Item 1. Business
ITEM
1. BUSINESS.
Vivos
Inc. (the “ Company ,” “ we ,” “ us ,” “ our ”) is a radiation oncology
medical device company engaged in the development of its yttrium-90 (“ Y-90 ”) based precision radionuclide therapy
device, RadioGel™, for the treatment of non-resectable tumors, now trademarked as Precision Radionuclide Therapy TM .
A prominent team of radiochemists, scientists, and engineers, collaborating with strategic partners, including national laboratories,
universities, and private corporations, lead the Company’s development efforts. The Company’s overall vision is to globally
empower physicians, medical researchers, and patients by providing them with new isotope technologies that offer safe and effective treatments
for cancer.
In
2013, the United States Food and Drug Administration (“ FDA ”) issued the determination that RadioGel™ is a device
for human therapy for non-resectable cancers in humans. This should result in a faster path than a drug for final approval.
In
January 2018, the Center for Veterinary Medicine Product Classification Group ruled that RadioGel TM should be classified as
a device for animal therapy of feline sarcomas and canine soft tissue sarcomas. Additionally, after a legal review, the Company believes
that the device classification obtained from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is not limited to canine and feline sarcomas, but
rather may be extended to a much broader population of veterinary cancers, including all or most solid tumors in animals. We expect the
result of such classification and label review will be that no additional regulatory approvals are necessary for the use of IsoPet ®
for the treatment of solid tumors in animals. The FDA does not have premarket authority over devices with a veterinary classification,
and the manufacturers are responsible for assuring that the product is safe, effective, properly labeled, and otherwise in compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations.
Based
on the FDA’s recommendation, RadioGel TM is being marketed as “IsoPet ® ” for use by veterinarians
to avoid any confusion between animal and human therapy. The Company already has trademark protection for the “IsoPet ® ”
name. IsoPet ® and RadioGel TM are used synonymously throughout this document. The only distinction between IsoPet ®
and RadioGel TM is the FDA’s recommendation that we use “IsoPet ® ” for veterinarian usage,
and reserve “RadioGel TM” for human therapy. Historically, the Company’s primary focus was on the development
and marketing of Isopet ® for animal therapy, through the Company’s IsoPet ® Solutions division. Over
the last four years much effort has been directed to completing the testing require to obtain FDA approval for an Investigational Device
Exemption and to obtain approval for clinical trials in India.
The
Company’s IsoPet Solutions division was established in May 2016 to focus on the veterinary oncology market, namely engagement of
university veterinarian hospital to develop the detailed therapy procedures to treat animal tumors and ultimately use of the technology
in private clinics. In January 2025 the Company restructured and aligned its internal resources and focused effort to align with animal
therapy, human therapy, and recently other applications of its patented technologies.
The
Company has worked with five different national laboratories or university veterinarian hospitals on IsoPet ® /RadioGel TM
testing and therapy. Washington State University treated five cats for feline sarcoma and served to develop the procedures which
are incorporated in our label. They concluded that the product was safe and effective in killing cancer cells. Colorado State University
demonstrated the CT and PET-CT imaging of IsoPet ® . The University of Missouri conducted an animal study to treat canine
sarcoma. Johns Hopkins University completed a study on VX2 Tumors in Rabbits. Every study confirmed that the Y-90 stayed at the injection
site with insignificant distribution outside that boundary.
3
Commencing
in July 2019, the Company recognized its first commercial sale of IsoPet®. A veterinarian from Alaska brought his cat with a re-occurrent
spindle cell sarcoma tumor on his face. The cat had previously received external beam therapy, but now the tumor was growing rapidly.
He was given a high dose of 400Gy with heavy therapy at the margins.
The
Company anticipates that any near-term profits, if any, will be derived from direct sales of RadioGel™ (under the name IsoPet ® )
and related services, and from certifying veterinary clinics to administer IsoPet Therapy. Until recently the Company certified clinics
at its own expense, but the demand has increased to the point that starting in 2025 the Company billed its first clinic for the certification
process.
