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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP | ex32.htm |
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP | ex31_2.htm |
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP | ex31_1.htm |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission file number 000-25169
GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 98-0178636 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
10102 USA Today Way Miramar, Florida, | 33025 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(416) 364-2551
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share | None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes ☐ No ☒
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.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company ☒ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
As of July 31, 2018, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $2.2 million based on the average bid and asked price at which such stock was last sold as of such date. Generex Biotechnology Corporation has no non-voting common equity. At October 26, 2018, there were 1,065,093 shares of common stock outstanding.
1 |
Generex Biotechnology Corporation
Form 10-K
July 31, 2018
Index
Page | ||
Forward-Looking Statements | ||
Part I | ||
Item 1. Business. | 4 | |
Item 1A. Risk Factors. | 31 | |
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. | 43 | |
Item 2. Properties. | 43 | |
Item 3. Legal Proceedings. | 44 | |
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. | 45 | |
Part II | ||
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. | 46 | |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. | 47 | |
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. | 47 | |
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. | 58 | |
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. | 59 | |
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. | 83 | |
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. | 83 | |
Item 9B. Other Information. | 83 | |
Part III | ||
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. | 84 | |
Item 11. Executive Compensation. | 91 | |
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. | 97 | |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. | 99 | |
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. | 102 | |
Part IV | ||
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. | 103 | |
Signatures | 104 |
2 |
As used herein, the terms the “Company,” “Generex,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Generex Biotechnology Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, without limitation, certain matters discussed under Item 1 - Business, Item 1A - Risk Factors, and Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Annual Report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such matters as our projections, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion, market and industry developments and the growth of our businesses and operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as "expects," “anticipates,” "plans," "intends," "believes," "will," "estimates," "projects" or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Our forward-looking statements address, among other things:
• | our expectations of future revenues, expenditures, capital or other funding requirements, |
• | the adequacy of our cash and working capital to fund present and planned operations and growth, |
• | the timing of our expansion plans, |
• | our expectations concerning product candidates for our technologies; |
• | our expectations concerning existing or potential development and license agreements for third-party collaborations and joint ventures; |
• | our expectations of when different phases of clinical activity may commence and conclude; |
• | the effect of governmental regulations generally, |
• | our expectations of when regulatory submissions may be filed or when regulatory approvals may be received; and |
• | our expectations of when commercial sales of our products may commence and when actual revenue from the product sales may be received. |
Any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They may be affected by inaccurate assumptions that we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could affect future results are:
• | the inherent uncertainties of product development based on our new and as yet not fully proven technologies; |
• | the risks and uncertainties regarding the actual effect on humans of seemingly safe and efficacious formulations and treatments when tested clinically; |
• | the inherent uncertainties associated with clinical trials of product candidates; |
• | the inherent uncertainties associated with the process of obtaining regulatory approval to market product candidates; |
• | the inherent uncertainties associated with commercialization of products that have received regulatory approval; |
• | economic and industry conditions generally and in our specific markets. |
• | the volatility of, and decline in, our stock price; and |
• | our current lack of financing for operations and our ability to obtain the necessary financing to fund our operations and effect our strategic development plan. |
Additional factors that could affect future results are set forth below under Item 1A. Risk Factors. We caution investors that the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report must be interpreted and understood in light of conditions and circumstances that exist as of the date of this Annual Report. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report to reflect any changes in management's expectations resulting from future events or changes in the conditions or circumstances upon which such expectations are based.
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Part I
Item 1. Business.
Preliminary Note
As of October 2015, (the first quarter of fiscal 2016), we laid off all of our employees, and ceased compensating our officers, and suspended substantially all of our operations due to lack of funds. On January 18, 2017, we acquired a majority of the equity interests in Hema Diagnostic Systems, LLC (“Hema” or “HDS”). We have the right to acquire the remainder of the Hema equity interests for nominal consideration provided that the Generex stock and warrants issued to the Hema equity owners in connection with the initial acquisition have a specified value and we have registered for resale the Company’s shares issued to the Hema equity owners. We intend to focus on Hema’s business and are identifying other areas for expansion, but do not intend to discontinue our pre-Acquisition activities.
Corporate History
We were incorporated in Delaware in September 1997 for the purpose of acquiring Generex Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Canadian corporation formed in November 1995 to engage in pharmaceutical and biotechnological research and development and other activities. Our acquisition of Generex Pharmaceuticals was completed in October 1997 in a transaction in which the holders of all outstanding shares of Generex Pharmaceuticals exchanged their shares for shares of our common stock.
In January 1998, we participated in a "reverse acquisition" with Green Mt. P. S., Inc., an inactive Idaho corporation formed in 1983. As a result of this transaction, our shareholders (the former shareholders of Generex Pharmaceuticals) acquired a majority (approximately 90%) of the outstanding capital stock of Green Mt., we became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Mt., Green Mt. changed its corporate name to Generex Biotechnology Corporation ("Generex Idaho"), and we changed our corporate name to GB Delaware, Inc. Because the reverse acquisition resulted in our shareholders becoming the majority holders of Generex Idaho, we were treated as the acquiring corporation in the transaction for accounting purposes. Thus, our historical financial statements, which essentially represented the historical financial statements of Generex Pharmaceuticals, were deemed to be the historical financial statements of Generex Idaho.
In April 1999, we completed a reorganization in which we merged with Generex Idaho. In this transaction, all outstanding shares of Generex Idaho were converted into our shares, Generex Idaho ceased to exist as a separate entity, and we changed our corporate name back to "Generex Biotechnology Corporation." This reorganization did not result in any material change in our historical financial statements or current financial reporting.
Subsidiaries and Acquisitions
Following our reorganization in 1999, Generex Pharmaceuticals Inc., which is incorporated in Ontario, Canada, remained as our wholly-owned subsidiary. All of our Canadian operations are performed by Generex Pharmaceuticals. Generex Pharmaceuticals is the 100% owner of 1097346 Ontario Inc., which is also incorporated in Ontario, Canada. In August 2003, we acquired Antigen Express, Inc., a Delaware incorporated company. Antigen is engaged in the research and development of technologies and immunomedicines for the treatment of malignant, infectious, autoimmune and allergic diseases. Antigen also does business under the names Generex Oncology and Generex Infectious Diseases.
On January 18, 2017, we acquired a majority of the equity interests in Hema Diagnostic Systems, LLC (“Hema”). We have the right to acquire the remainder of the Hema equity interests for nominal consideration provided that the Generex stock and warrants issued to the Hema equity owners in connection with the initial acquisition have a specified value and we have registered for resale the Company’s shares issued to the Hema equity owners. Hema is a Florida limited liability company Organized in December 2000. Hema began operations in 2002. Hema is in the business of developing, manufacturing, and distributing of in-vitro medical diagnostics for infectious diseases administered at the point of care level.
4 |
On October 3, 2018, after the end of the fiscal year addressed by this Annual Report, our wholly owned subsidiary, NuGenerex Distribution Solutions, LLC (“NuGenerex”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Veneto Holdings, L.L.C. (“Veneto”), pursuant to which NuGenerex has purchased, and will purchase, certain assets of Veneto and its subsidiaries (the “Assets”). The Agreement contains provisions regarding payment terms, confidentiality and indemnification, as well as other customary provisions.
Effective as at October 3, 2018, NuGenerex Distribution Solutions, LLC assigned the Veneto Asset Purchase Agreement to NuGenerex Distribution Solutions 2, LLC. The sole member of that LLC is NuGenerex Management Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Generex Biotechnology Corporation.
The Agreement provides for a bifurcated closing, the first of which took place on October 3, 2018 (the “First Closing”). At the First Closing, NuGenerex purchased the operating assets of (a) seven dispensing pharmacies, (b) a wholesale pharmacy purchasing company, and (c) an in-network laboratory (the “First Closing Assets”). In consideration of the sale, transfer, and assignment of the First Closing Assets on the First Closing Date, NuGenerex executed and delivered to Veneto a secured promissory note in the principal amount of $15,000,000 (the “Note”). The Note calls for payment in full on the Second Closing with interest at an annual rate of 5.0%. The Note is guaranteed by Generex and Joseph Moscato, and secured by a first priority security interest in Generex’s assets other than the First Closing Assets. If the Agreement is terminated and the Second Closing does not occur, Generex will have 90 days after termination of the Agreement to repay the loan. The Note has standard events of default for non-payment of principal or interest, certain events of insolvency and bankruptcy of the maker and other uncured, non-monetary defaults.
NuGenerex intends to complete the acquisition of Assets from Veneto at a second closing (the ‘Second Closing”) on or before November 1, 2018. The Assets to be acquired at the Second Closing (“Second Closing Assets”) consist primarily of Veneto’s interests in, and contracts with, Management Service Organizations (MSO’s) serving pharmacies, laboratories, and other ancillary service providers. The Agreement is subject to a number of closing conditions that must be satisfied prior to the Second Closing, and either party may terminate the Agreement if the Second Closing does not occur on or before November 1, 2018. As described below, these closing conditions include significant funding to be obtained by NuGenerex, and there is no assurance that the Second Closing will occur.
The aggregate purchase price for the Assets, is $30,000,000 including the Promissory Note. At the Second Closing, this amount will be paid as follows: (i) NuGenerex will pay the principal of the Promissory Note plus interest to Veneto, (ii) $9,000,000 will be paid by NuGenerex into a trust or other fiduciary account acceptable to Veneto to be used exclusively for satisfaction of certain contingent liabilities of Veneto and subsidiaries of Veneto not being acquired by NuGenerex (for a period of time to be agreed to by Generex’s lender) (iii) $3,000,000 will be paid by NuGenerex into an escrow account to secure potential obligations of Veneto in respect of the Second Closing date working capital and under the indemnification provisions of the Agreement and (iv) the balance will be payable directly to Veneto in cash.
Generex has received a non-binding letter of intent from a lender to provide the funds necessary to complete the Second Closing (as opposed to Generex equity or convertible instruments). The lender is continuing its due diligence at this time, and has not yet supplied definitive loan documents.
NuGenerex has entered into a temporary fee-for-service arrangement with Veneto and one of its subsidiaries for Veneto to provide managements, personnel, operational, administrative and other services with respect to the First Closing Assets pending the Second Closing. At the Second Closing, all of Veneto personnel providing these services are expected to become employees or consultants of NuGenerex, and Veneto will no longer provide the services. If the Agreement terminated without a Second Closing, those arrangements will continue for one year from the First Closing.
We have additional subsidiaries incorporated in the U.S. and Canada which are dormant and do not carry on any business activities.
5 |
Overview of Business
Generex Historical Business
Prior to January, 2017, Generex was engaged primarily in the research and development of drug delivery systems and technologies. Our primary focus at the present time is our proprietary technology for the administration of formulations of large molecule drugs to the oral (buccal) cavity using a hand-held aerosol applicator. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen, we have expanded our focus to include immunomedicines incorporating proprietary vaccine formulations.
We believe that our buccal delivery technology is a platform technology that has application to many large molecule drugs and provides a convenient, non-invasive, accurate and cost-effective way to administer such drugs. We have identified several large molecule drugs as possible candidates for development, including estrogen, heparin, monoclonal antibodies, human growth hormone and fertility hormones, but to date have focused our development efforts primarily on one pharmaceutical product, Generex Oral-lyn™, an insulin formulation administered as a fine spray into the oral cavity using our proprietary hand-held aerosol spray applicator known as RapidMist™.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen, concentrates on developing proprietary vaccine formulations that work by stimulating the immune system to either attack offending agents (i.e., cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses) or to stop attacking benign elements (i.e., self proteins and allergens). Our immunomedicine products are based on two platform technologies and are in the early stages of development. We continue clinical development of Antigen’s synthetic peptide vaccine AE37 designed to stimulate a potent and specific immune response against tumors with even low levels of expression of the HER-2/neu oncogene in patients with breast cancer in a Phase II clinical trial and in a Phase I trial in patients with prostate cancer. Other peptide vaccines based on the same proprietary technology have been tested against avian influenza in another Phase I clinical trial. We also initiated an additional Phase I clinical trial in patients with either breast or ovarian cancer using a combination of two different peptides. The synthetic vaccine technology has certain advantages for pandemic or potentially pandemic viruses, such as the H5N1 avian and H1N1 swine flu. In addition to developing vaccines for pandemic influenza viruses, we have vaccine development efforts underway for seasonal influenza virus, HIV, HPV induced cancers, melanoma, ovarian cancer, allergy and Type I diabetes mellitus. We have established collaborations with clinical investigators at academic centers to advance these technologies.
To date, we have received regulatory approval in Ecuador, India (subject to regulatory approval of a 2012 in-country study), Lebanon and Algeria for the commercial marketing and sale of Generex Oral-lyn™. We have previously submitted regulatory dossiers for Generex Oral-lyn™ in a number of other countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, Jordan and Armenia. While we believe these countries will ultimately approve our product for commercial sale, we do not anticipate recognizing revenues in any of these jurisdictions in the next twelve months. No dossier related activities or product shipments have taken place during fiscal 2017 or 2018, nor are any expected to these countries during the remainder of calendar year 2018. In March 2008, we initiated Phase III clinical trials for this product in the U.S. with the first patient screening for such trials at a clinical study site in Texas in April 2008. Approximately 450 patients were enrolled at approximately 70 clinical sites around the world, including sites in the United States, Canada, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Ecuador. The final subjects completed the trial in August 2011. After appropriate validation, the data from approximately 450 patients was tabulated, reviewed and analyzed. Those results from the Phase III trial along with a comprehensive review and supplemental analyses of approximately 40 prior Oral-lyn clinical studies were compiled and submitted to the FDA in late December 2011 in a comprehensive package including a composite metanalysis of all safety data. We do not currently plan to expend significant resources on additional clinical trials of Oral-lyn™ until after such time that we secure sufficient additional financing. However, we have initiated a project with the University Health Network of the University of Toronto, and the University of Guelph, Ontario to enhance the formulation of Generex Oral-lyn™ in order to reduce the number of puffs required for prandial use.
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In November 2008 we, together with our marketing partner Shreya Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., officially launched Generex Oral-lyn™ in India under marketing name of Oral Recosulin™. Each package of Oral Recosulin™ contains two canisters of our product along with one actuator. The product received regulatory price approval in India in January 2009. Per the requirements of the regulatory approval in India, an in-country clinical study must be completed in India with Oral Recosulin™ before commercial sales can commence. The field portion of the study was completed in the third calendar quarter of 2012. Shreya has advised Generex that the dossier was submitted in December of 2012 to the Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Generex has provided additional, detailed scientific data to support the Shreya submission. We have not recognized any revenues from the sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ in India through fiscal year ended July 31, 2018 and do not expect any revenues to be recognized in India in the next twelve months.
In December 2008, we, together with our marketing partner Benta S.A., received an approval to market Generex Oral-lyn™ in Lebanon. The official product launch in Lebanon took place in May 2009. In May 2009, the Algerian health authorities granted us permission to import and sell Generex Oral-lyn™ for the treatment of diabetes in Algeria. The official product launch in Algeria took place in October 2009. To date, we have not recognized any revenue from the sales of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Algeria and very minimal revenues in Lebanon. We do not anticipate any revenues to be recognized from these jurisdictions in the next twelve months.
We face competition from other providers of alternate forms of insulin. Some of our most significant competitors, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk, have discontinued development and/or sale of their inhalable forms of insulin. MannKind introduced a new pulmonary insulin which was approved by the FDA in 2014.
Generex Oral-lyn™ is not an inhaled insulin; rather, it is a buccally absorbed formulation with no pulmonary deposition. We believe that our buccal delivery technology offers several advantages, including the ease of use, portability, avoidance of pulmonary inhalation and safety profile. Furthermore, insulin administered through the Generex Oral-lyn™ RapidMist™ technology is absorbed directly into the blood stream and not only acts rapidly, but returns to baseline quickly, thereby minimizing the chance of developing hypoglycemia.
