Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The following information should be read in conjunction
with ABVC BioPharma, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) condensed
unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Information in this Item 2, “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q that does not consist
of historical facts, are “forward-looking statements.” Statements accompanied or qualified by, or containing words such as
“may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,”
“projects,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “outlook,” “forecast,”
“anticipates,” “presume,” and “assume” constitute forward-looking statements, and as such, are not
a guarantee of future performance.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result
of the factors described in the “Risk Factors” and detailed in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
filings. Risks and uncertainties can include, among others, international, national and local general economic and market conditions:
demographic changes; the ability of the Company to sustain, manage or forecast its growth; the ability of the Company to successfully
make and integrate acquisitions; raw material costs and availability; new product development and introduction; existing government regulations
and changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; adverse publicity; competition; the loss of significant customers
or suppliers; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results; changes in business strategy or development plans; business
disruptions; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the ability to obtain sufficient financing to continue and expand
business operations; the ability to develop technology and products; changes in technology and the development of technology and intellectual
property by competitors; the ability to protect technology and develop intellectual property; and other factors referenced in this and
previous filings. Consequently, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictive of future results.
Because of these risks and uncertainties, the
forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report or incorporated by reference might not transpire. Factors that cause
actual results or conditions to differ from those anticipated by these and other forward-looking statements include those more fully described
elsewhere in this report and in the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on form 10-K.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update
the forward-looking statements in this report.
Overview
ABVC BioPharma Inc., which was incorporated under
the laws of the State of Nevada on February 6, 2002, 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.
32
Currently, institutions conducting phase II clinical trials in partnership
with ABVC include:
● Medical Device: ABV-1701, Vitargus ® in vitrectomy surgery,
Phase II Study in Australia and Thailand, Principal Investigator: Professor/Dr. Matthew Simunovic, Sydney Eye Hospital; Dr.
Elvis Ojaimi, East Melbourne Eye Group & East Melbourne Retina, Duangnate Rojanaporn, M.D., Ramathibodi Hospital Thailand; and
Thuss Sanguansak, M.D., Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand 1 .
●
Drug: ABV-1505, Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Phase II, Part II, NCE drug Principal Investigators: Keith McBurnett, Ph.D. and Linda Pfiffner, Ph.D., University of California San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine and five (5) major hospitals in Taiwan.
●
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-1519, A Phase I/II, Open Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of BLEX 404 Oral Liquid Combined with Pemetrexed + Carboplatin Therapy in Patients with Advanced Inoperable or Metastatic EGFR wild-type Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
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 2023 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 and 2023) 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.
On
July 25, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation authorizing a 1-for-10 reverse stock split
of the issued and outstanding shares of its common stock (the “2023 Split”). The Company’s stockholders previously
approved the Reverse Stock Split at the Company’s Special Shareholder Meeting held on July 7, 2023. The Reverse Stock Split was
effected to reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares and to increase the per share trading value of the Company’s common
stock, although that outcome is not guaranteed. In turn, the Company believes that the Reverse Stock Split will enable the Company to
restore compliance with certain continued listing standards of NASDAQ Capital Market.
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”), which 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 share ownership in BioLite Common Stock equal to the number of shares they
had held in BioLite Taiwan Common Stock. Upon closing of the Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement in August 2017, BioLite owned, via BioLite
BVI, approximately 73% of BioLite Taiwan. The other shareholders who did not enter this Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement retained 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.
1 The Vitargus ® Phase II study was put on hold due to
Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) observed in patients with retinal detachment treated with either Vitargus or SF6 comparator after vitrectomy
surgeries at the Thailand sites. By comparing the Thailand study with the First-in-Human (FIH) study completed in Australia in 2018, the
SAEs derived from the patients in the Thailand study may be due to the modified in-situ hydrogel procedure which allows
a longer surgical time window for the study. The Company is investigating the root causes of the events and is working towards developing
a safe device in-situ procedure before reinstating the study.
33
As of June 21, 2023, Dr. Howard Doong resigned as the Company’s
CEO and was replaced by Dr. Uttam Patil.
Common
Stock Reverse Split
On March 12, 2019, the Board, by unanimous written
consent in lieu of a meeting, approved to i) implement 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 implement the Reverse Split with the Secretary
of State of the State of Nevada. The Reverse Split took effect on May 8, 2019.
On July 25, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate
of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation authorizing a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of its common
stock (the “2023 Split”). The Company’s stockholders previously approved the Reverse Stock Split at the Company’s
Special Shareholder Meeting held on July 7, 2023. The Reverse Stock Split was effected to reduce the number of issued and outstanding
shares and to increase the per share trading value of the Company’s common stock, although that outcome is not guaranteed. In turn,
the Company believes that the Reverse Stock Split will enable the Company to restore compliance with certain continued listing standards
of NASDAQ Capital Market.
On July 14, 2023, the Company filed a certificate
of amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation (the “Amendment”) to implement the 2023 Split with the Secretary
of State of the State of Nevada. The 2023 Split took effect on July 25, 2023.
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, 2022, no Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock has been issued by the Company.
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.
The
above-mentioned equity is before the reverse stock split in 2023.
On
July 25, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation authorizing a 1-for-10 reverse stock split
of the issued and outstanding shares of its common stock (the “2023 Split”). The Company’s stockholders previously
approved the Reverse Stock Split at the Company’s Special Shareholder Meeting held on July 7, 2023. The Reverse Stock Split was
effected to reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares and to increase the per share trading value of the Company’s common
stock, although that outcome is not guaranteed. In turn, the Company believes that the Reverse Stock Split will enable the Company to
restore compliance with certain continued listing standards of NASDAQ Capital Market.
