UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
☐ TRANSITION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from _________________ to _________________
Commission
file number: 001-14332
NOVELSTEM
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida
65-0385686
(State
or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification No.)
2255
Glades Road , Suite 221A , Boca Raton , FL
33431
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip
Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code
(410)
598-9024
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
None
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated
filer ☐
Non-accelerated
filer ☒
Smaller
reporting company ☒
Emerging
growth company ☒
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding
at November 13, 2024
Common
Stock, $ 0.01 par value per share
46,881,475
NOVELSTEM
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q
for
the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2024
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Part I Financial Information
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements:
Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
3
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
4
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
5
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements
7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
15
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
18
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
18
Part II Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
18
Item 1A. Risk Factors
19
Item 6. Exhibits
19
Signatures
20
2
PART I
ITEM
1.
UNAUDITED
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
2024
2023
As of
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash
$ 45,319
$ 53,063
Accounts receivable, administrative fees
7,500
-
Prepaid expenses
16,118
33,540
Total current assets
68,937
86,603
Investment in NetCo Partners
129,545
133,709
Note receivable, NewStem Ltd.
-
250,000
Investment in NewStem Ltd
-
1,784,234
Total assets
$ 198,482
$ 2,254,546
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 105,317
$ 54,257
Notes payable
250,000
250,000
Current portion of long-term notes payable, including accrued interest
3,117,899
-
Accrued expenses
126,015
42,223
Total current liabilities
3,599,231
346,480
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term notes payable, including accrued interest, net
833,924
3,324,599
Convertible debt, including accrued interest
105,622
-
Derivative liability, guarantee
650,000
535,000
Total long-term liabilities
1,589,546
3,859,599
Total liabilities
5,188,777
4,206,079
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)
-
-
Shareholders’ deficit:
Common stock, $ .01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 50,316,672 shares issued, and 46,881,475 shares outstanding as of
September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
468,815
468,815
Additional paid-in capital
290,938,482
290,907,217
Accumulated deficit
( 296,197,838 )
( 293,127,811 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,435,197 shares as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
( 199,754 )
( 199,754 )
Total shareholders’ deficit
( 4,990,295 )
( 1,951,533 )
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit
$ 198,482
$ 2,254,546
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
3
NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended
Three Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Administrative fee income
$ 9,000
$ 9,000
$ 3,000
$ 9,000
Operating expenses:
General and administrative expenses
893,887
635,360
566,551
84,208
Litigation expenses (contra expenses) (Note 7)
-
2,805,884
-
473,221
Total operating expenses
893,887
3,441,244
566,551
557,429
Loss from operations
( 884,887 )
( 3,432,244 )
( 563,551 )
( 548,429 )
Other expenses:
Loss on derivative instrument
90,000
500,000
115,000
445,205
Interest expense
306,742
56,274
105,336
28,450
Total other expenses
396,742
556,274
220,336
473,655
Loss before income taxes
( 1,281,629 )
( 3,988,518 )
( 783,887 )
( 1,022,084 )
Provision for income tax
-
-
-
-
Loss before equity in net income of equity method investees
( 1,281,629 )
( 3,988,518 )
( 783,887 )
( 1,022,084 )
Equity in net loss of equity method investees
( 159,741 )
( 251,527 )
( 51,578 )
( 74,381 )
Impairment of equity method investee, NewStem
( 1,628,657 )
-
( 1,628,657 )
-
Net loss
$ ( 3,070,027 )
$ ( 4,240,045 )
$ ( 2,464,122 )
$ ( 1,096,465 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Net loss per share - basic and diluted
$ ( 0.07 )
$ ( 0.09 )
$ ( 0.05 )
$ ( 0.02 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,881,475
46,881,475
46,881,475
46,881,475
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
4
NOVELSTEM
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONDENSED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(UNAUDITED)
For
the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024:
Shares
Stock
Capital
Deficit
Shares
Stock
Deficit
Additional
Number of
Total
Number of
Common
Paid-In
Accumulated
Treasury
Treasury
Shareholders’
Shares
Stock
Capital
Deficit
Shares
Stock
Deficit
Balance, January 1, 2024
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,907,217
$ ( 293,127,811 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 1,951,533 )
Net loss
-
-
-
( 303,280 )
-
-
( 303,280 )
Stock option compensation
-
-
13,493
-
-
-
13,493
Balance, March 31, 2024
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,920,710
$ ( 293,431,091 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 2,241,320 )
Net loss
-
-
-
( 302,625 )
-
-
( 302,625 )
Stock option compensation
-
-
8,838
-
-
-
8,838
Balance, June 30, 2024
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,929,548
$ ( 293,733,716 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 2,535,107 )
Net loss
-
-
-
( 2,464,122 )
-
-
( 2,464,122 )
Stock option compensation
-
-
8,934
-
-
-
8,934
Balance, September 30, 2024
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,938,482
$ ( 296,197,838 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 4,990,295 )
For
the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023:
Additional
Number of
Total
Number of
Common
Paid-In
Accumulated
Treasury
Treasury
Shareholders’
Shares
Stock
Capital
Deficit
Shares
Stock
Deficit
Balance, January 1, 2023
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,604,327
$ ( 288,940,510 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ 1,932,878
Net loss
-
-
-
( 268,821 )
-
-
( 268,821 )
Stock option compensation
-
-
15,077
-
-
-
15,077
Balance, March 31, 2023
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,619,404
$ ( 289,209,331 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ 1,679,134
Net loss
-
-
-
( 2,874,759 )
-
-
( 2,874,759 )
Stock option compensation
-
-
260,282
-
-
-
260,282
Balance, June 30, 2023
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,879,686
$ ( 292,084,090 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 935,343 )
Balance
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,879,686