Large pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Novartis, Inc., MedImmune Inc. (a subsidiary of Astra-Zeneca, Inc.) and others, also compete against us in the oncology, immunomedicine and vaccine markets. These companies have competing experience and expertise in securing government contracts and grants to support research and development efforts, conducting testing and clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals to market products, as well as manufacturing and marketing approved products. As such, they are also considered significant competitors in these fields of pharmaceutical products and therapies. There are also many smaller companies which are pursuing similar technologies in these fields who are considered to be competitors of Generex.
We are a development stage company with a limited history of operations, and do not expect sufficient revenues to support our operation in the immediately foreseeable future. To date, we have not been profitable and our accumulated net loss available to shareholders was $409,386,468 at July 31, 2018. As of July 31, 2018, our current cash position is not sufficient to meet our working capital needs for the next twelve months. To continue operations, we will require additional funds to support our working capital requirements and any development activities, or will need to suspend operations. Management is seeking various alternatives to ensure that we can meet some of our operating cash flow requirements through financing activities, such as private placement of our common stock, preferred stock offerings and offerings of debt and convertible debt instruments as well as through merger or acquisition opportunities. In addition, management is actively seeking strategic alternatives, including strategic investments and divestitures. We have sold non-essential real estate assets which were classified as Assets Held for Investment to augment our cash position. We cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain the required funding. Our inability to obtain required funding in the near future or our inability to obtain funding on favorable terms will have a material adverse effect on our operations and our strategic development plan for future growth. If we cannot successfully raise additional capital and implement our strategic development plan, our liquidity, financial condition and business prospects will be materially and adversely affected and we may have to cease operations.
In addition to (a) buccal drug delivery systems R&D, and (b) R&D and clinical work in technologies for metabolic and immunological diseases, there is (c) medical diagnostics for infectious diseases (via HDS), and (d) management, regulatory, compliance, and other support services to the medical community.
7 |
HDS Diagnostics Business
Our majority-owned subsidiary, Hema Diagnostic Systems LLC (HDS) is in the business of developing, manufacturing, and distributing rapid point-of-care in-vitro medical diagnostics for infectious diseases. These are commonly referred as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). We manufacture and sell RDTs based upon our own proprietary EXPRESS platforms as well as standard “cassette” devices. As a result of its acquisition by Generex Biotechnologies, HDS is currently undergoing a name change and will become NuGenerex Diagnostics.
Since its founding, HDS has been developing and continues to develop an expanding line of RDTs for infectious disease diagnosis. These include products for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and others. These assays are all qualitative in nature and provide a simple positive or negative result directly at the clinical site. They can be used for definitive diagnosis, triage or in combination with other assays depending on which disease is being considered.
Each device incorporates a test strip containing reagent lines (stripes) that have been impregnated with specific antigens or antibodies that detect the target molecules specific to an infectious disease. The test strips are incorporated into our proprietary EXPRESS platforms which are easy-to-use and user-friendly diagnostic devices. There are two EXPRESS platforms; the EXPRESS and the EXPRESS II. The EXPRESS II is an upgraded version of the original EXPRESS and its use involves fewer operator steps, making it of higher clinical utility value.
Each system delivers its own advantages which enhance the use, application and performance of each diagnostic. This ease of use in the EXPRESS delivery systems ensure that our RDTs perform efficiently and effectively providing the most accurate and repeatable test results available while, at the same time, minimizing the transference of a potentially infected blood sample.
HDS has just begun a new initiative which revolves around the development of quantitative rapid diagnostic assays. These assays allow laboratory personnel and clinicians to assess the absolute amount of specific target molecules in blood or serum samples as opposed to “yes” or “no” results of qualitative RDTs. The first assay to be developed is a multiplex biomarker test for the diagnosis of sepsis and the potential differentiation of infectious sepsis from systemic immune response syndrome (SIRS).
The Company maintains a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) registered facility in Miramar, Florida and is certified under both ISO9001 and ISO13485 for the Design, Development, Production and Distribution of the in-vitro devices. Approval of our HIV rapid test has been issued by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Additionally, some of our products qualified for and carry the European Union “CE” Mark, which allows us to enter into CE Member countries subject to individual country requirements. Currently, we have two malaria rapid tests approved under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This process allows expedited approval of rapid tests, reducing the current 24-30 month process down to approximately 6-9 months. WHO approval is necessary for our products to be used in those countries which rely upon the expertise of the WHO, as well as for NGO funding for the purchase of diagnostic products.
We maintain current U.S. Certificates of Exportability that are issued by two FDA divisions-CBER and CDRH. CBER (Center for Biologicals Evaluation and Research) is the FDA regulatory division that oversees biological devices and which include our HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The other division, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), is responsible for the oversight of other HDS devices which include Tuberculosis, Syphilis, and the remaining product line. Our HDS facility maintains FDA Establishment Registration status and is in accord with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) as confirmed by the FDA.
We do not currently have FDA clearance to sell our products in the United States. We intend on submitting selected devices to the FDA under a Pre-Market Approval Application (PMA) or through the 510K process. The 510K would require the appropriate regulatory administrative submissions as well as a limited scientific review by the FDA to determine completeness (acceptance and filing reviews); in-depth scientific, regulatory, and Quality System review by appropriate FDA personnel (substantive review); review and recommendation by the appropriate advisory committee (panel review); and final deliberations, documentation, and notification of the FDA decision. The PMA process is more extensive, requiring clinical trials to support the application. We expect to apply to FDA for clearance of our first RDT (The Hema Rapid 123 Syphilis EXPRESS II)) for FDA 510K approval within the next few months. We anticipate the FDA process will be completed within 9 months after submission. During this timeline, we will be preparing documentation for additional rapid tests to undergo either the FDA PMA or 510k process.
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Our Business Strategy
Generex Historical Business
Our business model focuses on the research and development of diabetes, oncology and infectious diseases drugs. This business model leverages the expertise of our management team, scientific advisory board and the history of our company. Our goal is to develop next generation drugs for diabetes, oncology and infectious disease by leveraging our buccal delivery technology to administer large and small molecule drugs, including insulin, and proprietary vaccine formulations based upon two Antigen platform technologies to provide innovative biopharmaceutical products that offer the potential for superior efficacy and safety over existing products. To achieve these goals, the key elements of our strategy include:
• | Completing any additional studies or clinical trials of Generex Oral-lyn™, which may be required in order to obtain regulatory approval in major and other jurisdictions; |
• | Enhancing the formulation for Generex Oral-lyn™ to increase effectiveness and to improve the potential for new financing for additional clinical trials. |
• | Developing a proprietary portfolio of products for the treatment of diabetes through strategic partnerships licensing and acquisitions; |
• | A keystone of Generex’s strategy, announced at the annual meeting of stockholders in June 2011 is the proposed spin-out of Antigen Express as a separate company from Generex. Management believes that this action would allow Antigen to establish value for its immunotherapeutic vaccine technologies separate from the Generex buccal drug delivery platform technologies. The spin-out would be accomplished by the issuance of one or more dividends of Antigen Express stock to Generex stockholders; |
• | Completing the ongoing Phase II clinical trials of Antigen’s synthetic peptide vaccines designed to stimulate a potent and specific immune response against tumors expressing the HER-2/neu oncogene for patients with HER-2/neu positive breast cancer, conducting a Phase II prostate cancer trial and a Phase I trial in patients with breast or ovarian cancer; |
• | Conducting further clinical trials of Antigen’s synthetic peptide vaccines against avian (H5N1) influenza and initiating clinical trial of such vaccines against swine (H1N1) influenza; and |
• | Exploring other applications for our RapidMist platform buccal technology; morphine, LWH, fentanyl (all of which have undergone Phase I clinical studies), as well as cell therapy for late stage diabetes. |
On November 29, 2017, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. (“Antigen”), entered into a License and Research Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Shenzhen BioScien Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., (“Shenzhen”). Under the License Agreement, Antigen granted Shenzhen an exclusive license (the “License”) to use Antigen’s patents, know-how, data and other intellectual property relating to Antigen’s AE37 peptide to develop and sell products for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau).
In exchange for the License, Shenzhen has agreed, inter alia, to the following financial consideration:
• | a $700,000 non-refundable initial payment; |
• | milestone payments of $1,000,000 each upon completion of Phase II and Phase III studies; |
• | a milestone payment of $2,000,000 upon regulatory approval of a product covered by the License; and |
• | a 10% royalty on net sales, provided the patents are in force and there are no approved generic equivalents. |
Shenzhen, generally, will be responsible for conducting clinical trials, securing Chinese regulatory approvals, and marketing in China for all products developed under the Agreement.
9 |
HDS Business Strategy
HDS’ business strategy is three-pronged and designed to enhance company value.
First, HDS will continue to market and sell its current product line of low cost qualitative infectious disease RDTs into international markets, especially resource poor countries, through country distributors, international GMOs and governmental bodies and agencies, for the purpose of providing a continuing revenue stream.
Second, we may register selected assays such as the The NGDx-Express II Test for Syphilis Antibodies and the the NGDx-Express II Test for HIV 1/2 Antibodies in the United States through the FDA, and in the European Union through the CE mark process, to allow access to more affluent US and European markets.
And, third, we are embarking on a program to develop high quality and medically critical quantitative assays, in the field of infectious diseases and immunology, beginning with a multiplex sepsis biomarker assay which will facilitate the building of a significant body of intellectual property and products.
HDS has just begun the initiative of developing the quantitative rapid diagnostic assays. These assays allow laboratory personnel and clinicians to assess the absolute amount of specific target molecules in blood or serum samples as opposed to “yes” or “no” results of qualitative RDTs. The first assay to be developed is a multiplex biomarker test for the diagnosis of sepsis and the potential differentiation of infectious sepsis from systemic immune response syndrome (SIRS).
The multiplex biomarker assay will be a rapid triage or screening tool to diagnose and differentiate between SIRS and sepsis, but will also allow the physician to monitor the progress of the patient after a definitive diagnosis of either has been made. As such, it is a multi-purpose diagnostic and monitoring assay. It will be able to be used in both preliminary screening diagnosis and as an aid in following prognosis.
The quantitative detection of some of the critical biomarker molecules that arise in SIRS and sepsis provides a unique opportunity for the development of an assay that can be used directly at bedside with results available to the physician in minutes instead of hours.
We believe that the execution of this three-pronged strategy, revolving around maximizing the sales of existing products and the development of quantitative rapid point-of-care assays can substantially increase the value of HDS and its parent company, Generex Biotechnology.
PRODUCTS
Buccal Delivery Technology and Products
Our buccal delivery technology involves the preparation of proprietary formulations in which an active pharmaceutical agent is placed in a solution with a combination of absorption enhancers and other excipients classified “generally recognized as safe” ("GRAS") by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") when used in accordance with specified quantities and other limitations. The resulting formulations are aerosolized with a pharmaceutical grade chemical propellant and are administered to patients using our proprietary RapidMist™ brand metered dose inhaler. The device is a small, lightweight, hand-held, easy-to-use aerosol applicator comprised of a container for the formulation, a metered dose valve, an actuator and dust cap. Using the device, patients self-administer the formulations by spraying them into the mouth. The device contains multiple applications, the number being dependent, among other things, on the concentration of the formulation. Absorption of the pharmaceutical agent occurs in the buccal cavity, principally through the inner cheek walls. In clinical studies of our flagship oral insulin product Generex Oral-lyn™, insulin absorption in the buccal cavity has been shown to be efficacious and safe.
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Buccal Insulin Product – Generex Oral-Lyn™
Insulin is a hormone that is naturally secreted by the pancreas to regulate the level of glucose, a type of sugar, in the bloodstream. The term “diabetes” refers to a group of disorders that are characterized by the inability of the body to properly regulate blood glucose levels. When glucose is abundant, it is converted into fat and stored for use when food is not available. When glucose is not available from food, these fats are broken down into free fatty acids that stimulate glucose production. Insulin acts by stimulating the use of glucose as fuel and by inhibiting the production of glucose. In a healthy individual, a balance is maintained between insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.
There are two major types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (juvenile onset diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes) refers to the condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10 percent of diabetes cases. It often occurs in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetics must take daily insulin injections, typically three to five times per day, to regulate blood glucose levels. Generex Oral-lyn™ provides a needle-free means of delivering insulin for these patients.
In Type 2 diabetes (adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), the body does not produce enough insulin, or cannot properly use the insulin produced. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and accounts for 90-95 percent of diabetes cases. In addition to insulin therapy, Type 2 diabetics may take oral drugs that stimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas or that help the body to more effectively use insulin. Generex Oral-lyn™ provides a simple means of delivering needed insulin to this major cohort of individuals.
Studies in diabetes have identified a condition closely related to and preceding diabetes, called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). People with IGT do not usually meet the criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. They have normal fasting glucose levels but two hours after a meal their blood glucose level is far above normal. With the increase use of glucose tolerance tests the number of people diagnosed with this pre-diabetic condition is expanding exponentially. Per the 2013 Diabetes Atlas Update, published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 40 million people in the United States and more than 316 million people world-wide suffer from IGT. Generex Oral-lyn™ is an ideal solution to providing meal-time insulin to the millions of IGT sufferers. This therapeutic area is currently being investigated.
If not treated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, amputations, heart disease and stroke. Each year, between 12,000 and 24,000 people suffer vision impairment or complete blindness because of diabetes. Diabetes is also the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), accounting for about 40 percent of new cases.
In addition, about 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. Diabetics are also two to four times more likely to have heart disease, which is present in 75 percent of diabetes-related deaths, and are two to four times more likely to suffer a stroke.
There is no known cure for diabetes. The IDF estimates that there are currently approximately 382 million diabetics worldwide per their 2013 Diabetes Atlas Update and is expected to affect over 592 million people by the year 2035. There are estimated to be over 37 million people suffering from diabetes in North America alone and diabetes is the second largest cause of death by disease in North America.
A substantial number of large molecule drugs (i.e., drugs composed of molecules with a high molecular weight and fairly complex and large spatial orientation) have been approved for sale in the United States or are presently undergoing clinical trials as part of the process to obtain such approval, including various proteins, peptides, monoclonal antibodies, hormones and vaccines. Unlike small molecule drugs, which generally can be administered by various methods, large molecule drugs historically have been administered predominately by injection. The principal reasons for this have been the vulnerability of large molecule drugs to digestion and the relatively large size of the molecule itself, which makes absorption into the blood stream through the skin inefficient or ineffective. The RapidMist technology provides a recognized and proved drug delivery system for the delivery of large molecules directly into the blood stream with the attendant advantages.
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In May 2005, we received approval from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health for the commercial marketing and sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ for treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. We have successfully completed the delivery and installation of a turnkey Generex Oral-lyn™ production operation at the facilities of PharmaBrand in Quito, Ecuador. The first commercial production run of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Ecuador was completed in May 2006. While Ecuador production capability may be sufficient to meet the needs of South America, it is believed to be insufficient for worldwide production for future commercial sales and clinical trials.
On the basis of the test results in Ecuador and other pre-clinical data, we made an IND submission to Health Canada (Canada's equivalent to the FDA) in July 1998, and received permission from the Canadian regulators to proceed with clinical trials in September 1998. We filed an Investigational New Drug application with the FDA in October 1998, and received FDA approval to proceed with human trials in November 1998.
We began our clinical trial programs in Canada and the United States in January 1999. Between January 1999 and September 2000, we conducted clinical trials of our insulin formulation involving approximately 200 subjects with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and healthy volunteers. The study protocols in most trials involved administration of two different doses of our insulin formulation following either a liquid Sustacal meal or a standard meal challenge. The objective of these studies was to evaluate our insulin formulation's efficacy in controlling post-prandial (meal related) glucose levels. These trials demonstrated that our insulin formulation controlled post-prandial hyperglycemia in a manner comparable to injected insulin. In April 2003, a Phase II-B clinical trial protocol was approved in Canada. In September 2006, a Clinical Trial Application relating to our Generex Oral-lyn™ protocol for late-stage trials was approved by Health Canada. The FDA’s review period for the protocol lapsed without objection in July 2007.
