using
the straight-line method or proportional performance method, as applicable, as of the period ending date.
At
the inception of an arrangement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive and at
risk to both parties on the basis of the contingent nature of the milestone. This evaluation includes an assessment of whether: (1) the
consideration is commensurate with either the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of
the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from its performance to achieve the milestone, (2) the consideration
relates solely to past performance and (3) the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within
the arrangement. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be
overcome to achieve the particular milestone and the level of effort and investment required to achieve the particular milestone in making
this assessment. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether a milestone satisfies all of the criteria required to
conclude that a milestone is substantive. Milestones that are not considered substantive are recognized as earned if there are no remaining
performance obligations or over the remaining period of performance, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
(iv) Royalties
and Profit Sharing Payments
Under
the collaborative agreement with the collaboration partners, the Company is entitled to receive royalties on sales of products, which
is at certain percentage of the net sales. The Company recognizes revenue from these events based on the revenue recognition criteria
set forth in ASC 606. Based on those criteria, the Company considers these payments to be contingent revenues, and recognizes them as
revenue in the period in which the applicable contingency is resolved.
Revenues
Derived from Research and Development Activities Services — Revenues related to research and development and regulatory activities
are recognized when the related services or activities are performed, in accordance with the contract terms. The Company typically has
only one performance obligation at the inception of a contract, which is to perform research and development services. The Company may
also provide its customers with an option to request that the Company provides additional goods or services in the future, such as active
pharmaceutical ingredient, API, or IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions. The Company evaluates whether these options are material rights at
the inception of the contract. If the Company determines an option is a material right, the Company will consider the option a separate
performance obligation.
If
the Company is entitled to reimbursement from its customers for specified research and development expenses, the Company accounts for
the related services that it provides as separate performance obligations if it determines that these services represent a material right.
The Company also determines whether the reimbursement of research and development expenses should be accounted for as revenues or an
offset to research and development expenses in accordance with provisions of gross or net revenue presentation. The Company recognizes
the corresponding revenues or records the corresponding offset to research and development expenses as it satisfies the related performance
obligations.
F- 13
The
Company then determines the transaction price by reviewing the amount of consideration the Company is eligible to earn under the contracts,
including any variable consideration. Under the outstanding contracts, consideration typically includes fixed consideration and variable
consideration in the form of potential milestone payments. At the start of an agreement, the Company’s transaction price usually
consists of the payments made to or by the Company based on the number of full-time equivalent researchers assigned to the project and
the related research and development expenses incurred. The Company does not typically include any payments that the Company may receive
in the future in its initial transaction price because the payments are not probable. The Company would reassess the total transaction
price at each reporting period to determine if the Company should include additional payments in the transaction price.
The
Company receives payments from its customers based on billing schedules established in each contract. Upfront payments and fees may be
recorded as advance from customers upon receipt or when due, and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until
the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the right of the Company
to consideration is unconditional. The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation
at contract inception is such that the period between payment by the customers and the transfer of the promised goods or services to
the customers will be one year or less.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that
improve the functionality of the related asset or extend the useful life are capitalized. When property and equipment is retired or otherwise
disposed of, the related gain or loss is included in operating income. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on the straight-line method
over the shorter of the remaining lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method,
including property and equipment under capital leases, generally based on the following useful lives:
Estimated Life
in Years
Buildings and leasehold
improvements
5 ~ 50
Machinery and equipment
5 ~ 10
Office equipment
3 ~ 6
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
The
Company has adopted Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360-10”). ASC
360-10 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used by the Company be reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates its long-lived
assets for impairment annually or more often if events and circumstances warrant. Events relating to recoverability may include significant
unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over
an extended period. Should impairment in value be indicated, the carrying value of intangible assets will be adjusted, based on estimates
of future discounted cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. ASC 360-10 also requires assets to be disposed
of be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.
F- 14
Long-term
Equity Investment
The
Company acquires the equity investments to promote business and strategic objectives. The Company accounts for non-marketable equity
and other equity investments for which the Company does not have control over the investees as:
●
Equity method investments
when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Its proportionate share of
the income or loss is recognized monthly and is recorded in gains (losses) on equity investments.
