Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion of our financial
condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in Part I “Financial
Information”, Item I “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”) and the
audited financial statements and related footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Report contains forward-looking statements
that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,”
“might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,”
“plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,”
“project,” “potential,” “target,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “continue”
and “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the
future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this Report, we caution you that
these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which
we cannot be certain. Forward-looking statements include statements about:
●
the timing of and our ability
to obtain and maintain regulatory clearance of our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology;
●
even if our cortical strip,
grid electrode and depth electrode technology is approved for commercial sale, our ability to successfully commercialize our technology
in the United States;
●
our ability to achieve
or sustain profitability;
●
our ability to raise additional
capital and to fund our operations;
●
the availability of additional
capital on acceptable terms or at all as or when needed;
●
the clinical utility of
our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode including technology under development;
●
our ability to develop
additional applications of our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology with the benefits we hope to offer as compared
to existing technology, or at all;
●
the results of our development
and distribution relationship with Zimmer, Inc. (“Zimmer”);
●
the performance, productivity,
reliability and regulatory compliance of our third party manufacturers of our cortical strip, grid electrode and depth electrode
technology;
●
our ability to develop
future generations of our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology;
●
our future development
priorities;
●
the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic and resulting macroeconomic conditions, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and inflationary pressures,
on our business;
●
our ability to obtain reimbursement
coverage for our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology;
●
our expectations about
the willingness of healthcare providers to recommend our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology to people with epilepsy,
Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremors, chronic pain due to failed back surgeries and other related neurological
disorders;
●
our future commercialization,
marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy;
●
our ability to comply with
applicable regulatory requirements;
●
our ability to maintain
our intellectual property position;
●
the outcome of legal proceedings
with PMT Corporation (“PMT”);
18
●
our expectations regarding
international opportunities for commercializing our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology under including technology
under development;
●
our estimates regarding
the size of, and future growth in, the market for our technology, including technology under development; and
●
our estimates regarding
our future expenses and needs for additional financing.
Forward-looking statements are based on management’s
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate, and management’s
beliefs and assumptions are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. You should refer to the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Report
will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In
light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation
or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all.
These forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date of this Report. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for
any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. You should, however, review the factors and risks and other information
we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) after the
date of this Report.
Overview
We are a medical technology
company focused on the development and commercialization of thin film electrode technology for cEEG and sEEG recording, spinal cord stimulation,
brain stimulation and ablation solutions for patients suffering from epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremors,
chronic pain due to failed back surgeries and other related neurological disorders. Additionally, we are investigating the potential
applications of our technology associated with artificial intelligence
We are developing our
cortical, sheet and depth electrode technology to provide solutions for diagnosis through cEEG recording and sEEG recording and treatment
through brain stimulation and ablation, all in one product. A cEEG is a continuous recording of the electrical activity of the brain
that identifies the location of irregular brain activity, which information is required for proper treatment. cEEG recording involves
an invasive surgical procedure, referred to as a craniotomy. sEEG involves a less invasive procedure whereby doctors place electrodes
in targeted brain areas by drilling small holes through the skull. Both methods of seizure diagnosis are used to identify areas of the
brain where epileptic seizures originate in order to precisely locate the seizure source for therapeutic treatment if possible.
Deep brain stimulation,
or DBS, therapies involve activating or inhibiting the brain with electricity that can be given directly by electrodes on the surface
or implanted deeper in the brain via depth electrodes. Introduced in 1987, this procedure involves implanting a power source referred
to as a neurostimulator, which sends electrical impulses through implanted depth electrodes, to specific targets in the brain for the
treatment of disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors, dystonia, and chronic pain. The effects of DBS as a potential
treatment for Alzheimer’s is also being evaluated by researchers. Unlike ablative technologies, the effects of DBS are reversible.
RF ablation is a procedure
that uses radiofrequency under the electrode contacts which is directed to the site of the brain tissue that is targeted for removal.