In late April 2008, we initiated Phase III clinical trials in North America for Generex Oral-lyn™ with the first subject screening in Texas. Other clinical sites participating in the study were located in the United States (Texas, Maryland, Minnesota and California), Canada (Alberta), European Union (Romania, Poland and Bulgaria), Eastern Europe (Russia and Ukraine),) and Ecuador. Approximately 450 subjects were enrolled in the program at approximately 70 clinical sites around the world. The Phase III protocol called for a six-month trial with a six-month follow-up with the primary objective to compare the efficacy of Generex Oral-lyn™ and the RapidMist™ Diabetes Management System with that of standard regular injectable human insulin therapy as measured by HbA1c, in patients with Type-1 diabetes mellitus. The final subjects completed the trial in August 2011. After appropriate validation, the data from approximately 450 patients was tabulated, reviewed and analyzed. Those results from the Phase III trial along with a comprehensive review and supplemental analyses of approximately 40 prior Oral-lyn clinical studies were compiled and submitted to the FDA in late December 2011 in a comprehensive package including a composite metanalysis of all safety data. We do not currently plan to expend significant resources on additional clinical trials of Oral-lyn™ until after such time that we secure additional financing. However, we have undertaken a formulation enhancement project with the University Health Network at the University of Toronto and the University of Guelph, Ontario to increase the amount of insulin reaching the blood stream. Preliminary results from an animal study are encouraging,
In the past, we engaged a global clinical research organization to provide many study related site services, including initiation, communication with sites, project management and documentation; a global central lab service company to arrange for the logistics of kits and blood samples shipment and testing; an Internet-based clinical electronic data management company to assist us with global data entry, project management and data storage/processing of the Phase III clinical trial and regulatory processes. In the past, we have contracted with third-party manufacturers to produce sufficient quantities of the RapidMist™ components, the insulin, and the raw material excipients required for the production of clinical trial batches of Generex Oral-lyn™.
As described above, we have obtained regulatory approval for the commercial marketing and sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Ecuador, India (subject to regulatory approval of a 2012 in-country study), Lebanon and Algeria.
Other Potential Buccal Products
We have currently ongoing discussions regarding possible research collaborations with various pharmaceutical companies concerning use of our large molecule drug delivery technology with other compounds Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with two companies for the testing of RapidMist technology with both Leuprolide and medical marijuana.
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Diagnostic Products
Although we sell “cassette” based diagnostic tests based on standard designs, we predict our future success will be tied to the manufacture and sale of products based on our proprietary EXPRESS device platform systems (Fig. 1) and on the quantitative rapid assays, such as the Sepsis Multiplex Biomarker assay that we are currently developing, as described above.
Figure 1
Current EXPRESS PLATFORM PRODUCTS
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The EXPRESS Platforms:
The NGDx-EXPRESS platforms are designed to ensure ease of use, accuracy of performance, and cost-effectiveness of production. Test results of each EXPRESS test device are easy to read under all conditions even while conducting testing in the field. Additionally, the NGDx-Expressplatforms do not require the use of water or electricity.
Both the EXPRESS and the EXPRESS II allow rapid point-of- care testing of whole blood from a simple finger stick and both can also be used with serum or plasma samples in laboratory settings.
The degree of difficulty in using a rapid test is generally determined by the delivery system/housing design itself. One of the most common reasons for rapid test failure is due to user-error which is most commonly attributed to the misuse of a rapid test or of the test sample. The greater the degree of difficulty in performing the RDT, the greater the chance for user error. The EXPRESS and Express II series of devices substantially reduces the difficulty factor through its user-friendly test process and careful control of the test sample.
The EXPRESS and the EXPRESS II both incorporate into their design, a sample take-up system that adsorbs the whole blood, serum or plasma sample directly onto the device test strip. When the test sample meets a predetermined line, sufficient sample size has been achieved. The EXPRESS or EXPRESS II is then inserted directly into a pre-filled diluent pod which contains the exact amount of diluent, creating a water tight seal. Due to the potential infectious character of a whole blood test sample, both the EXPRESS and the EXPRESS II RDTs have been designed as self-contained assays. Both EXPRESS housings are sealed preventing cross contamination and reducing the potential for surrounding environmental contamination or transferring contaminated blood samples to the operating personnel. Once the test procedure is finished, the device remains sealed and can be disposed of through incineration or other means. This is an important feature, especially in on-site field testing where operating personnel are not as highly-trained as in dedicated laboratories.
The EXPRESS II has the additional advantages of fewer operating components which reduces manufacturing costs, faster reaction time and increased analytical sensitivity.
Cassettes
Over the past 30 years, most users of RDTs have been trained on the use of cassettes. For this reason, we have maintained a line of rapid cassette tests for a number of diseases. All of our products listed in Figure 1 are available in cassette format and additionally two more malaria product variations are produced for sale. The cassette is a semi-complicated and low cost delivery system that has been used in the worldwide markets. The cassette is not user-friendly and substantial time is required to train the test operator in its use
The process of using a cassette device is prone to misuse -which is the core reason for most cassette test failures. Additionally, cassette test procedure offers a substantial opportunity for cross-contamination. While accepted out of tradition, the cassette is a design that requires substantial care while performing the testing procedure.
Due to the historical nature of the cassette design, we continue to offer our cassette presentation, two of which have already been listed under the World Health Organization (WHO) List of Approved Malaria Devices, and offered o those markets which require WHO approval.
Immunomedicine Technology and Products
Our wholly-owned subsidiary Antigen Express is developing proprietary vaccine formulations based upon two platform technologies that were discovered by its founder, the Ii-Key hybrid peptides and Ii-Suppression. These technologies are applicable for either antigen-specific immune stimulation or suppression, depending upon the dosing and formulation of its products. Using active stimulation, we are focusing on major diseases such as breast, prostate and ovarian cancer, melanoma, influenza (including H5N1 avian and H1N1 swine flu) and HIV. Autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis are the focus of our antigen-specific immune suppression work.
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Antigen’s immunotherapeutic vaccine AE37 is being tested in a Phase II clinical trial in patients with breast cancer. The trial is being conducted with the United States Military Cancer Institute's (USMCI) Clinical Trials Group and is examining the rate of relapse in patients with node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer after two years. The study is randomized, single-blinded and is comparing patients treated with AE37 plus the adjuvant GM-CSF versus GM-CSF alone. The primary efficacy analysis showed encouraging efficacy signals in patients with triple negative breast cancer. The Phase II trial follows a Phase I trial that demonstrated safety, tolerability, and immune stimulation by the AE37 vaccine in breast cancer patients.
Based on the results of prior clinical studies, the company entered into a clinical supply agreement with Merck to evaluate AE37 in combination with Merck’s checkpoint inhibitor KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Both of these agents have shown encouraging efficacy signals in this patient population when given as monotherapy. The combination study will evaluate preliminary safety and efficacy of the combination in a Phase II trial.
Based on positive results in trials of the AE37 vaccine in breast cancer patients, we entered into an agreement in August 2006 with the Euroclinic, a private center in Athens, Greece, to commence clinical trials with the same compound as an immunotherapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer. A Phase I trial involving 29 patients was completed in August 2009, which similarly showed safety, tolerability and induction of a specific immune response. Agreements, as well as a protocol, are in place for initiation of a Phase II clinical trial once additional funding is available.
The same technology used to enhance immunogenicity is being applied in the development of a synthetic peptide vaccine for H5N1 avian influenza and the 2009 H1N1 swine flu. In April 2007, a Phase I clinical trial of Antigen’s proprietary peptides derived from the hemagglutinin protein of the H5N1 avian influenza virus was initiated in healthy volunteers in the Lebanese-Canadian Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. We have completed the first portion of the Phase I trial. Modified peptide vaccines for avian influenza offer several advantages over traditional egg-based or cell-culture based vaccines. Modified peptide vaccines can be manufactured by an entirely synthetic process which reduces cost and increases both the speed and quantity of vaccine relative to egg- or cell-culture based vaccines. Another advantage is that the peptides are derived from regions of the virus that are similar enough in all H5N1 and H1N1 virus strains such that they would not have to be newly designed for the specific strain to emerge in a pandemic.
A Physician’s Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application for the Phase I and Phase II trials in patients with stage II HER-2/neu positive breast cancer has been filed with the FDA. The Phase I trial was completed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and the Phase II trial were taking place before our resources were exhausted. A Physician’s Investigational New Drug application for a Phase I trial in patients with breast or ovarian cancer also has been filed with the FDA and this Phase I trial is being conducted in Dallas, Texas at the Mary Crowley Cancer Center. Applications were filed and approvals obtained for a Phase I prostate cancer trial using AE37 in Athens, Greece from the Hellenic Organization of Drugs, and this Phase I trial was completed in August 2009. The Ministry of Health in Lebanon gave approval for Phase I trial of our experimental H5N1 prophylactic vaccine in Beirut, Lebanon following submission of an application. All other immunomedicine products are in the pre-clinical stage of development.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Generex Historical Business
Our research and development activities and the manufacturing and marketing of our pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA in the United States, Health Canada in Canada and comparable designated regulatory authorities in other countries. Among other things, extensive regulations require us to satisfy numerous conditions before we can bring products to market. While these regulations apply to all competitors in our industry, having a technology that is unique and novel extends the requisite review period by the various divisions within the FDA and other regulators. Also, other companies in our industry are not limited primarily to products which still need to be approved by government regulators, as we are now.
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If requisite regulatory approvals are not obtained and maintained, our business will be substantially harmed. In many cases, we expect that extant and prospective development partners will participate in the regulatory approval process. The following discussion summarizes the principal features of food and drug regulation in the United States and other countries as they affect our business.
United States
All aspects of our research, development and foreseeable commercial activities relating to pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory authorities in the United States. United States federal and state statutes and regulations govern, among other things, the testing, manufacturing, safety, efficacy, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion of pharmaceutical products. The regulatory approval process, including clinical trials, usually takes several years and requires the expenditure of substantial resources. If regulatory approval of a product is granted, the approval may include significant limitations on the uses for which the product may be marketed.
The steps required before a pharmaceutical product may be marketed in the United States include:
• | Conducting appropriate pre-clinical laboratory evaluations, including animal studies, in compliance with the FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice (“GLP”) requirements, to assess the potential safety and efficacy of the product, and to characterize and document the product’s chemistry, manufacturing controls, formulation and stability; |
• | Submitting the results of these evaluations and tests to the FDA, along with manufacturing information, analytical data, and protocols for clinical studies, in an IND Application, and receiving approval from the FDA that the clinical studies proposed under the IND are allowed to proceed; |
• | Obtaining approval of Institutional Review Boards (“IRBs”) to administer the product to humans in clinical studies; conducting adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in compliance with the FDA’s Good Clinical Practice (“GCP”) requirements that establish the safety and efficacy of the product candidate for the intended use; |
• | Developing manufacturing processes which conform to the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMPs, as confirmed by FDA inspection; |
• | Submitting to the FDA the results of pre-clinical studies, clinical studies, and adequate data on chemistry, manufacturing and control information to ensure reproducible product quality batch after batch, in an NDA or Biologics License Application (“BLA”); and |
• | Obtaining FDA approval of the NDA, including inspection and approval of the product manufacturing facility as compliant with cGMP requirements, prior to any commercial sale or shipment of the pharmaceutical agent. |
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Quality and pre-clinical tests and studies include: laboratory evaluation of Drug Substance and Drug Product chemistry, formulation/manufacturing, and stability profiling, as well as a large number of animal studies to assess the potential safety and efficacy of each product. Typically, the pre-clinical studies consist of the following:
Pharmacology
• | Primary and Secondary Pharmacodynamics |
• | Safety Pharmacology |
• | Other Pharmacodynamics |
Pharmacokinetics (“PK”)
• | Single and Multiple Dose Kinetics |
• | Tissue Distribution |
• | Metabolism |
• | PK Drug Interactions |
• | Other PK studies |
Toxicology
• | Single and Multiple Dose Toxicity |
• | Genotoxicity |
• | Carcinogenicity |
• | Reproduction Toxicity |
• | Other Toxicity |
The results of the quality and pre-clinical tests/studies, in addition to any non-clinical pharmacology, are submitted to the FDA along with the initial clinical study protocol (see descriptive of process below) as part of the initial IND and are reviewed by the FDA before the commencement of human clinical trials. Unless the FDA objects to it, the IND becomes effective 30 days following its receipt by the FDA. The FDA reviews all protocols, protocol amendments, adverse event reports, study reports, and annual reports in connection with a new pharmacological product.
The IND for our oral insulin formulation became effective in November 1998. Amendments are also subsequently filed as new Clinical Studies and their corresponding Study Protocols are proposed. In July 2007, we received a no objection clearance to initiate our Phase III study protocol for our oral insulin product. The Physician’s Investigational New Drug Application for the Phase 1 and Phase II trial of AE37, Antigen’s synthetic peptide vaccine designed to stimulate a potent and specific immune response against tumors expressing the HER-2/neu oncogene, in patients with stage II HER-2/neu positive breast cancer became effective in March 2006.
Clinical trials involve the administration of a new drug to humans under the supervision of qualified investigators. The protocols for the trials must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. Also, each clinical trial must be approved and conducted under the auspices of an IRB, which considers, among other things, ethical factors, the safety of human subjects, and the possible liability of the institution conducting the clinical trials.
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Clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases (Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III), but the phases may overlap. Phase I clinical trials test the drug on healthy human subjects for safety and other aspects, but usually not effectiveness. Phase II clinical trials are conducted in a limited patient population to gather evidence about the efficacy of the drug for specific purposes, to determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosages, and to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks. When a compound has shown evidence of efficacy and acceptable safety in Phase II evaluations, Phase III clinical trials are undertaken to evaluate and confirm clinical efficacy and to test for safety in an expanded patient population at clinical trial sites in different geographical locations. The FDA and other regulatory authorities require that the safety and efficacy of therapeutic product candidates be supported through at least two adequate and well-controlled Phase III clinical trials (known as “Pivotal Trials”). The successful completion of Phase III clinical trials is a mandatory step in the approval process for the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of products.
In the United States, the results of quality, pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, if successful, are submitted to the FDA in an NDA to seek approval to market and commercialize the drug product for a specified use. The NDA is far more specific than the IND and must also include proposed labeling and detailed technical sections based on the data collected. The FDA is governed by the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (“PDUFA”) regarding response time to the application, which is generally 12 months (and shorter for a priority application). It may deny a NDA if it believes that applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied. The FDA also may require additional clarifications on the existing application or even additional testing for safety and efficacy of the drug. We cannot be sure that any of our proposed products will receive FDA approval. The multi-tiered approval process means that our products could fail to advance to subsequent steps without the requisite data, studies, and FDA approval along the way. Even if approved by the FDA, our products and the facilities used to manufacture our products will remain subject to review and periodic inspection by the FDA.
To supply drug products for use in the United States, foreign and domestic manufacturing facilities must be registered with, and approved by, the FDA. Manufacturing facilities must also comply with the FDA's cGMPs, and such facilities are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA. Products manufactured outside the United States are inspected by regulatory authorities in those countries under agreements with the FDA. To comply with cGMPs, manufacturers must expend substantial funds, time and effort in the area of production and quality control. The FDA stringently applies its regulatory standards for manufacturing. Discovery of previously unknown problems with respect to a product, manufacturer or facility may result in consequences with commercial significance. These include restrictions on the product, manufacturer or facility, suspensions of regulatory approvals, operating restrictions, delays in obtaining new product approvals, withdrawals of the product from the market, product recalls, fines, injunctions and criminal prosecution.
