UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended June 30 , 2025
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to
___________________
Commission file number: 001-42548
Advanced Biomed Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada 87-2177170
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
No. 689-85 Xiaodong Road , Yongkang District
Tainan City , Taiwan
(Address of principal executive offices)
Telephone: + 886 - 6-3121716
(Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b)
of the Act:
Title of Each Class: Trading Symbol(s): Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:
Common Stock ADVB The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g)
of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a
well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not
required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐
No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes
☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or
issued its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction
of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error
corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s
executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐
No ☒
The aggregate market value of the shares of Common
Stock, par value $0.001 per share, held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2025, was approximately $ 4.43 million, based
on the closing sale price per share of the registrant’s common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market on such date.
As of October 8, 2025, Advanced Biomed Inc. had
21,640,000 shares of outstanding Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
Item 1.
Business
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
43
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
83
Item 1C
Cybersecurity
83
Item 2.
Properties
84
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
84
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
84
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
85
Item 6.
Reserved
86
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
86
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
101
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
101
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
101
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
101
Item 9B.
Other Information
102
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
102
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
103
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
107
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
108
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
110
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
112
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
F-1
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
113
i
INTRODUCTION
In this annual report on Form
10-K, or this annual report, except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report only, references to:
●
“Advanced Biomed Taiwan” refers to Advanced Biomed Inc. (Taiwan);
●
“Advanced Biomed HK” refers to Advanced Biomed HK Limited;
●
“China” or “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; however the only time such jurisdictions are not included in the definition of PRC and China is when we reference to the specific laws that have been adopted by the PRC; The term “Chinese” has a correlative meaning for the purpose of this Report; The term “Mainland China” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan;
●
“CRO” refers to contract research organization, a type of third-party entity that is engaged by medical device research and manufacturing companies to conduct all or part of the required scientific or medical trials before a medical device can be sold to the public;
●
“ Common Stock” refers to shares of our common stock, par value US$0.001 per share ;
●
“NMPA” refers to National Medical Products Administration, formerly known as China Food and Drug Administration;
●
“NTD” or “NT$” refers to New Taiwan Dollar, the legal currency of Taiwan ;
●
“ RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of the People’s Republic of China
●
“Initial Public Offering” refers to the initial primary underwritten public offering of 1,640,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Advanced Biomed Inc. at US$4.00 per share, completed on March 7, 2025;
●
“Shanghai Sglcell” or “Shanghai subsidiary” refers to Shanghai Sglcell Biotech Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in the People’s Republic of China and our wholly foreign owned entity 100% owned by Advanced Biomed HK. Shanghai subsidiary is our only subsidiary in Mainland China;
●
“Taiwan” refers to Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and any other areas under the effective control of the government of Republic of China;
●
“US$,” “$” or “U.S. dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States; and
●
“we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” and “our group” refer to Advanced Biomed Inc., a Nevada company and its subsidiaries.
ii
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form
10-K (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking
statements for many reasons, including the reasons described in our “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations” sections, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this
Report. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“continue,” “could,” “depends,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intend,”
“may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,”
“will,” “would” or the negative of those terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking
statements contain those words.
Our operations and business
prospects are always subject to risks and uncertainties including, among others:
●
We may fail to develop or bring early cancer detection devices, chips, or kits to market on time or at all, and may not remain competitive. Regulatory approvals may be delayed, limited, or never obtained, significantly impairing our ability to generate revenue;
●
Disruptions at production sites, regulatory compliance issues, or cybersecurity breaches could delay commercialization, raise costs, or harm our reputation;
●
Our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our products; and
●
Our estimates of expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and our needs for, or ability to obtain, additional financing.
The forward-looking statements
in this Report represent our views as of the date of this Report. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our
views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current
intention to do so except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements
as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Report.
MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS
This Report includes estimates
regarding market and industry data. Unless otherwise indicated, information concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate,
including our general expectations, market position, market opportunity, and market size, are based on our management’s knowledge
and experience in the markets in which we operate, together with currently available information obtained from various third-party sources,
including publicly available information, industry reports and publications, surveys, our customers, trade and business organizations,
and other contacts in the markets in which we operate. Some data is also based on our good faith estimates. The industry in which we operate
is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section entitled “Risk
Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications. If any one
or more of the assumptions underlying the market data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based
on these assumptions.
iii
PART I
ITEM 1. Business
Overview and Recent Developments
We are a holding company incorporated
in the State of Nevada. We operate through Advanced Biomed Taiwan and Advanced Biomed HK. Advanced Biomed Taiwan is responsible for the
main operation and the design and development of the company’s primary technologies and products. Since our establishment in 2014,
we have been focusing on the integration of multiple interdisciplinary technologies and established our own microfluidic technology platform.
Utilizing the physical and molecular biological characteristics of tumor cells, we have developed various advanced and original research
through the joint application of semiconductor technology and biotechnology. This includes complex precision structures, dielectric detection,
functional microfluidic biochips, microfluidic integrated semiconductor sensors, related application modules, and key components of medical
testing equipment. We have also developed a series of medical testing equipment and related products by integrating various functions
of microfluidic modules, automation software, and hardware. Our technologies and products can be used for early screening and detection,
diagnosis and staging, and treatment of cancer through the detection of circulating tumor cells and related tumor markers in blood samples,
capture of single circulating tumor cells, and single-cell sorting and determination. These products provide assistance in treatment selection
and patient prognosis intervention once the required licenses and approvals have been obtained. Advanced Biotech HK is our first localized
operation company, mainly responsible for market operation and management in China, localized production, product registration, and future
local market sales of our products in accordance with relevant local regulations in China. Our Shanghai subsidiary owns some of our R&D
equipment and patents and will be responsible for operations related to clinical trials in Mainland China through CROs. In the future,
we also plan to establish operation centers in countries and regions in North America and Europe.
Our devices, A + Pre,
AC-1000, A + CellScan, and A + SCDrop, and three corresponding microfluidic biochips, A + Pre Chip and AC-1000
CTC Enrichment Chip and A + CellScan Chip, are designed to provide rapid and affordable assay products and services to cancer
patients. Among them, A + Pre is mainly used to reduce the viscosity of blood samples, and AC-1000 is used to complete the separation
and enrichment of circulating tumor cells (“CTCs”) and tumor-related targeted cells in blood samples. The A + CellScan
is mainly used for fluorescent labeling and automatic scanning judgment of targeted cells while A + SCDrop preserves the original
viability of single cells. A+PerfusC™ system, our latest development, is a compact, all in one perfusion-based 3D cell culture incubator
engineered to replicate human physiological conditions to form 3D tumor spheroids/organoids in vitro. The system supports up to 12 days
of continuous, hands-free culture, reducing the risk of human error and contamination. By maintaining uniform nutrient delivery and preventing
waste accumulation, the platform promotes tumor spheroid and organoid formation, enhancing cell viability, growth, and drug response predictability.
Additionally, we have finished the research and
development stage for four matching immunostaining kits, A + CTCE, A + CTCM, A + EMT and A + CM, and
submitted registration applications in China. The immunostaining kit use antibodies combined with fluorescent groups of different colors
to bind to specific proteins on the cell surface or inside the cells. The presence and intensity of fluorescent signals can be observed
through a separate fluorescent imaging system, and the expression of the target protein and the cell type can be judged and determined
accordingly. Different cell types can be distinguished using multiplexed combined staining with different antibodies. The A + CTCE
kit is mainly used to identify epithelial circulating tumor cells, the A + CTCM kit is used to identify mesenchymal circulating
tumor cells, the A + EMT kit is mainly used to identify epithelial-to-mesenchymal circulating tumor cells, and the A + CM
kit is used to identify tumor-associated macrophages (cancer-associated macrophage-like cells).
We also developed a product
for early screening of lung cancer, the A + LCGuard Lung Cancer Early Screening Kit (“A + LCGuard”), which
is used to assist in the determination of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. From August 2020 to September 2022, we finalized the
research, design, and development of A + LCGuard. A + LCGuard is a Class III medical device and is required to conduct
clinical trials before completing the registration process, and we plan to begin A+LCGuard’s clinical research in November 2025.
We believe clinical research serves as the foundation for clinical trials, bridging the gap between preclinical studies and large-scale
clinical trials. We believe clinical trials enables an understanding of subject recruitment, facilitates the development of appropriate
inclusion and exclusion criteria for later stages, and helps verify trial procedures. Additionally, we believe it increases familiarity
with the trial products. In June 2025, the Company and the CRO began collaborating on drafting the clinical research protocol and started
preparing the necessary equipment, consumables, reagent kits, and other materials for the study. We expect that the clinical research
protocol may pass ethical review and receive ethics committee approval by the end of October 2025. Thereafter, we plan to initiate the
trial stage of the clinical research, with completion anticipated within six months of November 2025. We believe the results of the clinical
research will inform the work plan for future large-scale clinical trials, minimizing waste from an excessively large sample size or insufficient
statistical power due to a sample size that is too small. We recognize that the clinical research results may differ from expectations
and may not support our expected progression to clinical trials. If so, we plan to promptly optimize the product, adjust participant group
selection, and modify the final protocol for large-scale clinical trials. However, we cannot guarantee that any clinical research or trial
will meet our anticipated outcomes. Furthermore, delays in obtaining ethical approval or recruiting participants could prevent the clinical
research from being completed on schedule. Such delays could subsequently postpone the large-scale clinical trial and ultimately the product
launch date.
1
All of our products must go
through three steps to receive the required clearance from the NMPA before they can be sold to customers. The three steps are research
and development, registration application, and registration review, which must be done in that order. At the registration application
stage, we have to assemble all the required application materials, complete clinical trials (if required by NMPA), and work with an NMPA
accredited third-party organization to examine our products in accordance with NMPA rules. NMPA will review our application during the
registration review period and may request additional information before officially approving or denying our applications. Currently,
A + Pre and AC-1000 and their corresponding chips have been cleared by the NMPA; A + SCDrop, A + CellScan,
A + CellScan Chip, and A + LCGuard are at the registration application stage; the four matching immunostaining kits
are under registration review. A + LCGuard is a Class III medical device and is required to conduct clinical trials before completing
the registration process. As of the date of this Report, we have not applied for similar clearances from other jurisdictions.
We participated in a scientific
research project at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from July 17, 2019 to December 2021, and completed a total of 123 case studies to test
A+Pre, AC-1000 and A + LCGuard. In the study, we selected 123 individuals, and among them, 75 were surgical patients with nodular
changes or shadows in the lungs reported by imaging studies and 48 healthy patients without lung nodules reported by imaging studies.
7ml blood samples were taken from test subjects either before the clinical operation (for cancer patients) or after the physical examination
(for healthy individuals), and A + Pre, AC-1000, and A + LCGuard kits were used to determine whether there were circulating
tumor cells and other tumor markers in the blood samples. Finally, the pathological and physical examination results of the tested individuals
were compared with the test results of our products. Our test results achieved 96% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity, which provides the
research and development basis for our products. Specifically, A+Pre and AC-1000 were at the research and development stage, and we completed
their effectiveness and performance indicators testing through this project. At the same time, A + LCGuard finished its feasibility
and functional verification testing. All three products were tested together throughout the entire project.
All of our products must be
approved by applicable regulatory authorities before being sold to customers. A + Pre and A + CellScan can work with
third-party products to achieve their designed objectives. AC-1000 and A + SCDrop may be used together with other devices according
to different application scenarios below. For the A + LCGuard early screening kit, it has to be used in combination with A + Pre
and AC-1000. Our four staining kits, A + CTCE, A + CM, A + CTCM, and A + EMT, can be used independently
or with third-party products. A + Pre, AC-1000, and A + CellScan require the use of our supporting microfluidic chips.
●
For the analysis of high-viscosity blood samples: A + Pre can be independently used for pretreatment, retaining the original cell activity while preventing blood samples from clogging the equipment pipeline after entering the detection equipment.
●
For the identification and counting application of circulating tumor cells: blood samples are diluted with A + Pre, and then AC-1000 is used to separate and enrich circulating tumor cells and related tumor markers. The enriched samples are stained, calibrated, and finally identified and counted. We can provide this service to the public if using third-party staining reagents already on the market in China. However, we plan to officially roll out this service once our in-house developed staining reagents, A + CTCE, A + CTCM, A + EMT and A + CM, complete the registration process. The identification and counting of circulating tumor cells and related tumor marker cells can provide auxiliary references for relevant clinical applications.
●
The capture of circulating tumor cells: we follow the same process as the identification of circulating tumor cells to obtain enriched samples with A + Pre and AC-1000, and then the samples are captured and separated by A + SCDrop to isolate single circulating tumor cells. This service can provide tumor cells with high purity and high activity.
●
For early screening of lung cancer: peripheral blood samples of the subjects are first obtained, and the target cells are enriched and captured sequentially by A + Pre and AC-1000. After that, A + LCGuard performs cell fluorescence staining on the enriched samples to determine the number of targeted cells, and finally makes a judgment.
2
Due to the different regulatory
requirements for the marketing of medical device products and in-vitro diagnostics (“IVD”) products in various regions/countries,
it is necessary to complete the registration application and obtain the corresponding license in accordance with the local regulations
before engaging in commercial activities in the respective regions/countries (“localization registration”). Afterward, marketing
and sales can be carried out. We follow the principle of modularization when design and develop all of our products and equipment so that
products and equipment can be produced locally to meet different regulatory requirements. Based on the current development of the early
tumor screening and preventive treatment industry and the characteristics of the products we are planning to register and apply in the
future, we have adopted the operation model of centralized research and development and localized management. We have started the registration
process with the NMPA in China for all of our products. Later on, the Company may establish subsidiaries in the United States and Europe
to produce products and carry out product registration. To achieve that, our products must be cleared by the United States Food and Drug
Administration and go through the conformity assessment process to obtain the Conformite Europeenne marking (“CE marking”)
from competent authority in each European Union member state.
We are looking for suitable
locations in the states of California and Washington for our planned expansion to the North America market. We aim to complete site selection
and personnel recruitment in the United States by the end of December 2025 and start product registration, testing and production afterward.
Our US subsidiary will be responsible for the production and registration of our equipment and related products in the US. Production,
testing, and clinical trials in our US market will be conducted in accordance with US regulations, and clinical data from trials conducted
in China will not be used to establish product standards. In addition, we plan to break into the European market in 2025 and conduct localized
management and operations in accordance with European regulations. In 2025, we also plan to start the localized registration of our IVD
products in Europe. As of the date of this Report, we have not conducted any clinical trials for our products.
However, as of the date of
this Report, we have not commenced sales of our products nor have any revenue-generating products and do not expect sales of revenue-generating
product candidates until we have completed clinical development, submitted regulatory filings, and received applicable regulatory approvals
for candidate products. Due to differences in regulatory and clinical registration requirements, we may not be able to obtain device and
product approvals or provide product service on time. We expect to be in a state of continuous loss for the next two to three years.
Nasdaq Notification Letter s
On July 18, 2025, we received
a written notification from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that we were not in compliance with the minimum
bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq, and we were provided 180 calendar days, or until
January 14, 2026, to regain compliance (the “Compliance Period”). If we do not regain compliance by the end of the Compliance
Period, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period, provided that we meet the continued listing requirement
for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market (except for the bid price
requirement), and provides written notice to Nasdaq of its intent to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, including,
if necessary, by effecting a reverse stock split. We intend to monitor the closing bid price of our common stock and will consider all
available options to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement within the Compliance Period.
Registration Statement
On July 23, 2025, we filed
with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-288907) to register under the Securities Act an aggregate of up to 40,000,000
shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), which represents the shares available for issuance
under the ELOC Agreement (as defined below).
3
Entry into A Material Agreement
On June 6, 2025, we entered
into a purchase agreement (the “ELOC Agreement”) with HELENA GLOBAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES I LTD. (the “Investor”
or “Selling Stockholder”), pursuant to which we have the right to issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided
therein, and the Investor is obligated to purchase from us, up to Twenty-Five Million United States Dollars ($25,000,000) of our Common
Stock, subject to terms and conditions set forth in the ELOC Agreement.
Corporate History and Corporate Structure
We were incorporated in Nevada
in July 2021 as a holding company. We started operations in 2014 through Advanced Biomed Taiwan as a research and development center for
technology research and product development. In August 2021, we established Advanced Biomed HK as the wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced
Biomed Taiwan to integrate market development and commercialization in the PRC. On January 1, 2022, Advanced Biomed HK acquired 100% equity
interest of Shanghai Sglcell from its stockholders for a consideration of RMB12 million. In March 2022, Advanced Biomed HK established
Sglcell (Huangshan) Biotech Co., Ltd.
In July 2022, we consummated
a reorganization pursuant to which we acquired 100% equity interest of Advanced Biomed Taiwan, making it our wholly owned subsidiary.
On November 7, 2022, we obtained the approval of Taiwan Investment Commission for the reorganization, the Issue No. of which is “ 經審一字第 11100116890 號 ”.
Additionally, the Bureau of Economic Development of Tainan City Government has also approved the reorganization in accordance with the
Taiwan Company Act on December 26, 2022.
On June 8, 2023, pursuant
to the Share Transfer Agreement entered into by Ting Wang and Haifeng Zhang, who are independent third-party individuals, and Shanghai
Sglcell on June 2, 2023, Shanghai Sglcell transferred its wholly owned subsidiary, Nanjing Yitian Biotech Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary,
Beijing Yitan Jiarui Technology Co., Ltd., to Ting Wang and Haifeng Zhang at aggregate consideration of RMB500,000 (approximately US$72,780)
without any other obligations arising from the transfers.
On June 9, 2023, pursuant
to the Share Transfer Agreement entered into by Ting Wang and Haifeng Zhang, who are independent third-party individuals, and Shanghai
Sglcell on May 31, 2023, Shanghai Sglcell transferred its wholly owned subsidiary, Shandong Sglcell Medical Devices Co., Ltd., to Ting
Wang and Haifeng Zhang at zero consideration without any other obligations arising from the transfers.
On June 15, 2023, pursuant
to the Share Transfer Agreement entered into by Quantum Capital (Hong Kong) Limited, who is an independent third-party corporation, and
Advanced Biomed HK on June 9, 2023, Advanced Biomed HK transferred its wholly owned subsidiary, Sglcell (Huangshan) Biotech Co., Ltd.,
to Quantum Capital (Hong Kong) Limited at zero consideration without any other obligations arising from the transfers.
As of the date of this Report,
our Shanghai subsidiary is the only operating entity we have in the PRC and owns all of our patents and some of our R&D equipment
while the rest of our R&D equipment are owned by Advanced Biomed Taiwan. Our Shanghai subsidiary will also be responsible for operations
related to clinical trials in Mainland China through CROs.
The chart below depicts the
corporate structure of the Company as of the date of this Report.
The SEC maintains a website
at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically
with the SEC using its EDGAR system.
4
Our Oncology Detection Solutions
The current market uses positive
antibody-labeling selection to capture CTCs out of the blood by a specific epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). This method could
detect tumor cells in the patient’s blood for diagnosing lung, prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancers. However, this technology
costs approximately $1,000 per chip, and the processing time per patient is up to 12 hours. Besides, antibody-based methods such as immunomagnetic
methods are highly dependent on antigen expression of CTC. Some CTCs may show low or no EpCAM expression on the cell membrane, and thus
cannot be effectively captured using the proposed biomarkers and makes it difficult to detect cancer in the early stage. More importantly,
the capture of dying or dead CTCs cannot provide meaningful information to doctors for diagnosis or treatment.
Our products use pure physical
mechanisms (antigen-independent) and can effectively enrich and detect the CTCs with high or low antigen expressions with high viability.
Among them, A + Pre is mainly used to reduce the viscosity of blood samples, and AC-1000 is used to complete the separation and
enrichment of circulating tumor cells (“CTCs”) and tumor-related targeted cells in blood samples. The A + CellScan
is mainly used for fluorescent labeling and automatic scanning judgment of targeted cells while A + SCDrop preserves the original
viability of single cells.
For three corresponding microfluidic
biochips, A + Pre Chip and AC-1000 CTC Enrichment Chip have been cleared by NMPA and can be mass-produced and sold to customers.
A + CellScan Chip is expected to start the registration application by the end of 2025. The A + CellScan Chip and A + CellScan
will enrich our product chain by upgrading our immunochromogenic kits to tumor cell assay equipment. Specifically, A + CellScan,
together with A + Pre and AC-1000, can serve as a liquid biopsy IVD product to accelerate downstream assay and reduce the amount
of labor required for assaying tumor cells.
We use our own product features
combined with different application scenarios to achieve the corresponding work objectives. To identify CTCs in liquid biopsy, blood samples
are first diluted through equipment A + Pre, then AC-1000 is used to separate and enrich circulating tumor cells, and then the
obtained cells are stained for identification and counting. We have been cleared by NMPA to provide this service to customers in China
and plan to do so once our matching immunostaining kits pass the NMPA’s registration review. The counting of circulating tumor cells
can provide auxiliary reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment evaluation, prognosis evaluation, recurrence, and metastasis detection,
etc. In the future, we can also use our A + LCGuard early screening kit combined with two devices, A + Pre and AC-1000,
for early screening of lung cancer. In addition, we use A + SCDrop together with A + Pre and AC-1000 to complete the
capture of a single circulating tumor cell, which retains the original activity of the cell and can provide high-purity, high-activity
tumor cells for relevant clinical applications. It can be applied to various applications such as single-cell sequencing, whole gene sequencing,
protein sequencing, new drug development, cancer biomarker research, individualized diagnosis, and individualized drug sensitivity testing.
The above product applications need to be approved by the local regulatory authorities before they can be provided to customers.
A + Pre
A + Pre is a fully
automated sample preparation system that enables to pre-concentrate diluted blood sample and it is able to deplete approximately 90 %
blood cells in 10 minutes and reduce sample volume with a lower blood cell density (hematocrit approximately 4%). A + Pre provides
dual channels to simultaneously process two patients’ samples per run, and 8 samples could be done in an hour. A + Pre
is easy to operate with two simple steps: (1) dilute the samples by 10-fold; (2) insert the samples and A + Pre chips into A + Pre
system and press “START.” Our A + Pre sample-pretreatment could provide clotting-free and clogging-free samples for
downstream microfluidic applications.
A + Pre Chip
Blood sample includes several
billions blood cells and millions white blood cells with a hematocrit of approximately 45% (“Hct”). The high-density blood
cells in microfluidic chip typically induces clotting or clogging in microchannel and microstructs, causing trail failure or unstable
system. Sample dilution can effectively reduce the clotting and clogging. However, dilution may increase sample volume and prolong the
processing time for downstream precise separation and makes analysis more difficult.
5
A + Pre chip utilizes
microfluidic inertial forces to rapidly pre-enrich (deplete approximately 90% blood cells) and pre-concentrate (reduce over 90% sample
volume) the diluted blood sample in 10 minutes. We can dilute a 5ml blood sample with approximately 45% by a factor of 10 and obtain a
50ml blood sample. After concentration and enrichment using the A + Pre chip, the total volume of the 50ml blood sample can be
reduced by 10-13 times to around 4 ml while maintaining low red blood cell density (Hct approximately 4.5%), and we can recover more than
90% of the targeted tumor cells. It reduces blood cell density of oncology patients to make it possible for clotting-free downstream precise
separation, A + Pre treated sample provide AC-1000 with high purity rare tumor cells in 20 minutes (12 mL/hour). A + Pre
chip plays an important role to reduce sample volume and density to make downstream applications much faster and more stable.
A + Pre
A + Pre Chip
AC-1000
AC-1000 is a rare cell enrichment
device to solve the problem of detection of hypercoagulable state samples of tumor patients. Our rare cell enrichment system uses semiconductor
fabrication method to implant high-aspect-ratio functional microstructures inside the microchannel and patented microfluidic chip technology
to separate rare cells with complete cell activity. The system is convenient and efficient. We take 5 mL of blood from a patient and the
whole process takes only 20 minutes. Compatible to A + Pre, AC-1000 also provides dual channels to simultaneously process two
patients’ samples per run, and 8 samples could be done with high-purity enrichment of tumor cells in one and half hours.
The blood sample enriched
by AC-1000 can maintain the capture rate of 76-90% of the targeted cells, and the isolated product after blood sample separation can achieve
a leukocyte removal rate of 99.9%, which is convenient for downstream detection. Because the rare cell enrichment system is non-destructive,
highly active and label-free, it can carry out pure physical and high-purity enrichment, completely maintain the original characteristics
of the desired target cells and improve accuracy. What we get is highly active cells, which can be used for different applications in
the future, and can be used for tumor screening, auxiliary diagnosis, treatment evaluation, prognosis evaluation, recurrence and metastasis
detection, individualized medication guidance, and companion diagnosis. Our rare cell enrichment system is low-cost, and the cost will
be further reduced after mass production. It has great potential to be applied to routine liquid biopsy and companion diagnostic platforms
in the future.
6
AC-1000 CTC Enrichment Chip
AC-1000 chip utilizes a hybrid
mechanism with microfluidics induced lateral displacement to combine the difference in cell deformability and to remove all of red blood
cells (“RBCs”) and deplete over three logs White Blood Cell (“WBCs”). The remaining cells, including few WBCs
and rare cell-based cancer biomarkers, are all sorted out.
A + SCDrop
A + SCDrop is a CTCs
single cell capture device. It preserves the original viability of single cells. The polymer microfluidic chip combines the cell dielectric
sensing technology, without the need for antibody fluorescence calibration and image recognition. CTC sorting combined with AC-1000 achieves
tandem for complete label-free live cell sorting. A + SCDrop can sort single circulating tumor cells into nanoliter droplet collection
samples while maintaining single cell biological activity: a. Precise counting of CTCs while separating and capturing single cells; b.
In vitro culture and expansion of non-destructive Single-CTC; drug sensitivity test; c. Single-CTC encapsulated in oil droplets, single-cell
sequencing or genetic screening d. Single CTCs were independently sorted into 96-well plates in suspension liquid mode for CTC proteomic
study.
7
A + CellScan
Currently, A + CellScan
are developed as an analyzer with immunostaining chip for reducing hands-on time, manual discrimination, and accelerating immunostaining/analysis
of the AC-1000 product. A + CellScan provides a novel approach for rapid on-chip immunofluorescence staining, which may take
approximately 30 minutes, and artificial intelligence analysis of enriched sample for detecting, identification, and counting of rare
CTCs/clusters from white blood cells with four color immune-fluorescent images. The prototype we designed can (a) autofocus for capturing
and analyzing images of four colors fluoresces in A + CellScan chip, (b) perform on-chip immunostaining, and (c)
automatically count tumor cells and labeling them on each image. We also completed A + CellScan’s performance
study, which examine (i) its autofocus ability and precision for automatically capturing and analyzing cell images, (ii) whether it can
detect and analyze 3-1000 cancer cells in <106 WBCs, and (iii) its maximum on-chip immunostaining ability. Performance study (i) to
(iii) were completed in December 2022, January 2023, and March 2023, respectively. During the performance study, we have thoroughly evaluated
A + CellScan’s autofocus precision in capturing cell images. Out of 6,400 cell pictures that were captured
through a non-stop and fully automated process, less than 2 pictures were found to be out-of-focus. We also analyzed the presence of 3-1,000
cancer cells stained with fluorescence within samples containing 104, 105, and 106 WBCs, resulting in reliable detection of cancer cells.
We have optimized the antibody concentrations for CK+, DAPI, and CD14/45 combination, resulting in a maximum on-chip immunostaining ability
with high specificity.
A + CellScan Chip
Conventional immuno-staining
is labor-intensive with multiple processes, and its reaction is based on diffusion-dominated mechanism, thus causing a long operating
time (about 4-5 hours per sample). A + CellScan chip consists of fluid device and 5 μm micro-pores membrane that is used as
a filter to trap nucleated cells on the membrane surface form the through-flow. Only fluid and RBCs are allowed to pass through the pores.
Captured cells are kept in wells during flowing staining and washing. The active through-flow plays two important roles: 1. carrying antibodies
to cells rapidly, thus accelerating the reaction rate of specific binding between reporting antibody and cells; 2. simplifying the operation
processes in reagent spiking and repeated washing steps. A + CellScan chip stains rare cells such as CTCs and CTC clusters without
cell loss during fixation, permeabilization, blocking, incubation and washing. The device provides flexibility to process up to eight
samples per run. On-chip immunostaining only need 30 minutes for one sample, and batch process for eight samples can be completed in one
and half hours. After cell staining, A + CellScan and A + CellScan chips automatically captures cell images and analyses
the stained cells in 30 minutes. Compared to conventional methods, A + CellScan chip significantly reduces the total detection
time by 4-5 hours per 1 sample.
8
The following diagrams illustrate
the procedures using our devices for diagnostic detection of blood samples from oncology patients:
Diagram 1: A + Pre reduces blood
density of oncology patients.
For the analysis of high-viscosity
blood samples, the A + Pre equipment can be used for pretreatment, retaining the original cell activity while preventing blood
samples from clogging the equipment pipeline after entering the detection equipment.
Diagram 2: AC-1000 completes targeted cell
enrichment work.
A + Pre and AC-1000
equipment can be combined for the identification and counting application of circulating tumor cells purposes. First, blood samples are
diluted with A + Pre, and then AC-1000 is used to separate and enrich circulating tumor cells and related tumor markers. The
enriched samples are stained, calibrated, and finally identified and counted. A + Pre combined with AC-1000 provide the purified
solution of cell-based cancer biomarkers, which can be easily identified, analyzed and tested. The total purification process can be completed
in only 40 minutes. A + Pre combined with AC-1000 capture multi-cell-based cancer markers simultaneously with a high recovery
rate (76~90%), and therefore making it possible to diagnose cancer and predict cancer progression in very early stage. This application
service can already be commercialized in the Chinese market. Calibration and staining currently use staining reagents that are already
on the market. Once our products are registered, we will start using our own developed reagents. The identification and counting of circulating
tumor cells and related tumor marker cells can provide auxiliary reference for relevant clinical applications.
9
Diagram 3: A + SCDrop completes
single targeted cell capture.
The capture of circulating
tumor cells requires the use of A + Pre, AC-1000, and A + SCDrop in combination. First, the user needs to follow the
same process as the identification of circulating tumor cells to obtain enriched samples, and then the samples are captured and separated
by A + SCDrop equipment to isolate single circulating tumor cells. This combined application can provide tumor cells with high
purity and high activity.
Products
Four Immunochromogenic Kits
The four immunochromogenic
kits, A + CTCE, A + CM, A + CTCM and A + EMT, are currently under NMPA registration review.
10
For the four immunochromogenic
kits, the basic principle is to use antibodies combined with different colored fluorophores to bind to specific proteins on the cell surface
or inside the cells and observe the presence or absence of fluorescent signals through a fluorescent imaging system (to be obtained separately).