The process involves delivering energy to the contacts, thereby heating them and destroying the brain tissue. The ablation does not remove
the tissue. Rather, it is left in place and typically scar tissue forms in the place where the ablation occurs. This procedure is also
known as brain lesioning as it causes irreversible lesions.
We received 510(k)
FDA clearance for our Evo cortical technology in November 2019, and in September 2021 we received FDA clearance to market our Evo
sEEG electrode technology for temporary (less than 24 hours) use with recording, monitoring, and stimulation equipment for the
recording, monitoring, and stimulation of electrical signals at the subsurface level of the brain. Our submission to the FDA seeking
510(k) for use of our Evo sEEG electrode technology for up to 30 days was made in November 2021 and is pending. We submitted
responses on February 9, 2022 to questions from the FDA regarding our submission and the FDA acknowledged receipt of our response on
February 10, 2022. The Company commenced commercial sales of cEEG strip/grid and electrode cable assembly products beginning in the
first quarter of fiscal year 2021. The Company sold, on a limited application basis for design verification, sEEG depth electrode
products for non-human use in late fiscal year 2021 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Our other products are still under
development.
Prior to FDA approval
or clearance of certain of our products, our primary activities were limited to, and our limited resources were dedicated to, performing
business and financial planning, raising capital, recruiting personnel, negotiating with business partners and the licensors of our intellectual
property and conducting research and development activities.
We have incurred losses
since inception. As of December 31, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of $43.6 million, primarily as a result of expenses incurred
in connection with our research and development, selling, general and administrative expenses associated with our operations and interest
expense, fair value adjustments and loss on extinguishments related to our debt, offset in part by collaborations and product revenues.
Prior to FDA approval
of certain of our products, our main source of cash was proceeds from the issuances of notes, common stock, warrants and unsecured loans.
See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Resources” below. While we have begun to generate revenue
from the sale of products based on our cEEG and sEEG technology and through milestone payments from our current collaboration with Zimmer, we
expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating and net losses for the foreseeable future until and unless
we generate a higher level of revenue from commercial sales, and we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection
with our continuing operations through public or private equity or debt financings, through collaborations or partnerships with other
companies or other sources.
19
We may be unable to
raise additional funds when needed on favorable terms or at all. Our failure to raise such capital as and when needed would have a negative
impact on our financial condition and our ability to develop and commercialize our cortical strip, grid electrode and depth electrode
technology and future products and our ability to pursue our business strategy. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity
Outlook” below
Recent Developments and Upcoming Milestones
Corporate Updates
In November 2021, we
submitted a clearance request to the FDA for less than 30-day use of our Evo® sEEG Electrode, which has already been 510(k) cleared
for temporary (less than 24 hours) use, and our request is pending. We expect to be commercial ready pending that approval. Product shipment
following FDA clearance of our SEEG product family may also qualify the Company for an additional milestone payment from our distribution
partner Zimmer Biomet, who has placed initial stocking orders.
We completed feasibility
bench top testing with a new design of our diagnostic and ablation depth electrode in the first calendar quarter of 2021, and signed
a contract with RBC Medical Innovations to develop and manufacture hardware (a radio frequency generator) for the system in the third
calendar quarter of 2021. We are targeting the third calendar quarter of 2022 for completion of a prototype of hardware and the submission
of an application for FDA clearance in early calendar 2023. We also completed an animal feasibility study at Emory University in September
2021 and additional animal studies are planned. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal quarter, we also announced that we have surpassed
five years of accelerated aging testing for our recording electrodes.
COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization
declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. COVID-19 and its variants continue to impact the United States and the world.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has experienced delays and disruptions in our pre-clinical and clinical trials, as
well as interruptions in our manufacturing, supply chain, and research and development operations. For example:
● development of our technology has been and may continue to
be delayed in fiscal year 2021 and continuing into fiscal 2022 due to interruptions in global manufacturing and shipping as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic and macroeconomic conditions, including as one of our key manufacturing partners and one of the Company’s
suppliers had staffing issues leading to delays in the Company’s development builds and delays in shipping product;
● the Company’s own staff has been impacted by infections
and mandatory quarantines;
● the Company is currently experiencing and may continue to
experience product shortages of its primary component, polyimide film, due to supply chain shortages attributed to COVID related issues;
● the Company is experiencing and may continue to experience
delays in timelines for product availability and delivery from vendors, including related to staffing shortages, both generally and due
to employee illness, and due to increases in demand from other larger or more longstanding customers of our suppliers placing large orders
due to concerns with supply chain disruption and the impact of COVID-19.
The Company’s plans for further testing
or clinical trials and costs to obtain components may be further impacted by the continuing effects of COVID-19, supply chain challenges
and inflationary pressures.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to
rapidly evolve as new variants emerge. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our business and pre-clinical and clinical
trials will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the effect of
the pandemic on our suppliers and distributors and the global supply chain, the impact of inflation, the ultimate geographic spread of
the disease and its variants, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the U.S. and other countries,
business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the U.S. and other countries to contain and treat
the disease.
The COVID-19 pandemic may also impact our ability
to secure additional financing. Although the Company cannot estimate the length or gravity of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at
this time, if the pandemic continues, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of future operations, financial
position, and liquidity in fiscal year 2022 and beyond.
Financial Overview
Product Revenue
Our product revenue was derived from the sale
of strip/grid, depth electrode and electrode cable assembly products based on Evo cortical and sEEG technology. For the foreseeable future,
we anticipate that we will generate additional revenue from the sale of products based on Evo cortical and sEEG technology.
20
We have received FDA 510(k) clearance for our
cortical strip electrode, but we do not expect to generate any significant revenue from the sale of our other products until we develop
and obtain all required regulatory approvals or clearances for and commercialize depth electrode technology for human use. If we fail
to complete the development of the depth electrode technology, or any other product candidate we may pursue in the future, in a timely
manner, or fail to obtain regulatory approval, we may never be able to generate revenue from product sales sufficient to sustain operations.
Product Gross Profit (Loss)
Product gross profit (loss) represents our product
revenue less our cost of product revenue. Our cost of product revenue consists of the manufacturing and materials costs incurred by our
third-party contract manufacturer in connection with our strip/grid and depth electrode products and outside supplier materials costs
in connection with the electrode cable assembly products. In addition, cost of product revenue includes royalty fees incurred in connection
with our license agreements.
Collaborations Revenue
Collaborations revenue was derived from the upfront
initial exclusivity fee payment under the Zimmer Development Agreement. We anticipate that we may earn additional revenues stemming from
additional milestone and royalty payments from Zimmer, however, the achievement and timing of future milestones or level of sales required
to earn royalty payments from Zimmer is uncertain. For a discussion of milestones and royalty payments under the Zimmer Development Agreement,
see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity Outlook” below and see “Note 7 — Zimmer Development
Agreement” included in our condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements”
in this Report.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses
consist primarily of personnel-related costs including stock-based compensation for personnel in functions not directly associated with
research and development activities. Other significant costs include legal fees relating to corporate matters, intellectual property
costs, professional fees for consultants assisting with financial and administrative matters, and sales and marketing in connection with
the commercial sale of cEEG strip/grid, sEEG depth electrode and electrode cable assembly products. We anticipate that our selling, general
and administrative expenses will significantly increase in the future to support our continued research and development activities, further
commercialization of our cortical strip technology, potential further commercialization of our grid electrode and depth electrode technology,
if approved, and the increased costs of operating as a public company. These increases will include increased costs related to the hiring
of additional personnel and fees for legal and professional services, as well as other public-company related costs.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses consist of
expenses incurred in performing research and development activities in developing our cortical strip, grid electrode and depth electrode
technology. Research and development expenses include compensation and benefits for research and development employees including stock-based
compensation, overhead expenses, cost of laboratory supplies, clinical trial and related clinical manufacturing expenses, costs related
to regulatory operations, fees paid to consultants and other outside expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred
and costs incurred by third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed. Lastly, de minimis income from the sale of prototype
products and related materials are offset against research and development expenses.