One final hurdle that is closely associated with the cGMP inspections is the pre-approval inspection that the FDA carries out prior to the issuance of a marketing license. FDA inspectors combine cGMP compliance with a review of research and development documents that were used in the formal NDA. A close inspection of historic data is reviewed to confirm data and to demonstrate that a company has carried out the activities as presented in the NDA. This is generally a long inspection and requires a team of individuals from the company to “host” the FDA inspector(s).
Foreign Countries
Before we are permitted to market any of our products outside of the United States, those products will be subject to regulatory approval by foreign government agencies similar to the FDA. These requirements vary widely from country to country. Generally, however, no action can be taken to market any drug product in a country until an appropriate application has been submitted by a sponsor and approved by the regulatory authorities in that country. Again, similar to the FDA, each country will mandate a specific financial consideration for the Marketing Application dossiers being submitted. Although an important consideration, FDA approval does not assure approval by other regulatory authorities. The current approval process varies from country to country, and the time spent in gaining approval varies from that required for FDA approval. The Canadian regulatory process is substantially similar to that of the United States. To date, we have received the following foreign regulatory approval for our product candidates:
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• | We obtained regulatory approval to begin clinical trials of our oral insulin formulation in Canada in November 1998. In April 2003, we received approval of an Oral-lyn™ Phase II-B clinical trial protocol in Canada. In September 2006 Health Canada approved our Clinical Trial Application in respect of our proposed Generex Oral-lyn™ protocol for late-stage trials. |
• | We obtained regulatory approval in Canada to begin clinical trials of our buccal morphine product in March 2002 and our fentanyl product in October 2002. |
• | In May 2005, we received approval from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health for the commercial marketing and sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ for treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. To date we have not recognized any revenue from the sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Ecuador and we are not currently expending any resources to further commercialization in this country. |
• | In November 2007, we obtained approval for the importation and commercial marketing and sale in India of Generex Oral-lyn™ under the marketing name of Oral Recosulin™ from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India, which is responsible for authorizing marketing approval of all new pharmaceutical products in India. Per the requirements of the approval, an in-country clinical study must be completed in India with Oral Recosulin™ before commercial sales can commence. The field portion of the study was completed in the third calendar quarter of 2012. Shreya has advised Generex that the dossier was submitted in December of 2012 to the Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Generex has provided additional, detailed scientific data to support the Shreya submission. • Applications were filed and approvals obtained in May 2007 for a Phase I prostate cancer trial using AE37 in Athens, Greece from the Hellenic Organization of Drugs. This Phase I trial was completed in August 2009. |
• | Applications were filed and approvals obtained in May 2007 for a Phase I prostate cancer trial using AE37 in Athens, Greece from the Hellenic Organization of Drugs. This Phase I trial was completed in August 2009. |
• | The Ministry of Health in Lebanon gave approval for the Phase I trial of our experimental H5N1 prophylactic vaccine in Beirut, Lebanon following submission of an application. In December 2008, we, together with our marketing partner Benta SA., received an approval to market Generex Oral-lyn™ in Lebanon. The official product launch in Lebanon took place in May 2009. We are not currently expending any resources to further commercialization in this country |
• | In May 2009, the Algerian health authorities granted us permission to import and sell Generex Oral-lyn™ for the treatment of diabetes in Algeria. To date we have not recognized any revenue from the sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Algeria and we are not currently expending any resources to further commercialization in this country. |
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HDS Diagnostic Business Regulatory Considerations
The manufacturing and marketing of our existing and proposed diagnostic products are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and comparable regulatory bodies in other countries. Our products are also regulated by, subject to approval by, or must meet standards set by, of certain non-governmental organizations involved in the purchase and distribution of products like ours. These regulations and standards govern almost all aspects of development, production and marketing, including product testing, authorizations to market, labeling, promotion, manufacturing and record keeping.
The Company's FDA regulated products require some form of action by that agency before they can be marketed in the United States, and, after approval or clearance, the Company must continue to comply with other FDA requirements applicable to marketed products, e.g. Quality Systems (for medical devices). Failure to comply with the FDA’s requirements can lead to significant penalties, both before and after approval or clearance.
There are two review procedures by which medical devices can receive FDA clearance or approval. Some products may qualify for clearance under Section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, in which the manufacturer provides a pre-market notification that it intends to begin marketing the product, and shows that the product is substantially equivalent to another legally marketed product (i.e., that it has the same intended use and is as safe and effective as a legally marketed device and does not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness). In some cases, the submission must include data from human clinical studies. Marketing may commence when the FDA issues a clearance letter finding such substantial equivalence.
If the medical device does not qualify for the 510(k) procedure (either because it is not substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device or because it is required by statute and the FDA’s implementing regulations have an approved application), the FDA must approve a Pre-Marketing Application (“PMA") before marketing can begin. PMA’s must demonstrate, among other matters, that the medical device provides a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. A PMA application is typically a complex submission, including the results of non-clinical and clinical studies. Preparing a PMA application is a much more expensive, detailed and time-consuming process as compared with a 510(K) pre-market notification.
In addition, the FDA regulates the export of medical devices that have not been cleared for marketing in the United States. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act contains general requirements for any medical device that may not be sold in the United States and is intended for export. Specifically, a medical device intended for export is not deemed to be adulterated or misbranded if the product: (1) complies with the specifications of the foreign purchaser; (2) is not in conflict with the laws of the country to which it is intended for export; (3) is prominently labeled on the outside of the shipping package that it is intended for export; and (4) is not sold or offered for sale in the United States. However, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act does permit the export of devices to any country in the world, if the device complies with the laws of the importing country and has valid marketing authorization in one of several " listed " countries under the theory that these listed countries have sophisticated mechanisms for the review of medical devices for safety and effectiveness.
The Company is also subject to regulations in foreign countries governing products, human clinical trials and marketing, and may need to obtain approval or evaluations by international public health agencies, such as the World Health Organization, in order to sell diagnostic products in certain countries. Approval processes vary from country to country, and the length of time required for approval or to obtain other clearances may in some cases be longer than that required for United States governmental approvals. On the other hand, the fact that our HIV diagnostic tests are of value in the AIDS epidemic may lead to some government process being expedited. The extent of potentially adverse governmental regulation affecting HDS that might arise from future legislative or administrative action cannot be predicted.
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Our products may rely on international regulatory approvals for sale into markets outside of the USA, and, domestically, our devices would require US FDA clearance and in some cases, WHO Listings.
It is our intent to focus on both the domestic and international regulatory approvals.
Domestically, we intend on submitting our devices to the FDA under a Pre-Market Approval Application (PMA) or through the 510K process. The 510K would require the appropriate regulatory administrative submissions as well as a limited scientific review by the FDA to determine completeness (acceptance and filing reviews); in-depth scientific, regulatory, and Quality System review by appropriate FDA personnel (substantive review); review and recommendation by the appropriate advisory committee (panel review); and final deliberations, documentation, and notification of the FDA decision. The PMA process is more extensive, requiring clinical trials to support the application. We expect to apply to FDA for approval of our first RDT to be submitted to the FDA for 510K approval within the next 3 months. We anticipate the FDA process will be completed within 12-18 months after submission.
Internationally, we intend on submitting our EXPRESS devices and cassettes to the World Health Organization (WHO) procurement listing process which requires a full regulatory and quality documentation dossier, produced and compiled by the Company. WHO process requires laboratory testing and evaluation and then may require clinical trials for public deployment and documentation throughout the whole process.
Once the WHO process is complete and documented, there is a submission into the Global Fund, which is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by infectious diseases specifically HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The Global Fund raises and invests nearly $4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries that are most in need.
It is our intent to submit selected cassettes and EXPRESS RTDs to the FDA, WHO and the Global Fund for regulatory review,
Currently, both our cassette malaria pF and malaria pF/pV have been listed under the WHO procurement process.
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
Generex Historical Business
Our strategy is to market our products through collaborative arrangements with companies that have well-established pharmaceutical marketing and distribution capabilities, including expertise in the regulatory approval processes in their respective jurisdictions.
We have entered into licensing and distribution agreements with a number of multinational distributors to assist us with the process of gaining regulatory approval for the registration and subsequent marketing, distribution, and sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ in countries throughout the world, including:
• | Shreya Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar; |
• | Adcock Ingram Limited and Adcock Ingram Healthcare (Pty) Ltd. for South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana; Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe; |
• | E&V Alca Distribution Corp. for Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo; |
• | SciGen, Ltd. for China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam; |
• | Pharmaris Perus S.A.C. for Peru; |
• | MediPharma SA for Argentina; |
• | PMG S.A. for Chile; |
• | Dong Sung Pharm. Co. Ltd. for South Korea; and |
• | Benta S.A. for Lebanon. |
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Under these licensing and distribution agreements excluding the one with Dong Sung Pharm Co., we will not receive an upfront license fee, but the distributor will bear any and all costs associated with the procurement of governmental approvals for the sale of Generex Oral-Lyn™, including any clinical and regulatory costs. We possess the worldwide marketing rights to our oral insulin product. We do not currently plan to expend significant resources on additional clinical trials or to further the commercialization of Generex Oral-lyn™ until after such time that we secure additional financing.
HDS Diagnostic Business-Current Associations and Agreements with Organizations and Companies
Our sales will be dependent on regulatory approvals issued by such agencies as the World Health Organization (“WHO”), US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and registration with the Global Fund. These approvals are a key element in the sales and marketing effort on an international basis. We will work with these organizations as well as governmental agencies in target countries and commercial companies.
WHO Listed
Following the successful fulfillment of previous PFSCM (Partnership for Supply Chain Management) and WHO shipments, HDS continues to participate in requests for proposals from PFSCM for our currently WHO-approved HDS Malaria test. All of the HDS Malaria RDT’s are on the WHO procurement list.
The Company will also participate in the newly designed and recently announced WHO Pre-Qualification Program for Malaria RDTs. It is our intention to present the new Malaria EXPRESS II devices for Pf, Pf/Pv and Pf/Pan for this Pre-Qualification Program.
Long Term WHO Agreement
In 2016, HDS signed a Long Term Two Year Agreement with the WHO for the supply of the first HDS Malaria test. This agreement with WHO allows us to compete for WHO funded projects, but does not guarantee any specific sales.
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Manufacturing
Generex Historical Business
In December 2000, we completed a pilot manufacturing facility for Generex Oral-lyn™ in Toronto, Canada in the same commercial complex in which our laboratories were located. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, we initiated a scale-up commercial production run of several thousand canisters of Generex Oral-lyn™ at this facility. In July 2012, we sold the property which housed the manufacturing and laboratory facility. We would engage contract manufacturers in order to manufacture any product in significant quantities for any future commercial sales and clinical trials.
In March 2006, we successfully completed the delivery and installation of a turnkey Generex Oral-lyn™ filling operation at the facilities of PharmaBrand, in Quito, Ecuador for the purposes of commercial supply and sales in Ecuador and potentially other countries. We do not currently have a manufacturing agreement with PharmaBrand and are not currently manufacturing product at this facility.
In anticipation of undertaking late-stage clinical trials of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Canada, we entered into an agreement with Cardinal Health PTS, LLC, now known as Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent), in June 2006, pursuant to which Catalent manufactured clinical trial batches of Generex Oral-lyn™. Pursuant to pre-extant supply arrangements, our third-party suppliers had been manufacturing the quantities of the RapidMist™ brand metered dose inhaler components (valves, canisters, actuators, and dust caps), the insulin, and the formulary excipients that were required for the Catalent production. In addition, our Regulatory Affairs, Quality Control and R&D personnel have worked with Catalent to prepare and validate the Catalent production processes. We are not currently manufacturing product under this agreement and we expect that any agreements regarding the manufacturing of Generex Oral-lyn™ for any future trials or commercial sales will need to be renegotiated at such time.
HDS Diagnostic Business
HDS manufactures it RTD devices in it Miramar, Florida facility. Based on order size, delivery requirements and current orders in HDS manufactures its RTD devices in it Miramar, Florida facility. Based on order size, delivery requirements and current orders in process, the Miramar facility can manufacture up to 1 million RTD devices, all of which are currently hand assembled. We have long-standing relationships with subcontractors to handle additional production requirements.
Cassette production is conducted through subcontractors in India and China. Each site operates under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) as well as being compliant with ISO 9001 and ISO13485. All HDS cassettes are included in our U.S. Certificate of Exportability and European Union CE Mark registrations. All of our cassette malaria tests are approved by the WHO.
We have established Quality and Assembly Agreements as well as Confidentiality Agreements with our subcontractors. All are subject to our inspection at a moment’s notice.
The quality of final assembly of each of our products is maintained under the strict guidelines of our internal Quality System, which forms the basis for the Company’s ISO13485 rating.
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Full quality oversight is mandatory and final batch release testing is conducted on each lot of products assembled prior to shipment release.
With full automation, the Company anticipates producing up to 10 million EXPRESS devices annually. Expanded production would allow for additional expansion beyond this volume. Additionally, subcontractors would provide approximately 60 million cassette tests per year.
RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIES
Generex Historical Business
The excipients used in our formulation are available from numerous sources in sufficient quantities for clinical purposes, and we believe that they will be available in sufficient quantities for commercial purposes when required, although we have not yet attempted to secure a guaranteed commercial supply of any such products. Components suitable for our RapidMist™ brand metered dose inhaler are available from a limited number of potential suppliers, as is the chemical propellant used in the device. The components which now comprise the device are expected to be used in the commercial version of our insulin product in countries where the product has been approved. We do not currently have supply arrangements for commercial quantities with manufacturers for the components and the propellant that we presently use in our RapidMist™ brand metered dose. Reputable and reliable suppliers for these components exist and we believe that we can enter into arrangements for commercial supply with these suppliers when we are ready to commence commercial production.
Insulin is available worldwide from multiple sources. We do not currently have any agreements for the long-term supply of insulin, but we expect that we will be readily able to negotiate such an agreement before further clinical trials or commercial sales commence.
HDS Diagnostics Business
A number of our components and critical raw materials are provided by third-party suppliers. Some of our supplies, including antigens and antibodies may be available from only one or a limited number of sources. This may impact our ability to manufacture or sell product if our suppliers cannot or will not deliver those materials in a timely fashion, or at all, due to an interruption in their supply, quality or technical issues, or any other reason. The absence of any one or more of these supplies could prevent us from being able to commercially produce and market the affected product or products.
Intellectual Property
Generex Historical Business
We hold a number of patents in the United States and foreign countries covering our buccal and other delivery technologies. We also have developed brand names and trademarks for products in appropriate areas. We consider the overall protection of our patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights to be of material value and acts to protect these rights from infringement.
Patents are a key determinant of market exclusivity for most branded pharmaceutical products. Protection for individual products or technologies extends for varying periods, in accordance with the expiration dates of patents in the various countries. The protection afforded, which may also vary from country to country, depends upon the type of patent, its scope of coverage and the availability of meaningful legal remedies in the country.
We currently have five issued U.S. patents and one pending U.S. patent applications pertaining to various aspects of drug delivery technology, including oral administration of macromolecular formulations (such as insulin) as well as pain relief medications such as morphine and fentanyl. We currently hold eleven issued Canadian patents and one pending Canadian patent applications also relating to various aspects of drug delivery technology. We also hold eleven issued patents and one pending patent applications covering our drug delivery technology in jurisdictions other than the U.S. and Canada, including Brazil, Argentina, Israel, Australia and Europe.
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The expiration dates of the U.S. issued patents range from 2017 to 2022. The expiration dates of the patents issued in Canada range from 2017 to 2021. The expiration dates of the patents issued in other jurisdictions range from 2017 to 2028.