The
plan is to incorporate the data assembled from our work with Isopet ® in animal therapy to support the Company’s
efforts in the development of our RadioGel™ device candidate, including obtaining approval from the FDA to market and sell RadioGel™
as a Class II medical device. RadioGel™ is an injectable particle-gel for Precision Radionuclide Therapy radiation treatment of
cancerous tumors in people and animals. RadioGel™ is comprised of a hydrogel, or a substance that is liquid at room temperature
and then gels when reaching body temperature after injection into a tumor. In the gel are small, less than two microns, Y-90 phosphate
particles. Once injected, these inert particles are locked in place inside the tumor by the gel, delivering a very high local radiation
dose. The radiation is beta, consisting of high-speed electrons. These electrons only travel a short distance so the device can deliver
high radiation to the tumor with minimal dose to the surrounding tissue. Optimally, patients can go home immediately following treatment
without the risk of radiation exposure to family members. Since Y-90 has a half-life of 2.7 days, the radioactivity drops to 5% of its
original value after ten days.
In
2021 the Company modified its Indication for Use from skin cancer to cancerous tissue or solid tumors pathologically associated with
locoregional papillary thyroid carcinoma and recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma having discernable tumors associated with metastatic
lymph nodes or extranodal disease in patients who are not surgical candidates or who have declined surgery, or patients who require post-surgical
remnant ablation (for example, after prior incomplete radioiodine therapy). Papillary thyroid carcinoma belongs to the general class
of head and neck tumors for which tumors are accessible by intraoperative direct needle injection. The Company’s Medical Advisory
Board felt that demonstrating efficacy in clinical trials with this new indication provided a more efficient pathway to regulatory clearance.
In
December 2023, the Food and Drug Administration granted RadioGel Precision Radionuclide Therapy the designation as a Breakthrough Device
pursuant to the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program. This gave the company access to the “sprint” rapid review process
for IDE comments. For the last several months the company has been taking advantage of that program to resoled detailed FDA questions
on a variety of topics.
In
early 2025 the Company began actively pursuing human clinical trials in India. This involved successful step-by-step implementation of
several requirements, including location of a respected lead investigator at a respected hospital; regulatory approvals (securing clearances
from the Scientific Committee, Ethics Committee, and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare, and the Company was issued the Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI) number required for publishing results); logistical
coordination (acquired liability insurance, expanded the treatment institution’s radioactive material license to include RadioGel ® ,
and established robust international shipping protocols and an alternate contingency shipping path for the Yttrium-90 (Y-90)-based product);
protocol development (finalized the Clinical Trial Protocol, incorporating Mayo Clinic study designs and feedback from FDA pre-submission
discussions); operational readiness (re-validated RadioGel ® manufacturing at IsoTherapeutics to ensure compliance with
Quality Management System standards and FDA sterility and validation recommendations); administrative preparations (signed agreements
with the Ethics Committee and treatment institution while confirming trademark and patent protections in the region); and training and
certification (conducted comprehensive certification training for the treatment team). Failure on any step would have terminated the effort.
In
December 2024 the Company conducted an important offset strategic meeting to ensure that its entire key internal and external team was
alighted to its strategic plans. Attendees included all our current internal team members, our senior health physics volunteer, the members
of the Medical Advisory Board and the Veterinary Medicine Advisory Board, lead Investigator for the proposed Mayo Clinic clinical trial,
lead investigator for the clinical trial in India, and our patent attorney. The primary objective was to re-assess our business direction,
to select the next target series of indications for Use, to ensure that we have developed the optimum precision Radionuclide Therapy TM
approach for each cancer type, including the isotope, the delivery technique, and the dose, and to ensure that our current and
future patents protect these directions. It also discussed the domestic and internation plans.
4
The
Company decided to explore the viability of harvesting its technology for other business opportunities as a separate “division.”
The Company is working with Akina, on these initiatives. The current efforts are on the Peltier Chiller technology and the hydrogel.
To prevent the Company from being distracted from its primary focus of treating cancer, if viable, Akina would probably also be the principal
distributor. Alternatively, each business sector can be spun off as separate business activities to an interested party.
Controlled
Laboratory Chilling - As Akina explained, it is easy to purchase many laboratory devices to control heating, but there are limited or
no options for controlled cooling, which is a common laboratory requirement usually involving ice baths. The Company is now testing a
prototype universal laboratory cooling device.
Hydrogel
– the Company spent years on refining the development of its hydrogel, in which gelation initiates just above room temperature
and is completed as it warms to body temperature. It is currently investing in quantifying and controlling the hydrogel resorption characteristics.
