Ahmad Doroudian, CEO, tel: 604-805-7783, email: ahmad.doroudian@blifepharma.com address: 1275
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer, “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☒ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
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Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
This Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of BetterLife Pharma Inc. for the year ended January 31, 2021, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2021 (the “Original Filing”), is being filed solely to include the XBRL files, which were omitted from the Original Filing.
BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife”, the “Company” or “we”) was incorporated in British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act on June 10, 2002. On December 5, 2019, we changed our name from Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. to BetterLife Pharma Inc.
We are a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of patented, differentiated and premium quality pharmaceuticals.
Our registered office is located at c/o Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, 2700 - 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7Y 1B8.
BetterLife has not earned any revenue and has an accumulated deficit of $91,011,306 as at January 31, 2021. Our continued operations are dependent on our ability to generate future cash flows through additional financing or commercialization, which have been impacted as a result of the global outbreak of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) (refer to “Risk Factors”). Management intends to continue to pursue additional financing through issuances of equity. There is no assurance that additional funding will be available on a timely basis or on terms acceptable to us. These events or conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that casts substantial doubts on our ability to continue as a going concern.
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
The directors of the Company are Ahmad Doroudian, Robert Metcalfe, Anthony Pullen and Wolfgang Renz. In addition, Ahmad Doroudian serves as our Chief Executive Officer; Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran serves as Chief Operating Officer of our fully-owned subsidiary, Altum; and Moira Ong serves as our Chief Financial Officer. BetterLife also has the following two senior consultants: Patrick Froupa is Chief Psychedelic Officer and Justin Kirkland is Chief Psychedelic Scientist. See Item 6 for further information. The business address for all directors and senior management is: 1275 West 6th Avenue, #300, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 1A6.
Our PCAOB registered independent auditors are MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Toronto, ON, Canada. For further information, see the consolidated financial statements under Item 8.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
The following selected information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, and notes, filed with this Form 20-F/A. This information, and all other financial information in this Form 20-F/A, is stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
The financial information is presented on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data
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Operating Data
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January 31,
2021
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|
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January 31,
2020
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|
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January 31,
2019
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|
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Revenue
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$
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nil
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|
|
$
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nil
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|
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$
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nil
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|
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Operating expenses
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|
$
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7,915,367
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|
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$
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9,336,298
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|
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$
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6,908,952
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|
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Other income (expenses)
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$
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(28,435,423
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)
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$
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(10,252,464
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)
|
|
$
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(2,345,838
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)
|
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Net loss
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|
$
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(36,350,790
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)
|
|
$
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(19,588,762
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)
|
|
$
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(9,254,790
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)
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Net loss per share, basic and fully diluted
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|
$
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(1.35
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)
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$
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(1.30
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)
|
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$
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(1.03
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)
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Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted
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|
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27,027,028
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|
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15,035,909
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|
|
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9,020,139
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|
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
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January 31,
2021
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|
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January 31,
2020
|
|
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January 31,
2019
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|
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Operating cash
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$
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154,722
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|
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$
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2,681,704
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|
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$
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74,800
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|
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Working capital (deficiency)
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|
$
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(4,517,523
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)
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$
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2,520,474
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|
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$
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(5,185,332
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)
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Total assets
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$
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1,336,425
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|
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$
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8,250,779
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$
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10,306,750
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Total long-term liabilities
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$
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131,603
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|
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$
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4,634,154
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|
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$
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1,408,486
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|
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Shareholders’ equity (deficiency)
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|
$
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(4,612,255
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)
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|
$
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2,656,561
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|
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$
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3,495,512
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|
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Number of shares outstanding
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|
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51,445,842
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|
|
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17,208,112
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|
|
|
9,689,966
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|
Exchange Rates
In this Form 20-F/A, references to “dollars”, “$” are to Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified. As at January 31, 2021, the exchange rage, as quoted by the Bank of Canada, was $1.278 for each US dollar.
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Refer to “Selected Financial Data”.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Forward Looking-Statements and Risk Factors
Forward-looking Statements
In this document, we are showing you a picture which is part historical (events which have happened) and part predictive (events which we believe will happen). Except for the historical information, all of the information in this document comprises “forward looking” statements. Specifically, all statements (other than statements of historical fact) regarding our financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to management. These statements involve known and unknown risks, including the risks resulting from economic and market conditions, accurately forecasting operating and capital expenditures and capital needs, successful anticipation of competition which may not yet be fully developed, and other business conditions. Our use of the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “continue” and “intend”, and similar words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements (also known as “cautionary statements”). These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events. They are subject to the realization in fact of assumptions, but what we now believe will occur may turn out to be inaccurate or incomplete. We cannot assure you that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual operating results and financial performance may prove to be very different from what we now predict or anticipate. The “risk factors” below specifically address all of the factors now identifiable by us that may influence future operating results and financial performance.
Risk Factors
Risks Related to the Business
The COVID-19 pandemic and related government responses could have a material and adverse effect on BetterLife’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Our business and financial condition may be adversely impacted by the effects of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
The extent to which COVID-19 and other infectious diseases may impact our business, operations, financial condition and the market for our securities will depend on future developments and government responses, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. These include the duration, severity and scope of the outbreak and the actions taken by governmental entities to address and mitigate the pandemic. Our business and operations could be adversely affected by the continued global spread of COVID-19 and any government actions to slow the spread of the infectious disease. Areas that may be impacted include, but without limitation, workforce productivity and health, disruptions to supply chains, limitations on travel and ability to successfully commercialize our product portfolios and deliver end products to customers.
Given the uncertainty and lack of predictability surrounding COVID-19, we are not able to the length and severity of impact to our business and operations. As a result, risks associated with COVID-19 may impact key estimates and assumptions used in our consolidated financial statements.
There is substantial doubt as to whether we will continue operations. If we discontinue operations, you could lose your investment.
Our financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that we will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. However, as at January 31, 2021, we have not earned any revenues and had an accumulated deficit of $91,011,306. We anticipate that we will incur increased expenses and there is a risk we will not realize sufficient revenues to offset those expenses. Our ability to continue our operations is dependent on obtaining additional financing and generating future revenues, and no assurance can be given that we will successfully be able to do so. Accordingly, our financial statements contain disclosure of management’s determination that these factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Importantly, the inclusion in our financial statements of a going concern opinion may negatively impact our ability to raise future financing and achieve future revenue. The threat of our ability to continue as a going concern will be removed only when, in the opinion of our auditor, our revenues have reached a level that is able to sustain our business operations.
If we are unable to obtain additional financing from outside sources and eventually generate enough revenues, we may be forced to sell a portion or all of our assets, or curtail or discontinue our operations. If any of these happens, you could lose all or part of your investment. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments to our recorded assets or liabilities that might be necessary if we become unable to continue as a going concern.
We have incurred operating losses in each year since our inception and we may continue to incur substantial and increasing losses for the foreseeable future. We also have negative capital cash flows from operating activities. If we cannot generate sufficient revenues to operate profitably or with positive cash flow from operating activities, we may suspend or cease our operations.
We have not generated any revenue since our inception on June 10, 2002 and we have incurred operating and net losses in each year of our existence. We experienced a net loss of $36,350,790 for the year ended January 31, 2021, compared to a net loss of $19,588,762 for the year ended January 31, 2020. We expect to incur substantial and increasing losses for the foreseeable future as we research, develop and commercialize our products. If our products do not achieve market acceptance, we may never generate any revenue. We also cannot assure you that we will be profitable even if we successfully commercialize our products. If we fail to generate sufficient revenues to operate profitability, or if we are unable to fund our continuing losses, you could lose all or part of your investment.
We will require substantial additional funds to complete our development and commercialization activities, and if such funds are not available we may need to significantly curtail or cease our operations.
We will require substantial funds to develop, manufacture and market our products. If we do not raise sufficient funds, our plan of operation will be delayed until such time as we raise sufficient funds, provided we are able to do so. Further, the cost of carrying out our operating activities and development activities is not fixed, and our cash levels may at any time prove to be insufficient to finance them. Our financing needs may change substantially because a number of factors which are difficult to predict or which may be outside of our control. These include increased competition, the costs of licensing existing drugs and protecting rights to our proprietary technology and the time required to obtain required licenses.
We may not succeed in raising the additional funds that we require because such funds may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. We intend to seek additional funding through strategic alliances or through public or private sales of our equity securities, and we may also obtain equipment leases and pursue opportunities to obtain debt financing in the future. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding on a timely basis, we may be forced to significantly curtail or cease our operations.
Our inability to complete our development projects in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
If our projects are not completed in a timely fashion, our Company could experience:
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additional competition in the industry for our products; and
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delay in obtaining future inflow of cash from financial or partnership activities, any of which could have a material adverse effect of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
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Any products that we may develop as a pharmaceutical product will be subject to extensive governmental regulations relating to development activities, conduct of clinical trials, manufacturing and commercialization. In the United States, for example, the prospective products that we intend to develop and market are regulated by the FDA under its new drug development and review process. Before such products can be marketed, we must obtain clearance from the FDA by submitting an investigational new drug application, then by successfully completing human testing under three phases of clinical trials, and finally by submitting a new drug application.
The time required to obtain approvals for our prospective products from the FDA and other agencies in foreign locales with similar processes is unpredictable. We expect to be able to accelerate the approval process and to increase the chances of approval by using existing and approved drugs as the basis for our own technology. However, we cannot guarantee that our expectations will be realized, and there is no assurance that we will ever receive regulatory approval to use our proprietary substances, methods and processes. If we do not obtain such regulatory approval, we may never become profitable.
We may not commence clinical testing for any of our prospective pharmaceutical products and the commercial value of any clinical study that we may conduct will depend significantly upon our choice of indication and our patient population selection. If we are unable to commence clinical testing or if we make a poor choice in terms of clinical strategy, we may never achieve revenues.
