Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item
1A. Risk Factors
Except
as set forth below in this Item 1A and the Risk Factors included in our previous filings made with the SEC, there have been no material
changes to our risk factors from those disclosed in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 12, 2025.
Management
has concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and our condensed financial statements
for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 includes an explanatory paragraph as to our ability to continue as a going concern, which could
prevent us from obtaining new financing on reasonable terms or at all.
Because
we have had recurring losses and negative cash flows from operating activities, substantial doubt exists regarding our ability to remain
as a going concern at the same level at which we are currently performing. Accordingly, our condensed financial statements for the quarter
ended March 31, 2025 includes an explanatory paragraph as to our potential inability to continue as a going concern. The doubts regarding
our potential ability to continue as a going concern may adversely affect our ability to obtain new financing on reasonable terms or
at all.
If
there are significant shifts in the political, economic and military conditions in Israel and its neighbors, it could have a material
adverse effect on our business relationships and profitability.
Our
current manufacturing facility, certain of our key personnel and one of our offices are located in Israel. Our business is directly affected
by the political, economic and military conditions in Israel and its neighbors. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948,
a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
In
October 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel’s southern border from the Gaza Strip and conducted a series of attacks on civilian
and military targets. Hamas also launched extensive rocket attacks on Israeli population and industrial centers located along Israel’s
border with the Gaza Strip and in other areas within the State of Israel. These attacks resulted in extensive deaths, injuries and kidnapping
of civilians and soldiers. Following the attack, Israel’s security cabinet declared war against Hamas and a military campaign against
these terrorist organizations commenced in parallel to their continued rocket and terror attacks.
9
In
addition, since the commencement of these events, there have been continued hostilities along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon
(with the Hezbollah terror organization) and on other fronts from various extremist groups in region, such as the Houthis in Yemen and
various rebel militia groups in Syria and Iraq. In October 2024, Israel began limited ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon,
and in November 2024, a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Hezbollah. In addition, Iran recently launched direct attacks on Israel
involving hundreds of drones and missiles and has threatened to continue to attack Israel and is widely believed to be developing nuclear
weapons. Iran is also believed to have a strong influence among extremist groups in the region, such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon,
the Houthi movement in Yemen and various rebel militia groups in Syria and Iraq. These situations may potentially escalate in the future
to more violent events which may affect Israel and us. Additionally, Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis, launched series of attacks on global
shipping routes in the Red Sea, causing disruptions of supply chain. Such clashes may escalate in the future into a greater regional
conflict.
In
connection with the Israeli security cabinet’s declaration of war against Hamas and possible hostilities with other organizations,
several hundred thousand Israeli military reservists were drafted to perform immediate military service, including five full time employees
in Israel of ours. Although many of such military reservists have since been released, including all our employees, they may be called
up for additional reserve duty, depending on developments in the war in Gaza and along Israel’s other borders. Military service
call ups that result in absences of personnel from us for an extended period of time may materially and adversely affect our business,
prospects, financial condition and results of operations. As of the date hereof, we currently have 66 full-time employees located in
Israel.
Since
the war broke out on October 7, 2023, our operations have not been adversely affected by this situation, and we have not experienced
disruptions to our clinical studies. None of the clinical sites currently participating in our clinical studies are located in Israel;
however, we currently manufacture our CGuard at our facility in Tel Aviv, Israel. If there were a disruption to our existing manufacturing
facility or our ability to procure raw materials and ship our products, we would have no other means of manufacturing and distributing
CGuard until we were able to restore the manufacturing and distribution capability at our facility or develop alternative manufacturing
facilities and distribution capabilities.
The
intensity and duration of Israel’s current war is difficult to predict at this stage, as are such war’s economic implications
on the Company’s business and operations and on Israel’s economy in general. If the ceasefires declared collapse or a new
war commences or hostilities expand to other fronts, our operations may be adversely affected.
Our
commercial insurance does not cover losses that may occur as a result of events associated with war and terrorism. Although the Israeli
government currently covers the reinstatement value of direct damages that are caused by terrorist attacks or acts of war, we cannot
assure you that this government coverage will be maintained or that it will sufficiently cover our potential damages. Any losses or damages
incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business. Any armed conflicts or political instability in the region would
likely negatively affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations.
The
continued political instability and hostilities between Israel and its neighbors and any future armed conflict, terrorist activity or
political instability in the region could adversely affect our operations in Israel and adversely affect the market price of our shares
of common stock. In addition, several organizations and countries may restrict doing business with Israel and Israeli companies have
been and are today subjected to economic boycotts. The interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners
could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Finally,
political conditions within Israel may affect our operations. Israel has held five general elections between 2019 and 2022, and prior
to October 2023, the Israeli government pursued extensive changes to Israel’s judicial system, which sparked extensive political
debate and unrest. Actual or perceived political instability in Israel or any negative changes in the political environment, may individually
or in the aggregate adversely affect the Israeli economy and, in turn, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth
prospects.
Changes to trade policy,
including tariff and customs regulations, or failure to comply with such regulations may have an adverse effect on our reputation,
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes
in U.S. or international social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or in laws and policies governing trade, manufacturing,
development and investment in the countries where we currently conduct our business could adversely affect our business, reputation, financial
condition and results of operations. Changes or proposed changes in U.S. or other countries’ trade policies may result in restrictions
and economic disincentives on international trade.
We currently
manufacture, package and distribute all of our products, including the CGuard Prime carotid stent system, which is under FDA review for
U.S. commercial approval, at our own facility in Israel. To support our anticipated production growth following the anticipated commercialization
of the CGuard Prime carotid stent system, we have engaged Aptyx Interventional Systems (“Aptyx”), a contract manufacturer
that is a developer and manufacturer of complex components and devices for the life sciences, to transfer the manufacturing of CGuard
Prime finished goods to full-scale production at their ISO Class 7 cleanroom facility in North Carolina. While we are in the process of
establishing manufacturing operations in the United States with Aptyx, this transition will take time, and until it is operational, we
expect to rely entirely on product shipments from Israel to the U.S. market.
The U.S.
government has recently imposed, or is currently considering imposing, tariffs on certain products, including medical devices, on certain
trade partners, including Israel. Tariffs, economic sanctions and other changes in U.S. trade policy have in the past and could in the
future trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, and certain foreign governments have instituted or are considering imposing
retaliatory measures on certain U.S. goods. Further, any emerging protectionist or nationalist trends (whether regulatory- or consumer-driven)
either in the United States or in other countries could affect the trade environment. Our business, like many other corporations, would
be impacted by changes to the trade policies of the United States and foreign countries (including governmental action related to tariffs,
international trade agreements, or economic sanctions). If new tariffs are enacted while we remain dependent on Israeli manufacturing,
our cost of goods sold for the U.S. market may increase materially, which could negatively impact our gross margins and limit our pricing
flexibility. Additionally, changes to trade agreements or customs regulations between the U.S. and Israel could increase lead times, introduce
logistical complexities, or require modifications to our supply chain planning. These or similar trade-related developments may have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
10
Item
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item
3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not
applicable.
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