There has been sufficient spontaneous interest in this component to warrant a serious business case assessment. The Company just trademarked
the name Precision Gel TM and, in addition to its current hydrogel patent, has filed a new provisional patent in January 2025
to cover retention, transport, and release of a broad range of agents. These agents include radioactive and non-radioactive materials,
solid particles, including nano-particles, large molecules, small molecules, including liquids, cells, and viruses. A MOU has been drafted
to interface with potential clients including licensing and exclusive material contracting. Initial meetings are scheduled in the first
quarter of 2025 with potential clients to assess the business viability.
Intellectual
Property
Our
original license agreement with Battelle National Laboratory (the “ Battelle License ”) reached its end of life in 2022.
We have expanded our proprietary knowledge, as well as our trademark and patent protection, in anticipation of the Battelle License reaching
the end of its term during the past several years.
Our
trademark protection, which usually is extended to 17 countries, has been expanding continuously as summarized below:
We
own applications/registrations for the following and should mark as noted below:
○
ISOPET®
○
RADIOGEL®
○
ALPHA-GEL TM
○
BETA-GEL TM
○
GAMMA-GEL TM
○
PRECISION
RADIONUCLIDE THERAPY TM
○
PRECISIONGEL TM
Similarly,
we have systematically filed provisional and utility patents that cover our key components, hydrogel and the yttrium phosphate
particles, and our injection system in the US office and more than ten others covering approximately 63 counties.
In
January 2025 we filed an additional provisional patent on the control, transport, and delivery of PrecisionGel.
IsoPet
Regional Clinics
Vista
Veterinary Hospital (“ Vista ”) was selected as the pilot private clinic to initiate commercial sales of IsoPet ® .
It is good management practice to implement and learn from a pilot program before spreading to regional clinics across the country. Vista
is in the Tri-Cities Washington area was convenient for interactions with key personnel of the Company.
Vista
has done well in several audits by the Washington State Department of Health. The Company worked closely with the Washington State Department
of Health to refine and improve the radioactive material license by adding several detailed procedures, which will benefit future regional
clinics. In addition, a second veterinarian has been certified.
5
The
testing at the universities and at Vista have demonstrated that IsoPet ® is effective on killing cancer tissue near the
injections. It is most effective in early cases before the cancer has begun to spread. Later stage cancers are more difficult to treat
since the tendrils from the primary cancer site are not well defined or imaged and therefore can lead to recurrence.
Johns
Hopkins University Veterinary Clinical Trials Network (“ Johns Hopkins ”), is now an Isopet ® regional
clinic. They have the required radioactive material license and have completed their training certification for Isopet ® .
This important relationship will also help meet our objective of obtaining high quality data on a range of cancers that can be published
in leading journals. These publications are the optimal way to increase awareness of Isopet ® , and to gain broader acceptance
from the veterinarian/oncology community. Johns Hopkins just completed the VX2 Tumor therapy animal study in rabbits and is writing a
report for publication. The study further demonstrated the safety of RadioGel ® , generating the activity decay curves that
show that the hydrogel remains at the injection site. This study also: (1) demonstrated the validity of the Instructions for Use; (2)
the validity of the Injection Guidance Table; and (3) provided a basis for refining the techniques for treating small human cancerous
lymph nodes.
RadioGel’s
classification as a breakthrough device was positively influenced by the safety and effectiveness of many animal therapies.
We
expanded the number of IsoPet Certified clinic from 4 in 2023 to 13 by the end of 2024:
●
Vista
Veterinary Hospital – Kennewick, WA
●
University
of Missouri – Columbia, MO
●
Johns
Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD
●
New
England Equine Practice – Patterson, NY
●
Myhre
Equine Clinic, Rochester, NH
●
University
of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, W
●
Brazos
Valley Equine Hospital, Navasota, TX
●
Indian
Creek Veterinary Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN
●
Hopkinton
Animal Hospital - Hopkinton, N
●
NorthStar
VETS Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty Center, Robbinsville, NJ
●
Animal
Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN
●
Sumner
Veterinary Hospital, Sumner, WA
●
The
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL
We
now treat feline, canine, equine, and exotic animals.
We
are targeting to open approximately ten more clinics in 2025.
The
Company worked closely with FX Masse to assist the clinics with licensing. They developed nine certification training modules for use
in potential regional clinics. These modules are necessary to satisfy the radioactive material handling licenses.