In order to commence clinical testing, we must successfully complete and obtain positive scientific results from pre‑clinical studies and, in the case of an existing drug that we are re‑profiling for a new indication, adopt existing pre‑clinical or early stage clinical studies to our own research. If we successfully complete any clinical study of our own, the commercial value of any such study will significantly depend upon our choice of indication and our patient population selection for that indication.
We will rely on third parties to conduct our research, development and manufacturing activities. If these third parties do not perform as contractually required, fail to meet our manufacturing requirements and applicable regulatory requirements or otherwise expected, we may not be able to commercialize our products, which may prevent us from becoming profitable.
We will rely on contract manufacturers as a source suppliers for our products.
Because of our planned reliance on contract manufacturers, we may also be exposed to additional risks, including those related to intellectual property and the failure of such manufacturers to comply with strictly‑enforced regulatory requirements, manufacture components to our specifications, or deliver sufficient component quantities to us in a timely manner. For example, a contract manufacturer working on our behalf may violate the intellectual property rights of a third party in manufacturing a component of one of our products, and if such a violation occurs without our knowledge, we may be held vicariously liable for the acts of our contractor, incur related costs and court mandated damages, or become enjoined from selling products which violate those third‑party intellectual property rights. Similarly, if a contract manufacturer working on our behalf is found to be in violation of FDA or other national regulatory standards regarding the manufacture, packaging or labeling of any of our products, we could face any number of adverse consequences including costly regulatory investigations and fines, interruptions in the flow of our products or materials, product recalls, or liability to consumers regarding any of our products that do not meet such regulatory requirements. If any of these events occurs, if our relationship with any of our potential contract manufacturers terminates, or if any such manufacturer is unable fulfill its obligations to us for any reason, our product development and commercialization efforts could suffer and we may never realize a profit.
If we are unable to establish a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure or enter into collaborations with partners to perform these functions, we may not be successful in commercializing our product candidates.
In order to successfully commercialize any of our product candidates, we must either develop a satisfactory sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure or enter into collaborations with partners to perform these services for us. We will require substantial resources to create such an infrastructure, and we may never possess the resources to do so. For example, we may be unable to recruit and retain an adequate number of effective sales and marketing personnel or we may incur unforeseen costs and expenses in connection with developing the necessary infrastructure.
Although we plan to develop our own sales and marketing organizations in some markets, we intend to enter into partnering, co‑promotion and other distribution arrangements to commercialize our products in most markets. We may not be able to enter into collaborations on acceptable terms, if at all, and we may face competition in our search for partners with whom we may collaborate. If we are not able to build a satisfactory sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure or collaborate with one or more partners to perform these functions, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our product candidates, which could cause us to cease our operations.
Our product candidates may never gain market acceptance, which could prevent us from generating revenues.
The success of our products will depend on their acceptance by customers and the public, among other things. Market acceptance of, and demand for, any product that we develop and commercialize will depend on many factors, including:
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our ability to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy;
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the effectiveness of our or our collaborators’ sales, marketing and distribution strategy; and
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publicity concerning our products or competing products.
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If our product candidates fail to gain market acceptance, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenue to continue our business.
We face potential product liability exposure, and any claim brought against us may cause us to divert resources from our normal operations or terminate selling, distributing and marketing any of our products. This may cause us to cease our operations as it relates to that product.
The sale of any of our products may expose us to product liability claims from consumers. Although we plan to obtain product liability insurance coverage with limits that we hope will be customary and adequate to provide us with coverage for foreseeable risks, our insurance coverage may be insufficient to reimburse us for the actual expenses or losses we may suffer.
Even if we are able to successfully defend ourselves against any potential claims, we will likely incur substantial costs in the form of unanticipated expenses and negative publicity. This could result in decreased demand for our products, an impaired business reputation, revenue loss or an inability to continue commercializing our products. Any of these consequences could cause us to cease our operations.
The manufacturing of all of our products will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, and may therefore be the subject of regulatory or enforcement action. The associated costs could prevent us from achieving our goals or becoming profitable.
Our products, third‑party manufacturing facilities and processes and advertising and promotional activities will be subject to significant review and ongoing and changing regulation by various regulatory agencies. Our failure to comply with any regulatory requirements may subject us to administrative and judicial sanctions, which may include warning letters, civil and criminal penalties, injunctions, product seizures or detention, product recalls, total or partial suspension of production, or the denial of pending product marketing applications.
Regulatory or enforcement actions could adversely affect our ability to develop, market and sell our products successfully and harm our reputation, which could lead to reduced market demand for such products. Consequently, the costs associated with any such action could cause our business to suffer and prevent us from achieving our goals or becoming profitable.
Since certain of our directors are located outside of Canada, you may be limited in your ability to enforce Canadian civil actions against them for damages to the value of your investment.
We plan to indemnify our directors and officers against liability to us and our security holders, and such indemnification could increase our operating costs.
Our Articles allow us to indemnify our directors and officers against claims associated with carrying out the duties of their offices. Our Articles also allow us to reimburse them for the costs of certain legal defenses. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under relevant securities legislation may be permitted to our directors, officers or control persons, certain securities regulations may deem that such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable in that jurisdiction.
Since our officers and directors are aware that they may be indemnified for carrying out the duties of their offices, they may be less motivated to meet the standards required by law to properly carry out such duties, which could increase our operating costs. Further, if our officers and directors file a claim against us for indemnification, the associated expenses could also increase our operating costs.
Your legal recourse as a United States investor could be limited.
The Company is incorporated under the laws of Canada. Most of the assets now are located outside of Canada or the United States. Only our audit firm and some of our lawyers are residents of Canada. As a result, if any of our Canadian or US shareholders were to bring a lawsuit in the Canada or the United States against the officers, directors or experts in Canada, it may be difficult to effect service of legal process on those people who reside outside of the United States or Canada, based on civil liability under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or equivalent Canadian securities laws. In addition, we have been advised that a judgment of a United States court based solely upon civil liability under these laws would probably be enforceable in Canada, but only if the U.S. court in which the judgments were obtained had a basis for jurisdiction in the matter. We also have been advised that there is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought successfully in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon the United States’ securities laws.
Risks Related to Our Stock
Trading on the OTC Bulletin Board and the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) may be volatile and sporadic, which could depress the market price of our common stock and make it difficult for our stockholders to resell their shares.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB service of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and is traded on the CSE. Trading in stock quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or listed on the CSE is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover, the OTC Bulletin Board is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTC Bulletin Board is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a quotation system like NASDAQ or a stock exchange like Amex. Accordingly, shareholders may have difficulty reselling any of their shares.
Our stock is a penny stock. Trading of our stock may be restricted by the SEC’s penny stock regulations and FINRA’s sales practice requirements, which may limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
Our stock is a penny stock. The Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States (the “SEC”) has adopted Rule 15g‑9 which generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker‑dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker‑dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker‑dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker‑dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker‑dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker‑dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in, and limit the marketability of, our common stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker‑dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non‑institutional customers, broker‑dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority believes that there is a high probability that speculative low‑priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority requirements make it more difficult for broker‑dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock.
You will experience dilution or subordinated stockholder rights, privileges and preferences as a result of our financing efforts.
We must raise additional capital from external sources to carry out our business plan over the next two years. To do so, we may issue debt securities, equity securities or a combination of these securities; however, we may not be able to sell these securities, particularly under current market conditions. Even if we are successful in finding buyers for our securities, such buyers could demand high interest rates or require us to agree to onerous operating covenants, which could in turn harm our ability to operate our business by reducing our cash flow and restricting our operating activities. If we choose to sell shares of our common stock, this will result in dilution to our existing stockholders. In addition, any shares of common stock we may issue may have rights, privileges and preferences superior to those of our current stockholders.
We do not intend to pay dividends and there will thus be fewer ways in which you are able to make a gain on your investment, if at all.
We have never paid dividends and do not intend to pay any dividends for the foreseeable future. To the extent that we may require additional funding currently not provided for in our financing plan, our funding sources may prohibit the declaration of dividends. Because we do not intend to pay dividends, any gain on your investment will need to result from an appreciation in the price of our common stock. There will therefore be fewer ways in which you are able to make a gain on your investment, if at all. There is also no guarantee that your investment will appreciate.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
If we are unable to maintain and enforce our proprietary intellectual property rights, we may not be able to operate profitably.
Our commercial success will depend, in part, on obtaining and maintaining patent protection, trade secret protection and regulatory protection of our technologies and patents as well as successfully defending third-party challenges to such technologies and patents. We will be able to protect our technologies and patents from use by third parties only to the extent that valid and enforceable patents, trade secrets or regulatory protection cover them and we have exclusive rights to use them. The ability of our licensors, collaborators and suppliers to maintain their patent rights against third‑party challenges to their validity, scope or enforceability will also play an important role in determining our future.
In addition, our commercial success will depend, in part, on maintaining patent rights we have licensed and plan to license in the future, related to products we may market in the future. Since we will not fully control the patent prosecution of any licensed patent applications, it is possible that our licensors will not devote the same resources or attention to the prosecution of the licensed patent applications as we would if we controlled the prosecution of the applications ourselves. Consequently, the resulting patent protection, if any, may not be as strong or comprehensive as it would be had we done so.
The patent positions of biopharmaceutical companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions that include unresolved principles and issues. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed regarding such companies’ patents has emerged to date in the United States, and the patent situation outside the United States is even more uncertain. Changes in either the patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States or other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property. Accordingly, we cannot predict with any certainty the range of claims that may be allowed or enforced concerning our patents or third‑party patents.