34
In
August 2022, we received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) notifying us
that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price for our common stock was below the minimum $1.00 per share required
for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (“Rule 5550(a)(2)”). In accordance
with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were initially given until February 14, 2023 to regain compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2). Since
the Company did not regain compliance by such date, it requested and received an additional 180 days, until August 14, 2023, to comply
with Rule 5550(a)(2).
The deficiency has no immediate effect on the
listing of the Company’s common stock, and its common stock continues to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ABVC”
at this time.
If at any time before August 14, 2023, the bid
price of the Company’s common stock closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, the Staff will
provide written confirmation that the Company has achieved compliance and the matter will be closed.
If the Company does not regain compliance with
Rule 5550(a)(2) by August 14, 2023, the Staff will provide written notification that the Company’s securities will be delisted,
although the Company maintains the right to appeal such determination. The Company intends to actively monitor the closing bid price for
its common stock and will consider available options to resolve the deficiency and regain compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2).
On
May 24, 2023, we received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq
Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it is not currently in compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity
requirement, or the alternatives of market value of listed securities or net income from continuing operations, for continued listing
on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) requires listed companies to maintain stockholders’ equity of at least
$2,500,000, and the Company’s stockholders’ equity was $1,734,507 as of March 31, 2023. In accordance with Nasdaq rules, the
Company has 45 calendar days, or until July 10, 2023, to submit a plan to regain compliance. After submitting a plan to regain compliance,
Nasdaq granted the Company an extension to comply with Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). The Company must now achieve compliance with this rule
on or before August 31, 2023. If the Company fails to evidence compliance upon filing its periodic report for the quarter ending September
30, 2023, the Company may be subject to delisting. If Nasdaq determines to delist the Company’s securities, the Company will have
an opportunity to appeal Nasdaq’s decision.
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 had 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 1,548 ordinary shares. The Shareholders entered into the joint venture to formally reduce
to writing their intention 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 raising and consulting, distribution and marketing of supplements
carried by Biolite JP and its subsidiaries in Japan, or any other territory or business, as the Agreement may with mutual consent be amended
from time to time. The closing of the transaction was conditioned upon the approval and receipt of all necessary government approvals,
which have all 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.
35
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 Shareholder-appointed director 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.
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.
36
Recent
Research Results
On October 20, 2022, the Company received a Notice
of Allowance for ABV-1504 from the US Patent and Trademark Office that extends the existing patent life of ABV-1504 from 2021 to the year
2041. The patent, entitled “Polygala Extract for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder,” outlines a method for treating
major depressive disorder by oral administration of a composition, ABV-1504, containing Radix Polygalae (Polygala tenuifolia Willd). The
polygala extract, designated PDC-1421, is the key active ingredient in ABV-1504 which was orally administered to healthy volunteers and
proved to be safe and well-tolerated for a daily dose from 380 mg to 3800 mg.
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 August 2, 2022 the Company received the formal
approval from Central Research Ethics Committee (CREC) of The National Research Council of Thailand for Vitargus ® Phase
II Study Protocol (ABV-1701-02) to be conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University and Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University
of Thailand. On November 2, 2022, both hospitals received Thai FDA investigational product (IP) import licenses allowing them to initiate
the clinical study in Thailand. The Phase II clinical study entitled “A Prospective Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Clinical Investigation
of the Safety and Effectiveness of the ABV1701 Ocular Endotamponade (OE)” was initiated in Thailand in March 2023.
The Vitargus ® Phase II study was
put on hold due to Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) observed in patients with retinal detachment treated with either Vitargus or SF6 comparator
after vitrectomy surgeries at the Thailand sites. By comparing the Thailand study with the First-in-Human (FIH) study completed in Australia
in 2018, the SAEs derived from the patients in the Thailand study may be due to the modified in-situ hydrogel procedure
which allows a longer surgical time window for the study. The Company is investigating the root causes of the events and is working towards
developing a safe device in-situ procedure before reinstating the study.
In parallel, Vitargus ® Phase II
Study protocol documents were accepted by the Australian Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and a Clinical Trial Notification
(“CTN”) was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in February 2023. The study approvals by the
research governance officers (RGO) of each participating sites, Sydney Eye Hospital and East Melbourne Eye Group are in progress.
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.
37
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 July 12, 2022, the Company announced the enrollment progress in
the Phase II Part II clinical study of the company’s ADHD medicine (ABV-1505). Since the first-treated subject reported on May 10,
2022, a total of fifty-seven (57) subjects have been enrolled in the study, including 48 who have completed the 56-day treatment. The
study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study entitled “A Phase II Tolerability and Efficacy Study of PDC-1421 Treatment
in Adult Patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Part II, is expected to eventually involve approximately 100 patients.
Five prestigious research hospitals in Taiwan and the research hospital at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) are participating
in the study which is a continuation of the Phase II part 1 study of ABV-1505 completed successfully at UCSF and accepted by the U.S.
Food & Drug Administration in October of 2020. The UCSF Medical Center Institutional Review Board has approved participation in the
Part II study, and the site initiation vist was conducted in March 2023.
The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC, West Hollywood
CA) Institutional Review Board (IRB) has approved their institution joining the Phase I study of ABV-1601 for treating depression in cancer
patients. The Principal Investigator of the CSMC study will be Dr. Scott A. Irwin, MD, PhD., an eminent Professor of Psychiatry &
Behavioral Neurosciences. The Phase I study is open label and will be conducted with 12 cancer patients with moderate to severe depressive
symptoms. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the safety of PDC-1421, the primary active ingredient in ABV-1601. The second
objective is to determine the most effective dosages for a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority Phase II trial of PDC-1421 comparing
with Wellbutrin XL, a commonly used medicine to treat cancer patients suffering with depression. The site initiation visit of the Phase
I study was conducted in March 2023.
