UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December
31, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission file number 001-31392
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC .
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada 98-0351734
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
MATAM Advanced Technology Park, Building No. 5 , Haifa , Israel 3508409
(Address of principal executive offices)
011-972-74-7108600
(Registrant’s telephone number)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, par value $0.00001 PSTI Nasdaq Global Market
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 past 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 registration was required to submit 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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 ☒
State the number of shares outstanding of each
of the issuer’s classes of common shares as of the latest practicable date: 32,232,789 common shares issued and outstanding as of
February 4, 2022.
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
As of December 31, 2021
(Unaudited )
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS
INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
As of December 31, 2021
U.S. DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS
(Unaudited)
INDEX
Page
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
1-2
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
3
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
4-5
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
8-9
Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
10-17
i
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Note
December 31,
2021
June 30,
2021
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 18,715
$ 31,241
Short-term bank deposits
39,468
33,709
Restricted cash
207
597
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,763
1,824
Total current assets
60,153
67,371
LONG-TERM ASSETS:
Long-term deposits and restricted bank deposits
10,965
23,269
Severance pay fund
717
664
Property and equipment, net
890
1,499
Operating lease right-of-use asset
3g
8,441
728
Other long-term assets
18
7
Total long-term assets
21,031
26,167
Total assets
$ 81,184
$ 93,538
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
1
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Note
December 31,
2021
June 30,2021
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade payables
$ 2,606
$ 2,526
Accrued expenses
3,713
5,941
Operating lease liability
669
634
Accrued vacation and recuperation
1,155
1,203
Other accounts payable
1,452
1,213
Total current liabilities
9,595
11,517
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Accrued severance pay
980
920
Operating lease liability
3g
7,611
100
Loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB)
4
23,158
23,850
Total long-term liabilities
31,749
24,870
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share capital:
5
Common shares, $ 0.00001 par value per share: Authorized: 60,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding: 32,225,102 shares as of December 31, 2021, 31,957,782 shares as of June 30, 2021
*
*
Additional paid-in capital
392,233
387,172
Accumulated deficit
( 352,393 )
( 330,021 )
Total shareholders’ equity
39,840
57,151
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 81,184
$ 93,538
(*) Less than $1
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Six months ended
December 31
Three months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development expenses
$ ( 12,932 )
$ ( 14,202 )
$ ( 6,541 )
$ ( 7,999 )
Less: participation by the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA), Horizon 2020 and other parties
72
287
34
22
Research and development expenses, net
( 12,860 )
( 13,915 )
( 6,507 )
( 7,977 )
General and administrative expenses
( 9,376 )
( 7,896 )
( 4,288 )
( 5,097 )
Operating loss
( 22,236 )
( 21,811 )
( 10,795 )
( 13,074 )
Financial income
419
947
156
646
Financial expenses
( 555 )
( 179 )
( 301 )
( 126 )
Financial income (expenses), net
( 136 )
768
( 145 )
520
Net loss
$ ( 22,372 )
$ ( 21,043 )
$ ( 10,940 )
$ ( 12,554 )
Loss per share:
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ ( 0.70 )
$ ( 0.82 )
$ ( 0.34 )
$ ( 0.49 )
Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
32,068,271
25,599,008
32,136,352
25,662,752
The accompanying notes
are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Common Shares
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance as of July 1, 2020
25,492,713
$ (*
)
$ 336,257
$ ( 280,156 )
$ 56,101
Share-based compensation to employees, directors and non-employee consultants
162,518
(*
)
4,857
-
4,857
Issuance of common shares under Open Market Sale Agreement, net of issuance costs of $151
117,021
(*
)
869
-
869
Exercise of warrants
51,999
(*
)
364
-
364
Exercise of options by non-employee consultants
15,035
(*
)
-
-
-
Net loss
-
-
-
( 21,043 )
( 21,043 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020
25,839,286
$ (*
)
$ 342,347
$ ( 301,199 )
$ 41,148
(*) Less than $1
The accompanying notes
are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Common Share
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance as of October 1, 2020
25,612,811
$ (*
)
$ 337,593
$ ( 288,645 )
$ 48,948
Share-based compensation to employees, directors and non-employee consultants
88,777
(*
)
3,821
-
3,821
Issuance of common shares under ATM Agreement, net of issuance costs of $151
117,021
(*
)
869
-
869
Exercise of warrants
9,142
(*
)
64
-
64
Exercise of options by employees and non-employee consultants
11,535
(*
)
-
-
-
Net loss
-
-
-
( 12,554 )
( 12,554 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020
25,839,286
$ (*
)
$ 342,347
$ ( 301,199 )
$ 41,148
(*) Less than $1
The accompanying notes
are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Common Shares
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Total
Shareholder’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance as of July 1, 2021
31,957,782
$ (* )
$ 387,172
$ ( 330,021 )
$ 57,151
Share-based compensation to employees, directors, and non-employee consultants
267,320
(* )
5,061
-
5,061
Net loss
-
-
-
( 22,372 )
( 22,372 )
Balance as of December 31, 2021
32,225,102
$ (* )
$ 392,233
$ ( 352,393 )
$ 39,840
(*) Less than $1
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per
share data)
Common Shares
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance as of October 1, 2021
32,096,927
$ (*)
$ 390,360
$ ( 341,453 )
$ 48,907
Share-based compensation to employees, directors, and non-employee consultants
128,175
(* )
1,873
-
1,873
Net loss
-
-
-
( 10,940 )
( 10,940 )
Balance as of December 31, 2021
32,225,102
$ (*
)
$ 392,233
$ ( 352,393 )
$ 39,840
(*) Less than $1
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands
Six months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss
$ ( 22,372 )
$ ( 21,043 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
664
695
Share-based compensation to employees, directors and non-employee consultants
5,061
4,857
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other long-term assets
50
( 37 )
Increase in trade payables
69
825
Increase (decrease) in other accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued vacation and recuperation and other current liabilities
( 2,036 )
960
Decrease in operating lease right-of-use asset and liability, net
( 168 )
( 88 )
Increase in interest receivable on short-term deposits
( 220 )
( 130 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
1,039
-
Linkage differences and interest on long-term deposits and restricted bank deposits
( 54 )
( 29 )
Long term interest payable and foreign exchange differences on the EIB loan
( 692 )
-
Accrued severance pay, net
7
6
Net cash used for operating activities
$ ( 18,652 )
$ ( 13,984 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment
$ ( 44 )
$ ( 207 )
Proceeds from withdrawal of (investment in) short-term deposits
( 5,539 )
2,445
Proceeds from withdrawal of long-term deposits
12,658
9,533
Net cash provided by investing activities
$ 7,075
$ 11,771
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands
Six months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds related to issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs
-
$ 920
Proceeds related to exercise of warrants
-
364
Net cash provided by financing activities
$ -
$ 1,284