Our subsidiary Antigen Express currently holds nine issued U.S. patents and twenty-two other foreign patents. There are also four pending patent applications worldwide concerning technology for modulating the immune system via activation of antigen-specific helper T lymphocytes. Dr. Robert Humphreys, a retired officer of Antigen, is the listed inventor or co-inventor on many of these patents and patent applications.
The expiration dates of the Antigen U.S. issued patents range from 2018 to 2031. The expiration dates of the patents issued in other jurisdictions range from 2017 to 2023.
We possess the worldwide manufacturing and marketing rights to our oral insulin product.
Our long-term success will substantially depend upon our ability to obtain patent protection for our technology and our ability to protect our technology from infringement, misappropriation, discovery and duplication. We cannot be sure that any of our pending patent applications will be granted, or that any patents which we own or obtain in the future will fully protect our position. Our patent rights and the patent rights of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in general, are highly uncertain and include complex legal and factual issues. We believe that our existing technology and the patents which we hold or for which we have applied do not infringe anyone else's patent rights. We believe our patent rights will provide meaningful protection against others duplicating our proprietary technologies. We cannot be sure of this, however, because of the complexity of the legal and scientific issues that could arise in litigation over these issues. See the discussion under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Legal Proceedings” in this annual report on Form 10-K.
We also rely on trade secrets and other unpatented proprietary information. We seek to protect this information, in part, by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, advisors and collaborators.
HDS Diagnostic Business
HDS hold a U.S. Patent for its sample delivery system which expires in 2026, US Patent # 7,749,771, titled “Device and methods for detecting analyte in a sample.” This is the basis for our EXPRESS system platform.
In June, 2018 we filed for patent protection for the Express II format with the US Patent and Trade Mark Office.
We believe HDS’ long-term success will substantially depend upon our ability to obtain patent protection for our technology and our ability to protect our technology from infringement, misappropriation, discovery and duplication. We cannot be sure that any future patents will be granted, or that any patents which we now own or obtain in the future will fully protect our position. Our patent rights and the patent rights of medical device companies in general, are uncertain and con include complex legal and factual issues. We believe that our existing technology and the patents which we hold or for which we have applied do not infringe anyone else's patent rights. We believe our patent rights will provide meaningful protection against others duplicating our proprietary technologies. We cannot be sure of this, however, because of the complexity of the legal and scientific issues that could arise in litigation over these issues.
Competition
Generex Historical Business
We expect that products based upon our buccal delivery technology and any other products that we may develop will compete directly with products developed by other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, government agencies and public and private research organizations.
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Products developed by our competitors may use a different active pharmaceutical agent or treatment to treat the same medical condition or indication as our product or may provide for the delivery of substantially the same active pharmaceutical ingredient as our products using different methods of administration. For example, a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are engaged in various stages of research, development and testing of alternatives to insulin therapy for the treatment of diabetes, as well as new methods of delivering insulin. These methods, including nasal, transdermal, needle-free (high pressure) injection and pulmonary, may ultimately successfully deliver insulin to diabetic patients. Some biotechnology companies also have developed different technologies to enhance the presentation of peptide antigens. Some of our competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater scientific research and product development capabilities, as well as financial, marketing and human resources, than we do.
Where the same or substantially the same active ingredient is available using alternative delivery means or the same or substantially the same result is achievable with a different treatment or technology, we expect that competition among products will be based, among other things, on product safety, efficacy, ease of use, availability, price, marketing and distribution. When different active pharmaceutical ingredients are involved, these same competitive factors will apply to both the active agent and the delivery method.
We consider other drug delivery and biotechnology companies to be direct competitors for the cooperation and support of major drug and biotechnology companies that own or market proprietary pharmaceutical compounds and technologies, as well as for the ultimate patient market. Of primary concern to us are the competitor companies that are known to be developing delivery systems for insulin and other pharmaceutical agents that we have identified as product candidates and technologies to enhance the presentation of peptide antigens.
Large pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Novartis, Inc., MedImmune Inc. (a subsidiary of Astra-Zeneca, Inc.) and others, also compete in the oncology, immunomedicine and vaccine markets. These companies have greater experience and expertise in securing government contracts and grants to support research and development efforts, conducting testing and clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals to market products, as well as manufacturing and marketing approved products. As such, they are also considered significant competitors in these fields of pharmaceutical products and therapies. There are also many smaller companies which are pursuing similar technologies in these fields and are considered to be competitors of Generex.
The following descriptions of our competitors and their products were obtained from their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, information available on their web sites and industry research reports.
Buccal Insulin Product
• | MannKind Corporation’s product candidates include AFREZZA®, a mealtime insulin therapy being studied for use in adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is a drug-device combination product which administers insulin through inhalation to the lungs. MannKind submitted an NDA to the FDA requesting approval to market AFREZZA® in May 2009. In January 2011, MannKind announced that it had received a complete response letter from the FDA for AFREZZA®. In August 2011, MannKind announced that it has confirmed with the FDA the design of the two additional Phase III studies which are required for AFREZZA®. In August 2013, MannKind announced positive late-stage data on its inhaled insulin AFREZZA® from the two additional Phase III studies on Type 1 and Type 2diabetes and has resubmitted a new drug application to the FDA in October 2013 seeking approval for the marketing of AFREZZA®. MannKind received FDA approval in June 2014 and the product is now commercially available in the United States. |
• | Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. received FDA approval in January 2012 for Bydureon, an extended-release injectable formulation, which is the first once-a-week therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. |
• | There are several companies that are working on developing products which involve the oral delivery of analogs of insulin. Oramed Pharmaceuticals is developing an orally ingestible insulin capsule which is currently in Phase II clinical trials. Biocon Limited has developed IN-105, a tablet for the oral delivery of insulin, which is currently in phase II trials. Diabetology has developed Capsulin IR, an insulin capsule which is currently in Phase II clinical trials. Access Pharmaceuticals has developed Cobalamin, an oral insulin which is currently in pre-clinical trials. Dance Pharmaceuticals is developing an inhaled insulin product based on Aerogen’s proprietary OnQ Aerosol Generator technology. |
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There are also a number of companies developing alternative means of delivering insulin in the form of oral pills, transdermal patches, and intranasal methods, which are at early stages of development. In addition to other delivery systems for insulin, there are numerous products, such as sulfonylureas (Amaryl®and Glynase®), biguanides (branded and generic metformin products), thiazolidinediones (Avandia®and Actos®), glucagon-like peptide 1 (Byetta®and Victoza®), and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors (Januvia® and Onglyza™), which have been approved for use in the treatment of Type 2 diabetics in substitution of, or in addition to, insulin therapy. These products may also be considered to compete with insulin products.
Immunomedicine Technology and Products
• | Bavarian Nordic, Inc. employs a DNA vector-based technology platform to design and develop immunotherapeutic vaccines for different cancers. Their most advanced compound, PROSTVAC, is in a pivotal Phase III trial in patients with prostate cancer. Additionally, they have a HER2 vaccine in a Phase I/II trial in patients with breast cancer. They have recently presented data on studies combining their MVA-BN-HER2 cancer vaccine with different immune checkpoint inhibitors. |
• | Advaxis, Inc. uses a proprietary technique to bioengineer Listeria bacteria to create a specific antigen that can stimulate an immune response after recognition by the recipient’s immune system. Advaxis’ most advanced product candidate is ADXS-HPV, which is in Phase II trials for HPV-associated CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) and recurrent cervical cancer. The company has recently partnered with MedImmune to initiate combination studies utilizing their most advanced ADXS-HPV with MedImmune’s anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in patients with advanced, recurrent or refractory human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical or head and neck cancer. |
• | Amgen Inc.’s BiTE® technology uses the body’s cell destroying T cells to attack tumor cells. Amgen’s lead product candidate blinatumomab (MT103) has completed a Phase II clinical trial in patients with minimal residual disease positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. |
• | Sanofi Pasteur Inc., the vaccine division of sanofi-aventis and one of the largest vaccines companies in the world, has product candidates including inoculations against 20 varieties of infectious diseases. It received FDA approval for an H5N1 avian influenza vaccine in April 2007 and for an H1N1 vaccine in September 2009. |
• | Galena Biopharma’s (formerly Rxi Pharmaceuticals Corporation) NeuVax™, is currently in Phase III clinical trials to evaluate NeuVax™ for the treatment of early stage, HER2-positive breast cancer. Clinical trials are currently underway to test NeuVax™ as a treatment for prostate cancer, and to use NeuVax™ in combination with Herceptin® to target breast cancer. |
• | Cell Genesys, Inc. was developing products for the treatment of prostate cancer using the GVAX™ cancer treatments, which are composed of tumor cells that are genetically modified to secrete an immune-stimulating cytokine and are irradiated for safety. Cell Genesys and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for GVAX in March 2008. In late 2008, Cell Genesys announced it was terminating the Phase III trials for the GVAX™ prostate cancer products. In May 2010, BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that development of the GVAX vaccine for the treatment of prostate cancer has been reinitiated and is in Phase II human clinical trials. In addition to GVAX prostate product, BioSante has several other cancer vaccines which are in Phase II clinical development including vaccines for leukemia, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer and has vaccines in Phase I clinical development including vaccines for colorectal cancer and melanoma |
• | CEL-SCI Corporation’s main product is Multikine® an immunotherapeutic agent being developed as a cancer treatment. Multikine®’s goal is to harness the body's natural ability to fight tumors. Multikine® has been cleared in the U.S. and Canada for study in a global Phase III clinical trial in advanced primary (not yet treated) head and neck cancer patients. |
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In addition to the companies listed above, there are a number of companies which are pursuing cancer treatments using immunotherapy technologies which have products in various clinical trial stages. Some of these companies are Argos Therapeutics Inc., Celldex Therapeutics Inc., Northwest Therapeutics Inc., Immatics Biotechnology GmbH, Immunocellular Therapeutics Ltd., TVAX Biomedical Inc. and Newlink Genetics Corporation. These companies can also be considered to be competitors.
HDS Diagnostics Business
The diagnostics industry is a multi-billion dollar international industry and is intensely competitive. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have greater financial, research, manufacturing and marketing resources. Industry competition in general is based on the following:
• | Scientific and technological Capability |
• | Proprietary know-how and intellectual protection |
• | The ability to develop and market products and processes |
• | The ability to obtain FDA or other regulatory clearances |
• | The ability to manufacture products that meet applicable governmental and NGO requirements |
• | The ability to manufacture products cost-effectively |
• | Access to adequate capital |
• | The ability to find and retain qualified personnel. |
We believe our scientific and technological capabilities as well as our proprietary technology and know-how relating to our rapid tests, particularly for the development and manufacture of tests for the detection of antibodies to infectious diseases are, indeed, very strong and will allow us to compete in this market.
Competitors
Alere Inc.
Alere is our main competitor and one of the major players in RTDs for infectious diseases. Alere markets the Alere HIV Combo Ag/Ab test, which uses the lateral flow technology patent for that purpose. Alere acquired the patent from Abbott over a decade ago. Alere subsequently acquired Standard Diagnostics of Korea and Acon of China.
In 2017 Abbott Laboratories acquired Alere.
Standard Diagnostics
Standard Diagnostics was a state funded entity in South Korea established to build and expand into the international markets under its own brand until it was acquired by Inverness, the predecessor to Alere, in 2006.
With funding from Inverness for regulatory registrations and a previously established cassette product line, Standard was able to capture a strong market share of purchased for use in Africa with funding from WHO and the Global Fund. Currently, Standard is a strong competitor on an international basis, incorporating a cassette design into each of their products.
Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.
Chembio Diagnostic Systems is a publicly traded diagnostic company that develops, manufactures and commercializes diagnostic solutions. Chembio uses its patented Next Generation DPP (Dual Path Platform) technology that makes claims of significant advantages over the Alere’s lateral-flow technology.
It has continued building its product line and entered into US FDA approval for a rapid HIV test approved for professional use only in the United States.
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Other Competition
There are a number of point-of-care strip manufacturer in China which serve the market in that country. As of yet most of these companies have not made a significant impact on the overall global market but could be considered as a future source of competition. As infectious diseases are epidemic and in the minds of the public, there will be more competitors coming into the market place. However, competition will be based upon the implementation of a cassette or a “dipstick” format.
Competitive Advantage
We believe our unique and simple EXPRESS product design delivers significant advantages over our competition.
Due to the potential infectious character of the whole blood test sample, our EXPRESS series of RDTs are designed to perform and deliver test results while sealed within the EXPRESS housing, carefully controlling the potentially infectious test sample. This design helps to increase our ability to control the possibility of cross-contamination. Most of our competitors’ products, while inexpensive, are not as user-friendly, require substantially more training and have greater risk of cross- contamination. And, the simplicity of use of our EXPRESS platforms fits directly into the necessities of World Health Organization Rapid Disease Testing Algorithms and individual country disease reduction goals and priorities.
Our products are more intuitive and self-explanatory than our competitors making it easier and safer to use. Our products require less training and education. Each EXPRESS is configured to operate in the same way regardless of the type of disease being tested.
With ease of use, simple design and faster results, our products allow for more tests administered at the patient point of care level.
We will compete on the basis these advantages. Most of our competitors’ products, while inexpensive, are not as user-friendly, require substantially more training and have greater risk of cross- contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Our research and development activities have involved the controlled use of hazardous materials and chemicals. We believe that our procedures for handling and disposing of these materials comply with all applicable government regulations. However, we cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. If an accident occurred, we could be held liable for damages, and these damages could severely impact our financial condition. We are also subject to many environmental, health and workplace safety laws and regulations, particularly those governing laboratory procedures, exposure to blood-borne pathogens, and the handling of hazardous biological materials. Violations and the cost of compliance with these laws and regulations could adversely affect us. However, we do not believe that compliance with applicable environmental laws will have a material effect on us in the foreseeable future.
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Research and Development Expenditures
A substantial portion of our activities to date have been in research and development. Generex expended $422,294 in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2017 and $839,147 in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018 on research and development related to its Buccal delivery products and Antigen’s immunotherapy products. Due to lack of funding, we have not conducted any material research and development since October 2015.
HDS research and development expenditures were $617,000 in the 12 months ended July 31, 2017 and $523,229 in the 12 months ended July 31, 2018. HDS research and development is primarily related to development of the EXPRESS II and testing of existing products for stability and accuracy and development of new test parameters.
Financial Information About Geographic Areas
The regions in which we had identifiable assets and revenues and the amounts of such identifiable assets and revenues for each of the last two fiscal years are presented in Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report on Form 10-K. Identifiable assets are those that can be directly associated with a geographic area.
Employees
Other than HDS employees, at July 31, 2018 neither Generex nor Antigen Express had any employees. We had one officer who was engaged as an independent contractor at July 31, 2018. We engage consultants from time to time to assist with financial recordkeeping and other tasks. As of July 31, 2018, HDS had three full time employees and one full time consultant(s). Of these, three were engaged in development, regulatory compliance, laboratory validation and manufacturing, one in sales and one in professional or administrative activities.
We will continue to need qualified scientific personnel and personnel with experience in clinical testing and government regulation. We may have difficulty in obtaining qualified scientific and technical personnel as there is strong competition for such personnel from other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as universities and research institutions. Our business could be materially harmed if we are unable to recruit and retain qualified scientific, administrative and executive personnel to support our expanding activities, or if one or more members of our limited scientific and management staff were unable or unwilling to continue their association with us. We currently have no agreements in effect with any of our officers or other employees.
We use non-employee consultants to assist us in formulating research and development strategy, in preparing regulatory submissions, and in developing protocols for clinical trials. We also use non-employee consultants to assist us in business development. These consultants and advisors usually have the right to terminate their relationship with us on short notice. Loss of some of these key advisors could interrupt or delay development of one or more of our products or otherwise adversely affect our business plans.