During
2024, the Company saw the development of three new websites to elevate the online presence and brand identity. These included a corporate
website and dedicated sites for its two divisions, RadioGel ® and IsoPet ® , tailored to their unique audiences.
Each site featured user-friendly designs, informative content, and engaging blogs to educate visitors and build industry authority. Marketing
Materials were created that effectively communicated our innovative cancer treatment Precision Radionuclide Therapy™.
Our
team managed a booth at six conferences. LeeAnna Binder toured the country discussing IsoPet therapy with several clinics in a specially modified IsoPet van. To amplify visibility, our marketing team managed and maintained an
active presence on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, with consistent, engaging posts to
connect with our target audience. This comprehensive approach enhanced brand recognition, drove traffic to our websites, and
supported business growth.
In
2024, IsoPet Division transitioned from data collection to commercialization, utilizing our extensive data to refine our offerings. By
collaborating closely with certified clinics, we have recalibrated our pricing to make our services more affordable for pet patients.
As we enter 2025, with plans to expand our clinic network across strategic US regions, we are excited about enhancing pet care nationwide.
With increasing patient volumes, we are also aligning with our production team to establish a more defined ordering schedule. This strategy
will help synchronize patient bookings with product availability, ultimately reducing production costs and making IsoPet’s solutions
even more accessible.
6
Our
objectives are to open several more regional clinics over the next three years, and to participate in a minimum of four conferences annually
to spread the word about IsoPet ® in the veterinarian community for treating tumors in small animals and horses. Our Veterinary
Medicine Steering Board provides advice on obtaining new pet patients.
FDA
Regulatory Status- Recent Developments
Human
Therapy
In
November 2020 the Company submitted a request for a Breakthrough Device Designation. Ultimately, this was denied, but the FDA acknowledged,
“The FDA does believe that RadioGel™ meets criterion #2a: Device represents breakthrough technology. Your device does
meet this criterion because it is a novel application of a precision radionuclide therapy device outside of the liver.” More
importantly, the process resulted in a rapid review of our existing data and approach. It led to a redirection of our efforts on writing
the Investigational Device Exemptions (“ IDEs ”) and saved the Company much time in the review of that future application.
Based
on advice from the FDA the Company scheduled a Pre-Submission meeting on November 30, 2021 to discuss a draft of an IDE for Early Feasibility
Medical Device Clinical Studies, including certain First in Human (“ FIH ”) Studies. Using this process results in more
rapid feedback to prepare the final IDE.
The
FDA was supportive and had suggested this Q-Submission path for rapid turnaround and dialog. The Mayo Clinic physicians did an excellent
job presenting the need for Radiogel ™ to treat recurrent thyroid cancer and to answer a range of questions from the
new FDA review team. The FDA provided many helpful suggestions on a range of subjects from labeling to dosimetry to the Mayo Clinic protocol
for clinical testing, and the need for some additional specific testing. They suggested having another Q-Sub Review and conference call
dedicated to the details of the dosimetry calculations.
In
May of 2022 the Company held another pre-submission meeting with the FDA. They concurred with our dosimetry techniques and requested
one more animal test to confirm that the Y-90 stays at the injection site. We participated in another pre-submission meeting to discuss
this new animal test of VX-2 tumors in rabbits at Johns Hopkins. We have a meeting scheduled with the FDA in October to obtain their
feedback on our new animal test plan.
We
held another pre-submission meeting with the FDA on October 17, 2022 to obtain detailed feedback on the proposed VX-2/Rabbit Animal Test
Plan and to submit the Risk Management Report (“ RMR ”). The RMR analyzed all hypothetical scenarios and concluded that
RadioGel is inherently safe.
We
participated in pre-submission meetings with the FDA on April 10, 2023, and September 29, 2023, to discuss the preliminary results of
the VX2 tumor animal study and to obtain feedback on the genotoxicity protocol.
After
providing addition information to the FDA on December 18, 2023, the FDA classified us as a Breakthrough device to our proposed Indication
for Use.
Since
September 2024 the company has been engaged in the sprint process to discuss several FDA comments in detail. There will continue through
February 2024, at which time we will re-submit the request for an IDE. In parallel, the Company is working with the Mayo Clinic’s
principal investigators to improve the clinical trial protocol for their Institutional Review Board.