●
Non-marketable cost method
investments when the equity method does not apply.
Significant
judgment is required to identify whether an impairment exists in the valuation of the Company’s non-marketable equity investments,
and therefore the Company considers this a critical accounting estimate. Its yearly analysis considers both qualitative and quantitative
factors that may have a significant impact on the investee’s fair value. Qualitative analysis of its investments involves understanding
the financial performance and near-term prospects of the investee, changes in general market conditions in the investee’s industry
or geographic area, and the management and governance structure of the investee. Quantitative assessments of the fair value of its investments
are developed using the market and income approaches. The market approach includes the use of comparable financial metrics of private
and public companies and recent financing rounds. The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which requires
significant estimates regarding the investees’ revenue, costs, and discount rates. The Company’s assessment of these factors
in determining whether an impairment exists could change in the future due to new developments or changes in applied assumptions.
Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment
The
Company’s long-term equity investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. Impairments affect earnings as follows:
●
Marketable equity securities
include the consideration of general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is below cost, and our ability
and intent to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery of value in the foreseeable future. The Company
also considers specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of, and the business outlook for, the investee, which
may include industry and sector performance, changes in technology, operational and financing cash flow factors, and changes in the
investee’s credit rating. The Company records other-than-temporary impairments on marketable equity securities and marketable
equity method investments in gains (losses) on equity investments.
● Non-marketable equity investments based on the Company’s assessment of the severity and duration of the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating performance of the investee; adverse changes in market conditions and the regulatory or economic environment; changes in operating structure or management of the investee; additional funding requirements; and the investee’s ability to remain in business. A series of operating losses of an investee or other factors may indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred that is other than temporary and that shall be recognized even though the decrease in value is in excess of what would otherwise be recognized by application of the equity method. A loss in value of an investment that is other than a temporary decline shall be recognized. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying amount of the investment. The Company records other-than-temporary impairments for non-marketable cost method investments and equity method investments in gains (losses) on equity investments. Other-than-temporary impairments of equity investments were $ 0 and $ 961,217 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F- 15
Goodwill
The
Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the
carrying value may not be recoverable. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment
to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative
assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, the Company performs a two-step impairment test. The Company tests
goodwill for impairment under the two-step impairment test by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting
units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not
that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair
value of goodwill and the carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts
of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category
expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions.
The
Company completed the required testing of goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2021, and determined that goodwill was impaired
because of the current financial condition of the Company and the Company’s inability to generate future operating income without
substantial sales volume increases, which are highly uncertain. Furthermore, the Company anticipates future cash flows indicate that
the recoverability of goodwill is not reasonably assured.
Research
and Development Expenses
The
Company accounts for the cost of using licensing rights in research and development cost according to ASC Topic 730-10-25-1. This guidance
provides that absent alternative future uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and development activities must
be charged to research and development expenses when incurred.
For
our CDMO business unit, the Company accounts for R&D costs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)
730, Research and Development (“ASC 730”). Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred unless there
is an alternative future use in other research and development projects or otherwise. Research and development expenses are comprised
of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including personnel-related costs, facilities-related overhead,
and outside contracted services including clinical trial costs, manufacturing and process development costs for both clinical and preclinical
materials, research costs, and other consulting services. Non-refundable advance payment for goods and services that will be used in
future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather
than when the payment is made. In instances where the Company enters into agreements with third parties to provide research and development
services, costs are expensed as services are performed.
Post-retirement
and post-employment benefits
The
Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan adopted the government mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to the Labor Pension Act (the
“Act”) in Taiwan. Such labor regulations require that the rate of contribution made by an employer to the Labor Pension Fund
per month shall not be less than 6% of the worker’s monthly salaries. Pursuant to the Act, the Company makes monthly contribution
equal to 6 % of employees’ salaries to the employees’ pension fund. The Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond
the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $ 11,375 and $ 13,961 for the
year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Other than the above, the Company does not provide any other post-retirement or
post-employment benefits.
