Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to Our Business
If we are unable to keep up with rapid technological
changes, our products may become obsolete.
The market for our products is
characterized by significant and rapid change. Although we will continue to expand our product line capabilities in order to remain competitive,
research and discoveries by others may make our processes, products or brands less attractive or even obsolete.
Competition could adversely affect our business.
Our industry in general is competitive.
It is possible that future competitors could enter our market, thereby causing us to lose market share and revenues. In addition, some
of our current or future competitors may have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do or
may have more experience or advantages in the markets in which we will compete that will allow them to offer lower prices or higher quality
products. If we do not successfully compete with these competitors, we could fail to develop market share and our future business prospects
could be adversely affected.
If we are unable to develop and maintain our
brand and reputation for our product offerings, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
Our business and prospects depend,
in part, on developing and then maintaining and strengthening our brand and reputation in the markets we serve. If problems with our
products cause our customers to have a negative experience or failure or delay in the delivery of our products to our customers, our
brand and reputation could be diminished. If we fail to develop, promote and maintain our brand and reputation successfully, our business
and prospects could be materially harmed.
We are subject to government regulation, and
unfavorable changes could substantially harm our business and results of operations .
We are subject to general business
regulations and laws as well as regulations and laws specifically governing our industries in the U.S. and other countries in which we
operate. Uncertainty surrounding existing and future laws and regulations may impede our services and increase the cost of providing such
services. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, tariffs, user pricing, distribution, consumer protection and the characteristics
and quality of services.
Existing or probable governmental regulations
relating to CBD products may harm or prevent our ability to sell our product offering.
A majority of state governments
in the United States have legalized the growing, production, and use of CBD. However, cannabis remains illegal under federal law. In addition,
in July 2017, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency issued a statement that certain CBD extractions fall within the definition of
marijuana, and are therefore a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, as amended. Thus, the cannabis
industry, including companies which sell products containing CBD, faces very uncertain regulation by the federal government. While the
federal government has for several years chosen to not intervene in the cannabis business conducted legally within the states that have
legislated such activities, there is, nonetheless, potential that the federal government may at any time choose to begin enforcing its
laws against the manufacture, possession, or use of cannabis-based products such as CBD. Similarly, there is the possibility that the
federal government may enact legislation or rules that authorize the manufacturing, possession or use of those products under specific
guidelines. Local, state and federal cannabis laws and regulations are broad in scope and subject to evolving interpretations. In the
event the federal government was to tighten its regulation of the industry, we would likely suffer a material adverse effect on our business,
including substantial losses.
Laws and regulations affecting our industry
are evolving under the Farm Bill, FDA and other regulatory authorities and changes to any regulation may materially affect our CBD products
In conjunction with the enactment
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the “ Farm Bill ”), the FDA released a statement about the status of CBD
as a nutritional supplement, and the agency’s actions in the short term with regards to CBD will guide the industry. While our sun
care products are not nutritional supplements, the statement noted that the Farm Bill explicitly preserved the FDA’s authority to
regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Section 351 of
the Public Health Service Act. As a company whose sun care products contain infused CBD, we will strive to meet all FDA guidelines as
the regulations evolve. Any difficulties in compliance with future government regulation could increase our operating costs and adversely
impact our results of operations in future periods.
In addition, as a result of the
Farm Bill’s recent passage, we expect that there will be a constant evolution of laws and regulations affecting the CBD industry
which could affect our operations. Local, state and federal hemp laws and regulations may be broad in scope and subject to changing interpretations.
These changes may require us to incur substantial costs associated with legal and compliance fees and ultimately require us to alter our
business plan. Furthermore, violations of these laws, or alleged violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse
effect on our operations. In addition, we cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications,
and it is possible that regulations may be enacted in the future that will be directly applicable to our business.
We do not currently believe that
we are required to seek FDA approval for our sun care products, and as such we do not plan to seek FDA approval. If regulation evolves
such that we are required to seek approval, we will endeavor to do so. This may require us to incur substantial costs associated with
legal and compliance fees and adversely affect our results of operations.
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We depend heavily on key personnel, and turnover
of key senior management could harm our business.
Our future business and results
of operations depend in significant part upon the continued contributions of our senior management personnel. If we lose their services
or if they fail to perform in their current positions, or if we are not able to attract and retain skilled personnel as needed, our business
could suffer. Significant turnover in our senior management could significantly deplete our institutional knowledge held by our existing
senior management team. We depend on the skills and abilities of these key personnel in managing the product acquisition, marketing and
sales aspects of our business, any part of which could be harmed by turnover in the future. We may not have written employment agreements
with all of our senior management. We do not have any key person insurance.
Our products may not meet health and safety
standards or could become contaminated.
We do not have control over all
of the third parties involved in the manufacturing of our products and their compliance with government health and safety standards.
Even if our products meet these standards, they could otherwise become contaminated. A failure to meet these standards or contamination
could occur in our operations or those of our manufacturers, distributors or suppliers. This could result in expensive production interruptions,
recalls and liability claims. Moreover, negative publicity could be generated from false, unfounded or nominal liability claims or limited
recalls. Any of these failures or occurrences could negatively affect our business and financial performance.
The sale of our products involves product liability
and related risks that could expose us to significant insurance and loss expenses.
We face an inherent risk of exposure
to product liability claims if the use of our products results in, or is believed to have resulted in, illness or injury. Our products
contain combinations of ingredients, and there is little long-term experience with the effect of these combinations. In addition, interactions
of these products with other products, prescription medicines and over-the-counter treatments have not been fully explored or understood
and may have unintended consequences.
Any product liability claim may increase
our costs and adversely affect our revenue and operating income. Moreover, liability claims arising from a serious adverse event may increase
our costs through higher insurance premiums and deductibles and may make it more difficult to secure adequate insurance coverage
in the future. In addition, our product liability insurance may fail to cover future product liability claims, which, if adversely
determined, could subject us to substantial monetary damages.
The success of our business will depend upon
our ability to create and expand our brand awareness.
The sun care and CBD markets
we compete in, and the skin care market we intend to compete in, are highly competitive, with many well-known brands leading the industry.
Our ability to compete effectively and generate revenue will be based upon our ability to create and expand awareness of our products
distinct from those of our competitors. It is imperative that we are able to convey to consumers the benefits of our products. However,
advertising and packaging and labeling of such products will be limited by various regulations. Our success will be dependent upon
our ability to convey to consumers that our products are superior to those of our competitors.