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
( 1,039 )
-
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
( 12,616 )
( 929 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period
31,838
9,229
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period
$ 19,222
$ 8,300
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 1:-GENERAL
a. Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.,
a Nevada corporation (“Pluristem Therapeutics”), was incorporated on May 11, 2001. Pluristem Therapeutics has a wholly owned
subsidiary, Pluristem Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), which is incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel. In January 2020,
the Subsidiary established a wholly owned subsidiary, Pluristem GmbH (the “German Subsidiary” ) which
is incorporated under the laws of Germany. Pluristem Therapeutics, the Subsidiary and the German Subsidiary are referred to as the “Company”
or “Pluristem.” The Subsidiary and the German Subsidiary are referred to as the “Subsidiaries.”
Pluristem Therapeutics’
common shares are traded on the Nasdaq Global Market and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol “PSTI”.
b. The Company is a bio-technology company focused on the field
of regenerative medicine and operates in one business segment. The Company is developing placenta-based cell therapy product candidates
for the treatment of muscle trauma, hematological disorders, radiation damage and inflammation.
The Company has incurred
an accumulated deficit of approximately $ 352,393 and incurred recurring operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities
since inception. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s total shareholders’ equity amounted to $ 39,840 . During the six-month period
ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred losses of $ 22,372 and its negative cash flow from operating activities was $ 18,652 .
As
of December 31, 2021, the Company’s cash position (cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and long-term bank deposits) totaled
approximately $ 68,848 . The Company plans to continue to finance its operations from its current resources , by
entering into licensing or other commercial agreements, from grants to support its research and development activities, from sales of
its equity securities, as well as the potential additional draw down of funds from the Finance Agreement (as defined in Note 4) executed
with the European Investment Bank (the “EIB”), assuming applicable milestones will be achieved. Management believes that its
current resources, together with its existing operating plan, are sufficient for the Company to meet its obligations as they come due
at least for a period of twelve months from the date of the issuance of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. There
are no assurances, however, that the Company will be able to obtain an adequate level of financial resources that are required for the
long-term development and commercialization of its product candidates.
NOTE 2:-SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
a. Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The accompanying unaudited interim
condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)
for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments). For further information, reference is made to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included
in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2021. The year-end balance sheet data was derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2021, but not all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP are included.
Operating results
for the six-month period ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending
June 30, 2022.
10
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 2:- SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT.)
b. Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies
followed in the preparation of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are identical to those applied in the
preparation of the latest annual financial statements.
c. Use of estimates
The preparation
of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, judgments and
assumptions that are reasonable based upon information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions
can affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
d. Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying
amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term and restricted bank deposits, accounts
receivable and other current assets, trade payable and other accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, approximate fair
value because of their generally short-term maturities.
The Company
measures its derivative instruments at fair value under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), “Fair Value Measurements
and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement
that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering
such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in
measuring fair value:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted)
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - Inputs other than Level
1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for
the asset or liability.
The fair value
hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring
fair value. The Company categorized each of its fair value measurements in one of these three levels of hierarchy.
The Company measures its liability pursuant
to the Finance Agreement with the EIB based on the aggregate outstanding amount of the combined principal and accrued interest. The Company
does not reflect its liability for future royalty payments pursuant to the Finance Agreement with the EIB since the royalty payments are
to be paid as a percentage of the Company’s future consolidated revenues, pro-rated to the amount disbursed, beginning in the fiscal
year 2024 and continuing up to and including its fiscal year 2030, which cannot be measured at this time.
11
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 2:- SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT.)
e. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13 - “Financial Instruments - Credit
Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”):
In June 2016,
the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial
Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU
2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity
debt securities, loans, and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model
that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The guidance also requires increased disclosures. The
amendments contained in ASU 2016-13 were originally effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim
periods within those fiscal years for the Company. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, which delayed the effective
date of ASU 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies (as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, “SRC”) to fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company meets the definition
of a SRC and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13. The guidance requires a modified retrospective transition approach through
a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating
the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect that the adoption of this standard
will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2021-10-
” Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance” (“ASU 2021-10”):
In November
2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, “Government Assistance (Topic 832),” which requires business entities to disclose information
about transactions with a government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution model by analogy (for example, IFRS guidance
in IAS 20 or guidance on contributions for not-for-profit entities in ASC 958-605). For transactions within scope, the new standard requires
the disclosure of information about the nature of the transaction, including significant terms and conditions, as well as the amounts
and specific financial statement line items affected by the transaction. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning
after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this ASU may have on our future disclosures.