Available Information
We were incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1997. Our principal executive offices are located at 10102 USA Today Way, Miramar, Florida, 33025. Our telephone number for corporate matters is (416) 364-2551. We maintain an Internet website at www.generex.com. However, information found on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge on or through our website our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including this annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Further, a copy of this annual report is located at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N. E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our filings at www.sec.gov.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business and results of operations are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that you should be aware of, some of which are described below. The risks, uncertainties and other factors described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.
Any of the risks, uncertainties and other factors could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline substantially.
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Risks Related to Our Financial Condition
We will require additional financing to continue our operations after the current fiscal year and to carry out our strategic plans.
The July 31, 2018 cash position was not sufficient for 12 months’ of operations. Note that anticipated revenues associated with the Veneto acquisition will dramatically alter the cash flow landscape. We do not, however, expect to generate significant cash flow from operations during that period and therefore expect to require additional funds after the end of the fiscal year ending July 31, 2019. In addition, we do not have sufficient funds to carry out our strategic development plans. Management is seeking various alternatives to ensure that we can meet our operating cash flow requirements and strategic development plans, through financing activities, such as private placement of our common stock, preferred stock offerings and offerings of debt and convertible debt instruments as well as through merger or acquisition opportunities. In addition, management is actively seeking strategic alternatives, including strategic investments and divestitures.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain the required funding. Our inability to obtain required funding in the near future or our inability to obtain funding on favorable terms will have a material adverse effect on our operations and our strategic development plan for future growth. If we cannot successfully raise additional capital and implement our strategic development plan, our liquidity, financial condition and business prospects will be materially and adversely affected.
We have a history of losses and will incur additional losses.
We are a development stage company with a limited history of operations, and do not expect sufficient revenues to support our operation in the immediately foreseeable future. We do not expect to receive significant revenues in Ecuador, Algeria and Lebanon where we have been approved for commercial sale in the next twelve months. While we have entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with a leading Indian-based pharmaceutical company and insulin distributor, we do not anticipate recognizing revenue from sales of Generex Oral-lyn™ in India in 2017, as our partner has to receive approval from the Indian regulatory authority before the product can be offered for commercial sale in India.
To date, we have not been profitable and our accumulated net loss available to shareholders was $409,386,468 at July 31, 2018. Our losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in research and development, including clinical trials, and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. While we seek to attain profitability, we cannot be sure that we will ever achieve product and other revenue sufficient for us to attain this objective.
With the exception of Generex Oral-lyn™, which has received regulatory approval in Ecuador, India (subject to regulatory approval of a 2012 in-country study), Lebanon and Algeria, the product candidates from Generex’s historical business are in research or early stages of pre-clinical and clinical development. We will need to conduct substantial additional research, development and clinical trials. We will also need to receive necessary regulatory clearances both in the United States and foreign countries and obtain meaningful patent protection for and establish freedom to commercialize each of our product candidates. We must also complete further clinical trials and seek regulatory approvals for Generex Oral-lyn™ in countries outside of Ecuador, India, Lebanon and Algeria. We cannot be sure that we will obtain required regulatory approvals, or successfully research, develop, commercialize, manufacture and market any other product candidates. We expect that these activities, together with future general and administrative activities, will result in significant expenses for the foreseeable future.
To date, we have not been profitable and our accumulated net loss available to shareholders was $409,386,468 at July 31, 2018, and our consolidated balance sheet reflected a stockholders’ deficiency of $43,584,668 at that date. We must secure financing to continue our operations.
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Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting may not be effective in future periods as a result of existing or newly identified material weaknesses in internal controls.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports and effectively prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results could be harmed. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to furnish a report by management on internal control over financial reporting, including management’s assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and operating results could be adversely impacted, we could fail to meet our reporting obligations, and our business and stock price could be adversely affected.
At July 31, 2012, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) and concluded that, subject to the inherent limitations identified in Item 9A of Part II of the Form 10-K filed on October 15, 2012, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the existence of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting because of inadequate segregation of duties over authorization, review and recording of transactions, as well as the financial reporting of such transactions. Our independent auditors issued an adverse attestation report regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting at July 31, 2012. We have not made a formal determination that our disclosure control and procedures are effective since that date.
We believe we have taken appropriate and reasonable steps to make the necessary improvements to remediate these deficiencies, however we cannot be certain that our remediation efforts will ensure that our management designs, implements and maintains adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that the changes made will be sufficient to address and eliminate the material weaknesses previously identified. Our inability to remedy any additional deficiencies or material weaknesses that may be identified in the future could, among other things, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as impair our ability to meet our quarterly, annual and other reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in a timely manner, and require us to incur additional costs or to divert management resources.
Our research and development and commercialization efforts may depend on entering into agreements with corporate collaborators.
Because we have limited resources, we have sought to enter into collaboration agreements with other pharmaceutical companies that will assist us in developing, testing, obtaining governmental approval for and commercializing products using our buccal delivery and immunomedicine technologies. We may be unable to achieve commercialization of any of our products until we obtain a large pharmaceutical partner to assist us in such commercialization efforts. To date, we have not entered into any such collaborative arrangements. Any collaborator with whom we may enter into such collaboration agreements may not support fully our research and commercial interests since our program may compete for time, attention and resources with such collaborator's internal programs. Therefore, these collaborators may not commit sufficient resources to our program to move it forward effectively, or that the program will advance as rapidly as it might if we had retained complete control of all research, development, regulatory and commercialization decisions.
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Risks Related to Generex Technologies
With the exception of Generex Oral-lyn™, our technologies and products are at an early stage of development and we cannot expect significant revenues in respect thereof in the foreseeable future.
We have no products approved for commercial sale at the present time with the exception of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Ecuador, Lebanon, Algeria and India (subject to regulatory approval of a 2012 in-country study). To be profitable, we must not only successfully research, develop and obtain regulatory approval for our products under development, but also manufacture, introduce, market and distribute them once development is completed or find a partner that can perform these activities on our behalf. We have yet to manufacture, market and distribute these products on a large-scale commercial basis, and we do not expect to receive revenues from product sales in the next twelve months. We may not be successful in one or more of these stages of the development or commercialization of our products, and/or any of the products we develop may not be commercially viable. Until we can establish that they are commercially viable products, we will not receive significant revenues from ongoing operations.
Until we receive regulatory approval to sell our pharmaceutical products in additional countries, our ability to generate revenues from operations may be limited and those revenues may be insufficient to sustain operations. Many factors impact our ability to obtain approvals for commercially viable products.
Our only pharmaceutical product that has been approved for commercial sale by drug regulatory authorities is our oral insulin spray formulation, and that approval was obtained in Ecuador, Lebanon, Algeria and India (subject to regulatory approval of a 2012 in-country study). We have initiated late stage clinical trials of Generex Oral-lyn™ at clinical trial sites in North America and other countries according to the initial Phase III clinical plan. The final subjects completed the trial in August 2011. After appropriate validation, the data from approximately 450 patients was tabulated, reviewed and analyzed. Those results from the Phase III trial along with a comprehensive review and supplemental analyses of approximately 40 prior Oral-lyn clinical studies were compiled and submitted to the FDA in late December 2011 in a comprehensive package including a composite metanalysis of all safety data. We do not currently plan to expend significant resources on additional clinical trials of Oral-lyn™ until after such time that we secure additional financing.
Our immunomedicine products are in the pre-clinical stage of development, with the exception of a Phase II trial in human patients with stage II HER-2/neu positive breast cancer (U.S.), a Phase I trial in human patients with prostate cancer (Athens, Greece) completed in August 2009, a Phase I trial in human patients with breast or ovarian cancer (U.S.) and a Phase I trial in human volunteers of a peptide vaccine for use against the H5N1 avian influenza virus (Beirut, Lebanon). Preliminary results from the Phase II breast cancer trial suggest a 46% reduction in breast cancer recurrence in low HER2 expressing tumors, together with an excellent safety profile. While preliminary results are promising, they are not statistically significant and final results could deviate.
Pre-clinical and clinical trials of our products, and the manufacturing and marketing of our technologies, are subject to extensive, costly and rigorous regulation by governmental authorities in the United States, Canada and other countries. The process of obtaining required regulatory approvals from the FDA and other regulatory authorities often takes many years, is expensive and can vary significantly based on the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidates. For these reasons, it is possible we will not receive regulatory approval for any prescription pharmaceutical product candidate in any countries other than Ecuador, Lebanon, Algeria and India.
In addition, we cannot be sure when or if we will be permitted by regulatory agencies to undertake additional clinical trials or to commence any particular phase of clinical trials. Because of this, statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or our reports filed with the SEC regarding the expected timing of clinical trials cannot be regarded as actual predictions of when we will obtain regulatory approval for any "phase" of clinical trials.
Delays in obtaining United States or other foreign approvals for our oral insulin product could result in substantial additional costs to us, and, therefore, could adversely affect our ability to continue operations. If regulatory approval is ultimately granted in any countries other than Ecuador, Lebanon, Algeria and India, the approval may place limitations on the intended use of the product we wish to commercialize, and may restrict the way in which we are permitted to market the product.
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Due to legal and factual uncertainties regarding the scope and protection afforded by patents and other proprietary rights, we may not have meaningful protection from competition.
Our long-term success will substantially depend upon our ability to protect our proprietary technologies from infringement, misappropriation, discovery and duplication and avoid infringing the proprietary rights of others. Our patent rights and the patent rights of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in general, are highly uncertain and include complex legal and factual issues. Because of this, our pending patent applications may not be granted. These uncertainties also mean that any patents that we own or will obtain in the future could be subject to challenge, and even if not challenged, may not provide us with meaningful protection from competition. Due to our financial uncertainties, we may not possess the financial resources necessary to enforce our patents. Patents already issued to us or our pending applications may become subject to dispute, and any dispute could be resolved against us.
Because a substantial number of patents have been issued in the field of alternative drug delivery and because patent positions can be highly uncertain and frequently involve complex legal and factual questions, the breadth of claims obtained in any application or the enforceability of our patents cannot be predicted. Consequently, we do not know whether any of our pending or future patent applications will result in the issuance of patents or, to the extent patents have been issued or will be issued, whether these patents will be subject to further proceedings limiting their scope, will provide significant proprietary protection or competitive advantage, or will be circumvented or invalidated. Several of our currently issued patents have expired or will expire in the next twelve months.
Also because of these legal and factual uncertainties, and because pending patent applications are held in secrecy for varying periods in the United States and other countries, even after reasonable investigation we may not know with certainty whether any products that we (or a licensee) may develop will infringe upon any patent or other intellectual property right of a third party. For example, we are aware of certain patents owned by third parties that such parties could attempt to use in the future in efforts to affect our freedom to practice some of the patents that we own or have applied for. Based upon the science and scope of these third-party patents, we believe that the patents that we own or have applied for do not infringe any such third-party patents; however, we cannot know for certain whether we could successfully defend our position, if challenged. We may incur substantial costs if we are required to defend our intellectual property in patent suits brought by third parties. These legal actions could seek damages and seek to enjoin testing, manufacturing and marketing of the accused product or process. In addition to potential liability for significant damages, we could be required to obtain a license to continue to manufacture or market the accused product or process.
Risks Related to Marketing of Generex’s Potential Products
We may not become, or stay, profitable even if our pharmaceutical products are approved for sale.
Even if we obtain regulatory approval to market our oral insulin product outside of Ecuador, India, Lebanon and Algeria or to market any other prescription pharmaceutical product candidate, many factors may prevent the product from ever being sold in commercial quantities. Some of these factors are beyond our control, such as:
• | acceptance of the formulation or treatment by health care professionals and diabetic patients; |
• | the availability, effectiveness and relative cost of alternative diabetes or immunomedicine treatments that may be developed by competitors; and |
• | the availability of third-party (i.e. insurer and governmental agency) reimbursements. |
We will not receive significant revenues from Generex Oral-lyn™ or any of our other pharmaceuticals products that may receive regulatory approval until we can successfully manufacture, market and distribute them in the relevant markets.
We have to depend upon others for marketing and distribution of our products, and we may be forced to enter into contracts limiting the benefits we may receive and the control we have over our products. We intend to rely on collaborative arrangements with one or more other companies that possess strong marketing and distribution resources to perform these functions for us. We may not be able to enter into beneficial contracts, and we may be forced to enter into contracts for the marketing and distribution of our products that substantially limit the potential benefits to us from commercializing these products. In addition, we will not have the same control over marketing and distribution that we would have if we conducted these functions ourselves.
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We may not be able to compete with treatments now being marketed and developed, or which may be developed and marketed in the future by other companies.
Our products will compete with existing and new therapies and treatments. We are aware of a number of companies currently seeking to develop alternative means of delivering insulin, as well as new drugs intended to replace insulin therapy at least in part. We are also aware of a number of companies currently seeking to develop alternative means of enhancing and suppressing peptides. In the longer term, we also face competition from companies that seek to develop cures for diabetes and other malignant, infectious, autoimmune and allergic diseases through techniques for correcting the genetic deficiencies that underlie some of these diseases.
Numerous pharmaceutical, biotechnology and drug delivery companies, hospitals, research organizations, individual scientists and nonprofit organizations are engaged in the development of alternatives to our technologies. Some of these companies have greater research and development capabilities, experience, manufacturing, marketing, financial and managerial resources than we do. Collaborations or mergers between large pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies with competing drug delivery technologies could enhance our competitors’ financial, marketing and other resources. Developments by other drug delivery companies could make our products or technologies uncompetitive or obsolete. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in developing competing technologies, obtaining FDA approval for products or gaining market acceptance more rapidly than we can.
Some of our most significant competitors, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk, have discontinued development and/or sale of their inhalable forms of insulin. Unlike inhaled insulin formulations, Generex Oral-lyn™ is a buccally absorbed formulation with no residual pulmonary deposition.
If government programs and insurance companies do not agree to pay for or reimburse patients for our pharmaceutical products, our success will be impacted.
Sales of our oral insulin formulation in Ecuador, Lebanon, Algeria and India and our other potential pharmaceutical products in other markets will depend in part on the availability of reimbursement by third-party payers such as government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Third-party payers often challenge the price and cost-effectiveness of medical products and services. Governmental approval of health care products does not guarantee that these third-party payers will pay for the products. Even if third-party payers do accept our product, the amounts they pay may not be adequate to enable us to realize a profit. Legislation and regulations affecting the pricing of pharmaceuticals may change before our products are approved for marketing and any such changes could further limit reimbursement.
Risks Related to Potential Liabilities
We face significant product liability risks, which may have a negative effect on our financial condition.
The administration of drugs or treatments to humans, whether in clinical trials or commercially, can result in product liability claims whether or not the drugs or treatments are actually at fault for causing an injury. Furthermore, our pharmaceutical products may cause, or may appear to have caused, serious adverse side effects (including death) or potentially dangerous drug interactions that we may not learn about or understand fully until the drug or treatment has been administered to patients for some time. Product liability claims can be expensive to defend and may result in large judgments or settlements against us, which could have a severe negative effect on our financial condition. We previously maintained product liability insurance in amounts we believe to be commercially reasonable for our levels of activity and exposure. We no longer carry this insurance due to lack of activities and funds.
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Risks Related to the Market for Our Common Stock
Our stock price is below $5.00 per share and is treated as a “penny stock”, which places restrictions on broker-dealers recommending the stock for purchase.
Our common stock is defined as “penny stock” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder. The SEC has adopted regulations that define “penny stock” to include common stock that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. These rules include the following requirements:
• | broker-dealers must deliver, prior to the transaction a disclosure schedule prepared by the SEC relating to the penny stock market; |
• | broker-dealers must disclose the commissions payable to the broker-dealer and its registered representative; |
• | broker-dealers must disclose current quotations for the securities; |
• | if a broker-dealer is the sole market-maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the broker-dealers presumed control over the market; and |
• | a broker-dealer must furnish its customers with monthly statements disclosing recent price information for all penny stocks held in the customer’s account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. |
Additional sales practice requirements are imposed on broker-dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. For these types of transactions, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. If our common stock remains subject to these penny stock rules these disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock. As a result, fewer broker-dealers may be willing to make a market in our stock, which could affect a shareholder’s ability to sell their shares.
