Item 1.
Business
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Litigation Reform Act). These forward looking statements and other information are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by us using information currently available.
The words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, will, should and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or using other similar expressions.
In accordance with the provisions of the Litigation Reform Act, we are making investors aware that such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report on Form 10-K. For example, we may encounter competitive, technological, financial and business challenges making it more difficult than expected to continue to develop and market our products; the market may not accept our existing and future products; we may not be able to retain our customers; we may be unable to retain existing key management personnel; and there may be other material adverse changes in our operations or business. Certain important factors affecting the forward-looking statements made herein also include, but are not limited to (i) continued downward pricing pressures in our targeted markets, (ii) the continued acquisition of our customers by certain of our competitors, and (iii) continued periods of net losses, which could require us to find additional sources of financing to fund operations, implement our financial and business strategies, meet anticipated capital expenditures and fund research and development costs. In addition, assumptions relating to budgeting, marketing, product development and other management decisions are subjective in many respects and thus susceptible to interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments, the impact of which may cause us to alter our marketing, capital expenditure or other budgets, which may in turn affect our financial position and results of operations. For all of these reasons, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. In addition, you should read and carefully consider the Risk Factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10K. We assume no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise except as required by law.
General
Overview
We develop advanced polymer materials which provide critical characteristics in the design and development of medical devices. Our biomaterials are used in devices that are designed for treating a broad range of anatomical sites and disease states. Our business model leverages our proprietary materials science technology and manufacturing expertise in order to expand our product sales and royalty and license fee income.
Our leading edge technology, notably products such as ChronoFlex®, ChronoSil
TM
, HydroMed, and HydroThane, has been developed to overcome a wide range of design and functional challenges, from the need for dimensional stability, ease of manufacturability and demanding physical properties to overcoming environmental stress cracking and providing heightened lubricity for ease of insertion. Our polymer product lines are compliant with measures applying to the processing of certain animal waste to protect against transmissible spongiform encephalopathies as set forth in European Council Decision 1999/534/EC. Our new product extensions allow us to customize our proprietary polymers for specific customer applications in a wide range of device categories.
History
We were founded in 1993 as a subsidiary of PolyMedica Corporation (PolyMedica). In June 1996, PolyMedica distributed all of the shares of CardioTech International, Inc.s (CardioTech) common stock, par value $0.01 per share, which PolyMedica owned, to PolyMedica stockholders of record. Our materials science technology is principally based upon the ChronoFlex
TM
proprietary polymers which represent our core technology.
In July 1999, we acquired the assets of Tyndale-Plains-Hunter (TPH), a manufacturer of specialty hydrophilic polyurethanes.
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In July 1999, Dermaphylyx International, Inc. (Dermaphylyx) was formed by certain of our affiliates to develop advanced wound healing products. Dermaphylyx was merged with and into us, effective March 2004, as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In June 2006, our Board of Directors decided to cease the operations of Dermaphylyx. We considered the net assets of Dermaphylyx to be immaterial.
In April 2001, we acquired Catheter and Disposables Technology, Inc. (CDT). CDT, which was located in Minnesota, was an original equipment manufacturer and supplier of private-label advanced disposable medical devices from concept to finished packaged and sterilized products, providing engineering services and contract manufacturing. In the development of our business model, we reviewed the strategic fit of our various business operations and determined that CDT did not fit our strategic direction. CDT was sold in March 2008.
In April 2003, we acquired Gish Biomedical, Inc. (Gish). Gish was located in southern California and manufactured single use cardiopulmonary bypass products having a disposable component. In the development of our business model, we reviewed the strategic fit of our various business operations and determined that Gish did not fit our strategic direction. Gish was sold in July 2007.
At our 2007 Annual Meeting, our stockholders approved our reincorporation from Massachusetts to Delaware. Our Articles of Charter Surrender in Massachusetts and Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate of Conversion in Delaware were effective as of October 26, 2007. We changed our name from CardioTech International, Inc. to AdvanSource Biomaterials Corporation, effective October 15, 2008, and filed our Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
Business Strategy
Our vision is to be a world-class, technology company focused on customer-driven solutions in the medical device industry. Our unique materials science strengths are marketed to our existing customer base and to a broader range of medical device developers. We believe there exists a major void in the marketplace that could be filled with our strong materials science capabilities to maximize the early development phase of devices that utilize polymers.
Technology
Our unique materials science strengths are embodied in our family of proprietary polymers. We manufacture and sell our custom polymers under the trade names ChronoFilm, ChronoFlex, ChronoThane, ChronoPrene, ChronoSil, HydroThane, and PolyBlend. The ChronoFlex family of polymers is marketed to an expanding customer base. Our goal is to fulfill the markets need for advanced materials science capabilities, thereby enabling customers to improve devices that utilize polymers. Our chemists continue to develop the ChronoFlex family of medical-grade polymers. Conventional polymers are susceptible to degradation resulting in catastrophic failure of long-term implantable devices such as pacemaker leads. ChronoFlex and ChronoThane polymers are designed to overcome such degradation and reduce the incidents of infections associated with invasive devices.