NOTE 3: - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
a. As of December 31, 2021, an amount of $ 507 of cash and deposits
was pledged by the Subsidiary to secure its credit line and bank guarantees.
b. Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research
and Development, 1984, (the “Research Law”), research and development programs that meet specified criteria and are approved
by the IIA are eligible for grants of up to 50 % of the project’s expenditures, as determined by the research committee, in exchange
for the payment of royalties from the sale of products developed under the program. Regulations under the Research Law generally provide
for the payment of royalties to the IIA of 3 % on sales of products and services derived from a technology developed using these grants
until 100 % of the dollar-linked grant is repaid. The Company’s obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on its actual sale of
such products and services. In the absence of such sales, no payment is required. Outstanding balance of the grants will be subject to
interest at a rate equal to the 12 month LIBOR applicable to dollar deposits that is published on the first business day of each calendar
year. Following the full repayment of the grant, there is no further liability for royalties.
12
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 3: - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(CONT.)
Through December 31, 2021, total grants
from the IIA obtained aggregated to approximately $ 27,743 and total royalties paid and accrued amounted to $ 169 . As of December 31, 2021,
the Company’s contingent liability in respect to royalties to the IIA amounted to $ 27,574 , not including LIBOR interest as described above.
c. The Company has been awarded
a marketing grant under the “Smart Money” program of the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry. The program’s aim
is to assist companies to extend their activities in international markets. The goal market that was chosen was Japan. The Israeli government
granted the Company budget resources that are intended to be used to advance the Company’s product candidate towards marketing
in Japan and for regulatory activities there. As part of the program, the Company will repay royalties of 5 % from the Company’s
income in Japan during five years, starting the year in which the Company will not be entitled to reimbursement of expenses under the
program and will be spread over a period of up to 5 years or until the amount of the grant is fully paid .
As of December 31, 2021, total grants
obtained under this Smart Money program amounted to approximately $ 112 . As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s contingent liability with
respect to royalties for this “Smart Money” program was $ 112 and no royalties were paid or accrued.
d. The Company was awarded an
additional Smart Money grant of approximately $ 229 from Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry to facilitate certain marketing
and business development activities with respect to its advanced cell therapy products in the Chinese market, including Hong Kong. The
Israeli government granted the Company budget resources that are intended to be used to advance the Company’s product candidate
towards marketing in the China-Hong Kong markets. The Company will also receive close support from Israel’s trade representatives
stationed in China, including Hong Kong, along with experts appointed by the Smart Money program. As part of the program, the Company
will repay royalties of 5 % from the Company’s revenues in the region for a five-year period, beginning the year in which the Company
will not be entitled to reimbursement of expenses under the program and will be spread over a period of up to 5 years or until the amount
of the grant is fully paid .
As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate
amount of grant obtained from this Smart Money program was approximately $ 178 . As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s contingent liability
with respect to royalties for this “Smart Money” program is $ 178 and no royalties were paid or accrued.
e. In September 2017, the Company signed an agreement with the
Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital) to conduct a Phase I/II trial of PLX-PAD cell therapy for the treatment of Steroid-Refractory
Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (“cGvHD”).
As part of the agreement with the
Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital), the Company will pay royalties of 1 % from its net sales of the PLX-PAD product relating
to cGvHD, with a maximum aggregate royalty amount of approximately $ 250 .
13
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 3: - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(CONT.)
f. The Company was awarded a marketing grant of approximately
$ 52 under the “Shalav” program of the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry. The grant is intended to facilitate certain
marketing and business development activities with respect to the Company’s advanced cell therapy products in the U.S. market.
As part of the program, the Company will repay royalties of 3 %, but only with respect to the Company’s revenues in the U.S. market
in excess of $ 250 of its revenues in fiscal year 2018, upon the earlier of the five year period beginning the year in which the Company
will not be entitled to reimbursement of expenses under the program and/or until the amount of the grant, which is linked to the Consumer
Price Index, is fully paid.
As of December 31, 2021, total grants
obtained under the “Shalav” program amounted to approximately $ 52 . As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s contingent liability
with respect to royalties for this “Shalav” program was $ 52 and no royalties were paid or accrued.
g. In December 2021, the Company signed an addendum to its facility operating lease agreement (the “Addendum”)
with the lessor, which extended the lease period to December 2026 and the Company has the option to extend the term of the lease (the
“Extension Option”) for an additional period of five years until December 2031. The monthly lease payments are approximately
$94 (291,000 NIS) and will increase by 10% with the Extension Option. As a result of the Addendum, the right of use asset in the amount
of $7,769 is presented in the long-term assets, and the operating lease liability in the amount of $431 and $7,338 is presented in the
short-term and long-term liabilities, respectively. The appropriate discount rate for the Company’s operating lease as of December 31,
2021 was 9.2%. The Company recognizes lease expenses, on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
NOTE 4: - LOAN FROM THE EIB
On April
30, 2020, Pluristem GMBH entered into a finance agreement (the “Finance Agreement”) with the EIB, pursuant to which Pluristem
GmbH can obtain a loan in the amount of up to € 50 million, subject to certain milestones being
reached (the “ Loan”), payable in
three tranches, with the first tranche consisting of € 20 million, the second of € 18 million and the third of € 12 million
for a period of 36 months from the signing of the Finance Agreement.
The tranches will be treated independently,
each with its own interest rate and maturity period. The interest rate is 4 % in the aggregate (consisting of a 0 % fixed interest rate
and a 4 % deferred interest rate payable upon maturity, respectively) per year for the first tranche, 4 % in the aggregate (consisting of
a 1 % fixed interest rate and a 3 % deferred interest rate payable upon maturity, respectively) per year for the second tranche and 3 % (consisting
of a 1 % fixed interest rate and a 2 % deferred interest rate payable upon maturity, respectively) per year for the third tranche.