We must develop and introduce new products to
succeed.
Our industry is subject to rapid
change. New products are constantly introduced to the market. Our ability to remain competitive depends in part on our ability to enhance
existing products, to develop and manufacture new products in a timely and cost-effective manner, to accurately predict market transitions,
and to effectively market our products. Our future financial results will depend to a great extent on the successful introduction of several
new products. We cannot be certain that we will be successful in selecting, developing, manufacturing and marketing new products or in
enhancing existing products.
The success of new product introductions
depends on various factors, including, without limitation, the following:
•
Successful sales and marketing efforts;
•
Timely delivery of new products;
•
Availability of raw materials;
•
Pricing of raw materials;
•
Regulatory allowance of the products; and
•
Customer acceptance of new products
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Possible yet unanticipated changes in federal
and state law could cause any of our current products, as well as products that we intend to launch, containing hemp-derived CBD
oil to be illegal, or could otherwise prohibit, limit or restrict any of our products containing CBD.
We recently launched and commenced
distribution of certain products containing hemp-derived CBD, and we currently intend to develop and launch additional products containing
hemp-derived CBD in the future. Until 2014, when 7 U.S. Code §5940 became federal law as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the
“ 2014 Farm Act ”), products containing oils derived from hemp, notwithstanding a minimal or non-existing THC content,
were classified as Schedule I illegal drugs. The 2014 Farm Act expired on September 30, 2018, and was thereafter replaced by the Farm
Bill, which amended various sections of the U.S. Code, thereby removing hemp, defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, from Schedule
1 status under the Controlled Substances Act, and legalizing the cultivation and sale of industrial-hemp at the federal level, subject
to compliance with certain federal requirements and state law, amongst other things. THC is the psychoactive component of plants in the
cannabis family generally identified as marihuana or marijuana. There is no assurance that the Farm Bill will not be repealed or amended
such that our products containing hemp-derived CBD would once again be deemed illegal under federal law.
The Farm Bill delegates the authority
to the states to regulate and limit the production of hemp and hemp-derived products within their territories. Although many states have
adopted laws and regulations that allow for the production and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products under certain circumstances, no
assurance can be given that such state laws may not be repealed or amended such that our intended products containing hemp-derived CBD
would once again be deemed illegal under the laws of one or more states now permitting such products, which in turn would render such
intended products illegal in those states under federal law even if the federal law is unchanged. In the event of either repeal of federal
or of state laws and regulations, or of amendments thereto that are adverse to our intended products, we may be restricted or limited
with respect to those products that we may sell or distribute, which could adversely impact our intended business plan with respect to
such intended products.
Additionally, the FDA has indicated
its view that certain types of products containing CBD may not be permissible under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA. The FDA’s
position is related to its approval of Epidiolex, a marijuana-derived prescription medicine to be available in the United States. The
active ingredient in Epidiolex is CBD. On December 20, 2018, after the passage of the Farm Bill, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb
issued a statement in which he reiterated the FDA’s position that, among other things, the FDA requires a cannabis product (hemp-derived or
otherwise) that is marketed with a claim of therapeutic benefit, or with any other disease claim, to be approved by the FDA for its intended
use before it may be introduced into interstate commerce and that the FDCA prohibits introducing into interstate commerce food products
containing added CBD, and marketing products containing CBD as a dietary supplement, regardless of whether the substances are hemp-derived.
Our CBD product offerings must comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and legal proceedings alleging violations
of such laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Sources of hemp-derived CBD depend upon
legality of cultivation, processing, marketing and sales of products derived from those plants under state law.
Hemp-derived CBD can only be legally
produced in states that have laws and regulations that allow for such production and that comply with the Farm Bill, apart from state
laws legalizing and regulating medical and recreational cannabis or marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law and regulations.
We purchase all of our hemp-derived CBD from licensed growers and processors in states where such production is legal. As described in
the risk factor, possible yet unanticipated changes in federal and state law could cause any of our current products, as well as products
that we intend to launch, containing hemp-derived CBD oil to be illegal, or could otherwise prohibit, limit or restrict any of our products
containing CBD in the event of repeal or amendment of laws and regulations which are now favorable to the cannabis/hemp industry in such
states, we would be required to locate new suppliers in states with laws and regulations that qualify under the Farm Bill. If we were
to be unsuccessful in arranging new sources of supply of our raw ingredients, or if our raw ingredients were to become legally unavailable,
our intended business plan with respect to such products could be adversely impacted.
Because our distributors may only sell and ship
our products containing hemp-derived CBD in states that have adopted laws and regulations qualifying under the Farm Bill, a
reduction in the number of states having such qualifying laws and regulations could limit, restrict or otherwise preclude the sale of
intended products containing hemp-derived CBD.
The interstate shipment of hemp-derived
CBD from one state to another is legal only where both states have laws and regulations that allow for the production and sale of
such products and that qualify under the Farm Bill. Therefore, the marketing and sale of our intended products containing hemp-derived
CBD is limited by such factors and is restricted to such states. Although we believe we may lawfully sell any of our finished products,
including those containing CBD, in a majority of states, a repeal or adverse amendment of laws and regulations that are now favorable
to the distribution, marketing and sale of finished products we intend to sell could significantly limit, restrict or prevent us from
generating revenue related to our products that contain hemp-derived CBD. Any such repeal or adverse amendment of now favorable laws and
regulations could have an adverse impact on our business plan with respect to such products.
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Due to recent expansion into the CBD industry,
we may have a difficult time obtaining the various insurances that are desired to operate our business, which may expose us to additional
risk and financial liability.
Insurance that is otherwise readily
available, such as general liability, and directors and officer’s insurance, may become more difficult for us to find, and more
expensive, due to our launch of products containing hemp-derived CBD. There are no guarantees that we will be able to find such insurances
in the future, or that the cost will be affordable to us. If we are forced to go without such insurances, it may prevent us from entering
into certain business sectors, may inhibit our growth, and may expose us to additional risk and financial liabilities.
Adverse publicity associated with our products
or ingredients, or those of similar companies, could adversely affect our sales and revenue.