Key characteristics of our polymers include i) optional use as lubricious coatings for smooth insertion of a device into the body and ii) mechanical properties, such as hardness and elasticity sufficient to meet engineering requirements. We believe our technology has wide application in increasing biocompatibility, drug delivery, and expanding the utility of complex devices in the hospital and clinical environment.
We also manufacture and sell our proprietary HydroThane polymers to medical device manufacturers that are evaluating HydroThane for use in their products. HydroThane is a thermoplastic, water-absorbing, polyurethane elastomer possessing properties which we believe make it well suited for the complex requirements of a variety of catheters. In addition to its physical properties, we believe HydroThane exhibits an inherent degree of bacterial resistance, clot resistance and biocompatibility. When hydrated, HydroThane has elastic properties similar to living tissue.
We also manufacture specialty hydrophilic polyurethanes that are primarily sold to customers as part of exclusive arrangements. Specifically, one customer is supplied tailored, patented hydrophilic polyurethanes in exchange for a multi-year, royalty-bearing exclusive supply contract which generates royalty income for us.
ChronoFilm is a registered trademark of PolyMedica. ChronoFlex is our registered trademark. ChronoThane, ChronoPrene, ChronoSil, HydroThane, and PolyBlend are our trade names.
Intellectual Property
We own or license four patents relating to our vascular graft manufacturing and polymer technology and products. While we believe our patents secure our exclusivity with respect to certain of our technologies, there can
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be no assurance that any patents issued would not afford us adequate protection against competitors which sell similar inventions or devices, nor can there be any assurance that our patents will not be infringed upon or designed around by others. However, we intend to vigorously enforce all patents issued to us.
In August 2010, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued us a U.S. patent on our proprietary antimicrobial formulation for ChronoFlex. Current technology in the marketplace uses antibiotic drugs. The antimicrobial component of our polymers has been designed to be non-leaching as a result of the polymerization process.
In October 2009, we filed for a U.S. patent on ChronoSil, our silicone-urethane copolymer product, and methods for making ChronoSil. ChronoSil can have many physical properties which are usually associated with polyurethanes, but also the feel and characteristics of silicones.
In addition, PolyMedica has granted us an exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license for the use of one polyurethane patent and related technology in the field consisting of the development, manufacture and sale of implantable medical devices and biodurable polymer material to third parties for the use in medical applications (the Implantable Device and Materials Field). PolyMedica also owns, jointly with Thermedics, Inc., an unrelated company that manufactures medical grade polyurethane, the ChronoFlex polyurethane patents relating to the ChronoFlex technology. PolyMedica has granted us a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free sublicense of these patents for use in the Implantable Devices and Materials Field.
Manufacturing and Service Operations
We manufacture polymers at our leased facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Product and Services
Materials Science Technology
We manufacture polymeric materials with a wide-range of physical and biological properties. Our polymers are available with a variety of hardness and mechanical strengths and possess unique characteristics such as biodurability, biocompatibility, lubricity and antimicrobial properties. These polymeric materials may be used as structural engineering polymers or as coatings for metallic and polymeric surfaces and have a history of use in both short and long-term implant applications.
We have been provided exclusive and non-exclusive perpetual, world-wide, royalty-free license and sublicense rights for the use of polyurethane patents and related technology for the development, manufacture and sale of implantable medical devices and biodurable polymer material. As a result, we are able to enter into license and royalty arrangements for the exclusive use of our customized polymers. During the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we generated revenues from license, royalty and development fees of $618,000 and $775,000, respectively.
We have established a concept center in our Massachusetts facility which enables customers to access technical expertise in advanced biomaterials development and processing to help develop product ideas, refine concepts and/or solve the technical problems to enable the customer to bring their product to market. The center is focused on better combining core polymer technology with new product applications to expand customer access to our materials sciences and product development expertise, establish new customer relationships and deepen those with existing customers.
Marketing and Sales
We sell our polymers directly to our customers from our Massachusetts facility. Our Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations has primary responsibilities in our sales, marketing and business development efforts. Our domestic sales distribution includes two independent sales engineers responsible for our regional sales efforts in the Eastern and Western U.S. Our international sales distribution includes an independent distributor based in China.
We have not experienced, and do not expect to experience, in any material respect, seasonality in sales of our products.
We perform ongoing credit evaluations and maintain allowances for potential credit losses. As of March 31, 2016, we had accounts receivable-trade of $46,000, or 65%, due from four customers. As of March 31, 2015, we had accounts receivable-trade of $133,000, or 62%, due from two customers.