In addition to any interest payable
on the Loan, the EIB is entitled to receive royalties from future revenues, if any, of Pluristem for a period of seven years starting
in 2024, in an amount equal to between 0.2 % to 2.3 % of the Company’s consolidated revenues, pro-rated to the amount disbursed from
the Loan to Pluristem beginning in the fiscal year 2024 and continuing up to and including its fiscal year 2030.
During June 2021, Pluristem received
the first tranche in an amount of $ 24,449 (€ 20 million) of the Finance Agreement. The amount received is due on June 1, 2026 and
bears annual interest of 4 % to be paid with the principal of the Loan. As of December 31, 2021, the linked principal balance in the amount
of $ 22,636 and the interest accrued in the amount of $ 522 are presented as part of the Loan as long-term liabilities.
14
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 5: - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Pursuant to a shelf registration on
Form S-3 declared effective by the SEC on July 23, 2020, in July 2020 the Company entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement (“ATM
Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”), which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and
limitations in the ATM Agreement, the Company may elect, from time to time, to offer and sell common shares having an aggregate offering
price of up to $ 75,000 through Jefferies acting as sales agent. During the year ended June 30, 2021, the Company sold 1,045,097 common
shares under the ATM Agreement at an average price of $ 8.50 per share for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $ 8,506 , net of issuance
expenses of $ 380 . There were no sales under the ATM Agreement during the six months ended December 31, 2021.
a. Options to consultants:
A summary of
the options to non-employee consultants under the Company’s 2005 and 2016 equity incentive plans is as follows:
Six months ended December 31, 2021
Number
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Terms
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Price
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period
39,836
$ -
6.99
$ 158
Options granted
40,000
$ 2.33
Options forfeited
( 1,291 )
$ -
Options outstanding at the end of the period
78,545
$ 1.19
8.33
$ 56
Options exercisable at the end of the period
36,045
$ -
6.68
$ 53
Options unvested
42,500
$ 2.19
Options vested and expected to vest
78,545
$ 1.19
8.33
$ 56
Compensation expenses
recorded in general and administration expenses related to options granted to consultants for the six and three months ended December
31, 2021 and 2020 were $ 10 and $ 6 , $ 8 and $ 3 , respectfully.
15
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 5: - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONT.)
b. Restricted Shares units (“RSUs”) to employees, directors and consultants:
1. RSUs to employees and directors:
The following
table summarizes the activity related to RSUs granted to employees and directors under the Company’s 2005, 2016 and 2019 equity
incentive plans for the six-month period ended December 31, 2021:
Six months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Number
Unvested at the beginning of the period
2,404,415
415,194
Granted
75,000
2,600,120
Forfeited
( 32,480
)
( 5,649
)
Vested
( 233,570
)
( 161,268
)
Unvested at the end of the period
2,213,365
2,848,397
Expected to vest after the end of the period
2,172,615
2,800,315
Compensation expenses related to RSUs
granted to employees and directors were recorded as follows:
Six months ended
December 31,
Three months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Research and development expenses
$ 418
$ 564
$ 209
$ 472
General and administrative expenses
4,494
4,168
1,587
3,346
$ 4,912
$ 4,732
$ 1,796
$ 3,818
Unamortized compensation expenses
related to RSUs granted to employees and directors is approximately $ 9,420 to be recognized by the end of December 2025.
16
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 5: - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONT.)
2. RSUs to consultants:
The following
table summarizes the activity related to unvested RSUs granted to consultants under the Company’s 2005, 2016 and 2019 equity incentive
plans for the six-month period ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Six months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Number
Unvested at the beginning of the period
76,249
6,250
Granted
-
110,000
Forfeited
-
( 25,000
)
Vested
( 33,750
)
( 1,250
)
Unvested at the end of the period
42,499
90,000
Compensation expenses related to RSUs
granted to consultants were recorded as follows:
Six months ended
December 31,
Three months ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Research and development expenses
$ 45
$ 68
$ 13
$ ( 35 )
General and administrative expenses
94
51
56
35
$ 139
$ 119
$ 69
$ -
NOTE 6:- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 5, 2022, the Subsidiary entered
into definitive agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) with Tnuva Food Industries – Agricultural Cooperative
in Israel Ltd., through its fully owned subsidiary, Tnuva Food-Tech Incubator (2019), Limited Partnership (“Tnuva”)
(together, the “Parties”). Pursuant to the Agreements, the Parties established a new company (“NewCo”)
with the purpose of developing cultured meat products of all types and kinds. NewCo will receive exclusive, global, royalty bearing
licensing rights to use Pluristem’s proprietary technology, intellectual property and knowhow, to be used in the field of
cultured meat. Tnuva will invest $7.5 million in NewCo, according to a pre-money valuation of $40 million, with the option to invest
up to an additional $7.5 million over a period of 12 months following the closing.