Public Offering & Financings
Financing
in 2023
On February 23, 2023, the Company entered into
a securities purchase agreement (the “Lind Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Lind Global Fund II, LP (“Lind”),
pursuant to which the Company issued Lind a secured, convertible note in the principal amount of $3,704,167 (the “Lind Offering”),
for a purchase price of $3,175,000 (the “Lind Note”), that is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock
at an initial conversion price of $1.05 per share, subject to adjustment (the “Note Shares”). The Company also issued Lind
a common stock purchase warrant (the “Lind Warrant”) to purchase up to 5,291,667 shares of the Company’s common stock
at an initial exercise price of $1.05 per share, subject to adjustment (each, a “Warrant Share,” together with the Note, Note
Shares and Warrants, the “Lind Securities”).
The Lind Note does not carry any interest. Beginning
with the date that is six months from the issuance date of the Lind Note and on each one (1) month anniversary thereafter, the Company
shall pay Lind an amount equal to $308,650.58, until the outstanding principal amount of the Lind Note has been paid in full prior to
or on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, upon acceleration, conversion or redemption of the Lind Note in accordance with the terms thereof
(the “Monthly Payments”). At the Company’s discretion, the Monthly Payments shall be made in (i) cash, (ii) shares of
the Company’s common stock, or (iii) a combination of cash and Shares; if made in shares, the number of shares shall be determined
by dividing (x) the principal amount being paid in shares by (y) 90% of the average of the 5 lowest daily VWAPs during the 20 trading
days prior to the applicable payment date. The Lind Notes sets forth certain conditions that must be satisfied before the Company may
make any Monthly Payments in shares of common stock. If the Company makes a Monthly Payment in cash, the Company must also pay Lind a
cash premium of 5% of such Monthly Payment.
Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (as
defined in the Lind Note), the Company must pay Lind an amount equal to 120% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Lind Note,
in addition to any other remedies under the Note or the other Transaction Documents.
The Lind Warrant may be exercised via cashless
exercise.
38
Pursuant to the terms of the Lind Securities Purchase
Agreement, if at any time prior to a date that is 18 months following the closing of the Lind Offering, the Company proposes to offer
or sell any additional securities in a subsequent financing, the Company shall first offer Lind the opportunity to purchase up to 10%
of such new securities.
In connection with the Lind Offering, the Company
and its subsidiaries: (i) BioKey, Inc., a California corporation (“BioKey”), (ii) Biolite Holding, Inc., a Nevada corporation
(“BioLite”), (iii) Biolite BVI, Inc., a British Virgin Islands corporation (“BioLite BVI”) and (iv) American BriVision
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“American BriVision” and, collectively with the Company, BioKey, BioLite, and BioLite
BVI, the “Guarantors”), jointly and severally guaranteed all of the obligations of the Company in connection with the Lind
Offering (the “Guaranty”) with certain collateral, as set forth in the related Transaction Documents (as hereinafter defined).
The sale of the Lind Note and the terms of the
Lind Offering, including the Guaranty are set forth in the Lind Securities Purchase Agreement, the Note, the Warrant, a Security Agreement,
Guarantor Security, Guaranty, a Trademark Security Agreement with Rgene Corporation, a Trademark Security Agreement with BioFirst, a Patent
Security Agreement, a Copyright Security Agreement and a Stock Pledge Agreement (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”).
Allele Capital Partners, LLC (“Allele”)
together with its executing broker dealer, Wilmington Capital Securities, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Wilmington”),
served as the exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) of the Lind Offering. As a result of the Lind Offering, the
Company will pay the Placement Agent (i) a cash fee of 6% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Securities, and (ii) common stock
purchase warrants to purchase 6% of the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Lind Note. We also agreed to pay certain expenses
of the placement agent in connection with the Lind Offering.
Pursuant to the Lind Securities Purchase Agreement,
the Company agreed to register all of the Lind Securities and the shares of common stock underlying the warrant issued to the placement
agent.
The Securities Purchase Agreement also contains
customary representation and warranties of the Company and the Investors, indemnification obligations of the Company, termination provisions,
and other obligations and rights of the parties.
The foregoing description of the Transaction Documents
is qualified by reference to the full text of the forms of the Transaction Documents, which are filed as Exhibits hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
On August 1, 2023, Lind converted $500,000 convertible
notes into 142,857 shares of Common Stock, at a conversion price of $3.50 per share.
On July 27, 2023, the Company entered into that
certain securities purchase agreement. relating to the offer and sale of 300,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share and
200,000 pre-funded warrants, at an exercise price of $0.001 per share, in a registered direct offering. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,
the Company agreed to sell the Shares and/or Pre-funded Warrants at a per share purchase price of $3.50, for gross proceeds of $1,750,000,
before deducting any estimated offering expenses. On August 1, 2023, the pre-funded warrants were exercised.
The transaction contemplated by the SPA was closed
on July 31, 2023, as all the closing conditions have been satisfied.
The Company paid to the placement agents an aggregate
cash fee equal to 6% of the aggregate sales price of the securities sold and warrants to purchase up to 30,000 shares of Common Stock,
on the same terms as the Pre-Funded Warrants.
The
above-mentioned equity is before the reverse stock split in 2023.