Adverse publicity concerning any
actual or purported failure by us to comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding any aspect of our business could have an adverse
effect on the public perception of us. This, in turn, could negatively affect our ability to obtain financing, endorsers and attract distributors
or retailers for our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate sales and revenue.
Our distributors’ and customers’
perception of the safety and quality of our products or even similar products distributed by others can be significantly influenced by
national media attention, publicized scientific research or findings, product liability claims and other publicity concerning our products
or similar products distributed by others. Adverse publicity, whether or not accurate, that associates consumption of our products or
any similar products with illness or other adverse effects, will likely diminish the public’s perception of our products. Claims
that any products are ineffective, inappropriately labeled or have inaccurate instructions as to their use, could have a material adverse
effect on the market demand for our products, including reducing our sales and revenue.
We do not have and may never have any products on the market that
have been approved for the treatment of disease. Our business is highly dependent upon receiving approvals from various U.S. and international
governmental agencies and will be severely harmed if we are not granted approval to manufacture and sell our product candidates.
In order for us to commercialize
a product for the treatment of any disease, we must obtain regulatory approvals of such treatment for that indication. Satisfying regulatory
requirements is an expensive process that typically takes many years and involves compliance with requirements covering research and development,
testing, manufacturing, quality control, labeling, and promotion of drugs for human use. To obtain necessary regulatory approvals, we
must, among other requirements, complete clinical trials demonstrating that our products are safe and effective for a particular indication.
There can be no assurance that our products will prove to be safe and effective, that our clinical trials will demonstrate the necessary
safety and effectiveness of our product candidates, or that we will succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for any treatment we develop
even if such safety and effectiveness are demonstrated.
Any delays or difficulties we
encounter in our clinical trials may delay or preclude regulatory approval from the FDA or from international regulatory organizations.
Any delay or preclusion of regulatory approval would be expected to delay or preclude the commercialization of our products. Examples
of delays or difficulties that we may encounter in our clinical trials include without limitation the following:
•
Clinical trials may not yield sufficiently conclusive results for regulatory agencies to approve the use of our products;
•
Our products may fail to be more effective than current therapies, or to be effective at all;
•
We may discover that our products have adverse side effects, which could cause our products to be delayed or precluded from receiving regulatory approval or otherwise expose us to significant commercial and legal risks;
•
It may take longer than expected to determine whether or not a treatment is effective;
•
Patients involved in our clinical trials may suffer severe adverse side effects even up to death, whether as a result of treatment with our products, the withholding of such treatment, or other reasons (whether within or outside of our control);
•
We may fail to be able to enroll a sufficient number of patients in our clinical trials;
•
Patients enrolled in our clinical trials may not have the characteristics necessary to obtain regulatory approval for a particular indication or patient population;
•
We may be unable to produce sufficient quantities of product to complete the clinical trials;
•
Even if we are successful in our clinical trials, any required governmental approvals may still not be obtained or, if obtained, may not be maintained;
•
If approval for commercialization is granted, it is possible the authorized use will be more limited than is necessary for commercial success, or that approval may be conditioned on completion of further clinical trials or other activities, which will cause a substantial increase in costs and which we might not succeed in performing or completing; and
•
If granted, approval may be withdrawn or limited if problems with our products emerge or are suggested by the data arising from their use or if there is a change in law or regulation.
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Any success we may achieve at
a given stage of our clinical trials does not guarantee that we will achieve success at any subsequent stage, including without limitation
final FDA approval.
We may encounter delays or rejections
in the regulatory approval process because of additional government regulation resulting from future legislation or administrative action,
or from changes in the policies of the FDA or other regulatory bodies during the period of product development, clinical trials, or regulatory
review. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements may result in criminal prosecution, civil penalties, recall or seizure
of products, total or partial suspension of production, or an injunction preventing certain activity, as well as other regulatory action
against our product candidates or us. We have no experience in successfully obtaining regulatory approval for a product and thus may be
poorly equipped to gauge, and may prove unable to manage, risks relating to obtaining such approval.
Outside the U.S., our ability
to market a product is contingent upon receiving clearances from appropriate non-U.S. regulatory authorities. Non-U.S. regulatory approval
typically includes all of the risks associated with FDA clearance discussed above as well as geopolitical uncertainties and the additional
uncertainties and potential prejudices faced by U.S. pharmaceutical companies conducting business abroad. In certain cases, pricing restrictions
and practices can make achieving even limited profitability very difficult.
We have limited experience in completing regulatory
filings and any delays in regulatory filings could materially affect our financial condition.
We are currently initiating clinical
trials of our CaniDermRX product candidates. We have not, however, demonstrated the ability to obtain marketing approvals, manufacture
product candidates at a commercial scale, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for the successful commercialization of
a product. Consequently, we have no historical basis as a company by which one can evaluate or predict reliably our future success or
viability.
Additionally, while our team has
experience at prior companies with regulatory filings, we have limited experience with regulatory filings with agencies such as the FDA
or the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, and will rely on third-party expertise for this. Any delay in our regulatory filings for our
product candidates, and any adverse development or perceived adverse development with respect to the applicable regulatory authority’s
review of such filings, including, without limitation, the FDA’s issuance of a “refuse to file” letter or a request
for additional information, could materially affect our financial condition.
If serious adverse or undesirable side effects
are identified during the development of our product candidates, we may abandon or limit our development or commercialization of such
product candidates.
If our product candidates are
associated with undesirable side effects or have unexpected characteristics, we may need to abandon their development or limit development
to certain uses or subpopulations in which the undesirable side effects or other characteristics are less prevalent, less severe or more
acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective.
If we elect or are forced to suspend
or terminate any clinical trial with one of our product candidates, the commercial prospects of such product candidate will be harmed,
and our ability to generate revenue from such product candidate will be delayed or eliminated. Any of these occurrences may harm our business,
financial condition and prospects significantly.
With regard to our lead product
candidate, CaniDermRX, unforeseen side effects from CaniDermRX could arise either during clinical development or, if approved, after CaniDermRX
has been marketed. This could cause regulatory approvals for, or market acceptance of, CaniDermRX harder and costlier to obtain.
The results of our planned or
any future clinical trials may show that the side effects of CaniDermRX are unacceptable or intolerable, which could interrupt, delay
or halt clinical trials, and result in delay of, or failure to obtain, marketing approval from the FDA or EMA and other regulatory authorities,
or result in marketing approval from the FDA or EMA and other regulatory authorities with restrictive label warnings.