17
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form
10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other
Federal securities laws, and is subject to the safe-harbor created by such Act and laws. Forward-looking statements may include statements
regarding our goals, beliefs, strategies, objectives, plans, including product and technology developments, future financial conditions,
results or projections or current expectations. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,”
“will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of such terms, or other
variations thereon or comparable terminology. These statements are merely predictions and therefore inherently subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results, performance levels of activity, or our achievements,
or industry results to be materially different from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements
appear in this Item 2 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”
and may appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following:
● the
expected development and potential benefits from our products in treating various medical
conditions;
● our
entering into certain contracts with third parties;
● the
prospects of entering into additional license agreements, or other forms of cooperation with
other companies, research organizations and medical institutions, including, without limitation
Tnuva (as defined below);
● our
pre-clinical and clinical trials plans, including timing of initiation, expansion, enrollment,
results, and conclusion of trials;
● achieving
regulatory approvals, including under accelerated paths;
● receipt
of future funding from the Israel Innovation Authority, or IIA, the European Union’s
Horizon programs, as well as grants from other independent third parties;
● the
receipt of additional funds pursuant to our finance agreement, or the EIB Finance Agreement,
with the European Investment Bank, or the EIB, and whether we will achieve further milestones
necessary to receive additional funds thereunder;
● developing
capabilities for new clinical indications of placenta expanded, or PLX, cells and new products;
● the
progress of our multinational Phase III trial program for the potential use of PLX cells
in the treatment of muscle injury following arthroplasty for hip fracture;
● our
expectation to demonstrate a real-world impact and value from our pipeline, technology platform
and commercial-scale manufacturing capacity;
● the
possible impacts of cybersecurity incidents on our business and operations;
● our
expectations regarding our short- and long-term capital requirements;
● our
outlook for the coming months and future periods, including but not limited to our expectations
regarding future revenue and expenses;
● information
with respect to any other plans and strategies for our business; and
● our
expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on our clinical trials
and operations.
18
Our business and operations
are subject to substantial risks, which increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements contained in this report.
In addition, historic
results of scientific research, clinical and preclinical trials do not guarantee that the conclusions of future research or trials would
not suggest different conclusions. Also, historic results referred to in this periodic report would be interpreted differently in light
of additional research, clinical and preclinical trials results. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to release publicly
the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof
or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Further information on potential factors that could affect our business is described
under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2021, or the 2021 Annual Report, as well as Item 1A of this Quarterly Report. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider
the various disclosures we have made in that report.
As used in this quarterly
report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company” and “Pluristem” mean Pluristem
Therapeutics Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Pluristem Ltd. and Pluristem GmbH, unless otherwise indicated or as otherwise required
by the context.
Overview
We are a biotechnology company
with an advanced cell-based technology platform. We have developed a unique three-dimensional, or 3D, technology platform for cell expansion
with an industrial scale in-house GMP cell manufacturing facility. We are utilizing our technology in the field of regenerative medicine
and plan to utilize it in other industries and verticals that have a need for our mass scale and cost-effective cell expansion platform.
Our operations are focused
on the research, development and manufacturing of cells, conducting clinical studies and the business development of cell therapeutics
and cell based technologies, such as our recent collaboration with Tnuva Food Industries – Agricultural Cooperative in Israel Ltd.,
through its fully owned subsidiary, Tnuva Food-Tech Incubator (2019), Limited Partnership, or Tnuva, to use our technology to establish
a cultured food platform.
We use our advanced cell-based
technology platform in the field of regenerative medicine to develop placenta-based cell therapy product candidates for the treatment
of multiple inflammatory, muscle injuries and hematologic conditions. We develop, and intend to commercialize, cell therapy production
technologies and products that are derived from the human placenta after a full-term delivery of a healthy baby. Our placental expanded,
or PLX, cells are adherent stromal cells that are expanded using our 3D platform. Our PLX cells can be administered to patients
off-the-shelf, without blood or tissue matching or additional manipulation prior to administration. PLX cells are believed to release
a range of therapeutic proteins in response to the patient’s condition.
We intend to enhance the global
reach of our cell expansion technology and PLX product portfolio, enabling the development of various new cell-based products for multiple
applications, based on our innovative technology and manufacturing capabilities.
Our
goal is to make significant progress with our clinical pipeline and clinical studies to ultimately bring innovative, potent therapies
to patients who need new treatment options. In addition, we plan to continue leveraging our proprietary technology for other industries
and verticals that have a need for our mass scale and cost-effective cell expansion platform, such as the food tech industry. We expect
to demonstrate a real-world impact and value from our cell based technology platform and PLX pipeline. Our business model for commercialization
and revenue generation includes, but is not limited to, licensing deals, joint ventures, direct sale of our products and partnerships.
Clinical Studies
We are conducting several
multinational clinical studies which consist of a Phase III clinical study in muscle recovery following surgery for hip fracture and two
Phase II clinical studies in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, or ARDS, associated with COVID-19 in the United States, Europe and Israel.
In addition, we are focusing on other clinical programs in the hematological field such as a Phase I clinical study for incomplete recovery
following bone marrow transplantation in the United States and Israel, an investigator-led Phase I/II Chronic Graft versus Host Disease
study in Israel, and Acute Radiation Syndrome, or ARS, under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, animal rule. We believe that
each of these indications is a severe unmet medical need.
On November 15, 2021, we announced
that we fully completed the enrollment of 240 patients for our Phase III clinical study in muscle recovery following surgery for hip fracture.
The multinational clinical study includes patients from the U.S., Europe, and Israel, and we expect to announce topline results in the
third calendar quarter of 2022.
On December 27, 2021, we announced
topline results for our COVID-19 studies based on 89 patients enrolled. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of ventilator free
days, or VFD, from day 1 through day 28 of the studies. VFD at day 60 and all-cause mortality at days 28 and 60 were part of the secondary
efficacy endpoints in the studies. The studies did not meet the primary efficacy endpoint of statistically significant improvement of
VFD at 28 days. Taking into consideration the baseline risk factors of the ARDS patients, no differences in the safety profile were observed
between PLX-PAD and placebo.
19
We have completed enrollment
in our first in human Phase I clinical study in incomplete hematopoietic recovery following hematopoietic cell transplantation, or HCT,
in the United States and Israel. The study has completed enrollment of 21 patients and is designed to assess the safety of PLX-R18. We
completed one year follow up for all patients during September 2021. In April 2021, we announced positive topline results of this
study and we plan to announce final results following a one year follow up during the first calendar quarter of 2022.