The
Medical Advisory Board (“ MAB ”) selected 18 applications for RadioGel™, each of which meet the criteria described
above. This large number confirms the wide applicability of the device and defines the path for future business growth. The Company’s
application establishes a single Indication for Use - treatment of cancerous tissue or solid tumors pathologically associated with locoregional
papillary thyroid carcinoma and recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma.
We
anticipate that this initial application will facilitate each subsequent application for additional Indications for Use. After the second
Indication for Use, our objective is to apply for a broad Indication for Use which we would target to obtain approval to treat all solid
tumors
7
Radiogel™
Device Designation:
In
2014, the Company submitted a presubmission (Q130140) to obtain FDA feedback about the proposed product. The FDA requested that the Company
file a request for designation with the Office of Combination Products (RFD130051), which led to the determination that RadioGel™
is a device for human therapy for non-resectable cancers, which must be reviewed and ultimately regulated by the Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (“ CDRH ”). The Company then submitted a 510(k) notice for RadioGel™ (K133368), which was
found Not Substantially Equivalent due to the lack of a suitable predicate, and RadioGel™ was assigned to the Class III product
code NAW (microspheres). Class III products or devices are generally the highest risk devices and are therefore subject to the highest
level of regulatory review, control, and oversight. Class III products or devices must typically be approved by FDA before they are marketed.
Class II devices represent lower risk products or devices than Class III and require fewer regulatory controls to provide reasonable
assurance of the device’s safety and effectiveness. In contrast, Class I products and devices are deemed to be lower risk than
Class I or II, and are therefore subject to the least regulatory controls.
A
pre-submission meeting (Q140496) was held with the FDA on June 17, 2014, during which the FDA maintained that RadioGel™ should
be considered a Class III device and therefore subject to pre-market approval. On December 29, 2014, the Company submitted a de novo
petition for RadioGel™ (DEN140043). The de novo petition was denied by the FDA on June 1, 2015, with the FDA providing
numerous comments and questions. On September 29, 2015, the Company submitted a follow-up pre-submission informational meeting request
with the FDA (Q151569). This meeting took place on November 9, 2015, at which time the FDA indicated acceptance of the Company’s
applied dosimetry methods and clarified the FDA’s outstanding questions regarding RadioGel™. Following the November 2015
pre-submission meeting, the Company prepared a new pre-submission package to obtain FDA feedback on the proposed testing methods, intended
to address the concerns raised by the FDA staff and to address the suitability of RadioGel™ for de novo reclassification.
This pre-submission package was presented to the FDA in a meeting on August 29, 2017. During the August 2017 meeting, the FDA clarified
their position on the remaining pre-clinical testing needed for RadioGel™. Specifically, the FDA addressed proposed dosimetry calculating
techniques, dosimetry distribution between injections, hydrogel viscoelastic properties, and the details of the Company’s proposed
animal testing.
Financing
and Strategy
The
Company requires funding of approximately $3.5 million per year for Selling and General Administration costs and to fund its ongoing
initiatives. Over the next 36 months, the Company believes it will cost approximately $10 million to: (1) conduct human clinical trials;
(2) activate several regional clinics to administer IsoPet ® across the county; (3) create an alternate manufacturing center
based on a template for future international manufacturing.
The
principal variables in the timing and amount of spending depends on the speed of FDA approval for clinical trials. The currently approved
1-A Reg A provided a basis for obtaining most of the required investment, assuming there are willing investors. The Company intends to
reduce its funding requirement via generating income from sales in the animal sector.
Outside
of the U.S., the Company intends to pursue licensing arrangements and/or partnerships to facilitate its global commercialization strategy.
Based
on the Company’s financial history since inception, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has expressed
substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has limited revenue, nominal cash, and
has accumulated deficits since inception. If the Company cannot obtain sufficient additional capital, the Company will be required to
delay the implementation of its business strategy and may not be able to continue operations.
As
of December 31, 2024, the Company has $2,212,548 cash on hand. There are currently commitments to vendors for products and services purchased.
To continue the development of the Company’s products, the current level of cash may not be enough to cover the fixed and variable
obligations of the Company. The company has been utilizing the previously authorized Reg A as the principal vehicle to obtain funding
and intends to continue to bring in the funding necessary to support the projected activities through 2027. There is no guarantee that
the Company will be able to raise additional funds or to do so at an advantageous price.