As of March 31, 2016, we had $121,000 due from two customers related to receivables on license fees and royalties. As of March 31, 2015, we had $76,000 due from two customer related to receivables on license fees and royalties. These amounts are classified as accounts receivable-other in our balance sheets.
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We do not have any facilities, property or other assets located in any geographic area other than the United States of America.
Contracts and Material Relationships
In the normal course of business, we have entered and will continue to enter into development, licensing and royalty agreements. In addition, we have certain customers that represent a significant component of our revenue. For the year ended March 31, 2016, two customers represented 52% and 13% of revenues, respectively. For the year ended March 31, 2015, three customers represented 42%, 14% and 11%, respectively, of our revenues.
Revenues
Our revenues were $3,181,000 and $2,574,000 for the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Competition
Competition in the medical device industry, in general, is intense and based primarily on scientific and technological factors, the availability of patent and other protection for technology and products, the ability to commercialize technological developments and the ability to obtain governmental approval for testing, manufacturing and marketing products.
Competition among products is based, among other things, on product efficacy, safety, reliability, availability, price and patent position. An important factor is the timing of the market introduction of our products or the products of competitors. Accordingly, the relative speed with which we can develop products and supply commercial quantities of the products to the market is expected to be an important competitive factor. Our competitive position depends upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, to obtain patent protection or otherwise develop proprietary products or processes, and to secure sufficient capital resources for the often substantial period between technological conception and commercial sales.
Research and Development, Regulatory and Engineering
Our development decisions are based on: (i) development costs, (ii) product need, (iii) third-party interest, (iv) funding availability, and (v) regulatory considerations. Research, development and regulatory expenditures for the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $310,000 and $356,000, respectively, and consisted primarily of salaries and related costs (79% and 69% of research and development expenses in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively), and are expensed as incurred.
Government Regulation
From time to time, legislation is drafted and introduced in Congress that could significantly change the statutory provisions governing the approval, manufacturing and marketing of drug products and medical devices.
Backlog
Our backlog in the ordinary course of business for biomaterial products is approximately $179,000 at March 31, 2016.
Environmental Compliance
Our direct expenditures for environmental compliance were not material in the two most recent fiscal years. However, certain costs of manufacturing have increased due to environmental regulations placed upon suppliers of components and services.
Employees
As of March 31, 2016, we had 12 full-time employees at our leased facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts in the following positions: (i) five in production, (ii) two in research and development, (iii) three in sales and marketing, and (iv) two in administration.
None of these employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and management considers its relations with its employees to be good.
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Item 1A.
Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this filing before deciding to purchase our common stock. If any of these risks or uncertainties occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. In that case the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we may face. We believe that this filing contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to regulatory risks and clinical uncertainties. Such statements are based on managements current expectations and are subject to facts that could cause results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. See Item 1. Description of Business Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements.
Risks Related to Liquidity
We have reported net losses in the last 10 fiscal years and may continue to report net losses in the future. There can be no assurance that our revenue will be maintained at the current level or increase in the future.
Our future growth may depend on our ability to raise capital for acquisitions, to support research and development activities for modification of existing biomaterials and development of new biomaterials, including advanced applications for our biomaterials, and to market and sell our advanced biomaterials. Our capital requirements depend on numerous factors, including but not limited to, our results of operations; the progress of our research and development programs; the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any intellectual property rights; competing technological and market developments; changes in our development of commercialization activities and arrangements; and the purchase of additional facilities and capital equipment.
Risks Related to Our Growth Strategy
If we cannot obtain the additional capital required to fund our operations on favorable terms or at all, we may have to delay or reconsider our growth strategy.
Our growth strategy may require additional capital for, among other purposes, completing acquisitions of companies and customers product lines and manufacturing assets, integrating acquired companies and assets, acquiring new equipment and maintaining the condition of existing equipment. If cash generated internally is insufficient to fund capital requirements, or if we desire to make additional acquisitions, we will require additional debt or equity financing. Adequate financing may not be available or, if available, may not be available on terms satisfactory to us. If we raise additional capital by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance may dilute the share ownership of the existing investors. In addition, we may grant future investors rights that are superior to those of our existing investors. If we fail to obtain sufficient additional capital in the future, we could be forced to curtail our growth strategy by reducing or delaying capital expenditures and acquisitions, selling assets or restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness, or delaying plans for clinical trials.
Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise capital to fund future growth and product development.
Our business may be affected by the ongoing volatility and illiquidity in the financial and credit markets, the general global economic recession, and other market or economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy. If economic conditions persist or deteriorate and our licensing and product revenue is insufficient to support our product development and growth strategies, then reduced liquidity in the capital markets may impair our ability to access capital on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all. In addition, the value and liquidity of our short-term investments and cash deposits could be reduced as a result of a deterioration of the financial condition of the institutions that hold our cash deposits.