$ ( 292,084,090 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 935,343 )
Net loss
-
-
-
( 1,096,465 )
-
-
( 1,096,465 )
Stock option compensation
-
-
17,147
-
-
-
17,147
Balance, September 30, 2023
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,896,833
$ ( 293,180,555 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 2,014,661 )
Balance
46,881,475
$ 468,815
$ 290,896,833
$ ( 293,180,555 )
3,435,197
$ ( 199,754 )
$ ( 2,014,661 )
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
5
NOVELSTEM
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONDENSED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$ ( 3,070,027 )
$ ( 4,240,045 )
Equity in loss of equity method investees
159,741
251,528
Impairment loss, NewStem
1,628,657
-
Distribution from NetCo Partners
-
6,875
Bad debt expense
500,000
-
Accretion of discount on note payable
133,149
30,411
Loss on derivative instrument
90,000
500,000
Legal fees and litigation funding fees funded by litigation funding agreement
-
2,799,196
Accrued interest added to long-term notes payable
77,931
25,055
Stock-based compensation
31,265
292,506
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, administrative fees
( 7,500 )
12,000
Prepaid expenses
17,422
( 2,458 )
Accounts payable
51,060
2,022
Accrued expenses
155,558
53,527
Net cash used in operating activities
( 232,744 )
( 269,383 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Loans made
( 250,000 )
-
Net cash used in investing activities
( 250,000 )
-
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from convertible debt
100,000
-
Proceeds from long term notes payable
375,000
270,000
Net cash provided by financing activities
475,000
270,000
Net change in cash
( 7,744 )
617
Cash at the beginning of the period
53,063
6,346
Cash at the end of the period
$ 45,319
$ 6,963
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest
$ 1,103
$ 807
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
6
NOVELSTEM
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
NOTES
TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE
1— NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Description
of Business
NovelStem
International Corp. (“NovelStem” or the “Company”) is a holding company whose principal asset is a 50 % equity
interest in NetCo Partners (“NetCo”). The Company also holds an approximately 31 % interest in NewStem Ltd, an Israeli biotech
company (“NewStem”) which is currently in the process of liquidation. NovelStem was formerly known as Hollywood Media Corp.
The Company was incorporated in the State of Florida on January 22, 1993 and changed its name to NovelStem International Corp. in September
2018.
NetCo
is a legacy media business interest which owns “Net Force”, a media franchise.
Going
Concern, Liquidity and Management’s Plans
Since
inception, the Company has accumulated a deficit of approximately $ 296,000,000 . The accumulated deficit of the Company subsequent to
its business focus shift and name change in September 2018 is approximately $ 9,530,000 which is comprised primarily of allocated losses
from equity method investments and general and administrative costs incurred by the Company.
The
Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters
include additional financing and fundraising as well as monetization of assets held related to equity method investments. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the
Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from financing on terms acceptable to the Company, or that the Company will
realize any value from the intangible assets of NewStem, which is currently in the process of liquidation due to its inability to
raise funds for continued operations (see Note 3).
The
Company has in place a finance agreement with two individuals who are shareholders and directors under which it borrowed $ 750,000
and an additional finance agreement with a shareholder under which it borrowed $ 300,000 for working capital needs (see Note 4). Additionally,
the Company entered into additional finance agreements with unrelated parties in December 2023 and April 2024 under which it borrowed
an additional $ 450,000 for working capital needs and to fund NewStem (see Note 4). As of the date of these financial statements, all
funds available pursuant to these agreements have been received and these borrowings are projected to fund operations through November
2024. The Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue operations for the next 12 months.
In
view of the matters described above, the Company’s ability to meet financing requirements is dependent upon the ability to complete
additional fundraising or obtain additional financing, and/or monetize its investment in NetCo, along with monetizing intangible assets
of NewStem. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts
and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.
NOTE
2— SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article
10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring
adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote
disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed
or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statement results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the
full fiscal year or any future period.
The
accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared with the presumption that users of the
unaudited condensed financial statements have read or have access to the audited financial statements for the preceding fiscal year.
Accordingly, these unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-K, which was
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 1, 2024, from which the Company derived
the balance sheet data at December 31, 2023.
7
Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed
or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations for interim reporting. The Company believes that the disclosures contained herein are
adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
Company’s Form 10K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2024 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and
2022.
Equity
Investments
Investee
companies that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method
of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an investee depends on an evaluation of several
factors, including, among others, representation on the investee company’s board of directors and ownership level, which is generally
a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of the investee company . Under the equity method of accounting, an investee company’s
accounts are not reflected within the Company’s balance sheets or statements of operations; however, the Company’s share
of the earnings or losses of the investee company is reflected in the caption “Equity in net loss of investee company”
in the statements of operations. The Company’s carrying value in an equity method investee company is reflected in the caption
“Investment in investee company’ in the Company’s balance sheets.