The price of our common stock may be affected by a limited trading volume, may fluctuate significantly and may not reflect the actual value of our business.
There may be a limited public market for our common stock on the OTCQB market, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will continue. An absence of an active trading market could adversely affect our stockholders’ ability to sell our common stock in short time periods, or at all. Our common stock has experienced, and is likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations that could adversely affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, we believe that factors, such as our sale of securities in connection with capital raising activities, could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. Thus, the price at which shares of our common stock may trade from time to time may not reflect the actual value of our business or the actual value of our common stock.
From time to time, we may hire companies to assist us in pursuing investor relations strategies to generate increased volumes of investment in our common stock. Such activities may result, among other things, in causing the price of our common stock to increase on a short-term basis.
Furthermore, the stock market generally and the market for stocks of companies with lower market capitalizations and small biopharmaceutical companies, like us, have from time to time experienced, and likely will again experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company.
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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
If an exemption under state securities laws is not available for resales of shares of common stock, state securities regulators have the authority to seek rescission of such resales and, in some instances, may seek restitution or disgorgement of amounts received on such resales.
Because the shares of common stock registered under our S-1 registration statements have not been registered or qualified for resale under the securities laws of any state, an exemption from registration or qualification under state law is necessary for compliance with state securities laws. Generex has taken no steps to register or qualify, nor seek an exemption for, the resale of the shares of common stock under the securities laws of any state. The availability of exemptions will depend on the laws of the particular state in which a holder of the shares resides and the circumstances under which such holder seeks to sell the shares. If an exemption is not available but a resale of the shares is affected, state securities laws give state securities regulators authority to seek rescission (or cancellation) of transactions involving sales of securities that are not registered, qualified or exempted and, in some instances, authority to require restitution or disgorgement of profits from the sales of such securities and to impose statutory interest or penalties on disgorged amounts. While we are not aware of any state securities regulator taking action with respect to the resales of shares of our common stock, we cannot provide any assurance that regulators will refrain from taking such action in the future.
Provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation could delay or prevent the acquisition or sale of our business.
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation permits our Board of Directors to designate new series of preferred stock and issue those shares without any vote or action by our stockholders. Such newly authorized and issued shares of preferred stock could contain terms that grant special voting rights to the holders of such shares that make it more difficult to obtain stockholder approval for an acquisition of our business or increase the cost of any such acquisition.
Our prior and future equity financing may dilute current stockholders and could prevent the acquisition or sale of our business.
On February 9, 2017, we entered into a Right to Shares Agreement with the holder of our Series G Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to which that holder agreed convert 100% of those preferred shares into an aggregate of 33,939 shares of Generex common stock. The conversion was at effective price of $10.31 per share. The Company initially delivered 1,000 shares (on a post reverse split basis) pursuant to The Right to Shares Agreement. At the same time, the holder exercised Warrants through cashless exercise for an aggregate of 103,809 shares of Generex common stock. Pursuant to a Right to Shares Agreement, the remaining 33,939 shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon conversion of the preferred stock, together with the 103,809 Warrant shares issuable to that holder, will be delivered to that holder from time to time based on draw down notices submitted to the Company by that holder.
Under the Right to Shares Agreement, the holder may not request issuance of shares, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise, the holder (together with the holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the holder or any of the holder’s Affiliates), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation is initially 4.99%. From and after sixty-one (61) days after the date of the Right to Shares Agreement, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall be increased from 4.99% to 9.99%.
The delivery of the shares of common stock described above could have an anti-takeover effect because such issuance will make it more difficult for, or discourage an attempt by, a party to obtain control of Generex by tender offer or other means. The delivery of those shares will increase the number of shares entitled to vote, increase the number of votes required to approve a change of control of the company, and dilute the interest of a party attempting to obtain control of the company.
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If we raise funds through one or more additional equity financings in the future, it will have a further dilutive effect on existing holders of our shares by reducing their percentage ownership. The shares may be sold at a time when the market price is low because we are in need of the funds. This will dilute existing holders more than if our stock price was higher. In addition, equity financings normally involve shares sold at a discount to the current market price. Most of our outstanding warrants have price protection provisions, which decrease the exercise price of the warrant and increase the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants, if we sell additional equity at an effective price per common share less than the current exercise price of the warrant. Therefore, equity financings at a low price per share will result in even more dilution to existing shareholders.
Risks Related to HDS’ Business
Risks related to our industry, business and strategy
Because we may not be able to obtain or maintain the necessary regulatory approvals for some of our products, we may not generate revenues in the amounts we expect, or in the amounts necessary to continue our business. Our existing products as well as our manufacturing facility must meet quality standards and are subject to inspection by a number of domestic regulatory and other governmental and non-governmental agencies.
All of HDS’ proposed and existing products are subject to regulation in the U.S. by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and/or other domestic and international governmental, public health agencies, regulatory bodies or non-governmental organizations. In particular, we are subject to strict governmental controls on the development, manufacturing, labeling, distribution and marketing of our products. The process of obtaining required approvals or clearances varies according to the nature of, and uses for, a specific product. These processes can involve lengthy and detailed laboratory testing, human or animal clinical trials, sampling activities, and other costly, time-consuming procedures. The submission of an application to a regulatory authority does not guarantee that the authority will grant an approval or clearance for that product. Each authority may impose its own requirements and can delay or refuse to grant approval or clearance, even though a product has been approved in another country.
The time taken to obtain approval or clearance varies depending on the nature of the application and may result in the passage of a significant period of time from the date of submission of the application. Delays in the approval or clearance processes increase the risk that we will not succeed in introducing or selling the subject products, and we may determine to devote our resources to different products.
Changes in government regulations could increase our costs and could require us to undergo additional trials or procedures, or could make it impractical or impossible for us to market our products for certain uses, in certain markets, or at all.
Changes in government regulations may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations because we may have to incur additional expenses if we are required to change or implement new testing, manufacturing and control procedures. If we are required to devote resources to develop such new procedures, we may not have sufficient resources to devote to research and development, marketing, or other activities that are critical to our business.
We can manufacture and sell our products only if we comply with regulations and quality standards established by government agencies such as the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) as well as by non-governmental organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”) and WHO. We have implemented a quality control system that is intended to comply with applicable regulations. Although FDA approval is not required for the export of our products, there are export regulations promulgated by the FDA that specifically relate to the export of our products that require compliance with FDA quality system regulation and that also require meeting certain documentary requirements regarding the approval of the product in export markets. Although we believe that we meet the regulatory standards required for the export of our products, these regulations could change in a manner that could adversely impact our ability to export our products.
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Our products may not be able to compete with new diagnostic products or existing products developed by well-established competitors, which would negatively affect our business.
The diagnostic industry is focused on the testing of biological specimens in a laboratory or at the point-of-care and is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Some of our principal competitors may have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Several companies produce diagnostic tests that compete directly with our testing product line, including but not limited to, Chembio Diagnostics and Abbot Laboratories. Furthermore, these and/or other companies have or may have products incorporating molecular and/or other advanced technologies that over time could directly compete with our testing product line. As new products incorporating new technologies enter the market, our products may become obsolete or a competitor's products may be more effective or more effectively marketed and sold.
There are competing products that could significantly reduce our U.S. sales of rapid HIV tests.
In 2006 Alere, Inc. acquired a division from Abbott Diagnostic located in Japan that manufactured and marketed a rapid HIV test product line called Determine®. The Determine® format was developed for the developing world and remote settings and, central to the needs of that market. The format is essentially a test strip that is integrated into a thin foil wrapper. When opened, the underside of the wrapper serves as the test surface for applying the blood sample and performing the test. This design reduces costs and shipping weights and volumes and provides an advantage for the developing world markets it serves. Some of the disadvantages of the platform are the amount of blood sample that is needed (50 microliters versus 2.5, 5 and 10 for our lateral flow barrel, lateral flow cassette, and DPP® products respectively), the open nature of the test surface, and the absence of a true control that differentiates biological from other kinds of samples.
The so-called "3rd generation" version of this product has been marketed for many years and is the leading rapid HIV test that is used in a large majority of the national algorithms of countries funded by PEPFAR and the Global Fund, as well as many other countries in the world. That product is not FDA-approved though it is CE marked. The newest Determine® HIV version, which was developed and manufactured by Alere's subsidiary in Israel, Orgenics, is the so-called "4th Generation" version Determine® test. According to its claims, this product detects HIV antibodies and P24 HIV antigens. Because the P24 antigen is known to occur in HIV-positive individuals' blood samples before antibodies do, the 4th generation Determine® test is designed to detect HIV infection earlier than tests that solely rely on antibody detection. HDS’ tests, as well as all of the other currently FDA-approved rapid HIV tests, only detect antibodies.
The initial "4th generation" Alere Determine® rapid test product that was also CE marked and that Alere launched internationally some years ago has not been successfully commercialized to the best of our knowledge and at least certain published studies were not favorable for this product. However, the 4th generation product that is now FDA-approved was apparently modified as compared to the initial international version, and it may perform more satisfactorily. Alere received FDA approval of this modified product in August 2013 and CLIA waiver for it in December 2014. Alere is also aggressively pursuing development of the market for this product. Moreover, there is support by a number of key opinion leaders for the public health value of such 4th generation tests, and this product represents a significant competitive threat to Chembio as well as to each of the other rapid HIV test manufacturers (OraSure and Trinity primarily).
Alere has subsequently been acquired by Abbott Laboratories, a major diagnostic company, which gives them additional market and sales capabilities internationally.
During 2011, Biolytical, Inc. of Vancouver, Canada received FDA approval and in 2012 received CLIA waiver of a flow-through rapid HIV test called "INSTI". The flow-through technology used in the INSTI test is older than lateral flow, and requires handling of multiple components (3 vials of solution) to perform the test in multiple steps. However, these steps can be accomplished in less than ten minutes, and the actual test results occur in only one minute after those steps are completed. Therefore sample-to-result time is shorter than any of the competitive products. The product also has good performance claims. There are settings where that reduced total test time, despite the multiple steps required, may be a distinct advantage, and we believe Biolytical has made some progress in penetrating certain public health markets.
There are a number of risks and uncertainties concerning current and anticipated developments in this market. Although we have no specific knowledge of any other new product that is a significant competitive threat to our products, or that will render our products obsolete, if we fail to maintain and enhance our competitive position or fail to introduce new products and product features, our customers may decide to use products developed by our competitors, which could result in a loss of revenues and cash flow.
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More generally, the point-of-care diagnostics industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. As new technologies become introduced into the point-of-care diagnostic testing market, we may be required to commit considerable additional efforts, time and resources to enhance our current product portfolio or develop new products. We may not have the available time and resources to accomplish this, and many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers, which would materially harm our operating results.
Our use of third-party suppliers, some of which may constitute our sole supply source, for certain important product components presents a risk that could have negative consequences for other business.
A number of our components and critical raw materials are provided by third-party suppliers, some of which may be sole-source suppliers, which impacts our ability to manufacture or sell product if our suppliers cannot or will not deliver those materials in a timely fashion, or at all, due to an interruption in their supply, quality or technical issues, or any other reason. If this occurs, we could incur substantial expense and time to be able to reestablish the appropriate quality, cost, regulatory and market-acceptance circumstances needed for commercial success. Even with the needed expense and time, we may not be able to reestablish any or all of these factors. The absence of any one or more of these factors could prevent us from being able to commercially produce and market the affected product or products.
New developments in health treatments or new non-diagnostic products may reduce or eliminate the demand for our products.
The development and commercialization of products outside of the diagnostics industry could adversely affect sales of our products. For example, the development of a safe and effective vaccine to HIV or treatments for other diseases or conditions that our products are designed to detect, could reduce or eventually eliminate the demand for our HIV or other diagnostic products and result in a loss of revenues.
We may not have sufficient resources to effectively introduce and market our products, which could materially harm our operating results.
Introducing and achieving market acceptance for our products will require substantial marketing efforts and will require us and/or our contract partners, sales agents, and/or distributors to make significant expenditures of time and money. In some instances, we will be significantly or totally reliant on the marketing efforts and expenditures of our contract partners, sales agents, and/or distributors. If they do not have or commit the expertise and resources to effectively market the products that we manufacture, our operating results will be materially harmed.
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The success of our business depends on, in addition to the market success of our products, our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of debt or equity or through borrowing, and we may not be able to raise capital or borrow funds on attractive terms and/or in amounts necessary to continue our business, or at all.
Our liquidity and cash requirements will depend on several factors. These factors include, among others, (1) the level of revenues; (2) the extent to which, if any, that revenue level improves operating cash flows; (3) our investments in research and development, facilities, marketing, regulatory approvals, and other investments we may determine to make; and (4) our investment in capital equipment and the extent to which it improves cash flow through operating efficiencies. We do not expect to generate positive cash flow in next twelve months, and we cannot be sure that we will be successful in raising sufficient capital to fund our needs. If we are not able to raise additional capital from another source, we will be required to substantially reduce our operating costs, including the possibilities of suspending our unfunded research and development activities, and quickly curtailing any cash flow negative product initiatives.
Our near term sales are difficult to predict in the uncertain status of pending orders and certain regulatory approvals, and the uncertain time until we have approval to sell in the US. We believe that underlying demand for HIV rapid testing in the United States remains strong, and that the restoration of some of the funding cutbacks from sequestration and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and of the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations will have a positive impact on the development of the market.
However, development of new customers with this product is costly and time-consuming.
Currently, we are dependent on international sales of our products, since we have no products approved by the FDA for US sales. The nature of international business is such that it can be volatile from period to period, depending on ordering patterns of donor-funded programs.
A number of factors can slow or prevent international sales increases or cause sales decreases, or substantially increase the cost of achieving sales assuming they are achieved. These factors include:
• | economic conditions and the absence of or reduction in available funding sources; |
• | regulatory requirements and customs regulations; |
• | cultural and political differences; |
• | foreign exchange rates, currency fluctuations and tariffs; |
• | dependence on and difficulties in managing international distributors or representatives; |
• | the creditworthiness of foreign entities; |
• | difficulties in foreign accounts receivable collection; |
• | competition; |
• | pricing; and |
• | any inability we may have in maintaining or increasing revenues. |
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If we are unable to increase our revenues from domestic and/or international customers, our operating results will be materially harmed.
Although we have an ethics and anti-corruption policy in place, and have no knowledge or reason to know of any practices by our employees, agents or distributors that could be construed as in violation of such policies, our business includes sales of products to countries where there is or may be widespread corruption.
HDS has a policy in place prohibiting its employees, distributors and agents from engaging in corrupt business practices, including activities prohibited by the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”). Nevertheless, because we work through independent sales agents and distributors outside the United States, we do not have control over the day-to-day activities of such independent agents and distributors. In addition, in the donor-funded markets in Africa where we may sell our products, there is significant oversight from PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and advisory committees comprised of technical experts concerning the development and establishment of national testing protocols. This is a process that includes an overall assessment of a product which includes extensive product performance evaluations including five active collaborations and manufacturer’s quality systems, as well as price and delivery.
To the extent that we are unable to collect our outstanding accounts receivable, our operating results could be materially harmed.
There may be circumstances and timing that require us to accept payment terms, including delayed payment terms, from distributors or customers, which, if not satisfied, could cause financial losses. We generally accept payment terms which require us to ship product before the contract price has been paid fully, and there also are circumstances pursuant to which we may accept further delayed payment terms pursuant to which we may continue to deliver product. To the extent that these circumstances result in significant accounts receivables and those accounts receivables are not paid on a timely basis, or are not paid at all, especially if concentrated in one or two customers, we could suffer financial losses.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Generex is a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this item.