We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technologies, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. While we seek to protect confidential information, in part, through confidentiality agreements with our consultants and scientific and other advisors, they may unintentionally or willfully disclose our information to competitors. Enforcing a claim against a third party related to the illegal acquisition and use of trade secrets can be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is often unpredictable. If we are not able to maintain patent or trade secret protection on our technologies and product candidates, then we may not be able to exclude competitors from developing or marketing competing products, and we may not be able to operate profitability.
If we are the subject of an intellectual property infringement claim, the cost of participating in any litigation could cause us to go out of business.
There has been, and we believe that there will continue to be, significant litigation and demands for licenses in our industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Although we anticipate having a valid defense to any allegation that our current product candidates, production methods and other activities infringe the valid and enforceable intellectual property rights of any third parties, we cannot be certain that a third party will not challenge our position in the future. Other parties may own patent rights that we might infringe with our products or other activities, and our competitors or other patent holders may assert that our products and the methods we employ are covered by their patents. These parties could bring claims against us that would cause us to incur substantial litigation expenses and, if successful, may require us to pay substantial damages. Some of our potential competitors may be better able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation, and depending on the circumstances, we could be forced to stop or delay our research, development, manufacturing or sales activities. Any of these costs could cause us to go out of business.
We may in the future be required to license patent rights from third-party owners in order to develop our products candidates. If we cannot obtain those licenses or if third‑party owners do not properly maintain or enforce the patents underlying such licenses, we may not be able to market or sell our planned products.
We have licensed patent‑protected technologies with certain parties and we may also license other intellectual property from other third parties, if we believe it is necessary or useful to use additional third-party intellectual property to develop our products. Typically, we would seek to negotiate and obtain any required third party licenses immediately following the completion of preliminary research to establish a concept and plan of development for a new product candidate. We will also be required to pay license fees, certain milestones or royalties or both to obtain such licenses, and there is no guarantee that such licenses will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Even if we are able to successfully obtain a license, certain rights may be non‑ or co‑exclusive, and this would give our competitors access to some of the intellectual property as us, which could ultimately prevent us from commercializing a product.
Upon obtaining a license, our business prospects will depend, in part, on the ability of our licensors to obtain, maintain and enforce patent protection on our licensed intellectual property. Our licensors may terminate our license, may not pursue and successfully prosecute any potential patent infringement claim, may fail to maintain their patent applications, or may pursue any litigation less aggressively than we would. Without protection for the intellectual property that we license, other companies may be able to offer substantially similar products for sale, and we may not be able to market or sell our planned products or generate any revenues.
Item 4. Information on the Company
A. History and Development of the Company
We are a publicly traded corporation incorporated on June 10, 2002 in the Province of British Columbia, Canada under the name “649186 B.C. Ltd.”. On September 9, 2003, we changed our name to “Xerxes Health Corp.”. On June 26, 2007, we changed our name to “Neurokine Pharmaceuticals Inc.”. On April 7, 2015, we changed our name to “Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc.” and on December 5, 2019, we changed our name to “BetterLife Pharma Inc.”.
Our registered office is located at c/o Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, 2700 - 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1B8, Canada.
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. Our website address is http://www.abetterlifepharma.com.
B. Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of patented and differentiated pharmaceuticals. Our company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Altum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Altum”) (acquired by way of amalgamation on August 31, 2020) has three products in its pipeline: AP-001 (a topical cream formulation of interferon-alpha 2b based on Altum’s patented Biphasics formulation system), AP-002 (novel gallium-based anti-cancer agent) and AP-003 (a patent pending proprietary IFNa2b inhalation formulation). Through its acquisition of the assets of Nutraneeds LLC (“Nutraneeds”) on December 18, 2020, we added two neuro-psychiatric products to our product portfolio: TD-0148A and TD-010. TD-0148A is a non-hallucinogenic second-generation Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (“LSD”) derivative molecule that mimics the projected therapeutic potential of LSD in the treatment of disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”), and migraines. TD-010 is novel formulation of a derivative of dihydrohonokiol, a known anti-anxiety compound, with potential for us to treat such as benzodiazepine dependency, anxiety and spasticity.
Our management team has implemented a business-minded and cost-conscious approach to product research and development and will use contract development and manufacturing organizations on a fee for service basis to perform any research, development or production that is required.
On February 28, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Pivot Naturals, LLC (previously ERS Holdings, LLC) (“Pivot Naturals”) pursuant to an Exchange Agreement dated as of February 10, 2018 among the Company, Pivot Naturals and the members of Pivot Naturals. As consideration for the purchase, the Company paid US$333,333 in cash on closing, US$333,333 in September 2018 and US$333,333 in May 2019 for total cash payment of US$1 million. In addition, we also issued 500,000 common shares and may pay royalties on future net sales. Pursuant to the acquisition of Pivot Naturals, we acquired a patented technology called “RTIC” Ready-To-Infuse-Cannabis (“RTIC”), relating to the transformation of cannabis oil into powder for infusion into a variety of products. By April 2020, we transferred 100% of our membership interest of Pivot Naturals and BetterLife has strategically exited the California cannabis market.
On March 2, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Thrudermic, LLC (“Thrudermic”) and worldwide rights to Thrudermic’s patented Transdermal Nanotechnology for the development and commercialization of transdermal cannabinoids pursuant to an exchange agreement dated March 2, 2018 among the Company, Dr. Joseph Borovsky, Dr. Leonid Lurya and Thrudermic. As consideration for the purchase, we paid $1 in cash on closing and issued 50,000 common shares.
On December 17, 2018, we entered into a joint venture arrangement whereby BetterLife holds 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of Pivot-Cartagena Joint Venture Inc. (“Pivot-Cartagena JV”). Pivot-Cartagena JV will develop and commercialize cannabis-infused non-alcoholic beverages combining the industry expertise of Licorera del Sur with our patented RTIC™ powderization technologies. To date, we have not made any investment related to this joint venture and do not intend to further pursue this venture.
In March 2020, we completed the acquisition of SolMic AG (“Solmic”) and the patented Solmic solubilization drug delivery technology for oral platform. Consideration for the acquisition included CHF10,000 for the acquisition of Solmic and EUR50,000 for the patents.
On July 3, 2020, we signed an amalgamation agreement with Altum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Altum”) pursuant to which Altum will be amalgamated with 12167573 Canada Ltd. (the “Amalgamation”), our wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated on June 30, 2020 for purposes of the Amalgamation. On August 31, 2020, we completed the Amalgamation and Altum became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the Amalgamation, we issued 18,217,239 common shares to Altum shareholders, granted 856,880 stock options, with exercise prices ranging between $0.03 and US$2.47 and expiry dates between September 7, 2020 and February 28, 2023, and granted 252,595 share purchase warrants with exercise price of US$1.44 and expiring on August 6, 2022.
In June 2020, we effected a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares on a ten (10) old for one (1) new common share. References to common shares in this report have been adjusted for the consolidation. Exercise or conversion prices and the number of common shares issuable under any of our outstanding warrants, restricted stock units, performance stock units and stock options have also been proportionately adjusted to reflect the consolidation.
On October 2, 2020, we signed a share purchase agreement with an unrelated third party (the “Purchaser”) for the sale of 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Pivot Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corp. (“Pivot”), one of our fully-owned subsidiaries. Pursuant to the sale of Pivot, our lease of the manufacturing facility in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada (the “Facility”) and our in-process Health Canada license application (the “Application”) will be transferred to the Purchaser. Upon closing of the share purchase agreement in December 2020, we are no longer be pursuing the Application for processing of cannabis products in Canada. We remain as guarantor of the lease.
On December 18, 2020, we acquired 100% of the assets in Nutraneeds in an all-stock transaction. Pursuant to the acquisition, we issued 13,333,333 common shares to principals of Nutraneeds. The assets of Nutraneeds address unmet mental health needs through the development of patented next generation psychedelic therapeutics including the Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (“LSD”) derivative 2-Bromo-LSD (“TD-0148A”).
Platform Technologies
TD-0148A
TD-0148A is a non-hallucinogenic second-generation LSD derivative molecule that mimics the projected therapeutic potential of LSD in the treatment of disorders such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”), and migraines. Human clinical trials have been conducted several decades ago with TD-0148A synthesized from LSD. The very strict controlled substance classification of LSD (Schedule 1) prevented further research in this arena. Our TD-0148A issued patent is a manufacturing process pathway that is fully non-controlled, i.e. it does not start with nor generates LSD at any stage. TD-0148A synthesis is therefore not subject to Schedule 1 controlled substance restrictions, and we can move ahead with TD-0148A large scale synthesis and clinical trials without these restrictions. TD-0148A’s patented process allows for cost effective manufacturing of TD-0148A. LSD has been studied for the treatment of people with a number of psychiatric conditions, including depression, alcoholism, and PTSD throughout the 1950s and 1960s and research is currently experiencing a renaissance, with a number of publications referencing the efficacy of LSD to alleviate or reverse certain mental health conditions. TD-0148A’s chemical name is 2-bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide (“2-Bromo-LSD”). This modification on the LSD structure is proposed to alter the pharmacological effect of compound on the serotonin 5HT2A receptor, and lead to its non-hallucinogenic properties compared to LSD. TD-0148A is orally administered. We plan to develop 2-bromo-LSD to treat mental health disorders including Treatment-resistant Depression (“TRD”) and migraines. TRD is a term used in clinical psychiatry to describe a condition that affects patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder who do not respond adequately to a course of appropriate antidepressant medication within a certain time. Studies have shown TRD has been associated with lower long-term quality of life as well as more instances of relapse than depression that is responsive to treatment. 2-bromo-LSD is being developed as a patient self-administered medication prescribed by a psychiatrist. 2-bromo-LSD has been tested in studies in humans, mainly in healthy subjects. Most of these studies were conducted in the 1950s. In 2010 a case series study in cluster headaches was reported showing that treatment with 2-bromo-LSD was effective against cluster headaches. 2-bromo-LSD has not been investigated in TRD in any of the published studies.