Our manufacturing facility
complies with the European, Japanese, Israeli, South Korean and the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP, requirements
and has been inspected and approved by the European Qualified Person, or QP, and Israeli MoH for production of PLX cells for late stage
trials. We have also been granted manufacturer/importer authorization and cGMP Certification by the Israeli Ministry of Health. If we
obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals to market PLX cells, we expect to have in-house production capacity to grow PLX cells in commercial
quantities.
Food Tech
On January 5, 2022, we entered
a joint venture with Tnuva and through our fully owned subsidiary Pluristem Ltd. Under the joint venture agreement, we established a new
company, Plurinuva Ltd. (which name may be changed from time to time), an Israeli company, or NewCo, with the purpose of developing cultured
meat products of all types and kinds. NewCo is intended to be engaged in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of technology,
know-how and products that will be based on licensed products relating to the field of cultured meat, or the Field.
Pursuant to the joint venture,
Tnuva entered into a Share Purchase Agreement, or the SPA, with NewCo and Pluristem Ltd., pursuant to which NewCo shall issue, on the
closing date of the SPA, 15.79% of its share capital to Tnuva, as well as a warrant to purchase additional shares of Newco, in consideration
of an aggregate of $7,500,000 in cash. In addition, pursuant to the SPA, in the event the Company decides to use its technology for the
development of cultured milk or fish products, Tnuva shall also have the right, for a period of seven (7) years following the Closing
Date, to participate in the formation of additional separate joint ventures for the development of those products.
Prior to the Closing Date,
the Subsidiary and NewCo also agreed to execute a Technology License Agreement, or the License Agreement, and at the Closing, the Subsidiary
and NewCo shall execute a Transitional Services Agreement, or the Services Agreement. Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Subsidiary
shall grant NewCo an exclusive, royalty bearing, perpetual and irrevocable, worldwide, non-transferable (except under specific circumstances
specified thereunder), sublicensable license to its technology for the use in the development of the Licensed Products. In addition, NewCo
shall grant the Subsidiary, pursuant to the License Agreement, an exclusive, perpetual and irrevocable, worldwide, sublicensable, royalty-free,
license to use, make, exploit and develop the improvements made by NewCo to the licensed technology outside of the Field. In consideration
for the license, NewCo agreed to grant the Subsidiary royalties in the mid-single digits. Pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreement,
the Subsidiary shall provide NewCo transitional services to support its commercial efforts on a cost basis, for an initial term of eighteen
(18) months, subject to mutual extension for an additional six (6) months.
Pursuant to the SPA, Tnuva
and NewCo agreed to enter into a Commercialization Agreement within twelve (12) months pursuant to which Tnuva shall be granted exclusive
marketing, distribution and sale rights of the Licensed Products in Israel. Tnuva’s exclusivity in the region will be subject to
achieving and maintaining specific milestones. NewCo shall retain exclusive worldwide marketing, distribution, and sale rights for the
Licensed Products worldwide, except in Israel.
20
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – THREE AND SIX
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 COMPARED TO THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020.
Revenues
We had no revenues for either
the six or three-month periods ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Research and Development Expenses, Net
Research and development expense,
net (costs less participation and grants by the Horizon 2020 program, the IIA and other parties) for the six-month period ended December
31, 2021 decreased by 8% from $13,915,000 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 to $12,860,000. The decrease is mainly attributed
to a decrease in clinical trial subcontractor expenses following the termination of our prior study relating to the use of our PLX-PAD
cells for the treatment of critical limb ischemia, or CLI, and the progress of our Phase II studies of ARDS associated with COVID-19.
The decrease was partially offset by higher payroll expenses related to payroll adjustments and the strength of the New Israel Shekel,
or NIS, against the U.S. dollar and a decrease in participation by the EU with respect to the Horizon 2020 program, as a result of our
utilizing the entirety of the grant under such program during the six-month period ended December 31, 2020.
Research and development expense,
net (costs less participation and grants by the Horizon 2020 program, the IIA and other parties) for the three-month period ended December
31, 2021 decreased by 18% from $7,977,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 to $6,507,000. The decrease is mainly attributed
to a decrease in clinical trial subcontractor expenses following the termination of the CLI and the progress of our Phase II studies of
ARDS associated with COVID-19. The decrease was partially offset by higher payroll expenses related to payroll adjustments and the strength
of the NIS against the U.S. dollar.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative
expenses for the six-month period ended December 31, 2021 increased by 19% from $7,896,000 for the six-month period ended December 31,
2020 to $9,376,000. The increase is mainly attributed to an increase in share-based compensation expenses related to granted restricted
stock units, or RSUs, an increase in payroll expenses related to payroll adjustments, an increase in head count in general and administrative
departments and the strength of the NIS against the U.S. dollar.
General and administrative
expenses for the three-month period ended December 31, 2021 decreased by 16% from $5,097,000 for the three-month period ended December
31, 2020 to $4,288,000. The decrease is mainly attributed to a decrease in share-based compensation expenses related to granted RSUs.
The decrease was partially offset by an increase in payroll expenses related to new employees and payroll adjustments, and provision for
losses due to cyber event as mentioned in the Risk Factors below.
Financial Income
Financial income decreased
from a financial income of $947,000 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 to a financial income of $419,000 for the six-month
period ended December 31, 2021. This decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in income from exchange rate differences on deposits
linked to the NIS, partially offset by an increase in interest income on deposits linked to the Euro.
Financial income decreased
from a financial income of $646,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 to a financial income of $156,000 for the three-month
period ended December 31, 2021. This decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in income from exchange rate differences on deposits
linked to the NIS, partially offset by an increase in interest income on deposits linked to the Euro.