Afterwards, the expression of the target protein can be examined, and the cell type can be determined accordingly. Different cell types
can be distinguished using multiplexed combined staining with different antibodies. The A + CTCE kit is mainly used to identify
epithelial circulating tumor cells, and is determined by immunochromogenicity of EpCAM, CK (pan), CD45, and CD14 antibodies. The A + CTCM
kit is used to identify mesenchymal circulating tumor cells based on the immunochromogenicity of Vimentin, CD45, and CD14 antibodies.
A + EMT is mainly used to identify epithelial-to-mesenchymal circulating tumor cells, which are determined by immunochromogenicity
of Cell-Surface Vimentin (CSV), CD45 antibody, and CD14 antibody. A + CM is used to identify tumor-associated macrophages (cancer-associated
macrophage-like cells) based on immunochromogenicity of PD-L1, CD45, and CD14 antibodies.
With the assistance of the
four kits, targets are stained using antibodies conjugated with different fluorophores that specifically bind to antigens in cells. In
immunohistochemical reaction or in situ hybridization reaction, it is combined with the primary antigen antibody, and the target is marked
by staining. It is suitable for the staining of blood cells enriched by A + Pre and AC-1000 hemocytometer. We transfer the cell
suspension separated and obtained by A + Pre and AC-1000 into a centrifuge tube, use the kits to stain the cell suspension, and
observe and count the fluorescently stained cells under a fluorescence microscope or a fluorescence scanner. Observed under a fluorescence
microscope, all nuclei are stained blue, and the cell membrane of leukocytes is red, and the color of the cell membrane we observe under
the fluorescence microscope is the marked color, which is the target cell we want to obtain.
Our 3D Cell Culture Platform
Conventional cell culture
equipment is bulky and requires frequent manual intervention. In addition, in static culture, nutrients are unevenly distributed and waste
products from cell metabolism tend to accumulate. This can negatively affect cell growth, viability, and experimental consistency. In
addition, unlike 2D cultures, 3D cell culture better mimics the structural and functional complexity of human tissues. It enables more
physiologically relevant cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, leading to improved accuracy in drug response prediction and disease
modeling. Notably, in certain high-density culture scenarios, particularly within multi-microwell 3D culture devices, metabolic waste
can rapidly accumulate inside the micro-grooves.
Our A+PerfusC ™
is a compact All-in-One 3D cell culture system that integrates automated perfusion with environmental control in a compact format. A+PerfusC ™
ensures a more uniform supply of nutrients while simultaneously removing metabolic waste, thereby reducing cellular stress and enhancing
viability over extended periods, providing more accurate drug response and disease modeling.
A+PerfusC ™ System
A+PerfusC ™
an automatic perfusion 3D cell culture system revolutionizes in vitro 3D cell culture by integrating automated perfusion and environmental
control to closely replicate human physiological conditions. This system ensures uniform nutrient delivery, prevents waste accumulation,
and promotes spheroid/organoid formation, significantly enhancing cell viability, growth, and drug response predictability. The system
designed to mount directly onto a microscope for real-time observation, it supports up to 12 days of hands-free culture, reducing human
error and contamination risks.
The system is characterized and proved by:
● 8 independent channel/patient source per plate
● 600 tumor spheroids per row for one patient
● 4,800 tumor spheroids per plate
● Easy to transfer into 96 or 384 well plate for high-throughput drug screening
● Easy to mount on microscopy platforms for real-time analysis
11
A+PerfusC ™ system
and its perfusion-based 3D culture plate (consumable) have passed internal testing and validation with design finalized. Currently we
are advancing its mass-production development. The commercialization can be achieved following mass-production development finalized,
quality control standards established, and system electrical safety verification (IEC 61010-1).
Product in the Pipeline
Our A + LCGuard was
designed for early screening of lung cancer. In order to detect lung cancer, peripheral blood samples of the subjects are first obtained,
and the target cells are enriched and captured sequentially by A + Pre and AC-1000. Then, A + LCGuard performs cell
fluorescence staining on the enriched samples to determine the number of targeted cells, and finally makes a judgment. We completed A + LCGuard’s
research and development in China between August 2020 and September 2022. A + LCGuard is a Class III medical device and is required
to conduct clinical trials before completing the registration process. We plan to begin A+LCGuard’s clinical research in November
2025. Specifically, in June 2025, the Company and the CRO began collaborating on drafting the clinical research protocol and started preparing
the necessary equipment, consumables, reagent kits, and other materials for the study. We expect that the clinical research protocol may
pass ethical review and receive ethics committee approval by the end of October 2025. Thereafter, we plan to initiate the trial stage
of the clinical research, with completion anticipated within six months of November 2025. Based on the results of clinical research, we
plan to formulate a work plan for large-scale clinical trials and proceed with the clinical trial. We believe the registration declaration
will be made after we complete the clinical trials.
The following diagrams illustrate
the procedures using our detection solutions for CTC enriched samples:
12
We participated in scientific
research projects at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from July 17, 2019 to December 2021, and completed a total of 123 case studies. In the
study, we selected 123 individuals, and among them, 75 were surgical patients with nodular changes or shadows in the lungs reported by
imaging studies and 48 healthy patients without lung nodules reported by imaging studies. 7ml blood samples were taken from test subjects
either before the clinical operation (for cancer patients) or after the physical examination (for healthy individuals), and A + Pre,
AC-1000, and A + LCGuard kits were used to determine whether there were circulating tumor cells and other tumor markers in the
blood samples. Finally, the pathological and physical examination results of the tested individuals were compared with the test results
of our products. Our test results achieved 96% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity, which provides the research and development basis for
our kit products.
Below are two comparable blood
testing methods in the current market. We have not tested the sensitivity of our products against these two comparable blood testing products
in head-to-head comparisons.
Universal Diagnostics (UDX),
a Spanish vitro diagnostic company, announced the preliminary research data of its liquid biopsy method for early detection of lung cancer
at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2020 World Conference. In a preliminary study, UDX detected 37 lung cancer
patients and 71 asymptomatic control subjects with a panel of 10 methylation sites. The results showed that lung cancer patients could
be detected with a sensitivity of 73% (27/37) with 90% (64/71) specificity.
The “Aifeiming”
gene methylation detection kit (P)R-fluorescent probe method) by Beijing Akron Medical Technology Co., Ltd. won the NMPA Class III certification.
The clinical sensitivity of this product is 86.83%.
Quality Control System
We have established quality
control system in accordance with the following regulations:
1.
Medical Device Quality Management System for Regulatory Requirements
2.
Quality Management System Requirements
3.
Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices
4.
Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Medical Device Production
5.
Appendix of Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices In Vitro Diagnostic Reagents
6.
Guiding Principles for Clinical Trial of In Vitro Diagnostic Reagents
Our quality control system
includes quality manuals specifically designed for each product, procedure documents, supporting documents and quality records. We implement,
maintain and improve the quality control system to ensure that product quality can be effectively and compliantly controlled throughout
the entire process of procurement, production, formation and realization. Specifically, our quality control team (“QC”) consists
of three members who are responsible to examine the entire production process from raw materials to finished products. QC also collaborate
with various internal departments of the Company to conduct periodic review on all aspects of our research, development, and production
process and provide their recommendations to the management to ensure our products and processes adhere to the regulations apply to us.
Commercialization Preparation
We are committed to the development
of microfluidic chips, reagents and detectors for capturing circulating tumor cells in blood. We have integrated various complex precision
structures, dielectric detection and functional microfluidic biochips. Our devices include a variety of expensive semiconductor manufacturing
and precision micro-manufacturing related equipment. We signed a research project equipment use contract with TSRI and used their semiconductor
manufacturing equipment and precision micro-nano processing equipment for chip technology research and development such as concept presentation
of each R&D process, cross-scale composite structure production, rapid wafer trial production, material testing, and thin film production.
13
The contract between Advanced
Biomed Taiwan and TSRI was executed on August 1, 2022 and expired on July 31, 2023. The total cost of the study, including tax, is NTD
1,300,000. Advanced Biomed Taiwan will pay the research fee to the National Institute of Experimental Research in two installments. The
first installment of NTD 650,000 was paid on September 23, 2022, and the second installment of NTD650,000 was paid on April 18, 2023.
The agreement can be unilaterally terminated only if a party fails to fulfil its obligations, if Advanced Biomed Taiwan declares bankruptcy,
or if its business activities are disrupted by the government. The agreement can only be terminated by mutual agreement in all other circumstances.
The parties agree to take the Taiwan Taipei District Court as the jurisdiction court of first instance for any disputes arising from the
execution of this agreement, which shall be subject to the laws of Taiwan.
As for the designed microfluidic
detector, since 2020, we have developed various functional microfluidic biomedical testing devices for microfluidic modules, automation
software, and hardware. We also designed, manufactured and processed an increasing number of key components of our testing devices. All
of our products must go through three steps to receive the required clearance from the NMPA before they can be sold to customers. The
three steps are research and development, registration application, and registration review, which must be done in that order. At the
registration application stage, we have to assemble all the required application materials, complete clinical trials (if required by NMPA),
and work with an NMPA accredited third-party organization to examine our products in accordance with NMPA rules. NMPA will review our
application during the registration review period and may request additional information before officially approving or denying our applications.
Currently, A + Pre and AC-1000 and their corresponding chips have been cleared by the NMPA; A + SCDrop, A + CellScan,
A + CellScan Chip, and A + LCGuard are at the registration application stage; the four matching immunostaining kits
are under registration review. A + LCGuard is a Class III medical device and is required to conduct clinical trials before completing
the registration process. As of the date of this Report, we have not applied for similar clearances from other jurisdictions.
Although none of the chips
has been mass produced as of the date of this Report, we have been cooperating with the injection molding machine manufacturer Riva and
the mold manufacturer Unimold to conduct pre-mass production trial test for our A + Pre Chip and AC-1000 Enrichment Chip. During
the mass production trial test, we examine the following factors:
●
whether the tested chip can work with its corresponding product, and
●
whether chips’ flatness, roughness, water leakage, critical size and thickness match the original design.
A Chip is ready for mass-production
if each individual production line can produce at least 2,500 pieces per month and pass the quality control examination. During the quality
control examination, one chip out of every 48 chips will be randomly selected for verification and must achieve designed objectives when
working with their corresponding products and meet all the product specifications to pass the examination. The product specifications
are listed in the table below.
Flatness
Roughness
No Water leakage
Critical size
compared with
original design
Thickness
A + Pre Chip
ΔF < 0.1 mm
ΔR<1.5 um /mm 2
Under 2 bar
within 5%
2 mm ±10%
AC-1000 Enrichment Chip
ΔF < 0.3 mm
ΔR < 1.5 um/mm 2
Under 2 bar
within 5%
1.5 mm ±10%
Upon completion of the pre-mass
production trial test, all of the randomly selected A + Pre Chips and AC-1000 Enrichment Chips can work with their corresponding
A + Pre and AC-1000 products and meet or exceed the production specifications.
One of every 48 chips was
randomly selected and tested for performance verification by using A549 lung cancer cells spiked into human blood. In May 2023, a total
of 20 A+Pre chips were tested, with a result of average tumor cell recovery rate of 94%, which exceeded the target rate of 90%, with the
highest and lowest rates of 99% and 91.6%, respectively. The liquid and blood cells removal rate by A+Pre chip was between 90-92.5%, which
is in line with the target rate of 90-94%. A total of 12 AC-1000 chips were examined and the average recovery rate is 79.5%, which exceeded
the target rate of 75%, with the highest and lowest recovery rates of 88.6% and 76.8%, respectively. The blood cells depletion rate was
>2.5 logs, exceeding the target rate of 2 logs, with the highest and lowest rate of 4 and 2.5 logs, respectively.
14
The specifications of the
randomly selected A + Pre and AC-1000 chips produced during the pre-mass production trial test can be found in the table below:
Flatness
Roughness
No Water leakage
Critical size
compared with
original design
Thickness
A + Pre Chip
ΔF < 0.05 mm
ΔR<1.5 um /mm 2
Under 2 bar
within 3%
2 mm ±5%
AC-1000 Enrichment Chip
ΔF < 0.08 mm
ΔR < 1 um/mm 2
Under 2 bar
within 5%
1.5 mm ±10%
Riva is a mold manufacturing
and injection molding machine manufacturer. We have purchased a Riva injection molding machine at the end of October 2022 and completed
the mass production trial test for AC-1000 chips, and the production samples met our product specifications. The special structure mold
core we made combined with the Riva injection molding machine has repeatedly produced hundreds of pieces of AC-1000 chips. The quality
of the products is consistent and meet the product specifications of the microstructure characteristics. The operation on the equipment
has achieved the expected efficiency and cell enrichment efficiency. Each equipment is expected to produce 2,000 pieces AC-1000 chips
per month.
Unimold is a mold manufacturer
and an ISO9001 plastic injection molding foundry. We cooperate with Unimold to embed our specially manufactured mold core for A+Pre Chip
into the mold cavity, which will be employed at our future production facility. Although there is no formal cooperation agreement between
Unimold and us, Unimold produces custom-made molds for us on a make-to-order basis. Each time, we first discuss the mold specification
with a Unimold representative, then receive an offer from Unimold with the price, and Unimold will produce the customized mold for us
to test. To protect our intellectual property, Unimold and us entered into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (the “NDA”) with a term
of three years. The NDA prohibits both parties from disclosing confidential information without authorization and hiring the other party’s
employees during the term of the NDA or within two years of the termination of the NDA. The NDA is governed by the laws of Taiwan, and
any disputes arising from the NDA must be resolved before Taiwan Tainan District Court. The chips produced by Unimold’s mold have
met the specifications set by us, and a batch of small-scale trial production of 5,000 pieces was carried out in October 2022. Our A + Pre
is operating to expected efficacy and performance specifications using the in-house produced A + Pre Chip. One injection-type
production equipment is expected to produce 50,000 pieces of A + Pre Chip per month.
Our Platform
We have built our microfluidic
technology platform to integrate research and development, design, and manufacture of biochips and microfluidic chips. The platform combines
our patented chip technology and will enable localized operations of a variety of microfluidic chips, biosensors made by semiconductor
fabrication technology, and integrated application patented technology. Each geographic territory will establish clean rooms for chip
production in compliance with local regulations to meet local market demand. While performing its designed duties, our microfluidic technology
platform can provide customized services to third parties for a fee. We envision providing services such as OEM production of microfluidic
chips, micro-electromechanical components, biochips, sensors, and other components, customized product design, and commissioned development
and research services to customers. Different from the general IC wafer OEM production, our production is based on our micro-nano manufacturing
technology platform developed by professionals in various fields that integrates cross-field knowledge, including Micro Electro Mechanical
Systems (MEMS), lithography-assisted micromachining (LIGA), semiconductor process, and soft materials such as silicone gel and polydimethylsiloxane.
We boast the ability to develop, design, and manufacture micro-electromechanical components and sensors, including three-dimensional microstructures
or micro-optical-electromechanical integrated components. The material of the microstructure can be multi-layer stacking of alloys and
insulating materials, which may be used in a wide range of fields, such as pressure or environment detection, MEMS oscillators, optical
actuators, biomedical components, passive components, silicon optical integration platforms, and microfluidic structures.
15
The platform integrates our
AC-1000 and A + SCDrop devices. Our rare cell enrichment device AC-1000 integrates the A + Pre chip and AC-1000 CTC
enrichment chip. AC-1000 uses semiconductor nano ultra-sensitive biosensors and patented microfluidic chip technology to isolate rare
cells with complete cell activity. It has great potential to be applied to routine liquid biopsy and companion diagnosis in the future.
AC-1000 can satisfy different applications with corresponding special chip products. Our products also have the potential to provide application
services in tumor screening, auxiliary diagnosis, treatment evaluation, prognosis evaluation, recurrence and metastasis detection, individualized
medication guidance, and companion diagnosis. In terms of tumor screening, we have developed a complete set of service models for early
screening of lung cancer, and plan to begin the clinical research in November 2025. Our application services for the identification of
CTCs have matured, and the identification of CTCs can be used for tumor screening, auxiliary diagnosis, and treatment evaluation, etc.
Our CTCs single cell capture device A + SCDrop is used in combination with A + Pre and AC-1000. It preserves the original
activity of single cells and polymer microfluidic chips combined with cell dielectric sensing technology. With the technical advantages
combined with our IVD kit products, A + SCDrop can be used in a variety of applications, such as single-cell sequencing, whole
gene sequencing, protein sequencing, new drug development, cancer biomarker research, individualized diagnosis, individualized drug susceptibility
testing, and other aspects of individualized precision medicine. We are also working on prognosis assessment, recurrence and metastasis
detection, individualized medicine, and companion diagnosis.
Although no services have
been provided to customers yet, we believe the application services using our products and devices will be an essential part of our future
operations.
Competitive Strengths
Although we have not received
any regulatory approvals necessary to commercialize our products, we believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to compete
effectively in and capitalize on the growing oncology detection market:
●
Our Microfluidic Technology Platform. We can quickly complete the product development and improvement we need on our own platform.
●
Proprietary Ultra-Sensitive Biosensor Technology. Our self-developed proprietary semiconductor nano ultra-sensitive biosensor technology integrates various composite precision structures, dielectric detection and functional microfluidic biochips to complete the microfluidic chips and reagents for capturing circulating tumor cells in a patient’s blood. Our technology also enables a fast and inexpensive method for early cancer diagnosis because we mainly rely on self-developed equipment and products, including the microfluidic chips and the related reagents. Specifically, with the start and expansion of mass-production, the cost and price of microfluidic chips will drop multiple times. Also, since we estimate that we will enrich all the targeted cells, the amount of reagents required in the process will decrease correspondingly. Additionally, we are able to complete the detection and analysis in a short period of time while ensuring the accuracy of the results and reducing the death number of targeted cells throughout the process because we have a complete microfluidic technology platform, which uses self-developed microfluidic chips to separate and detect CTCs. By using automatic and efficient microfluidic chips, we can reduce human errors when capturing, releasing, counting, and detecting CTCs. For example, AC-1000 and its corresponding chip can achieve high throughput (800-1000 drops/s) and high flow rate (>0.7ml/hr) while completely removing red blood cells in peripheral blood samples within 30 minutes. Due to the non-destructive nature of the rare cell enrichment system, it can maintain the original characteristics of the desired target cells through purely physical and high-purity enrichment processes, improving the accuracy of the results and reducing the number of target cells that die during the entire process.
16
●
On Track to Commercialization. All of our products must go through three steps to receive the required clearance from NMPA before they can be sold to customers. The three steps are research and development, registration application, and registration review, which must be done in that order. Currently, A+Pre and AC-1000 and their corresponding chips have been cleared by the NMPA; A+SCDrop, A+CellScan, A+CellScan Chip, and A+LCGuard are at the registration application stage; the four matching immunostaining kits are under registration review. We expect to submit the A+CellScan, and A+CellScan Chip’s registrations to the NMPA in December 2024 while completing preliminary works for A+SCDrop’s application. We have been cooperating with the injection molding machine manufacturer Riva Machinery Co., Ltd. (“Riva”) and the mold manufacturer Unimold Technology Inc. (“Unimold”) to conduct mass production mode testing and trial production. Although none of the chips has been mass-produced as of the date of this Report, we have purchased a Riva injection molding machine at the end of October 2022 and completed the mass production trial test of AC-1000 CTC Enrichment chip. We also cooperate with Unimold to embed our specially manufactured mold core for A+Pre Chip into the mold cavity made by Unimold. The chips produced have met the specifications set by us, and a batch of small-scale trial production of 5,000 pieces has been carried out in October 2022. Our equipment is operating to expected efficacy and performance specifications using in-house produced chips. Moreover, the prototype of A+CellScan and its corresponding chip have completed the performance study. You can find more information on page 8 under the heading “A+CellScan.” We are refining the production method of A+CellScan chip and have submitted the results of our medical device safety test to a third party for independent evaluation. In addition, we have completed the mass production trial test using the mold manufactured by Unimold in December 2023, and an independent third-party is evaluating the test result. The A+CellScan and its corresponding chip will enrich our product chain by upgrading our immunochromogenic kits to tumor cell assay equipment. Specifically, A+CellScan, together with A+Pre and AC-1000, can serve as a liquid biopsy IVD product to accelerate downstream assay time and reduce the amount of labor required for assaying tumor cells. In addition, we are actively carrying out registration application for our A+LCGuard kit products, as well as work related to research programs.
●
Multi-Disciplinary Management Team. We have a multi-disciplinary management team, an R&D team and strategic cooperation units composed of interdisciplinary and cross-field professionals and well-known experts. The R&D team has the ability to combine semiconductor/integrated circuits and biomedical expertise. Our team has accumulated valuable experience from chip development and design, manufacturing, mass production, design and development of detectors, research and development of system modules, and the operation of clinical laboratory personnel.
Growth Strategy
We will strive to be a leading
provider of precision oncology detection solutions by the following growth strategies:
●
Increase the market penetration of our oncology auxiliary products and expand our product portfolio to actively focus on in vitro early diagnosis, rapid evaluation of chemotherapy drugs, individualized treatment including clinical screening of drugs, detection of drug resistance, and monitoring of tumor recurrences.
●
Develop cancer screening market in China and further expand to other regions. We plan to initially focus on developing our cancer screening market in China. We also plan to expand to North American and European market by setting up subsidiaries and localize production and operation to meet specific market demand and compliance requirements in the relevant market.
●
Expand our R&D to strength and develop pipeline products. In the future, we will actively promote the research and development, application and registration of other cancer early screening products.
Intellectual Property
As of June 30, 2025 we had
registered or applied with China Patent and Trademark Office 8 patents on novel separation technologies for antibody-free and label-free
enrichment of rare cell-based cancer biomarkers (such as CTC, CTC cluster, tumor marker expressed cells) from very dense blood cells,
6 patents on high throughput droplet microfluidic chips for nano-liter scale reagent preparation and single-cell, 3 patents for the device
of water phase single-cell isolation and capturing for single cell applications, 6 patents on single-CTC detection/discrimination and
delivery for single-CTC sorting and downstream single-CTC analysis, and 3 patents on target cells pre-concentration and enrichment. Meanwhile,
we also applied 2 of abovementioned patents with PCT and 2 of abovementioned patents with the U.S., and one of the U.S. application has
been granted on October 11, 2022. As of June 30, 2025, we own a total of 20 patents and an additional patent application is pending. Several
smart and key chip fabrication techniques/methods with mass production level are protected by commercial confidential to reduce exposed
risk.
17
Our commercial success depends
in part on our ability to obtain and maintain proprietary or intellectual property protection for our detection solutions and other commercially
important products, technologies, invention and know-how, to operate without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating
the proprietary or intellectual property rights of others and to prevent others from infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating
our proprietary or intellectual property rights. Our patent strategy is focused on seeking coverage for our core technologies and specific follow-on applications,
implementations for detecting and monitoring cancer by determining genomic alterations and evaluating the status of specific biomarkers
in liquid biopsy or tissue samples. In addition, we file for patent protection on our on-going research and development, particularly
into early-stage cancer screening.
We also rely on trade secrets, know-how and
continuing technological innovation to develop and maintain our proprietary and intellectual property position. We generally require our
R&D personnel to enter into confidentiality agreements. These agreements provide that all confidential information developed or made
known to the individual during the course of the individual’s relationship with us is to be kept confidential and not disclosed
to third parties except under specific circumstances. In the case of our R&D personnel, the agreements provide that all of the technology
which is conceived by the individual during the course of employment is our exclusive intellectual property. Furthermore, as a matter
of company policy, our R&D personnel have entered into agreements that generally require disclosure and assignment to us of ideas,
developments, discoveries and inventions made by them which relate to their employment with us.
Patent Number
Patent Type*
Patent Description
Jurisdiction
Status
Expiration
Date
Product
Application
ZL201821544689.4
Utility Models
Target cells pre-concentration and enrichment
China
Granted
09/20/2028
A + Pre
ZL201811418768.5
Invention
Target cells pre-concentration and enrichment
China
Granted
11/26/2038
A + Pre
ZL201811098975.7
Invention
Target cells pre-concentration and enrichment
China
Granted
09/20/2038
A + Pre
PCT/CN2018/103116
Invention
Single-CTC detection/discrimination
International
Granted
N/A
A + SCDrop chip
US11467081B216/639,117
Invention
Single-CTC detection/discrimination
USA
Granted
08/30/2038
A + SCDrop chip
ZL201821544716.8
Utility Models
Single-CTC detection/discrimination
China
Granted
09/20/2028
A + SCDrop chip
ZL201821544498.8
Utility Models
Single-CTC detection/discrimination
China
Granted
09/20/2028
A + SCDrop chip
PCT/CN2018/103171
Invention
Separation technologies
International
Granted
N/A
AC-1000
US20200086320A1
16/617,634
Invention
Separation technologies
USA
Granted
10/31/2040
AC-1000
ZL201821544718.7
Utility Models
Separation technologies
China
Granted
09/20/2028
AC-1000
ZL201821544717.2
Utility Models
Separation technologies
China
Granted
09/20/2028
AC-1000
ZL201810169100.5
Invention
Separation technologies
China
Granted
02/28/2038
AC-1000
ZL201810381143.X
Invention
Single-CTC detection/discrimination
China
Granted
04/25/2038
A + SCDrop chip
ZL201921425592.6
Utility Models
Droplet microfluidics
China
Granted
08/29/2029
A + SCDrop
ZL201910807870.2
Invention
Droplet microfluidics
China
Granted
08/30/2038
A + SCDrop
ZL201821961715.3
Utility Models
Droplet microfluidics
China
Granted
11/26/2028
A + CellScan Chip & A + SCDrop
ZL201821544526.6
Utility Models
Droplet microfluidics
China
Granted
09/20/2028
A + SCDrop
ZL201811470094.3
Invention
Droplet microfluidics
China
Granted
11/26/2038
A + SCDrop chip
ZL201811099052.3
Invention
Droplet microfluidics
China
Granted
09/20/2038
A + SCDrop
ZL201821562851.5
Utility Models
Single-cell isolation and capturing
China
Granted
09/20/2028
A + Pre Chip, AC-1000 CTC Enrichment Chip, and A + CellScan Chip
202310325582.X
Invention
Separation technologies
China
Pending
03/29/2043
A + CellScan reagent
*
Chinese Patent Law defines three different types of patents for protecting invention-creation: invention, utility model, and design. “Invention” means any new technical solution proposed for a product, a process or the improvement thereof. “Utility Model” means any new technical solution proposed for the shape, the structure, or their combination, of a product, which is fit for practical use. “Design” means, with respect to an overall or partial product, any new design of the shape, the pattern, or their combination, or the combination of the colour with shape or pattern, which is rich in an aesthetic appeal and is fit for industrial application.
18
As of June 30, 2025, we had
registered 12 trademarks in China, including 欣戈赛
and sglcell.
We also own 1 registered domain
name in China.
Item
Trademarks
1
欣戈赛
2
sglcell
3
Item
Domain Names
1
sglcell.com
2
www.advanbiomed.com
Employees
As of June 30, 2025, we had 31 employees. The following table sets
forth the number of our employees by function as of June 30, 2025.
As of June 30,
2025
Number
% of Total
Employees
Functions:
Technology, Research and Development
18
58 %
Medical Affairs
4
13 %
Operations and Quality Assurance
2
6.5 %
Sales and Marketing
2
6.5 %
General and Administration
5
16 %
Total number of employees
31
100.0 %
19
Our R&D personnel are
imperative to our technological development. They are responsible for the early stage of biochip design and production, design improvement
and optimization, self-developed microfluidic system, design and development of biomedical testing instruments, and establishment of biochip
mass production mode. They also test the electrical safety of our medical devices, assist us to prepare FDA medical device regulatory
certification and registration application documents. The R&D personnel are also responsible for the training of clinical laboratory
personnel, the training of assembly, testing and maintenance of medical equipment production line personnel, and future chip mass production
and packaging production.
Our Shanghai subsidiary is
required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical
insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund. Our Shanghai subsidiary also enters into
standard labor contracts with its employees. The labor contract typically includes a confidentiality covenant that requires employees
to protect the company confidential information during their employment. In addition, employees are prohibited from entering into another
employment relationship with a third party, which may adversely affect our business.
Advisors and Industry-Academia Cooperation
We focus on the research and
development of various advanced and original microfluidic biochips and strive to provide tumor precision diagnosis and treatment technology
and early cancer detection service. In order to strengthen our strategic development and research, we have worked with the following advisors
(“Advisors”) and the National Taiwan University (the “NTU”) pursuant to certain advisory agreements and industry-academia
cooperation agreements:
Advisors
Lin Jianhuang
is currently President of Taipei Medical University, Director of National Applied Research Laboratory, Director of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical
Industry Research Institute, Executive Director of Taiwan Pharmacological Society, and Director of International Cooperation Foundation.
Dr. Lin is mainly engaged in the field of molecular pharmacology signal transduction new drug development.
Zhou Caicun
Director of the Institute of Oncology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Director of the Department of Oncology. Director of Oncology
Department of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Director of Lung Cancer Immunology Research Office, Director of Clinical Pharmacology Institute.
Mainly engaged in early diagnosis of lung cancer, comprehensive treatment, targeted therapy and individualized therapy, molecular imaging
of tumor, phage vaccine.
The Advisors attend quarterly
meetings and provide professional advice to the Company. Advisors make recommendations and offer guidance on the Company’s long-term
development strategy and major decisions, including providing consultation and suggestions on the Company’s development plans, research
directions, scientific partnerships, and academic exchanges based on their abundant clinical experience to help the Company stay on the
right track. For example, we used to focus on counting tumor cells, and our Advisors suggested to capture active single cells for further
clinical application. Based on the suggestion, we eventually developed A + SCDrop. Furthermore, our Advisors suggested that we
adopt the method of taking blood samples at multiple times, as the number of targeted cells contained in samples at different times is
different, so as to ensure the accuracy of the obtained results. Accordingly, we adjusted our clinical plan regarding our prospective
clinical trials.
20
Below are the material terms
of the advisory agreements (the “Advisory Agreement”):
Terms . The Advisory
Agreement for Mr. Lin Jianhuang went into effect on November 1, 2022, and will end on October 31, 2025, unless terminated earlier in accordance
with the provisions of the Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement for Mr. Lin Jianhuang may be renewed if the parties start the renewal
process three months prior to the end of this agreement and agree on the terms and conditions of the new agreement. The Advisory Agreement
with Mr. Zhou Caicun went into effect on July 1, 2022, and was originally scheduled to end on June 30, 2025. On June 20, 2025, we renewed
the Advisory Agreement with Mr. Zhou under the same terms and conditions, with a new expiration date of June 19, 2026. The Advisory Agreement
may be renewed again if the parties initiate the renewal process at least one month prior to the expiration date and agree on the terms
and conditions of the new agreement.
Services . The
Advisor is hired by us as its advisor (“Advisor”) and provide consulting service to us regarding our development plans and
strategies.