We expect our research and development expenses
to significantly increase over the next several years as we develop our cortical strip, grid electrode and depth electrode technology
and conduct preclinical testing and clinical trials and will depend on the duration, costs and timing to complete our preclinical programs
and clinical trials.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists of interest costs related
to our convertible notes issued in 2019 (the “2019 Paulson Notes”) outstanding during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.
Net valuation change of instruments measured
at fair value
The net valuation change of instruments measured
at fair value include the change in fair value of the 2019 Paulson Notes outstanding during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.
Other Income
Other income primarily consists of interest income
related to our cash deposits and proceeds outside of normal operating activity relating to legal settlements.
21
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The following table sets forth the results of
operations for the three-months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
For
the three months ended
December 31,
(unaudited)
2021
2020
Period
to
Period
Change
Product revenue
$ 33,748
$ 71,474
$ (37,726 )
Cost of product revenue
46,844
109,131
(62,287 )
Product gross profit (loss)
(13,096 )
(37,657 )
24,561
Collaborations revenue
6,374
22,274
(15,900 )
Operating expenses:
Selling, general
and administrative
1,742,141
1,193,860
548,281
Research
and development
1,060,462
934,158
126,304
Total
operating expenses
2,802,603
2,128,018
674,585
Loss from operations
(2,809,325 )
(2,143,401 )
(665,924 )
Interest expense
—
(3,053 )
3,053
Net valuation change
of instruments measured at fair value
—
1,974
(1,974 )
Other
income
1,850
185,000
(183,150 )
Loss before income
taxes
(2,807,475 )
(1,959,480 )
(847,995 )
Provision
for income taxes
—
—
—
Net
loss
$ (2,807,475 )
$ (1,959,480 )
$ (847,995 )
Product Revenue and Product Gross Profit (Loss)
Product revenue was $34,000 and $71,000 during
the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Product gross profit (loss) was $(13,000) and $(38,000) during the three
months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The product revenue consists of the sale of our strip/grid, depth electrode and
electrode cable assembly products. Cost of product revenue consisted of the manufacturing and materials costs incurred by our third-party
contract manufacturer in connection with our strip/grid and depth electrode products, and outside supplier materials costs in connection
with the electrode cable assembly products. In addition, cost of product revenue included royalty fees incurred of $26,000 and $52,000
in connection with our license agreements during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Collaborations Revenue
Collaborations revenue was $6,000 and $22,000
for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Revenue during each period was derived from the Zimmer Development
Agreement and represented the portion of the upfront initial development fee payment eligible for revenue recognition during such period.
The amount of revenue recognized related to the upfront fee was based on development completed in connection with depth electrode products,
and to a lesser extent, the strip/grid products.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
were $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.
The $0.5 million increase was primarily due to an increase in legal costs of $0.3 million, sales and marketing of $0.1 million and operating
costs of $0.1 million on a net basis.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses were $1.1 million
for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.9 million during for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The $0.1
million increase period over period was attributed to supporting development activities, which primarily included salary-related expenses
and costs related to consulting services, materials and supplies associated with the development of depth electrode products and to a
lesser extent strip/grid products.
22
Interest expense
Interest expense for the three months ended December
31, 2020 was $3,000 and consisted of issuance costs in connection with our 2019 Paulson Notes. The 2019 Paulson Notes were not
outstanding and there was no interest expense during the three month period ended December 31, 2021.