21
Financial Expenses
Financial expenses increased
from financial expense of $179,000 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 to financial expenses of $555,000 for the six-month
period ended December 31, 2021. This increase is mainly attributable to interest expenses related to the EIB loan provided to us pursuant
to the EIB Finance Agreement.
Financial expenses increased
from a financial expense of $126,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 to financial expenses of $301,000 for the three-month
period ended December 31, 2021. This increase is mainly attributable to interest expenses related to the EIB loan provided to us pursuant
to the EIB Finance Agreement.
Net Loss
Net loss for the six and three-month
periods ended December 31, 2021 was $22,372,000 and $10,940,000 respectively, as compared to net loss of $21,043,000 and $12,554,000 for
the six and three-month periods ended December 31, 2020. For the six-month period, the increase was mainly due to increases in general
and administrative expenses, and for the three-month period the decrease was due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses
and research and development expenses, as described above. Net loss per share for the six and three-month periods ended December 31, 2021
was $0.70 and $0.34 as compared to $0.82 and $0.49 for the six and three-month periods ended December 31, 2020.
For the six and three-month
periods ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had weighted average common shares outstanding of 32,068,271, 32,136,352, and
25,599,008, 25,662,752, respectively, which were used in the computations of net loss per share for the six and three-month periods.
The
increase in weighted average common shares outstanding reflects the issuance of additional shares mainly related to the issuances of shares
pursuant to a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors in February 2021, issuances of shares pursuant to our
Open Market Sale Agreement TM , or the ATM Agreement, that we entered into with Jefferies LLC, or Jefferies, on July 16,
2020, issuances of additional shares upon the settlement of RSUs issued to directors, employees and consultants ,
and shares issued as a result of exercises of outstanding warrants and
options.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2021, our
total current assets were $60 , 153,000 and total current liabilities were $9 , 595,000. On December 31, 2021, we had a working
capital surplus of $50,558,000, shareholders’ equity of $39 , 840 , 000 and an accumulated deficit of $352 , 393,000.
Our cash and cash equivalents
as of December 31, 2021 amounted to $18,715,000, compared to $7,824,000 as of December 31, 2020, and compared to $31,241,000 as of June
30, 2021. Cash balances changed in the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for the reasons presented below.
Operating activities used
cash of $18 , 652,000 in the six months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $13 , 984,000 in the six months ended December
31, 2020. The increase is manly attributed to payments made to our suppliers, an increase in payments to our employees and the strength
of the NIS against the U.S. Dollar. Cash used in operating activities in the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 consisted primarily
of payments of fees to our suppliers, subcontractors, professional services providers and consultants, including the costs of our clinical
studies, and payments of salaries to our employees, partially offset by grants from the IIA, the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, Israel’s
Ministry of Economy and other research grants.
Investing activities provided
cash of $7,075,000 in the six months ended December 31, 2021, compared to cash provided of $11,771,000 for the six months ended December
31, 2020. The investing activities in the six-month period ended December 31, 2021 consisted primarily of the withdrawal of $12,658,000
of long-term deposits, partially offset by the investment of $5,539,000 in short-term deposits and payments of $44,000 related to investments
in property and equipment. The investing activities in the six-month period ended December 31, 2020, consisted primarily of the withdrawal
of $2 , 445,000 of short-term deposits and the withdrawal of $9,533,000 of long-term deposits, partially offset by payments of $207,000
related to investment in property and equipment.
22
Financing activities did not
generate cash during the six months period ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1,284,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2020.
The cash generated in the six months ended December 31, 2020 from financing activities was related to net proceeds of $920,000 related
to issuances made under the ATM Agreement and net proceeds of $364,000 from the exercise of warrants.
On July 16, 2020, we entered
into the ATM Agreement with Jefferies, pursuant to which we may issue and sell our common shares having an aggregate offering price of
up to $75,000,000 from time to time through Jefferies. Upon entering into the ATM Agreement, we filed a new shelf registration statement
on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC on July 23, 2020. During the year ended June
30, 2021, we sold 1,045,097 of our common shares under the ATM Agreement at an average price of $8.50 per share for aggregate net proceeds
of approximately $8,506,000. During the six-months ended December 31, 2021, we did not sell any of our common shares under the
ATM Agreement.
In April 2020, we and our
subsidiaries, Pluristem Ltd. and Pluristem GmbH, executed the EIB Finance Agreement for funding of up to €50 million in the aggregate,
payable in three tranches. The proceeds from the EIB Finance Agreement are intended to support our research and development in the European
Union to further advance our regenerative cell therapy platform, and to bring the products in our pipeline to market. The proceeds from
the EIB Finance Agreement are expected to be deployed in three tranches, subject to the achievement of certain clinical, regulatory and
scaling up milestones.
During June 2021, we received
the first tranche in the amount of $24,449,000 (€20 million) pursuant to the EIB Finance Agreement. The amount received is due to
be repaid on June 1, 2026 and bears annual interest of 4% to be paid together with the principal of the loan. As of December 31, 2021,
the interest accrued was in the amount of $522,000 (€462,000).
According to the IIA grant
terms, we are required to pay royalties at a rate of 3% on sales of products and services derived from technology developed using this
and other IIA grants until 100% of the dollar-linked grants amount plus interest are repaid. In the absence of such sales, no payment
is required. Through December 31, 2021, total grants obtained from the IIA aggregated to approximately $27,743,000 and total royalties
paid and accrued amounted to $169,000.