Compensation .
We will reimburse Mr. Zhou Caicun any work-related expenses. We will reimburse Mr. Lin Jianhuang any work-related expenses and we agreed
to grant Mr. Lin 0.5% of the total number of shares of the Initial Public Offering. The Common Stock will be distributed evenly among
Mr. Lin’s three years of service.
Termination .
This Advisory Agreement can only be modified by both parties’ written consents and will remain in effect if either Party does not
agree on the proposed modification. This Advisory Agreement is terminated once the end date has been reached or in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Advisory Agreement.
Industry-Academia Cooperation
Advanced Biomed Taiwan entered
into two industry-academia cooperation agreements with the National Taiwan University under identical terms and conditions for identifying
novel biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer (together the “Cooperation Agreements”). Advanced Biomed Taiwan renewed
one of the two Cooperation Agreements on November 30, 2024 (the “Renewed Cooperation Agreement”).
Below are the material terms
of the Cooperation Agreements and the Renewed Cooperation Agreement:
Terms. The Cooperation
Agreements went into effect on April 15, 2023 and expired on October 14, 2024. The Renewed Cooperation Agreement went into effect on December
1, 2024 and will expire on November 30, 2025.
Scopes . Research
and development works stipulated in the Cooperation Agreements and the Renewed Cooperation Agreement focus on improving the accuracy of
early lung cancer detection and exploring more novel biomarkers in that regard.
Payment . Under
the Cooperation Agreements, Advanced Biomed Taiwan is required to pay the NTU NTD 6 million in two equal installments, with the first
one been paid on April 24, 2023. The second installment of NTD 3 million was paid in February 2024. Under the Renewed Cooperation Agreement,
Advanced Biomed Taiwan is required to pay the NTU NTD 3 million in two installments, with the first one due on December 15, 2024. We received
the required invoice from the NTU for the first installment and made the payment on January 24, 2025. The second installment of NTD 1.5
million was paid on June 23, 2025.
Ownership . The
parties recognize that the services provided by the advisor are advisory and consulting in nature and do not involve actual research activities.
The NTU shall own the copyrights of any and all reports and works produced under the Cooperation Agreements, while Advanced Biomed Taiwan
has the license to use any and all reports and works produced under the Cooperation Agreements freely.
The Renewed Cooperation Agreement
does not permit Advanced Biomed Taiwan to use any results or products under that agreement directly for profit. We do not believe this
negatively impacts the development and commercialization of our products because this agreement focuses on studying the effect of certain
proteins, unrelated to our products. Instead, the purpose of our involvement under the Renewed Cooperation Agreement is to support the
NTU with funds and equipment for the separation and enrichment of target cells. Our participation under the Renewed Cooperation Agreement
is aimed at demonstrating a potential application of our product to other research institutions, who could be our customers in the future.
Therefore, the results of this research under the Renewed Cooperation Agreement and the patentability and commercialization of such proteins,
do not affect the commercialization of our products.
21
Termination .
Either party to the Cooperation Agreements and the Renewed Cooperation Agreement has the power to terminate such agreement if the NTU
cannot perform its duties and obligations due to force majeure events or if Advanced Biomed Taiwan cannot perform its duties and obligations,
provided that the NTU shall refund Advanced Biomed Taiwan any portion of the payment to the extent not actually spent.
Licenses and Approvals
The following table sets forth
licenses and approvals that our subsidiaries are required to obtain for our operations in Taiwan and China as of the date of this Report:
Name
Licenses and
Approvals
PRC and Taiwan Regulatory
Authority
Expiration Date
Advanced Biomed Taiwan
Business Registration Certificate
Tainan City Government
indefinite
Advanced Biomed HK
Certificate of Incorporation
Registrar of Companies, Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
indefinite
Business Registration Certificate
Registrar of Companies, Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
August 9, 2026
Shanghai Sglcell
Business License
Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation
indefinite
Insurance
We and our subsidiaries do
not currently maintain any commercial insurance. As such, we are susceptible to losses including property damage, accidents, or liabilities.
In the event that such damages are substantial, we may experience materially negative impact on our business operations, financial condition,
and results of operations.
Government Regulation
This section summarizes the
principal Taiwan and PRC laws, rules and regulations related to our business and operations.
Regulations in Taiwan
Regulations Relating to Taiwan Companies
Going to The Mainland to Engage in Technical Cooperation
On March 1, 1993, the Ministry
of Economic Affairs promulgated the Regulations Governing the Examination of Investment or Technical Cooperation in Mainland China (“Examination
of Investment or Technical Cooperation”) which became effective immediately. The regulations were amended and took effect on December
30, 2020. On March 1, 1993, the Ministry of Economic Affairs also promulgated the Regulations Governing the Approval of Investment or
Technical Cooperation in Mainland China (“Approval of Investment or Technical Cooperation”). The regulations were amended
and took effect on April 21, 2020.
If a Taiwan company intends
to go to Mainland China for technical cooperation, in principle, it must submit an application to the Taiwan Investment Commission in
advance. According to the instructions of the Taiwan Investment Commission, the average review time for each case is 15-30 days. During
the review, the competent authority will consider factors such as the impact on the core competitiveness of other Taiwanese companies,
the layout of R&D and innovation, and the infringement of intellectual property rights of other companies to comprehensively determine
whether to approve or not. If a Taiwan company and a Chinese company engage in technical cooperation without permission, the competent
authority may impose a fine of not less than NTD 50,000 but not more than NTD 25,000,000 in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 86
of the Taiwan -Mainland People’s Relations Act, and may terminate it within a time limit, or require the companies to make corrections.
Those who do not comply or make corrections within the time limit may be punished continuously. However, if a Taiwan company goes to Mainland
China to engage in technical cooperation that does not involve substantial technology outflow, for example, if the Chinese company has
no substantial involvement in product design and related R&D processes, it is not necessary to apply to the Investment Review Committee
in advance. The competent authority may make alterations to the general and prohibited technical cooperation projects either by conducting
regular reviews annually or by conducting special reviews on a case-by-case basis.
22
Regulations Relating to Exchange Control
or Currency Regulations or any Registration Requirements Under Anti-Money Laundering Laws
On October 23, 1996, the Ministry
of Justice promulgated the Money Laundering Control Act (the “Act”), which became effective on April 23, 1997. The Act was
amended and became effective on November 7, 2018. The Act is enacted to prevent money laundering activities and combat-related crimes;
bolster anti-money laundering systems; maintain financial stability; increase transparency in money flows; and strengthen international
cooperation.
Pursuant to the Act, inward
and outward remittances involving currency exchange between NTD and another foreign currency are subject to an annual ceiling of: USD
5 million for individuals and USD 50 million for businesses. Any total annual remittance exceeding these thresholds requires approval
by the Central Bank of the Republic of China (CBC). Individual foreign exchange transactions over NTD 500,000 must be reported to the
CBC.
There are no other foreign
exchange controls on trade, insurance, and authorized investment transactions, and no limit on repatriation of capital or profits from
portfolio investments. There are also no registration requirements under anti-money laundering laws.
Regulations Relating to Anti-bribery or
Corruption
Bribery and corruption of
public officials in Taiwan are mainly regulated by the Anti-Corruption Act. The Anti-Corruption Act was promulgated by the Ministry of
Justice and took effect on July 15, 1963. It was later amended on June 22, 2016 and became effective on July 1, 2016. The Anti-Corruption
Act lists various behaviors that constitute bribery of public officials. Public officials who commit bribery may be punished by up to
life imprisonment together with a fine of up to NTD 100 million. Any private individual who commits bribery of public officials may be
punished by up to seven years of imprisonment together with a fine of up to NTD 3 million.
Hospitality accepted by a
public official is only allowed under limited circumstances specified in the Integrity and Ethics Directions for Civil Servants. The value
of gifts received by a public official cannot exceed NTD500. Gifts received due to visits to companies cannot exceed NTD 3,000. The total
value of gifts received from the same source in one year cannot exceed NTD 10,000.
The Ethical Corporate Management
Best Practice Principles were promulgated by the Taipei Exchange and became effective on September 3, 2010. The principles were amended
and took effect on May 23, 2019. These principles are applicable to companies, their subsidiaries, any foundation to which the companies’
direct or indirect contribution of funds exceeds 50 percent of the total funds received, and other institutions or juridical persons which
are substantially controlled by such companies. The purpose of the principles is to foster a corporate culture of ethical management and
sound development and offer a reference framework for establishing good commercial practices.
Regulations Relating to employment relationships
The Employment Service Act
was promulgated by the Ministry of Labor and became effective on May 8, 1992. It was amended and became effective on November 28, 2018.
The Act is enacted to promote the employment of nationals with a view to enhance social and economic development.
Labor Standards Act was promulgated
by the Ministry of Labor and became effective on July 30, 1984. It was amended and took effect on June 10, 2020. The Act is enacted to
provide minimum standards for working conditions, protect workers’ rights and interests, strengthen employee-employer relationships
and promote social and economic development.
23
Regulations Relating to Intellectual Property
Patents
The Patent Act was promulgated
by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and took effect on May 29, 1944. It was amended and took effect on May 4, 2022. The Patent Act is
formulated to encourage, protect and utilize the creations of invention, utility model and design in order to promote industrial development.
Trademarks
The Trademark Act was promulgated
by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and became effective on May 6, 1930. Articles 68, 70, 95, 96 and 97 were amended on May 4, 2022, which
shall take effect on the date designated by Executive Yuan. This Act is enacted for protection of the rights of trademark, certification
mark, collective membership mark, collective trademark and the interests of consumers, maintenance of fair competition, and promotion
of development of the industry and commerce.
Copyright
The Copyright Act was promulgated
by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and took effect on May 14, 1928. It was amended and took effect on June 15, 2022. This Act is specifically
enacted for the purposes of protecting the rights and interests of authors with respect to their works, balancing different interests
for the common good of society, and promoting the development of national culture. Matters not provided for herein shall be governed by
the provisions of other acts.
Trade Secrets
The Trade Secrets Act was
promulgated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and became effective on January 17, 1996. It was amended and took effect on January 15,
2020. This Act is enacted to protect trade secrets, maintain industrial ethics and order in competition, and balance societal and public
interests. Matters not provided for in this Act shall be governed by other laws.
Regulations Relating to Data Protection
The Personal Data Protection
Act was promulgated by the National Development Council on August 11, 1995 and became effective on January 17, 1996. It was amended on
December 30, 2015, and became effective on March 15, 2016. The Personal Data Protection Act (hereinafter, the “PDPA”) is enacted
to regulate the collection, processing and use of personal data so as to prevent harm on personality rights, and to facilitate the proper
use of personal data.
Regulations on Taxation
The Income Tax Act was promulgated
by the Ministry of Finance and became effective on February 17, 1943. It was amended on April 28, 2021 and became effective on July 1,
2021. Income tax is classified into consolidated income tax and profit-seeking enterprise income tax. For any individual having income
from sources in the Republic of China, consolidated income tax shall be levied in accordance with this Act on his income derived from
sources in the Republic of China.
The Tax Collection Act was
promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and became effective on October 22, 1976. It was amended on December 17, 2021 and became effective
on January 1, 2022. Collection of taxes shall be governed by this Act. Where a profit-seeking enterprise ceases to exist after a merger,
the surviving or newly incorporated profit-seeking enterprise shall pay in full the taxes originally payable by the dissolved enterprise
prior to the merger. Major taxes on corporations include:
24
Corporate income tax (“CIT”)
If the total taxable income
of a profit-seeking enterprise is NTD120,000 or less, the profit-seeking enterprise is exempt from tax. If the total taxable income of
a profit-seeking enterprise is more than NTD120,000 but not more than NTD 200,000, the income tax payable is computed based on the following
formula: (Profit-NTD120,000) x 50%. As for a profit-seeking enterprise with the total taxable income of more than NTD200,000, the income
tax rate shall be: Profit x 20%.
Profit retention tax
An additional profit retention
tax of 5% is imposed on any current earnings of a corporation that remain undistributed by the end of the following year.
Regulations Relating to Bio Industry in
Taiwan
Act for the Development of Biotech and
Pharmaceutical Industry
In 2007, Act for the Development
of Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry (the “Statute”) was enacted in order to promote the development of the biotech and
pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan so that it can bring about changes in the economic structure of the country.
By 2022, the scope of the
Statute covers industries that deals in new drugs, new dosage forms, high-risk medical devices, regenerative medicine, precision medicine,
digital medicine, innovative technology platforms dedicated to biotech and pharmaceutical industry and other strategic biotech and pharmaceutical
products used by human beings, animals and plants.
The Statute permits biotech
and new pharmaceutical companies to offset up to 30% of their expenses for personnel training and R&D against enterprise income tax
over a period of five years. Up to five percent (5%) of the annual investment amount may be credited against the profit-seeking enterprise
income tax payable by it in the then current year from the first year the biotech and pharmaceutical company has payable profit-seeking
income tax; or up to three percent (3%) of the annual investment amount may be credited against the profit-seeking enterprise’s
income tax payable in each of the three years from the first year the biotech and pharmaceutical company has payable profit-seeking income
tax. In addition, based on Article 5, up to 25% of the research and development investment of the biotech companies that engage in research,
development, and manufacturing may be deducted from the amount of profit-seeking enterprise income tax payable for each year within five
years from the year in which the payable profit-seeking enterprise income tax is incurred with the annual deduction capped at 50% of the
tax.
The Statute provides for tax
incentives to high-level professionals and technology investors to participate in company operations and R&D (Art. 7), to elaborate,
up to 20% of the price paid for the shares may be deducted from the payable profit-seeking enterprise income tax for each year within
five years from the year a payable profit-seeking enterprise income tax is incurred with the annual deduction capped at 50% of the tax.
Moreover, if the senior professional staff or technology investors of the biotech companies receive newly issued stock or stock options
as a result of reward or due to technology invested as capital stock and have held shares or stock options, been employed, or provided
technical services cumulatively for two years, they may choose to be taxed at the lower of the “transfer price” or the “current
price or price at which the stock was acquired.”
Finally, researchers of schools
and institutions who are the main technology providers of the start-up biotech companies are exempted from the prohibitions against business
operation and part-time employment and the restrictions on shareholding percentage under Article 34 of the Act Governing the Appointment
of Educators and Articles 13 and 14 of the Civil Servants Work Act.
25
Regulations in the PRC
Regulations Relating to Medical Devices
in the PRC
Regulations Relating to Classification
of Medical Devices
Pursuant to the Regulations
on the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices promulgated on January 4, 2000, effective on June 1, 2014, amended by the State
Council on May 4, 2017 and now effective, and then amended on February 9, 2021 but not yet effective until June 1, 2021 (“Regulation
on Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices”), the China Food and Drug Administration (“CFDA”) of the State
Council shall be responsible for the national administration and supervision of medical devices of the PRC and its local counterparts
take charge of the local administration and supervision of medical devices of the PRC.
Under this regulation, medical
devices have been classified into three categories based on the degree of risk. Class I medical devices shall refer to those devices with
low level of risks and whose safety and effectiveness can be ensured through routine administration. Class II medical devices shall refer
to those devices with moderate risks that must be strictly controlled and regulated to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Class III
medical devices shall refer to those devices with relatively high risks that must be strictly controlled and regulated through special
measures to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
Currently, the products we
are approved by NMPA to manufacture and sell are Class I medical device.
Registration and Filings of Medical Devices
Pursuant to the Regulations
on the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices (“the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices”), which
was amended and came into effect on May 4, 2017. Then it was amended on February 9, 2021 and came into effect on June 1, 2021, Class I
medical devices are subject to filing administration, and Class II and Class III medical devices are subject to pre-approval registration
administration. A registration certificate for Class II and Class III medical devices are issued upon approval, which is valid for five
years and may be renewed six months prior to its expiration date. In addition, a registrant or record-filing party of medical devices
may manufacture medical devices on its own or entrust enterprises that meet the provisions hereof and have corresponding conditions to
manufacture medical devices. In the event of entrusted manufacture of medical devices, the registrant or record-filing party of medical
devices shall be responsible for the quality of medical devices manufactured under entrustment, and strengthen management of the manufacturing
activities of the entrusted manufacturers to ensure that they carry out manufacturing in accordance with statutory requirements. The registrant
or record-filing party of medical devices shall enter into an entrustment agreement with the entrusted manufacturer to specify the rights,
obligations and responsibilities of both parties. The entrusted manufacturer shall organize manufacture of medical devices in accordance
with laws and regulations, GMP, compulsory standards, product technical requirements and the entrustment agreement, be responsible for
the manufacturing activities and accept the supervision of the entrusting party.
Clinical trials are not required
for the filing of the Class I medical devices, but necessary for the registration of Class II and Class III medical device with certain
exceptions.
Among our products, A + Pre
and AC-1000 are Class I medical devices and have passed NMPA registration review. A + CellScan, A + CellScan Chip, and
A + SCDrop are Class II medical devices but do not need to conduct clinical trials. A + LCGuard is Class III medical
device and is required to conduct clinical trials before completing the registration process. We have already started the registration
process and plan to begin the clinical research in November 2025. Specifically, in June 2025, the Company and the CRO began collaborating
on drafting the clinical research protocol and started preparing the necessary equipment, consumables, reagent kits, and other materials
for the study. We expect that the clinical research protocol may pass ethical review and receive ethics committee approval by the end
of October 2025. Thereafter, we plan to initiate the trial stage of the clinical research, with completion anticipated within six months
of November 2025. Based on the results of clinical research, we plan to formulate a work plan for large-scale clinical trials and proceed
with the clinical trial. We anticipate that we will obtain the required registration certificate by October 2027.
Production License for Medical Devices
Pursuant to the Regulation
on the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices promulgated on July 30, 2014 and came into effect on October 1, 2014, as amended
in 2017 and came into effect on May 4, 2017 (amended on February 9, 2021, came into effect on June 1, 2021), and the Administrative Measures
on the Production Supervision of Medical Devices promulgated on July 30, 2014 and came into effect on October 1, 2014, as amended in March
10, 2022 and came into effect on May 1, 2022, manufacturers engaged in the manufacturing of Class I medical devices are subject to production
filing administration and receive production filing certificates upon satisfaction of filing requirements; while those engaged in the
manufacturing of Class II and Class III medical devices are subject to pre-approval licensing administration and receive medical device
production licenses upon receipt of approval for licensing. A medical device production license is valid for five years and may be renewed
six months prior to its expiration date.
26
Before obtaining production
licenses from local government authorities, our product must pass NMPA’s registration review. Among our products, A + Pre
and AC-1000 and their corresponding chips have passed NMPA registration review, A + CellScan, A + CellScan Chip, and
A + SCDrop are at the registration application stage, the four matching immunostaining kits are under NMPA registration review.
A + LCGuard is required to conduct clinical trials before completing the registration process. We have already started the registration
process and plan to begin clinical research in November 2025. Specifically, in June 2025, the Company and the CRO began collaborating
on drafting the clinical research protocol and started preparing the necessary equipment, consumables, reagent kits, and other materials
for the study. We expect that the clinical research protocol may pass ethical review and receive ethics committee approval by the end
of October 2025. Thereafter, we plan to initiate the trial stage of the clinical research, with completion anticipated within six months
of November 2025. Based on the results of clinical research, we plan to formulate a work plan for large-scale clinical trials and proceed
with the clinical trial. We anticipate that we will obtain the required registration certificate by October 2027.
In addition, a manufacturer
of medical devices shall satisfy the following conditions:
●
possessing production sites, environmental conditions, production equipment and professional technicians that are suitable for such medical device produced;
●
possessing organizations or professional examination staff and examination equipment that carry out quality examination for such medical device produced;
●
formulating a management system which ensures the quality of such medical device;
●
having capability of after-sale services that is suitable for such medical device produced; and
●
satisfying the requirements as prescribed in production R&D and production technique documents.
As of the date of this Report,
we have obtained the license for the production of the Class I medical device.
Production and Quality Management of
Medical Devices
Pursuant to the Administrative
Measures on the Supervision of the Production of Medical Devices promulgated on December 29, 2014 and came into effect on March 1, 2015,
as amended in March 10, 2022 and came into effect on May 1, 2022, and the Standards on Production and Quality Management of Medical Devices
promulgated by the CFDA on December 29, 2014 and came into effect on March 1, 2015, an enterprise engaged in the production of medical
devices shall establish and effectively maintain a quality control system in accordance to the requirements of the Standards on Production
and Quality Management of Medical Devices. The enterprise engaged in the production of medical devices shall regularly conduct comprehensive
self-inspection on the operation of quality management system and submit this report to the local food and drug supervision and administration
authorities before the end of every year. The enterprise shall also establish its procurement control procedure and assess its suppliers
by establishing an examination system to ensure the purchased products are in compliance with the statutory requirements. The enterprise
shall apply risk management to the whole process of design and development, production, sales and after-sale services.
Pursuant to The Notice of
Four Guidelines including On-site Inspection Guidelines for the standards on Production and Quality Management of Medical Devices promulgated
by the CFDA on September 25, 2015 and came into effect on September 25, 2015, during the course of on-site verification of the registration
of medical devices and on-site inspection of production license t(including change production license), the inspection team shall, in
accordance with the guidelines, issue recommended conclusions for on-site inspections, which shall be divided into “Passed,”
“Failed” and “Reassessment after rectification.” During the supervision and inspection, if it is found that the
requirements of the key items or ordinary items that may have direct impact on product quality are not satisfied, the enterprise shall
suspend production and go through rectification. If it is found that the requirements of the ordinary items are not satisfied, and it
does not directly affect product quality, the enterprise shall rectify in a prescribed time. The regulatory authorities will examine and
verify the recommended conclusions and on-site inspection materials submitted by the inspection group and issue the final inspection results.
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Good Clinical Practice for Medical Devices
On March 24, 2022, the CFDA
and the National Health and Family Planning Commission jointly promulgated the Good Clinical Practice for Medical Devices, which became
effective as of May 1, 2022. The regulation includes full procedures of clinical trial of medical devices, including, among others, the
protocol design, conduction, monitoring, verification, inspection, and data collection, recording, analysis and conclusion and reporting
procedure of a clinical trial.
For conducting clinical trials
of medical devices, an applicant shall organize to formulate scientific and reasonable clinical trial protocol based on the categories,
risks and intended use of the medical devices for the clinical study. The applicant shall be responsible for organizing to develop and
revise of the researcher’s manual, clinical trial protocol, informed consent form, case report form, relevant standard operating
procedures and other relevant documents, and shall be responsible for organizing necessary trainings for the clinical trials. The applicant
shall select the clinical trial institutions and its researchers from the qualified medical device clinical trial institutions according
to the characteristics of the medical devices to be used in the clinical study.
As an applicant for clinical
trials of medical devices, we are responsible for initiating, applying, organizing and monitoring such clinical trials, and shall be responsible
for the authenticity and reliability of the clinical trials.
Operation License for Medical Device
Pursuant to the Supervision
and Administration of Medical Devices, filing and licensing are not required for the operation of Class I medical devices. Operators engaged
in the operation of Class II medical devices are subject to filing administration and will receive medical device operation filing certificate
upon satisfaction of filing requirement, while operators engaged in the operation of Class III medical devices are subject to pre-approval
licensing administration and will receive medical device operation license upon receipt of approval for licensing. A medical device operation
license is valid for five years and may be renewed six months prior to its expiration date
To engage in business operations
of medical devices, the following requirements shall be met:
●
Having a quality control institution or staff corresponding to the business scope and scale, and the staff shall have relevant education or professional titles certified by the state;
●
Having an operation and storage premises corresponding to the business scope and scale;
●
Having storage conditions corresponding to the business scope and scale; warehouses are not required if all storage is commissioned to other operators of medical devices;
●
Having a quality control system corresponding to the medical devices concerned; and
●
Possessing the capability of professional guidance, technical training and after-sale service corresponding to the medical devices it operates; or it has come into an agreement on technical support with a relevant institution.
An enterprise to be engaged
in business operations of Category III medical devices shall also have a computerized information management system compliant with quality
standards to ensure traceability of products. An enterprise to be engaged in business operations of Category I or Category II medical
devices is encouraged to set up such a system.
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Special Procedures for Examination and
Approval of Innovative Medical Devices
On October 2017, the General
Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Evaluation
and Approval Systems and Encouraging Innovation on Drugs and Medical Devices, which aims to encourage the innovation for medical devices.
Pursuant to the Opinions,
the priority review and approval will be applicable to innovative medical devices supported by the National Science and Technology Major
Projects and the National Key R&D Program of China, and the clinical trials of which having been conducted by the National Clinical
Research Center and approved by the management department of National Clinical Research Center. Pursuant to the Special Procedures for
Examination and Approval of Innovative Medical Devices which were promulgated by the NMPA on November 2, 2018 and came into effect on
December 1, 2018, special procedures shall be applicable to the examination and approval for medical devices in the following circumstances:
●
if the applicant legally owns the invention patent of the core technology of the product through its technological innovation activities in the PRC, or legally obtained the invention patent or the right of use thereof through transfer in the PRC, and that the interval between the date of application for the special examination and approval of innovative medical devices to the date of authorized publication should not exceed five years; or the patent administration department of the State Council has disclosed the application for the invention patent of the core technology and the Patent Search and Consultation Center of the National Intellectual Property Administration of the PRC has issued the patent search report setting out the novelty and innovation of the core technology solution of the product;
●
the applicant has developed the prototype product and completed the preliminary research under a true and controllable process that generated complete and traceable data; and
●
the product has major working mechanism or mechanism of action which is the first of its kind in the PRC, has fundamental improvement in product performance or safety compared with similar products, is of an internationally leading standard in terms of techniques and has significant clinical value. The Center for Medical Device Evaluation of the NMPA should give priority to the innovative medical devices in their technical review upon receiving the registration application, after which the NMPA will give priority to the product in their administrative approval.
Advertisements of Medical Devices
Pursuant to the Regulations
on Tentative Measures for the Censorship of Advertisement for Drugs, Medical Devices, Dietary Supplements, Food Formula for Special Medical
Purpose promulgated by SAMR on December 24, 2019 and came into effect on March 1, 2020, the State Administration for Market Regulation
is responsible for organizing and guiding the review of advertisements for drugs, medical devices, health foods and formula foods for
special medical purposes. The administrations for market regulation and drug administrations (hereinafter referred to as the “advertisement
review authorities”) of all provinces, autonomous regions and centrally administered municipalities shall be responsible for the
review of advertisements for drugs, medical devices, health food and formula food for special medical purposes, and may entrust other
administrative authorities to implement review of advertisements pursuant to the law.
The validity period of the
advertisement approval number for drugs, medical devices, health food and formula food for special medical purposes shall be consistent
with the shortest validity period of the product registration certificate, filing certificate or production license. If no valid period
is prescribed in the product registration certificate, filing certificate or production license, the valid period of the advertisement
approval number shall be two years.
Advertisements for drugs,
medical devices, health food and formula food for special medical purposes shall be true and legitimate and shall not contain any false
or misleading contents. Advertisers shall be responsible for the veracity and legitimacy of the contents of advertisements for drugs,
medical devices, health food and formula food for special medical purposes.
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National Medical Insurance Program
The National Medical Insurance
Program (NMIP) was adopted pursuant to the Decision of the State Council on the Establishment of the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance
Program issued by the State Council on December 14, 1998, under which all employers in urban cities are required to enroll their employees
in the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance Program and the insurance premium is jointly contributed by the employers and employees.
Pursuant to the Opinions on the Establishment of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System forwarded by the General Office of the State
Council on January 16, 2003, China launched the New Rural Cooperative Medical System to provide medical insurance for rural residents
in selected areas which has since spread to the whole nation. The State Council promulgated the Guiding Opinions of the State Council
about the Pilot Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance on July 10, 2007, under which urban residents of the pilot district, rather than
urban employees, may voluntarily join Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance. In 2015, the PRC government announced the Outline for the
Planning of the National Medical and Health Service System (2015-2020) which aims to establish a basic medical and health care system
that covers both rural and urban citizens by 2020. On January 3, 2016, the State Council issued the Opinions on Integrating the Basic
Medical Insurance Systems for Urban and Rural Residents to integrate the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance and the New Rural Cooperative
Medical System and the establishment of a unified Basic Medical Insurance for Urban and Rural Residents, which will cover all urban and
rural non-working residents expect for rural migrant workers and persons in flexible employment arrangements who participate in the basic
medical insurance for urban employees. The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) is the responsible agency that makes the
final determination on whether a product may be covered by the NMIP.
With regard to reimbursement
for medical devices and diagnostic tests, the Notice of Opinion on the Diagnosis and Treatment Management, Scope and Payment Standards
of Medical Service Facilities Covered by the National Urban Employees Basic Medical Insurance Scheme (Lao She Bu Fa [1999] No. 22) prescribes
the coverage of diagnostic and treatment devices and diagnostic tests where part of the fees is paid through the basic medical insurance
scheme. It also includes a negative list that precludes certain devices and medical services from governmental reimbursement, which includes
(i) examination and treatment items by applying large medical devices such as positron emission tomography (PET), electron beam CT, ophthalmic
excimer laser therapy instruments, etc.; (ii) rehabilitation appliances such as spectacles, artificial dentures, artificial eyes, artificial
limbs and hearing aids, etc.; (iii) medical devices for health care, massage, physical examination and treatment for own use; and (iv)
disposable materials for medical use that cannot be charged separately as stipulated by price authorities of all provinces. Detailed reimbursement
coverage and rate for medical devices and medical services (including diagnostic tests and kits) are subject to each province’s
local policies.
Therefore, every covered individual
is eligible to request reimbursement from the NMIP for medical expenses, but the reimbursement rate and coverage are determined on a case-by-case
basis. Based on our understanding of applicable PRC laws and regulations, the reimbursement rate and coverage for certain products are
different for each individual and are subject to the following factors:
●
Whether the product is covered by the NMIP or whether the product is part of a procedure or service that is covered by the NMIP. If not covered, the NMIP may deny the request for reimbursement or reduce the reimbursement rate and coverage;
●
The region and status of individuals seeking reimbursement. NMIP varies in different regions and types, leading to different reimbursement ratios. For instance, the basic medical insurance for urban employees generally covers around 50% to 80% of basic medical expenses, while the rural resident medical insurance typically covers around 60% to 80%;
●
Hospital level. The reimbursement ratio of NMIP is related to the level and grade of hospitals performing services. For example, a level 3 hospital’s service is generally more expensive than primary healthcare institutions, and the reimbursement ratio for level 3 hospitals is lower than for primary healthcare institutions. Typically, an individual who received services from a primary care provider can get a relatively high reimbursement rate and coverage for medical expenses;
30
●
Individual payment status. The reimbursement ratio of NMIP is also related to the individual payment status. If an individual contributes more and for a longer period of time, the reimbursement ratio will correspondingly increase; and
●
Special diseases or major illnesses. For certain special diseases or major illnesses, the reimbursement ratio of medical insurance may be correspondingly increased, or special medical subsidies or assistance may be provided to alleviate the financial burden on patients by NHSA.