TD-010
TD-010’s active pharmaceutical ingredient is dihydrohonokiol-B (“DHH-B”). DHH-B is a derivative of honokiol, which is the active anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) ingredient of magnolia bark extracts. Magnolia bark extracts have been used in traditional Chinese medicines for centuries as anxiolytic medication. Several animal studies on safety and anxiolytic efficacy of honokiol/magnolia bark extract have been published1. Only two human clinical trials have been published on honokiol (given as magnolia bark extract)2. Magnolia bark extract/honokiol is sold as a nutraceutical. DHH-B has been shown in animal studies to have significantly (20x) more anxiolytic activity than its parent molecule honokiol3. Animal studies have also shown that DHH-B does not have the side effects of benzodiazepines4 and not to be addictive like benzodiazepines5. No human clinical trials have been conducted on DHH-B. TD-010 is DHH-B formulated in our patented formulation (provisional) to overcome DHH-B’s insolubility and poor bioavailability for potential treatment of anxiety and other neuro-psychiatric disorders.
______________
1 Review Sarrica et al 2018
2 Kalman et al 2008; Campus et al 2011
3 Kuribara et al 2000 J Pharm Pharmacol
4 Benzodiazepines include Xanax™, Valium™, Klonopin™ and Ativan™
5 Kuribara et al 2000 J Pharmacol Biochem & Behaviour; Maruyama et al 2001
AP-003
AP-003 is a patent pending proprietary recombinant human IFNa2b inhalation formulation. In recent studies IFNa2b has been shown to be effective in slowing SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. In the study published Friday May 15, 2020 in Frontiers of Immunology titled “Interferon-a2b Treatment for COVID-19”, the authors examined the course of disease in a cohort of 77 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Union Hospital, Tongii Medical College, Wuhan, China, between January 16 and February 20, 2020. To the knowledge of the authors the findings presented in the study were the first to suggest therapeutic efficacy of IFNa2b in COVID-19 disease.
Cautionary note: We are not making any express or implied claims that AP-003 or any other product has the ability to treat, eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time. Further, the safety and efficacy of AP-003 are under investigation and market authorization has not yet been obtained.
AP-003
AP-003 is a patent pending proprietary Interferon α2b (“IFN α2b”) inhalation formulation. In recent studies IFN α2b has been shown to be effective in slowing viral replication. In the study published in May 2020 in Frontiers of Immunology titled “Interferon-a2b Treatment for COVID-19”, the authors examined the course of disease in a cohort of 77 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Union Hospital, Tongii Medical College, Wuhan, China, between January 16 and February 20, 2020. To the knowledge of the authors, the findings presented in the study were the first to suggest therapeutic efficacy of IFN-a2b in Covid-19 disease. Altum is planning a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of AP-003 in early stage COVID-19 patients is to start in the near future.
Cautionary note: We are not making any express or implied claims that Altum’s AP-003 or any other product has the ability to treat, eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time. Further, the safety and efficacy of Altum’s AP-003 are under investigation and market authorization has not yet been obtained.
AP-001
AP-001 is a topical formulation of recombinant human IFNa2b based on the patented Biphasix™ drug formulation technology. The Biphasix formulation allows stable cream formulation of IFNa2b and its delivery across the dermis/mucosa, with minimal systemic exposure. AP-001 is being developed as topical cream for local intravaginal use to treat HPV-induced Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (“CIN”), the precursor to cervical neoplasia. Current treatments of advanced CIN are all based on invasive surgical procedures. AP-001 is being developed to be a non-invasive, self-administered treatment for CIN, with minimal side effects. Small human AP-001 Phase 1-2 trials have been completed.
AP-002
AP-002 is an organo-gallium complex whose drug substance is: tris (8-quinolinolato) gallium(III). The finished drug product is an enteric protected tablet for oral administration. Preclinical studies show that AP-002 has distinct direct anti-tumor activity as well as direct anti-osteoclast activity. The activity profile of AP-002 makes it a promising development candidate to potentially treat cancers which give rise to bone metastases, which include breast, lung and prostate cancers.
Other Platform Technologies
Thrudermic Transdermal Nanotechnology (Topical Platform)
We acquired the worldwide rights to Thrudermic’s patented Transdermal Nanotechnology for the development and commercialization of transdermal cannabinoids. Developed in Israel, the Thrudermic lipid-based nano dispersion technology for topical cannabinoids uses FDA approved materials. The technology has the ability to specifically formulate individual drugs to control and prolong drug release while maintaining steady therapeutic concentrations, The technology can handle water soluble and water insoluble drugs with no change to the skin morphology, no sensitivity to the digestive system, no pain from injections and no observed adverse reactions.
Solmic Solubilization Drug Delivery Technology (Oral Platform)
Through its acquisition of Solmic, we acquired the worldwide rights to the Solmic’s Micelle oral drug delivery technology for cannabinoids.
Ready-To-Infuse Cannabis Technology
Our patented RTIC process technology creates precise and repeatable dosing of cannabis by transforming concentrated cannabis oil into a stable, emulsifiable, odorless and flavorless powder form. The derived powder may then be encapsulated and infused for use in beverages, edibles, lotions and additional health and personal care products. The RTIC process is conducive for manufacturing of a wide array of products.
C. Organizational Structure
Our company operates through several wholly-owned subsidiaries as follows:
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|
·
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Altum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Canada)
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|
·
|
Pivot Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corp. (Canada)
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|
|
·
|
Blife Therapeutics Inc. (Canada)
|
|
|
·
|
Altum S1M US Corp. (U.S.A.)
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|
|
·
|
BetterLife Pharma US Inc. (U.S.A.)
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|
|
·
|
Thrudermic, LLC (U.S.A.)
|
|
|
·
|
BetterLife Europe Pharmaceuticals AG (Lichtenstein)
|
|
|
·
|
Solmic AG (Switzerland)
|
|
|
·
|
Altum Pharma (Australia) Pty Ltd. (Australia)
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|
|
·
|
Altum Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited (Hong Kong)
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D. Property, Plants and Equipment
We currently lease our head office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
We plan on relying on contract manufacturers to produce sufficient quantities for large scale commercialization. These contract manufacturers will be subject to extensive government regulations. Regulatory authorities in the markets that we intend to serve require that drugs be manufactured, packaged and labeled in conformity with current GMP as set by the FDA. In this regard, we engage only contract manufacturers who have the capability to manufacture products in compliance with current GMP in bulk quantities for commercialization. We also safeguard our intellectual property when working with contract manufacturers by working only with manufacturers who in our estimation have a strong track record of safeguarding confidential information and who are willing to enter into agreements with us that impose upon them strict intellectual property protection measures.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating Results
|
|
|
YEAR ENDED
|
|
|
|
|
January 31,
2021
|
|
|
January 31,
2020
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
nil
|
|
|
$
|
nil
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
(7,915,367
|
)
|
|
|
(9,336,298
|
)
|
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion expense on convertible debentures
|
|
|
(33,054
|
)
|
|
|
(380,754
|
)
|
|
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative liabilities
|
|
|
(73,885
|
)
|
|
nil
|
|
|
Financial guarantee expense
|
|
|
(182,200
|
)
|
|
nil
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(7,046
|
)
|
|
|
(48,024
|
)
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
|
4,479
|
|
|
Gain (loss) on sale/abandonment of assets, net
|
|
|
804,429
|
|
|
|
(1,303,278
|
)
|
|
Loss on impairment of equipment
|
|
nil
|
|
|
|
(3,901
|
)
|
|
Loss on impairments and write-offs of inventory and other
|
|
nil
|
|
|
|
(1,466,377
|
)
|
|
Loss on impairment of intangible assets
|
|
|
(12,116,908
|
)
|
|
|
(6,625,246
|
)
|
|
Loss on impairment of loan receivable
|
|
nil
|
|
|
|
(213,085
|
)
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(40,358
|
)
|
|
|
48,382
|
|
|
Settlement of legal claims
|
|
|
(120,000
|
)
|
|
|
(264,660
|
)
|
|
Unidentifiable assets acquired
|
|
|
(16,666,666
|
)
|
|
nil
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(36,350,790
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19,588,762
|
)
|
Net loss for the year ended January 31, 2021 increased as compared to the year ended January 31, 2020. The increase was due to a non-recurring expense of $16,666,666 related to unidentifiable assets acquired. On December 7, 2020, our company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Nutraneeds whereby we issued 13,333,333 common shares to acquire intellectual property, including patented technology, in connection with the compounds known as 2-bromo-LSD. The intangible assets acquired were determined to be too-early stage to meet the definition of intangible asset. Accordingly, our company accounted for this transaction as an asset acquisition and measured the transaction using the fair value of the consideration paid with amount paid being recognized as a non-recurring expense related to unidentifiable assets acquired.
Also contributing to the increase was an increase in impairment of intangible assets during the year ended January 31, 2021. During the current year, our company recorded an impairment loss totaling $11,362,000 on its AP-001 and AP-003 intangible assets. An impairment assessment was performed from which we concluded both assets to be in such early stage of development that a reasonable estimate of recoverable amount could not be estimate. During the year, our company also recorded impairment losses on its BiPhasix license, Thrudermic non-patented technology and Solmic patents as it had exited the cannabis manufacturing and commercialization industry. For the year ended January 31, 2020, our company recorded a loss on impairment of intangible assets related to its RTIC patents.