Net valuation change of instruments measured
at fair value:
The net valuation change of instruments measured
at fair value for the 2019 Paulson Notes for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was a benefit of $2,000. The change was due to
accrued interest on the 2019 Paulson Notes and due to fluctuations in our common stock fair value and the number of potential shares
of common stock issuable upon conversion of the 2019 Paulson Notes while outstanding. There was no net valuation change of instruments
measured at fair value during the three month period ended December 31, 2021 as the 2019 Paulson Notes were not outstanding.
Other Income
Other income during the three month period ended
December 31, 2021 consisted of $2,000 related primarily to interest income attributed to our cash deposits. Other income during the three
months ended December 31, 2020 consisted primarily of proceeds received in connection with the PMT Corporation litigation in the amount
of $0.2 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
As of December 31, 2021, our principal source
of liquidity consisted of cash deposits of $16.2 million. While we began to generate revenue in fiscal year 2021 from commercial sales
and through milestone payments under our collaboration with Zimmer, we expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing
operating and net losses for the foreseeable future until and unless we generate an adequate level of revenue from commercial sales to
cover expenses. Our most significant cash requirements relate to the funding of our ongoing product development and commercialization
operations and our royalty obligations under our intellectual property licenses with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (“WARF”)
and the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (“Mayo”). Our additional material cash needs include commitments
under operating leases and other administrative services. See “—Funding Requirements” below for more information. We
anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially as we develop and commercialize our cortical strip, grid electrode and depth
electrode technology and pursue pre-clinical and clinical trials, seek regulatory approvals, manufacture products, establish our own
sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize our ablation electrode technology, hire additional staff, add operational,
financial and management systems and continue to operate as a public company.
Capital Resources
Our sources of cash to date have been limited
collaboration and product revenues and proceeds from the issuances of notes with warrants, common stock with and without warrants and
unsecured loans, with the terms of our most recent financings described below.
October 2021 Underwritten Public Offering
On October 13, 2021, we entered into Underwriting
Agreement relating to the issuance and sale of 3,750,000 shares of our common stock at a price to the public of $3.20 per share. In addition,
under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, we granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable for 30 days, to purchase up to an additional
562,500 shares of common stock on the same terms. The base offering closed on October 15, 2021, and the sale of 422,057 shares of common
stock subject to the Underwriter’s overallotment option closed on November 15, 2021. The gross proceeds from this offering were
approximately $13.4 million prior to deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses payable by us.
2021 Private Placement
On January 12, 2021, we entered into a purchase
agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company, in a private placement (the “2021 Private Placement”),
agreed to issue and sell an aggregate of 4,166,682 shares (the “Shares”) of the common stock of the Company, and warrants
to purchase an aggregate of 4,166,682 shares of common stock (the “2021 Warrants”) at an aggregate purchase price of $3.00
per share of common stock and corresponding warrant, resulting in total gross proceeds of $12.5 million before deducting placement agent
fees and estimated offering expenses. The 2021 Warrants have an initial exercise price of $5.25 per share. The 2021 Warrants became immediately
exercisable beginning on the date of issuance and will expire on the fifth anniversary of such date. Prior to expiration, subject to
the terms and conditions set forth in the 2021 Warrants, the holders of such 2021 Warrants may exercise the 2021 Warrants for shares
of common stock by providing notice to the Company and paying the exercise price per share for each share so exercised or by utilizing
the “cashless exercise” feature contained in each 2021 Warrant. The 2021 Private Placement closed on January 14, 2021.
In connection with the 2021 Private Placement,
the Company agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the Shares, the 2021 Warrants and the shares
of common stock issuable upon exercise of the 2021 Warrants. The Company agreed to file such registration statement within 30 days of
the execution of the 2021 Purchase Agreement on January 12, 2021 and filed such registration statement on February 10, 2021.
Funding Requirements
As noted above, certain of our cash requirements
relate to the funding of our ongoing product development and commercialization operations and our milestone and royalty obligations under
our intellectual property licenses with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (“WARF”) and the Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research (“Mayo”). See “Item 1—Business—Clinical Development and Regulatory Pathway—Clinical
Experience, Future Development and Clinical Trial Plans” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021
for a discussion of design, development, pre-clinical and clinical activities that we may conduct in the future, including expected cash
expenditures required for some of those activities, to the extent we are able to estimate such costs.