The
Company reviews equity investments for impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying amounts might not be recoverable.
The
Company holds a minority investment in an entity, NewStem, which is currently undergoing liquidation (accounted for pursuant to the equity
method of accounting). Additionally, the Company is a 50 % partner in NetCo (which is accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting).
See Note 3.
Derivative
Financial Instruments
The
Company has in place a financial instrument, in the form of a note payable, with an identified embedded derivative in the form of a
guarantee. The identified embedded derivative has been bifurcated and accounted for separately. Such derivative financial
instruments are measured at fair value at each financial statement reporting date. If the fair value of a financial liability (the
derivative) exceeds the proceeds received for the issuance of a hybrid instrument in an arm’s length transaction with no
rights or privileges that require separate accounting recognition as an asset identified, then the embedded derivative is recorded
at fair value with the excess of fair value over proceeds recognized as a loss in earnings. During the nine months ended September
30, 2024, the Company recognized a loss on derivative financial instruments of $ 90,000 .
Proceeds from the note payable are included in cash from financing instruments and the loss on derivative instrument is included as
an adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities in the statement of cash flows for the nine months
ended September 30, 2024.
Basic
and Diluted Net Loss Per Share
Basic
net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, excluding
treasury stock. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding
plus the dilutive potential of common shares which would result from the exercise of stock options and warrants. The dilutive effects
of stock options and warrants are excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share if the effect of doing so would
be antidilutive.
The
following data represents the amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effect on net loss and the weighted average
number of shares of dilutive potential common stock (unaudited):
SCHEDULE OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF DILUTIVE
2024
2023
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three
Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
$ ( 3,070,027 )
$ ( 4,240,045 )
$ ( 2,464,122 )
$ ( 1,096,465 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:
-Basic
46,881,475
46,881,475
46,881,475
46,881,475
Add: Warrants
-
-
-
-
Add: Stock options
-
-
-
-
-Diluted
46,881,475
46,881,475
46,881,475
46,881,475
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ ( 0.07 )
$ ( 0.09 )
$ ( 0.05 )
$ ( 0.02 )
8
Options
and warrants excluded from the computation of earnings per share:
SCHEDULE
OF WARRANTS AND STOCK OPTIONS
2024
2023
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three
Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Warrants
3,000,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
Stock options
6,360,000
5,760,000
6,360,000
5,760,000
Anti-dilutive securities
6,360,000
5,760,000
6,360,000
5,760,000
NOTE
3— EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
Investment
in NewStem
In
2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with NewStem and other related parties to provide aggregate funding of up to
$ 4,000,000 to NewStem. This funding was to be provided through the sale of up to 50,000 common shares of NewStem to the Company representing
33 % of New Stem’s outstanding shares. In 2018, the Company purchased 25,000 shares of NewStem for $ 2,000,000 acquiring an ownership
interest of 20 %. The Company made additional investments in 2019 and 2020 purchasing 12,500 shares each year for a $ 1,000,000 investment
each year. NewStem sold and issued shares to third party investors in 2021, 2022 and 2023 resulting in the Company recognizing a gain
on dilution of equity method investment. These transactions resulted in the Company having an ownership interest of 30.51 % as of September
30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The
Company accounts for its investment in NewStem under the equity method. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the investment
in NewStem exceeded its portion of the underlying net assets of NewStem by approximately $ 1,800,000 . The excess related to identified
intangible assets including license agreements, specialized work force (goodwill) and two separate projects of in process research and
development (“IPR&D”) related to stem cell-based diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer chemotherapies.
The
Company assesses its investment in NewStem for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. During
the three months ended September 30, 2024 indicators of impairment became evident due to the inability of NewStem to raise funds to continue
operations. Due to the inability to raise funds, NewStem has been unable to continue operations and is in the process of liquidation.
The intangible assets of NewStem, including license agreements, have reverted to Yissum (the commercial division of Hebrew University).
The Company is in negotiations with Yissum regarding the potential monetization of these intangible assets and the percentages of any
funds to be received by the Company. Due to the current uncertainty of the recovery of any value from these intangible assets
and the liquidation status of NewStem, the Company has fully impaired the investment in NewStem and reduced the carrying value to zero
($ 0 ) at September 30, 2024, recognizing an impairment loss of $ 1,628,657 during the nine and three
months ended September 30, 2024.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a reimbursement due to NewStem of approximately $ 44,000 (included in accounts
payable in the accompanying balance sheet) for audit and accounting related costs. During the nine and three months ended September 30,
2023, the Company reimbursed NewStem for audit related costs of approximately $ 51,000 and $ 7,000 , respectively.
The
Company signed an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) on June 20, 2024 to acquire the remainder of NewStem in exchange
for 25,248,525 shares of Company stock as well as funding for NewStem operations in the amount of $ 300,000 within 30 days of the Purchase
Agreement date and an additional $ 750,000 in capital funding to be provided to NewStem by October 15, 2024.