This increase was offset by decreases in operating expenses (see below), loss on sale/abandonment of assets, loss on impairments and write-offs of inventory and other, loss on impairment of intangible assets and loss on impairment of loan receivable. During the year ended January 31, 2020, the following occurred, which resulted in other expenses being recorded:
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|
·
|
Our company advanced $1,441,600 to SolMic GmbH (“Solmic GmbH”), a Dusseldorf, Germany based developer and manufacturer of nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals for its initial production order for micellized cannabinoid solution. Our company also advanced SolMic GmbH a loan of €150,000 with a term of six months and interest rate of 18% per annum. Solmic GmbH entered into insolvency proceedings and has been restructured. As our company did not expect to recover payments made, it wrote-off the amount paid for the production order of $1,441,600 and recorded an impairment of the loan receivable. No such losses were incurred in fiscal 2021.
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|
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·
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Our company made a strategic decision to exit the California cannabis manufacturing industry and determined that several assets initially held for US operations purposes had a recoverable value of $nil and were impaired for a total amount of $1,303,278. The main asset impaired related to the right-of-use asset previously recognized relating to the lease on 3595 Cadillac Avenue.
|
During the year ended January 31, 2021, our company shifted its strategic focus from manufacture and commercialization of cannabis/hemp products to research and development of pharmaceuticals, which resulted in other income or expenses being recorded as follows: Our company recorded a net gain on sale/abandonment of assets. A gain on abandonment of assets related to Pivot Naturals of $1,481,829 was recorded and consisted mainly of the gain on extinguishment of the lease liability on 3595 Cadillac Avenue. This gain was offset by a loss on disposal of assets related to the disposal of Pivot and a loss on abandonment of hemp-related activities in the U.S.A.
Expenses
|
|
|
YEAR ENDED
|
|
|
|
|
January 31,
2021
|
|
|
January 31,
2020
|
|
|
Amortization and depreciation of equipment and intangible assets
|
|
$
|
157,760
|
|
|
$
|
985,895
|
|
|
Amortization of right-of-use assets
|
|
|
(69,849
|
)
|
|
|
361,502
|
|
|
Consulting fees
|
|
|
1,982,846
|
|
|
|
1,608,692
|
|
|
Finders fee expense
|
|
nil
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(39,050
|
)
|
|
|
38,057
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
1,743,415
|
|
|
|
923,877
|
|
|
Lease liability expense
|
|
|
479,164
|
|
|
|
347,445
|
|
|
Licensing fees
|
|
nil
|
|
|
|
40,029
|
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
1,447,202
|
|
|
|
1,707,892
|
|
|
Promotion and marketing
|
|
|
185,952
|
|
|
|
96,641
|
|
|
Repairs and maintenance
|
|
|
22,808
|
|
|
|
45,875
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
284,700
|
|
|
|
63,767
|
|
|
Wages, salaries and employment expenses
|
|
|
1,720,419
|
|
|
|
3,016,626
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
$
|
7,915,367
|
|
|
$
|
9,336,298
|
|
Operating expenses decreased as compared to the prior year. During the year ended January 31, 2021, the global outbreak of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) had a significant impact on businesses through restrictions placed by the Canadian and U.S. federal, provincial/state and municipal governments regarding travel, business operations and isolation/quarantine orders. As a result of the uncertainties that arose from the pandemic, we put measures in place to reduce expenses and minimize cash outflows. Significant decrease in expenses was in the area of wages, salaries and employment expenses, in which numerous positions determined not to be core to our pharmaceutical research and development activities were terminated. Other decreases to operating expenses included the following:
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|
·
|
Decrease in amortization and depreciation of equipment and intangible assets, which resulted upon impairments of cannabis-related patents.
|
|
|
·
|
Decrease in amortization of right-of-use assets, which resulted when the leases on Cadillac Avenue, Costa Mesa and Kesmark Street, Dollard-des-Ormeaux were assigned together with the assignment of Pivot Naturals and Pivot, respectively.
|
|
|
·
|
Decrease in professional fees as a result of our continued efforts at cash conservation.
|
These decreases in operating expenses were offset by the following increases:
|
|
·
|
Though consulting fees increased from the prior year, the majority of the increase was due to share-based payment expenses utilized to compensate consultants while allowing us to conserve cash.
|
|
|
·
|
General and administrative expenses increased and is discussed below.
|
The tables below present material components of general and administrative expense:
|
|
|
YEAR ENDED
|
|
|
|
|
January 31,
2021
|
|
|
January 31,
2020
|
|
|
Business licenses
|
|
$
|
41,083
|
|
|
$
|
48,671
|
|
|
Conferences
|
|
|
775
|
|
|
|
45,557
|
|
|
Information technology
|
|
|
20,527
|
|
|
|
22,129
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
24,707
|
|
|
nil
|
|
|
Investor relations
|
|
|
1,191,974
|
|
|
|
122,221
|
|
|
Office
|
|
|
142,592
|
|
|
|
147,772
|
|
|
Press release
|
|
|
91,914
|
|
|
|
35,010
|
|
|
Printing
|
|
nil
|
|
|
|
20,741
|
|
|
Public listing expense
|
|
|
125,477
|
|
|
|
59,564
|
|
|
Shareholder expense
|
|
|
10,205
|
|
|
|
10,303
|
|
|
Telecommunications
|
|
|
4,803
|
|
|
|
22,777
|
|
|
Travel, meals and entertainment
|
|
|
51,664
|
|
|
|
309,852
|
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
19,499
|
|
|
|
25,743
|
|
|
Website costs
|
|
|
18,196
|
|
|
|
53,537
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,743,415
|
|
|
$
|
923,877
|
|
General and administrative expense for the year ended January 31, 2021 increased as compared to the prior year. In May 2020, our company announced that it was pursuing an Amalgamation with Altum. Our company disseminated a number of news releases to update the market regarding Altum and the Amalgamation process and filed a listing statement pursuant to the Amalgamation, increasing its press release and public listing expenses. Our company also engaged public and investor relations companies to provide media services and assist with communications to the public of its corporate activities, which resulted in an increase to investor relations expense. The majority of the increase in investor relations expense was due to share-based payment expenses utilized to compensate third parties while allowing us to conserve cash. These increases were offset by decreases to conferences, printing, telecommunications, travel, meals and entertainment and website costs.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
We manage our liquidity risk by reviewing, on an ongoing basis, capital requirements and capital structure. We make adjustments to our capital structure in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of our assets. To maintain or adjust our capital structure, we may issue new common shares or debenture, acquire or dispose of assets or adjust the amount of cash. As of January 31, 2021, we believe we have adequate available liquidity to meet operating requirements and fund product development initiatives and capital expenditures. While we have incurred losses to date, with an accumulated deficit of $91,011,306 at January 31, 2021, we anticipate the success and eventual profitability from research, development and commercialization of our product portfolio. We also ensure that we have access to public capital markets. However, there can be no assurance, especially in light of the current global outbreak of COVID-19, that we will gain adequate market acceptance for our products or be able to generate sufficient positive cash flow to achieve our business plans. Therefore, we are subject to risks including, but not limited to, inability to raise additional funds through equity and/or debt financing to support ongoing operations. See “Risk Factors”.
Working Capital
The following table presents our working capital as at January 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
|
|
January 31,
2021
|
|
|
January 31,
2020
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$
|
1,329,554
|
|
|
$
|
3,480,538
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
5,847,077
|
|
|
|
960,064
|
|
|
Working capital (deficiency)
|
|
$
|
(4,517,523)
|
|
|
$
|
2,520,474
|
|
Working capital decreased as compared to January 31, 2020. Our company utilized its cash to fund its working capital, to pursue Amalgamation with Altum and the acquisition of assets from Nutraneeds as well as to progress its research and development programs..
Statements of Cash Flows
The following table presents our cash flows for the years ended January 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
|
|
YEAR ENDED
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in):
|
|
January 31,
2021
|
|
|
January 31,
2020
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
$
|
(7,164,882
|
)
|
|
$
|
(7,880,641
|
)
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
(71,550
|
)
|
|
|
(1,141,093
|
)
|
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
4,089,644
|
|
|
|
12,226,420
|
|
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
19,806
|
|
|
|
2,218
|
|
|
(Decrease) increase in cash for the period
|
|
$
|
(3,126,982
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,206,904
|
|
Cash used in operating activities for the year ended January 31, 2021 decreased as compared to the prior year as our company continued to make efforts to minimize expenditures and cash outflows amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Cash used for investing activities for the current year decreased from the prior period and included the acquisition of Solmic patents. Cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2020 included our company’s private placement completed in May 2019 for gross proceeds of $15 million, offset with repayment of convertible debentures. During fiscal 2021, our company completed a private placement of common shares and share purchase warrants for gross proceeds of $1,361,778 in July/August 2020 and a private placement of special warrants for gross proceeds of $2,944,868 in December 2020.
Commitments and Contingencies
In September 2019, we were served with a claim from Green Stream Botanicals Corp. for a finder’s fee in the amount of $600,000 in relation to the non-brokered private placement of $15 million that it closed in May 2019. In July 2020, this claim was settled for $120,000.
In November 2019, our former Chief Executive Officer filed an originating application with the Superior Court in the province of Quebec for damages stemming from a termination of employment. The former Chief Executive Officer is seeking payment of amounts totaling approximately $1 million, exercisability of his stock options until the original expiry dates, issuance of 600,000 stock options and an order that we not issue further common shares. We believe the claims are unfounded and intend to vigorously defend these claims.
In January 2020, an injunction was filed against us in the Superior Court of Quebec by Bio V Pharma Inc. (“BioV”) seeking provisional orders in respect of the premises sub-leased at 285 Kesmark Street and damages of approximately $395,000. In January 2021, this injunction was discontinued.