As of the date of this Report,
our products are not covered by any national or provincial medical insurance programs. Currently, A+LCGuard is the only product we are
applying for NMIP coverage. There is no fixed timeline to get a product covered by NMIP, as the application process involves multiple
procedures and interactions with NHSA that are beyond the applicant’s control. To our knowledge, the application process may take
one to two years to complete. Currently, A+LCGuard is the only product we are applying for NMIP coverage. Although we strive to make our
products covered by the NMIP in the future, there is no guarantee that the NHSA will approve our applications.
Export Registration
Pursuant to Administrative
Measures on the Supervision of the Production of Medical Devices promulgated on December 29, 2014 and came into effect on March 1, 2015,
as amended in March 10, 2022 and came into effect on May 1, 2022, in accordance with the spirit of the Notice of Guo Ban Fa [94] No. 66
of the State Council, conducts inspections of safety and legality of the exported products manufactured by domestic enterprises, grants
legitimate production license in China (if these products are sold within Chinese territory) and files the relevant product information
by its branches at the level of a districted city for recordation. In accordance with international practice, the quality of exported
medical devices is mainly supervised by the importing countries. However, some importing countries/regions may require exporting enterprises
to provide Medical Device Product Export Sales Certificates issued by the CFDA. Pursuant to Announcement on Issuing the Provisions on
the Administration of Medical Device Product Export Sales Certificates, promulgated by the CFDA and effective on September 1, 2015, such
exporting enterprises may apply to the provincial departments of the CFDA at the places where enterprises are located for Medical Device
Product Export Sales Certificates.
The premise of obtaining Medical
Device Product Export Sales Certificates is that the relevant production enterprises have obtained medical device product registration
certificates and production licenses or have undergone the formalities for recordation and production recordation of medical device products
in China. The valid period of Medical Device Product Export Sales Certificates, except being specified for one time use, shall not expire
after the earliest deadline of any certificate among various certificates submitted by the enterprise amid the application materials,
and shall be no longer than two years. Where the relevant materials submitted by an enterprise change, the enterprise shall report to
the certificate issuing department in a timely manner. Where the relevant materials change, or the Medical Device Product Export Sales
Certificate still needs to be used after its expiration, the enterprise shall apply for a new Medical Device Product Export Sales Certificate.
Where the CFDA find that any relevant enterprises fail to meet the requirements of relevant regulations on production, they shall downgrade
the credit ratings of such enterprises to lower levels; or, when any enterprises are considered failing to meet the requirements for issuance
of certificates anymore, or the relevant materials submitted by the enterprises change, the provincial CFDA departments shall notify the
relevant information in a timely manner.
Regulations Relating to M&A Rules and
Overseas Listings
On August 8, 2006, six PRC
regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, adopted the Regulations on Mergers of Domestic
Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009.
Foreign investors shall comply with the M&A Rules when they purchase equity interests of a domestic company or subscribe the increased
capital of a domestic company, thus changing the nature of the domestic company into a foreign-invested enterprise; or when the foreign
investors establish a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC, purchase the assets of a domestic company and operate the assets; or when
the foreign investors purchase the asset of a domestic company, establish a foreign-invested enterprise by injecting such assets and operate
the assets. The M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for overseas listing purposes
through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior
to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange.
31
According to the Anti-Monopoly
Law which took effect as of August 1, 2008, where the concentration of business operators reaches the filing thresholds stipulated by
the State Council, business operators shall file a declaration with the SAMR, and no concentration shall be implemented until the SAMR
clears the anti-monopoly filing. Pursuant to the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on the Establishment of the Security
Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors and the Security Review Rules issued by the General
Office of the State Council on February 3, 2011 and became effective on March 3, 2011, mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that
raise “national defense and security” concerns, and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de
facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns, are subject to strict review by the PRC government
authorities. On August 25, 2011, the MOFCOM issued the Provisions of the Ministry of Commerce for the Implementation of the Security Review
System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, which provides that if a foreign investor’s merger
or acquisition of a domestic enterprise falls within the scope of security review specified in the Notice of the General Office of the
State Council on the Establishment of the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors,
the foreign investor shall file an application with MOFCOM for security review. Whether a foreign investor’s merger or acquisition
of a domestic enterprise falls within the scope of security review or not shall be determined based on the substance and actual influence
of the merger or acquisition transaction. No foreign investor is allowed to substantially avoid the security review in any way, including
but not limited to, holding shares on behalf of others, trust arrangements, multi-level reinvestment, leasing, loans, contractual control,
or overseas transactions.
On February 17, 2023, the
CSRC released Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”)
which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to Trial Measures, a PRC domestic company that seeks to offer and list securities in
overseas markets, either in direct or indirect overseas offering, shall fulfil the filing procedure with the CSRC per requirement of the
Trial Measures, submit relevant materials that contain a filing report and a legal opinion, and provide truthful, accurate and complete
information on the shareholder and etc. Direct overseas offering and listing by domestic companies refers to such overseas offering and
listing by a joint-stock company incorporated domestically. Any overseas offering and listing made by an issuer that meets both the following
conditions will be determined as indirect offering and listing in overseas market and, therefore, be subject to filing requirement: (i)
50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated
financial statements for the most recent accounting year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (ii) the main parts of the issuer’s
business activities are conducted in the Mainland China, or its main places of business are located in the Mainland China, or the senior
managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in the Mainland China. The determination
as to whether or not an overseas offering and listing by domestic companies is indirect, shall be made on substance over form basis. In
addition, initial public offerings or listings in overseas markets or subsequent securities offerings and listing of an issuer in overseas
market other than where it has offered and listed shall be filed with the CSRC within 3 working days after the relevant application is
submitted overseas. Subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in the same overseas market where it has previously offered and listed
securities shall be filed with the CSRC within 3 working days after such offering is completed. A PRC domestic company that seeks to directly
or indirectly list its domestic assets in overseas markets through single or multiple acquisitions, share swaps, transfers of shares or
other means, shall also fulfil the filing procedure as prescribed above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of any of the material events
specified below after an issuer has offered and listed securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall submit a report thereof to CSRC
within 3 working days after the occurrence and public disclosure of the event: (i) change of control; (ii) investigations or sanctions
imposed by overseas securities regulatory agencies or other relevant competent authorities; (iii) change of listing status or transfer
of listing segment; (iv) voluntary or mandatory delisting. Where an issuer’s main business undergoes material changes after overseas
offering and listing, and is therefore beyond the scope of business stated in the filing documents, such issuer shall submit to the CSRC
an ad hoc report and a relevant legal opinion issued by a domestic law firm within 3 working days after occurrence of the changes. However,
the PRC Companies already listed overseas before effectiveness of Trial Measures are not required to submit any records with the CSRC
until they have successive refinancing demand or other filing requirement. A six-month transition will be given to PRC domestic enterprises
that have obtained the approval of overseas regulatory bodies or exchanges since implementation date of the Trial Measure but have not
completed the overseas listing. If they fail to complete the overseas listing within six months, they should file records with CSRC according
to the requirements. The Trial Measure further stipulate that CSRC may order rectification, issue warnings, and impose a fine between
RMB1 million and RMB10 million if an applicant fails to fulfill the filing requirements with the CSRC or conducts an overseas offering
or listing in violation of the Trial Measure.
32
On February 24, 2023, the
CSRC, together with other PRC government authorities, released the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration
Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Confidentiality and Archives Administration
Provisions”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Confidentiality and Archives Administration Provisions require, among
others, that PRC domestic enterprises seeking to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either directly or indirectly, shall establish
the confidentiality and archives system, and shall complete approval and filing procedures with competent authorities, if such PRC domestic
enterprises or their overseas listing entities provide or publicly disclose documents or materials involving state secrets and work secrets
of PRC government agencies to relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory agencies and other entities
and individuals. It further stipulates that providing or publicly disclosing documents and materials which may adversely affect national
security or public interests, and accounting files or copies of important preservation value to the state and society shall be subject
to corresponding procedures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment
Investment activities in the
PRC by foreign investors are principally governed by the Industry Guidelines of Encouraged Foreign Investment, or the Industry Guidelines,
effective on January 27, 2021, and the Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List), or the Negative
List, most recently amended on April 8, 2024 and effective on September 6, 2024, and together with the PRC Foreign Investment Law, which
took effect on January 1, 2020, and its respective implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Industry Guidelines and the Negative
List lay out the basic framework for foreign investments in China, classifying businesses into three categories with regard to foreign
investments: “encouraged”, “restricted” and “prohibited”. Industries not listed in the Industry Guidelines
or the Negative List are generally deemed as falling into a fourth category “permitted” unless specifically restricted by
other PRC laws. The Negative List specifies that Investment in Internet news service, Internet publishing service, Internet audio-visual
program service, cyber culture operation (except for music) and Internet information dissemination service (except for contents opened
up in China’s WTO commitments) shall be prohibited.
According to the PRC Foreign
Investment Law, foreign investments shall enjoy pre-entry national treatment, except for those foreign-invested entities that operate
in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in the “negative list.” While foreign
investors shall refrain from investing in any of the foreign “prohibited” industries, foreign-invested entities operating
in foreign “restricted” industries shall require market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC governmental
authorities. Furthermore, the PRC Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign-invested enterprises that have been established before
the implementation of PRC Foreign Investment Law according to the then existing laws regulating foreign investments may maintain their
structure and corporate governance within five years after the implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law.
On December 19, 2020, MOFCOM
and NDRC released the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investments, which took effect on January 18, 2021. For foreign investments
within the following scope, foreign investors or the relevant parties in China (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “parties
concerned”) shall take the initiative to declare to the office of the working mechanism prior to implementation of the investments:…(II)
investments in important agricultural products, important energy and resources, important equipment manufacturing, important infrastructure,
important transport services, important cultural products and services, important information technology and Internet products and services,
important financial services, key technologies and other important fields relating to national security, and obtaining the actual controlling
stake in the investee enterprise. Prior to a decision made by the office of the working mechanism, the parties concerned shall not make
the investment. The parties concerned shall not make the investment unless the office of the working mechanism decides that security review
is not required. Where the declared foreign investment affects national security, a decision on prohibiting the investment shall be made.
Foreign-invested entities of the group have businesses that conduct Internet services, but not related to national security within the
scope of the regulations above.
33
On December 26, 2019, the
State Council promulgated the Regulations for Implementing the PRC Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020. The implementation
regulations further clarified that the State encourages and promotes foreign investments, protects the lawful rights and interests of
foreign investors, regulates foreign investment administration, continues to optimize foreign investment environment, and advances a higher-level
opening.
On December 30, 2019, MOFCOM
and SAMR jointly promulgated the Measures for Information Reporting on Foreign Investment, which became effective on January 1, 2020.
Pursuant to the Measures for Information Reporting on Foreign Investment, where a foreign investor carries out investment activities in
China directly or indirectly, the foreign investor or the foreign-invested enterprise shall submit the investment information to the competent
commerce department.
Regulations relating to Anti-Monopoly and
Competition
On September 11, 2020, the
Anti-Monopoly Commission of the State Council issued Anti-Monopoly Compliance Guideline for Business Operators, which requires business
operators to establish anti-monopoly compliance management systems under the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law to manage anti-monopoly compliance
risks.
On August 17, 2021, the State
Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, issued a discussion draft of Provisions on the Prohibition of Unfair Competition on
the Internet, under which business operators should not use data or algorithms to hijack traffic or influence users’ choices, or
use technical means to illegally capture or use other business operators’ data. Furthermore, business operators are not allowed
to (i) fabricate or spread misleading information to damage the reputation of competitors, or (ii) employ marketing practices
such as fake reviews or use coupons or “red envelopes” to entice positive ratings.
On February 7, 2021, the Anti-Monopoly
Commission of the State Council published Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector that specified circumstances
where an activity of an internet platform will be identified as monopolistic act as well as concentration filing procedures for business
operators. According to the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law, if a business operator carries out a concentration in violation of the law, the relevant
authority shall order the business operator to terminate the concentration, dispose of the shares or assets or transfer the business within
a specified time limit, or take other measures to restore the pre-concentration status, and impose a fine of up to RMB500,000.
On October 23, 2021, the Standing
Committee of the National People’s Congress issued a discussion draft of the amended Anti-Monopoly Law, which proposes to increase
the fines for illegal concentration of business operators to no more than ten percent of its last year’s sales revenue
if the concentration of business operator has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competitions, or a fine of up to RMB5 million
if the concentration of business operator does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition. The draft also proposes that the
relevant authority shall investigate a transaction where there is any evidence that the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating
or restricting competitions, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold.
Regulations Relating to Cybersecurity and
Privacy Protection
The PRC Constitution states
that PRC law protects the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and prohibits infringement of these rights. In recent years,
PRC government authorities have enacted legislation on the Internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure.
Under the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services which was promulgated by MIIT on December
29, 2011, an Internet content service operator may not collect any user personal information or provide any such information to third
parties without the consent of a user, unless otherwise stipulated by laws and administrative regulations. An Internet content service
operator must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and processing of such user personal information
and may only collect such information necessary for the provision of its services. An Internet content service operator is also required
to properly keep the user personal information, and in case of any leak or likely leak of the user personal information, the Internet
content service operator must take immediate remedial measures and, in severe circumstances, to make an immediate report to the telecommunication
regulatory authority.
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In addition, the Decision
on Strengthening Network Information Protection, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of NPC on December 28, 2012, provides
that electronic information that is able to identify personal identities of citizens or is concerned with personal privacy of citizens
is protected by law and shall not be unlawfully obtained or provided. Internet content service operators collecting or using personal
electronic information of citizens shall specify purposes, manners and scopes of information collection and use, obtain the consent of
citizens concerned, and strictly keep confidential personal information collected. Internet content service operators are prohibited from
disclosing, tampering with, damaging, selling or illegally providing others with personal information collected. Technical and other measures
are required to be taken by Internet content service operators to prevent personal information collected from unauthorized disclosure,
damage or being lost. Internet content service operators are subject to legal liability, including warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal
gains, revocation of licenses or filings, closing of websites concerned, public security administration punishment, criminal liabilities,
or civil liabilities, if they violate relevant provisions on Internet privacy.
Pursuant to the Order for
the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information which was promulgated by MIIT on July 16, 2013, any collection
and use of users’ personal information must be subject to the consent of the users, abide by the principles of legality, rationality
and necessity and be within the specified purposes, methods and scopes. Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law which was
issued by the Standing Committee of NPC on August 29, 2015 and became effective on November 1, 2015, any Internet service provider that
fails to fulfil obligations to manage information and network security as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders
from government authorities, will be subject to the criminal penalty if such failure (i) causes dissemination of illegal information in
large scale; (ii) causes user information leaks resulting in severe consequences; (iii) causes serious loss of evidence to criminal investigations;
or (iv) implicates other severe circumstances. Moreover, any individual or entity that (i) sells or provides personal information to others
in violation of applicable laws, or (ii) steals or illegally obtains any personal information, in either case implicating severe circumstances,
will be subject to the criminal penalty. The PRC government, however, has the power and authority to order Internet content service operators
to turn over personal information if an Internet user posts any prohibited content or engages in illegal activities on the Internet.
To further regulate cybersecurity
and privacy protection, the PRC Cybersecurity Law which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of NPC on November 7, 2016 and took
effect on June 1, 2017, provides that: subject to certain exceptions, (i) to collect and use personal information, network operators must
follow the principles of legitimacy, rightfulness, and necessity, disclose their rules of data collection and use, clearly express the
purposes, means, and scope of collecting and using the information, and obtain the consent of the persons whose data is gathered; (ii)
network operators can neither gather personal information unrelated to the services they provide, nor gather or use personal information
in violation of the provisions of laws and administrative regulations or the scopes of consent given by the persons whose data is gathered,
and must dispose of personal information they have saved in accordance with the provisions of laws and administrative regulations and
agreements reached with users; (iii) network operators cannot divulge, tamper with, or damage the personal information they have collected,
and cannot provide the personal information to others without the consent of persons whose data is collected. According to the PRC Cybersecurity
Law, personal information refers to all kinds of information that are recorded electronically or that can otherwise be used to independently
identify or be combined with other information to identify natural persons’ personal information, including but not limited to natural
persons’ names, dates of birth, identification numbers, biologically identified personal information, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Any Internet information services provider that violates these privacy protection requirements under the PRC Cybersecurity Law and related
laws and regulations may be ordered to turn in illegal gains generated from unlawful operations and pay a fine of no less than one but
no more than ten times of the illegal gains and may be ordered to cease the relevant business operations when the violation is serious.
On June 28, 2016, the CAC
issued the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, which became effective on August 1, 2016, to
further strengthen the regulation of the mobile app information services. Pursuant to these provisions, owners or operators of mobile
apps that provide information services are required to be responsible for information security management, establish and improve the protective
mechanism for user information, observe the principles of legality, rightfulness and necessity, and expressly state the purpose, method
and scope of, and obtain user consent to, the collection and use of users’ personal information.
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On May 8, 2017, the Supreme
People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate issued the Interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court and the
Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Handling of Criminal Cases Involving Infringement
of Citizens’ Personal Information, or the Personal Information Interpretations, which became effective on June 1, 2017. The Personal
Information Interpretations provides more practical conviction and sentencing criteria for the infringement of citizens’ personal
information.
On January 23, 2019, the PRC
Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and other three authorities jointly issued the Circular on the Special Campaign of
Correcting Unlawful Collection and Usage of Personal Information via Apps. Pursuant to this circular, (i) app operators are prohibited
from collecting any personal information irrelevant to their services; (ii) information collection and usage policy should be presented
in a simple and clear way, and such policy should be consented by the users voluntarily, and; (iii) authorization from users should not
be obtained by coercing users with default or bundling clauses or making consent a condition of service. App operators violating these
rules can be ordered by authorities to correct their noncompliance within a given period of time, be publicly reported, or ordered to
quit its operation or cancel its business license or operational permits.
On April 10, 2019, the Ministry
of Public Security promulgated the Guidelines for Internet Personal Information Security Protection, which establishes the management
mechanism, security technical measures and business workflows for personal information security protection. On August 22, 2019, the CAC
promulgated the Provisions on the Cyber Protection of Children’s Personal Information which requires, among others, that network
operators who collect, store, use, transfer and disclose personal information of children under the age of 14 shall establish special
rules and user agreements for the protection of children’s personal information, inform the children’s guardians in a noticeable
and clear manner, and shall obtain the consent of the children’s guardians.
On November 28, 2019, the
CAC, MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and SAMR jointly promulgated the Measures for the Determination of the Collection and Use of
Personal Information by Apps in Violation of Laws and Regulations, which provides guidance for the regulatory authorities to identify
the illegal collection and use of personal information through mobile apps, and for the app operators to conduct self-examination and
self-correction and social supervision by citizens.
On May 28, 2020, the NPC approved
the Civil Code of the PRC or the Civil Code, which came into effect on January 1, 2021. Pursuant to the Civil Code, the personal information
of a natural person shall be protected by the law. Any organization or individual that needs to obtain personal information of others
shall obtain such information legally and ensure the safety of such information, and shall not illegally collect, use, process or transmit
personal information of others, or illegally purchase or sell, provide or make public personal information of others. Furthermore, information
processors shall not divulge or tamper with personal information collected or stored by them; without the consent of a natural person,
information processors shall not illegally provide personal information of such person to others, except for information that has been
processed so that specific persons cannot be identified and that cannot be restored. In addition, an information processor shall take
technical measures and other necessary measures to ensure the security of the personal information that is collected and stored and to
prevent the information from being divulged, tampered with or lost; where personal information has been or may be divulged, tampered with
or lost, the information processor shall take remedial measures in a timely manner, inform the natural person concerned in accordance
with the provisions and report the case to the relevant competent department.
On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC
adopted the Personal Information Security Law, which took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law includes
the basic rules for personal information processing, the rules for cross-border provision of personal information, the rights of individuals
in personal information processing activities, the obligations of personal information processors, and the legal responsibilities for
illegal collection, processing, and use of personal information. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection
of personal information in the PRC, the Personal Information Protection Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual’s consent
shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal
information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual’s
rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual’s request to exercise his or her rights, the individual
may file a lawsuit with a People’s Court.
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On November 14, 2021, the
CAC published the Regulations of Internet Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), which further regulate the internet data processing
activities and emphasize the supervision and management of network data security, and further stipulate the obligations of internet platform
operators, such as to establish a system for disclosure of platform rules, privacy policies and algorithmic strategies related to data.
Specifically, the draft regulations require data processors to, among others, (i) adopt immediate remediation measures when finding that
network products and services they use or provide have security defects and vulnerabilities, or threaten national security or endanger
public interest, and (ii) follow a series of detailed requirements with respect to processing of personal information, management of important
data and proposed overseas transfer of data. In addition, the draft regulations require data processors handling important data or the
data processors to be listed overseas to complete an annual data security assessment and file a data security assessment report to applicable
regulators. Such annual assessment, as required by the draft regulations, would encompass areas including, but not limited to, the status
of important data processing, data security risks identified and the measures adopted, the effectiveness of data protection measures,
the implementation of national data security laws and regulations, data security incidents that occurred and their handling, and a security
assessment with respect to sharing and provision of important data overseas. As of the date of this Report, the draft regulations have
been released for public comment only and have not been formally adopted. The final provisions and the timeline for its adoption are subject
to changes and uncertainties.
Currently, our business does not involve the collection of user data,
implicate cybersecurity, or involve any other type of foreign investment restricted industry.
Regulations Relating to Intellectual Property
Rights
Patent
Patents in the PRC are principally
protected under the Patent Law of the PRC. The duration of a patent right is either 10 years or 15 year or 20 years from the date of application,
depending on the type of patent right. The Patent Law of the PRC and its implementation rules provide for three types of patents, namely,
“invention”, “utility model” and “design”. Invention patents are valid for twenty years, utility model
patents are valid for fifteen years, while design patents are valid for ten years, from the date of application. The Chinese patent system
adopts a “first-to-file” principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention,
a patent will be granted to the person who files the application first. To be patentable, invention or utility models must meet three
criteria: novelty, inventiveness and practicability. A third party must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use
the patent. Otherwise, the use constitutes an infringement of the patent rights.
Copyright
Copyright in the PRC, including
copyrighted software, is principally protected under the Copyright Law of the PRC and related rules and regulations. Under the Copyright
Law, promulgated in September 1990, implemented in June 1991, amended in October 2001, February 2010 and November 2020, and effective
on June 1, 2021 the term of protection for copyrighted software is 50 years. The Regulation on the Protection of the Right to Communicate
Works to the Public over Information Networks, as most recently amended on January 30, 2013, provides specific rules on fair use, statutory
license, and a safe harbor for use of copyrights and copyright management technology and specifies the liabilities of various entities
for violations, including copyright holders, libraries and Internet service providers.
Trademark
Registered Trademarks are
protected by the PRC Trademark Law which was adopted by the Standing Committee of NPC on August 23, 1982 and most recently amended on
April 23, 2019 as well as the Implementation Regulation of the PRC Trademark Law which was adopted by the State Council on August 3, 2002
and amended on April 29, 2014. The Trademark Office of the National Intellectual Property Administration under SAMR handles trademark
registrations and grants a term of ten years to registered trademarks which may be renewed for consecutive ten-year periods upon request
by the trademark owner. For licensed use of a registered trademark, the licensor shall file record of the licensing of the said trademark
with the Trademark Office, otherwise it may not defend against a bona fide third party. The PRC Trademark Law has adopted a “first-to-file”
principle with respect to trademark registration. Where a trademark for which a registration has been made is identical or similar to
another trademark which has already been registered or been subject to a preliminary examination and approval for use on the same kind
of or similar commodities or services, the application for registration of such trademark may be rejected. Any person applying for the
registration of a trademark may not prejudice the existing right first obtained by others, nor may any person register in advance a trademark
that has already been used by another party and has already gained a “sufficient degree of reputation” through such party’s
use.
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Under PRC law, any of the
following acts will be deemed as an infringement to the exclusive right to use a registered trademark: (i) use of a trademark that is
the same as or similar to a registered trademark for identical or similar goods without the permission of the trademark registrant; (ii)
sale of any goods that have infringed the exclusive right to use any registered trademark; (iii) counterfeit or unauthorized production
of the label of another’s registered trademark, or sale of any such label that is counterfeited or produced without authorization;
(iv) change of any trademark of a registrant without the registrant’s consent, and selling goods bearing such replaced trademark
on the market; or (v) other acts that have caused any other damage to another’s exclusive right to use a registered trademark.
According to the PRC Trademark
Law, in the event of any of the foregoing acts, the infringing party will be ordered to stop the infringement immediately and may be imposed
a fine; the counterfeit goods will be confiscated. The infringing party may also be held liable for the right holder’s damages,
which will be equal to the losses suffered by the right holder as a result of the infringement, including reasonable expenses incurred
by the right holder for stopping the infringement, or the gains obtained by the infringing party if the losses are difficult to be ascertained.
If both gains and losses are difficult to be ascertained, the damages may be determined by referring to the amount of royalties for the
license of such trademarks, which will be one to five times of the royalties in the case of any serious infringement with malicious intent.
If the gains, losses and royalties are all difficult to be ascertained, the court may render a judgment awarding damages no more than
RMB5 million. Notwithstanding the above, if a distributor does not know that the goods it sells infringe another’s registered trademark,
it will not be liable for infringement provided that the seller shall prove that the goods are lawfully obtained and identify its supplier.
Domain Name
Domain names are protected
under the Administrative Measures on Internet Domain Names promulgated by the MIIT on August 24, 2017 and effective as of November 1,
2017. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and applicants
become domain name holders upon successful registration.
Regulations on Foreign Currency Exchange
The principal regulations
governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, most recently amended on August 5, 2008.
Under PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions, interest payments and trade and
service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the State Administration
of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate
government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital account
items, such as direct investments, repayment of foreign currency-denominated loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities
outside of China.
On November 19, 2012, SAFE
promulgated the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct Investment, or
Circular 59, which substantially amends and simplifies the current foreign exchange procedure. Pursuant to Circular 59, the opening of
various special purpose foreign exchange accounts, such as pre-establishment expenses accounts, foreign exchange capital accounts and
guarantee accounts, the reinvestment of RMB proceeds derived by foreign investors in the PRC, and remittance of foreign exchange profits
and dividends by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign stockholders no longer require the approval or verification of SAFE, and
multiple capital accounts for the same entity may be opened in different provinces, which was not possible previously. In 2013, SAFE specified
that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in the PRC must be conducted by way
of registration and banks must process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration
information provided by SAFE and its branches. In February 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the
Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13. Instead of applying for approvals regarding foreign
exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment from SAFE, entities and individuals may apply for such
foreign exchange registrations from qualified banks. The qualified banks, under the supervision of SAFE, may directly review the applications
and conduct the registration.
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In March 2015, SAFE promulgated
the Circular of the SAFE on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprise,
or Circular 19, which expands a pilot reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign-invested
enterprises nationwide. Circular 19 replaced both the Circular of the SAFE on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Business Operations
with Respect to the Administration of Foreign Exchange Capital Payment and Settlement of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 142,
and the Circular of the SAFE on Issues concerning the Pilot Reform of the Administrative Approach Regarding the Settlement of the Foreign
Exchange Capitals of Foreign-invested Enterprises in Certain Areas, or Circular 36. Circular 19 allows all foreign-invested enterprises
established in the PRC to settle their foreign exchange capital on a discretionary basis according to the actual needs of their business
operation, provides the procedures for foreign invested companies to use RMB converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity
investments and removes certain other restrictions that had been provided in Circular 142. However, Circular 19 continues to prohibit
foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using RMB funds converted from their foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond
their business scope and providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between non-financial enterprises. SAFE promulgated the Notice of
the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital
Account, or Circular 16, effective June 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19. Circular 16 provides that discretionary
foreign exchange settlement applies to foreign exchange capital, foreign debt offering proceeds and remitted foreign listing proceeds,
and the corresponding RMB capital converted from foreign exchange may be used to extend loans to related parties or repay inter-company
loans (including advances by third parties). However, there are substantial uncertainties with respect to Circular 16’s interpretation
and implementation in practice. Circular 19 or Circular 16 may delay or limit us from using the proceeds of offshore offerings to make
additional capital contributions to our Shanghai subsidiary and any violations of these circulars could result in severe monetary or other
penalties.
In January 2017, SAFE promulgated
the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or
Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profits from domestic entities
to offshore entities, including (i) banks must check whether the transaction is genuine by reviewing board resolutions regarding profit
distribution, original copies of tax filing records and audited financial statements, and (ii) domestic entities must retain income to
account for previous years’ losses before remitting any profits. Moreover, pursuant to Circular 3, domestic entities must explain
in detail the sources of capital and how the capital will be used, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof as a part
of the registration procedure for outbound investment.
On October 23, 2019, SAFE
issued Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment,
or the Circular 28, which took effect on the same day. Circular 28 allows non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to use their capital
funds to make equity investments in China, provided that such investments do not violate the effective special entry management measures
for foreign investment (negative list) and the target investment projects are genuine and in compliance with laws.
Regulation on Foreign Debt
A loan made by a foreign entity
as direct or indirect shareholder in a FIE is considered to be foreign debt in China and is regulated by various laws and regulations,
including the Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on Foreign Exchange Administration, the Interim Provisions on the Management
of Foreign Debts, the Statistical Monitoring of Foreign Debts Tentative Provisions, the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Provisional
Regulations on Statistics and Supervision of External Debt, and the Administrative Measures for Registration of Foreign Debts. Under these
rules and regulations, a shareholder loan in the form of foreign debt made to a PRC entity does not require the prior approval of SAFE.
However, such foreign debt must be registered with and recorded by SAFE or its local branches within fifteen (15) business days after
entering into the foreign debt contract. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the maximum amount of the aggregate of (i) the outstanding
balance of foreign debts with a term not longer than one year, and (ii) the accumulated amount of foreign debts with a term longer than
one year, of a FIE shall not exceed the difference between its registered total investment and its registered capital, or Total Investment
and Registered Capital Balance.
39
On January 12, 2017, the People’s
Bank of China, or PBOC, promulgated the Notice of the People’s Bank of China on Matters concerning the Macro-Prudential Management
of Full-Covered Cross-Border Financing, or PBOC Circular 9, which sets forth an upper limit for PRC entities, including FIEs and domestic
enterprises, regarding their foreign debts. Pursuant to PBOC Circular 9, the outstanding cross-border financing of an enterprise (the
outstanding balance drawn, here and below) shall be calculated using a risk-weighted approach, or Risk-Weighted Approach, and shall not
exceed the specified upper limit, namely: risk-weighted outstanding cross-border financing £ the upper limit of risk-weighted outstanding
cross-border financing. Risk-weighted outstanding cross-border financing =∑ outstanding amount of RMB and foreign currency denominated
cross-border financing * maturity risk conversion factor * type risk conversion factor +∑ outstanding foreign currency denominated
cross-border financing * exchange rate risk conversion factor. Maturity risk conversion factor shall be 1 for medium- and long-term cross-border
financing with a term of more than one year and 1.5 for short-term cross-border financing with a term of one year or less than one year.