In
anticipation of this transaction, the Company advanced $ 250,000
to NewStem in December 2023 and an additional $ 250,000
in March 2024. The related note agreement bears no interest and is payable on December
30, 2024 . The agreement provides for discharge of the note upon the closing of the anticipated acquisition transaction. The
Purchase Agreement was not fully consummated, and no Company shares were issued to NewStem shareholders in exchange for NewStem
shares, therefore the note was not discharged. Because of the uncertainty in collection, the note was written off as uncollectible
effective September 30, 2024 due to the liquidation status of NewStem.
The
following table represents the Company’s investment in NewStem:
SCHEDULE
OF INVESTMENTS
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
Investment in NewStem, beginning
$ 1,784,234
$ 2,090,286
Allocation of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.
( 155,577 )
( 342,191 )
Gain on dilution of equity method investment
-
36,139
Investment in NewStem before impairment
1,628,657
1,784,234
Impairment loss recorded
( 1,628,657 )
-
Distribution from NetCo
Investment in NewStem, ending
$ -
$ 1,784,234
9
The
results of operations of the Company’s investment in NewStem is summarized below (unaudited):
SCHEDULE
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION INVESTMENT
2024
2023
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Condensed income statement information:
Net revenues
$ -
$ 95,000
$ -
$ -
Gross margin
$ -
$ 84,000
$ -
$ -
Net loss
$ ( 510,000 )
$ ( 840,000 )
$ ( 165,000 )
$ ( 263,000 )
Company’s allocation of net loss from NewStem, Ltd.
$ ( 155,577 )
$ ( 256,890 )
$ ( 50,334 )
$ ( 80,431 )
The
financial position of the Company’s investment in NewStem is summarized below:
2024
2023
As of
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
(Unaudited)
Condensed balance sheet information:
Current assets
$ 100,000
$ 353,000
Non-current assets
$ 2,000
$ 9,000
Current liabilities
$ 548,000
$ 284,000
Non-current liabilities
$ -
$ -
Investment in NetCo
NovelStem
owns a 50 % interest in NetCo, a joint venture that owns the Net Force publishing franchise. The Company accounts for its investment in
NetCo under the equity method and recognizes nominal royalties and administrative fees from this arrangement. The Company assesses its
investment in NetCo for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.
The
following table represents the Company’s investment in NetCo:
SCHEDULE
OF INVESTMENTS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Year Ended December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
Investment in NetCo, beginning
$ 133,709
$ 137,011
Allocation of net income (loss) from NetCo
( 4,164 )
3,573
Distribution from NetCo
-
( 6,875 )
Investment in NetCo, ending
$ 129,545
$ 133,709
The
results of operations of the Company’s investment in NetCo is summarized below (unaudited):
SCHEDULE
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION INVESTMENT
2024
2023
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Condensed income statement information:
Net sales
$ 1,014
$ 25,328
$ 315
$ -
Gross margin
$ 897
$ 19,924
$ 261
$ -
Net income
$ ( 8,328 )
$ 10,724
$ ( 764 )
$ -
Company’s allocation of net income from NetCo
$ ( 4,164 )
$ 5,362
$ ( 382 )
$ -
The
financial position of the Company’s investment in NetCo is summarized below:
2024
2023
As of
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
(Unaudited)
Condensed balance sheet information:
Current assets
$ 916
$ 1,820
Non-current assets
$ 272,799
$ 272,799
Current liabilities
$ 7,749
$ 325
Non-current liabilities
$ -
$ -
10
NOTE
4— NOTES PAYABLE
In
December 2023, the Company entered into two short term notes payable with unrelated parties, Hewlett Fund and AIGH Investment Partners,
LLC. The notes are for $ 125,000 each, for a total of $ 250,000 in borrowings utilized for the funding of NewStem. The notes bear interest
at 12 % per annum and mature December 21, 2024, at which time all principal and accrued interest are due and payable. The note agreements
include a provision whereby, in the event of a capital raise transaction by the Company, the note holders would be entitled to participate
in the transaction in an amount equal to 133% of the amounts owed on the note agreements at the closing of the transaction . Interest
expense related to these notes was $ 22,520 and $ 7,562 , respectively for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2024.
Long-term
notes payable are summarized as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF LONG TERM NOTES PAYABLE
As of
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
(Unaudited)
Notes payable related parties:
Notes payable director and Executive Chairman
$ 821,766
$ 400,000
Accrued interest added to note balance
12,158
43,588
Total notes payable director and Executive Chairman
833,924
443,588
Note payable shareholder, principal amount
300,000
275,000
Less unamortized discount
( 105,036 )
( 213,185 )
Total note payable shareholder
194,964
61,815
Note payable, litigation funding agreement:
Note payable Omni Bridgeway (Fund 4) Invt. 3 L.P.
2,819,196
2,819,196
Accrued interest added to agreement balance
103,739
-
Total note payable, litigation funding agreement
2,922,935
2,819,196
Total notes payable
3,951,823
3,324,599
Less current portion
( 3,117,899 )
-
Long-term notes payable
$ 833,924
$ 3,324,599
The
Company has in place note agreements with two individuals who are related parties (a director and the Executive Chairman) to borrow $ 750,000
for working capital needs. The agreements were
originally entered into in May 2022 and amended in March 2024 to increase the total borrowing and extend the maturity date. The
agreements matured September
1, 2025 . Prior to the notes being refinanced, the Company received advances of $ 650,000
pursuant to these agreements. These note agreements were refinanced on August 7, 2024 at which time they were replaced with new
note agreements providing for total borrowings of $ 750,000 .
