Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included in this Report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements” above. You should review the disclosure under the heading “Item1A. Risk Factors” in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statement.
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Overview
We are seeking to reshape the world of electronics with our disruptive organic thin-film transistors (“OTFTs”) that we believe have the potential to drive the next generation of displays. Our patented TRUFLEX® semiconductor and dielectric inks, or electronic polymers, are used to make a new type of transistor that we believe have the capability to potentially revolutionize the display industry. Our inks enable low temperature printing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure to deliver low-cost displays that outperform existing technologies. Our electronic polymer platform can be used in a range of display technologies including microLED, miniLED and AMOLED displays for next generation televisions, laptops, augmented reality (“AR”) and virtual reality (“VR”) headsets, smartwatches and smartphones.
Our loss before income taxes was $8.5 million and $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our accumulated deficit was $95.1 million. Substantially all our operating losses have resulted from expenses incurred in connection with research and development activities and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations.
Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
There are a number of industry factors that affect our business which include, among others:
Overall Demand for Products and Applications using Organic thin film transistors
Our potential for growth depends significantly on the adoption of OTFT materials in the display and sensor markets and our ability to capture a significant share of any market that does develop. We expect that demand for our technology will also fluctuate based on various market cycles, continuously evolving industry supply chains, trade and tariff terms, as well as evolving competitive dynamics in each of the respective markets. These uncertainties make demand difficult to forecast for us and our customers.
Intense and Constantly Evolving Competitive Environment
Competition in the industries we serve is intense. Many companies have made significant investments in product development and production equipment. To remain competitive, market participants must continuously increase product performance, reduce costs, and develop improved ways to serve their customers. To address these competitive pressures, we have invested in research and development activities to support new product development, improve ease of use, lower product costs and deliver higher levels of performance to differentiate our products in the market.
Governmental Trade and Regulatory Conditions
Our potential for growth depends on a balanced and stable trade, political, economic and regulatory environment among the countries where we do business. Changes in trade policy such as the imposition of tariffs or export bans to specific customers or countries could reduce or limit demand for our products in certain markets.
Technological Innovation and Advancement
Innovations and advancements in organic materials continue to expand the potential commercial application for our products. However, new technologies or standards could emerge, or improvements could be made in existing technologies that could reduce or limit the demand for our products in certain markets.
Intellectual Property Issues
We rely on patented and non-patented proprietary information relating to product development, manufacturing capabilities and other core competencies of our business. Protection of intellectual property is critical. Therefore, steps such as additional patent applications, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements, as well as other security measures are important. While we believe we have a strong patent portfolio and there is no actual or, to our knowledge,
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threatened litigation against us for patent-related matters, litigation or threatened litigation is a common method to effectively enforce or protect intellectual property rights. Such action may be initiated by or against us and would require significant management time and expenses.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
Revenue. Our revenue consists of revenue from the sale of TRUFLEX® inks and demonstration products.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues consists of (1) direct product costs incurred for the raw materials and manufacturing services for our products, (2) fixed product costs primarily relating to production, manufacturing and personnel and (3) depreciation consisting primarily of expenses related to our fixed assets. We expect our cost of goods sold attributable to direct product costs to increase proportionately with increases in revenue, and our cost of goods sold attributable to fixed product costs to remain substantially flat or moderately increase in connection with increases in revenue.
Other Operating Income. Our Other Operating Income includes government grants received for qualifying research and development projects, and research and development tax credits related to the United Kingdom’s Research and Development tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprises, which is a government tax incentive designed to reward innovative companies for investing in research and development. The income associated with these items is recognized in the period which the research and development expenses occurred.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel, including share-based compensation and employee benefits as well as costs associated with design, fabrication and testing of OTFT devices. In addition, research and development expenses include depreciation expenses related to our fixed assets. We expense research and development expenses as incurred. As we continue to invest in developing our technology for new products, we expect research and development expenses to remain flat or moderately increase in absolute dollars but to decline as a percentage of revenue. We do not believe that it is possible at this time to accurately project total program-specific expenses through commercialization. There are numerous factors associated with the successful commercialization of our technology, many of which cannot be determined with accuracy at this time based on our stage of development. Additionally, future commercial and other factors beyond our control will impact our development programs and plans.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of allocated compensation and related costs for personnel, including share-based compensation, employee benefits and travel. In addition, general and administrative expenses include third-party consulting, legal, audit, accounting services, allocations of overhead costs, such as rent, facilities and information technology. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars in future periods due to additional legal, accounting, insurance, investor relations and other costs associated with being a public company, as well as other costs associated with growing our business.
Non-Operating Income (Expense)
Non-operating income/expense aggregates the following amounts:
Foreign Currency Translation. Foreign currency translation reflects adjustments made due to currency fluctuations.
Transaction Costs. Costs for equity contracts that are classified as a liability.
Fair Value of Warrant Liability. The fair value of equity contracts that are classified as a liability.
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Interest Income. Interest income is interest on our cash deposits.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense consists primarily of income taxes in jurisdictions in which we conduct business.
