Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
During the nine months ended
September 30, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents were deposited in accounts at well capitalized financial institutions. The fair value
of our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2022 approximated its carrying value.
Investment and Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to
financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is defined as the sensitivity of our current and future
earnings to interest rate volatility, variability of spread relationships, the difference in re-pricing intervals between our assets and
liabilities and the effect that interest rates may have on our cash flow.
As we seek to provide
capital to a broad range of life science companies, institutions and investors with the majority of our finance receivables portfolio
paying interest based on floating interest rates with a reference rate floor, our net investment income is dependent, in part, upon the
difference between the rate at which we earn on our cash and cash equivalents and the rate at which we lend those funds to third parties.
As a result, we are subject to risks relating to changes in market interest rates. We may use interest rate risk management techniques
in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations by providing capital at variable interest rates. We do not currently
engage in any interest rate hedging activities. We constantly monitor our portfolio and position our portfolio to respond appropriately
to a reduction in credit rating of any of our investments.
We have entered into
a revolving credit facility. As we borrow funds to make additional investments, our income will depend, in part, upon the difference between
the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we are subject to risks relating to changes
in market interest rates. In periods of rising interest rates when we have debt outstanding, our cost of funds would increase, which could
reduce our income, especially to the extent we continue to hold fixed rate investments. We generally seek to mitigate this risk by pricing
our debt investments with floating interest rates to maintain the spread of our portfolio over the cost of leverage. If deemed prudent,
we may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to minimize our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, which we have
not done. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a materially adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market
interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our investment income, net of borrowing expenses.
Inflation
We do not believe that inflation
has had a significant impact on our revenues or operations.
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