The Company received additional advances on these agreements totaling $ 100,000
in August 2024. The new note agreements reflect total principal of $ 821,766 ,
including accrued interest on the former note agreements of $ 71,766 ,
mature on December
31, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 10 %
per annum. Related interest expense during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2024 was $ 40,336
and $ 13,404 ,
respectively.
On
May 5, 2023, the Company entered into a long term note payable with a shareholder for $ 300,000
in financing to be funded $ 150,000
at inception and $ 150,000
in October 2023. This note bears interest at zero percent ( 0 %)
and matures on May
5, 2025 . The note includes a guarantee which has been identified as an embedded derivative with a fair value of a liability
of $ 650,000
and $ 535,000 ,
respectively, at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 which is reported separately on the balance sheet. The fair value of the
note exceeds the proceeds, and the note has been discounted at inception so that the net liability is the fair value of the
derivative. Accretion of the note discount of $ 133,149
and $ 44,618 , respectively, has been reflected as part of interest expense in the statement of operations for the nine and three
months ended September 30, 2024.
Note
Payable, Litigation Funding Agreement
On
February 11, 2022, the Company entered into a nonrecourse litigation funding agreement (the “Agreement”) with Omni Bridgeway
(Fund 4) Invt. 3 L.P. (“Omni”) related to an arbitration proceeding disclosed in Note 7. The Agreement provides for Omni
to fund all costs related to the arbitration up to $ 1,000,000 in exchange for an assignment of a certain portion of rights to and interest
in claims related to this arbitration. The agreement provides for specific calculations of the portion of any claims collected to be
received by Omni with the remainder collectible by the Company. Additionally, the agreement provides for repayment of funded costs pursuant
to the same multiple calculations in the event of a favorable outcome that does not include the collection of claims.
11
During
July 2023, the arbitration was settled. As a result of the ruling disclosed in Note 7, the liability became probable and reasonably estimable,
and the Company has recorded the full liability due to Omni as of December 31, 2023. This liability consists of expenses funded by Omni
of $ 933,065 , including $ 310,000 advanced for working capital, and related fees or investment return to Omni calculated as contractual
multiples of funding totaling $ 1,886,131 as of December 31, 2023 for a total liability of $ 2,819,196 . The balance at September 30, 2024
has been increased to $ 2,922,935 to include accrued interest of $ 103,739 . This agreement bears interest at 5 % per annum beginning January
2024 and is payable on January 10, 2025 . Interest expense related to this agreement was $ 103,739 and $ 36,234 , respectively, for the nine
and three months ended September 30, 2024.
Convertible Debt
In
April 2024, the Company borrowed $ 100,000 from unrelated parties pursuant to convertible debt agreements accounted for as debt. These
agreements bear interest at 10 % per annum and mature December 30, 2025 . The unpaid principal balance of these notes and any accrued interest
may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $ 0.13 per share. Interest accrued related to
these agreements was $ 5,622 and $ 3,024 during the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2024.
NOTE
5— EQUITY
(a) General
At
September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had issued 50,316,672
shares and had issued and outstanding 46,881,475
shares of its common stock, par value $ 0.01
per share. Holders of outstanding common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board and to share
ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company.
(b)
Summary Employee Option Information
The
Company’s stock option plan provides for the grant to officers, directors, third party contractors and other future key employees
of options to purchase shares of common stock. The purchase price may be paid in cash or, if the option is “in-the-money”,
it is automatically exercised “net”. In a net exercise of an option, the Company does not require a payment of the exercise
price of the option from the optionee but reduces the number of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of the option by the
smallest number of whole shares that has an aggregate fair market value equal to or in excess of the aggregate exercise price for the
option shares covered by the option exercised. Each option is exercisable to one share of the Company’s common stock. Most options
expire within six years from the date of the grant and generally vest on the first anniversary date of their issuance. Pursuant to the
Equity Incentive Plan the Company’s board of directors approved on November 12, 2018, an aggregate of 6,360,000 options have been
issued to directors and investor relations professionals as of September 30, 2024.
The
Company utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate fair value, utilizing the following assumptions for the options issued
during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (all in weighted averages):
SCHEDULE
OF FAIR VALUE OF OPTION USING VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Risk-free interest rate
4.3 %
3.5 %
Expected term of options, in years
5.09
4.00
Expected annual volatility
116.9 %
191.1 %
Expected dividend yield
0 %
0 %
Determined weighted average grant date fair value per option
$ 0.06
$ 0.19
The
expected term of the options represents an estimate of the length of time until the expected date of exercising the options. Options
granted have a maximum life of 7 years. With respect to determining expected exercise behavior, the Company has grouped its option grants
into certain groups to track exercise behavior and establish historical rates. The Company estimated volatility by considering historical
stock volatility over the expected term of the option. The risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yields for a period
consistent with the expected term. The dividend yield of 0 % is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payout.
The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends in the near future.