Results of Operations
Twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared with the twelve months ended December 31, 2022
Revenue and Cost of Revenue
Our revenue and cost of revenue reflects sales of TRUFLEX® inks and demonstration products and the direct costs associated with those sales.
Revenues were $27.0 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $40.0 thousand for the same period of 2022. Cost of revenue was $23.0 thousand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $33.0 thousand for the same period of 2022. The decrease is mainly the results of less unit sales in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting the largely one-off nature of these sales, consistent with our current stage of commercialization.
Other Operating Income
Other operating income was $0.8 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The primary sources of the other operating income in these periods were a research grant and research and development tax credits. The decrease is mostly attributable to a reduction in the allowable research and development expenses and a lowering of the tax credit rate to be applied to the allowable expenses of which both went into effect in 2023.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by $0.1 million to $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $10.9 million for the comparable period of 2022.
Research and development expense, which represents 51.3% and 53.4% of our total operating expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, decreased by $0.2 million to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $5.8 million for the same period of 2022. The decrease is mainly due to lower personnel costs related to reductions in force effected in December 2022 and September 2023 and lower technical research and development costs, including consulting, testing and lab supplies.
Selling, general and administrative expense, which represents 47.9% and 46.6% of our total operating expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, increased by $0.1 million to $5.2 million for year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2022. There was an increase in personnel costs due to severance costs and the accrual of bonus payments in 2023. This was offset by a reduction in investor relations cost and other professional service fees.
Non-Operating Income/(Expenses) and Net Loss
The increase of $3.0 million in gain on foreign currency transactions was due to fluctuations in U.S. dollar/U.K. pound value arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies and the translation of foreign currency denominated balances on intra-group loans.
Issuance costs of $0.2 million allocated to the warrant liability were expensed in full during the year ended December 31, 2023. The majority of costs were legal, placement and consulting fees specifically related to the private placement transaction. There were no similar gains or losses recorded during the prior year.
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A gain of $0.5 million related to the valuation of the warrant liability was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no similar gains or losses recorded during the prior year.
The loss before income taxes was $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $3.0 million, compared to a loss before income taxes of $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in the 2023 period was attributable increases in gains on foreign currency transactions and lower operating expenses as described in the preceding paragraphs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents were $8.8 million compared with $4.2 million as of December 31, 2022. We believe this will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through the end of April 2025. It is possible this period could be shortened if there are any significant increases in planned spending or development programs or more rapid progress of development programs than anticipated.
Our future viability is dependent on our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations. We will need to obtain additional funds to satisfy our operational needs and to fund our sales and marketing efforts, research and development expenditures, and business development activities. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate sufficient cash through revenue, management’s plans are to finance our working capital requirements through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our existing security holders will likely experience dilution. If we borrow money, the incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that could restrict our operations. If we enter into a collaboration, strategic alliance or other similar arrangement, we may be forced to give up valuable rights. There can be no assurance however that such financing will be available in sufficient amounts, when and if needed, on acceptable terms or at all. The precise amount and timing of the funding needs cannot be determined accurately at this time, and will depend on a number of factors, including the market demand for the Company’s products and services, the quality of product development efforts, management of working capital, and continuation of normal payment terms and conditions for purchase of services. If the Company is unable to substantially increase revenues, reduce expenditures, or otherwise generate cash flows for operations, then the Company will need to raise additional funding.
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $1.0 million. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in our net loss of $3.0 million, partially offset by an increase of non-cash activities of $3.3 million and a net increase in operating assets and liabilities of $1.3 million.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $18.0 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $79.0 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $61.0 thousand. The decrease resulted from a reduced level of investment in laboratory and capital equipment purchases in 2023.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by financing activities was $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $10.9 million. In June 2023, we completed a private placement of our preferred stock and warrants resulting in net proceeds of $12.4 million with an additional $1.8 million related to the issuance of warrants. We incurred $1.5 million in issuance costs in connection with this private placement.
Contractual Payment Obligations
Our principal commitments primarily consist of obligations under leases for office space and purchase commitments in the normal course of business for research & development facilities and services, communications infrastructure, and administrative services. We expect to fund these commitments from our cash balances and working capital.
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For recently issued accounting announcements, see “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require our management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations would be affected. We base our estimates on our own historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable after taking account of our circumstances and expectations for the future based on available information. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis.
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed critical as defined above. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company determines the fair value of certain share-based awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. This method incorporates various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield, and expected life of the options. Prior to February 2022, the Company’s common stock was not traded on an over the counter or national securities exchange and consequently the Company developed estimates for the inputs to the option-pricing model.
Warrant Liability
The valuation of the warrant liability was determined using an option pricing model. This model uses inputs such as the underlying price of the shares issued at the measurement date, expected volatility, risk free interest rate and expected life of the instrument. Since our common stock was not publicly traded until February 2022 there has been insufficient volatility data available. Accordingly, we have used an expected volatility based on historical common stock volatility of our peers. In addition, we used the probability of uplisting as an input in the model to determine the fair value of the warrant liability.
JOBS Act Accounting Election
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This provision allows an emerging growth company to either early adopt or delay the adoption of some accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use the extended transition period under the JOBS Act until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act; therefore, pursuant to Item 301(c) of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
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