Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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.
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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
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