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Risks Related to Our Business
We have incurred substantial operating losses and we may never be profitable.
Our revenues were $3,181,000 and $2,574,000 for the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We had net income of $33,000 and net loss of $318,000 for the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There is a risk that we will never be profitable. Our ability to generate enough revenues to achieve profits will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are outside our control, including:
·
size of market;
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competition and other solutions;
·
extent of patent and intellectual property protection afforded to our products;
·
demand for our advanced biomaterials by existing and potential developers of medical devices and both the time for development of devices by medical device developers and their success in obtaining regulatory approvals and commercialization of medical devices which incorporate our advanced biomaterials;
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cost and availability of raw material and intermediate component supplies;
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changes in governmental (including foreign governmental) initiatives and requirements;
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changes in domestic and foreign regulatory requirements;
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costs associated with equipment development, repair and maintenance; and
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our ability to manufacture and deliver products at prices that exceed our costs.
Our operating results fluctuate significantly from period-to-period and may not be indicative of future results.
Our operating results have fluctuated in the past from quarter to quarter and are likely to fluctuate significantly in the future due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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changing demand for our products and services;
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the timing of actual customer orders and requests for product shipment and the accuracy of our customers forecasts of future production requirements;
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the reduction, rescheduling or cancellation of product orders and development and design services requested by customers;
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difficulties in forecasting demand for our products and the planning and managing of inventory levels;
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the introduction and market acceptance of our customers new products and changes in demand for our customers existing products;
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changes in the relative portion of our revenue represented by our various products, services and customers, including the relative mix of our business across our target markets;
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changes in competitive or economic conditions generally or in our customers markets;
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competitive pressures on selling prices;
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the amount and timing of costs associated with product warranties and returns;
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changes in availability or costs of raw materials or supplies;
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fluctuations in manufacturing yields and yield losses and availability of production capacity;
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changes in our product distribution channels and the timeliness of receipt of distributor resale information;
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the amount and timing of investments in research and development; and
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pressure on our selling prices as a result of healthcare industry cost containment measures.
As a result of these factors, many of which are difficult to control or predict, as well as the other risk factors discussed in this report, we may experience material adverse fluctuations in our future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis.
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The medical device industry is cyclical, and an industry downturn could adversely affect our operating results.
Business conditions in the medical device industry have rapidly changed between periods of strong and weak demand. The industry is characterized by:
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periods of overcapacity and production shortages;
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cyclical demand for products;
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changes in product mix in response to changes in demand of products;
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variations in manufacturing costs and yields;
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rapid technological change and the introduction of new products by customers;
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price erosion; and
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expenditures for product development.
These factors could harm our business and cause our operating results to suffer.
The failure of our customers and potential customers, who utilize our advanced biomaterials in their medical devices, to complete development of their medical technology, obtain government approvals, including required FDA approvals, or to comply with ongoing governmental regulations could delay or limit introduction of their proposed products, thereby negatively impacting our ability to generate future revenues from product sales and royalty and development fees.
Research, development and production activities undertaken by our customers and potential customers engaged in the development of medical devices which utilize our advanced biomaterials, are subject to extensive regulation for safety, efficacy and quality by numerous government authorities in the United States and abroad.
Before receiving FDA approval to market their medical devices utilizing our advanced biomaterials, our customers and potential customers will have to demonstrate that their medical devices are safe and effective on the patient population. Clinical trials, manufacturing and marketing of medical devices are subject to the rigorous testing and approval process of the FDA and equivalent foreign regulatory authorities. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other federal, state and foreign statutes and regulations govern and influence the testing, manufacture, labeling, advertising, distribution and promotion of drugs and medical devices. As a result, clinical trials and regulatory approval of medical devices can take a number of years or longer to accomplish and require the expenditure of substantial financial, managerial and other resources.
In order to be commercially viable, our customers and potential customers must successfully research, develop, obtain regulatory approval, manufacture, market and distribute their medical devices. For each medical device incorporating our advanced biomaterials, our customers and potential customers must successfully meet a number of critical developmental milestones, including:
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demonstrate benefit from the use of their medical devices in various contexts;
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demonstrate through pre-clinical and clinical trials that their medical devices are safe and effective; and
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establish a viable good manufacturing practice capable of potential scale up.
The time frame necessary to achieve these developmental milestones may be long and uncertain, and our customers and potential customers may not successfully complete these milestones for any of their intended products in development.
In order to conduct clinical trials that are necessary to obtain approval by the FDA to market a product, it is necessary to receive clearance from the FDA to conduct such clinical trials. The FDA can halt clinical trials at any time for safety reasons or because clinical investigators do not follow the FDAs requirements for conducting clinical trials. If our customers or potential customers are unable to receive clearance to conduct clinical trials or the trials are halted by the FDA, we would not be able to achieve any revenue from the sale of biomaterials or royalty and development fees from our customers or potential customers products as it is illegal to sell any medical device for human consumption without FDA approval.
