Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion and analysis are intended to help prospective investors understand our business, financial condition, results of
operations, liquidity and capital resources. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our financial statements and related
notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement.
The
statements in this discussion regarding industry outlook, expectations regarding our future performance, liquidity and capital resources
and other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements.” Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
The
NexGel Financial Statements, discussed below, reflect the NexGel financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The financial
information discussed below and included in this information statement, however, may not necessarily reflect what the NexGel financial
condition, results of operations, or cash flows would have been had NexGel been operated as a separate, independent entity during the
years presented, or what the NexGel financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be in the future.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements,” which include information relating to future events,
future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment and regulation. Words such as “may,” “should,”
“could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,”
and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should
not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will
actually be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or our management’s
good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance
or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could
cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
●
our
ability to continue as a going concern;
●
inadequate
capital;
●
inadequate
or an inability to raise sufficient capital to execute our business plan;
●
our
ability to comply with current good manufacturing practices;
●
loss
or retirement of key executives;
●
our
plans to make significant additional outlays of working capital before we expect to generate significant revenues and the uncertainty
regarding when we will begin to generate significant revenues, if we are able to do so;
●
adverse
economic conditions and/or intense competition;
●
loss
of a key customer or supplier;
●
entry
of new competitors;
24
Table of Contents
●
adverse
federal, state and local government regulation;
●
technological
obsolescence of our manufacturing process and equipment;
●
technical
problems with our research and products;
●
risks
of mergers and acquisitions including the time and cost of implementing transactions and the potential failure to achieve expected
gains, revenue growth or expense savings;
●
price
increases for supplies and components; and
●
the
inability to carry out our business plans.
For
a discussion of these and other risks that relate to our business and investing in shares of our common stock, you should carefully review
the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements contained in this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We do not undertake any obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made
or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Overview
We
manufacture high water content, electron beam cross-linked, aqueous polymer hydrogels, or gels, used for wound care, medical diagnostics,
transdermal drug delivery and cosmetics. We specialize in custom gels by capitalizing on proprietary manufacturing technologies. We have
historically served as a contract manufacturer, supplying our gels to third parties who incorporate them into their own products and
have recently began producing our own consumer products using our gels focused on proprietary branded products and white label opportunities.
Both our gels and our consumer products are manufactured using proprietary and non-proprietary mixing, coating and cross-linking technologies.
Together, these technologies enable us to produce gels that can satisfy rigid tolerance specifications with respect to a wide range of
physical characteristics (e.g., thickness, water content, adherence, absorption, moisture vapor transmission rate [a measure of the passage
of water vapor through a substance] and release rate) while maintaining product integrity. Additionally, we have the manufacturing ability
to offer broad choices in the selection of liners onto which the gels are coated. Consequently, we and our customers are able to determine
tolerances in moisture vapor transmission rate and active ingredient release rates while personalizing color and texture.
Joint
Venture
On
March 1, 2023, the Company acquired of 50% interest in a newly formed joint venture (“JV”), CG Converting and Packaging,
LLC, with C.G. Laboratories Inc. (“CG Labs”) for its converting and packaging business. The agreement is effective March
1, 2023. As a result of this transaction, the Company owns 50% of the JV, with the remaining 50% held by CG Labs.
Results
of Operations
The
following sections discuss and analyze the changes in the significant line items in our statements of operations for the comparison periods
identified.
Comparison
of the Three Months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenues,
net .
For
the three months ended March 31, 2023 revenues were $620 thousand and increased by $224 thousand, or 56.6%, when compared to $396 thousand
for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in our overall revenues was primarily due to sales growth in both our contract
manufacturing and branded products, including the revenue from CG Labs from March 1, 2023 through March 31,
2023 of $189 thousand.
25
Table of Contents
The
Company has four distinct lines of business; Contract Manufacturing, Custom & White Label, Consumer Branded Products, and Medical
Devices.
Contract
Manufacturing
Customers
order rolls of gel (“rollstock”). The rollstock is shipped to our customers, which they package into finished goods. Historically,
this has been the Company’s primary source of revenue.
Custom
& White Label
These
products often infuse various ingredients into our base gel to develop unique product offerings to satisfy market demand (e.g. aloe infused
into the gel for a beauty mask). The rollstock is converted and packaged into salable units. The finished goods are shipped to the customer,
who is ultimately responsible for product distribution. Frequently these products started as development deals, in which the customer
paid the company a small fee to develop a specific product. Once completed, the customer places a large order for newly developed product.