Type risk conversion factor shall be 1 for on-balance-sheet financing and 1 for off-balance-sheet financing (contingent liabilities) for
the time being. Exchange rate risk conversion factor shall be 0.5. The PBOC Circular 9 further provides that the upper limit of risk-weighted
outstanding cross-border financing for enterprises, or Net Asset Limits, shall be 200% of its net assets. The PBOC Circular 9 does not
supersede the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, but rather serves as a supplement to it. PBOC Circular 9 provided
for a one-year transitional period, or the Transitional Period, from its promulgation date for FIEs, during which period FIEs could choose
to calculate their maximum amount of foreign debt based on either (i) the Total Investment and Registered Capital Balance, or (ii) the
Risk-Weighted Approach and the Net Asset Limits. Under the PBOC Circular 9, after the Transitional Period ends on January 11, 2018, the
PBOC and SAFE will determine the cross-border financing administration mechanism for the foreign-invested enterprises after evaluating
the overall implementation of PBOC Circular 9. In addition, according to PBOC Circular 9, a foreign loan must be filed with SAFE through
the online filing system of SAFE after the loan agreement is signed and at least three business days prior to the borrower withdraws any
amount from such foreign loan.
Regulations Relating to Dividend Distributions
According to the PRC Company
Law and Foreign Investment Law, each of our Shanghai subsidiary, as a foreign invested enterprise, or FIE, is required to draw 10% of
its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a common reserve, which may stop drawing its after-tax profits if the aggregate balance
of the common reserve has already accounted for over 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Furthermore, under the EIT Law, which became effective in January 2008, the maximum tax rate for the withholding tax imposed on dividend
payments from PRC foreign invested companies to their overseas investors that are not regarded as “resident” for tax purposes
is 20%. The rate was reduced to 10% under the Implementing Regulations for the EIT Law issued by the State Council. However, a lower withholding
tax rate might be applied if there is a tax treaty between China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding companies, such as tax rate
of 5% in the case of Hong Kong companies that holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the foreign-invested enterprise, and certain
requirements specified by PRC tax authorities are satisfied.
Regulations Relating to Employment, Social
Insurance and housing fund
The Labor Law and The Labor
Contract Law provide requirements concerning employment contracts between an employer and its employees. If an employer fails to enter
into a written employment contract with an employee within one year from the date on which the employment relationship is established,
the employer must rectify the situation by entering into a written employment contract with the employee and pay the employee twice the
employee’s salary for the period from the day following the lapse of one month from the date of establishment of the employment
relationship to the day prior to the execution of the written employment contract. All employers must comply with local minimum wage standards.
The Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules also require compensation to be paid upon certain terminations, which significantly
affects the cost of reducing workforce for employers. In addition, if an employer intends to enforce a non-compete provision with an employee
in an employment contract or non-competition agreement, it has to compensate the employee on a monthly basis during the term of the restriction
period after the termination or ending of the labor contract. Employers in most cases are also required to provide a severance payment
to their employees after their employment relationship are terminated. Violations of the PRC Labor Contract Law and the PRC Labor Law
may result in the imposition of fines and other administrative and criminal liability in the case of serious violations.
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Enterprises in China are required
by PRC laws and regulations to participate in certain employee benefit plans, including social insurance funds, namely a pension plan,
a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity insurance plan, and a housing
provident fund, and contribute to the plans or funds in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances,
of the employees as specified by the local government from time to time at locations where they operate their businesses or where they
are located. According to the Social Insurance Law, an employer that fails to make social insurance contributions may be ordered to pay
the required contributions within a stipulated deadline and be subject to a late fee. If the employer still fails to rectify the failure
to make social insurance contributions within the stipulated deadline, it may be subject to a fine ranging from one to three times the
amount overdue. According to the Regulations on Management of Housing Fund, an enterprise that fails to make housing fund contributions
may be ordered to rectify the noncompliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline; otherwise, an application
may be made to a local court for compulsory enforcement.
Regulations on Taxes
Enterprise Income Tax
Under the Enterprise Income
Tax Law of the PRC, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was subsequently amended on February 24, 2017 and December
29, 2018, and its implementing rules, enterprises are classified as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. PRC resident enterprises
typically pay an enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% while non-PRC resident enterprises without any branches in the PRC should pay
an enterprise income tax in connection with their income from the PRC at the tax rate of 10%. An enterprise established outside of the
PRC with its “de facto management bodies” located within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning
that it can be treated in a manner similar to a PRC domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of
the EIT Law define a de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management
and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. Enterprises qualified
as “High and New Technology Enterprises” are entitled to a 15% enterprise income tax rate rather than the 25% uniform statutory
tax rate. The preferential tax treatment continues as long as an enterprise can retain its “High and New Technology Enterprise”
status.
The EIT Law and the implementation
rules provide that an income tax rate of 10% should normally be applicable to dividends payable to investors that are “non-resident
enterprises,” and gains derived by such investors, which (a) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (b)
have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or
place of business to the extent such dividends and gains are derived from sources within the PRC. Such income tax on the dividends may
be reduced pursuant to a tax treaty between China and other jurisdictions. Pursuant to the Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and
other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant
conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends
the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5% upon receiving approval from in-charge
tax authority. However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued
on February 20, 2009 by the SAT, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such
reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential
tax treatment; and based on the Announcement on Relevant Issues Concerning the “Beneficial Owners” in Tax Treaties issued
on February 3, 2018 by the SAT and effective from April 1, 2018, which replaces the Notice on the Interpretation and Recognition of Beneficial
Owners in Tax Treaties and the Announcement on the Recognition of Beneficial Owners in Tax Treaties by the SAT, comprehensive analysis
based on the stipulated factor therein and actual circumstances shall be adopted when recognizing the “beneficial owner” and
agents and designated wire beneficiaries are specifically excluded from being recognized as “beneficial owners.”
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On January 17, 2019, the State
Taxation Administration issued the notice on the scope of small-scale and low-profit corporate income tax preferential policies of the
Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation (“MOF and SAT”), [2019] No. 13 for small-scale and low-profit
enterprises whose annual taxable income is less than RMB1,000,000 (including RMB1,000,000), approximately $142,209, their income is reduced
by 25% to the taxable income, and enterprise income tax is paid at 20% tax rate, which is essentially resulting in a favorable income
tax rate of 5%. While for the portion of annual taxable income exceeding RMB1,000,000, approximately $142,209, but not more than RMB3,000,000,
approximately $426,627, the income is reduced by 50% to the taxable income, and enterprise income tax is paid at 20% tax rate, which is
essentially resulting in a favorable income tax rate of 10%. On April 9, 2021, MOF and SAT issued [2021] No.12 which provides an enterprise
income tax rate of 2.5% on a small-scale and low-profit enterprises whose annual taxable income less than RMB1,000,000, approximately
$142,209, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. MOF and SAT [2022] No.13, issued on May 29, 2023, also provides an enterprise income
tax rate of 5% on a small-scale and low-profit enterprises whose annual taxable income more than RMB1,000,000, approximately $142,209,
but not more than RMB3,000,000, approximately $426,627, from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The qualifications of small-scale and
low-profit enterprises were examined annually by the Tax Bureau. All of the Company’s Shanghai subsidiary met the criteria of small-scale
and low-profit enterprises.
Value-added Tax
Pursuant to applicable PRC
tax regulations, any entity or individual conducting business in the service industry used to be generally required to pay a business
tax at the rate of 5% on the revenues generated from providing such services. However, if the services provided are related to technology
development and transfer, such business tax may be exempted subject to approval by the relevant tax authorities. Whereas, pursuant to
the Provisional Regulations on Value-Added Tax of the PRC and its implementation regulations, unless otherwise specified by relevant laws
and regulations, any entity or individual engaged in the sales of goods, provision of processing, repairs and replacement services and
importation of goods into China is generally required to pay a value-added tax, or VAT, for revenues generated from sales of products,
while qualified input VAT paid on taxable purchase can be offset against such output VAT.
In November 2011, the Ministry
of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax.
In March 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation further promulgated the Notice on Fully Promoting the
Pilot Plan for Replacing Business Tax by Value-Added Tax, which became effective on May 1, 2016. Pursuant to the pilot plan and relevant
notices, VAT is generally imposed in lieu of business tax in the modern service industries, including the VATS, on a nationwide basis.
VAT of a rate of 6% applies to revenue derived from the provision of some modern services. Certain small taxpayers under PRC law are subject
to reduced value-added tax at a rate of 3%. Unlike business tax, a taxpayer is allowed to offset the qualified input VAT paid on taxable
purchases against the output VAT chargeable on the modern services provided.
On April 4, 2018, the Ministry
of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice on Adjustment of VAT Rates, which came into effect on May 1, 2018.
According to the abovementioned notice, the taxable goods previously subject to VAT rates of 17% and 11%, respectively, become subject
to lower VAT rates of 16% and 10%, respectively, starting from May 1, 2018. Furthermore, according to the Announcement on Relevant Policies
for Deepening Value-added Tax Reform jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation and the General
Administration of Customs, which became effective on April 1, 2019, the taxable goods previously subject to VAT rates of 16% and 10%,
respectively, become subject to lower VAT rates of 13% and 9%, respectively, starting from April 1, 2019. Under Provisional Regulations
of the People’s Republic of China on Value-added Tax, amended and effective on November 19, 2017, for entities that are VAT small
taxpayers, VAT is levied at a levy rate of 3%. On February 29, 2020, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Announcement on Taxation
Matters to Support Individual Businesses in Resumption of Business, during the COVID-19, the small taxpayers are allowed to enjoy the
preferred tax policy, tax rate from 3% to 1% for the period from March 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
42
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities
involves a high degree of risk. Before making any investment decision, you should consider carefully the following risks and other information
in this Report, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the
only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of or that we believe are not material at the time could also
materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In any case, the value of our Common Stock could
decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Please also see the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements.”
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We are an early stage cancer diagnostics
company with a limited operating history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our current business and predict our future performance.
We are at the early stage
of commercializing our business. We have not started manufacturing or sales of any products or services. Our limited operating history
may make it difficult to evaluate our current business and predict our future performance. Any assessment of our profitability or prediction
about our future success or viability is subject to significant uncertainty.
Taiwan and China’s precision
oncology detection market is still in its early stage of development and rapidly evolving, and companies operating in this industry face
a variety of risks. We may not have sufficient experience or resources to address risks frequently encountered in this industry, which
include, among other things, our potential failure to:
●
acquire and retain customers and increase adoption of our precision oncology detection products and services by hospitals, physicians, patients, pharmaceutical companies and others in the medical community;
●
timely respond to changing market conditions and keep up with evolving industry and technological standards and regulatory developments;
●
obtain and maintain the regulatory approvals required for us to further market and sell our precision oncology detection products and services and commercialize our early cancer detection products and services;
●
manage our relationships with our suppliers, customers and research partners;
●
protect proprietary technologies and intellectual property rights; and
●
attract, train, motivate and retain research and development and other qualified personnel.
If we are unsuccessful in
addressing any one or more of these risks, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may be unable to develop and commercialize
our early cancer detection devices, chips or immunochromogenic kits on a timely basis, or at all.
We are developing early cancer
detection products and may develop and commercialize our cancer diagnostics products from time to time in the future. Developing early
cancer detection and new cancer diagnostics products is a lengthy and complex process. New products may take time to commercialize, and
their launch could be delayed or may not be successful.
43
Our product development process
involves various risks, and we may not be able to develop and commercialize any early cancer detection products or new precision oncology
detection products on a timely basis, or at all. A product candidate that appears promising in the early phases of development may fail
to reach the market for a number of reasons. For example:
●
our product candidates may fail to demonstrate clinical utility, or the development process may produce negative or inconclusive results, and we may decide, or regulators may require us to conduct additional clinical trials or we may decide to abandon our development programs;
●
our employees, or third-party clinical investigators, medical institutions and CROs, may fail to comply with their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, and if the quality, completeness or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain are compromised due to any failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or for other reasons, our clinical trials may have to be extended, delayed or terminated;
●
we may fail to obtain approvals for our product candidates from relevant regulatory authorities; and
●
failure to generate additional data and insights from our existing products to advance the research and development of new products as quickly, or at all.
In addition, our competitors
may develop and commercialize competing products faster than we are able to, in which case our results of operations could be adversely
affected.
If we fail to keep up with industry and
technology developments in a timely and cost-effective manner, we may be unable to compete effectively and our business and prospects
could suffer.
Cancer early detection market
is characterized by rapid changes, including technological and scientific breakthroughs, increasing amounts of data, frequent introductions
of new tests, constant emergence of alternative diagnostic methods, and evolving industry standards. If we are not able to keep pace with
these advances and increased customer expectations as a result of these advances and capture new market opportunities that develop as
a result of these advances, our proprietary technologies could be rendered obsolete, our existing products and services and products and
services we are developing could be rendered less clinically effective, and our future operations and prospects could suffer. To remain
competitive, we must continuously upgrade our existing products and services and launch new products and services, to keep pace with these
developments. We cannot assure you that these efforts will be successful.
In addition, we must expend
significant resources in order to continuously upgrade our existing products and services or launch new ones to keep pace with industry
and technological advances. We may never realize a return on investment on these efforts, especially if the improved or new products and
services fail to perform as expected, in which case our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
If our products or services do not perform
as expected, our operating results, reputation and business could suffer.
Our success depends on the
market confidence that we can provide reliable, high-quality cancer early detection products and services that will provide physicians
with real-time clinically actionable diagnostic information. However, there is no assurance that our products and services will perform
as expected at all times. Our tests may fail to accurately detect gene variants or incompletely or incorrectly identify the significance
of genomic alterations, or contain other errors or mistakes due to a variety of reasons (such as malfunction of our laboratory equipment
and degraded liquid biopsy or tissue samples provided by our delivery service providers), which may result in negative perception of our
tests. In addition, inaccurate results or misunderstandings of, or inappropriate reliance on, the diagnostic information our tests provide
could lead to, or be associated with, side effects or adverse events in patients who use our tests, including treatment-related death,
and could lead to termination of our services or claims against us.
44
We face risks related to natural disasters,
health epidemics, civil and social disruption and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations. In particular, the COVID-19 outbreak
in China and worldwide has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
We are vulnerable to social
and natural catastrophic events that are beyond our control, such as natural disasters, health epidemics, and other catastrophes, which
may materially and adversely affect our business. Since December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, or COVID-19, has become
widespread in China and around the world. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, given its
threat beyond a public health emergency of international concern that the organization had declared in January 2020. Since the beginning
of 2020, China, Taiwan and many other countries have taken various restrictive measures to contain the virus’ spread, such as quarantines,
travel restrictions and home office policies to avoid large-scale population movement and gathering. These restrictions had certain degree
of impact on our research and development and production plan in Taiwan and China. COVID-19 has reduced the availability of labor and
led to difficulties for employees to return to work and constraints of service chain interruption. Because of the uncertainty surrounding
the COVID-19 outbreak, the business disruption and the related financial impact related to the outbreak of and response to the coronavirus
cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Recently, the COVID-19 situation
has improved in Taiwan and China. With Taiwan relaxing its mask mandate on April 17, 2023, and China no longer enforcing the “zero-COVID”
policy, our research and development have started to recover. However, the potential downturn brought by the COVID-19 outbreak is difficult
to assess or predict and the full impact of the virus on our operations will depend on many factors beyond our control. The extent to
which the COVID-19 outbreak impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition remains uncertain, and we are
closely monitoring its impact on us. Our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospects could be materially adversely
affected to the extent that COVID-19 harms the Chinese and global economy in general, and the trading price of our shares of
Common Stock may be adversely affected. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of other health epidemics adversely
affect our business and financial results, they may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk
Factors” section.
If we cannot compete successfully with our
competitors, we may be unable to increase or sustain our revenue or achieve and sustain profitability.
Cancer early detection and
screening market has become increasingly competitive, and we expect this competition to intensify further in the future. Some of our existing
and potential future competitors may have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, more expansive brand recognition and deeper
market penetration, substantially greater financial, technological and research and development resources and selling and marketing capabilities,
and more favorable terms from suppliers. As a result, they may be able to respond more quickly to changes in customer requirements or
preferences, develop faster, better and more expansive advancements for their technologies and tests, create and implement more successful
strategies for the promotion and sale of their tests, adopt more aggressive pricing policies for their tests, secure supplies from vendors
on more favorable terms or devote substantially more resources to infrastructure and system development. In addition, competitors may
be acquired by, receive investments from or enter into other commercial relationships with larger, well-established and well-financed
companies as the use of precision oncology detection increases. In addition, if we expand into international markets in the future, we
could face competition from the companies in these markets.
If we are unable to compete
successfully with current and future competitors for these or any other reasons, we may be unable to increase market acceptance and sales
volume of our tests, which could prevent us from maintaining or increasing our revenue levels or achieving or sustaining profitability
or could otherwise negatively affect our performance.
Our future success depends on our ability
to promote our brand and protect our reputation. If we are unable to effectively promote our brand, our business may be adversely affected.
We believe that enhancing
and maintaining awareness of our trademarks 欣戈赛 and
sglcell are critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our microfluidic biochip products, gaining trust for our testing devices and
attracting customers. Successful promotion of our brand depends largely on the quality of the products and services we offer and the effectiveness
of our branding and marketing efforts. Currently, we rely primarily on our own sales and marketing team to promote our brand and our precision
oncology detection products and testing services. We expect that our branding and marketing efforts will require us to incur significant
expenses and devote substantial resources. We cannot guarantee that our sales and marketing efforts will be successful. Brand promotion
activities may not lead to increased revenue in the near term, and, even if they do, any revenue increases may not offset the expenses
we incur to promote our brand. Our failure to establish and promote our brand and any damage to our reputation will hinder our growth.
In addition, our reputation may be undermined as a result of the negative publicity about our company or our industry in general. If precision
oncology detection products or services provided by us or our competitors do not perform to customers’ expectations, it may result
in lower confidence in precision oncology detection in general, which may in turn impair our operating results and our reputation. You
can find more information regarding our intellectual properties in “Business – Intellectual Property.”
45
Failure to attract and retain our senior
management and other key employees could adversely affect our business.
Our future success is significantly
dependent upon the continued service of our senior management, such as Dr. Yi Lu, our chairman of the board of directors and chief
executive officer. If we lose their services, we may not be able to locate suitable or qualified replacements, and we may incur additional
expenses to recruit new senior management team members, which could severely disrupt our business and growth. In addition, if these personnel
join our competitors or form a competing business, our business and prospects could be adversely affected.
Our research and development
activities and laboratory operations depend upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled scientists and technicians. We are also
in strong need of sales and marketing personnel with the relevant technology background and industry expertise in order to effectively
conduct our sales and marketing activities and increase our hospital network. We face intense competition for qualified individuals from
numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, universities, governmental entities and other research institutions. We may be unable
to attract and retain suitably qualified individuals, and our failure to do so could adversely affect our business.
If we experience difficulties in recruiting
subjects for clinical trials, our clinical development activities may be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.
Completion of a clinical trial
on time according to the trial plan depends, among other things, on our ability to recruit a sufficient number of subjects to participate
in the trial until the end of the trial. We may encounter difficulties in recruiting subjects for clinical trials for a variety of reasons,
including the base and nature of the subject population and the eligibility criteria for subjects defined in the trial plan. Our clinical
trials will likely compete with other clinical trials, which will reduce the number and categories of subjects we can recruit, as some
subjects who may choose to participate in our trials may instead choose to participate in trials conducted by other companies. Due to
the limited number of qualified clinical investigators and clinical trial sites, we expect that some of our clinical trials will be conducted
at the same clinical trial sites used by some of our competitors, which will result in subjects eligible to participate in our clinical
trials at those clinical trial sites decrease in the number of people. Even if our clinical trials are able to enroll a sufficient number
of subjects, delays in enrolling subjects may increase costs or affect the timing or outcomes of planned clinical trials, hindering the
completion of those trials and hindering our progress adversely affect the ability of product candidates to develop.
If we do not launch new products in a timely
manner, our products may become obsolete and our results of operations may suffer.
Technology in the cancer screening
industry is constantly changing, new products are emerging, and industry standards continue to evolve. If new and improved products are
not introduced in a timely manner, our products may become technologically obsolete or vulnerable to competition, and our revenue and
results of operations could be impaired. Even if we develop new or improved products, our ability to bring those products to market may
be limited by a variety of factors, including regulatory approvals and market demand. We invest significant financial and other resources
in our research and development activities. The research and development process are lengthy and uncertain. The products we are currently
developing may not be able to complete the development process or obtain the regulatory or other approvals required to bring such products
to market in a timely manner or at all.
46
Technological innovations
often require significant time and investment before their commercial viability can be determined. We may not have the necessary financial
resources to fund all such projects. In addition, even if we are able to successfully develop new or improved products, those products
may not generate revenue in excess of development costs or achieve desirable financial returns and may become obsolete or due to changes
in customer preferences or the introduction of advanced technology or functionality by competitors. Products or other factors resulting
in a decline in competitiveness.
As of the date of this Report, we have not
conducted any clinical trials for our products. Uncertainties or failures in clinical trials of our product candidates could materially
and adversely affect our business operations.
We must conduct various clinical
trials to demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of our test prior to regulatory approval for marketing of our product candidates
and depending on the type of our relevant product candidates, clinical trials may require large-scale prospective clinical studies, and
such studies are far more rigorous and expensive than other existing tests or auxiliary diagnostic products. We have planned to conduct
a multicenter registry trial in China to evaluate the performance of the pulmonary nodule benign and malignant determination kit. We may
encounter a variety of contingencies while conducting or as a result of clinical trials that may delay or prevent us from obtaining regulatory
approval or commercializing our product candidates, including but not limited to:
●
Regulatory agencies, institutional review boards or ethics committees may refuse to authorize us or investigators to conduct clinical trials or conduct clinical trials at the intended trial site;
●
We are unable to reach agreement on admissible terms with prospective CROs and hospitals (as trial centers), which may require extensive negotiation and may vary significantly between different CROs and hospitals (as trial centers);
●
Production issues, including issues with the quality of production, supply, or obtaining sufficient quantities of the product candidate for use in clinical trials;
●
Insufficient testing capacity to meet the needs of clinical trials;
●
Our products fail to demonstrate superior results than competitors’ or alternative products (if applicable);
●
Clinical trials of our product candidates may fail to demonstrate the expected cancer screening sensitivity and specificity, and we may decide or regulatory authorities may require us to conduct additional clinical trials or abandon product development programs;
●
The number of subjects required for clinical trials of our product candidates may be larger than expected, recruitment may be insufficient or slower than we expect, or the rate of subjects dropping out of trials may be higher than expected;
●
Our third-party contractors may fail to comply with regulatory requirements or perform in a timely manner or at all of their contractual obligations to us;
●
We may have to suspend or terminate clinical trials of our product candidates for a variety of reasons, including the discovery of a lack of clinical response or other unexpected characteristics; and preliminary or interim results of clinical trials may not be indicative of final results.
There is no assurance that
such trials will be completed in a timely or cost-effective manner, or that they will result in a commercially viable product. If clinical
trials of any of our product candidates are delayed or terminated, the commercial prospects of that product candidate will be impaired
and our ability to generate revenue from any such product candidate will be delayed. In addition, any delay in the completion of our clinical
trials would increase our costs, slow down the development and approval process of our product candidate, and impair our ability to initiate
product sales and generate related revenue for that product candidate. The occurrence of any of the above events could materially damage
our business, financial condition and prospects.
47
We have contracts with third parties for
the future manufacturing, supply and registration applications of certain of our products, which supply could become limited or interrupted
or may not be of satisfactory quality and quantity.
We currently rely on third
parties in the PRC for certain supplying, registration applications and future manufacturing of certain of our products. Any such reliance
may increase the risk that we will not have sufficient quantities of our products, or such quantities at an acceptable cost or quality,
which could delay, prevent or impair our development or commercialization efforts. Furthermore, all the contract manufacturers in the
PRC for our products are subject to extensive PRC laws and regulations. These PRC laws and regulations govern manufacturing processes
and procedures, including record keeping, and the implementation and operation of quality systems to control and assure the quality of
investigational products and products approved for sale. Poor control of production processes can lead to the introduction of contaminants,
or to inadvertent changes in the properties or stability of our products.
Risks Associated with Government Regulations
We may be adversely affected by uncertainties
and changes in China’s regulations on the cancer screening industry, and the lack of necessary approvals, licenses, registrations
or filings in relation to our business may adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects material adverse effects.
Due to the relatively short
history of the cancer screening industry in China, a comprehensive regulatory framework to regulate the industry has not yet been established.
The possibility cannot be ruled out that certain industry practices, which we have also adopted, may be deemed to fail to fully comply
with the existing laws and regulations in the PRC. As China’s laws and regulations on medical devices are still developing, and
it is uncertain whether new laws, regulations or interpretations will be promulgated or adopted in the future, we cannot assure you that
our early stage cancer detection devices will not be construed as non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the future. If
the PRC government issues clear requirements for the approval of our devices, we intend to take the necessary steps to comply with those
requirements. Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected if we fail to comply with existing or future requirements
or are found to be otherwise non-compliant in the conduct of our business.
If we fail to obtain, complete or maintain
the required regulatory approvals, licenses, registrations or filings, or if there is a delay in obtaining, complete or maintain the required
regulatory approvals, licenses, registrations or filings, we will not be able to commercialize our product candidates change, and our
ability to generate revenue will be significantly compromised.
Due to the relatively short
history of the cancer screening industry in China, a comprehensive regulatory framework to regulate the industry has not yet been established.
However, the significant aspects of the development and commercialization of our products have been strictly regulated in China. The process
of obtaining regulatory approvals and complying with applicable laws and regulations requires significant time and financial resources.
Applicants may face administrative or judicial sanctions if they fail to comply with applicable regulations during the product development
process, the approval process, or at any time after approval. Such sanctions may include regulatory refusals to approve pending applications,
revocation of approvals, revocation of licenses, clinical restrictions, voluntary or compulsory product recalls, product seizures, suspensions
of production or distribution in whole or in part, injunctions, fines, refusals to government contracts, compensation, Hand over money
or civil or criminal penalties. Failure to comply with these regulations may affect our business, financial business conditions and prospects
are materially and adversely affected.
48
Before obtaining regulatory
approval for commercial sale of some of our products, we must demonstrate its effectiveness in a well-controlled clinical trial and, for
approval in China, must be satisfied by NMPA that the product candidate is safe and effective for its intended use, and appropriate manufacturing
and testing facilities, procedures and controls are in place. For now, only A + LCGuard is required by NMPA to complete clinical
trial. Obtaining regulatory approval is a long, expensive and uncertain process, and approval may not be obtained. When we submit a registration
application to NMPA, it will decide whether to accept or reject the submitted registration application. We cannot be certain that any
submission will be approved by NMPA for registration review. NMPA may also slow down, suspend or terminate the review of our application,
and any such circumstance will prolong the registration process for our products. Our product candidates may not receive regulatory approval
for a number of reasons, including:
●
The clinical trial results cannot reach the level of statistical significance required for approval or the clinical trial cannot be conducted in accordance with regulatory regulations or clinical trial plan;
●
Approval policy or regulatory changes that make our preclinical and clinical data insufficient to obtain approval or require us to revise our clinical trial plan;
●
Regulatory requirements requiring additional analysis, reporting, data, non-clinical studies and clinical trials, or questions regarding interpretation of data and results and the emergence of new information about our product candidates or other products; and/or
●
The relevant authority refuses to approve a pending application submitted by us or a supplementary application to an approved application, or suspends, withdraws or withdraws the approval.
Regulatory requirements and
guidelines may also change, and we may, among other things, need to revise clinical trial plans submitted to applicable regulatory authorities
to reflect such changes. We may make revisions that necessitate resubmission of the clinical trial proposal to the Institutional Review
Board or Ethics Committee for reconsideration, which may affect the outcome of the clinical trial.
The process of developing,
obtaining regulatory approval, and commercializing medical device candidates is long, complex, and costly, both within China and abroad.
Even if our product candidates are successful in obtaining regulatory approval, such approval may impose significant restrictions on the
approved use, or require product labels to contain precautions or warnings, or require expensive and time-consuming post-approval clinical
trials or surveillance as approval conditions of. If we are unable to obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates in one or
more jurisdictions, or any approvals come with significant restrictions, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize
the full market potential of our product candidates will be impaired. In addition, we may not be able to obtain sufficient financing or
generate sufficient revenue and cash flow to continue developing any other product candidates in the future.
Our products and any future products will
be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and ongoing regulatory scrutiny, which may result in significant additional expenses, and
if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or if there are unexpected issues with our products and/or product candidates, we may
be punished.
Our regulatory agency-approved
testing services, products and any other product candidates are subject to and will be subject to compliance with manufacturing, testing,
labelling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, sampling, record keeping, post-marketing studies, submission of safety, efficacy
and other ongoing regulatory requirements for post-listing materials, and other requirements from regulatory authorities in the PRC and/or
other jurisdictions. Our testing and manufacturing facilities are subject to numerous regulatory requirements from the China Food and
Drug Administration (“CFDA”) and/or other similar authorities. Accordingly, we have been and will be subject to ongoing scrutiny
and inspection by regulatory agencies to assess our compliance with applicable laws and regulations and our commitments made in any application
materials submitted to the CFDA or other authorities. Therefore, we must continue to invest time, money and effort in all aspects of regulatory
compliance.
Regulatory approvals for our
products and any approvals we obtain for product candidates are subject to and may be limited by the use of our marketable products. Our
approvals may also be subject to other conditions that may result in the need for potentially costly post-market testing and surveillance
to monitor the safety and efficacy of our products or product candidates. Such restrictions and conditions may adversely affect the commercial
potential of our products.
49
After our product candidates
are approved for commercialization, certain changes to the products, such as changes in manufacturing processes and additional claims,
may require additional review and approval by the CFDA and/or similar regulatory authorities. Regulatory approval of any of our product
candidates may also be withdrawn. If we fail to maintain compliance with these ongoing regulatory requirements or if problems arise after
the product is launched, the CFDA or similar regulatory authorities may seek to enforce a consent order or withdraw marketing approval.