If CaniDermRX receives marketing
approval and we or others later identify undesirable or unacceptable side effects caused by the use of CaniDermRX:
•
regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of the product, which would force us to remove CaniDermRX from the market;
•
regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, specific warnings, a contraindication, or field alerts to physicians and pharmacies;
•
we may be required to change instructions regarding the way the product is administered, conduct additional clinical trials or change the labeling of the product;
•
we may be subject to limitations on how we may promote the product;
•
sales of the product may decrease significantly;
•
we may be subject to litigation or product liability claims; and
•
our reputation may suffer.
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Any of these events could prevent
us or our potential future collaborators from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of CaniDermRX and/or could substantially increase
commercialization costs and expenses, which in turn could delay or prevent us from generating significant revenues from the sale of CaniDermRX.
If we experience delays or difficulties in the
enrollment of subjects to our clinical trials, our receipt of necessary regulatory approvals could be delayed or prevented, which could
materially affect our financial condition.
Identifying, screening and enrolling
patients to participate in clinical trials of our product candidates is critical to our success, and we may not be able to identify, recruit,
enroll and dose a sufficient number of patients with the required or desired characteristics to complete our clinical trials in a timely
manner. The timing of our clinical trials depends on our ability to recruit patients to participate as well as to subsequently dose these
patients and complete required follow-up periods. In particular, because our planned clinical trials of CaniDermRX are focused on indications
with relatively small patient populations, our ability to enroll eligible patients may be limited or may result in slower enrollment than
we anticipate.
In addition, we may experience
enrollment delays related to increased or unforeseen regulatory, legal and logistical requirements at certain clinical trial sites. These
delays could be caused by reviews by regulatory authorities and contractual discussions with individual clinical trial sites. Any delays
in enrolling and/or dosing patients in our planned clinical trials could result in increased costs, delays in advancing our product candidates,
delays in testing the effectiveness of our product candidates or in termination of the clinical trials altogether.
Patient enrollment may be affected
if our competitors have ongoing clinical trials with products for the same indications as our product candidates, and patients who would
otherwise be eligible for our clinical trials instead enroll in our competitors’ clinical trials. Patient enrollment may also be
affected by other factors, including:
•
coordination with clinical research organizations to enroll and administer the clinical trials;
•
coordination and recruitment of collaborators and investigators at individual sites;
•
size of the patient population and process for identifying patients;
•
design of the clinical trial protocol;
•
eligibility and exclusion criteria;
•
perceived risks and benefits of the product candidates under study;
•
availability of competing commercially available therapies and other competing products’ clinical trials;
•
time of year in which the trials are initiated or conducted;
•
severity of the diseases under investigation;
•
ability to obtain and maintain subject consents;
•
ability to enroll and treat patients in a timely manner;
•
risk that enrolled subjects will drop out before completion of the trials;
•
proximity and availability of clinical trial sites for prospective patients;
•
ability to monitor subjects adequately during and after treatment; and
•
patient referral practices of physicians.
Our inability to enroll a sufficient
number of patients for clinical trials would result in significant delays and could require us to abandon one or more clinical trials
altogether. Enrollment delays in these clinical trials may result in increased development costs for our product candidates, which could
materially affect our financial condition.
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If we or our licensees, development collaborators,
or suppliers are unable to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities or at defined quality specifications, or are unable to obtain
regulatory approvals for the manufacturing facility, we may be unable to develop or meet demand for our products and lose time to market
and potential revenues.
Completion of our clinical trials
and commercialization of our product candidates require access to, or development of, facilities to manufacture a sufficient supply of
our product candidates. We intend to utilize third parties to manufacture CaniSun, CaniSkin and CaniDermRX.
In the future we may become unable,
for various reasons, to rely on our sources for the manufacture of our product candidates, either for clinical trials or, at some future
date, for commercial distribution. We may not be successful in identifying additional or replacement third-party manufacturers, or in
negotiating acceptable terms with any we do identify. We may face competition for access to these manufacturers’ facilities and
may be subject to manufacturing delays if the manufacturers give other clients higher priority than they give to us. Even if we are able
to identify an additional or replacement third-party manufacturer, the delays and costs associated with establishing and maintaining a
relationship with such manufacturer may have a material adverse effect on us.
Before we can begin to commercially
manufacture CaniDermRX or any other product candidate, we must obtain regulatory approval of the manufacturing facility and process. Manufacturing
of drugs for clinical and commercial purposes must comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices requirements, commonly known as “cGMP.”
The cGMP requirements govern quality control and documentation policies and procedures. Complying with cGMP and non-U.S. regulatory requirements
will require that we expend time, money, and effort in production, recordkeeping, and quality control to ensure that the product meets
applicable specifications and other requirements. We, or our contracted manufacturing facility, must also pass a pre-approval inspection
prior to FDA approval. Failure to pass a pre-approval inspection may significantly delay or prevent FDA approval of our products. If we
fail to comply with these requirements, we would be subject to possible regulatory action and may be limited in the jurisdictions in which
we are permitted to sell our products and will lose time to market and potential revenues.
It is uncertain whether product liability insurance will be adequate
to address product liability claims, or that insurance against such claims will be affordable or available on acceptable terms in the
future.
Clinical research involves the
testing of new drugs on human volunteers pursuant to a clinical trial protocol. Such testing involves a risk of liability for personal
injury to or death of patients due to, among other causes, adverse side effects, improper administration of the new drug, or improper
volunteer behavior. Claims may arise from patients, clinical trial volunteers, consumers, physicians, hospitals, companies, institutions,
researchers, or others using, selling, or buying our products, as well as from governmental bodies. In addition, product liability and
related risks are likely to increase over time, in particular upon the commercialization or marketing of any products by us or parties
with which we enter into development, marketing, or distribution collaborations. Although we are contracting for general liability insurance
in connection with our ongoing business, there can be no assurance that the amount and scope of such insurance coverage will be appropriate
and sufficient in the event any claims arise, that we will be able to secure additional coverage should we attempt to do so, or that our
insurers would not contest or refuse any attempt by us to collect on such insurance policies. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that
suitable product liability insurance (at the clinical stage and/or commercial stage) will continue to be available on terms acceptable
to us or at all, or that, if obtained, the insurance coverage will be appropriate and sufficient to cover any potential claims or liabilities.