In
June 2020, we announced that we were selected as a member of the CRISPR-IL consortium, a group funded by the IIA. CRISPR-IL brings together
the leading experts in life science and computer science from academia, medicine, and industry, to develop Artificial Intelligence, or
AI, based end-to-end genome-editing solutions. These next-generation, multi-species genome editing products for human, plant, and animal
DNA, have applications in the pharma, agriculture, and aquaculture industries. CRISPR-IL is funded by the IIA with a total budget of approximately
$10,000,000 of which, an amount of approximately $480,000 was a direct grant allocated to us, for the initial period of 18 months. During
October 2021, we received an approval for an additional grant of approximately $583,000 from the IIA pursuant to the CRISPR-IL consortium
program, for an additional period of 18 months.
Through
December 31, 2021, we received total grants of approximately $646,000 in cash from the IIA pursuant to the CRISPR-IL consortium program,
out of which an amount of $245,000 was received during the six-months ended December 31, 2021.
The currency of our financial
portfolio is mainly in U.S. dollars and we use options contracts in order to hedge our exposures to currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
For more information, please see Item 7A. - “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in the 2021 Annual
Report.
We have an effective Form
S-3 registration statement (File No. 333-239890), filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the SEC using a “shelf”
registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell our common shares, preferred shares and warrants
to purchase common shares, and units of two or more of such securities in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $250,000,000.
As of February 4, 2022, other than the $75,000,000 of common shares we are eligible to sell pursuant to the ATM Agreement, and the $30,000,000
of common shares we sold in a registered direct offering in February 2021, no securities have been sold pursuant to our effective Form
S-3 registration statement.
23
Outlook
We have accumulated a deficit
of $352,393,000 since our inception in May 2001. We do not expect to generate any significant revenues from sales of products in the next
twelve months. Our cash needs may increase in the foreseeable future. We expect to generate revenues, from the sale of licenses to use
our technology or products, but in the short and medium terms will unlikely exceed our costs of operations.
We may be required to obtain
additional liquidity resources in order to support the commercialization of our products and maintain our research and development and
clinical trials activities.
We are continually looking
for sources of funding, including non-diluting sources such as the EIB Finance Agreement, grants from the IIA, EU’s Horizon 2020
program, Israel’s Ministry of Economy and other research grants, collaboration with other companies and sales of our common shares.
We believe that we have sufficient
cash to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure
Controls and Procedures - We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed for the purposes of ensuring
that information required to be disclosed in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer, or CEO, and our Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
As of the end of the period
covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our CEO and our CFO, of the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal
Control Over Financial Reporting - During November 2021, we experienced a cybersecurity incident in which one or more third parties
were able to impersonate one of our vendors by using a falsified email domain account and asked to wire a payment to a false bank account.
As a result of this cybersecurity incident, we implemented certain changes to our internal control procedures with respect to payments
to suppliers that seek to provide alternate bank account information to us. We have also updated our information technology procedures
and hired the services of a cybersecurity consultant to assist with exploring and implementing
a range of steps to enhance our security protections in order to prevent future cybersecurity incidents. In addition, we have enhanced
our organizational awareness of cybersecurity and information security within our organization.
Except as set forth above,
there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
24
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
In
addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item
1A. Risk Factors” in our 2021 Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.
There
have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2021 Annual Report, except as noted below.
We suffered a cybersecurity incident which
resulted in the loss of funds. While we have protocols to prevent future incidents, these protocols may not prevent future incidents and
any significant similar future incidents could have a negative impact on our business.
During November 2021, we experienced
a cybersecurity incident in which one or more third parties were able to impersonate one of our vendors by using a falsified email domain
account and asked to make a payment to a false bank account. As a result of this incident, the third parties managed to extract a sum
of approximately $616,000 from us. As a result of this incident, we immediately launched an investigation into the incident, hired the
services of a cybersecurity investigation firm to fully access the incident and notified the appropriate government authorities, including
the banks involved in the transaction. We are constantly exploring new and advanced security protection measures to prevent future cybersecurity
incidents. These steps may include working with a cybersecurity consultant as well as potential additional measures.
To date, the cybersecurity
incident has not had any effect on our ability to meet our financial obligations, including our ability to carry out our operations and
business activities. In addition, our investigation has confirmed that, other than the funds referenced above, none of our information
or data was stolen or damaged. Nonetheless, our security protections, including the steps we have taken in response to the November 2021
incident, may not prevent future incidents of a similar nature or other cyber-attacks.
We
continually assess cybersecurity threats and make investments to increase internal protection, detection, and response capabilities, as
well as ensure our third party providers have required capabilities and controls, to address this risk. To date, we have not experienced
any material impact to the business or operations resulting from information or cybersecurity attacks, including the incident mentioned
above; however, because of the frequently changing attack techniques, along with the increased volume and sophistication of the attacks,
there is the potential for us to be adversely impacted. This impact could result in reputational, competitive, operational or other business
harm as well as financial costs and regulatory action. We also maintain cybersecurity insurance in the event of an information security
or cyber incident; however, the coverage may not be sufficient to cover all financial losses.
Item 6.
Exhibits.
10.1
Consulting Agreement by and between Pluristem Ltd. and Mr. Zalman (Zami) Aberman, dated January 1, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our current report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2022).
10.2*
Summary of Supplement to the Lease Agreement by and between Pluristem Ltd. and MTM – Scientific Industries Center Haifa Ltd dated December 31, 2021.
31.1*
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2*
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1**
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2**
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101*
The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 formatted in inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Interim Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) the Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and in detail.
104*
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.
^
Certain identified information in the exhibit has been excluded from the exhibit because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm to Pluristem if publicly disclosed.
25
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PLURISTEM THERAPEUTICS INC .
By:
/s/ Yaky Yanay
Yaky Yanay, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
February 7, 2022
By:
/s/ Chen Franco-Yehuda
Chen Franco-Yehuda, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Date:
February 7, 2022
26
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.