Financing in May 2022
On May 11, 2022, the Company and an institutional
investor entered into certain securities purchase agreement relating to the offer and sale of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share in a registered direct offering. Pursuant to the Offering, the Company also issued 5-year warrants to purchase 2,000,000
shares of Common Stock, exercisable at a price of $2.45 per share to the Purchasers. The sale and offering of the shares and the warrants
pursuant to such securities purchase agreement was implemented as a takedown off the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form
S-3, as amended (File No. 333-260588), which became effective on November 29, 2021. WallachBeth Capital LLC and ViewTrade Securities,
Inc. acted as co-placement agents for the aforementioned offering of the shares and warrants. The Company paid to the co-placement agents
an aggregate cash fee equal to 8% of the aggregate sales price of the securities sold and issued them warrants to purchase up to 160,000
shares of Common Stock, on the same terms as the warrants issued to the institutional investor.
The
above-mentioned equity is before the reverse stock split in 2023.
39
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.
● 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.
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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.
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 annual 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 were entered into
and 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.
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(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.
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.
42
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 contract liabilities 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, a related
party
(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
(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 June 30, 2023, 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 Inc. 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 June 30, 2023, 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.
43
Collaborative agreement with BioLite, Inc.,
a related party
The Company entered into a collaborative agreement
with BioLite, Inc. on December 29, 2015, and then entered into two addendums to such agreement, as amended and revised, (the “BioLite
Agreement”). The majority shareholder of BioLite is one of the Company’s subsidiaries, Mr. Jiang, the Company’s Chairman
is a director of BioLite and Dr. Jiang, the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer and a director, is the Chairman of BioLite.
Pursuant to the BioLite Agreement, the Company
acquired the sole licensing rights to develop and commercialize for therapeutic purposes six compounds from BioLite. In accordance with
the terms of the Agreement, the Company shall pay BioLite (i) milestone payments of up to $100 million in cash and equity of the Company
or equity securities owned by it at various stages on a schedule dictated by BioLite’s achievements of certain milestones, as set
forth in the Agreement (the “Milestone Payments”) and (ii) a royalty payment equal to 5% of net sales of the drug products
when ABV-1501 is approved for sale in the licensed territories. If BioLite fails to reach any of the milestones in a timely manner, it
may not receive the rest of the payments from the Company.
According to the BioLite Agreement, after Phase
II clinical trials are completed, 15% of the Milestone Payment becomes due and shall be paid in two stages: (i) 5% no later than December
31, 2021 (the “December 2021 Payment”) and (ii) 10% no later than December 31, 2022.
On February 12, 2022, the Company’s Board
of Directors determined that the December 2021 Payment, which is equal to $5,000,000, shall be paid via the cancellation of certain outstanding
debt, in the amount of $5,000,000, that BioLite owes the Company as of December 31, 2021.
On February 22, 2022, the parties entered into
an amendment to the BioLite Agreement allowing the Company to make all payments due under the Agreement via the forgiveness of debt, in
equal value, owed by BioLite to the Company.
This was a related party transaction.
Co-Development agreement with Rgene Corporation,
a related party
On May 26, 2017, BriVision entered into a co-development
agreement (the “Co-Dev Agreement”) with Rgene Corporation (the “Rgene”), a related party under common control
by controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company (See Note 8). Pursuant to Co-Dev Agreement, BriVision and
Rgene agreed to co-develop and commercialize ABV-1507 HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination Therapy, ABV-1511 Pancreatic Cancer
Combination Therapy and ABV-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy. Under the terms of the Co-Dev Agreement, Rgene is required to pay
the Company $3,000,000 in cash or stock of Rgene with equivalent value by August 15, 2017. The payment is for the compensation of BriVision’s
past research efforts and contributions made by BriVision before the Co-Dev Agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future
commitments made by BriVision and Rgene in this Co-Dev Agreement. In addition to $3,000,000, the Company is entitled to receive 50% of
the future net licensing income or net sales profit earned by Rgene, if any, and any development costs shall be equally shared by both
BriVision and Rgene.
On June 1, 2017, the Company has delivered all
research, technical, data and development data to Rgene. Since both Rgene and the Company are related parties and under common control
by a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company, the Company has recorded the full amount of $3,000,000
in connection with the Co-Dev Agreement as additional paid-in capital during the year ended December 31, 2017. During the year ended December
31, 2017, the Company has received $450,000 in cash. On December 24, 2018, the Company received the remaining balance of $2,550,000 in
the form of newly issued shares of Rgene’s Common Stock, at the price of NT$50 (approximately equivalent to $1.64 per share), for
an aggregate number of 1,530,000 shares, which accounted for equity method long-term investment as of December 31, 2018. During the year
ended December 31, 2018, the Company has recognized investment loss of $549. On December 31, 2018, the Company determined to fully write
off this investment based on the Company’s assessment of the severity and duration of the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative
analysis of the operating performance of the investee, adverse changes in market conditions and the regulatory or economic environment,
changes in operating structure of Rgene, additional funding requirements, and Rgene’s ability to remain in business. All projects
that have been initiated will be managed and supported by the Company and Rgene.
The Company and Rgene signed an amendment to the
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.
44
Clinical Development Service Agreement with
Rgene Corporation, a related party
On June 10, 2022, the Company its co-development
partnership with Rgene. The Company’s subsidiary, BioKey, entered into a Clinical Development Service Agreement with Rgene (“Service
Agreement”) to guide certain Rgene drug products, RGC-1501 for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), RGC-1502 for
the treatment of pancreatic cancer and RGC 1503 for the treatment of colorectal cancer patients, through completion of Phase II clinical
studies under U.S. FDA IND regulatory requirements (the “Rgene Studies”). Under the terms of the Service Agreement, BioKey
is eligible to receive payments totaling up to $3.0 million over a 3-year period with each payment amount to be determined by certain
regulatory milestones obtained during the agreement period.