More generally, the manufacture and sale of medical devices, including products currently sold by our customers or potential customers and their other potential products, are subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the United States, principally the FDA, and corresponding state human services agencies. In order for them to market their products for clinical use in the United States, they must obtain clearance
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from the FDA of a 510(k) pre-market notification or premarket approval application. In addition, certain material changes to medical devices also are subject to FDA review and clearance or approval. The process of obtaining FDA and other required regulatory clearances and approvals is lengthy, expensive and uncertain, frequently requiring from one to several years from the date of FDA submission if pre-market clearance or approval is obtained at all. Securing FDA clearances and approvals may require the submission of extensive clinical data and supporting information to the FDA.
Sales of medical devices outside of the United States are subject to international regulatory requirements that vary from country to country. The time required to obtain approval for sales internationally may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA clearance or approval, and the requirements may differ. There can be no assurance that our customers or potential customers will be able to obtain approval in a particular country for any of their future products.
Regulatory clearances or approvals, if granted, may include significant limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed. In addition, to obtain such clearances or approvals, the FDA and certain foreign regulatory authorities impose numerous other requirements with which medical device manufacturers must comply.
FDA enforcement policy strictly prohibits the marketing of cleared or approved medical devices for uncleared or unapproved uses. In addition, product clearances or approvals could be withdrawn for failure to comply with regulatory standards or the occurrence of unforeseen problems following initial marketing. Our customers and potential customers will be required to adhere to applicable FDA good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations and similar regulations in other countries, which include testing, control, and documentation requirements. Ongoing compliance with GMP and other applicable regulatory requirements, including marketing products for unapproved uses, could result in, among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, refusal of the government to grant pre-market clearance or pre-market approval for devices, withdrawal of clearances or approvals and criminal prosecution. Changes in existing regulations or adoption of new governmental regulations or policies could prevent or delay regulatory approval of their products.
There can be no assurance that our customers or potential customers will be able to obtain FDA 510(k) clearance or premarket approval for their products under development or other necessary regulatory approvals or clearances on a timely basis or at all. Delays in receipt of or failure to receive U.S. or foreign clearances or approvals, the loss of previously obtained clearance or approvals, or failure to comply with existing or future regulatory requirements would have a material adverse effect on our business with respect of our ability to generate revenues from product sales to and royalty and development fees from our customers and potential customers utilizing our advanced biomaterials in their medical devices.
Our markets are subject to technological change and our success depends on our ability to modify existing advanced biomaterials and develop and introduce new advanced biomaterials for use by customers and potential customers in their medical devices.
The medical device market for our products is characterized by:
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changing technologies;
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changing customer needs;
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frequent new product introductions and enhancements;
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increased integration with other functions; and
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product obsolescence.
Our success is dependent in part on the modification of existing advanced biomaterials and the design and development of new advanced biomaterials for use in the medical device industry. To modify existing advanced biomaterials and develop new advanced biomaterials and designs for the medical device market, we must develop, gain access to and use leading technologies in a cost effective and timely manner and continue to expand our technical and design expertise. The product development process is time-consuming and costly, and there can be no assurance that product development will be successfully completed, that necessary regulatory clearances or approvals will be granted by the FDA on a timely basis, or at all, or that the potential products will achieve market acceptance. Our failure to modify existing advanced biomaterials, develop new advanced biomaterials, or successfully market existing and potential new advanced biomaterials; and the failure of our customers and potential customers in obtaining necessary regulatory clearances or approvals for medical devices using our advanced biomaterials, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We depend on outside suppliers and subcontractors, and our production and reputation could be harmed if they are unable to meet our volume and quality requirements and alternative sources are not available.
We have various sole source suppliers who supply key components for our products. Our outside suppliers may fail to develop and supply us with products and components on a timely basis, or may supply us with products and components that do not meet our quality, quantity or cost requirements. If any of these problems occur, we may be unable to obtain substitute sources of these products and components on a timely basis or on terms acceptable to us, which could harm our ability to: i) manufacture our own products and components profitably or on time, and ii) ship products to customers on time and generate revenues. In addition, if the processes that our suppliers use to manufacture products and components are proprietary, we may be unable to obtain comparable components from alternative suppliers.
A significant portion of our product sales and royalty, license and development fees come from two large customers, and any loss, cancellation or delay in sales to these customers could harm our operating results.