12
(c)
Summary Option Information
A
summary of the Company’s option plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is presented below (unaudited):
SCHEDULE
OF STOCK OPTION ACTIVITIES
Number
Weighted
of
Average
Options
Exercise
(in shares)
Price
Outstanding, December 31, 2023
5,760,000
$ 0.14
Granted
600,000
0.06
Outstanding, September 30, 2024
6,360,000
$ 0.13
Exercisable, September 30, 2024
5,760,000
$ 0.14
Stock-based
compensation expense was approximately $ 31,000 and $ 9,000 in the nine and three months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Stock
based compensation expense was approximately $ 50,000 and $ 17,000 in the nine and three months ended September 30, 2023.
The
total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was approximately $ 27,000 as of September 30, 2024. As of September
30, 2024, 600,000 options were unvested. These options vest in April 2025.
The
total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was approximately $ 18,000 as of September 30, 2023. As of September
30, 2023, 360,000 options were unvested. These options vested during March 2024.
(d)
Warrants
The
Company has issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of the Company’s common stock at the date
of issuance. A summary of warrant activity follows (unaudited):
SUMMARY
OF WARRANTS ACTIVITY
Number of
Weighted
shares
Average
underlying
Exercise
warrants
Price
Outstanding, December 31, 2023
3,000,000
$ 0.12
Granted
-
-
Exercised
-
-
Forfeited or expired
-
-
Outstanding, September 30, 2024
3,000,000
$ 0.12
The
warrant agreements were amended on May 12, 2023 to extend the expiration date to June 28, 2025 . The warrants outstanding at September
30, 2024 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately nine months . The Company recognized $ 243,000 in stock-based
compensation expense related to the increase in fair value of warrants pursuant to the modification of the warrant term during the nine
and three months ended September 30, 2023.
13
NOTE
6— INCOME TAXES
The
Company’s income tax provision differs from the expense that would result from applying statutory rates to loss before
taxes. A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes with amounts determined by applying the statutory U.S. federal income
tax rate to loss before income taxes is as follows (unaudited):
SCHEDULE
OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
2024
2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Computed tax at the federal statutory rate of 21 %
$ ( 644,706 )
$ ( 812,931 )
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
( 133,393 )
( 168,199 )
Change in federal valuation allowance
802,991
1,022,232
Foreign rate differential
( 24,892 )
( 41,102 )
Total provision for income tax
$ -
$ -
2024
2023
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Computed tax at the federal statutory rate of 21 %
$ ( 517,466 )
$ ( 203,809 )
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
( 107,066 )
( 42,169 )
Change in federal valuation allowance
632,585
257,476
Foreign rate differential
( 8,053 )
( 11,498 )
Total provision for income tax
$ -
$ -
NOTE
7— COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The
Company was the claimant in an arbitration proceeding against their 50 % partner in NetCo. The Company initiated the arbitration proceeding
in an effort to maximize the total potential value to be derived from fully utilizing the NetCo intellectual property across publishing,
entertainment, digital media, merchandising and other ancillary markets. Arbitration hearings were held at the end of July 2022. Arbitration
proceedings for the joint owners of NetCo concluded during 2022 and the arbitrator rendered a decision in July 2023.
The
Arbitrator ruled in NovelStem’s favor on the issue of contract interpretation of the NetCo Partners Joint Venture Agreement.
The Arbitrator also found that the Company’s joint venture partner failed to use “reasonable, good faith efforts”
to license and exploit the Net Force concept, in breach of its contractual obligations under the NetCo Partners’ Joint Venture
Agreement. The Arbitrator confirmed NovelStem’s contractual right to use Tom Clancy’s name as a possessory credit in the
Net Force title (Tom Clancy’s Net Force).
The Arbitrator ruled against NovelStem
in claims of breach of the joint venture agreement as well as claims of breach of fiduciary responsibility by the 50 % partner, claims
for monetary damages were denied and attempts to re-write the joint venture agreement were denied.
As
a result of this ruling, the costs related to the litigation funding agreement disclosed in Note 4 were recognized and a total liability
of $ 2,819,196 was recorded at December 31, 2023.
NOTE
8— SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The
Company evaluated subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued and filed with the SEC.
As
disclosed in Note 3, NewStem was unable to obtain financing to continue operations and ceased operations and began liquidation in October
2024.
14
NOVELSTEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.
ITEM
2.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Statements
in the following discussion and throughout this Form 10-Q that are not historical in nature are “forward-looking statements.”
You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,”
“may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “believe,” and similar expressions. Although
we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are inherently subject to risk
and we can give no assurances that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ from those described in this
Form 10-Q because of numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect actual outcomes.
Overview
We
are a development stage company and reported net losses of approximately $3,070,000 and $4,240,000 for the nine months ended September
30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $2,464,000 and $1,096,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We had current assets of approximately $69,000 and current liabilities of $3,599,000 as of September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2023,
our current assets and current liabilities were approximately $87,000 and $346,000, respectively. The significant increase in current
liabilities is primarily due to the litigation funding agreement liability classification changing from noncurrent to current in January
2024.
We
have prepared our financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 assuming that we will continue as a going concern.
Our continuation as a going concern is dependent upon the continuing financial support from our shareholders and the ability to monetize
our investment in NetCo and our right to value from NewStem intangible assets. Our sources of capital in the past have included the sale
of equity securities, which include common stock sold in private transactions, large alternative minimum tax refunds, and related party
debt as well as debt from unrelated parties.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements
and the related notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. In the discussion below, general
and administrative expenses are referred to as “G&A expenses”.