Through a series of transactions over the past
5 years, the Company and Rgene have co-developed the three drug products covered by the Service Agreement, which has resulted in the Company
owning 31.62% of Rgene.
As part of the Rgene Studies, the Company agreed
to loan $1.0 million to Rgene, for which Rgene has provided the Company with a 5% working capital convertible loan (the “Note”).
If the Note is fully converted, the Company will own an additional 6.4% of Rgene. The Company is expected to receive the outstanding loan
from the related party by the 2023 Q1, either by cash or conversion of shares of Rgene. The Company may convert the Note
at any time into shares of Rgene’s common stock at either (i) a fixed conversion price equal to $1.00 per share or (ii) 20% discount
of the stock price of the then most recent offering, whichever is lower; the conversion price is subject to adjustment as set forth in
the Note. The Note includes standard events of default, as well as a cross default provision pursuant to which a breach of the Service
Agreement will trigger an event of default under the Note if not cured after 5 business days of written notice regarding the breach is
provided. Upon an event of default, the outstanding principal and any accrued and unpaid interest shall be immediately due and payable.
The Service Agreement shall remain in effect until
the expiration date of the last patent and automatically renew for 5 more years unless terminated earlier by either party with six months
written notice. Either party may terminate the Service Agreement for cause by providing 30 days written notice.
Rgene has further agreed, effective July 1, 2022,
to provide the Company with a seat on Rgene’s Board of Directors until the loan is repaid in full. The Company has nominated Dr.
Jiang, its Chief Strategy Officer and Director to occupy that seat; Dr. Jiang is also one of the Company’s largest shareholders,
owning 12.8% of the Company.
The Rgene Studies is a related party transaction.
Collaborative agreement with BioFirst Corporation,
a related party
On July 24, 2017, BriVision entered into a collaborative
agreement (the “BioFirst Collaborative Agreement”) with BioFirst Corporation (“BioFirst”), pursuant to which BioFirst
granted the Company the global licensing right for medical use of the product (the “Product”): BFC-1401 Vitreous Substitute
for Vitrectomy. BioFirst is a related party to the Company because a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the
Company is one of the directors and Common Stock shareholders of BioFirst (See Note 8).
Pursuant to the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement,
the Company will co-develop and commercialize the Product with BioFirst and pay BioFirst in a total amount of $3,000,000 in cash or stock
of the Company before September 30, 2018. The amount of $3,000,000 is in connection with the compensation for BioFirst’s past research
efforts and contributions made by BioFirst before the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future
commitments made by BioFirst and BriVision in this BioFirst Collaborative Agreement. In addition, the Company is entitled to receive 50%
of the future net licensing income or net sales profit, if any, and any development cost shall be equally shared by both BriVision and
BioFirst.
45
On September 25, 2017, BioFirst has delivered
all research, technical, data and development data to BriVision. The Company determined to fully expense the entire amount of $3,000,000
since currently the related licensing rights do not have alternative future uses. According to ASC 730-10-25-1, absent alternative future
uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and development activities must be charged to research and development expenses
immediately. Hence, the entire amount of $3,000,000 is fully expensed as research and development expense during the year ended December
31, 2017.
On June 30, 2019, BriVision entered into a Stock
Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with BioFirst Corporation. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued
428,571 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $3,000,000 owed by the Company to BioFirst (the “Total
Payment”) in connection with a certain collaborative agreement between the Company and BioFirst dated July 24, 2017 (the “Collaborative
Agreement”). Pursuant to the Collaborative Agreement, BioFirst granted the Company the global licensing right to co-develop BFC-1401
or ABV-1701 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy for medical purposes in consideration for the Total Payment.
On August 5, 2019, BriVision entered into a second
Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement 2”) with BioFirst Corporation. Pursuant to Purchase Agreement 2, the Company
issued 414,702 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $2,902,911 owed by the Company to BioFirst
in connection with a loan provided to BriVision from BioFirst.
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 is intended to protect
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 typically 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. Further clinical development was put on hold due to the lack of funding.
In addition, BioFirst was incorporated on November
7, 2006, focusing on the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of innovative patented pharmaceutical products. The technology of BioFirst
comes from the global exclusive licensing agreements BioFirst maintains with domestic R & D institutions. Currently, BioFirst’s
main research and development product is the vitreous substitute (Vitargus ® ), licensed by the National Health Research
Institutes. Vitargus is the world’s first bio-degradable vitreous substitute and offers a number of advantages over current vitreous
substitutes by minimizing medical complications and reducing the need for additional surgeries.
Vitargus has started the construction of a GMP
factory in Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, Taiwan, with the aim at building a production base to supply the global market, and promote
the construction of bio-degradable vitreous substitute manufacturing centers in Taiwan. Completion of this factory would allow ABVC to
manufacture Vitargus with world-class technology in a GMP certified pharmaceutical factory. BioFirst is targeting to complete the construction
in 2024.
The
above-mentioned equity is before the reverse stock split in 2023.
46
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 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.
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’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 may at its sole discretion determine not to execute the License
Agreement without any liability to the Company.
47
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 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; 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.
48
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.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited 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.
Reclassifications of Prior Year Presentation
Certain prior year unaudited consolidated balance
sheet and unaudited consolidated cash flow statement amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation.
These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles 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 unaudited
consolidated financial statements and the amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially
from those results.
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.