8
Product
Features
The
Company’s RadioGel™ device has the following product features:
●
Beta
particles only travel a short distance so the device can deliver high radiation to the tumor with minimal dose to the nearby normal
tissues. In medical terms Y-90 beta emitter has a high efficacy rate;
●
Benefitting
from the short penetration distance, the patient can go home immediately with no fear of exposure to family members, and there is
a greatly reduced radiation risk to the doctor. A simple plastic tube around the syringe, gloves and safety glasses are all that
is required. Other gamma emitting products require much more protection;
●
A
2.7-day half-life means that only 5% of the radiation remains after ten days. This is in contrast to the industry-standard gamma
irradiation product, which has a half-life of 17 days;
●
The
short half-life also means that any medical waste can be stored for thirty days then disposed as normal hospital waste;
●
RadioGel™
can be administered with small diameter needles (27-gauge) so there is minimal damage to the normal tissue. This contrasts with the
injection of metal seeds, which does considerable damage; and
●
After
about 120 days the gel resorbs by a normal biological cycle, called the Krebs Cycle. The only remaining evidence of the treatment
are phosphate particles so small in diameter that it requires a high-resolution microscope to find them. This contrasts with permanent
presence of metal seeds.
Steps
from Production to Therapy
Device
Production
During
the next two years, the Company intends to continue to outsource material aspects of manufacturing and distribution. As future product
volume increases, the Company will reassess its make-buy decision on manufacturing and will analyze the cost/benefit of a centrally located
facility.
Production
of the Hydrogel
RadioGel ™
is manufactured with a proprietary process under ventilated sterile hood by following strict Good Management Practices (“ GMP ”)
procedures. It is made in large batches that are frozen for up to three months. When the product is ready to ship, a small quantity of
the gel is dissolved in a sterile saline solution. It is then passed through an ultra-fine filter to ensure sterility.
Production
of the Yttrium-90 Phosphate Particles
The
Y-90 particles are produced with simple ingredients via a proprietary process, again following strict GMP procedures. They are then mixed
into a phosphate-buffered saline solution. They can be produced in large batches for several shipments. The number of particles per shipment
is determined by the dose prescribed by the doctor.
Pre-Mixing
– Ready to Use (“RTU”)
The
Company now pre-mixes the particle solution and the hydrogel and places the RTU IsoPet® in standard size vials. This innovation is
cost effective and reduces the probability of any accidental spills or biological contamination at the therapy sites. It also simplified
the certification training for new regional clinics.
Shipment
The
vials are shipped inside the specially designed plastic shipping pigs via FedEx or UPS, all following the proper protocols.
At
the User
The
quantities and activities are in the information on the product label.
The
specific injection technique described on the Instructions for Use. For small tumors, one centimeter in diameter or less, the cancer
is treated with a single injection. For larger tumors, the cancer is treated with a series of small injections from the same syringe
or multiple syringes.
9
Principal
Markets
The
Company is currently pursuing two synergistic business sectors, medical and veterinary, each of which are summarized below.
Medical
Sector
RadioGel ™
is currently fully developed, requiring only FDA approval before commercialization.
Building
on the FDA’s ruling of RadioGel ™ as a device, the Company incorporated the FDA suggestions and has invested in
the pre-clinical testing required for IDE submittal. This included two years of effort on biocompatibility testing. The last remaining
animal test has been completed, and the Company is engaged in the detailed sprint revie process.
Clinical
trials have just initiated in India. It is anticipated that these data will help accelerate FDA approval in the USA.
Veterinary
Sector
There
are approximately 150 million pet dogs and cats in the United States. Nearly one-half of dogs and one-third of cats are diagnosed with
cancer at some point in their lifetime. The Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center in Norwalk, Connecticut, reports that cancer
is the number one natural cause of death in older cats and dogs, accounting for nearly 50 percent of pet deaths each year. The American
Veterinary Medical Association reports that half of the dogs ten years or older will die because of cancer. The National Cancer Institute
reports that about six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year, translating to more than 16,000 a day.
The
Company’s IsoPet ® operating division focuses on the veterinary oncology market Richard Weller DVM, DACVIM, is now
the Chairman of the Veterinary Medicine Advisory Board. In addition, John E. Hendrich, PhD, DVM is a new member.