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
Three
Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Administrative
fee income
$ 9,000
$ 9,000
$ -
$ 3,000
$ 9,000
$ (6,000 )
Operating
expenses:
G&A expenses
893,887
635,360
258,527
566,551
84,208
482,343
Litigation
expenses (contra expenses) (Note 7)
-
2,805,884
(2,805,884 )
-
473,221
(473,221 )
Total
operating expenses
893,887
3,441,244
(2,547,357 )
566,551
557,429
9,122
Loss from operations
(884,887 )
(3,432,244 )
2,547,357
(563,551 )
(548,429 )
(15,122 )
Other
expenses:
Loss on
derivative instrument
90,000
500,000
(410,000 )
115,000
445,205
(330,205 )
Interest
expense
306,742
56,274
250,468
105,336
28,450
76,886
Total
other expenses
396,742
556,274
(159,532 )
220,336
473,655
(253,319 )
Net loss before equity in net loss of equity method investees
(1,281,629 )
(3,988,518 )
2,706,889
(783,887 )
(1,022,084 )
238,197
Equity in net loss of equity method investees
(159,741 )
(251,527 )
91,786
(51,578 )
(74,381 )
22,803
Impairment
of equity method investee, NewStem
(1,628,657 )
-
(1,628,657 )
(1,628,657 )
-
(1,628,657 )
Net
loss
$ (3,070,027 )
$ (4,240,045 )
$ 1,170,018
$ (2,464,122 )
$ (1,096,465 )
$ (1,367,657 )
We
are a holding company whose primary asset is our ownership of equity interest in NetCo and potential value from intangible assets of
NewStem. We conduct no other business and as a result, we have no revenue or cost of revenue. We do charge annual administrative fees
to an affiliated entity.
The
Company incurs G&A expenses primarily related to professional fees, insurance and stock based compensation. We incurred G&A expenses
of approximately $894,000 and $635,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Specifically, professional
fees increased by approximately $31,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30,
2023, primarily due to an increase in audit fees and general counsel legal fees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we
incurred bad debt expense of $500,000 from the write off of a receivable from NewStem and other miscellaneous G&A expenses increased
by approximately $11,000.
Stock
compensation expense, included in G&A expenses, decreased by approximately $261,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as
compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to the cost incurred related to the extension of the term of outstanding warrants
in May 2023.
We
incurred G&A expenses of approximately $567,000 and $84,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The decrease in G&A expenses relates primarily to the bad debt expense from the write off of $500,000 due from NewStem as currently
deemed uncollectible, a decrease in professional fees of approximately $3,000 offset by an increase in other general and administrative
costs of approximately $6,000 and a decrease in stock compensation expense of approximately $8,000.
15
Interest
expense increased by approximately $250,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September
30, 2023 due to the increased debt incurred through September 30, 2024.
Interest
expense increased by approximately $77,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September
30, 2023 due to the increased debt incurred through September 30, 2024.
The
Company has recorded no income tax expense as we have incurred operating losses and all deferred tax assets are fully offset by an income
tax valuation allowance.
We
reported net losses from equity method investees in all periods presented. The net losses reported for the nine months ended September
30, 2024 included a loss from NetCo of $4,164 and a loss from NewStem of $155,577. The net losses reported for the three months ended
September 30, 2023 included net income of $5,362 from NetCo which was offset by net loss of $256,890 from NewStem.
We
reported impairment expense of $1,628,657 related to our investment in NewStem during the nine and three months ended September 30,
2024. There were no such impairment losses during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2023.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We
have not paid dividends on our common stock since our name change in 2018. Our present policy is to apply cash
to reduce debt; consequently, we do not expect to pay dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future.
The
Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations. Management’s plans with regard to these matters include
additional financing and fundraising until we are able to monetize our investment in NetCo or monetize our right to a portion of the
value of NewStem intangible assets now held by Yissum. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that
the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient cash from financing on terms acceptable to the Company.
In
May 2022, the Company entered into note agreements with Jan Loeb, our Executive Chairman and Jerry Wolasky, a member of the Board, to
borrow up to an aggregate of $600,000 for working capital needs. The note agreements were amended in March 2024 to increase the total
borrowing to $650,000 and extend the maturity date. The agreements provide for interest at a rate of 8% per annum, increased to 10% per
annum for advances subsequent to November 11, 2022, and matured September 1, 2025. These note agreements were refinanced on August 7,
2024 at which time they were replaced with new note agreements providing for total borrowings of $750,000. The Company received additional
advances on these agreements totaling $100,000 in August 2024.
As
of the date of this Quarterly Report, the full amount of $750,000 has been funded pursuant to these agreements.
During
the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company entered into a note agreement with a shareholder to borrow $300,000 for continued working
capital. This note bears interest at zero percent (0%) and matures on May 5, 2025. The note includes a guarantee which has been identified
as an embedded derivative with a fair value of a liability of $650,000 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
16
In
December 2023, the Company entered into two short term notes payable with unrelated parties for a total of $250,000 in borrowings utilized
for the funding of NewStem. The notes bear interest at 12% per annum and mature December 21, 2024, at which time all principal and accrued
interest are due and payable. The note agreements include a provision whereby, in the event of a capital raise transaction by the Company,
the note holders would be entitled to participate in the transaction in an amount equal to 133% of the amounts owed on the note agreements
at the closing of the transaction.