49
On July 25, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate
of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation authorizing a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of its common
stock. The Company’s stockholders previously approved the Reverse Stock Split at the Company’s Special Shareholder Meeting
held on July 7, 2023. The Reverse Stock Split was effected to reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares and to increase the per
share trading value of the Company’s common stock, although that outcome is not guaranteed. In turn, the Company believes that the
Reverse Stock Split will enable the Company to restore compliance with certain continued listing standards of NASDAQ Capital Market. All
shares and related financial information in this report reflect this 1-for-10 reverse stock split. On July 14, 2023, the Company filed
a certificate of amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation (the “Amendment”) to implement the 2023 Split
with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The 2023 Split took effect on July 25, 2023.
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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s
cash and cash equivalents amounted to $99,290 and $85,265, 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.
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Restricted Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash equivalents primarily consist
of cash held in a reserve bank account in Taiwan. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s restricted cash equivalents
amounted to $642,899 and $1,306,463, 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.
We perform ongoing credit evaluation of our customers
and requires no collateral. An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided based on a review of the collectability of accounts receivable.
We determine the amount of allowance for doubtful accounts by examining its historical collection experience and current trends in the
credit quality of its customers as well as its internal credit policies. Actual credit losses may differ from our estimates.
Concentration of clients
As of June 30, 2023,
the most major client, who specializes in developing and commercializing dietary supplements and therapeutics in the dietary supplement
industry, accounted for 97.28% of the Company’s total account receivables. As of December 31, 2022, the most major client, who specializes
in developing and commercializing dietary supplements and therapeutics in the dietary supplement industry, accounted for 71.89% of the
Company’s total account receivable; the second major client, with its Chairman also having a position as one of the Board of Directors
of BioKey, accounted for 16.62% of the Company’s total account receivable
For the six months ended
June 30, 2023, two major clients, manufacturing drugs, dietary supplements, and medical products, accounted for 43.64% and 34.75% of the
Company’s total revenues. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, two major clients, which develops novel treatment for ocular Graft-versus-Host
Disease as well as providing biotechnical research, accounted for 48.90% and 20.48% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively.
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.
51
Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue
when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects
to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines is
within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify
the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance
obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only
applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration the Company is entitled
to in exchange for the goods or services the Company transfers to the customers. At inception of the contract, once the contract is determined
to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract, determines those that are
performance obligations, and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount
of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.
The following are examples
of when the Company recognizes revenue based on the types of payments the Company receives.
Collaborative Revenues
— The Company recognizes collaborative revenues generated through collaborative research, development and/or commercialization
agreements. The terms of these agreements typically include payment to the Company related to one or more of the following: non-refundable
upfront license fees, development and commercial milestones, partial or complete reimbursement of research and development costs, and
royalties on net sales of licensed products. Each type of payments results in collaborative revenues except for revenues from royalties
on net sales of licensed products, which are classified as royalty revenues. To date, the Company has not received any royalty revenues.
Revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of a performance obligation by transferring control of a good or service to the collaboration
partners.
As part of the accounting
for these arrangements, the Company applies judgment to determine whether the performance obligations are distinct, and develop assumptions
in determining the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation identified in the collaboration agreements. To
determine the stand-alone selling price, the Company relies on assumptions which may include forecasted revenues, development timelines,
reimbursement rates for R&D personnel costs, discount rates and probabilities of technical and regulatory success.
The Company had multiple
deliverables under the collaborative agreements, including deliverables relating to grants of technology licenses, regulatory and clinical
development, and marketing activities. Estimation of the performance periods of the Company’s deliverables requires the use of
management’s judgment. Significant factors considered in management’s evaluation of the estimated performance periods include,
but are not limited to, the Company’s experience in conducting clinical development, regulatory and manufacturing activities. The
Company reviews the estimated duration of its performance periods under its collaborative agreements on an annually basis, and makes
any appropriate adjustments on a prospective basis. Future changes in estimates of the performance period under its collaborative agreements
could impact the timing of future revenue recognition.
(i) Non-refundable upfront payments
If a license to the
Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in an arrangement,
the Company recognizes revenue from the related non-refundable upfront payments based on the relative standalone selling price prescribed
to the license compared to the total selling price of the arrangement. The revenue is recognized when the license is transferred to the
collaboration partners and the collaboration partners are able to use and benefit from the license. To date, the receipt of non-refundable
upfront fees was solely for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by the Company before the collaborative
agreements entered into and it does not relate to any future obligations and commitments made between the Company and the collaboration
partners in the collaborative agreements.
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(ii) Milestone payments
The Company is eligible
to receive milestone payments under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners based on achievement of specified development,
regulatory and commercial events. Management evaluated the nature of the events triggering these contingent payments, and concluded that
these events fall into two categories: (a) events which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the collaborative
agreement with collaboration partners, and (b) events which do not involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the
collaborative agreement with collaboration partners.
The former category
of milestone payments consists of those triggered by development and regulatory activities in the territories specified in the collaborative
agreements. Management concluded that each of these payments constitute substantive milestone payments. This conclusion was based primarily
on the facts that (i) each triggering event represents a specific outcome that can be achieved only through successful performance by
the Company of one or more of its deliverables, (ii) achievement of each triggering event was subject to inherent risk and uncertainty
and would result in additional payments becoming due to the Company, (iii) each of the milestone payments is non-refundable, (iv) substantial
effort is required to complete each milestone, (v) the amount of each milestone payment is reasonable in relation to the value created
in achieving the milestone, (vi) a substantial amount of time is expected to pass between the upfront payment and the potential milestone
payments, and (vii) the milestone payments relate solely to past performance. Based on the foregoing, the Company recognizes any revenue
from these milestone payments in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs.