In September 2020, a judgement for a safeguard order was rendered against us in the Superior Court of Quebec by Olymbec Development Inc. (“Olymbec”) ordering us to pay the sum of $45,293, inclusive of GST and QST and representing monthly lease payment on the lease of 285-295 Kesmark Street from September 1, 2020 (September 2020 - paid), and to pay $67,939, representing 50% of the arrears lease due to Olymbec (paid). On November 5, 2020, this matter was settled and the proceedings discontinued.
In March 2021, a judgement for a safeguard order was obtained by Olymbec against Pivot, a former subsidiary, and us, as guarantor of the lease at 285-295 Kesmark Street, Quebec, ordering Pivot and us to jointly pay the full amount of the lease on the first day of each month. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement that closed in December 2020 for the sale of 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Pivot, we are indemnified from any and all claims suffered in connection with and as guarantor of the lease.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual restrictions, to establish and protect our proprietary and intellectual property rights. These laws, procedures and restrictions provide only limited protection.
We endeavor to enter into agreements with our employees, contractors, distributors, resellers, business partners and other third parties with which we do business or wish to do business in order to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use, disclosure or reverse engineering of our technology. Moreover, others may independently develop technologies that are competitive with ours or that infringe our intellectual property rights. The enforcement of our intellectual property rights also depends on any legal actions against these infringers being successful, but these actions may not be successful, even when our rights have been infringed.
Furthermore, effective patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products, services and solutions are sold. In addition, the legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights are uncertain and still evolving.
D. Trend Information
Trend information is included throughout the other sections of this Item 5. In addition, we expect our operating results to continue to fluctuate in future quarters, and in light of the current pandemic situation (see “Risk Factors”).
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Not applicable.
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Not applicable.
G. Safe Harbor
This annual report contains forward-looking statements about us, our markets and our industry. These statements involve known and unknown substantial risks, uncertainties and other factors as described in detail under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk factors” in this annual report that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this annual report regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future net sales, projected expenses, prospects and plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements.
In some cases, you can also identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “objective,” or the negatives of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
All forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this annual report include, but are not limited to, statements about:
|
|
·
|
our business strategies;
|
|
|
·
|
our future prospects, business development, results of operations and financial condition;
|
|
|
·
|
competition from local and international companies, new entrants in the market and changes to the competitive landscape;
|
|
|
·
|
the adoption of new, or changes to existing, laws and regulations;
|
|
|
·
|
the termination of or changes to our relationships with our partners and other third parties;
|
|
|
·
|
our plans to launch and monetize new products;
|
|
|
·
|
our ability to retain key personnel and attract new talent;
|
|
|
·
|
our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;
|
|
|
·
|
the anticipated costs and benefits of our acquisitions;
|
|
|
·
|
the outcome of ongoing or any future litigation or arbitration, including litigation or arbitration relating to intellectual property rights;
|
|
|
·
|
our legal and regulatory compliance efforts; and
|
|
|
·
|
worldwide economic conditions and their impact on demand of our products and services.
|
Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Also, forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this annual report. You should read this annual report and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this annual report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth the name, positions held and principal occupation of each of our directors, senior management and employees upon whose work the Company is dependent. Information on such persons’ share ownership is under Item 7.
|
Name and Positions Held (Age)
|
|
Experience and Principal Business Activities
|
|
Ahmad Doroudian (60)
|
|
Chief Executive Officer & Director of the Company since 2020
|
|
Robert Metcalfe (81)
|
|
Director of the Company since 2020
|
|
Anthony Pullen (76)
|
|
Director of the Company since 2020
|
|
Wolfgang Renz (51)
|
|
Director of the Company since 2015
|
|
Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran (53)
|
|
Chief Operating Officer of the Company1 since 2020
|
|
Moira Ong (46)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 2010
|
1. Chief Operating Officer of our fully-owned subsidiary, Altum Pharmaceuticals Inc., acquired August 2020.
Ahmad Doroudian
Ahmad Doroudian is an accomplished executive with over 28 years of experience in management and development of private and publicly traded pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Doroudian is the founder of Altum Pharmaceuticals Inc., a private company engaged in the development of therapeutics and acquired by BetterLife in August 2020. From 2009 to February 2014, he was the founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Merus Labs Inc., a publicly listed specialty pharmaceutical company (MSL: TSX and MSLI: NASDAQ) engaged in licensing and acquisition of legacy brands and innovative near-market products. From 2003 to 2009, he was involved in early stage financing of private and publicly listed companies. From 1994 to 2002, Dr. Doroudian was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of PanGeo (Pharmex Industries) where he assembled a team that completed over $100 MM in debt and equity and guided numerous acquisitions and licensing transactions. From 1990 to 1996, he was manager of operations at Novapharm (Teva), in charge of management of manufacturing, supply chain and process development facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dr. Doroudian holds an M.Sc. in Pharmaceutics and a PhD in Biopharmaceutics (Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism) from the University of British Columbia.
Robert Metcalfe
Robert Metcalfe is a lawyer and has served as President, CEO, Lead Director, Chairman and Committee member on numerous publicly listed natural resource and industry company corporate boards in Canada, the USA, England, South America and Africa. He was a senior partner with the law firm Lang Michener LLP for 20 years. He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Armadale Properties and Counsel to all of the Armadale Group of Companies, with significant holdings across numerous industries including finance, construction of office buildings, airport ownership, management and refurbishing, land development, automotive dealerships as well as newspaper publishing, radio and television stations. Mr. Metcalfe was a director of Canada Lands Company Limited, one of the largest real estate corporations in Canada, and was a director and Chairman of the Board of CN Tower Limited, the tallest communications structure in the world. Throughout his career Mr. Metcalfe has served as a director of public and private corporations including publicly listed Radiant Energy Corp. (airplane de-icing company operating in the US), Alberta Oil Sands (Chairman of the Board); LeadFX (in Australia), Director and Chairman of the Board, and member of the Audit Committee; PetroMagdalena Inc. (oil and gas in Colombia, South America); LSC Lithium in Argentina SA and currently serves as director of the publicly listed companies Gran Colombia Gold Corp., (Lead Director and Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee as well as a member of the Audit Committee); WPC Resources Limited (a gold mining company in Nunavut); As a director and shareholder, Mr. Metcalfe has been engaged in numerous acquisitions, divestitures, corporate reorganizations, financings and corporate improvements, as well as serving on numerous special committees across many sectors. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Anthony Pullen
Anthony Pullen is one of the most experienced investment bankers in Canada in the healthcare and biotechnology industry sectors. In 1987, Tony was instrumental in the creation and funding of MDS Capital Corp., Canada’s largest venture capital fund dedicated to the life sciences, now known as Lumira Capital. Most recently, Tony was an investment banker in the healthcare and biotechnology industries with Dominick Capital Corp.
Wolfgang Renz
Wolfgang Renz is President of International Business at Physicians Interactive. Formerly, Dr. Renz served as Corporate Vice President of Business Model & Healthcare Innovation at Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. For over a decade, he has been involved in developing medicines and technology to help people lead healthier, more productive lives. At Boehringer Ingelheim, he led a team of specialists to find, test, and develop the disruptive technologies that will shape the way health care will be delivered in the future. In addition, he also serves as Adjunct Professor of Surgery at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada. Prof. Renz holds a medical degree and a PhD from Freiburg University and is board certified in Germany in emergency medicine.
Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran
Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran has over 21 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, in drug development, marketing, business development, financing, and executive operations. Previously, Dr. Sheshbaradaran has held senior global marketing and business development executive positions in several leading pharmaceutical companies, including Global Director of Oncology Business Development at Roche and Global Director of Oncology, New Products Marketing at Pharmacia/Pfizer. He also has extensive small biotech experience, including holding positions such as Chief Business Officer at PsiOxus Therapeutics Ltd, Head of the US subsidiary of Zeneus Pharma Ltd. (acquired by Cephalon, Inc. in 2007), and co-founder and CEO of Niiki Pharma Inc (acquired by Intezyne Technologies in 2013). Dr. Sheshbaradaran has been involved in the development of several anti-cancer drugs, including Camptosar, Ellence, Emcyt, Sutent, and Vidaza. Dr. Sheshbaradaran holds a PhD in Virology (1985) from the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm..
Moira Ong
Moira Ong is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 16 years of experience in accounting and consulting. Moira was the Chief Financial Officer of Neurokine Pharmaceuticals Inc. and was an officer in the finance capacity of Merus Labs International Inc. from March 2010 through December 2012. In addition to holding her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation, Moira is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
B. Compensation
Executive Compensation Plans and Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
The following table sets forth compensation for our directors and officers for the year ended January 31, 2021:
|
Name and Positions Held
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Long-term Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Ahmad Doroudian, Director, Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Business Officer(1)
|
|
$
|
125,000
|
|
|
$
|
96,091
|
|
|
$
|
221,091
|
|
|
Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran, Chief Operating Officer(2)
|
|
$
|
146,482
|
|
|
$
|
78,176
|
|
|
$
|
224,658
|
|
|
Moira Ong, Chief Financial Officer(3)
|
|
$
|
179,959
|
|
|
$
|
87,133
|
|
|
$
|
267,092
|
|
|
Angela Ogden, former Chief Medical Officer(4)
|
|
$
|
146,482
|
|
|
$
|
78,176
|
|
|
$
|
224,658
|
|
|
Chris Lucky, former Chief Operating Officer(5)
|
|
$
|
133,987
|
|
|
$
|
11,785
|
|
|
$
|
145,772
|
|
|
Wolfgang Renz, Director, former Chief Medical Officer and former Regional Manager - Europe(6)
|
|
$
|
34,583
|
|
|
$
|
15,391
|
|
|
$
|
49,974
|
|
|
Robert Metcalfe, Director(7)
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
|
$
|
32,471
|
|
|
$
|
62,471
|
|
|
Anthony Pullen, Director(8)
|
|
$
|
29,355
|
|
|
$
|
51,463
|
|
|
$
|
80,818
|
|
|
Krisztian Toth, former Director and Chairman(10)
|
|
$
|
nil
|
|
|
$
|
193,648
|
|
|
$
|
193,648
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Ahmad Doroudian was appointed Director and Chief Executive Officer on January 20, 2020. He served as Chief Business Officer until December 31, 2019.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran serves as Chief Operating Officer of our fully-owned subsidiary, Altum, which was acquired August 31, 2020.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Moira Ong was appointed Chief Financial Officer on December 26, 2010.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Angela Ogden served as Chief Medical Officer of our fully-owned subsidiary, Altum, which was acquired August 31, 2020, until April 9, 2021.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Chris Lucky served as Chief Operating Officer from July 2, 2019 to September 30, 2020.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Wolfgang Renz was appointed Director on February 5, 2015. Mr. Renz was Regional Manager – Europe and Chief Medical Officer until March 13, 2020.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Robert Metcalfe was appointed Director on January 21, 2020.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Anthony Pullen was appointed Director on May 7, 2020
|
|
|
(9)
|
Krisztian Toth served as Chairman and Director from May 30, 2019 to May 5, 2020.