Late discovery of our products or product candidates or issues previously unknown to us in our manufacturing process may lead to revisions
to approved labels or regulations to add new safety information; conduct clinical studies to evaluate new safety risk; or impose distribution
restrictions or other restrictions. Other potential consequences include (among others):
●
Restrictions on the listing or manufacture of our products, withdrawal of products from the market, or voluntary or mandatory product recalls;
●
Fines, untitled letters or warning letters, or suspension of clinical trials;
●
The CFDA or similar regulatory authorities refuse to approve our pending applications or supplements to approved applications, or suspend or revoke licensing approval or withdraw approval;
●
Product seizure or detention, or denial of permission to import or export our products and candidate products; and/or
●
Injunction or Civil or Criminal Penalty
The CFDA and other regulatory
authorities strictly supervise the listing, labelling, advertising and promotion of medical products and services introduced to the market.
Our products and testing services may only be marketed for their approved uses in accordance with approved labels. The CFDA and other
regulatory authorities actively enforce laws and regulations that prohibit the promotion of off-label uses, and companies found to improperly
promote off-label uses may bear significant responsibility. The policies of the CFDA and other regulatory authorities may change and other
government regulations may be issued to prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates. Given the changing regulatory
environment, we cannot predict the likelihood, nature or scope (whether in China or abroad) of government policies or regulations that
may result from future legislative or administrative actions. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing regulations or
adopt new regulations or policies, or if we are unable to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any regulatory approvals we have
obtained and may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability.
If our existing and new products fail to
meet the quality standards required by applicable laws, our business and reputation could be damaged, and our revenue and profitability
could be materially and adversely affected.
Our production and manufacturing
processes are subject to certain quality standards. We have established quality control and assurance systems and adopted standardized
operating procedures to prevent quality issues related to our products and operating processes. For further details of our quality control
and assurance system, please refer to “Business — Quality Control System”. Although we have quality control and assurance
systems and procedures, we cannot eliminate the risk of product defects or malfunctions. Quality defects may not be detected or remedied
due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
●
Manufacturing error;
●
Technical or mechanical failures in the manufacturing process;
●
Human error or malfeasance by our quality control personnel;
●
Third party intervention; and/or
●
The raw materials we produce or purchase have quality problems.
50
In addition, our failure to
detect quality defects in our products or to prevent such defective products from being delivered to end users may result in injury or
death, product recalls or withdrawals, revocation of licenses or fines by regulatory agencies, product and professional liability or other
problems, which could seriously damage our reputation and business, expose us to the risk of liability, and materially and adversely affect
our revenue and profitability.
In addition to the Chinese market, we are
planning to expand to North American and European markets. We cannot give any assurance that any of our products will receive regulatory
approval in North America or Europe, which is necessary before they can be commercialized.
We cannot be certain that
any of our product candidates will be successful in clinical studies or receive regulatory approval. Applications for our products could
fail to receive regulatory approval for many reasons, including but not limited to the following:
●
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the competent authority of individual member states of the European Union where we plan to offer our products, or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical studies;
●
the population studied in the clinical program may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval;
●
the FDA, the competent authority of individual member states of the European Union where we plan to offer our products, or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from nonclinical or clinical studies;
●
the data collected from clinical studies of our products in China may not be sufficient or accepted to obtain regulatory approval in the U.S. or elsewhere;
●
we may be unable to demonstrate to the FDA, the competent authority of individual member states of the European Union where we plan to offer our products, or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product’s benefit-risk ratio for its proposed indication is acceptable;
●
the FDA, the competent authority of individual member states of the European Union where we plan to offer our products, or other regulatory authorities may fail to approve the manufacturing processes, test procedures and specifications, or facilities of third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; and
●
the approval policies or regulations of the FDA, the competent authority of individual member states of the European Union where we plan to offer our products, or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may change significantly in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.
Currently, we plan to seek
regulatory approval to commercialize our product candidates in the U.S., the EU and in additional countries where we obtain commercial
and IP rights. To obtain regulatory approval in other countries, we must comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of such
other countries regarding safety, efficacy, chemistry, manufacturing and controls, clinical studies, commercial sales, pricing, marketing
and distribution of our products. Even if we are successful in obtaining approval in one jurisdiction, we cannot ensure that we will obtain
approval in any other jurisdictions. Failure to obtain marketing authorization for our products will result in our being unable to market
and sell such products, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we fail
to obtain approval in any jurisdiction, the geographic market for our products could be limited.
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Failure to obtain the broad market acceptance
or maintain a good reputation necessary for our current products and any future products could materially and adversely affect our results
of operations and profitability.
The commercial success of
our current and future products depends on their market acceptance, especially among customers, hospitals and physicians. As a diagnostic
method recently developed and introduced into the Chinese market, our products may not be widely recognized by the intended target customers,
doctors or end users. If our products and any future approved product candidates fail to gain sufficient market acceptance from physicians,
end users, third-party payers and other industry players, our product sales will be adversely affected. In addition, customers, physicians,
end users and third-party payers may prefer other new products over our products. If our products and product candidates fail to achieve
an adequate level of recognition, we may not generate significant revenue and may not be profitable. The failure of our products, product
candidates and our testing services to achieve an adequate level of recognition or to increase market visibility could adversely affect
our financial condition, business and results of operations. Once approved for commercial sale, the market acceptance of our products
and product candidates and their services will depend on a number of factors, including:
●
Physicians, end users and hospitals consider our products and product candidates to be safe and effective;
●
Potential and visible advantages of our products and product candidates over other alternatives;
●
Our continuous cooperation with existing commercialization channels;
●
We further validate the product’s capabilities through clinical studies and accompanying publications;
●
The timing and scope of the approval of our other cancer screening products by the CFDA;
●
Our ability to maintain laboratory accreditation, accreditation and regulatory approval and to complete required inspections;
●
Defects or errors that lead to negative reports about our or our competitors’ testing and technology influences;
●
Changes in government policies or guidelines regarding cancer screening;
●
Development of cancer treatments that may diminish or reduce the need for cancer screening;
●
Our competitors accelerate R&D progress;
●
The effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts.
If any of our commercialized
products and services fail to gain market acceptance among doctors, end users, hospitals or other customers, or if we fail to maintain
good relationships with them, we will not be able to generate significant revenue. Our ability to market our products and product candidates
may be limited by regulatory approval requirements, restrictions on approved uses, inherent patterns of clinical practice, uncertainty
about third-party compensation or other factors. Even if our products gain market acceptance, we may not be able to maintain market acceptance
all the time if new products or technologies are introduced that are more popular, cost-effective or make our products obsolete. We believe
that maintaining and enhancing our brand image and increasing the market awareness of our company and our products are critical to gaining
broad recognition for our services and products, strengthening our relationships with existing customers and our ability to attract new
customers. The successful promotion of our brand will largely depend on our ability to continue to provide high-quality products, as well
as our research and development efforts. However, there is no guarantee that our branding activities and research and development efforts
will be successful or contribute to our growth. In addition, even if such activities increase revenue, such revenue may not be sufficient
to offset the increase in expenses we incur.
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There is no guarantee that our products
will be covered by the National Medical Insurance Program in China.
China maintains a National
Medical Insurance Program that can reimburse certain residents in urban cities and rural areas for, among other things, fees associated
with diagnostic and treatment devices and diagnostic tests covered by such Program through the basic medical insurance scheme.
As of the date of this Report,
our products are not covered by any national or provincial medical insurance programs. Although we strive to make our products covered
by the national medical insurance programs in the future, there is no guarantee that the responsible government agency, the National Healthcare
Security Administration, will approve our applications. Furthermore, even if our products may be covered by the Program in the future,
uncertainties still exist around reimbursement coverage and rates as we need to negotiate such terms with government entities in the PRC,
and we cannot guarantee that we will receive favorable coverage and rates. In the absence of reimbursement or favorable coverage and rates
from the National Medical Insurance Program, end users have to bear all or the majority part of their expenses to use our products, which
may reduce consumers’ interest in our products or cause our products to be less competitive when compared with other products that
are covered by such Program.
We have relatively limited experience in
product promotion and sales. There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully commercialize our products and, as a result, our
revenue and profitability could be materially and adversely affected.
We have relatively limited
experience in launching and commercializing product candidates and in the sales and marketing of products, and limited experience in market
analysis or managing sales teams for product candidates. As a result, our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates
may involve more inherent risks, require more time and cost more than would be the case if we were a company with extensive experience
in launching product candidates.
The market size of existing and future products
has not been precisely established and may be lower than our estimates, and we may not fully grasp the target population of our products.
Our estimates of the total
addressable market and target population for our existing products and product candidates are based on a number of internal and third-party
estimates, including but not limited to the size of the target population, the number of people at higher risk of developing cancer, and
the availability of the hypothetical price at which the established market sells the relevant candidate product. Although we believe that
our assumptions and data relating to estimates are reasonable, such assumptions and estimates may not be correct, and the conditions supporting
our assumptions or estimates may change at any time, reducing the accuracy of forecasts for these relevant factors. Accordingly, our estimates
of the total addressable market for current or future products may prove to be incorrect. If the target population that will benefit from
our products, the price at which we can sell our products or the total addressable market for our products is lower than our estimates,
it could harm our sales growth and adversely affect our business.
Risks Associated with Our Testing and the Manufacture
and Supply of Our Products
Delays in the completion and obtaining regulatory
approvals of our manufacturing facilities, or damage, destruction or interruption of production at such facilities may delay our development
plans or commercialization efforts.
Our future manufacturing facilities
will be global. The facility may incur unanticipated expenses due to a number of factors including regulatory requirements. Our manufacturing
facilities are subject to ongoing periodic inspections by various NMPA or other comparable regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with
current drug manufacturing practices. Failure to comply with applicable regulations may also result in us being subject to penalties,
including fines, injunctions, civil penalties, requests to suspend or stop one or more of our clinical trials, failure to obtain regulatory
approvals for our product candidates, delays, Suspension or withdrawal of approvals, supply interruptions, revocation of licenses, seizure
or recall of products or product candidates, operational restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any of which can cause harm to our business.
53
Our facilities may be damaged
or rendered inoperable due to physical damage caused by fire, flood, earthquake, typhoon, tornado, power outage, telecommunications failure,
intrusion and similar events. If our production facilities or equipment are damaged or destroyed, we may not be able to replace our production
capacity quickly or cheaply or at all. In the event of temporary or long-term damage to facilities or equipment, we may not be able to
transfer manufacturing to third parties. Even if we could transfer manufacturing to a third party, that transfer could be expensive and
time-consuming, especially since the new facility has to meet the necessary regulatory requirements and we have to obtain regulatory approvals
before selling any products manufactured at that facility. This event could delay our clinical trials or reduce sales of our products.
Any disruption to our manufacturing operations at our manufacturing facilities may result in us being unable to meet our clinical trial
or commercialization needs. Any disruption to our ability to manufacture products or product candidates in a timely manner could materially
damage our business, financial condition and results of operations. We currently insure against damage to our property and equipment for
an amount we believe is reasonable. However, our insurance coverage may not compensate us or may not be sufficient to cover any expenses
or losses we may incur. In the event of a catastrophic event or the failure of our production facilities or processes, we may not be able
to meet our requirements for products and product candidates.
The manufacturing and testing process of
our products is complex and subject to strict quality control. If we or any of our suppliers or logistics partners experience manufacturing,
logistics or quality problems, including as a result of natural disasters, our business may be damaged.
Partly due to stringent regulatory
requirements, the manufacturing and testing process for products is complex and subject to strict quality control. Additionally, quality
is paramount as product or test defects can have serious and costly consequences. Manufacturing and testing processes can go wrong for
a number of reasons, including equipment failure, non-compliance with codes and procedures, raw material issues, software issues, sample
contamination or human error. In addition, if contaminants are found in our product or product candidate supply, or in our production
and testing facilities, such production and testing facilities may need to be shut down for an extended period of time to investigate
the contamination and remediate it. Stability and other issues may arise in the future related to the manufacture and testing of our products
or product candidates. While well-managed, disruptions can occur during the introduction of new equipment and systems to replace aging
equipment, as well as production line transfers and expansions. As we increase market penetration, we may face unexpected surges in demand
for our products, which could put pressure on our production capacity or testing capabilities. If these problems arise, or if we otherwise
fail to meet our internal quality standards or the standards of the CFDA or other applicable regulatory agencies, including detailed record-keeping
requirements, our reputation may be damaged and we Safety warnings or recalls may apply, we may incur product and professional liability
and other costs, product approvals may be delayed, and our business may otherwise be adversely affected. In addition, our manufacturing,
testing and warehousing facilities, as well as those of our suppliers and logistics partners, may be severely damaged by earthquakes,
hurricanes, volcanoes, fires and other natural disasters or catastrophic circumstances, could materially and adversely affect our business.
Security threats to our information technology
infrastructure and unauthorized use of data by third parties could expose us to liability or damage our reputation and business.
Our information technology
systems store and process a variety of sensitive data, including our proprietary business information, as well as patients’ personal
data such as health information and personally identifiable information.
It is essential that our information
technology infrastructure remains secure and is perceived by hospitals, patients and our research partners to be secure. Despite our security
measures, we may face cyber-attacks that attempt to penetrate our network security, sabotage or otherwise disable our research, tests
and services, misappropriate our proprietary business information or cause interruptions of our internal systems and services. Any cyber-attacks
could negatively affect our reputation, damage our network infrastructure and our ability to deploy our products and services, harm our
relationship with customers and research partners, and expose us to significant financial liabilities.
Moreover, we may not be able
to prevent third parties from illegally obtaining and misappropriating personal data of the tested patients that we collect. Concerns
about data leakage or unauthorized use of data by third parties, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation and negatively affect
our results of operations.
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If we are unable to effectively protect
our intellectual property, our business and competitive position would be harmed.
We rely on patents, software
copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights protection and contractual restrictions to protect our products,
services and technologies. We have registered a number of patents and trademarks in China and the United States. However, such protection
is limited and may not adequately protect our rights.
We may also be subject to
infringement claims by third parties. We may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions, and it may also be costly
to defend such claims. In addition, competitors could purchase our products and attempt to replicate and/or improve some or all of the
competitive advantages we derive from our development efforts, willfully infringe our intellectual property rights, and design their devices
and tests around our protected technologies or develop their own competitive technologies that fall outside of our intellectual property
rights.
Monitoring unauthorized disclosure
and uses of our trade secrets is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to prevent such disclosure and uses are,
or will be, adequate. If we resort to litigation to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result
in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources, while the outcome would be unpredictable, and any remedy
may be inadequate. Our contractual agreements may be breached by our counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available
to us for any such breach. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered
by, our competitors, and we would have no right to prevent others from using them. Moreover, if a party having an agreement with us has
an overlapping or conflicting obligation to a third party, our rights in and to certain intellectual property could be undermined. If
we fail to effectively protect our intellectual property, our competitive position and prospects could be adversely affected.
We may be subject to intellectual property
infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely
against us, could disrupt our business.
We cannot be certain that
our products, tests and technologies do not or will not infringe patents, software copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property
rights held by third parties, especially when they are in China, as the validity, enforceability and scope of intellectual property rights
protection in China are uncertain and still evolving. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims alleging infringement
of patents, trademarks or copyrights, or misappropriation of creative ideas or formats, or other infringement of proprietary intellectual
property rights. Any such proceedings and claims could result in significant costs to us and divert the time and attention of our management
and technical personnel from the operation of our business. These types of claims could also potentially adversely impact our reputation
and our ability to conduct business and raise capital, even if we are ultimately absolved of all liability. Moreover, third parties making
claims against us may be able to obtain injunctive relief against us, which could block our ability to offer one or more devices or tests
and could result in a substantial award of damages against us. In addition, since we sometimes indemnify our customers or collaboration
partners, we may have additional liability in connection with any infringement or alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property.
Intellectual property litigation can be very expensive, and we may not have the financial means to defend ourselves or our customers or
collaboration partners.
Because patent applications
can take many years to issue, there may be pending applications, some of which are unknown to us, that may result in issued patents upon
which our products, tests or proprietary technologies may infringe. Moreover, we may fail to identify issued patents of relevance or incorrectly
conclude that an issued patent is invalid or not infringed by our technology or any of our devices or tests. There is a substantial amount
of litigation involving patents and other intellectual property rights in our industry. If a third-party claims that we infringe upon
a third-party’s intellectual property rights, we may have to:
●
seek to obtain licenses that may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all;
●
abandon any product alleged or held to infringe, or redesign our products or processes to avoid potential assertion of infringement;
55
●
pay substantial damages including, in exceptional cases, treble damages and attorneys’ fees, if a court decides that the device, test or proprietary technology at issue infringes upon or violates the third-party’s rights;
●
pay substantial royalties or fees or grant cross-licenses to our technology; and
●
defend litigation or administrative proceedings that may be costly whether we win or lose, and which could result in a substantial diversion of our financial and management resources.
We may be subject to litigation and other
claims and legal proceedings, and may not always be successful in defending ourselves against these claims or proceedings.
We may be subject to lawsuits
and other claims in the ordinary course of our business. We may from time to time be subject to lawsuits and other legal proceedings brought
by our customers, competitors, employees, business partners, investors, other shareholders of the companies we invest, or other entities
against us in the ordinary course of our business. We may also be subject to regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of our business.
We may not be successful in defending ourselves, and the outcomes of these lawsuits and proceedings may be unfavorable to us. Lawsuits
and regulatory proceedings against us may also generate negative publicity that significantly harms our reputation, which may adversely
affect our customer base, market position and our relationships with our research partners and other business partners. In addition to
the related costs, managing and defending litigation and other legal proceedings and related indemnity obligations can significantly divert
our management’s attention from operating our business. We may also need to pay damages or settle lawsuits or other claims with
a substantial amount of cash, negatively affecting our liquidity. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations
could be adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Financial Prospects and
Need for Additional Capital
We incurred net losses for the years ended
June 30, 2025 and 2024 and may not be able to generate sufficient operating cash flows and working capital to continue as a going concern.
Failure to manage our liquidity and cash flows may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
As a result, we may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
We incurred net losses of
$3,258,969 and $2,782,278 for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our ability to continue as a going concern depends
upon our ability to develop, register and obtain regulatory approval for commercial sell of our products to generate positive operating
cash flows. The Company had net cash outflows of $5,825,055 and $2,126,340 from operating activities for the years ended June 30, 2025
and 2024, respectively. These conditions give rise to substantial doubt as to whether the Company will be able to continue as a going
concern. The Company certain related parties have waived off the amount due to them as of June 30, 2024 amounted to $2,820,624 in order
to improve the Company’s working capital. The Company completed its initial public offering. In the initial public offering, the
Company issued 1,640,000 shares of common stock at a price of US$4.00 per share. The Company received gross proceeds in the amount of
US$6.56 million before deducting any underwriting discounts or expenses. On June 6, 2025, the Company entered into a purchase agreement
(the “ELOC Agreement”) with HELENA GLOBAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES I LTD. (the “Investor” or “Selling Stockholder”),
pursuant to which the Company have the right to issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided therein, and the Investor
is obligated to purchase from us, up to Twenty-Five Million United States Dollars ($25,000,000) of the Company’s Common Stock, subject
to terms and conditions set forth in the ELOC Agreement.
We can offer no assurance
that we will operate profitably or that we will generate positive cash flows in the next twelve months, given our substantial expenses
in relation to our revenue at this stage of our Company. Inability to collect our accounts receivable in a timely and sufficient manner,
or the inability to offset our expenses with adequate revenue, may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of
operations. Although we believe that our cash on hand will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital
expenditures in the ordinary course of business for the next 6 months, we cannot assure you this will be the case.
If and when we are unable
to meet our working capital requirements and various operating needs, we may need to raise additional funds for our operations and such
funds may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not
be able to execute our business plan, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements.
This may seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to achieve or maintain profitability,
the market price of our shares may significantly decrease. In the event that the Company requires additional funding to finance its operations,
the Company’s major stockholders have indicated their intent and ability to provide such financial support, however, there is no
assurance such funding will be available when the Company needs it in the future.
56
We have recorded negative cash flows from
operating activities historically and may have a current liabilities position in the future.
We have experienced significant
cash outflow from operating activities since our inception. We had net cash outflow in operating activities of $5.8 million and $2.1 million
for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The cost of continuing operations could further reduce our cash position, and
an increase in our net cash outflow from operating activities could adversely affect our operations by reducing the amount of cash available
to meet the cash needs for operating our business and to fund our investments in our business expansion.
We
had net current asset (liabilities) of $3.1 million and $0.3 million as of June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We cannot guarantee that
we will remain in a net current assets position in future, which would expose us to liquidity risk. Our future liquidity and ability to
make additional capital investments necessary for our operations and business expansion will depend primarily on our ability to maintain
sufficient cash and to obtain adequate external financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any sources of financing.
We require substantial funding for our operations.
If we cannot raise sufficient additional capital on acceptable terms, our business, financial condition and prospects may be adversely
affected.
We require substantial capital
to fund our existing operations, commercialize new products, expand our business and pursue strategic investments. In particular, we require
substantial capital to:
●
advance our early cancer detection technologies and develop early cancer detection product candidates;
●
increase our sales and marketing efforts to drive market adoption of our products and services and address competitive developments;
●
seek regulatory and marketing approvals for our tests;
●
maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio;
●
hire and retain additional personnel, such as scientists and sales and marketing personnel;
●
develop, acquire and improve operational, financial and management information systems;
●
add equipment and physical infrastructure to support our research and development programs;
●
finance general and administrative expenses; and
●
operate as a public company.
If our available cash balances
are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, in particular, for the development and commercialization of our products, we may
seek to obtain further funding through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or other sources.
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Further financing may not
be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital as and when needed it would have a negative impact on our
financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy. In addition, if we raise funds by issuing debt securities or incurring
additional borrowings, the terms of debt securities issued or borrowings could impose significant restrictions on our operations, and
we may be unable to repay the indebtedness when due. If we raise funds by issuing equity securities, your investment in our company could
be diluted.
Raising additional capital may lead to dilution
of shareholdings by our existing stockholders, restrict our operations, and may further result in fair value loss adversely affecting
our financial results.
We may seek additional funding
through a combination of equity and debt financings and collaborations. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale
of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of existing holders of our shares will be diluted, and the terms may
include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our existing stockholders.
The incurrence of additional
indebtedness or the issuance of certain equity securities could result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in
certain additional restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt or issue additional equity, limitations
on our ability to acquire or license IP rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our
business.
We have only a limited accounting personnel
and have corrected an error in application of the accounting principle for business combinations accounted for an acquisition of an entity
during the year ended June 30, 2022.
Prior to the completion of
the Initial Public Offering, we had been a private company with limited accounting personnel mainly engage in financial reporting. On
January 1, 2022, the Company, through Advanced Biomed HK, acquired 100% equity interest of Shanghai Sglcell. The Company carefully considered
the appropriate accounting guidance in accordance with its application of the accounting principle related to accounting for business
combinations. However, we did not engage outside experts to assist in the detailed analysis.
Upon further assessment, the
Company has corrected an error in its application of the accounting principle for business combinations where the Company previously incorrectly
accounted for an acquisition of an entity as a business combination; the Company has amended its consolidated financial statements for
the year ended June 30, 2022 to account for the transaction as purchase of assets.
Management concluded that
the above correction identified in connection with the accounting treatment for the acquisition was a significant deficiency that did
not rise to the level of a material weakness. The deficiency identified was narrow as it focused on the interpretation of accounting literature
to a specific transaction structure which is not expected to be recurring nature. For future material acquisitions, the Company will engage
outside experts to assist in the transaction, including legal and accounting advisors, to advise on complex accounting issues in order
to prevent potential differences in the accounting for business combinations. As a result, the Company does not believe that the significant
deficiency rose to the level of a material weakness.
Risks Related to Doing Business in Taiwan
Advanced Biomed Taiwan does not currently
own any trademark or patent.
No trademark or patent has
been registered by Advanced Biomed Taiwan so far in Taiwan. It also has no pending intellectual property right contracts, including license,
transfer or sublicense. Its primary business is research and development of various advanced and innovative microfluidic biochip technologies.
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Based on Article 7 of Taiwan’s
Patent Act, where a fund provider appoints another party to conduct research and development, the ownership of the right to apply for
a patent and the patent right in connection with the outcome of such research and development shall be vested in the party as mutually
agreed upon in an agreement between both parties, or such rights shall be vested in the inventor, utility model creator or designer in
the absence of such agreement. However, the fund provider shall be entitled to exploit such invention, utility model or design. Advanced
Biomed Taiwan signed a research project equipment use contract with TSRI and used their semiconductor manufacturing equipment and precision
micro-nano processing equipment for chip technology research and development such as concept presentation of each R&D process, cross-scale
composite structure production, rapid wafer trial production, material testing, and thin film production. Both parties agree to keep the
test data, process and materials confidential. Advanced Biomed Taiwan agrees that TSRI may quote the test data in its research paper with
the consent of Advanced Biomed Taiwan. The contract also provides that any intellectual property rights of one party should only be used
in the test by licensing to the other party and that any intellectual property rights derived from the test will belong to the developer.
Both parties will jointly own the intellectual property right if it cannot be clearly identified who the developer is. The ownership of
patent application rights and patent rights may be obscure in such practice and raise disputes on who the developers are. We cannot assure
you that the patents owned or applied by Advanced Biomed Taiwan will not be subject to disputes under Taiwan’s Patent Act.
We face economic and political risks associated
with doing business in Taiwan, particularly due to the geopolitical tension between Taiwan and China that could negatively affect our
business and hence the value of your investment.
Currently, we rely on Advanced
Biomed Taiwan for microfluidic biochip technology and its application in precision medicine in the field of oncology. Accordingly, our
business, financial condition and results of operations and the market price of our securities may be affected by changes in governmental
policies, taxation, growth rate, inflation rate or interest rates and by social instability and diplomatic and social developments in
or affecting Taiwan. In particular, the unique political status of Taiwan and its internal political movement cause sustained tension
between China and Taiwan. Past developments related to the interactions between China and Taiwan, especially in relation to trade activities
such as bans on exports of goods from time to time, have on occasions depressed the transactions and business operations of certain Taiwanese
companies and overall economic environment. We cannot predict whether there will be escalation of the tensions between China and Taiwan
which would lead to new bans or tariffs on exports or even conflict. Any conflict which threatens the military, political or economic
stability in Taiwan could have a material adverse effect on our current or future business and financial conditions and results of operations.
Advanced Biomed Taiwan is subject to restrictions
on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy its liquidity requirements.
As a company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada structured as a holding company, we may need dividends and other distributions on equity from our
Taiwan subsidiary to satisfy our liquidity requirements. Current Taiwan regulations permit our Taiwan subsidiary to pay dividends to its
shareholders only out of its accumulated profits, if any, which shall first make up previous losses and set aside at least 10% of its
accumulated profits each year. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our Taiwan subsidiary incurs debt
on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments
to us. Any limitation on the ability of our Taiwan subsidiary to distribute dividends or to make payments to us may restrict our ability
to satisfy our liquidity requirements. In addition, the dividend payments by our Taiwan subsidiary to us shall be subject to the withholding
tax of 21% since January 1, 2018.
Advanced Biomed Taiwan is subject to foreign
exchange control imposed by Taiwan authorities, which may affect the paying dividends, repatriating the interest or making other payments
to us.
Currently Taiwan regulates
only those foreign exchange transactions that involve the conversion of the New Taiwan Dollar into foreign currencies. Pursuant to the
relevant provisions of Taiwan Foreign Exchange Control Act, foreign exchange transactions of a value of NTD 500,000 or more shall be declared
to the Central Bank of Republic of China (Taiwan). Further, for a remittance by a company as follows, relevant testimonials shall be submitted
and such remittance shall be subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Taiwan: (i) a single remittance of an amount over USD1 million;
or (ii) annual accumulated settlement amount of foreign exchange purchased or sold has exceeded USD50 million. Nevertheless,
Taiwan government may impose further foreign exchange restrictions in certain emergency situations, where Taiwan government experiences
extreme difficulty in stabilizing the balance of payments or where there are substantial disturbances in the financial and capital markets
in Taiwan. If the dividend payments or other payments by our Taiwan subsidiary and branches to us involves the currency conversion from
New Taiwan Dollar to US Dollar, such conversion would be subject to the foregoing foreign exchange control imposed by Taiwan authority.
59
Taiwan laws and regulations of loans to
and direct investment in Taiwan entities by offshore holding companies may delay or prevent us from using the credits of the ELOC Agreement
or any future financing acitivies to make loans or additional contributions to Advanced Biomed Taiwan, which could materially and adversely
affect our ability to fund and expand our business.
We are an offshore holding
company conducting our R&D operations substantially in Taiwan through our Advanced Biomed Taiwan. We may make loans to Advanced Biomed
Taiwan, or we may make additional capital contributions to Advanced Biomed Taiwan, or we may establish new Taiwan subsidiaries and make
capital contributions to these new Taiwan subsidiaries, or we may acquire offshore entities with business operations in Taiwan in an offshore
transaction.
Most of these ways are subject
to Taiwan regulations and approvals or registration. For example, investment, including lending long-term loans, in Taiwan entities require
Foreign Investment Approval (as defined below) from the Taiwan Investment Commission. Furthermore, foreign entities are prohibited from
investing in some industries which are relating to national security and environmental protection, as specified in the negative list provided
by Taiwan authority.
Advanced Biomed Taiwan will collaborate
and share its R&D efforts with us and our Shanghai subsidiary and is subject to Taiwan regulations on investment or technical cooperation
in China. It may affect its technical cooperation with the Shanghai subsidiary and more seriously its acquisition by Advanced Biomed.
As the cross-strait relations
become more and more sensitive recently, Taiwan authorities incline to prohibit Taiwan technology companies from selling their subsidiaries
or assets to mainland Chinese investors to prevent leak of sensitive technologies, including semiconductors. Pursuant to the Taiwan Permission
Regulations for Investment or Technical Cooperation in the PRC and the Review Principles for Investments or Technical Cooperation in China
(“Permission Regulations”), an investment or technical cooperation made by a Taiwanese investor in China is subject to the
restrictions thereunder and requires the approval by the competent Taiwan authority, Taiwan Investment Commission. The restrictions under
the Permission Regulations include a negative list in which investment or technical cooperation is prohibited. Currently, Advanced Biomed
Taiwan’s technical cooperation with the Shanghai subsidiary is not on such negative list. However, we cannot preclude the possibility
that the negative list will be amended to restrict Advanced Biomed Taiwan’s cooperation with the Shanghai subsidiary.
Taiwanese investors holding more than 10%
of Advanced Biomed Common Stock will be subject to Taiwan regulations on investment or technical cooperation in China for its investment
or technical cooperation in China.
Under the Permission Regulations,
for an investment made by a Taiwanese individual or entity (“Taiwanese Investor”) in a “third region” company
which conducts the investments or technical cooperation in China defined therein and such Taiwanese Investor (i) acts as director,
supervisor, manager or equivalent position or (ii) has a shareholding or capital contribution of 10% or more in such third region
company, the investment in such a third region company would also be deemed a defined investment in China and therefore be subject to
the Permission Regulations.