(iii) Multiple Element Arrangements
The Company evaluates
multiple element arrangements to determine (1) the deliverables included in the arrangement and (2) whether the individual deliverables
represent separate units of accounting or whether they must be accounted for as a combined unit of accounting. This evaluation involves
subjective determinations and requires management to make judgments about the individual deliverables and whether such deliverables are
separate from other aspects of the contractual relationship. Deliverables are considered separate units of accounting provided that:
(i) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and (ii) if the arrangement includes a general right of return
relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially within
its control. In assessing whether an item under a collaboration has standalone value, the Company considers factors such as the research,
manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities of the collaboration partner and the availability of the associated expertise in the
general marketplace. The Company also considers whether its collaboration partners can use the other deliverable(s) for their intended
purpose without the receipt of the remaining element(s), whether the value of the deliverable is dependent on the undelivered item(s),
and whether there are other vendors that can provide the undelivered element(s).
The Company recognizes
arrangement consideration allocated to each unit of accounting when all of the revenue recognition criteria in ASC 606 are satisfied
for that particular unit of accounting. In the event that a deliverable does not represent a separate unit of accounting, the Company
recognizes revenue from the combined unit of accounting over the Company’s contractual or estimated performance period for the
undelivered elements, which is typically the term of the Company’s research and development obligations. If there is no discernible
pattern of performance or objectively measurable performance measures do not exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under the arrangement
on a straight-line basis over the period the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations. Conversely, if the pattern
of performance in which the service is provided to the customer can be determined and objectively measurable performance measures exist,
then the Company recognizes revenue under the arrangement using the proportional performance method. Revenue recognized is limited to
the lesser of the cumulative amount of payments received or the cumulative amount of revenue earned, as determined using the straight-line
method or proportional performance method, as applicable, as of the period ending date.
At the inception of
an arrangement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive and at risk to both parties
on the basis of the contingent nature of the milestone. This evaluation includes an assessment of whether: (1) the consideration is commensurate
with either the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result
of a specific outcome resulting from its performance to achieve the milestone, (2) the consideration relates solely to past performance
and (3) the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement. The Company evaluates
factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the particular milestone
and the level of effort and investment required to achieve the particular milestone in making this assessment. There is considerable
judgment involved in determining whether a milestone satisfies all of the criteria required to conclude that a milestone is substantive.
Milestones that are not considered substantive are recognized as earned if there are no remaining performance obligations or over the
remaining period of performance, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
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(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 contract
liabilities upon receipt or when due, and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs its
obligations under these arrangements. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the right of the Company to consideration is unconditional.
The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation at contract inception is such
that the period between payment by the customers and the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customers will be one year
or less.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is carried at cost net
of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that improve the functionality of the related
asset or extend the useful life are capitalized. When property and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related gain or
loss is included in operating income. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining
lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method, including property and equipment
under capital leases, generally based on the following useful lives:
Estimated
Life in
Years
Buildings and leasehold
improvements
5 ~ 50
Machinery and equipment
5 ~ 10
Office equipment
3 ~ 6
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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 both $0 for the six months ended June 30,
2023 and 2022.
55
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 June 30, 2023, 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.
Convertible Notes
The Company accounts
for the convertible notes issued at a discount, by comparing the principal amount and book value, with the calculation of discounted
method. The Company assess the discount per month. The amortization period of the promissory note is 18 months.
Research and Development Expenses
The Company accounts
for the cost of using licensing rights in research and development cost according to ASC Topic 730-10-25-1. This guidance provides that
absent alternative future uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and development activities must be charged to
research and development expenses when incurred.
For CDMO business unit, the Company accounts
for R&D costs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 730, Research and Development (“ASC
730”). Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred unless there is an alternative future use in other
research and development projects or otherwise. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research
and development activities, including personnel-related costs, facilities-related overhead, and outside contracted services including
clinical trial costs, manufacturing and process development costs for both clinical and preclinical materials, research costs, and other
consulting services. Non-refundable advance payment for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities
are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made. In instances
where the Company enters into agreements with third parties to provide research and development services, costs are expensed as services
are performed.
Post-retirement and post-employment benefits
The Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan adopted
the government mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to the Labor Pension Act (the “Act”) in Taiwan. Such labor regulations
require that the rate of contribution made by an employer to the Labor Pension Fund per month shall not be less than 6% of the worker’s
monthly salaries. Pursuant to the Act, the Company makes monthly contribution equal to 6% of employees’ salaries to the employees’
pension fund. The Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee
benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $2,455 and $3,309 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and
$5,259 and $6,646 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other than the above, the Company does not provide any
other post-retirement or post-employment benefits.
56
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 $0 and $0 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company accounted for stock-based compensation
to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation” and FASB ASC Topic 505-50 “Equity-Based
Payments to Non-Employees” which requires that the cost of services received from non-employees is measured at fair value at the
earlier of the performance commitment date or the date service is completed and recognized over the period the service is provided. Total
non-employee stock-based compensation expenses were $225,740 and $225,740 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Total non-employee stock-based compensation expenses were $592,229 and $4,917,743 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022,
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.
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 six months ended June 30,
2023 and 2022. 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.
57
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.
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).
58
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 unaudited consolidated financial statements.
In March 2022, the FASB
issued ASU 2022-02, Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This ASU eliminates the accounting guidance for troubled debt
restructurings by creditors that have adopted ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU also enhances
the disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty.
In addition, the ASU amends the guidance on vintage disclosures to require entities to disclose current period gross write-offs by year
of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases within the scope of ASC 326-20. The ASU is effective for annual
periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of the ASU would be applied
prospectively. Early adoption is also permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact
that the standard will have on its unaudited consolidated financial statements.
59
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 — Three Months
Ended June 30, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2022.