If the market opportunities for our
current and potential future drug candidate s are
smaller than we believe they are, our ability to generate product revenues may be adversely affected and our business may suffer.
Our understanding of the number
of people who suffer from dermatitis or eczema, whom CaniDermRX may have the potential to treat, is based upon estimates. These estimates
may prove to be incorrect, and new studies may demonstrate or suggest a lower estimated incidence or prevalence of this condition. The
number of patients in the U.S. or elsewhere may turn out to be lower than expected, may not be otherwise amenable to CaniDermRX treatment,
or treatment-amenable patients may become increasingly difficult to identify and access, all of which would adversely affect our business
prospects and financial condition. In particular, the treatable population for CaniDermRX may further be reduced if our estimates of
addressable populations are erroneous or sub-populations of patients do not derive benefit from CaniDermRX.
If we are unable to establish relationships
with licensees or collaborators to carry out sales, marketing, and distribution functions or to create effective marketing, sales, and
distribution capabilities, we will be unable to market our products successfully.
Our business strategy may include
out-licensing product candidates to or collaborating with larger firms with experience in marketing and selling pharmaceutical products.
There can be no assurance that we will successfully be able to establish marketing, sales, or distribution relationships with any third-party,
that such relationships, if established, will be successful, or that we will be successful in gaining market acceptance for any products
we might develop. To the extent that we enter into any marketing, sales, or distribution arrangements with third parties, our product
revenues per unit sold are expected to be lower than if we marketed, sold, and distributed our products directly, and any revenues we
receive will depend upon the efforts of such third parties.
If we are unable to establish
such third-party marketing and sales relationships, or choose not to do so, we would have to establish in-house marketing and sales capabilities.
To market any products directly, we would have to establish a marketing, sales, and distribution force that has technical expertise and
could support a distribution capability. Competition in the biopharmaceutical industry for technically proficient marketing, sales, and
distribution personnel is intense and attracting and retaining such personnel may significantly increase our costs. There can be no assurance
that we will be able to establish internal marketing, sales, or distribution capabilities or that these capabilities will be sufficient
to meet our needs.
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Commercial success of our non-OTC product candidates
will depend on the acceptance of these products by physicians, payers, and patients.
Any non-OTC product candidate
that we may develop, such as our current CaniSkin and CaniSun product lines, may not gain market acceptance among physicians and patients.
Market acceptance of and demand for any non-OTC product that we may develop will depend on many factors, including without limitation:
•
Comparative superiority of the effectiveness and safety in the treatment of the disease indication compared to alternative treatments;
•
Less prevalence and severity of adverse side effects;
•
Potential advantages over alternative treatments;
•
Cost effectiveness;
•
Convenience and ease of administration;
•
Sufficient third-party coverage and/or reimbursement;
•
Strength of sales, marketing and distribution support; and
•
Our ability to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy.
If any non-OTC product candidate
developed by us receives regulatory approval but does not achieve an adequate level of market acceptance by physicians, payers, and patients,
we may generate insufficient, little, or no product revenue and may not become profitable. In addition, pandemics, including the novel
coronavirus, COVID-19, could decrease consumer spending and adversely affect demand for our products.
Our non-OTC products may not be accepted for
reimbursement or properly reimbursed by third-party payers.
The successful commercialization
of any non-OTC products we might develop will depend substantially on whether the costs of our non-OTC products and related treatments
are reimbursed at acceptable levels by government authorities, private healthcare insurers, and other third-party payers, such as health
maintenance organizations. Reimbursement rates may vary, depending upon the third-party payer, the type of insurance plan, and other similar
or dissimilar factors. If our non-OTC products do not achieve adequate reimbursement, then the number of physician prescriptions of our
products may not be sufficient to make our non-OTC products profitable.
Comparative effectiveness research
demonstrating benefits of a competitor’s non-OTC product could adversely affect the sales of our non-OTC product candidates. If
third-party payers do not consider our products to be cost-effective compared to other available therapies, they may not cover our products
as a benefit under their plans or, if they do, the level of payment may not be sufficient to allow us to sell our non-OTC products on
a profitable basis.
Adequate third-party reimbursement
may not be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment in the product
development of that non-OTC product. In addition, in the U.S. there is a growing emphasis on comparative effectiveness research, both
by private payers and by government agencies. To the extent other drugs or therapies are found to be more effective than our non-OTC products,
payers may elect to cover such therapies in lieu of our products or reimburse our non-OTC products at a lower rate.
The effects of economic and political pressure
to lower pharmaceutical prices are a major threat to the economic viability of new research-based pharmaceutical products, and any development
along these lines could materially and adversely affect our prospects.
Emphasis on managed care in the
U.S. has increased and we expect this will continue to increase the pressure on pharmaceutical pricing. Coverage policies and third-party
reimbursement rates may change at any time. Even if favorable coverage and reimbursement status is attained for one or more products for
which we receive regulatory approval, less favorable coverage policies and reimbursement rates may be implemented in the future.
Any development along these lines
could materially and adversely affect our prospects. We are unable to predict what legislative or regulatory changes relating to the healthcare
industry, including without limitation any changes affecting governmental and/or private or third-party coverage and reimbursement, may
be enacted in the future, or what effect such legislative or regulatory changes would have on our business.
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If we obtain FDA approval for any of our product
candidates, we will be subject to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws; these laws may impact, among other things, our proposed
sales, marketing and education programs. Fraud and abuse laws are expected to increase in breadth and in detail, which will likely increase
our operating costs and the complexity of our programs to insure compliance with such enhanced laws.
If we obtain FDA approval for
any of our product candidates and begin commercializing those products in the U.S., our operations may be directly, or indirectly through
our customers, distributors, or other business partners, subject to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including, without
limitation, anti-kickback statutes and false claims statutes which may increase our operating costs. These laws may impact, among other
things, our proposed sales, marketing and education programs.
If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the federal
and state fraud and abuse laws or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to criminal actions and significant
civil monetary penalties, which would adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
If our operations are found to
be in violation of any of the federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, anti-kickback statutes and false
claims statutes or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including criminal and significant
civil monetary penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, and the curtailment
or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
To the extent that any of our product candidates are ultimately sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws
and regulations, which may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and
abuse laws, and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or transfers of value to healthcare professionals.