Stock-based
Compensation
The
Company measures expense associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and recognizes such expense
in the consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in accordance with FASB ASC Topic
718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Total employee stock-based compensation expenses were $ 2,675,205 and $ 1,623,102 for
the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The
Company accounted for stock-based compensation to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”
and FASB ASC Topic 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” which requires that the cost of services received from
non-employees is measured at fair value at the earlier of the performance commitment date or the date service is completed and recognized
over the period the service is provided. Total non-employee stock-based compensation expenses were $ 2,631,550 and $ 2,523,877 for the
year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F- 16
Beneficial
Conversion Feature
From
time to time, the Company may issue convertible notes that may contain an imbedded beneficial conversion feature. A beneficial conversion
feature exists on the date a convertible note is issued when the fair value of the underlying common stock to which the note is convertible
into is in excess of the remaining unallocated proceeds of the note after first considering the allocation of a portion of the note proceeds
to the fair value of the warrants, if related warrants have been granted. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature is
recorded as a debt discount with a corresponding amount to additional paid in capital. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense
over the life of the note using the effective interest method.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach which allows the recognition and measurement of deferred tax
assets to be based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred
taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more
likely than not these items will expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or future deductibility is uncertain.
Under
ASC 740, a tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would
be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process.
The first step is to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the
resolution of any related appeals or litigations based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax
position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold to determine the amount of benefits recognized in the financial statements. A
tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent
period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not criteria should
be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer satisfied. Penalties and interest
incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the year incurred. No significant penalty or interest
relating to income taxes has been incurred for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. GAAP also provides guidance on de-recognition,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.
On
December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects
of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies
to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects
of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax
effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate to be included
in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should
continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provision of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax
Act. While the Company is able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in corporate rate and the deemed repatriation
transition tax, the final impact of the Tax Act may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in our interpretations
and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by the I.R.S., and actions the Company may take. The Company is continuing to
gather additional information to determine the final impact.
Valuation
of Deferred Tax Assets
A
valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the Company’s deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, management considers, among other things, projections of future taxable income and
ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. If the Company determines that sufficient negative evidence exists, then it will
consider recording a valuation allowance against a portion or all of the deferred tax assets in that jurisdiction. If, after recording
a valuation allowance, the Company’s projections of future taxable income and other positive evidence considered in evaluating
the need for a valuation allowance prove, with the benefit of hindsight, to be inaccurate, it could prove to be more difficult to support
the realization of its deferred tax assets. As a result, an additional valuation allowance could be required, which would have an adverse
impact on its effective income tax rate and results. Conversely, if, after recording a valuation allowance, the Company determines that
sufficient positive evidence exists in the jurisdiction in which the valuation allowance was recorded, it may reverse a portion or all
of the valuation allowance in that jurisdiction. In such situations, the adjustment made to the deferred tax asset would have a favorable
impact on its effective income tax rate and results in the period such determination was made.
F- 17
Loss
Per Share of Common Stock
The
Company calculates net loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”. Basic loss per share is computed
by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is computed
similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would
have been outstanding if the potential common stock equivalents had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Diluted
earnings per share excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
Commitments
and Contingencies
The
Company has adopted ASC Topic 450 “Contingencies” subtopic 20, in determining its accruals and disclosures with respect to
loss contingencies. Accordingly, estimated losses from loss contingencies are accrued by a charge to income when information available
before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or
a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses
associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. If a loss contingency is not probable or reasonably estimable, disclosure of
the loss contingency is made in the financial statements when it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss could be incurred.
Foreign-currency
Transactions
For
the Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan, the foreign-currency transactions are recorded in New Taiwan dollars (“NTD”)
at the rates of exchange in effect when the transactions occur. Gains or losses resulting from the application of different foreign exchange
rates when cash in foreign currency is converted into New Taiwan dollars, or when foreign-currency receivables or payables are settled,
are credited or charged to income in the year of conversion or settlement. On the balance sheet dates, the balances of foreign-currency
assets and liabilities are restated at the prevailing exchange rates and the resulting differences are charged to current income except
for those foreign currencies denominated investments in shares of stock where such differences are accounted for as translation adjustments
under the Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit).
Translation
Adjustment
The
accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan were maintained, and their financial statements were expressed, in New Taiwan
Dollar (“NT$”). Such financial statements were translated into U.S. Dollars (“$” or “USD”) in accordance
ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”, with the NT$ as the functional currency. According to the Statement, all assets and
liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate, stockholder’s deficit are translated at the historical rates and income
statement items are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under other
comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit).