Therefore, for our future
investment or technical cooperation in China, our Taiwanese shareholders holding 10% or more of our Common Stock will need to apply for
the foreign investment approval with the competent Taiwan authority, the Taiwan Investment Commission in accordance with the Permission
Regulations (the “Foreign Investment Approval”). There are restrictions on the investment or technical cooperation with China,
including, without limitation, the annual investment amount in China shall be capped at USD5 million per year for Taiwan individuals or
NTD 80 million or 60% of the higher of its stand-along net worth or consolidated net worth for a Taiwan small-medium enterprise. Your
indirect investment in the PRC via the Company under the Permission Regulations will be calculated on the portion of your shareholdings
in the Company. If your aggregate investments in the PRC exceed the annual ceiling amount, the Taiwan Investment Commission will reject
your application for the exceeding investment in the PRC. If the Taiwanese Investor fails to obtain applicable approvals from the Taiwan
Investment Commission in respect of its investment in China, an administrative fine ranging NTD 50 thousand to 25 million or imprisonment
may be imposed.
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The imposition of foreign exchange restrictions
in Taiwan may have an adverse effect on foreign investors’ abilities to acquire securities of a Taiwan company, including the shares
of our subsidiaries in Taiwan, or to repatriate the interest, dividends or sale proceeds from those securities.
The Taiwan government may
impose foreign exchange restrictions in certain emergency situations, including situations where there are sudden fluctuations in interest
rates or exchange rates, where the Taiwan government experiences extreme difficulty in stabilizing the balance of payments or where there
are substantial disturbances in the financial and capital markets in Taiwan. These restrictions may require foreign investors to obtain
the Taiwan government’s approval before acquiring securities of a Taiwan company, including the shares of our subsidiaries in Taiwan,
repatriating the interest or dividends from those securities or repatriating the proceeds from the sale of those securities.
Our operations are subject to the effects
of a rising rate of inflation.
Taiwan experienced historically
high levels of inflation in 2022 and 2023. Although the inflation rate peaked in June 2022 at 3.59%, there is no guarantee that the inflation
will not accelerate again. If the inflation rate continues to remain at a relatively high level or increases drastically, for example,
due to increases in the costs of labor and supplies, it will affect our expenses, such as employee compensation and research and development
charges. Additionally, Taiwan is experiencing an acute workforce shortage, which, in turn, has created a very competitive wage environment
that may increase our operating costs. To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other adverse effects on the market,
it may adversely affect our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
You may experience difficulties in effecting
service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in Taiwan against us.
As a company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada, it may be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on civil liability
provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us in Taiwan. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of Taiwan
would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities
laws of the U.S. or any state, if the following circumstances occurs:
●
Where the foreign court lacks jurisdiction pursuant to the Taiwan laws;
●
Where a default judgment is rendered against the losing defendant, except in the case where the notice or summons of the initiation of action had been legally served in a reasonable time in the foreign country or had been served through judicial assistance provided under the Taiwan laws;
●
Where the performance ordered by such judgment or its litigation procedure is contrary to Taiwan public policy or morals; or
●
Where there exists no mutual recognition between the foreign country and the Taiwan.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
A downturn in China or global economy, and
economic and political policies of the PRC could materially and adversely affect our business.
Due to the different regulatory
requirements for the marketing of medical device products and invitro diagnosis (“IVD”) products in different regions/countries,
it is necessary to complete the registration application and obtain the corresponding license in accordance with the local regulations
before engaging in commercial activities in the respective regions/countries (“localization registration”). Afterwards, marketing
and sales can be carried out. All the products and equipment we research and develop are designed following the principle of modularization
so that products and equipment can be produced locally to meet different regulatory requirements. The Chinese market has a great potential
and is our one of the main markets in the future. At present, we have applied for product registration in China in accordance with relevant
Chinese laws and regulations. Meanwhile, we have established subsidiaries in Mainland China and Hong Kong. Accordingly, our business,
prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by political, economic and social conditions in the PRC generally
and by continued economic growth in the PRC as a whole. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in
many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation
of resources. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically
and among various sectors of the economy, and we cannot assure you that such growth is sustainable. The Chinese government has implemented
various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese
economy but may have a negative effect on us. For example, the Chinese government may direct resources to industries other than the one
we operate in and potentially reduce the investors’ interest in our business.
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Economic conditions in China
are sensitive to global economic conditions. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may affect potential clients’
confidence in financial market as a whole and have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally,
continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.
Changes in the policies, regulations, rules,
and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be quick with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our
ability to operate profitably in the Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Since we have our subsidiaries
in Shanghai and Hong Kong, economic, political and legal developments in the PRC will affect our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects. Policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government can have significant effects
on economic conditions in the PRC and the ability of businesses to operate profitably. Our ability to operate profitably in the PRC may
be adversely affected by changes in policies by the PRC government, including changes in laws, regulations or their interpretation, particularly
those dealing with the Internet, including censorship and other restriction on material which can be transmitted over the Internet, security,
intellectual property, money laundering, taxation and other laws that affect our ability to operate business in China.
The Chinese government may intervene in
or influence our operations in the Mainland China or Hong Kong at any time or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas
and/or foreign investment in us, which could result in a material change in our operations and and/or the value of the securities we are
registering for sale.
The Chinese government has
significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene or influence our operations in the Mainland China
or Hong Kong as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. The Chinese government has recently
published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and Internet industries, and we cannot rule
out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding our industry that could require us to seek permission
from Chinese authorities to commence to operate our business, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations. Furthermore, recent statements made by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to increase the government’s
oversight and control over offerings of companies with significant operations in China that are to be conducted in foreign markets, as
well as foreign investment in PRC-based issuers. There is no guarantee that we will not be subject to such direct influence or intervention
in the future due to changes in laws or other unforeseeable reasons. There is always a risk that the Chinese government may, in the future,
seek to affect operations of any company with any level of operations in the Mainland China and Hong Kong. Any such action, once taken
by the Chinese government, could cause the value of our Common Stock to significantly decline or become worthless. In addition, if we
were to become subject to the direct intervention or influence of the PRC government at any time due to changes in laws or other unforeseeable
reasons, it may require a material change in our operations and/or result in increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly
adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply.
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If the Chinese government chooses to exert
more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, such action could
significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such
securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
We face risks arising from
China including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and that rules and regulations in China can change quickly with
little advance notice. The Chinese government may intervene or influence the operations of our subsidiaries in Shanghai and Hong Kong
at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could
result in a material change in the operations of our subsidiaries in Shanghai and Hong Kong and/or the value of our Common Stock.
The Chinese government has
exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state
ownership. Our ability to operate in China through our subsidiaries in Shanghai and Hong Kong may be harmed by changes in laws and regulations
in China, including those relating to securities regulation, data protection, cybersecurity and mergers and acquisitions and other matters.
The PRC central or local governments may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require
additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our and our subsidiaries’ compliance with such regulations or interpretations.
Government actions in the
future could significantly affect economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require our subsidiaries in Shanghai
and Hong Kong to materially change their operating activities or divest ourselves of any interests we hold in Chinese assets. Our subsidiaries
in Shanghai and Hong Kong may be subject to various government and regulatory interference. We may incur increased costs necessary to
comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Such subsidiaries’ operations
could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by changes to existing laws or implementation of future laws and regulations relating
to their business or industry.
As of the date of this Report,
we and our subsidiaries in the Mainland China and Hong Kong (1) are not required to obtain permissions from any PRC authorities to operate
or issue our Common Stock to foreign investors, (2) are not subject to permission requirements from the CSRC, CAC or any other entity
that is required to approve their operations in the Mainland China and Hong Kong, and (3) have not received or were denied such permissions
by any PRC authorities. Nevertheless, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office
of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,”
which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal
securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. The regulatory agencies
like CSRC or CAC may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the Mainland China or Hong Kong, limit our ability to pay dividends
outside of the Mainland China or Hong Kong, limit our operations in the Mainland China or Hong Kong, delay or restrict the repatriation
of the credits from the ELOC Agreement or any future financing activities into the Mainland China or Hong Kong or take other actions that
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading
price of our securities. The CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable
for us, to halt future offerings before settlement and delivery of our Common Stock. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or
other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur.
In addition, if the CSRC, the CAC or other regulatory PRC agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that we obtain their approvals
for future offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain
such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a material adverse effect
on the trading price of our securities.
Any actions by the Chinese
government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers
could significantly limit or complete hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities and cause the value of such securities
to significantly decline or be worthless.
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If the Chinese government were to exert
more oversight and control over or impose new requirements for approval from the PRC authorities to issue our Common Stock to foreign
investors or list on a foreign exchange, such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to
offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Recent statements by the Chinese
government have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments
in PRC based issuers. PRC has recently promulgated new rules that require companies collecting or holding large amounts of data to undergo
a cybersecurity review prior to listing in foreign countries, a move that will significantly tighten oversight over PRC-based internet
giants. The Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 version) was promulgated on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15,
2022. These measures specify that any “online platform operators” controlling the personal information of more than one million
users which seek to list on a foreign stock exchange are subject to prior cybersecurity review.
On September 24, 2024, the
State Council promulgated the Regulation on Network Data Security Management (the “Network Data Regulation”), which became
effective as of January 1, 2025. The Network Data Regulation restates and further specifies the legal requirements for personal information,
important data, cross-border data transfer, network platform services, and data security. Among others, if the network data processing
activities have or may have impacts on national security, such activities shall be subject to national security review in accordance with
relevant laws and regulations. Any failure to comply with such requirements may subject us to, among others, suspension of services, fines,
revoking relevant business permits or business licenses and penalties.
The PRC Data Security Law,
which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (the “SCNPC”) on June 10, 2021 and
took effect on September 1, 2021, requires data collection to be conducted in a legitimate and proper manner, and stipulates that, for
the purpose of data protection, data processing activities must be conducted based on data classification and hierarchical protection
system for data security.
On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC
promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Personal Information Protection Law,
which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection and took effect on November 1,
2021.
Our business does not involve the collection of user data, implicate
cybersecurity, or involve any other type of foreign investment restricted industry. As of the date of this Report, we have not received
any notice from any authorities identifying the operating entities as CIIOs or requiring us to go through cybersecurity review or network
data security review by the CAC. Uncertainties still exist, however, due to the possibility that laws, regulations, or policies in the
PRC could change rapidly in the future. Any future action by the PRC government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose
foreign securities offerings are subject to review by the CAC could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue
to offer securities to investors and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released Trial Administrative Measures
of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies with five interpretive guidelines (the “Trial Measures”),
which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, a PRC domestic company that seeks to offer and list securities
in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect overseas offering, shall fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant
information to the CSRC. Direct overseas offering and listing by domestic companies refers to such overseas offering and listing by a
joint-stock company incorporated domestically. Any overseas offering and listing made by an issuer that meets both the following conditions
will be determined as indirect offering and listing in overseas market and, therefore, be subject to filing requirement: (i) 50% or more
of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial
statements for the most recent accounting year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (ii) the main parts of the issuer’s business
activities are conducted in the Mainland China, or its main places of business are located in the Mainland China, or the senior managers
in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in the Mainland China. The determination as
to whether or not an overseas offering and listing by domestic companies is indirect, shall be made on substance over form basis. As of
the date of this Report, we believe we do not meet the explicit conditions set out in the Trial Measures to determine whether an overseas
offering shall be deemed as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company and thus we believe we are not required to
complete the filing with the CSRC.
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However, as the Trial Measures
was newly published and the determination as to whether or not an overseas offering and listing by domestic companies is indirect, shall
be made on a substance over form basis, there are substantial uncertainties as to the implementation and interpretation, and the CSRC
may take a view that is contrary to our understanding of the Trial Measures. If we are required by the CSRC to submit and complete the
filing procedures of future offering and listing, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filings in a timely manner,
or even at all. Any failure by us to comply with such filing requirements under the Trial Measures may result in rectification, warnings,
and a fine between RMB1 million and RMB10 million on our Shanghai subsidiary, which could adversely and materially affect our business
operations and financial outlook, and significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our Common Stock
to investors and could cause the value of our Common Stock to significantly decline or such shares to become worthless.
On February 24, 2023, the
CSRC, together with other PRC government authorities, released the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration
Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Confidentiality and Archives Administration
Provisions”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Confidentiality and Archives Administration Provisions require, among
others, that PRC domestic enterprises seeking to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either directly or indirectly, shall establish
the confidentiality and archives system, and shall complete approval and filing procedures with competent authorities, if such PRC domestic
enterprises or their overseas listing entities provide or publicly disclose documents or materials involving state secrets and work secrets
of PRC government agencies to relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory agencies and other entities
and individuals. It further stipulates that providing or publicly disclosing documents and materials which may adversely affect national
security or public interests, and accounting files or copies of important preservation value to the state and society shall be subject
to corresponding procedures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. As of the date of this Report, our Shanghai subsidiary has
established the confidentiality and archives system and we are not subject to the approval to the competent authorities since we do not
possess any documents or materials involving state secrets and work secrets of PRC government agencies.
As of the date of this Report, we believe we and our subsidiaries in
the Mainland China and Hong Kong, (1) are not required to obtain permissions from any PRC authorities to operate or issue our Common Stock
to foreign investors, (2) are not subject to permission requirements from the CSRC, CAC or any other entity that is required to approve
of our PRC Subsidiaries’ operations, and (3) have not received or were denied such permissions by any PRC authorities.
We have been closely monitoring
regulatory developments in PRC regarding any necessary approvals from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities required for overseas
listings. As of the date of this Report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to our offering
of securities from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities. However, there remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment,
interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities.
Given the current PRC regulatory environment, it is uncertain when and whether we or our subsidiaries in Shanghai and Hong Kong will be
required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained,
whether it will be denied or rescinded. Such significant uncertainty could materially and adversely impact our business and financial
outlook and may impact our ability to accept foreign investments, or continue to list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange.
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Uncertainties in the interpretation and
enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and the Company.
Our operations are subject
to various PRC laws and regulations generally applicable to companies in the PRC because we have subsidiaries in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which legal cases have limited value as
precedents. In the late 1970s, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic
matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly increased the protections afforded
to various forms of foreign or private-sector investment in the PRC.
However, the PRC has not developed
a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities
in the PRC. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the
PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all)
that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after
the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual
property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in the PRC could materially and adversely
affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operation in the PRC.
In addition, if certain PRC
laws and regulations were to become applicable to us in the future, the application of such laws and regulations may have a material adverse
impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, any of which may cause the value of our securities to significantly
decline or become worthless. In addition, the laws and regulations in the PRC are evolving, and their enactment timetable, interpretation
and implementation involve significant uncertainties. To the extent any PRC laws and regulations become applicable to our business, it
may be subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with the legal system in the PRC, including with respect to the enforcement of
laws and the possibility of changes of rules and regulations with little or no advance notice.
You may experience difficulties in effecting
service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in PRC against us.
As a company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada, it may be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on civil liability
provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us in the PRC. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the
PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the
securities laws of the U.S. or any state.
The recognition and enforcement
of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance
with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between PRC and the country where the judgment is made
or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. PRC does not have any treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United
States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures
Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates
the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security, or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what
basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.
Non-compliance with the PRC Labor Contract
Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and our results of operations.
We have been subject to stricter
regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including
pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and childbearing insurance to designated
government agencies for the benefit of our employees.
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Pursuant to the PRC Labor
Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law, which was released on January 1, 2008, was amended on December 28, 2012 and became
effective on July 1, 2013 employees have the right, among others, to enter into written labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration,
determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate
some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit
our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of
operations. In addition, according to the PRC Social Insurance Law, which was released on July 1, 2011, amended on December 29,
2018 and became effective on the same day, and the Administrative Regulations on the Housing Provident Funds, which was released on April
3, 1999, amended on March 24, 2019 and became effective on the same day, companies operating in the PRC are required to participate in
pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance and housing provident
fund plans, and the employers must pay all or a portion of the social insurance premiums and housing provident funds for their employees. We
believe our current practice complies with the Labor Contract Law and its amendments. However, the relevant governmental authorities may
take a different view and impose fines on us.
As the interpretation and
implementation of these laws and regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not at all times be deemed in compliance
with the new laws and regulations. If we incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations, our businesses
and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Changes in the PRC’s economic, political
or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our businesses and operations in Mainland China and
Hong Kong.
The PRC’s economy differs
from the economies of the PRC’s counterpart countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, level of
development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the PRC government has implemented measures
since the late 1970s emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive
assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, which are generally viewed as a positive development
for foreign business investment, a substantial portion of productive assets in the PRC is still owned by the PRC government. In addition,
the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government
also exercises significant control over the PRC’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payments of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the PRC’s economy
has experienced significant growth over the past decades, such growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of
the economy, and the rate of growth has been slowing down. In addition, in the past, the PRC government has implemented certain measures
to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity, which in turn could lead to a low demand
for our products and services.
Our Shanghai subsidiary is subject to restrictions
on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements in the future.
In the future, we may need
dividends and other distributions on equity from our Shanghai subsidiary to satisfy our liquidity requirements. Current PRC regulations
permit our Shanghai subsidiary to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined
in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, such companies are required to set aside at least 10% of its
accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of its registered capital.
Our Shanghai subsidiary may also, at the respective subsidiary’s discretion, allocates a portion of its after-tax profits based
on its articles of association and PRC accounting standards to certain reserve funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Furthermore, if our Shanghai subsidiary incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict
their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our Shanghai subsidiary to distribute dividends
or to make payments to us may restrict our ability to satisfy our future liquidity requirements.
In addition, the Enterprise
Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by
PRC companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between
the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated.
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If we are deemed by the PRC
tax authorities as a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our non-PRC resident stockholders may be regarded
as China-sourced income and as a result, may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. Pursuant to the Arrangement between
Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the
Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be reduced to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than
25% of a PRC entity. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including,
without limitation, that (a) the Hong Kong entity must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong entity
must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC entity during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends.
In practice, a Hong Kong entity must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC
withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot be
certain that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential
withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to any dividends to be paid by our Shanghai subsidiary to
our Hong Kong subsidiary, Advanced Biomed HK. Moreover, Advanced Biomed HK may be subject to additional restrictions and government regulations
if the Chinese government were to impose new laws and regulations or exert more control over Hong Kong’s business activities. Our
Shanghai subsidiary currently does not have any plan to declare and pay dividends, and we have not applied for the tax resident certificate
from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority.
We can give no assurance that
we will declare dividends of any amounts, at any rate or at all in the future. The declaration of future dividends, if any, will be at
the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements, general financial
conditions, legal and contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment
in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may delay or prevent us from making loans
to or making additional capital contributions to our Shanghai subsidiary.
Any funds we transfer to the
Shanghai subsidiary, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration
with relevant governmental authorities in China. According to the relevant PRC regulations on foreign invested enterprises in China, capital
contributions to our Shanghai subsidiary are subject to the registration with the State Administration for Market Regulation or its local
counterpart and registration with a local bank authorized by the SAFE. In addition, (i) any foreign loan procured by our Shanghai subsidiary
is required to be registered with the SAFE or its local branches and (ii) any of our Shanghai subsidiary may not procure loans which exceed
the difference between its total investment amount and registered capital or, as an alternative, only procure loans subject to the calculation
approach and limitation as provided by the People’s Bank of China. Additionally, any medium or long-term loans to be provided by
us to the Shanghai subsidiary must be registered with the National Development and Reform Commission and SAFE or its local branches. We
may not be able to obtain these government approvals or complete such registrations in a timely manner, or at all, with respect to future
capital contributions or loans by us to our Shanghai subsidiary. Moreover, Advanced Biomed HK may be subject to additional restrictions
and government regulations if the Chinese government were to impose new laws and regulations or exert more control over Hong Kong’s
business activities. If we fail to receive such approvals or complete such registration or filing, our ability to use the proceeds of
future offerings to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability
to fund and expand our business.
SAFE promulgated the Notice
of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested
Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015 and was amended on December 30, 2019, in replacement of the Circular
on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital
of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening
the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the
Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital
converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not
be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of bank loans that have been
transferred to a third party. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital
of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted
from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond
its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether the SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual
practice. The SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange
Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules
set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered
capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to grant loans to non-associated
enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular
16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency it holds, including the net proceeds from the offering to
our Shanghai subsidiary, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC. On
October 23, 2019, SAFE issued the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Facilitating Cross-border Trade and
Investment, or “SAFE Circular 28,” which, among other things, expanded the use of foreign exchange capital to domestic equity
investment area. Non-investment foreign-funded enterprises are allowed to lawfully make domestic equity investments by using their capital
if (i) such investments do not violate the current Negative List and (ii) the domestic investment projects are authentic and are in compliance
with relevant regulations. However, since SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry
it out in practice.
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In light of the various requirements
imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that
we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if
at all, with respect to future loans or future capital contributions by us to our Shanghai subsidiary. If we fail to complete such registrations
or obtain such approvals, our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially
and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment
activities by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our Shanghai subsidiary to liability or penalties, limit
our ability to inject capital into our Shanghai subsidiary, limit our Shanghai subsidiary’s ability to increase its registered capital
or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated
the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and
Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign
Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or
SAFE Circular 75, which ceased to be effective upon the promulgation of SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including
PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities) to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore
investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future.
Under SAFE Circular 37, PRC
residents who make, or have prior to the implementation of SAFE Circular 37 made, direct or indirect investments in offshore special purpose
vehicles, or SPVs, will be required to register such investments with SAFE or its local branches. In addition, any PRC resident who is
a direct or indirect shareholder of an SPV is required to update its filed registration with the local branch of SAFE with respect to
that SPV, to reflect any material change. Moreover, any subsidiary of such SPV in China is required to urge the PRC resident stockholders
to update their registration with the local branch of SAFE. If any PRC shareholder of such SPV fails to make the required registration
or to update the previously filed registration, the subsidiary of such SPV in China may be prohibited from distributing its profits or
the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, and the SPV may also be prohibited from making additional
capital contributions into its subsidiary in China. On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving
Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. Under SAFE Notice
13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including
those required under SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the
applications and accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.
69
As of the date of this Report,
none of our stockholders are subject to the SAFE Circular 37. We may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents holding
direct or indirect interest in our company, however, and we have no control over any of our future beneficial owners. Thus, we cannot
provide any assurance that our current or future PRC resident beneficial owners will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable
registrations or continuously comply with all registration procedures set forth in these SAFE regulations. Such failure or inability of
our PRC residents beneficial owners to comply with these SAFE regulations may subject us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to fines
and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our Shanghai subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends
to or obtain foreign-exchange-dominated loans from us, or prevent us from being able to make distributions or pay dividends, as a result
of which our business operations and our ability to distribute profits to you could be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, Advanced
Biomed HK may be subject to additional restrictions and government regulations if the Chinese government were to impose new laws and regulations
or exert more control over Hong Kong’s business activities.
The Chinese government may exert more control
over Hong Kong business or impose new laws or regulations on business activities in Hong Kong.
Although Advanced Biomed HK
is a holding company with no operations and is in compliance with current Mainland China and Hong Kong laws and regulations, it may be
subject to similar risks faced by our Shanghai subsidiary in the future if the Chinese government were to exert more control over Hong
Kong business or impose new laws or regulations on business activities in Hong Kong, which often comes with little advance notice. In
that case, we cannot guarantee you that we can timely comply with any new laws and regulations, which could materially affect our operations
and significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of
such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Recent joint statement by the SEC and the
PCAOB, rule changes by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to
be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not
inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our continued listing or future offerings of our securities in the
U.S.
On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman
Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks
associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China. The joint statement
emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers in China and higher risks
of fraud in emerging markets.
On May 18, 2020, Nasdaq filed
three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in “Restrictive Market”,
(ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or board of director for Restrictive Market companies, and (iii)
apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.
On May 20, 2020, the U.S.
Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a
foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection.
If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited
to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act. On December 18, 2020, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was signed into law.
On March 24, 2021, the SEC
announced the adoption of interim final amendments to implement the submission and disclosure requirements of the Holding Foreign Companies
Accountable Act. In the announcement, the SEC clarifies that before any issuer will have to comply with the interim final amendments,
the SEC must implement a process for identifying covered issuers. The announcement also states that the SEC staff is actively assessing
how best to implement the other requirements of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, including the identification process and
the trading prohibition requirements.
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On June 22, 2021, the U.S.
Senate passed the AHFCAA, which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the number of consecutive
non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act from three years to
two. On December 29, 2022, a legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations
Act”), was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision
to HFCAA, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three
years to two.
On September 22, 2021, the
PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use
when determining, as contemplated under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, whether the board of directors of a company is
unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position
taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.
On December 2, 2021, the SEC
issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered
public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because
of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. The final amendments are effective on January 10, 2022. The SEC will begin
to identify and list Commission-Identified Issuers on its website shortly after registrants begin filing their annual reports for 2021.
On December 16, 2021, PCAOB
announced the PCAOB Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act determinations (the “PCAOB determinations”) relating to the
PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in China of the PRC or Hong
Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in the PRC or
Hong Kong.
On August 26, 2022, PCAOB
signed a Statement of Protocol with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China governing inspections
and investigations of audit firms based in Mainland China and Hong Kong.
On December 15, 2022, the
PCAOB announced in the 2022 Determination its determination that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate
accounting firms headquartered in Mainland China and Hong Kong, and the PCAOB Board voted to vacate previous determinations to the contrary.
Should the PCAOB again encounter
impediments to inspections and investigations in Mainland China or Hong Kong as a result of positions taken by any authority in either
jurisdiction, including by the CSRC or the MOF, the PCAOB will make determinations under the HFCAA as and when appropriate. The inability
of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in PRC makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firm’s
audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of PRC that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which
could cause investors and potential investors in our Common Stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information
and the quality of our financial statements.
Our auditor WWC, P.C., the
independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this Report, as an auditor of companies
that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to
which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards Our auditor, WWC, P.C.
is headquartered in San Mateo, California and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis, with the last inspection conducted in
December 2021. It is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021 or the Statement of Protocol with the
China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China on August 26, 2022. However,
if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm in the future, our Common Stock may be delisted from or prohibited from trading
on a national securities exchange.
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The recent developments would
add uncertainties to our offering and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent
criteria to us since we are an emerging growth company and substantially all of our operations are conducted in China. The Holding Foreign
Companies Accountable Act, which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect an issuer’s public accounting firm within three
years, may result in the delisting of our Company or prohibition of trading in our Common Stock in the future if the PCAOB is unable to
inspect our accounting firm at such future time. Further, the AHFCAA which was later signed into law in the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, reduces the period for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits to two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the
time period for triggering the prohibition on trading, and this ultimately could result in our Common Stock being delisted by an exchange.
The M&A Rules and certain PRC regulations
may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.
Among other things, the Regulations
on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies
in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions, established additional procedures
and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. Such regulation
requires, among other things, that the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or the MOFCOM, be notified in advance of any change-of-control
transaction in which a foreign investor acquires control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations,
if certain thresholds under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, issued by the State
Council in 2008, are triggered. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
which became effective in 2008 requires that transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover
thresholds must be cleared by the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of State Administration for Market Regulation, or the Anti-Monopoly Bureau, before
they can be completed. Therefore, our acquisitions of other entities that we make in the future (whether by ourselves or our subsidiaries)
and that meets the thresholds for clearance, may be required to be report to and approved by the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency
in the PRC, and we may be subject to penalty including but not limited to a fine of no more than RMB500,000 if we fail to comply with
such requirement. In addition, PRC national security review rules which became effective in September 2011 require acquisitions by foreign
investors of PRC companies engaged in military related or certain other industries that are crucial to national security be subject to
security review before consummation of any such acquisition. On December 19, 2020, the Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment
was jointly issued by National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”) and MOFCOM and took effect from January 18, 2021.
The Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment specified provisions concerning the security review mechanism on foreign investment,
including the types of investments subject to review, review scopes and procedures, among others. We may pursue potential strategic
acquisitions that are complementary to our business and operations in the future. Complying with the requirements of these regulations
to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval or clearance
from the MOFCOM or the Anti-Monopoly Bureau or its local counterparts or other relevant governmental authorities, may delay or inhibit
our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. Moreover,
Advanced Biomed HK may be subject to additional restrictions and government regulations if the Chinese government were to impose new laws
and regulations or exert more control over Hong Kong’s business activities.
Enhanced scrutiny over acquisition transactions
by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.
Pursuant to the Notice on
Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 698,
issued by the PRC’s State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) on December 10, 2009, where a foreign investor transfers
the equity interests of a resident enterprise indirectly via disposition of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, or an
“indirect transfer,” and such overseas holding company is located in a tax jurisdiction that (i) has an effective tax
rate less than 12.5% or (ii) does not tax foreign income of its residents, the foreign investor shall report the indirect transfer
to the competent PRC tax authority. The PRC tax authority will examine the true nature of the indirect transfer, and if the tax authority
considers that the foreign investor has adopted an “abusive arrangement” to avoid PRC tax, it may disregard the existence
of the overseas holding company and re-characterize the indirect transfer and as a result, gains derived from such indirect
transfer may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%.
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On February 3, 2015,
the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Several Issues Concerning the Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect
Property Transfer by Non-Resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7, to supersede existing provisions in relation to the “indirect
transfer” as set forth in SAT Circular 698, while the other provisions of SAT Circular 698 remain in force. Pursuant to SAT Bulletin
7, where a non-resident enterprise indirectly transfers properties such as equity in PRC resident enterprises without any justifiable
business purposes and aiming to avoid the payment of enterprise income tax, such indirect transfer must be reclassified as a direct transfer
of equity in PRC resident enterprise. To assess whether an indirect transfer of PRC taxable properties has reasonable commercial purposes,
all arrangements related to the indirect transfer must be considered comprehensively and factors set forth in SAT Bulletin 7 must be comprehensively
analyzed considering the actual circumstances. SAT Bulletin 7 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers
its equity interests in a resident enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the competent tax authority
has the power to make a reasonable adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.
On October 17, 2017,
the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Matters Concerning Withholding of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises
as Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which repealed the entire SAT Circular 698 and the provision in relation to the time limit for the withholding
agent to declare to the competent tax authority for payment of such tax of SAT Bulletin 7. Pursuant to SAT Bulletin 37, the income from
a property transfer, as stipulated in the second item under Article 19 of the Enterprise Income
Tax Law, shall include the
income derived from transferring such equity investment assets as stock equity. The balance of deducting the equity’s net value
from the total income from equity transfer shall be taxable income from equity transfer. Where a withholding agent enters into a business
contract, involving the income specified in the third paragraph of Article 3 in the Enterprise Income Tax Law, with a non-resident enterprise,
the tax-excluding income of the non-resident enterprise will be treated as the tax-including income, based
on which the tax payment will be calculated and remitted, if it is agreed in the contract that the withholding agent shall assume the
tax payable.