We face business disruption and related risks resulting from the
recent pandemic of COVID-19, which could have, and has had, a material adverse effect on our business plan .
Our supply chain and the development of our product
candidates, including that of our subsidiaries, could be, and have been, disrupted and materially adversely affected by the recent outbreak
of COVID-19. As a result of measures imposed by the governments in affected regions, businesses and schools have been suspended due to
quarantines intended to contain this outbreak. We are still assessing our business plans and the impact COVID-19 may have on our supply
chain and ability to conduct our clinical trials, but there can be no assurance that this analysis will enable us to avoid part or all
of any impact from the spread of COVID-19 or its consequences, including downturns in business sentiment generally. The extent to which
the COVID-19 pandemic and global efforts to contain its spread will impact our operations will depend on future developments, which are
highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time, and include the duration, severity and scope of the pandemic and the actions taken
to contain or treat the COVID-19 pandemic. Our subsidiary SRM, was materially adversely affected by COVID-19 and its impact on the amusement
park industry. SRM’s sales to amusement parks materially decreased during 2020. SRM’s revenue for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2019 was $7,046,073 and were reduced to $ 2,958,199 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 which was primarily a result of the
closing of amusement and theme parks in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We may be unable to successfully integrate the
operations of SRM and may not achieve the benefits anticipated as a result of the SRM acquisition .
On November 30, 2020, we acquired
SRM. Achieving the anticipated benefits of the SRM acquisition will depend in part upon our ability to integrate SRM in an
efficient and effective manner. The integration of a company that has previously operated independently may result in significant
challenges, and we may be unable to accomplish the integration smoothly or successfully. The integration of
an acquired business may also require the dedication of significant management resources, which may temporarily distract management’s
attention from the day-to-day operations of the Company. In addition, the process of integrating operations may cause an interruption
of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one or more of our other subsidiaries’ businesses and the loss of key personnel from
us or the acquired businesses.
Natural disasters and other events beyond our
control could materially adversely affect us.
Natural disasters or other catastrophic
events may cause damage or disruption to our operations, international commerce and the global economy, and thus could have a strong negative
effect on us. Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters, fire, power shortages, pandemics and other events
beyond our control. Such events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver our services to our customers and could decrease
demand for our services. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The extent of the impact of COVID-19
on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, the
impact on our customers and employees, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. At this point, the overall extent to which
COVID-19 may impact our financial condition or results of operations is uncertain.
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We have a limited operating history upon which
investors can evaluate our future prospects.
We have a limited operating history
upon which an evaluation of its business plan or performance and prospects can be made. The business and prospects of the Company must
be considered in the light of the potential problems, delays, uncertainties and complications encountered in connection with a newly established
business and new industry. The risks include, but are not limited to, the possibility that we will not be able to develop functional and
scalable products and services, or that although functional and scalable, our products and services will not be economical to market;
that our competitors hold proprietary rights that preclude us from marketing such products; that our competitors market a superior or
equivalent product; that we are not able to upgrade and enhance our technologies and products to accommodate new features and expanded
service offerings; or the failure to receive necessary regulatory clearances for our products. To successfully introduce and market our
products at a profit, we must establish brand name recognition and competitive advantages for our products. There are no assurances that
we can successfully address these challenges. If it is unsuccessful, we and our business, financial condition and operating results could
be materially and adversely affected.
The current and future expense levels are based largely
on estimates of planned operations and future revenues rather than experience. It is difficult to accurately forecast future revenues
because our business is new and our market has not been developed. If our forecasts prove incorrect, the business, operating results
and financial condition of the Company may be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, we may be unable to adjust our spending in
a timely manner to compensate for any unanticipated reduction in revenues. As a result, any significant reduction in revenues may immediately
and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We may not meet our product development and
commercialization milestones.
We have established milestones,
based upon our expectations regarding our technologies at that time, which we use to assess our progress toward developing our products.
These milestones relate to technology and design improvements as well as dates for achieving development goals. If our products exhibit
technical defects or are unable to meet cost or performance goals, our commercialization schedule could be delayed and potential purchasers
of our initial commercial products may decline to purchase such products or may opt to pursue alternative products.
We may also experience shortages
equipment due to manufacturing difficulties. Multiple suppliers provide the components used in manufacturing our products. Our manufacturing
operations could be disrupted by fire, earthquake or other natural disaster, a labor-related disruption, failure in supply or other logistical
channels, electrical outages or other reasons. If there were a disruption to manufacturing facilities, we would be unable to manufacture
until we have restored and re-qualified our manufacturing capability or developed alternative manufacturing facilities.
Interruptions or delays in telecommunications
systems or in the data services provided to us by cellular communication providers or the loss of our wireless or data services could
impair the delivery of our products.
As we expand our commercial
activities, an increased burden is expected to be placed upon our data processing systems and the equipment upon which they rely. Interruptions
of our data networks, or the data networks of our wireless carrier, for any extended length of time, loss of stored data or other computer
problems could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. Such interruptions could result in liability, claims
and litigation against us for damages or injuries resulting from the disruption in service.
Our systems are also expected
to be vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunication failures, terrorist attacks,
computer viruses, break-ins, sabotage, and acts of vandalism. Despite any precautions that we may take, the occurrence of a natural disaster
or other unanticipated problems could result in lengthy interruptions in these services. We do not carry business interruption insurance
to protect against losses that may result from interruptions in service as a result of system failures. Moreover, the communications and
information technology industries are subject to rapid and significant changes, and our ability to operate and compete is dependent on
our ability to update and enhance the communication technologies used in our systems and services.
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Our operations in international markets
involve inherent risks that we may not be able to control.
Our business plan includes the
marketing and sale of our proposed products in international markets. Accordingly, our results could be materially and adversely affected
by a variety of uncontrollable and changing factors relating to international business operations, including:
•
Macroeconomic conditions adversely affecting geographies where we intend to do business;
•
Foreign currency exchange rates;
•
Political or social unrest or economic instability in a specific country or region;
•
Higher costs of doing business in foreign countries;
•
Infringement claims on foreign patents, copyrights or trademark rights;
•
Difficulties in staffing and managing operations across disparate geographic areas;
•
Difficulties associated with enforcing agreements and intellectual property rights through foreign legal systems;
•
Trade protection measures and other regulatory requirements, which affect our ability to import or export our products from or to various countries;
•
Adverse tax consequences;
•
Unexpected changes in legal and regulatory requirements;
•
Military conflict, terrorist activities, natural disasters and medical epidemics; and
•
Our ability to recruit and retain channel partners in foreign jurisdictions.