23
On January 22, 2020, we entered into an Amended
and Restated License Agreement (the “WARF License”) with WARF, which amended and restated in full our prior license agreement
with WARF, dated October 1, 2014 (the “Original WARF License”). Under the WARF License, we have agreed to pay WARF a royalty
equal to a single-digit percentage of our product sales pursuant to the WARF License, with a minimum annual royalty payment of $50,000
for 2020, $100,000 for 2021 and $150,000 for 2022 and each calendar year thereafter that the WARF License is in effect. If we or any
of our sublicensees contest the validity of any licensed patent, the royalty rate will be doubled during the pendency of such contest
and, if the contested patent is found to be valid and would be infringed by us if not for the WARF License, the royalty rate will be
tripled for the remaining term of the WARF License.
Under the Amended and Restated License and Development
Agreement with Mayo (the “Mayo Development Agreement”), we have agreed to pay Mayo a royalty equal to a single-digit percentage
of our product sales pursuant to the Mayo Development Agreement. See “Note 4 – Commitments and Contingencies” included
in our condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Report for more information
about the WARF License and the Mayo Development Agreement.
Our other cash requirements within the next twelve
months include accounts payable, accrued expenses, purchase commitments and other current liabilities. Our other cash requirements greater
than twelve months from various contractual obligations and commitments include operating leases and contracted services. Refer to “Note
4 – Commitments and Contingencies” included in our condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 –
Financial Statements” in this Report for further detail of our lease obligations and the timing of expected future payments. Contracted
services include agreements with third-party service providers for clinical research, product development, manufacturing, supplies, payroll
services, equipment maintenance services, and audits for periods up to fiscal 2023.
We expect to satisfy our short-term and long-term
obligations through cash on hand and, until we generate an adequate level of revenue from commercial sales to cover expenses, if ever,
from future equity and debt financings.
Liquidity Outlook
For a discussion of potential fee payments under
the Zimmer Development Agreement, see “Note 7 — Zimmer Development Agreement” included in our condensed financial statements
included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Report. The Company does not intend to deliver saleable
product to Zimmer unless and until it receives regulatory clearance to expand the use of its Evo sEEG Electrode technology for up to
30 days, at which point the Company and Zimmer intend to commence negotiations regarding payments of applicable milestone payments described
therein, notwithstanding the deadlines for the Product Availability Date and the Acceptance of all Deliverables for SEEG Products. Zimmer
has exclusive global rights to distribute our strip and grid cortical electrodes, depth electrodes and electrode cable assembly products.
Zimmer’s failure to timely develop or commercialize these products would have a material adverse effect on our business and operating
results. Further, our inability to agree with Zimmer on dates of completion for product development, regulatory clearance and commercialization
milestones on which various fee payments to the Company are based under the Zimmer Development Agreement could have a material adverse
impact on our financial and operating results.
At December 31, 2021, we had approximately $16.2
million in cash deposits. Management has noted the existence of substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Additionally,
our independent registered public accounting firm and our former independent registered public accounting firm included explanatory paragraphs
in the reports on our financial statements as of and for the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, noting the existence
of substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our existing cash may not be sufficient to fund our operating
expenses through at least twelve months from the date of this filing. To continue to fund operations, we will need to secure additional
funding through public or private equity or debt financings, through collaborations or partnerships with other companies or other sources.
We may not be able to raise additional capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Any failure to raise capital when needed could compromise
our ability to execute on our business plan. If we are unable to raise additional funds, or if our anticipated operating results are
not achieved, we believe planned expenditures may need to be reduced in order to extend the time period that existing resources can fund
our operations. If we are unable to obtain the necessary capital, it may have a material adverse effect on our operations and the development
of our technology, or we may have to cease operations altogether.