During the effective period
of SAT Circular 698 and by the application of SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37, some intermediary holding companies were looked through
by the PRC tax authorities, and consequently the non-PRC resident investors were deemed to have transferred the PRC Subsidiary
and PRC corporate taxes were assessed accordingly. It is possible that we or our non-PRC resident investors may at some point
be at risk of being taxed under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37 and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT
Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37 or to establish that we or our non-PRC resident investors should not be taxed under SAT Bulletin
7 and SAT Bulletin 37, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or such non-PRC resident
investors’ investment in the Company.
It may be difficult for overseas stockholders
and/or regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within the PRC.
Stockholder claims or regulatory
investigation that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in the PRC. For
example, in the PRC, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or
litigation initiated outside the PRC or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the authorities in the PRC may establish
a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision
and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence
of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which became effective
in March 2020, or Article 177, the securities regulatory authority of the State Council may collaborate with securities regulatory authorities
of other countries or regions in order to monitor and oversee cross border securities activities. Article 177 further provides that no
overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the
PRC, and that PRC entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities
to overseas agencies without prior consent of the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of
the State Council. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability
for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the PRC may further increase
difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.
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Regulation and censorship of information
disseminated over the Internet in the PRC may adversely affect our business, and we may be liable for content that is displayed on our
website.
The PRC has enacted laws and
regulations governing internet access and the distribution of products, services, news, information, audio-video programs and other content
through the Internet. In the past, the PRC government has prohibited the distribution of information through the Internet that it deems
to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If any of our Internet information is deemed by the PRC government to violate any content
restrictions, we would not be able to continue to display such content and could become subject to penalties, including confiscation of
income, fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, which could materially and adversely affect our PRC businesses,
financial condition and results of operations. We may also be subject to potential liability for any unlawful actions of our customers
or users of our website or for content we distribute that is deemed inappropriate. It may be difficult to determine the type of content
that may result in liability to us, and if we are found to be liable, we may be prevented from operating our website in the PRC.
Additional factors outside of our control
related to doing business in the Mainland China and Hong Kong could negatively affect our business.
Additional factors that could
negatively affect our business include a potential significant revaluation of the RMB, which may result in an increase in the cost of
operating in the PRC. Natural disasters or health pandemics impacting the PRC can also have a significant negative impact on our PRC businesses.
Further, the imposition of trade sanctions or other regulations against products imported by us from, exported by us into, or the loss
of “normal trade relations” status with the PRC could significantly increase our cost of products exported outside of or imported
into the PRC and harm our business.
Payment of dividends
is subject to restrictions under PRC laws.
Because
of a variety of rules applicable to our operations in the PRC and the regulations on foreign investments as well as the applicable tax
law, we may be subject to limitations on our ability to declare and pay dividends to our stockholders.
As a holding company, we may
rely on dividends and other distributions from our Shanghai subsidiary for cash requirements. If our Shanghai subsidiary incurs any debts,
the instruments governing such debts may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us. To the extent cash or assets in the business is
in the PRC or the Shanghai subsidiary, the cash or assets may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC
due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on our or Shanghai subsidiary’s ability by the PRC government
to transfer cash or assets.
Current PRC regulations permit
Chinese operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to foreign parent companies only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined
in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our subsidiary in China is required to set aside at least
10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital.
The Shanghai subsidiary is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although
the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. While the statutory reserves can be used,
among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies,
the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
Cash dividends, if any, on
our Common Stock will be paid in U.S. dollars. The PRC government also imposes restrictions on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies
and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. As such, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary
to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if the Shanghai subsidiary incurs
any debts, the existence of debts evidenced by the debt instruments may significantly limit its ability to pay dividends or make other
payments. If we are unable to receive earnings distributions from the operating subsidiary in China, we would be unable to pay dividends
on our shares.
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If we are deemed by the PRC
tax authorities as a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our non-PRC resident stockholders may be regarded
as China-sourced income and as a result, may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. Pursuant to the Arrangement between
Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the
Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be reduced to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than
25% of a PRC entity. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including,
without limitation, that (a) the Hong Kong entity must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong entity
must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC entity during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends.
In practice, a Hong Kong entity must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC
withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot be
certain that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential
withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to any dividends to be paid by our Shanghai subsidiary to
our Hong Kong subsidiary, Advanced Biomed HK. Moreover, Advanced Biomed HK may be subject to additional restrictions and government regulations
if the Chinese government were to impose new laws and regulations or exert more control over Hong Kong’s business activities. Our
Shanghai subsidiary currently does not have any plan to declare and pay dividends, and we have not applied for the tax resident certificate
from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority.
As of the date of this Report,
we have not paid, and do not anticipate paying in the foreseeable future, dividends or other distributions to our stockholders. Our Shanghai
subsidiary has never paid any dividends or distributions outside of China. We presently intend to retain all earnings to fund our operations
and business expansions.
We can give no assurance that
we will declare dividends of any amounts, at any rate or at all in the future. The declaration of future dividends, if any, will be at
the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements, general financial
conditions, legal and contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Risks Related to Nevada Corporate Laws
Nevada law and our charter documents provide our directors and
officers with broad protection from liability, which could reduce stockholder rights.
We are incorporated under
the laws of the State of Nevada. Nevada law provides directors and officers with broader discretion in the discharge of their duties,
and greater protection from liability, than directors and officers of corporations incorporated in many other states. Except in cases
of intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law, Nevada law generally provides that directors and officers are not personally
liable to the corporation or its stockholders. As a result, stockholders may have more limited rights to challenge actions of our directors
and officers, even when they believe those actions are not in their best interests. This limitation on liability could reduce the likelihood
of derivative litigation against our directors and officers and may discourage or prevent stockholders from bringing a lawsuit, even in
instances where they believe that directors or officers have acted improperly.
We indemnify our officers and directors
against liability to us and our security holders, and such indemnification could increase our operating costs.
Our articles of incorporation
and bylaws require us to indemnify our officers and directors against claims associated with carrying out the duties of their offices.
We are also required to advance the costs of certain legal defenses upon the indemnitee undertaking to repay such expenses to the extent
it is determined that such person was not entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act may be permitted to our officers, directors, or control persons, the SEC has advised that such indemnification
is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
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Provisions in our articles of incorporation,
our bylaws, and Nevada law might discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or changes in our management and, therefore,
depress the trading price of our Common Stock.
Provisions of our articles
of incorporation, our bylaws, and Nevada law may have the effect of deterring unsolicited takeovers or delaying or preventing a change
in control of our Company or changes in our management, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium
for their shares over then current market prices. In addition, these provisions may limit the ability of stockholders to approve transactions
that they may deem to be in their best interests. These provisions include:
● the ability of stockholders to call special meetings only upon request of
stockholders holding 80% of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting; and
● the “business combinations” and “control share acquisitions”
provisions of Nevada law (discussed below), to the extent applicable, could discourage attempts to acquire our stockholders’ stock
even on terms above the prevailing market price.
The existence of the forgoing
provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Common
Stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for
your Common Stock in an acquisition.
Nevada’s anti-takeover statutes could make it more difficult
for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders.
As a Nevada corporation, we are subject to provisions of the Nevada
Revised Statutes (“NRS”) that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying, or preventing a change of control that stockholders
may consider favorable. In particular, Nevada’s “business combination” statute (NRS 78.411–78.444) restricts certain
transactions between a Nevada corporation and an “interested stockholder” (generally a person who owns 10% or more of the
corporation’s voting shares) for up to two years after the person becomes an interested stockholder, unless certain conditions are
met. Nevada’s “control share” statute (NRS 78.378–78.3793) also limits the voting rights of a person acquiring
a “controlling interest” (generally 20% or more of a corporation’s voting shares), unless approved by the disinterested
stockholders. These statutes, and similar provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, may make it more difficult for a third
party to acquire control of us without the approval of our board of directors and may discourage potential takeover attempts that stockholders
might consider in their best interests.
Risks Related to our
Common Stock
Our Common Stock may not develop an active
trading market and the price and trading volume of our shares may fluctuate significantly.
Our Common Stock is currently
listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We cannot predict whether investor interest in us will lead to the development of an active and liquid
trading market. If an active trading market does not develop, holders of our shares of Common Stock may have difficulty selling our shares
that may now be owned or may be purchased later. Even if an active trading market develops for our shares, the market price of our shares
may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume of our shares may fluctuate and cause
significant price variations to occur.
We do not anticipate
paying cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
We
do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Presently, we intend to retain all our earnings, if any, to finance
development and expansion of our business. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a positive return on your investment in us will
be if the market price of our Common Stock appreciates.
Our Chairman Dr.
Yi Lu owns a substantial portion of our outstanding shares of Common Stock and could significantly influence the outcome of our corporate
matters.
Our
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yi Lu, beneficially owns 31.00% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock. As a result, Mr.
Lu is able to exercise significant influence over all matters that require us to obtain stockholder approval, including the election of
directors to our board and approval of significant corporate transactions that we may consider, such as a merger or sale of our company
or its assets. This concentration of ownership in our shares by Mr. Lu will limit other stockholders’ ability to influence corporate
matters and may have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring control over us.
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The price of our Common Stock may be volatile
or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and stockholders may not be able to resell their shares.
The market price of our stock
may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
●
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other operating results;
●
the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections;
●
actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
●
announcements by us or our competitors of significant products, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments;
●
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole;
●
lawsuits threatened or filed against us; and
●
other events or factors, including those resulting from health pandemics, war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events.
In addition, the stock markets
have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of securities of many
companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those
companies.
Risks Related to the ELOC Agreement
It is not possible
to predict the actual number of shares of our Common Stock, if any, we will sell under the ELOC Agreement, or the actual gross proceeds
resulting from those sales or the dilution to you from those sales. Further, we may not have access to the full amount available under
the ELOC Agreement.
Pursuant
to the ELOC Agreement, the Selling Stockholder will purchase from us, from time to time, up to 4,325,836 Common Stock (the “Resale
Shares”), which equal to 19.99% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of
the ELOC Agreement (the “Exchange Cap”), until such time as we obtain stockholder approval to issue in excess of 19.99% of
our Common Stock upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the ELOC Agreement; provided, however, that
such limitations will not apply if we obtain stockholder approval to issue additional shares of Common Stock. In no event shall the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to an advance under the ELOC Agreement cause the aggregate number
of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) by the Selling Stockholder and its affiliates as a result of previous issuances
and sales of Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement to exceed 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding Common
Stock (the “Ownership Limitation).
The
shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under the ELOC Agreement may be sold by us to the Selling Stockholder at our discretion
from time to time until the earliest to occur of (i) the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the ELOC Agreement or (ii) the
date on which the Selling Stockholder has purchased the total Commitment Amount pursuant to the ELOC Agreement.
77
The
ELOC Agreement provides that we may sell up to an aggregate of $25,000,000 of shares of our Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder, and
we have therefore agreed to register shares of Common Stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $25,000,000 for resale under one
or more registration statements, which includes the up to 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock registered offered by a registration statement.
We
generally have the right to control the timing and amount of any sales of our Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement
(the “Resale Offering”). Sales of our Common Stock, if any, to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement will depend
upon market conditions and other factors to be determined by us. We may ultimately decide to sell to the Selling Stockholder all, some
or none of the Common Stock that may be available for us to sell pursuant to the ELOC Agreement. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to sell all of the Commitment Amount or how much in proceeds we may obtain under the ELOC Agreement. If we cannot sell
securities under the ELOC Agreement, we may be required to utilize more costly and time-consuming means of accessing the capital markets,
which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and cash position.
Because
the purchase price per share of Common Stock to be paid by the Selling Stockholder for the Common Stock that we may elect to sell to under
the ELOC Agreement, if any, will fluctuate based on the market prices of our Common Stock at the time we make such election, it is not
possible for us to predict, as of the date of this Report and prior to any such sales, the number of shares of Common Stock that we will
sell to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement, the purchase price per share that the Selling Stockholder will pay for shares
of Common Stock purchased from us under the ELOC Agreement, or the aggregate gross proceeds that we will receive from those purchases
by the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement.
The
actual number of shares of our Common Stock issuable will vary depending on the then current market price of shares of our Common Stock
sold to the Selling Stockholder in the Resale Offering and the number of shares of our Common Stock we ultimately elect to sell to the
Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement. The Company shall not issue or sell any Common Stock pursuant to the ELOC Agreement, and
the Selling Stockholder shall not purchase or acquire any Common Stock under the ELOC Agreement, if such shares, when aggregated with
all other Common Stock issued pursuant to the ELOC Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, exceed the Exchange Cap. In no
event shall the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to an advance under the ELOC Agreement cause
Selling Stockholder to exceed the Ownership Limitation. Our inability to access a portion or the full amount available under the ELOC
Agreement, in the absence of any other financing sources, could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operation.
Investors who buy
shares of Common Stock from the Selling Stockholder at different times will likely pay different prices.
Pursuant
to the ELOC Agreement, we have discretion, to vary the timing, price and number of shares of Common Stock we sell to the Selling Stockholder.
If and when we elect to sell shares of Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to the ELOC Agreement, after the Selling Stockholder
has acquired such shares, the Selling Stockholder may resell all, some or none of such shares at any time or from time to time in its
sole discretion and at different prices. As a result, investors who purchase shares from the Selling Stockholder in the Resale Offering
at different times will likely pay different prices for those shares, and so may experience different levels of dilution and in some cases
substantial dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares
they purchase from the Selling Stockholder in the Resale Offering as a result of future sales made by us to the Selling Stockholder at
prices lower than the prices such investors paid for their shares in the Resale Offering. In addition, if we sell a substantial number
of shares to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement, or if investors expect that we will do so, the actual sales of shares or
the mere existence of our arrangements with the Selling Stockholder may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related
securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect such sales.
78
Future resales
and/or issuances of shares of Common Stock, or the perception that such sales may occur, may cause the market price of our shares to drop
significantly.
The
shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under the ELOC Agreement may be sold by us to the Selling Stockholder at our discretion
from time to time from the date of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-288907) until the earliest to
occur of (i) the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the ELOC Agreement, or (ii) the date on which the Selling Stockholder has
purchased the aggregate Commitment Amount.
The
purchase price for shares of our Common Stock that we may sell to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement will fluctuate based
on the trading price of shares of our Common Stock. Depending on market liquidity at the time, sales of shares of our Common Stock may
cause the trading price of shares of our Common Stock to decrease. We generally have the right to control the timing and amount of any
future sales of shares of our Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder. Additional sales of shares of our Common Stock, if any, to the
Selling Stockholder will depend upon market conditions and other factors to be determined by us. We may ultimately decide to sell to the
Selling Stockholder all, some or none of the additional shares of our Common Stock that may be available for us to sell pursuant to the
ELOC Agreement. If and when we do sell shares of our Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder, after the Selling Stockholder has acquired
shares of our Common Stock, the Selling Stockholder may resell all, some or none of such shares of our Common Stock at any time or from
time to time in its discretion and at different prices. Therefore, sales to the Selling Stockholder by us could result in substantial
dilution to the interests of other holders of shares of our Common Stock. In addition, if we sell a substantial number of shares of our
Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder under the ELOC Agreement, or if investors expect that we will do so, the shares held by the Selling
Stockholder will represent a significant portion of our public float and may result in substantial decreases to the price of our Common
Stock. The actual sales of shares of our Common Stock or the mere existence of our arrangement with the Selling Stockholder may also make
it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish
to effect such sales.
The
market price of shares of our Common Stock could drop significantly if the Selling Stockholder sells shares of Common Stock or is perceived
by the market as intending to sell them. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional funds through future
offerings of shares of our Common Stock or other securities.
We may use proceeds
from sales of our Common Stock made pursuant to the ELOC Agreement in ways with which you may not agree or in ways which may not yield
a significant return.
We
will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from sales of our Common Stock made by Helena pursuant to the ELOC Agreement, including
for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” of our S-1, and you will not have the opportunity,
as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability
of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use.
While we expect to use the net proceeds from the Resale Offering as set forth in “Use of Proceeds,” we are not obligated to
do so. The failure by us to apply these funds effectively could harm our business, and the net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes
that do not increase our operating results or enhance the value of our Common Stock.
You will experience
dilution if we issue additional equity securities in future financing transactions.
If
we issue additional shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, our stockholders,
including investors who purchase shares of Common Stock in the Resale Offering, may experience dilution, and any such issuances may result
in downward pressure on the price of our Common Stock. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities
in any future offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in the Resale Offering,
and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders.
79
Nasdaq may apply additional and more stringent
criteria for our continued listing because we had a small Initial Public Offering and insiders hold a large portion of our listed securities.
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5101 provides
Nasdaq with broad discretionary authority over the continued listing of securities in Nasdaq, and Nasdaq may use such discretion to apply
additional or more stringent criteria for the continued listing of particular securities, or suspend or delist particular securities based
on any event, condition, or circumstance that exists or occurs that makes continued listing of the securities on Nasdaq inadvisable or
unwarranted in the opinion of Nasdaq, even though the securities meet all enumerated criteria for initial or continued listing on Nasdaq.
In addition, Nasdaq has used its discretion to deny continued listing or to apply additional and more stringent criteria in the instances,
including but not limited to: (i) where the company engaged an auditor that has not been subject to an inspection by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), an auditor that PCAOB cannot inspect, or an auditor that has not demonstrated sufficient
resources, geographic reach, or experience to adequately perform the company’s audit; (ii) where the company planned a small public
offering, which would result in insiders holding a large portion of the company’s listed securities. Nasdaq was concerned that the
offering size was insufficient to establish the company’s initial valuation, and there would not be sufficient liquidity to support
a public market for the company; and (iii) where the company did not demonstrate sufficient nexus to the U.S. capital market, including
having no U.S. stockholders, operations, or members of the board of directors or management. Our offering will be relatively small, and
our company’s insiders will hold a large portion of the company’s listed securities. Nasdaq might apply the additional and
more stringent criteria for our continued listing, which might cause delay or even denial of our continued listing.
If we cannot continue to satisfy the listing
requirements and other rules of Nasdaq Capital Market, our securities may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of our
securities and your ability to sell them.
Although our securities are
listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
In order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be required to comply with certain rules of Nasdaq Capital Market,
including those regarding minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements. Even
if we initially meet the listing requirements and other applicable rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may not be able to continue
to satisfy these requirements and applicable rules. If we are unable to satisfy the Nasdaq Capital Market criteria for maintaining our
listing, our securities could be subject to delisting.
On July 18, 2025, we received
a written notice (the “Deficiency Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC notifying
us that, for the last 32 consecutive business days, the bid price for our Common Stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement
for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”).
The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of our Common Stock, which will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market
under the symbol “ADVB.” In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have been provided a compliance period of
180 calendar days, or until January 14, 2026 (the “Compliance Period”), to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.
If we do not regain compliance
by the end of the Compliance Period, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period, provided that we meet the
continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital
Market (except for the bid price requirement), and provides written notice to Nasdaq of our intent to cure the deficiency during the second
compliance period, including, if necessary, by effecting a reverse stock split.
We intend to monitor the closing
bid price of our Common Stock and will consider all available options to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement within
the compliance period. However, if we do not regain compliance by the end of the Compliance Period and any additional compliance period,
our Common Stock will be subject to delisting.
If the Nasdaq Capital Market
subsequently delists our securities from trading, we could face significant consequences, including:
●
limited availability for market quotations for our securities;
●
reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;
80
●
a determination that our Common Stock is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our Common Stock;
●
limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
●
a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The market price of our Common Stock may
be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the public
offering price.
Recently, there have been
instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines and strong stock price volatility with a number of recent initial
public offerings, especially among companies with relatively smaller public floats. If you purchase our Common Stock in the Resale Offering,
you may not be able to sell those shares at or above the Initial Public Offering price or the Resale Offering price. In particular, our
Common Stock may be subject to rapid and substantial price volatility, low volumes of trades and large spreads in bid and ask prices,
given that we will have relatively small public floats after the Resale Offering, and the Selling Stockholder is offering Resale Shares
through this Resale Offering. Such volatility, including any stock price run-ups, may be unrelated to our actual or expected operating
performance, financial condition or prospects.
We cannot assure you that
the market price following the Resale Offering will equal or exceed prices in privately negotiated transactions of our shares that have
occurred from time to time prior to the Resale Offering. The market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly in response
to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
●
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other operating results;
●
the sale of Resale Shares by the Selling Stockholder in the open market;
●
the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections;
●
actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
●
announcements by us or our competitors of significant services or features, technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures, or capital commitments;
●
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole;
●
lawsuits threatened or filed against us; and
●
other events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events.
●
In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. In the event that we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business.
81
Holders of our Common Stock
may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. Broad
market fluctuations and general economic and political conditions may also adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a
result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our Common Stock. Furthermore, the potential extreme
volatility may confuse the public investors of the value of our stock, distort the market perception of our stock price and our company’s
financial performance and public image, negatively affect the long-term liquidity of our Common Stock, regardless of our actual or expected
operating performance. If we encounter such volatility, including any rapid stock price increases and declines seemingly unrelated to
our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, it will likely make it difficult and confusing for
prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Common Stock and understand the value thereof.
The purchase price of our Common Stock in
the Resale Offering could be higher or lower than the IPO.
Our Common Stock was initially
offered in a primary underwritten offering in March 2025 (the “IPO”). Although our Common Stock was offered at a fixed price
in the IPO determined by the underwriters and us, we cannot guarantee that the Selling Stockholder will also offer their shares at the
same price. As a result, if you participate in the Resale Offering, you could pay more or less than the price in our IPO, depending on
the actual price of the Resale Shares at the time of the sale.
Shares eligible for future sale may adversely
affect the market price of our Common Stock, as the future sale of a substantial amount of outstanding Common Stock in the public marketplace
could reduce the price of our Common Stock.
The market price of our shares
could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts of our shares in the public market or the perception that these sales could
occur, including the sale of Resale Shares by the Selling Stockholder. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us
to raise funds through future offerings of our Common Stock. 21,640,000 shares of our Common Stock are outstanding immediately before
the Resale Offering. All of the shares sold in the Resale Offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration
under the Securities Act. Certain Common Stock are “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144, as they are subject to
lock-up in connection with our Initial Public Offering. These shares may be sold in the future without registration under the Securities
Act to the extent permitted by Rule 144 or other exemptions under the Securities Act.
We will not receive any proceeds
from the Resale Offering.
We will incur additional costs as a result
of becoming a public company, which could negatively impact our net income and liquidity.
We became a public company
in March 2025. As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private
company. In addition, Sarbanes-Oxley and rules and regulations implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market require significantly
heightened corporate governance practices for public companies. We expect that these rules and regulations will increase our legal, accounting
and financial compliance costs and will make many corporate activities more time-consuming and costly.
We do not expect to incur
materially greater costs as a result of becoming a public company than those incurred by similarly sized U.S. public companies. In the
event that we fail to comply with these rules and regulations, we could become the subject of a governmental enforcement action, investors
may lose confidence in us and the market price of our Common Stock could decline.
82
The obligation to disclose information publicly
may put us at a disadvantage to competitors that are private companies.
We are a publicly listed company
in the United States. As a publicly listed company, we will be required to file quarterly and annual reports with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In some cases, we will need to disclose material agreements or results of financial operations that we would not be required
to disclose if we were a private company. Our competitors may have access to this information, which would otherwise be confidential.
This may give them advantages in competing with our company. Similarly, as a U.S.-listed public company, we will be governed by U.S. laws
that our competitors, which are mostly private Chinese companies, are not required to follow. To the extent compliance with U.S. laws
increases our expenses or decreases our competitiveness against such companies, our public listing could affect our results of operations.
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
ITEM 1C. Cybersecurity
We recognize the importance
of identifying, assessing, and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats, as defined in Item 106(a) of Regulation S-K. Our risk
management program is designed to detect, evaluate, and mitigate cybersecurity risks, and is informed by applicable laws, regulations,
and industry best practices.
Our Chief Executive Officer
oversees our cybersecurity program and leads our incident response efforts. The incident response team is cross-functional, drawing members
from cybersecurity, IT support, mining operations, software engineering, compliance, legal, contractors, and partners.
When a potential incident
is detected, the cybersecurity team validates it before escalating to the incident response team for triage. Significant incidents are
escalated to executive management. Response actions such as allocating resources, setting priorities, creating action plans, and notifying
external parties are directed by the Chief Executive Officer in coordination with the cross-functional working group. We also consult
outside counsel on materiality assessments and disclosure decisions, with executive management making the final determinations.
In 2025, we did not identify
any cybersecurity threats that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect , our strategy, operations, or financial
condition. However, no program can eliminate all risks, and we cannot guarantee that undetected incidents have not occurred. See Part
I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report for further details.
83
ITEM 2. Properties
We currently lease three properties
for our Taiwan R&D center, which covers an area of 450 square meters. The lease of Haihuan Street expires on May 29, 2026; the
lease of 689-86 Xiaodong Street expires on July 14, 2027; and the lease of 689-85 Xiaodong Road expires on July 14, 2026. Pursuant to
an equipment use contract with the adjacent TSRI, Taiwan R&D center can use the TSRI’s various semiconductor manufacturing equipment
manufacturing and precision micro-nano processing equipment to carry out concept presentation and cross-scale composite structure of each
R&D process, chip technology research and development, rapid chip trial production, material testing, and thin film production. We
believe that we will be able to obtain adequate facilities, principally through leasing, to accommodate our future expansion.
Shanghai office is located
in Shanghai Bay Valley Science and Technology Park (“Bay Valley”), adjacent to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital and Fudan University
Life Research Institute. The leased area is 1267.98 square meters, and the lease term is from October 16, 2024 to October 15, 2025.
The geographic location of
our Taiwan R&D center provides access to supply of graduates from the local Chenggong University for R&D personnel. Its vicinity
to Taiwan Semiconductor Research Center, Yongkang Industrial Zone, and Chengda Hospital enables us to form a good research and development
ecosystem for biomedical testing of our devices and chips. The location also enables us to integrate nearby resources of the semiconductor
micro-manufacturing related facilities, precision processing industry community, hospital biological treatment and preservation facilities
and other resources required for our research and development process.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
We may from time to time be
subject to legal and administrative proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We are not aware of any pending
or threatened material legal or administrative proceedings against us. We do not believe that any claims exist where the outcome of such
matters would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows. However, there can
be no assurance such legal proceedings will not have a material impact on future results.
ITEM 4. Mine and Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.
84
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder
Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our Common Stock trades on
the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “ADVB.”
Holders of Record
As of June 30, 2025, we had
approximately 11 holders of record of our Common Stock, including CEDE & CO. The number of beneficial owners may be substantially
greater than the number of stockholders of record because our Common Stock may be held in “street name” by brokers, banks,
and other financial institutions.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or
paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our shares in the foreseeable future.
It is presently intended that we will retain our earnings for future operations and expansion.
Within the organization, investor
cash inflows have all been received by Advanced Biomed Inc., the parent Nevada entity. Cash to fund our operations is transferred from:
(i) the Nevada parent to its operating companies through capital contributions; and (ii) operating companies to other operating companies
through capital contributions.
As a holding company, Advanced
Biomed Inc. may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its subsidiaries for its cash and financing requirements.
If any of our subsidiaries incur debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict their ability
to pay dividends to us. As of the date of this Report, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries have ever paid dividends or made distributions.
We had a net loss in fiscal
years 2025 and 2024 does not expect to distribute earnings in the near future. Going forward, Advanced Biomed intends to continue to invest
profit generated from its business operations to invest in new markets or business lines.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
85
ITEM 6. Reserved
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion
and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements
and related notes included elsewhere in this Report. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this Report contain forward-looking
statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and
the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several
factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report. You should carefully read the “Risk
Factors” section of this Report to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from our forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a holding company incorporated
in the State of Nevada. We operate through Advanced Biomed Taiwan and Advanced Biomed HK. Advanced Biomed Taiwan is responsible for the
main operation and the design and development of the company’s primary technologies and products. Since our establishment in 2014,
we have been focusing on the integration of multiple interdisciplinary technologies and established our own microfluidic technology platform.
Utilizing the physical and molecular biological characteristics of tumor cells, we have developed various advanced and original research
through the joint application of semiconductor technology and biotechnology. This includes complex precision structures, dielectric detection,
functional microfluidic biochips, microfluidic integrated semiconductor sensors, related application modules, and key components of medical
testing equipment. We have also developed a series of medical testing equipment and related products by integrating various functions
of microfluidic modules, automation software, and hardware. Our technologies and products can be used for early screening and detection,
diagnosis and staging, and treatment of cancer through the detection of circulating tumor cells and related tumor markers in blood samples,
capture of single circulating tumor cells, and single-cell sorting and determination. These products provide assistance in treatment selection
and patient prognosis intervention once the required licenses and approvals have been obtained. Advanced Biotech HK is our first localized
operation company, mainly responsible for market operation and management in China, localized production, product registration, and future
local market sales of our products in accordance with relevant local regulations in China. Our Shanghai subsidiary owns some of our R&D
equipment and patents and will be responsible for operations related to clinical trials in Mainland China through CROs. In the future,
we plan to also establish operation centers in countries and regions in North America and Europe.
Our devices, A + Pre,
AC-1000, A + CellScan, and A + SCDrop, and three corresponding microfluidic biochips, A + Pre Chip and AC-1000
CTC Enrichment Chip and A + CellScan Chip, are designed to provide rapid and affordable assay products and services to cancer
patients. Among them, A + Pre is mainly used to reduce the viscosity of blood samples, and AC-1000 is used to complete the separation
and enrichment of circulating tumor cells (“CTCs”) and tumor-related targeted cells in blood samples. The A + CellScan
is mainly used for fluorescent labeling and automatic scanning judgment of targeted cells while A + SCDrop preserves the original
viability of single cells.
A+PerfusC™ system,
our latest development, is a compact, all in one perfusion-based 3D cell culture incubator engineered to replicate human physiological
conditions to form 3D tumor spheroids/organoids in vitro. The system supports up to 12 days of continuous, hands-free culture, reducing
the risk of human error and contamination. By maintaining uniform nutrient delivery and preventing waste accumulation, the platform promotes
tumor spheroid and organoid formation, enhancing cell viability, growth, and drug response predictability.
Additionally, we have finished
the research and development stage for four matching immunostaining kits, A + CTCE, A + CTCM, A + EMT and A + CM,
and submitted registration applications in China. The immunostaining kit use antibodies combined with fluorescent groups of different
colors to bind to specific proteins on the cell surface or inside the cells. The presence and intensity of fluorescent signals can be
observed through a separate fluorescent imaging system, and th
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.