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Risks Related to our Financial Position and Capital
Needs
Our accountant has indicated doubt about
our ability to continue as a going concern.
As of December 31, 2020, the
Company had $4,262,168 in cash, accumulated deficit of $7,274,401 and cashflow used in operations of $2,732,736. The Company has incurred
and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its expansion and development plans. These conditions raise doubt about
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management has taken certain action and continues to implement changes designed
to improve the Company’s financial results and operating cash flows. The actions involve certain cost-saving initiatives
and growing strategies, including (a) engage in very limited activities without incurring any liabilities that must be satisfied in cash;
and (b) offer noncash consideration and seek for equity lines as a means of financing its operations. Additionally, the Company’s
plan includes certain scheduled research and development activities and related clinical trials which may be deferred as needed. If the
Company is unable to obtain revenue producing contracts or financing or if the revenue or financing it does obtain is insufficient to
cover any operating losses it may incur, it may substantially curtail its operations or seek other business opportunities through strategic
alliances, acquisitions or other arrangements that may dilute the interests of existing stockholders.
Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing
stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or other assets.
We may seek additional capital
through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings, strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, existing ownership interests
will be diluted and the terms of such financings may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of existing
stockholders. Debt financings may be coupled with an equity component, such as warrants to purchase shares, which could also result in
dilution of our existing stockholders’ ownership. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed payment obligations
and could also result in certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our
ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to
conduct our business and may result in liens being placed on our assets and intellectual property. If we were to default on such indebtedness,
we could lose such assets and intellectual property.
Our potential for rapid growth and our entry
into new markets make it difficult for us to evaluate our current and future business prospects, and we may be unable to effectively manage
any growth associated with these new markets, which may increase the risk of your investment and could harm our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flow.
Our proliferation into new markets
may place a significant strain on our resources and increase demands on our executive management, personnel and systems, and our operational,
administrative and financial resources may be inadequate. We may also not be able to effectively manage any expanded operations, or achieve
planned growth on a timely or profitable basis, particularly if the number of customers using our technology significantly increases or
their demands and needs change as our business expands. If we are unable to manage expanded operations effectively, we may experience
operating inefficiencies, the quality of our products and services could deteriorate, and our business and results of operations could
be materially adversely affected.
Changes in tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities
could adversely affect our effective income tax rate and ability to achieve profitability.
Our effective income tax rate
in the future could be adversely affected by a number of factors including changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing
statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We regularly assess all
of these matters to determine the adequacy of our tax provision which is subject to discretion. If our assessments are incorrect, it could
have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. There can be no assurance that income tax laws and administrative policies
with respect to the income tax consequences generally applicable to us or to our subsidiaries will not be changed in a manner which adversely
affects our shareholders.
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Risks Related to our Intellectual Property
We may incur substantial costs as a result of
litigation or other proceedings relating to patent and other intellectual property rights.
A third party may sue us or one
of our strategic collaborators for infringing its intellectual property rights. Likewise, we may need to resort to litigation to enforce
licensed rights or to determine the scope and validity of third-party intellectual property rights.
The cost to us of any litigation
or other proceeding relating to intellectual property rights, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial, and the litigation
would divert our efforts. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than
we can because they have substantially greater resources. If we do not prevail in this type of litigation, we or our strategic collaborators
may be required to pay monetary damages; stop commercial activities relating to the affected products or services; obtain a license in
order to continue manufacturing or marketing the affected products or services; or attempt to compete in the market with a substantially
similar product.
Uncertainties resulting from the
initiation and continuation of any litigation could limit our ability to continue some of our operations. In addition, a court may require
that we pay expenses or damages, and litigation could disrupt our commercial activities.
Any inability to protect our intellectual property
rights could reduce the value of our products and brands, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations
and business.
Our business is partly dependent
upon our trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Effective intellectual property rights protection,
however, may not be available under the laws of every country in which we and our sub-licensees may operate. There is a risk of certain
valuable trade secrets, beyond what is described publicly in patents, being exposed to potential infringers. Regardless of our technology
being protected by patents or otherwise, there is a risk that other companies may employ the technology without authorization and without
recompensing us.
The efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant
impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete. In addition, protecting our intellectual
property rights is costly and time consuming. There is a risk that we may have insufficient resources to counter adequately such infringements
through negotiation or the use of legal remedies. It may not be practicable or cost effective for us to fully protect our intellectual
property rights in some countries or jurisdictions. If we are unable to successfully identify and stop unauthorized use of our intellectual
property, we could lose potential revenue and experience increased operational and enforcement costs, which could adversely affect our
financial condition, results of operations and business.
The intellectual property behind our products
may include unpublished know-how as well as existing and pending intellectual property protection. All intellectual property protection
eventually expires, and unpublished know-how is dependent on key individuals.
The commercialization of our licensed
products is partially dependent upon know-how and trade secrets held by certain individuals working with and for us. Because the expertise
runs deep in these few individuals, if something were to happen to any or all of them, the ability to properly manufacture our products
without compromising quality and performance could be diminished greatly.
Knowledge published in the form of any future intellectual
property has finite protection, as all patents and trademarks have a limited life and an expiration date. While continuous efforts will
be made to apply for patents and trademarks if appropriate, there is no guarantee that additional patents or trademarks will be granted.
The expiration of patents and trademarks relating to our products may hinder our ability to sub-license or sell our products for a long
period of time without the development of a more complex licensing strategy.
If we are not able to adequately protect our
intellectual property, then we may not be able to compete effectively, and we may not be profitable.
Our existing proprietary rights
may not afford remedies and protections necessary to prevent infringement, reformulation, theft, misappropriation and other improper
use of our products by competitors. We own the formulations contained in our products and we consider these product formulations
to be our critical proprietary property, which must be protected from competitors. Although trade secret, trademark, copyright and patent
laws generally provide a certain level of protection, and we attempt to protect ourselves through contracts with manufacturers of our
products, we may not be successful in enforcing our rights. In addition, enforcement of our proprietary rights may require lengthy
and expensive litigation. We have attempted to protect some of the trade names and trademarks used for our products by registering them
with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, but we must rely on common law trademark rights to protect our unregistered trademarks. Common
law trademark rights do not provide the same remedies as are granted to federally registered trademarks, and the rights of a common law
trademark are limited to the geographic area in which the trademark is actually used. Our inability to protect our intellectual property
could have a material adverse impact on our ability to compete and could make it difficult for us to achieve a profit.