The development and commercialization of our
cortical strip, grid electrode and depth electrode technology is subject to numerous uncertainties, and we could use our cash resources
sooner than we expect. Additionally, the process of developing medical devices is costly, and the timing of progress in pre-clinical
tests and clinical trials is uncertain. Our ability to successfully transition to profitability will be dependent upon achieving further
regulatory approvals and achieving a level of product sales adequate to support our cost structure. We cannot assure you that we will
ever be profitable or generate positive cash flow from operating activities.
Cash Flows
The following is a summary of cash flows for
each of the periods set forth below.
For the Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Net cash used in operating activities
$ (2,679,136 )
$ (1,904,232 )
Net cash used by investing activities
(61,491 )
—
Net cash provided by financing activities
12,023,604
4,996,947
Net increase in cash
$ 9,282,977
$ 3,092,715
24
Net cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $2.7
million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, which consisted of a net loss of $2.8 million partially offset by non-cash stock-based
compensation, depreciation, amortization related to intangible assets and operating lease expense, totaling approximately $0.3 million
in the aggregate. The net change in our net operating assets and liabilities associated with fluctuations in our operating activities
resulted in a cash use of $0.1 million. The net cash use stemming from the change in operating assets and liabilities was primarily attributable
to an increase in inventory purchases, net decrease in account payable and accrued expenses attributed to the timing of payments, partially
offset by a decrease in accounts receivable in connection with the Zimmer Development Agreement.
Net cash used in operating activities was $1.9
million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, which consisted of a net loss of $2.0 million partially offset by non-cash stock-based
compensation, depreciation, amortization related to intangible assets, revaluation of convertible notes and operating lease expense,
totaling approximately $0.3 million in the aggregate. The net change in our net operating assets and liabilities associated with fluctuations
in our operating activities resulted in a cash use of $0.2 million. The change in operating assets and liabilities was primarily attributable
to a net increase in accounts receivable in connection with the Zimmer Development Agreement and a decrease in accounts payable attributed
to the timing of payments.
Net cash used by investing activities
Net cash used by investing activities consisted
of outlays for furniture and equipment during the three months ended December 31, 2021. There were no investing activities during the
three months ended December 31, 2020.
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was
$12.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, which consisted of net proceeds from the October 2021 Underwritten Public
Offering.
Net cash provided by financing activities was
$5.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, which consisted primarily of proceeds received in advance of the 2021 Private
Placement.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make estimates and judgments that can affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenue
and expense during the periods presented. We believe that the estimates and judgments upon which we rely are reasonably based upon information
available to us at the time that we make these estimates and judgments. To the extent that there are material differences between these
estimates and actual results, our financial results will be affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates
and judgments and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results
are described in Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our condensed financial statements included
in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Report.
Of these policies, the following are considered
critical to an understanding of our condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements”
in this Report as they require the application of the most subjective and the most complex judgments:
Revenues:
For discussion about the determination of collaborations
revenue, product revenue and cost of product revenue, see “Note 7 — Zimmer Development Agreement” included in our condensed
financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Report. To date, we have not had,
nor expect to have in the future, significant variable consideration adjustments related to product revenue, such as chargebacks, sales
allowances and sales returns.
Stock-based Compensation
For discussions about the application of grant
date fair value associated with our stock-based compensation, see “Note 9 — Stock-Based Compensation” included in our
condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Report.
Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
Income tax assets and liabilities include income
tax valuation allowances. For additional information, see “Note 11 — Income Taxes” included in our condensed financial
statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Report and “Note 11 – Income Taxes”
in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021.
25
Contingencies
We are subject to numerous contingencies arising
in the ordinary course of business, including legal contingencies. For additional information, see “Note 4 — Commitments
and Contingencies” included in our condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements”
in this Report.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 3— Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies” to our condensed financial statements included in “Part 1, Item 1 – Financial Statements”
in this Report for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk
Not applicable for smaller reporting companies.
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.