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts
in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity
(“ASU 2020-06”). ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for convertible debt by eliminating the beneficial conversion and
cash conversion accounting models. Upon adoption of ASU 2020-06, convertible debt, unless issued with a substantial premium or an embedded
conversion feature that is not clearly and closely related to the host contract, will no longer be allocated between debt and equity
components. This modification will reduce the issue discount and result in less non-cash interest expense in financial statements. ASU
2020-06 also updates the earnings per share calculation and requires entities to assume share settlement when the convertible debt can
be settled in cash or shares. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, the type of contracts primarily affected by ASU 2020-06
are freestanding and embedded features that are accounted for as derivatives under the current guidance due to a failure to meet the
settlement assessment by removing the requirements to (i) consider whether the contract would be settled in registered shares, (ii) consider
whether collateral is required to be posted, and (iii) assess shareholder rights. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and only if
adopted as of the beginning of such fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated
financial statements.
In
May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt — Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50),
Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options (“ASU
2021-04”). ASU 2021-04 provides guidance as to how an issuer should account for a modification of the terms or conditions or an
exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option (i.e., a warrant) that remains classified after modification or exchange
as an exchange of the original instrument for a new instrument. An issuer should measure the effect of a modification or exchange as
the difference between the fair value of the modified or exchanged warrant and the fair value of that warrant immediately before modification
or exchange and then apply a recognition model that comprises four categories of transactions and the corresponding accounting treatment
for each category (equity issuance, debt origination, debt modification, and modifications unrelated to equity issuance and debt origination
or modification). ASU 2021-04 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods
within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the guidance provided in ASU 2021-04 prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring
on or after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity elects
to early adopt ASU 2021-04 in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes
that interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
F- 18
3.
COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS
Collaborative
agreements with BHK
(i)
On February 24, 2015, BioLite Taiwan and BioHopeKing Corporation (the “BHK”) entered into a co-development agreement, (the
“BHK Co-Development Agreement”), pursuant to which it is collaborative with BHK to develop and commercialize BLI-1401-2 (Botanical
Drug) Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Combination Therapy (BLI-1401-2 Products) in Asian countries excluding Japan for all related
intellectual property rights, and has developed it for medicinal use in collaboration with outside researchers. The development costs
shall be shared 50/50 between BHK and the Company. The BHK Co-Development Agreement will remain in effect for fifteen years from the
date of first commercial sale of the Product in in Asia excluding Japan.
On
July 27, 2016, BioLite Taiwan and BHK agreed to amend the payment terms of the milestone payment in an aggregate amount of $ 10 million
based on the following schedule:
● Upon the signing of the BHK Co-Development Agreement: $1 million, or 10% of total payment
●
Upon the first Investigational
New Drug (IND) submission and BioLite Taiwan will deliver all data to BHK according to FDA Reviewing requirement: $1 million, or
10% of total payment
●
At the completion of first
phase II clinical trial: $1 million, or 10% of total payment
●
At the initiation of phase
III of clinical trial research: $3 million, or 30% of total payment
● Upon the New Drug Application (NDA) submission: $4 million, or 40% of total payment
In
December 2015, BHK has paid a non-refundable upfront cash payment of $ 1 million, or 10 % of $ 10,000,000 , upon the signing of BHK Co-Development
Agreement. The Company concluded that the deliverables are considered separate units of accounting as the delivered items have value
to the customer on a standalone basis and recognized this cash receipt as collaboration revenue when all research, technical, and development
data was delivered to BHK in 2015. The receipt is for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by BioLite Taiwan
before this collaborative agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BioLite Taiwan and BHK in this
collaborative agreement. In August 2016, the Company has received the second milestone payment of NT$ 31,649,000 , approximately equivalent
to $ 1 million, and recognized collaboration revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of the date of this report, the Company
has not completed the first phase II clinical trial.
In
addition to the milestone payments, BioLite Taiwan is entitled to receive royalty on 12 % of BHK’s net sales related to BLI-1401-2
Products. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has not earned the royalty under the BHK Co-Development Agreement.