A limited number of customers have, historically, accounted for a significant portion of our revenues. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, two customers represented 52% and 13% of revenues, respectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, three customers represented 42%, 14% and 11%, respectively, of our revenues. Although we are working to expand our customer base, the medical device industry is concentrated, with relatively few companies accounting for a large percentage of sales in the surgical, interventional and cardiovascular markets that are targeted by our disposable medical device and contract manufacturing operations. Accordingly, our revenue and profitability are dependent on our relationships with a limited number of large medical device companies, and we expect that the majority of our revenues will continue to depend on sales of our products to a limited number of customers for the foreseeable future, particularly if there is further consolidation within the medical device industry. We cannot assure you that there will not be a loss or reduction in business from our existing significant customers. In addition, we cannot assure you that revenues from our customers that have accounted for significant revenues in the past, either individually or as a group, will reach or exceed historical levels in any future period. We may not be able to offset any decline in revenues from our existing major
customers with revenues from new customers or other existing customers. Because of our reliance on a
limited number of customers, any decrease in revenues from, or loss of, one or more of these customers without a corresponding increase in revenues from other customers would harm our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, any negative developments in the business of our existing significant customers could result in significantly decreased sales to these customers, which could seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our ability to grow and sustain growth levels may be adversely affected by slowdowns in the U.S. economy.
Due to the recent decrease in corporate profits, capital spending and consumer confidence, we have experienced weakness in certain of our end markets. We are primarily susceptible when customers stop placing orders for us to supply advanced biomaterials or when customers experience reduced sales of their medical devices for which we receive royalties on product sales. The medical commercial markets, including bio-medical research and development and medical device manufacturing, could be affected by the past and present slowdown in the U.S. economy. If the economic slowdown persists and capital spending for research and development from our customers decreases, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We could be harmed by litigation involving patents and other intellectual property rights.
None of our patents or other intellectual property rights has been successfully challenged to date. However, in the future, we could be accused of infringing the intellectual property rights of other third parties. We also have certain indemnification obligations to customers with respect to the infringement of third party intellectual property rights by our products. No assurance can be provided that any future infringement claims by third parties or claims for indemnification by customers or end users of our products resulting from infringement claims will not be asserted or that assertions of infringement, if proven to be true, will not harm our business.
In the event of any adverse ruling in any intellectual property litigation, we could be required to pay substantial damages, cease the manufacturing, use and sale of infringing products, discontinue the use of certain processes or obtain a license from the third party claiming infringement with royalty payment obligations by us.
Any litigation relating to the intellectual property rights of third parties, whether or not determined in our favor or settled by us, is costly and may divert the efforts and attention of our management and technical personnel.
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We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights adequately.
Our ability to compete is affected by our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and non-disclosure and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite these efforts, we cannot be certain that the steps we take to protect our proprietary information will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology, or that our competitors will not independently develop technology that is substantially similar or superior to our technology. More specifically, we cannot assure you that any future applications will be approved, or that any issued patents will provide us with competitive advantages or will not be challenged by third parties. Nor can we assure you that, if challenged, our patents will be found to be valid or enforceable, or that the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on our ability to do business. Furthermore, others may independently develop similar products or processes, duplicate our products or processes or design their products around any patents that may be issued to us.
Our future success depends on the continued service of management, engineering and sales personnel and our ability to identify, hire and retain additional personnel.
Our success depends, to a significant extent, upon the efforts and abilities of members of senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of our senior management or other key employees could adversely affect our business. We do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our officers, employees or consultants.
There is intense competition for qualified employees in the medical industry, particularly for highly skilled design, applications, engineering and sales people. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain technologists, managers, or other qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business or to replace qualified individuals who could leave us at any time in the future. Our anticipated growth is expected to place increased demands on our resources, and will likely require the addition of new management and engineering staff as well as the development of additional expertise by existing management employees. If we lose the services of or fail to recruit engineers or other technical and management personnel, our business could be harmed.
Periods of rapid growth and expansion could place a significant strain on our resources, including our employee base.
To manage our possible future growth effectively, we will be required to continue to improve our operational, financial and management systems. In doing so, we will periodically implement new software and other systems that will affect our internal operations regionally or globally.
Future growth will also require us to successfully hire, train, motivate and manage our employees. In addition, our continued growth and the evolution of our business plan will require significant additional management, technical and administrative resources. We may not be able to effectively manage the growth and evolution of our current business.
We are exposed to product liability and clinical and pre-clinical liability risks which could place a substantial financial burden on us, if we are sued. Although we have $5 million in product liability insurance coverage, that amount may not be sufficient to cover all potential claims made against us. Additionally, we face the risk of financial exposure to product liability claims alleging that the use of devices that incorporate our products resulted in adverse effects.