Consumer
Branded Products
These
products are finished goods marketed and sold directly to the customer by the Company through online and retail channels. The Company
is responsible for sales, marketing, and distribution. These products carry the Company’s brand names.
Medical
Devices
Medical
Devices are a hybrid business, combining elements of Custom & White Label and Consumer Branded Products. Medical Devices, which are
not yet marketed, are expected to be distributed through strategic partnerships. The Company will manufacture and possibly convert/package
the device while the strategic partner brings the product to market. Small market Medical Devices could be launched by the Company, but
also be offered to a distributor to reach the full scale of the market.
Gross
profit (loss) . Our gross loss was $57 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to a gross loss of $22 thousand
for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase of $35 thousand in gross loss quarter over quarter was primarily due to the higher
volume of contract manufacturing sales against fixed costs partially offset by higher manufacturing labor costs. Gross loss was approximately
(9.2%) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to a gross loss of (5.6%) for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The
components of cost of revenues are as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
2023
2022
Cost
of revenues
Materials
and finished products
$ 355
$ 94
Compensation
and benefits
171
171
Depreciation
and amortization
20
21
Equipment,
production and other expenses
131
132
Total
cost of revenues
$ 677
$ 418
Cost
of revenues increased by $259 thousand, or 62.0%, to $677 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $418 thousand
for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in cost of revenues is primarily aligned with the new product line growth and
an increase in compensation and benefits in the current year.
26
Table of Contents
Selling,
general and administrative expenses . The following table highlights Selling, general and administrative expenses by type for the
three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
2023
2022
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
Compensation
and benefits
$ 161
$ 112
Share-based
compensation
19
18
Depreciation
and amortization
10
7
Advertising,
marketing, & Amazon fees
94
39
Investor
& shareholder services
96
149
Franchise
tax & corporate insurance
44
49
Professional
& consulting fees
263
226
Other
expenses and professional fees
110
166
Total
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$ 797
$ 766
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased
by $31 thousand, or 4.0%, to $797 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $766 thousand for the three months
ended March 31, 2022. The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily attributable to the factors described
below.
Compensation and benefits increased by $49 thousand, or 43.8%, to $161
thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $112 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The number
of employees decreased compared to the prior period and officer compensation increased in conjunction with contract renewals.
Share-based
compensation increased by $1 thousand, or 5.6%, to $19 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $18 thousand
for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The share-based compensation related to the issuance of stock options and restricted awards
to our officers, employees, and advisors in the prior year period.
Advertising,
marketing, Amazon fees increased by $55 thousand, or 141%, to $94 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to
$39 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase is due to the increased Amazon selling fees as well as an increase
in advertising and marketing.
Investor
and shareholder services decreased by $53 thousand, or 35.6%, to $96 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared
to $149 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease is due to initial fees related to the Nasdaq listing in 2022
upon the IPO occurring on December 27, 2021.
Franchise
taxes and corporate insurance decreased by $5 thousand, or 10.2%, to $44 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared
to $49 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Professional
and consulting fees increased by $37 thousand, or 16.4%, to $263 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $226
thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022. We continued to incur accounting and consulting fees associated with public company
governance requirements.
Other
Expenses decreased by $56 thousand, or 33.7%, to $110 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $166 thousand for the three
months ended March 31, 2022. Other Selling, general and administrative expenses generally consist of costs associated with our selling
efforts and general management, including information technology, travel, training and recruiting.
Research
and development expenses . Research and development expenses were $29 thousand and $24 thousand for the three months ended March 31,
2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
27
Table of Contents
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash
Flow
(in
thousands)
March
31,
March
31,
2023
2022
Net
cash used in operating activities
$ (709)
$ (797)
Net
cash provided by investing activities
397
—
Net
cash used in financing activities
(2 )
(2,033)
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(314)
(2,830)
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
1,101
13,350
Cash
and cash equivalent at end of quarter
$ 787
$ 10,520
As
of March 31, 2023, we had $787 thousand of cash and $5.0 million of marketable securities ,
compared to $1.1 million of cash and $5.5 million of marketable securities at December 31,
2022. Net cash used in operating activities was $709 thousand and $797 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Net
cash provided by investing activities was $397 thousand and $0 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively,
consisting of the sales of marketable securities of $485 thousand and purchases of capital equipment
of $88 thousand for three months ended March 31, 2023. There were no investing activities for the three months ended March 31,
2022.
Net
cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $2 thousand and $2.0 million is
attributable to the principal payments of notes payable and convertible notes, respectively.