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Risks Related to Our Securities and Other Risks
We are an “emerging growth company”
and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less
attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth
company” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that
are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being
required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations
regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We cannot predict whether investors will find our common
stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be
a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
The requirements
of being a public company may strain our resources and distract our management, which could make it difficult to manage our business,
particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.”
We are required to comply with
various regulatory and reporting requirements, including those required by the SEC. Complying with these reporting and other regulatory
requirements is time-consuming and results in increased costs to us and could have a negative effect on our results of operations, financial
condition or business.
As a public company, we are subject
to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “ Exchange Act ”) and the requirements
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These requirements may place a strain on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires that we file
annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain
effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. To maintain and improve the effectiveness
of our disclosure controls and procedures, we will need to commit significant resources, hire additional staff and provide additional
management oversight. We will be implementing additional procedures and processes for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements
applicable to public companies. Sustaining our growth also will require us to commit additional management, operational and financial
resources to identify new professionals to join our firm and to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support
expansion. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations, financial condition or business.
As an “emerging growth company”
as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain temporary exemptions from various reporting requirements including,
but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We may also delay adoption
of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies,
as permitted by the JOBS Act.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net
proceeds from any offerings and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad
discretion in the application of the net proceeds from any offerings and may spend or invest these proceeds in a way with which our stockholders
disagree. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business and financial condition. Pending their
use, we may invest the net proceeds from any offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.
Our management has limited experience in managing
the day-to-day operations of a public company and, as a result, we may incur additional expenses associated with the management of our
Company.
We only became a public company
in October 2020. The management team is responsible for the operations and reporting of the Company. The requirements of operating as
a public company are many and sometimes difficult to navigate. This may require us to obtain outside assistance from legal, accounting,
investor relations, or other professionals that could be more costly than planned. If we lack cash resources to cover these costs of being
a public company in the future, our failure to comply with reporting requirements and other provisions of securities laws could negatively
affect our stock price and adversely affect our potential results of operations, cash flow and financial condition after we commence operations.
Compliance with changing corporate governance
regulations and public disclosures may result in additional risks and exposures.
Changing laws, regulations and
standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and new regulations from the
SEC, have created uncertainty for public companies such as ours. These laws, regulations, and standards are subject to varying interpretations
in many cases, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing
bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to
disclosure and governance practices. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations, and standards have resulted in,
and are likely to continue to result in, increased expense and significant management time and attention.
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Certain of our stockholders hold a significant
percentage of our outstanding voting securities, which could reduce the ability of minority stockholders to effect certain corporate actions.
Our officers and directors are
the beneficial owners of approximately 45% our outstanding voting securities. As a result, they possess significant influence over
our elections and votes. As a result, their ownership and control may have the effect of facilitating and expediting a future change in
control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination, or encouraging a potential acquirer to make a tender offer. Their
ownership and control may also have the effect of delaying, impeding, or preventing a future change in control, merger, consolidation,
takeover or other business combination, or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer.
If securities or industry analysts publish inaccurate
or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our common
stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Once our
common stock is quoted, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our common stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research
about our business, our common stock price would likely decline.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable
future.
We currently intend to retain
any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends on our
common stock in the foreseeable future.
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains
an exclusive forum provision for certain claims, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for
disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, New York shall be the
sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (b) any action asserting a claim
for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company to the Company or the Company’s
shareholders or (c) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said court having
personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. This provision may limit a shareholder's ability to
bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the company and its directors, officers, or other employees
and may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. This provision does not apply to actions arising under the Exchange Act or Securities
Act.
Our issuance of additional common stock or preferred
stock may cause our common stock price to decline, which may negatively impact your investment.
Issuances of a substantial number
of additional shares of our common or preferred stock, or the perception that such issuances could occur, may cause prevailing market
prices for our common stock to decline. In addition, our board of directors is authorized to issue additional series of shares of preferred
stock without any action on the part of our stockholders. Our board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to
set the terms of any such series of shares of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, conversion rights, dividend
rights, preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends or if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our business and other terms.
If we issue cumulative preferred stock in the future that has preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends
or upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of
our common stock, the market price of our common stock could decrease.
Anti-takeover provisions in the Company’s
charter and bylaws may prevent or frustrate attempts by stockholders to change the board of directors or current management and could
make a third-party acquisition of the Company difficult.
The Company’s certificate
of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control
that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares.
Furthermore, the Board of Directors has the ability to increase the size of the Board and fill newly created vacancies without stockholder
approval. These provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Company’s
common stock.
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Our common stock may become subject to the SEC’s
penny stock rules and accordingly, broker-dealers may experience difficulty in completing customer transactions and trading activity in
our securities may be adversely affected.
The SEC has adopted regulations,
which generally define “penny stock” to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject
to specific exemptions. The market price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share and therefore would be a “penny stock”
according to SEC rules, unless we are listed on a national securities exchange. Under these rules, broker-dealers who recommend such securities
to persons other than institutional accredited investors must:
•
Make a special written
suitability determination for the purchaser;
•
Receive the purchaser’s
prior written agreement to the transaction;
•
Provide the purchaser
with risk disclosure documents which identify certain risks associated with investing in “penny stocks” and which describe
the market for these “penny stocks” as well as a purchaser’s legal remedies; and
•
Obtain a signed and dated
acknowledgment from the purchaser demonstrating that the purchaser has actually received the required risk disclosure document before
a transaction in a “penny stock” can be completed.
Although our common stock is
not currently subject to these rules, it were to become subject to such rules, broker-dealers may find it difficult to effectuate
customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our securities
may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell your securities.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal executive office
is located in leased premises of approximately 1,250 square feet at 725 N. Hwy A1A, Suite C-106, Jupiter, FL 33477. We believe that these
facilities are adequate for our needs, including providing the space and infrastructure to accommodate our development work based on our
current operating plan. We do not own any real estate.
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.