|
Equity Compensation Plans
Effective October 1, 2019, we adopted a long-term incentive plan. Under this plan, our company may grant share purchase options, restricted stock units, performance stock units or deferred share units to its directors, officers, employees and consultants up to an amount as determined by our company and will be no more than 10% of its outstanding common shares on a fully-diluted basis. The exercise price of the share purchase options will be determined by our company and will be no less than market price on grant date.
The following table sets forth equity compensation plans outstanding as at January 31, 2021:
|
Type
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Share Purchase Options
|
|
|
2,922,712
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
Performance Stock Units
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
C. Board Practices
Each director holds office until the next annual general meeting of our company unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the corporate laws of the province of British Columbia and the bylaws of our company.
During the most recently completed fiscal year, there are no arrangements (standard or otherwise) under which directors of our company were compensated by our company or its subsidiaries for services rendered in their capacity as directors, nor were any amounts paid to the directors for committee participation or special assignments except as disclosed under B. Compensation. There were no arrangements under which the directors would receive compensation or benefits in the event of the termination of that office.
Our Board of Directors also serve as our audit committee. The audit committee is responsible for selecting, evaluating and recommending our company’s auditors to the Board of Directors for shareholder approval; evaluating the scope and general extent of the auditors’ review; overseeing the work of the auditors; recommending the auditors’ compensation to the Board of Directors; and assisting with the resolution of any disputes between management and the auditors regarding financial reporting. The audit committee is also responsible for reviewing the Company’s annual and interim financial statements and recommending their approval to the Board of Directors; reviewing the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to internal controls and financial reporting; and establishing procedures for dealing with complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.
Our company does not have a compensation or corporate governance committee at the present time. The Company is trading on the Other OTC as a foreign private issuer and as such it believes that it is not required to have such committees. Our company is also not required to have such committees in its home jurisdiction.
D. Employees
As at January 31, 2021, the Company had three (3) officers/employees.
E. Share Ownership
Our directors and officers own the indicated shares of common stock as at the date hereof; percentages are based on issued and outstanding shares outstanding as of the date hereof.
|
Name
|
|
No. of
shares of
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Percentage of
Common Shares
outstanding at
May 31, 2021
|
|
|
Ahmad Doroudian
|
|
|
5,155,162
|
(1)
|
|
|
6.63
|
%
|
|
Hooshmand Sheshbaradaran
|
|
|
1,386,281
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
%
|
|
Moira Ong
|
|
|
637,825
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
|
Robert Metcalfe
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
%
|
|
Wolfgang Renz
|
|
|
36,500
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
%
|
(1) Of these, 303,995 are held by Sassel Investments Inc., a company controlled by Mr. Doroudian and 1,175,304 are held by the spouse of Mr. Doroudian.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.
A. Major Shareholders
To our knowledge, three individuals beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, common shares carrying more than 5% of the voting rights based on the common shares outstanding at May 31, 2021 as follows:
|
Name
|
|
No. of
shares of
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Percentage of
Common Shares
outstanding at
May 31, 2021
|
|
|
Ahmad Doroudian
|
|
|
5,155,162
|
|
|
|
6.63
|
%
|
|
Patrick Kroupa
|
|
|
4,133,333
|
|
|
|
5.31
|
%
|
|
Justin Kirkland
|
|
|
4,133,333
|
|
|
|
5.31
|
%
|
The Company has approximately 207 shareholders of record at May 31, 2021, including 56 shareholders of record (19%) who are residents of the United States.
To our knowledge, we are not owned by any foreign government, nor are there any arrangements which may result in a change of control of the Company.
B. Related Party Transactions
Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed. Details of transactions between the Company and other related parties are disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. All related party transactions were in the ordinary course of business and were measured at their exchange amounts.
C. Interest of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Information
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Refer to the consolidated financial statements under Item 17.
B. Significant Changes
Not applicable.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
A. Offer and Listing Details
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common shares listed on the CSE for the periods indicated below:
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
January 31, 2021
|
|
$
|
2.27
|
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
October 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
2.45
|
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
|
July 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
2.59
|
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
|
April 30, 2020
|
|
$
|
1.48
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
January 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
2.85
|
|
|
$
|
0.56
|
|
|
October 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
3.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
July 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
5.40
|
|
|
$
|
2.00
|
|
|
April 30, 2019
|
|
$
|
3.58
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
Our common shares are quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange, listed for quotation on December 19, 2017, under the Symbol “BETR”. Our common stock is also quoted on the OTCQB, listed for quotation on April 13, 2010, under the Symbol “BETRF”.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
Authorized
An unlimited number of common shares without par value are authorized in the articles of incorporation.
Issued and Outstanding
As of May 31, 2021, 77,796,672 common shares were issued and outstanding.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
BetterLife is registered under the Business Corporations Act in British Columbia.
C. Material Contracts
Except as otherwise disclosed in this Form 20-F/A, we are not currently, and have not been in the last two years, party to any material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.
D. Exchange Controls
There are no laws, decrees or regulations in Canada relating to restrictions on the export or import of capital, or affecting the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-resident holders of our shares of common stock.
E. Taxation
The Company is a Canadian corporation which, since it has not earned any revenues in Canada, has not paid taxes in Canada.
Canadian Holders are subject to Canada taxation regarding their capital gains and losses.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Information for United States Residents
The following is a discussion of material Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to holders of our common shares who acquire such shares in the Company and who, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder, (or the “Canadian Tax Act”):
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deal at arm’s length and are not affiliated with us;
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hold such shares as capital property;
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do not use or hold (and will not use or hold) and are not deemed to use or hold our common shares, in or in the course of carrying on business in Canada;
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have not been at any time residents of Canada; and
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are, at all relevant times, residents of the United States, or U.S. Residents, under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), (the Convention).
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TAX MATTERS ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND THE CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON SHARES WILL DEPEND UPON THE STOCKHOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. THE SUMMARY OF MATERIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES SET FORTH BELOW IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE ONLY A GENERAL SUMMARY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DESCRIPTION OF ALL POTENTIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.
THIS DISCUSSION DOES NOT INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE TAX LAWS OF ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY WITHIN CANADA. ACCORDINGLY, HOLDERS AND PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON SHARES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM HAVING REGARD TO THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING ANY CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING OR DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON SHARES ARISING UNDER CANADIAN FEDERAL, CANADIAN PROVINCIAL OR TERRITORIAL, U.S. FEDERAL, U.S. STATE OR LOCAL TAX LAWS OR TAX LAWS OF JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Income Tax Act, proposed amendments to the Canadian Income Tax Act publicly announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”), and the provisions of the Canada-US Tax Convention as in effect on the date hereof. No assurance can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be entered into law in the manner proposed, or at all. No advance income tax ruling has been requested or obtained from the Canada Revenue Agency to confirm the tax consequences of any of the transactions described herein.
This summary is not an exhaustive description of all possible Canadian federal income tax consequences for U.S. Residents, and other than the Proposed Amendments, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, administrative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account Canadian provincial, U.S. or foreign tax considerations which may differ significantly from those discussed herein. No assurances can be given that subsequent changes in law or administrative policy will not affect or modify the opinions expressed herein.
A U.S. Resident will not be subject to tax under the Canadian Tax Act in respect of any capital gain on a disposition of our common shares unless such shares constitute “taxable Canadian property”, as defined in the Canadian Tax Act, of the U.S. Resident and the U.S. Resident is not eligible for relief pursuant to the Convention. Our common shares will not constitute “taxable Canadian property” if, at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition of the common shares, the U.S. Resident, persons with whom the U.S. Resident did not deal at arm’s length, or the U.S. Resident together with all such persons, did not own 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of our capital stock. In addition, the Convention generally will exempt a U.S. Resident who would otherwise be liable to pay Canadian income tax in respect of any capital gain realized by the U.S. Resident on the disposition of our common shares from such liability provided that the value of our common shares is not derived principally from real property situated in Canada. The Convention may not be available to a U.S. Resident that is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
Amounts in respect of our common shares paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends to a U.S. Resident will generally be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax at the rate of 25%. Currently, under the Convention the rate of Canadian non-resident withholding tax will generally be reduced to:
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5% of the gross amount of dividends if the beneficial owner is a company that is resident in the U.S. and that owns at least 10% of our voting shares; or
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15% of the gross amount of dividends if the beneficial owner is some other resident of the U.S.