In
April 2024, the Company borrowed $100,000 from unrelated parties pursuant to convertible debt agreements. These agreements bear interest
at $10% per annum and mature December 30, 2025. The unpaid principal balance of these notes and any accrued interest may be converted
into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.13 per share.
Net
Cash Used in Operating Activities.
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $805,000, which consisted primarily
of a net loss of approximately $3,070,000, offset by noncash equity in loss of equity method investees of approximately $160,000, impairment
loss on NewStem of approximately $1,629,000, accretion of discount on notes payable of approximately $133,000, stock based compensation
of approximately $31,000, interest added to notes payable of approximately $78,000 and loss on derivative instrument of $90,000. Additionally,
cash was used in operations related to a decrease in current assets of approximately $9,000 and an increase in accrued liabilities and
other payables of approximately $207,000.
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $269,000, which consisted primarily
of a net loss of approximately $4,240,000, offset by noncash equity in loss of equity method investees of approximately $251,000 and
distributions from equity method investees of approximately $7,000, accretion of discount on notes payable of approximately $30,000,
stock based compensation of approximately $293,000, interest added to notes payable of approximately $25,000, litigation funding agreement
costs of approximately $2,799,000 and loss on derivative instrument of $500,000. Additionally, cash was used in operations related to
a decrease in current assets of approximately $10,000 and an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables of approximately $56,000.
Net
Cash Used in Investing Activities.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, $250,000 was loaned to NewStem in an investing activity in anticipation of a potential purchase
of the remaining interest in NewStem. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, no net cash was used in investing activities.
Net
Cash Provided by Financing Activities.
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash provided by financing activities was $475,000, consisting of long-term borrowings
from two directors and a significant stockholder totaling $375,000 and convertible debt of $100.000.
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities was $270,000, consisting of long-term borrowings
from two directors.
17
ITEM
3.
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
This
section is not applicable.
ITEM
4.
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
Our
Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer conducted an evaluation of our controls and procedures. We have identified material
weaknesses in our internal control and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. If not remediated, our failure to establish
and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements
in our financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations, each of which could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our common stock.
Maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to produce
reliable financial statements. We have re-evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures
and concluded that they were not effective as of September 30, 2024 and we concluded there was a material weakness in the design of our
internal control over financial reporting as it relates to insufficient resources to employ proper segregation of duties over the processing
of transactions and financial reporting.
A
material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that
there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or
detected on a timely basis.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There
was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during
the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
PART II
ITEM
1.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
As
noted above, NetCo owns all rights to the “Tom Clancy’s Net Force” intellectual property in all media, including film,
television, and video games. As part of the joint venture, NetCo has published more than a dozen books and had an ABC miniseries.
After
Tom Clancy passed away in 2013, his estate and business partners refused to cooperate in exploiting the intellectual property. After
trying to amicably resolve the dispute, the Company initiated arbitration proceedings with the American Arbitration Association. The
Company’s arbitration demand asserted claims for breach of the joint venture agreement and breach of fiduciary duty. Both claims
arise from C.P. Group’s failure to make reasonable, good faith efforts to exploit the full array of media rights relating to Net
Force. The Company’s goal is to maximize the total potential value of the NetCo intellectual property across video games, streaming,
digital media, merchandising and other ancillary markets. The Company believes that the value of the intellectual property is significant.
18
The
arbitration evidentiary hearing concluded on October 20, 2022, and the arbitrator ordered the parties to submit post-hearing briefs.
Final briefs were filed in January 2023. The Arbitrator ruled in the Company’s favor on two issues of the arbitration and ruled
against the Company in other key issues.
The
Arbitrator confirmed NovelStem’s contractual right to use Tom Clancy’s name as a possessory credit in the Net Force title
(Tom Clancy’s Net Force). However, the arbitrator did not award any damages to the Company and did not cede operating control of
the joint venture to the Company as requested. As such, the Company continues to struggle to maximize the potential of the NetCo asset.
To
fund efforts to maximize the value of NetCo, NovelStem has secured non-recourse litigation funding. As a result of this ruling, the costs
related to the litigation funding agreement were recognized. All costs related to the litigation and the related litigation funding agreement
were recorded by the Company for a total liability of $2,819,196.
ITEM
1A.
RISK
FACTORS
We
are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this
item.
ITEM
2.
UNREGISTERED
SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a)
Not
applicable.
(b)
Not
applicable.
(c)
Not
applicable.
ITEM
3.
DEFAULTS
UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM
4.
MINE
SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM
5.
OTHER
INFORMATION
None.
ITEM
6.
EXHIBITS
#31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Executive Chairman pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#32.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Executive Chairman pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#101.1
The following financial statements from NovelStem International Corp.’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed
on November 13, 2024, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Statements
of Operations, (iii) Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes
to Condensed Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
#
This
exhibit is filed or furnished herewith.
19
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NOVELSTEM
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Date:
November 14, 2024
By:
/s/
Jan Loeb
Name:
Jan
Loeb
Title:
Executive
Chairman
20
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.