The following table presents, for the three months
indicated, our unaudited consolidated statements of operations information.
Three Months Ended
June 30,
2023
June 30,
2022
Revenues
$ 6,109
$ 312,860
Cost of revenues
72,981
8,367
Gross profit
(66,872 )
304,493
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,386,788
1,592,831
Research and development expenses
514,442
532,782
Stock-based compensation
225,740
225,740
Total operating expenses
2,126,970
2,351,353
Loss from operations
(2,193,842 )
(2,046,860 )
Other income (expense)
Interest income
55,041
39,015
Interest expense
(114,752 )
(14,758 )
Operating sublease income
34,800
32,802
Gain/Loss on foreign exchange changes
(18,305 )
10,479
Other (expense) income
3,528
(50,462 )
Total other income
(39,688 )
17,076
Loss before provision income tax
(2,233,530 )
(2,029,784 )
Provision for income tax
81,695
(82,451 )
Net loss
(2,315,225 )
(1,947,333 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(51,714 )
(88,336 )
Net loss attributed to ABVC and subsidiaries
(2,263,511 )
(1,858,997 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(12,032 )
(123,221 )
Comprehensive Loss
$ (2,275,543 )
$ (1,982,218 )
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted
$ (0.68 )
$ (0.59 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted
3,308,074
3,130,733
60
Revenues. We generated $6,109
and $312,860 in revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in revenues was mainly due to the
decrease in revenue from Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (“CDMO) services.
Operating Expenses. Our operating
expenses have decreased by $224,383 or 10%, to $2,126,970 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 from $2,351,353 for the three months
ended June 30, 2022. Such decrease in operating expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in selling, general and administrative
expenses and research and development expenses.
Other Income (Expense) . Our other
expense was $39,688 for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to other income of $17,076 for the three months ended June 30,
2022. The change was principally caused by the increase in interest expense and the loss on foreign exchange changes, while being offset
by the increase in interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and decrease in other expenses for the three months ended
June 30, 2022.
Interest income (expense), net, was $(59,711) for the three months
ended June 30, 2023, compared to $24,257 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease of $83,968, or approximately 346%, was
primarily due to the increase in interest expense due to recognition of interest expense for the converted notes for proper accounting
purpose .
Net Loss. As a result of the
above factors, our net loss was $2,315,225 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $1,947,333 for the three months ended
June 30, 2022, representing a decrease of $367,892, or 19%.
Results of Operations — Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2022.
The following table presents, for the six months
indicated, our unaudited consolidated statements of operations information.
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2023
June 30,
2022
Revenues
$ 134,381
$ 338,520
Cost of revenues
133,217
10,263
Gross profit
1,164
328,257
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
2,659,540
2,783,909
Research and development expenses
849,421
892,186
Stock-based compensation
592,229
4,918,743
Total operating expenses
4,101,190
8,593,838
Loss from operations
(4,100,026 )
(8,265,581 )
Other income (expense)
Interest income
107,752
79,190
Interest expense
(171,415 )
(32,971 )
Operating sublease income
56,900
56,926
Gain/Loss on foreign exchange changes
(30,566 )
18,042
Other (expense) income
6,595
(59,872 )
Total other income
(30,734 )
61,315
Loss before provision income tax
(4,130,760 )
(8,204,266 )
Provision for income tax
81,695
(169,318 )
Net loss
(4,212,455 )
(8,034,948 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(125,249 )
(180,511 )
Net loss attributed to ABVC and subsidiaries
(4,087,206 )
(7,854,437 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
17,077
(236,560 )
Comprehensive Loss
$ (4,070,129 )
$ (8,090,997 )
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted
$ (1.24 )
$ (2.65 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted
3,307,826
2,968,340
61
Revenues. We generated $134,381
and $338,520 in revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in revenues was mainly due to the
decrease in revenue from Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (“CDMO”) services.
Operating Expenses. Our operating
expenses have decreased by $4,492,648, or 52%, to $4,101,190 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from $8,593,838 for the six months
ended June 30, 2022. Such decrease in operating expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in stock-based compensation expenses
by $4,325,514 which relates to costs in conjunction with non-employee transferred stock.
Other Income (Expense) . Our other
expense was $(30,734) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to other income of $61,315 for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
The change was principally caused by the increase in interest expense and loss on foreign exchange changes, while being offset by the
increase in interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and decrease in other expenses for the six months ended June 30,
2022.
Interest income (expense), net, was $(63,663)
for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $46,219 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease of $109,882, or
approximately 238%, was primarily due to the increase in interest expense due to recognition of interest expense for the converted notes
for proper accounting purpose .
Net Loss. As a result of the
above factors, our net loss was $4,212,455 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $8,034,948 for the six months ended June
30, 2022, representing a decrease of $3,822,493, or 48%.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
As
of
June 30,
2023
As
of
December 31,
2022
(Unaudited)
Current Assets
$ 2,128,819
$ 2,987,247
Current Liabilities
$ 5,772,855
$ 5,819,529
Working Capital (Deficit)
$ (3,644,036
)
$ (2,832,282 )
62
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the net cash used
in operating activities were $2,397,460 and $6,423,618, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the decreased in non-cash stock-based
compensation for nonemployees, due from related parties, and net loss during the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and
2022, the net cash used in investing activities were $440,575 and $115,246 respectively. The increases were mainly due to the increase
in prepayment for long-term investments during six months ended June 30, 2023.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the net cash provided
by financing activities were $2,175,000 and $3,663,925, respectively. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities were primarily
due to the proceeds from convertible notes, while being offset by repayment of short-term loans during the six months ended June 30, 2023.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK.
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required
to provide the information required by this item.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.