Development
of the product and application techniques and animal testing is allowed under FDA regulation. Commercial sales of RadioGel TM for
animals requires confirmation by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (“ CVM ”). In January 2018, the Center for Veterinary
Medicine Product Classification Group, the entity within the CVM that is responsible for determining the classification of a product,
ruled that RadioGel TM should be classified as a device for animal therapy of feline sarcomas and canine soft tissue sarcomas.
Additionally,
after a legal review, the Company believes that the device classification obtained from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is not
limited to canine and feline sarcomas, but rather may be extended to a much broader population of veterinary cancers, including all or
most all solid tumors in animals. We expect the result of such classification and label approval will be that no additional regulatory
approvals are necessary for the use of RadioGel TM for the treatment of solid tumors in animals. The FDA does not have premarket
authority over devices with a veterinary classification, and the manufacturers are responsible for assuring that the product is safe,
effective, properly labeled, and otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The
Company currently intends to utilize university veterinary hospitals for therapy development, given that veterinary hospitals offer superior
and plentiful veterinarians and students, many animal patients, radioactive material handling licenses, and are respected by private
veterinary centers and hospitals.
Competitors
The
Company competes in a market characterized by technological innovation, extensive research efforts, and significant competition.
The
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological changes. Several
companies are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals and products that target the same diseases and conditions that our products
target. We cannot predict with accuracy the timing or impact of the introduction of potentially competitive products or their possible
effect on our sales. Certain potentially competitive products to our products may be in various stages of development. Also, there may
be many ongoing studies with currently marketed products and other developmental products, which may yield new data that could adversely
impact the use of our products in their current and potential future Indications for Use. The introduction of competitive products could
significantly reduce our sales, which, in turn would adversely impact our financial and operating results.
10
There
are a wide variety of cancer treatments approved and marketed in the U.S. and globally. General categories of treatment include surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. These products have a diverse set of success rates and side effects. The Company’s
Radiogel™ precision radionuclide therapy product would generally compete with brachytherapy devices currently marketed in the U.S.
and globally. The traditional iodine-125 (“ I-125 ”) and palladium-103 (“ Pd-103 ”) technologies are
well entrenched with powerful market players. The industry-standard I-125-based therapy was developed by Oncura, which is a unit of General
Electric Healthcare. Additionally, C.R. Bard, a major industry player competes in the I-125 marketplace. These market competitors are
also involved in the distribution of Pd-103 based products. Cs-131 brachytherapy products are marketed by GT MedTech. Several Y-90 therapies
have been FDA approved including SIR-Spheres by Sirtex, TheraSphere by Biocompatibles UK.
Raw
Materials
The
Company currently subcontracts the manufacturing of RadioGel TM at IsoTherapeutics. Eckert and Ziegler is the sole supplier
of the Y-90 used by IsoTherapeutics to manufacture the Company’s RadioGel ™ . The Company obtains supplies, hardware,
handling equipment and packaging from several different U.S. suppliers. Eckert and Ziegler previously provided Y-90 to the USA from Germany,
but we now receive the material from their Massachusetts operations.
In
2024 IsoTherapeutics was acquired by Telix. That has stimulated Vivos to accelerate its efforts to develop an additional manufacturing
contractor. Our objective is to develop more than one alternative to manufacture our components by 2026.
During
2021, the Company engaged Akina, Inc. as an alternate supplier of its hydrogel polymer component. We have now expanded to include SciPoly
as another alternate polymer supplier. We are completing the actions to expand Akina’s role to be the supplier of sterilized hydrogel,
PrecisionGel TM .
Customers
The
Company anticipates that potential customers for our potential precision radionuclide therapy products likely would include those
institutions and individuals that currently purchase brachytherapy products or other oncology treatment products. We anticipate that
the veterinarian and medical communities will recognize the Precision Radionuclide Therapy TM as the best option for
treating many solid tumors.
Government
Regulation
The
Company’s present and future intended activities in the development, manufacturing, and sale of cancer therapy products, including
RadioGel ™ , are subject to extensive laws, regulations, regulatory approvals, and guidelines. Within the United States,
the Company’s therapeutic radiological devices must comply with the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which is enforced
by FDA. The Company is also required to adhere to applicable FDA Quality System Regulations, also known as the Good Manufacturing Practices,
which include extensive record keeping and periodic inspections of manufacturing facilities.