(ii)
On December 9, 2015, BioLite Taiwan entered into another two collaborative agreements (the “BHK Collaborative Agreements”),
pursuant to which it is collaborative with BHK to co-develop and commercialize BLI-1005 for “Targeting Major Depressive Disorder”
(BLI-1005 Products) and BLI-1006 for “Targeting Inflammatory Bowel Disease” (BLI-1006 Products) in Asia excluding Japan for
all related intellectual property rights, and has developed it for medicinal use in collaboration with outside researchers. The development
costs shall be shared 50/50 between BHK and the Company. The BHK Co-Development Agreement will remain in effect for fifteen years from
the date of first commercial sale of the Product in in Asia excluding Japan.
In
2015, the Company recognized the cash receipt in a total of NT$50 million, approximately equivalent to $1.6 million, as collaboration
revenue when all research, technical, and development data was delivered to BHK. The Company concluded that the deliverables are considered
separate units of accounting as the delivered items have value to the customer on a standalone basis and recognized this payment as collaboration
revenue when all research, technical, data and development data was delivered to BHK. The cash receipt is for the compensation of past
research efforts and contributions made by BioLite Taiwan before this BHK Collaborative Agreements was signed and it does not relate
to any future commitments made by BioLite Taiwan and BHK in this BHK Collaborative Agreements.
In
addition to the total of NT$50 million, approximately equivalent to $1.60 million, BioLite Taiwan is entitled to receive 50% of the future
net licensing income or net sales profit. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has not earned the royalty under the BHK Collaborative
Agreements.
F- 19
Co-Development
agreement with Rgene Corporation, a related party
On
May 26, 2017, BriVision entered into a co-development agreement (the “Co-Dev Agreement”) with Rgene Corporation (the “Rgene”),
a related party under common control by controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company (See Note 12). Pursuant
to Co-Dev Agreement, BriVision and Rgene agreed to co-develop and commercialize ABV-1507 HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination
Therapy, ABV-1511 Pancreatic Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy. Under the terms of the Co-Dev
Agreement, Rgene is required to pay the Company $ 3,000,000 in cash or stock of Rgene with equivalent value by August 15, 2017. The
payment is for the compensation of BriVision’s past research efforts and contributions made by BriVision before the Co-Dev Agreement
was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BriVision and Rgene in this Co-Dev Agreement. In addition to $ 3,000,000 ,
the Company is entitled to receive 50 % of the future net licensing income or net sales profit earned by Rgene, if any, and any development
costs shall be equally shared by both BriVision and Rgene.
On
June 1, 2017, the Company has delivered all research, technical, data and development data to Rgene. Since both Rgene and the Company
are related parties and under common control by a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company, the Company
has recorded the full amount of $ 3,000,000 in connection with the Co-Dev Agreement as additional paid-in capital during the year ended
December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company has received $ 450,000 in cash. On December 24, 2018, the Company
received the remaining balance of $2,550,000 in the form of newly issued shares of Rgene’s Common Stock, at the price of NT$50
(approximately equivalent to $1.60 per share), for an aggregate number of 1,530,000 shares, which accounted for equity method long-term
investment as of December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has recognized investment loss of $549. On December
31, 2018, the Company determined to fully write off this investment based on the Company’s assessment of the severity and duration
of the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating performance of the investee, adverse changes in market
conditions and the regulatory or economic environment, changes in operating structure of Rgene, additional funding requirements, and
Rgene’s ability to remain in business. All projects that have been initiated will be managed and supported by the Company and Rgene.
The
Company and Rgene signed an amendment to the Co-Dev Agreement on November 10, 2020, pursuant to which both parties agreed to delete AB-1507
HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination Therapy and AB 1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy and add ABV-1519 EGFR Positive Non-Small
Cell Lung Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1526 Large Intestine / Colon / Rectal Cancer Combination Therapy to the products to be co-developed
and commercialized. Other provisions of the Co-Dev Agreement remain in full force and effect.