While we are not aware of any claim at this time, our business exposes us to potential product liability, recalls and other liability risks that are inherent in the testing, manufacturing and marketing of medical products. We cannot assure you that such potential claims will not be asserted against us. In addition, the use in our clinical trials of medical products that our potential collaborators may develop and the subsequent sale of these products by us or our potential collaborators may cause us to bear a portion of or all product liability risks. A successful liability claim or series of claims brought against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain or maintain adequate product liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, or that such insurance will provide adequate coverage against our potential liabilities. Furthermore, our current and potential partners with whom we have collaborative agreements or our future licensees may not be willing to indemnify us against these types of liabilities and may not themselves be sufficiently insured or have a net worth sufficient to satisfy any product liability claims. Claims or losses in excess of any product liability insurance coverage that may be obtained by us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not currently carry recall insurance and we may be subject to significant recall costs in the event of a recall.
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We may be affected by environmental laws and regulations.
We are subject to a variety of laws, rules and regulations in the United States related to the use, storage, handling, discharge and disposal of certain chemical materials such as isocyanates, alcohols, dimethylacetamide, and glycols used in our research and manufacturing process. Any of those regulations could require us to acquire expensive equipment or to incur substantial other expenses to comply with them. If we incur substantial additional expenses, product costs could significantly increase. Our failure to comply with present or future environmental laws, rules and regulations could result in fines, suspension of production or cessation of operations.
If we fail to implement new or improved internal controls over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we may not be able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner. This could result in investors losing confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock.
As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the companys internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K. This report is required to contain an assessment by management of the effectiveness of such companys internal controls over financial reporting. Although management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2016, there is a risk that that we may identify previously unknown deficiencies or weaknesses in our internal controls. If we fail to implement required new or improved controls, we may be unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404. This could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and make it more difficult for us to finance our operations.
Under current rules, we are required to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls for the year ended March 31, 2016.
Compliance with Regulations Governing Public Company Corporate Governance and Reporting is Complex and Expensive.
Many laws and regulations impose obligations on public companies, which have increased the scope, complexity and cost of corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices. Examples include the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the SEC's requirements for public companies to provide financial statements in interactive data format using the eXtensible Business Reporting Language, or XBRL. Our implementation of certain aspects of these laws and regulations has required and will continue to require substantial management time and oversight and may require us to incur significant additional accounting and legal costs. We continually evaluate and monitor developments with respect to new and proposed rules and cannot predict or estimate the ultimate amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs. These laws and regulations are also subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. Although we are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure, if we fail to comply with any of these requirements, legal proceedings may be initiated against us and we may be harmed.
Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our customers and vendors, including personally identifiable information of our customers and employees, in our data centers and on our networks. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, disrupt our operations, and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to Competition
The medical device industry, in general, is intensely competitive and characterized by rapid innovation and technological advances. Product differentiation and performance, client service, reliability, cost and ease of use are
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important competitive considerations in the medical device industry. We expect the current high levels of competition and technological change in the medical device industry in general. Most of our competitors have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial, technical, research, marketing, sales, distribution and other resources. In addition, our competitors may have greater name recognition than us and frequently offer discounts as a competitive tactic. There can be no assurance that our current competitors or potential future competitors will not succeed in developing or marketing technologies and products that are more effective or commercially attractive than those that have been and are being developed by us or that would render our technologies and products obsolete or noncompetitive, or that such companies will not succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for, introducing or commercializing any such products prior to us. Any of the above competitive developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Pricing Pressure
We face aggressive cost-containment pressures from governmental agencies and third party payors. There can be no assurances that we will be able to maintain current prices in the face of continuing pricing pressures. Over time, the average price for our products may decline as the markets for these products become more competitive. Any material reduction in product prices could negatively affect our gross margin, necessitating a corresponding increase in unit sales to maintain net sales.
Risks Related to Our Securities
Our stock price is volatile.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly to date. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, our stock price ranged from $0.030 to $0.410. The future market price of our common stock may also fluctuate significantly due to:
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variations in our actual or expected quarterly operating results;
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announcements or introductions of new products;
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technological innovations by our competitors or development setbacks by us;
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the commencement or adverse outcome of litigation;
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changes in analysts estimates of our performance or changes in analysts forecasts regarding our industry, competitors or customers;
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announcements of acquisition or acquisition transactions; or
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general economic and market conditions.
In addition, the stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of many medical and biotechnology companies. These fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies in our industry, and could harm the market price of our common stock.
Additional authorized shares of our common stock and preferred stock available for issuance may adversely affect the market.
We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of our common stock. As of March 31, 2016, there were 21,567,313 shares of common stock issued and 21,490,621 shares of common stock outstanding. As of March 31, 2016, there were 76,692 shares of treasury stock which were acquired prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The total number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding does not include shares reserved in anticipation of the exercise of options and warrants. As of March 31, 2016, we had outstanding stock options and warrants to purchase 3,001,250 shares of our common stock, the exercise price of which range between $0.03 per share to $1.45 per share, and we have reserved shares of our common stock for issuance in connection with the potential exercise thereof. To the extent such options, warrants or additional investment rights are exercised; the holders of our common stock will experience further dilution. Stockholders will also experience dilution upon the exercise of options granted under our stock option plans. In addition, in the event that any future financing or consideration for a future acquisition should be in the form of, be convertible into or exchangeable for, equity securities investors will experience additional dilution. No stock options or warrants were exercised during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.