At
March 31, 2023, current assets totaled $7.3 million and current liabilities totaled $1.5 million, as compared to current assets totaling
$7.5 million and current liabilities totaling $859 thousand at December 31, 2022. As a result, we had working capital of $5.8 million
at March 31, 2023, compared to a working capital of $6.6 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease in the working capital as
of March 31, 2023 is primarily attributable to the loss from operations of $883 thousand.
We
have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. For the foreseeable future, we anticipate that all available fund
and any earnings generated in our business will be used to finance the growth of our business and will not be paid out as dividends to
our shareholders. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and
will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions,
business prospects and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Management
is exploring new product channel sales in consumer products, such as cosmetics, athletic products, and proprietary medical devices. The
Company has increased its focus on sales and developing a sales pipeline for potential customers. This customer base expansion will enable
us to provide financial stability for the foreseeable future, expand our current processes, and position us for long-term shareholder
value creation.
We
have sufficient capital to maintain as a going concern due to the capital raise that occurred on December 27, 2021. We intend to maintain
and attempt to grow our existing contract manufacturing business. We also plan to continue building and developing its catalog of consumer
products for sale to branding partners and to use our in-house capabilities to create and test market additional branded products. These
products will be target marketed and sold online through social media, television and online marketplaces. Furthermore, the Company plans
to develop its own proprietary medical devices and explore drug delivery programs for its technology. Additionally, the Company continues
to evaluate strategic initiatives (e.g., acquisitions) and additional capital raises through debt or equity may be necessary to achieve
these objectives.
28
Table of Contents
We
expect to continue incurring losses for the near-term future. Our ability to continue to operate as a going concern in the long-term
is dependent upon our ability to manage and grow our current products and to ultimately achieve profitable operations. Management may
consider various options to raise capital to fund potential acquisitions through equity or debt offerings. There can be no assurances,
however, that management will be able to obtain sufficient additional funds, if needed, or that such funds, if available, will be obtained
on terms satisfactory to us. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification
of recorded assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Additionally,
it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the financial statements have been, or will be, materially and adversely impacted in
the near term as a result of these conditions, including the recoverability of long-lived assets.
Off
Balance Sheet Arrangements
As
of March 31, 2023, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements in the nature of guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interests in
assets transferred to entities (or similar arrangements serving as credit, liquidity or market risk support to entities for any such
assets), or obligations (including contingent obligations) arising out of variable interests in entities providing financing, liquidity,
market risk or credit risk support to us, or that engage in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
preparation of our Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is based on the selection and application
of accounting policies that require us to make significant estimates and assumptions about the effects of matters that are inherently
uncertain. We consider the accounting policies discussed below to be critical to the understanding of our Financial Statements. Actual
results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, and any such differences could be material to our Financial Statements.
Share-based
compensation – We utilize share-based compensation in the form of incentive stock options. The fair values of incentive stock
option award grants are estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. Compensation expense is recognized
in the statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period required
to obtain full vesting. The expected term of the awards granted is estimated using the simplified method which computes the expected
term as the sum of the award’s vesting term plus the original contractual term divided by two.
Warrant
Liability – Warrants to purchase common stock were issued in connection with equity financing raises which occurred during
2019 through 2021. The fair values of the warrants are estimated as of the date of issuance and again at each year end using a Black-Scholes
option valuation model. At issuance, the fair value of the warrant is recognized as an equity issuance cost within additional paid-in-capital.
Fair value adjustments to the warrant liability are recognized in other income (expense) in the statements of operations. The expected
term of the awards granted are based on either the three-year or five-year contractual expiration date.
Black
Scholes Inputs - The fair value of each stock option award and warrant issued was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option-valuation model, which requires management to make certain assumptions regarding: (i) fair value of the common stock that underlies
the stock option; (ii) the expected volatility in the market price of our common stock; (iii) dividend yield; (iv) risk-free interest
rates; and (iv) the period of time employees are expected to hold the award prior to exercise (referred to as the expected term). Under
the Black-Scholes option-valuation model, entities typically estimate the expected volatility based on historical volatilities of the
entity’s own common stock. Based on the lack of historical data of volatility for the Company’s common stock, the Company
based its estimate of expected volatility on a weighted average of the historical volatility of comparable public companies that manufacture
similar products and are similar in size, stage of life cycle, and financial leverage. The fair value of the common stock that underlies
the stock option is estimated by the Company considering the price of the most recent issuance of the Company’s common stock. The
dividend yield is based upon the assumption that the Company will not declare a dividend over the life of the options. The risk-free
interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for bonds with maturities consistent with the
expected term of the related award.
29
Table of Contents
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not
required.
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.