Collaborative
agreement with BioFirst Corporation, a related party
On
July 24, 2017, BriVision entered into a collaborative agreement (the “BioFirst Collaborative Agreement”) with BioFirst Corporation
(“BioFirst”), pursuant to which BioFirst granted the Company the global licensing right for medical use of the product (the
“Product”): BFC-1401 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy. BioFirst is a related party to the Company because a controlling
beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company is one of the directors and Common Stock shareholders of BioFirst (See
Note 12).
Pursuant
to the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement, the Company will co-develop and commercialize the Product with BioFirst and pay BioFirst in
a total amount of $ 3,000,000 in cash or stock of the Company before September 30, 2018. The amount of $ 3,000,000 is in connection with
the compensation for BioFirst’s past research efforts and contributions made by BioFirst before the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement
was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BioFirst and BriVision in this BioFirst Collaborative Agreement.
In addition, the Company is entitled to receive 50 % of the future net licensing income or net sales profit, if any, and any development
cost shall be equally shared by both BriVision and BioFirst.
F- 20
On
September 25, 2017, BioFirst has delivered all research, technical, data and development data to BriVision. The Company determined to
fully expense the entire amount of $ 3,000,000 since currently the related licensing rights do not have alternative future uses. According
to ASC 730-10-25-1, absent alternative future uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and development activities
must be charged to research and development expenses immediately. Hence, the entire amount of $ 3,000,000 is fully expensed as research
and development expense during the year ended December 31, 2017.
On
June 30, 2019, BriVision entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with BioFirst. Pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 428,571 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $ 3,000,000
owed by the Company to BioFirst (the “Total Payment”) in connection with a certain collaborative agreement between the Company
and BioFirst dated July 24, 2017 (the “Collaborative Agreement”). Pursuant to the Collaborative Agreement, BioFirst granted
the Company the global licensing right to co-develop BFC-1401 or ABV-1701 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy for medical purposes in
consideration for the Total Payment.
On
August 5, 2019, BriVision entered into a second Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement 2”) with BioFirst. Pursuant
to Purchase Agreement 2, the Company issued 414,702 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $ 2,902,911
owed by the Company to BioFirst in connection with a loan provided to BriVision from BioFirst.
4. INVENTORY
Inventory
consists of the following:
December
31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Finished goods
$ 96,725
$ 100,967
Work-in-process
-
22,038
Raw materials
84,620
61,718
Allowance for inventory valuation and obsolescence
loss
( 155,370 )
( 184,723 )
Inventory, net
$ 25,975
$ -
5. PROPERTY
AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows:
December
31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Land
$ 400,091
$ 395,645
Buildings and leasehold improvements
2,235,061
2,233,573
Machinery and equipment
1,013,376
994,544
Office equipment
191,824
189,760
3,840,352
3,813,522
Less: accumulated
depreciation
( 3,314,471 )
( 3,298,688 )
Property and equipment,
net
$ 525,881
$ 514,834
Depreciation
expense were $ 11,993 and $ 37,142 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F- 21
6.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
(1)
The ownership percentages of each investee are listed
as follows:
Ownership
percentage
December 31,
December 31,
Accounting
Name
of related party
2021
2020
treatments
Braingenesis Biotechnology Co.,
Ltd.
0.17 %
0.17 %
Cost Method
Genepharm Biotech Corporation
0.70 %
0.70 %
Cost Method
BioHopeKing Corporation
5.90 %
5.90 %
Cost Method
BioFirst Corporation
15.99 %
15.99 %
Equity Method
Rgene Corporation
31.62 %
31.62 %
Equity Method
(2)
The extent the investee relies on the company for its
business are summarized as follows:
Name
of related party
The
extent the investee relies on the Company for its business
Braingenesis Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
No specific business relationship
Genepharm Biotech Corporation
No specific business relationship
BioHopeKing Corporation
Collaborating with the Company to develop and commercialize drugs
BioFirst Corporation
Loaned from the investee and provides research and development support service
Rgene Corporation
Collaborating with the Company to develop and commercialize drugs
(3)
Long-term investment mainly consists of the following:
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Non-marketable Cost Method Investments, net
Braingenesis
Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
$ 7,941
$ 7,853
Genepharm Biotech Corporation
24,244
23,974
BioHopeKing
Corporation
900,570
890,564
Sub total
932,755
922,391
Equit
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