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United States Federal Income Tax Information for United States Holders
The following is a general discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common shares by U.S. Holders (as defined below). This discussion is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect at the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion only addresses the tax consequences for U.S. Holders that will hold their common shares as a “capital asset” and does not address U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular U.S. Holders in light of their individual circumstances or U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under certain U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:
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tax-exempt organizations and pension plans;
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persons subject to an alternative minimum tax;
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banks and other financial institutions;
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insurance companies;
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partnerships and other pass-through entities (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes);
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broker-dealers;
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persons who hold their common shares as a hedge or as part of a straddle, constructive sale, conversion transaction, and other risk management transaction; and
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persons who acquired their common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.
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As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common shares that is:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation, a partnership or entity treated as a corporation or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; and
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a trust if both a United States Court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust; and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
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TAX MATTERS ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON SHARES WILL DEPEND UPON THE STOCKHOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. THE SUMMARY OF MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES SET FORTH BELOW IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE ONLY A GENERAL SUMMARY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DESCRIPTION OF ALL POTENTIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.
NOTE THAT THIS DISCUSSION DOES NOT INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. ACCORDINGLY, HOLDERS AND PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON SHARES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON SHARES.
Ownership of Shares
The gross amount of any distribution received by a U.S. Holder with respect to our common shares generally will be included in the U.S. Holder’s gross income as a dividend to the extent attributable to our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To the extent a distribution received by a U.S. Holder is not a dividend because it exceeds the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital and reduce (but not below zero) the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. Holder’s shares. To the extent the distribution exceeds the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. Holder’s shares, the remainder will be taxed as capital gain (the taxation of capital gain is discussed under the heading “Sale of Shares” below).
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009, dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders from a qualified foreign corporation are taxed at the same preferential rates that apply to long-term capital gains. A foreign corporation is a “qualified foreign corporation” if it is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (the income tax treaty between Canada and the United States is such a treaty) or the shares with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Capital Market). Notwithstanding satisfaction of one or both of these conditions, a foreign corporation is not a qualified foreign corporation if it is a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year. (Whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is discussed below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Companies”). A foreign corporation that is a PFIC for any taxable year within a U.S. person’s holding period generally is treated as a PFIC for all subsequent years in the U.S. person’s holding period. Although we have not been, are not now, and do not expect to be a PFIC, and we don’t expect to pay dividends, you should be aware of the following matters in the event that we do become a PFIC and do pay dividends.
If we were to become a PFIC, then U.S. Holders who acquire our common shares may be treated as holding shares of a PFIC throughout their holding period for the purpose of determining whether dividends received from us are dividends from a qualified foreign corporation. As a consequence, dividends received by U.S. Holders may not be eligible for taxation at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains.
If a distribution is paid in Canadian dollars, the U.S. dollar value of such distribution on the date of receipt is used to determine the amount of the distribution received by a U.S. Holder. A U.S. Holder who continues to hold such Canadian dollars after the date on which they are received, may recognize gain or loss upon their disposition due to exchange rate fluctuations. Generally, such gains and losses will be ordinary income or loss from U.S. sources.
U.S. Holders may deduct Canadian tax withheld from distributions they receive for the purpose of computing their U.S. federal taxable income (or alternatively a credit may be claimed against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability as discussed below under the heading “Foreign Tax Credit”). Corporate U.S. Holders generally will not be allowed a dividend received deduction with respect to dividends they receive from us.
Foreign Tax Credit
Generally, the dividend portion of a distribution received by a U.S. Holder will be treated as income in the passive income category for foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to a number of limitations, a U.S. Holder may elect to claim a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability (in lieu of a deduction) for Canadian withholding tax deducted from its distributions. The credit may be claimed only against U.S. federal income tax attributable to a U.S. Holder’s passive income that is from foreign sources.
If we were to become a qualified foreign corporation with respect to a non-corporate U.S. Holder, dividends received by such U.S. Holder will qualify for taxation at the same preferential rates that apply to long-term capital gains. In such case, the dividend amount that would otherwise be from foreign sources is reduce by multiplying the dividend amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the U.S. Holder’s preferential capital gains tax rate and the denominator of which is the U.S. Holder’s ordinary income tax rate. The effect is to reduce the dividend amount from foreign sources, thereby reducing the U.S. federal income tax attributable to foreign source income against which the credit may be claimed. Canadian withholding taxes that cannot be claimed as a credit in the year paid may be carried back to the preceding year and then forward 10 years and claimed as a credit in those years, subject to the same limitations referred to above.
The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are very complex. U.S. Holders and prospective U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent they would be entitled to claim a foreign tax credit.
Sale of Shares
Subject to the discussion of the “passive foreign investment company” rules below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale of our shares equal to the difference between: (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received; and (b) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. This gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss from U.S. sources, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held its shares for more than 12 months. Generally, the net long-term capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. Holder from the sale of shares is subject to taxation at a top marginal rate of 15%. A Capital gain that is not long-term capital gain is taxed at ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
We will be a PFIC if, in any taxable year either: (a) 75% or more of our gross income consists of passive income; or (b) 50% or more of the value of our assets is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Subject to certain limited exceptions, if we meet the gross income test or the asset test for a particular taxable year, our shares held by a U.S. Holder in that year will be treated as shares of a PFIC for that year and all subsequent years in the U.S. Holder’s holding period, even if we fail to meet either test in a subsequent year.
If we were a PFIC in the future, gain realized by a U.S. Holder from the sale of PFIC Shares and certain dividends received on such shares would be subject to tax under the excess distribution regime, unless the U.S. Holder made one of the elections discussed below. Under the excess distribution regime, federal income tax on a U.S. Holder’s gain from the sale of PFIC Shares would be calculated by allocating the gain rateably to each day the U.S. Holder held its shares. Gain allocated to years preceding the first year in which we were a PFIC in the U.S. Holder’s holding period, if any, and gain allocated to the year of disposition would be treated as gain arising in the year of disposition and taxed as ordinary income. Gain allocated to all other years would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each of those years. Interest for the late payment of tax would be calculated and added to the tax due for each of the PFIC Years, as if the tax was due and payable with the tax return filed for that year. A distribution that exceeds 125% of the average distributions received on PFIC Shares by a U.S. Holder during the 3 preceding taxable years (or, if shorter, the portion of the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the taxable year) would be taxed in a similar manner.
A U.S. Holder may avoid taxation under the excess distribution regime by making a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election. For each year that we would meet the PFIC gross income test or asset test, an electing U.S. Holder would be required to include in gross income, its pro rata share of our net ordinary income and net capital gains, if any. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our shares would be increased by the amount of such income inclusions. An actual distribution to the U.S. Holder out of such income generally would not be treated as a dividend and would decrease the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our shares. Gain realized from the sale of our shares covered by a QEF election would be taxed as a capital gain. U.S. Holders will be eligible to make QEF elections, only if we agree to provide to the U.S. Holders, which we do, the information they will need to comply with the QEF rules. Generally, a QEF election should be made by the due date of the U.S. Holder’s tax return for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder held our shares that includes the close of our taxable year for which we met the PFIC gross income test or asset test. A QEF election is made on IRS Form 8621.
A U.S. Holder may also avoid taxation under the excess distribution regime by timely making a mark-to-market election. An electing U.S. Holder would include in gross income the increase in the value of its PFIC Shares during each of its taxable years and deduct from gross income the decrease in the value of its PFIC Shares during each of its taxable years. Amounts included in gross income or deducted from gross income by an electing U.S. Holder are treated as ordinary income and ordinary deductions from U.S. sources. Deductions for any year are limited to the amount by which the income inclusions of prior year’s exceed the income deductions of prior years. Gain from the sale of PFIC Shares covered by an election is treated as ordinary income from U.S. sources while a loss is treated as an ordinary deduction from U.S. sources only to the extent of prior income inclusions. Losses in excess of such prior income inclusions are treated as capital losses from U.S. sources. A mark-to-market election is timely if it is made by the due date of the U.S. Holder’s tax return for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder held our shares that includes the close of our taxable year for which we met the PFIC gross income test or asset test. A mark-to-market election is also made on IRS Form 8621.
As noted above, a PFIC is not a qualified foreign corporation and hence dividends received from a PFIC are not eligible for taxation at preferential long-term capital gain tax rates. Similarly, ordinary income included in the gross income of a U.S. Holder who has made a QEF election or a market-to-market election, and dividends received from corporations subject to such election, are not eligible for taxation at preferential long-term capital gain rates. The PFIC rules are extremely complex and could, if they apply, have significant, adverse effects on the taxation of dividends received and gains realized by a U.S. Holder. Accordingly, prospective U.S. Holders are strongly urged to consult their tax adviser concerning the potential application of these rules to their particular circumstances.
Controlled Foreign Corporation
Special rules apply to certain U.S. Holders that own stock in a foreign corporation that is classified as a “controlled foreign corporation” (“CFC”). We do not expect to be classified as a CFC. However, future ownership changes could cause us to become a CFC. Prospective U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisor concerning the potential application of the CFC rules to their particular circumstances.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
United States information reporting and backup withholding requirements may apply with respect to distributions to U.S. Holders, or the payment of proceeds from the sale of shares, unless the U.S. Holder: (a) is an exempt recipient (including a corporation); (b) complies with certain requirements, including applicable certification requirements; or (c) is described in certain other categories of persons. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules may be credited against any U.S. federal income tax liability of the U.S. Holder and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statements by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
Not applicable.
I. Subsidiary Information
Refer to the notes to the consolidated financial statements under Item 17.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
Effective October 1, 2019, we adopted a long-term incentive plan. Under this plan, our company may grant share purchase options, restricted stock units, performance stock units or deferred share units to its directors, officers, employees and consultants up to an amount as determined by our company and will be no more than 10% of its outstanding common shares on a fully-diluted basis. The exercise price of the share purchase options will be determined by our company and will be no less than market price on grant date.