The exercise of the outstanding stock options and warrants will reduce the percentage of common stock held by our current stockholders. Further, the terms on which we could obtain additional capital during the life of the stock
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options and warrants may be adversely affected, and it should be expected that the holders of the stock options and warrants would exercise them at a time when we would be able to obtain equity capital on terms more favorable than those provided for by such stock options and warrants. As a result, any issuance of additional shares of common stock may cause our current stockholders to suffer significant dilution which may adversely affect the market. In addition to the above referenced shares of common stock which may be issued without stockholder approval, we have 5,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, the terms of which may be fixed by our Board, of which 500,000 preferred shares were previously issued, but none are currently outstanding. While we have no present plans to issue any additional shares of preferred stock, our Board has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create and issue one or more series of such preferred stock and to determine the voting, dividend and other rights of holders of such preferred stock. The issuance of any of such series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the holders of common stock.
Shares eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market.
From time to time, certain of our stockholders may be eligible to sell all or some of their shares of common stock by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the open market pursuant to Rule 144, promulgated under the Securities Act, subject to certain limitations. In general, pursuant to Rule 144, a stockholder (or stockholders whose shares are aggregated) who has satisfied a one year holding period may, under certain circumstances, sell within any three month period a number of securities which does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of common stock or the average weekly trading volume of the class during the four calendar weeks prior to such sale. Rule 144 also permits, under certain circumstances, the sale of securities, without any limitation, by our stockholders that are non-affiliates that have satisfied a two year holding period. Any substantial sale of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to any resale prospectus may have material adverse effect on the market price of our securities.
There is a limitation on director and officer liability.
As permitted by Delaware law, our Restated Articles of Organization limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of a directors fiduciary duty except for liability in certain instances. As a result of our charter provision and Delaware law, stockholders may have limited rights to recover against directors for breach of fiduciary duty. In addition, our bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents if such persons acted in good faith and reasoned that their conduct was in our best interest.
The anti-takeover provisions of our Restated Articles of Organization, the Delaware General Corporation Law and our Stockholder Rights Plan may delay, defer or prevent a change of control.
Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 4,500,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be harmed by, the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock may delay, defer or prevent a change in control because the terms of any issued preferred stock could potentially prohibit our consummation of any acquisition, reorganization, sale of substantially all of our assets, liquidation or other extraordinary corporate transaction, without the approval of the holders of the outstanding shares of preferred stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.
Our stockholders must give substantial advance notice prior to the relevant meeting to nominate a candidate for director or present a proposal to our stockholders at a meeting. These notice requirements could inhibit a takeover by delaying stockholder action. In addition, our bylaws and Delaware law provide for staggered board members with each member elected for three years. In addition, directors may be removed by stockholders only for cause and by a vote of 80% of the stock.
In addition, we have adopted a stockholder rights plan that may discourage any potential acquirer from acquiring more than 15% of our outstanding common stock since, upon this type of acquisition without approval of our Board of Directors, all other common stockholders will have the right to purchase a specified amount of common stock at a substantial discount from market price.
Risk of Market Withdrawal or Product Recall
There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully take corrective actions if required, nor can there be any assurance that any such corrective actions will not force us to incur significant costs. In addition, there can be no assurance any future recalls will not cause us to face increasing scrutiny from our customers, which could cause us to lose market share or incur substantial costs in order to maintain existing market share. We do not currently
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carry recall insurance and we may be subject to significant recall costs in the event of a recall.
Risks Associated with Healthcare Reform Proposals
Political, economic and regulatory influences are subjecting the healthcare industry in the United States to fundamental change. Potential reforms proposed over the last several years have included mandated basic healthcare benefits, controls on healthcare spending through limitations on the growth of private health insurance premiums and Medicare and Medicaid spending, the creation of large insurance purchasing groups and fundamental changes in the healthcare delivery system. In addition, some states in which we operate are also considering various healthcare reform proposals. We anticipate that federal and state governments will continue to review and assess alternative healthcare delivery systems and payment methodologies and public debate of these issues will likely continue in the future. Due to uncertainties regarding the ultimate features of reform initiatives and their enactment and implementation, we cannot predict which, if any, of such reform proposals will be adopted, when they may be adopted or what impact they may have on us, and there can be no assurance that the adoption of reform proposals will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, the actual announcement of reform proposals and the investment communitys reaction to such proposals, as well as announcements by competitors and third-party payors of their strategies to respond to such initiatives, could produce volatility in the trading and market price of our common stock.
Item 1B.