In
the United States, the FDA regulates, among other things, new product clearances and approvals to establish the safety and efficacy of
these products. We are also subject to other federal and state laws and regulations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act
and the Environmental Protection Act.
The
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other federal statutes and regulations govern or influence the research, testing, manufacture,
safety, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, distribution, use, reporting, advertising, and promotion of such products. Noncompliance
with applicable requirements can result in civil penalties, recall, injunction or seizure of products, refusal of the government to approve
or clear product approval applications, disqualification from sponsoring or conducting clinical investigations, preventing us from entering
government supply contracts, withdrawal of previously approved applications, and criminal prosecution.
In
the United States, medical devices are classified into three different categories over which the FDA applies increasing levels of regulation:
Class I, Class II, and Class III. Most Class I devices are exempt from premarket notification 510(k); most Class II devices require premarket
notification 510(k); and most Class III devices require premarket approval. RadioGel ™ is currently classified as a Class
III device.
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Approval
of new Class III medical devices is a lengthy procedure and can take several years and require the expenditure of significant resources.
There is a shorter FDA review and clearance process for Class II medical devices, the premarket notification or 510(k) process, whereby
a company can market certain Class II medical devices that can be shown to be substantially equivalent to other legally marketed devices.
As
a registered medical device manufacturer with the FDA, we are subject to inspection to ensure compliance with FDA’s current Good
Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP. These regulations require that we and any of our contract manufacturers design, manufacture, and service
products, and maintain documents in a prescribed manner with respect to manufacturing, testing, distribution, storage, design control,
and service activities. Modifications or enhancements that could significantly affect the safety or effectiveness of a device or that
constitute a major change to the intended use of the device require a new 510(k) premarket notification for any significant product modification.
The
Medical Device Reporting regulation requires that we provide information to the FDA on deaths or serious injuries alleged to be associated
with the use of our devices, as well as product malfunctions that are likely to cause or contribute to death or serious injury if the
malfunction were to recur. Labeling and promotional activities are regulated by the FDA and, in some circumstances, by the Federal Trade
Commission.
As
a medical device manufacturer, we are also subject to laws and regulations administered by governmental entities at the federal, state,
and local levels. For example, our facility is licensed as a medical device manufacturing facility in the State of Washington and is
subject to periodic state regulatory inspections. Our customers are also subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations that could
affect the nature and scope of their relationships with us.
In
the United States, as a manufacturer of medical devices and devices utilizing radioactive byproduct material, we are subject to extensive
regulation by not only federal governmental authorities, such as the FDA and FAA, but also by state and local governmental authorities,
such as the Washington State Department of Health, to ensure such devices are safe and effective. In Washington State, the Department
of Health, by agreement with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“ NRC ”), regulates the possession, use, and
disposal of radioactive byproduct material as well as the manufacture of radioactive sealed sources to ensure compliance with state and
federal laws and regulations. RadioGel ™ constitutes both medical devices and radioactive sealed sources and are subject
to these regulations.
Moreover,
our use, management, and disposal of certain radioactive substances and wastes are subject to regulation by several federal and state
agencies depending on the nature of the substance or waste material. We believe that we follow all federal and state regulations for
this purpose.
Environmental
Regulation
Our
business does not require us to comply with any extraordinary environmental regulations. Our RadioGel ™ product is manufactured
in an independently owned and operated facility. Any environmental effects or contamination event that could result would be from the
shipping company during shipment and misuse by the treatment facility upon arrival.
Human
Capital
Since
2017, the Company has followed the cost-effective model of having had one full-time employee, the CEO. The Company utilizes several independent
contractors to assist with its operations. This includes key positions, such as acting CFO and Quality Assurance Manager. The Company
does not have a collective bargaining agreement with any of its personnel and believes its relations with its personnel are good. This
enables the Company to operate on very low overhead, for cost-effective utilization of its investment and to manage our work scope like
projects.
Available
Information
The
Company prepares and files annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and certain other
information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Moreover, the Company maintains a website at http://www.RadioGel.com
that contains important information about the Company, including biographies of key management personnel, as well as information about
the Company’s business. This information is publicly available and is updated regularly. The content on any website referred to
in this Offering Circular is not incorporated by reference into this Offering Circular, unless (and only to the extent) expressly so
stated herein.
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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.