Item 2. Properties.
HDS’ corporate offices, product development facilities, regulatory affairs offices, and laboratory and assembly facilities are contained in a 5,627 square foot facility in Miramar, Florida. The facility is leased through July 31, 2020 with a current monthly base rent of $7324.88 including taxes and expenses. Our facility is an FDA Registered Facility. Based on order size, delivery requirements and current orders in process, our Miramar facility can handle up to one million RTD devices, all of which are currently hand assembled. We have relationships with subcontractors to handle additional production requirements.
Generex currently uses spaces in HDS’s facility as its principal executive office. We also use a small space in Burlington, Ontario, Canada for an executive office. The rent is immaterial.
We do not expect to need manufacturing capabilities related to our insulin product, as it is likely that we will contract out the manufacturing of product requirements for any future clinical trials and commercial sales.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
In December 2011, a vendor of the Company commenced an action against the Company and its subsidiary, Generex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice claiming damages for unpaid invoices including interest in the amount of $429,000, in addition to costs and further interest. The Company responded to this statement of claim and also asserted a counterclaim in the proceeding for $200,000 arising from the vendor’s breach of contract and detinue, together with interest and costs. On November 16, 2012, the parties agreed to settle this action and the Company has agreed to pay the plaintiff $125,000, following the spinout of its subsidiary Antigen, from the proceeds of any public or private financing related to Antigen subsequent to such spinout. Each party agreed to execute mutual releases to the claim and counterclaim to be held in trust by each party’s counsel until payment of the settlement amount. Following payment to the plaintiff, the parties agree that a Consent Dismissal Order without costs will be filed with the court. If the Company fails to make the payment following completion of any post-spinout financing related to Antigen or any other subsidiaries, the plaintiffs may take out a judgment in the amount of the claim plus interest of 3% per annum and costs fixed at $25,000.
On June 28, 2018, the Company was named in respect of a claim by Burrard Pharmaceutical Enterprises Ltd. and Moa’yeri Kayhan for unspecified damages and other remedies issued by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The claim is made in connection with one advanced against Burrard and Kayhan by Middle East Pharmaceutical Factory L.L.C., a foreign corporation, for fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation. Middle East alleges that it was misled by Burrard and Kayhan into believing that Burrard had rights to distribute Generex product in the Middle East. Burrard and Kayhan allege that they did have rights in that regard, which the Company denies. The matter remains at the pleadings stage and the Company is investigating the facts.
Disputes with Former Officer
On August 22, 2017, Generex received a letter from counsel for Three Brothers Trading LLC, d/b/a Alternative Execution Group (“AEXG”), claiming breach of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between Generex and AEXG. The MOU related to AEXG referring potential financing candidate to Generex. The letter from AEXG counsel claimed that Generex’s acceptance of $3,000,000 in financing from Pharma Trials, LLC, in March 2017, violated the provisions of the MOU prohibiting Generex from seeking other financing, with certain exceptions, for a period of 60 days after execution of the MOU. AEXG has demanded at least $210,000 in cash and 84,000 warrants for Generex stock convertible at $2.50 per share, for attorney’s fees and costs. AEXG filed a demand for arbitration and on September 25, 2018 an arbitration hearing was held with an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution. The arbitrator had not rendered his award as of the date of filing of this Annual Report. Generex management believes the Pharma Trials, LLC Financing was not subject to the prohibitions because the representative of Pharma Trials, LLC was a director of Generex, and for other reasons. No provisions have been made for these claims.
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We are involved in certain other legal proceedings in addition to those specifically described herein. Subject to the uncertainty inherent in all litigation, we do not believe at the present time that the resolution of any of these legal proceedings is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operations or cash flows.
With respect to all litigation matters, as additional information concerning the estimates used by us becomes known, we reassess each matter’s position both with respect to accrued liabilities and other potential exposures.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB, a tiered marketplace of the OTC Markets Group. Previously, our common stock was quoted on the OTC Pink market, a lower tier marketplace of the OTC Markets Group. under the symbol "GNBT". Our common stock was removed from the OTCQB due to our failure to file SEC reports. Our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market (formerly the NASDAQ SmallCap Market) on June 5, 2003. On October 21, 2010, our common stock was delisted due to our failure to regain compliance with the $1.00 bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). From May 5, 2000 to June 4, 2003, our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ National Market. From February 1998 to May 2000, the "bid" and "asked" prices for our common stock were quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers. Prior to February 1998, there was no public market for our common stock.
The table below sets forth prices for our common stock for the last eight fiscal quarters. The prices below reflect the high and low bid information. The over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not represent actual transactions. The table below sets forth prices for our common stock for each fiscal quarter in the prior two years ended July 31, 2018. The prices below reflect the high and low bid information. The over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not represent actual transactions.
Sales/Bid Prices | ||||||||
High | Low | |||||||
Fiscal 2017 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 8.40 | $ | 5.30 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 20.00 | $ | 2.00 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 20.00 | $ | 3.00 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 6.00 | $ | 2.70 | ||||
Fiscal 2018 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 2.94 | $ | 2.75 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 3.75 | $ | 3.55 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 2.95 | $ | 2.95 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 2.61 | $ | 2.05 |
As of October 26, 2018, there were approximately 327 holders of record of our common stock. Record holders do not include owners whose shares are held in street name by a broker or other nominee.
Dividends
We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock in the past and have no present intention of paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our outstanding Series I and Series H convertible preferred stock is not entitled to any special dividends. Each share of these two series of preferred stock is entitles to share in any dividends paid to the common stock holders, on an as-converted basis.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
We did not issue any securities in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act in the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2018.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Neither we nor any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10 b-18(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act) purchased any of our equity securities during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending July 31, 2012.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Generex is a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this item.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis by management provides information with respect to our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2018 and 2017. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the information in the consolidated financial statements and the notes pertaining thereto contained in Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2018 and the information discussed in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors.
Overview of Business
We have historically engaged primarily in the research and development of drug delivery systems and technologies. Our primary focus at the present time is our proprietary technology for the administration of formulations of large molecule drugs to the oral (buccal) cavity using a hand-held aerosol applicator. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen, we have expanded our focus to include immunomedicines incorporating proprietary vaccine formulations. On January 18, 2017, we acquired a majority of the equity interests in Hema Diagnostic Systems, LLC (“Hema” or “HDS”). We have the right to acquire the remainder of the HDS equity interests for nominal consideration provided that the Generex stock and warrants issued to the HDS equity owners in connection with the initial acquisition have a specified value and we have registered for resale the Company’s shares issued to the HDS equity owners. is in the business of developing, manufacturing, and distributing of in-vitro medical diagnostics for infectious diseases administered at the point of care level with results as soon as 10-15 minutes. HDS manufactures and sells rapid diagnostic devices based upon our own proprietary EXPRESS technology as well as cassette devices based on customary designs used generally in the industry. We intend to focus on HDS’s business and in identifying other areas for expansion, but do not intend to discontinue our pre-Acquisition activities.
We believe that our buccal delivery technology is a platform technology that has application to many large molecule drugs and provides a convenient, non-invasive, accurate and cost-effective way to administer such drugs. We have identified several large molecule drugs as possible candidates for development, including estrogen, heparin, monoclonal antibodies, human growth hormone and fertility hormones, but to date have focused our development efforts primarily on one pharmaceutical product, Generex Oral-lyn™, an insulin formulation administered as a fine spray into the oral cavity using our proprietary hand-held aerosol spray applicator known as RapidMist™.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen, concentrates on developing proprietary vaccine formulations that work by stimulating the immune system to either attack offending agents (i.e., cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses) or to stop attacking benign elements (i.e., self-proteins and allergens). Our immunomedicine products are based on two platform technologies and are in the early stages of development. Prior to exhausting our funds, we continued clinical development of Antigen’s synthetic peptide vaccines designed to stimulate a potent and specific immune response against tumors expressing the HER-2/neu oncogene for patients with HER-2/neu positive breast cancer in a Phase II clinical trial and patients with prostate cancer and against avian influenza in two Phase I clinical trials. We also initiated an additional Phase I clinical trial in patients with either breast or ovarian cancer. The synthetic vaccine technology has certain advantages for pandemic or potentially pandemic viruses, such as the H5N1 avian and H1N1 swine flu. We have established collaborations with clinical investigators at academic centers to advance these technologies.
To date, we have received regulatory approval in Ecuador, India (subject to regulatory approval of a 2012 in-country study), Lebanon and Algeria for the commercial marketing and sale of Generex Oral-lyn™. We have previously submitted regulatory dossiers for Generex Oral-lyn™ in a number of other countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, Jordan and Armenia. While we believe these countries will ultimately approve our product for commercial sale, we do not anticipate recognizing revenues in any of these jurisdictions in the next twelve months. No dossier related activities or product shipments have taken place during fiscal 2017 or 2018, nor are any expected to these countries during the remainder of calendar year 2018 or in calendar year 2019.
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In March 2008, we initiated Phase III clinical trials for Generex Oral-lyn™ in the U.S. with the first patient screening for such trials at a clinical study site in Texas in April 2008. Approximately 450 patients were enrolled at approximately 70 clinical sites around the world, including sites in the United States, Canada, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Ecuador. The final subjects completed the trial in August 2011. After appropriate validation, the data from approximately 450 patients was tabulated, reviewed and analyzed. Those results from the Phase III trial along with a comprehensive review and supplemental analyses of approximately 40 prior Oral-lyn clinical studies were compiled and submitted to the FDA in late December 2011 in a comprehensive package including a composite metanalysis of all safety data. We do not currently plan to expend significant resources on additional clinical trials of Oral-lyn™ until after such time that we secure sufficient additional financing. However, we have initiated a project with the University Health Network of the University of Toronto, and the University of Guelph, Ontario to enhance the formulation of Generex Oral-lyn™ in order to reduce the number of puffs required for prandial use.
In November 2008 we, together with our marketing partner Shreya Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., officially launched Generex Oral-lyn™ in India under marketing name of Oral Recosulin™. Each package of Oral Recosulin™ contains two canisters of our product along with one actuator. The product received regulatory price approval in India in January 2009. Per the requirements of the regulatory approval in India, an in-country clinical study must be completed in India with Oral Recosulin™ before commercial sales can commence. The field portion of the study was completed in the third calendar quarter of 2012. Shreya has advised Generex that the dossier was submitted in December of 2012 to the Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Generex has provided additional, detailed scientific data to support the Shreya submission. We have not recognized any revenues from the sale of Generex Oral-lyn™ in India through fiscal year ended July 31, 2018.
In December 2008, we, together with our marketing partner Benta S.A., received an approval to market Generex Oral-lyn™ in Lebanon. The official product launch in Lebanon took place in May 2009. In May 2009, the Algerian health authorities granted us permission to import and sell Generex Oral-lyn™ for the treatment of diabetes in Algeria. The official product launch in Algeria took place in October 2009. To date, we have not recognized any revenue from the sales of Generex Oral-lyn™ in Algeria and very minimal revenues in Lebanon. We do not anticipate any revenues to be recognized from these jurisdictions in the next twelve months.
We face competition from other providers of alternate forms of insulin. Some of our most significant competitors, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk, have discontinued development and/or sale of their inhalable forms of insulin. MannKind introduced a new pulmonary insulin which was approved by the FDA in 2014, and MannKind subsequently partnered with sanofi-aventis for a period of time to market the product under the tradename of Afrezza.
Generex Oral-lyn™ is not an inhaled insulin; rather, it is a buccally absorbed formulation with no pulmonary deposition. We believe that our buccal delivery technology offers several advantages, including the ease of use, portability, avoidance of pulmonary inhalation and safety profile. Furthermore, insulin administered through the Generex Oral-lyn™ RapidMist™ technology is absorbed directly into the blood stream and not only acts rapidly, but returns to baseline quickly, thereby minimizing the chance of developing hypoglycemia.
Large pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Novartis, Inc., MedImmune Inc. (a subsidiary of Astra-Zeneca, Inc.) and others, also compete against us in the oncology, immunomedicine and vaccine markets. These companies have competing experience and expertise in securing government contracts and grants to support research and development efforts, conducting testing and clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals to market products, as well as manufacturing and marketing approved products. As such, they are also considered significant competitors in these fields of pharmaceutical products and therapies. There are also many smaller companies which are pursuing similar technologies in these fields who are considered to be competitors of Generex.
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HDS Diagnostic Products.
Our majority owned subsidiary, Hema Diagnostic Systems, is in the business of developing, manufacturing, and distributing of in-vitro medical diagnostics for infectious diseases administered at the point of care level with results as soon as 10-15 minutes. We manufacture and sell rapid diagnostic devices based upon our own proprietary EXPRESS platforms as well as cassette devices based on customary designs used generally in the industry.
Since its founding, HDS has been developing and continues to develop an expanding line of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) including those for the following infectious diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – ½ w/p24Ab, tuberculosis-XT, malaria, hepatitis, syphilis, typhoid, dengue and other infectious diseases.
Today, we have developed a substantial line of RDT’s known as ready to “go-to-market.”
Due to the potential infectious character of the whole blood test sample, our Express series of RDTs are designed to perform and deliver test results while sealed within the Express housing, carefully controlling the potentially infectious test sample. This design helps to increase our ability to control the possibility of cross-contamination. Most of our competitors’ products, while inexpensive, are not as user-friendly allowing for increased user-error and requires substantially more training and have greater risk of cross-contamination.
We have been designing and engineering delivery systems that incorporate advanced technologies of rapid test strips for use in our Express series of devices and which yield a rapid response for point-of-care patient testing and treatment.
Each RDT incorporates an accurate test strip that has been striped with specific antigens or antibodies combined in a proprietary cocktail and then incorporated into an easy-to-use and user-friendly delivery system. The HDS delivery systems include our standard “cassette” design, our patented “Express” housing device as well as our new “Express II”.
Each system delivers its own advantages which enhance the use, application and performance of each diagnostic. This ease of use in the Express delivery systems ensure that our RDTs perform efficiently and effectively providing the most accurate and repeatable test results available while, at the same time, minimizing the transference of a potentially infected blood sample.
The Company maintains a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) registered facility in Miramar, Florida and is certified under both ISO9001 and ISO13485 for the Design, Development, Production and Distribution of the in-vitro devices. Approval of our HIV rapid test has been issued by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Additionally, some of our products qualified for and carry the European Union “CE” Mark, which allow us to enter into CE Member countries subject to individual country requirements. Currently, we have two malaria rapid tests approved under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We anticipate that a third malaria test will be approved by the end of 2016. Our HDS products have also received registrations and approvals issued by other foreign governments. HDS is currently in the planning phase for entering into the newly announced, WHO “Pre-Qualified Approval” process for other HDS tests. This process allows expedited approval of rapid tests, reducing the current 24-30 month process down to approximately 6-9 months. WHO approval is necessary for our products to be used in those countries which rely upon the expertise of the WHO, as well as for NGO funding for the purchase of diagnostic products.
We are a development stage company with a limited history of operations, and do not expect sufficient revenues to support our operation in the immediately foreseeable future. To date, we have not been profitable and our accumulated deficit was $409,386,468 at July 31, 2018. As of July 31, 2018, we believe our current cash position is not sufficient to meet our working capital needs for the next twelve months and we may not have sufficient reserves for contingencies. We do not, however, expect to generate significant cash flow from operations during that period and therefore expect to require additional funds after the end of the fiscal year ending July 31, 2019. In addition, we do not have sufficient funds to carry out our strategic development plans Management is seeking various alternatives to ensure that we can meet our operating cash flow requirements and strategic development plans, through financing activities, such as private placement of our common stock, preferred stock offerings and offerings of debt and convertible debt instruments as well as through merger or acquisition opportunities. In addition, management is actively seeking strategic alternatives, including strategic investments and divestitures. We have sold non-essential real estate assets which were classified as Assets Held for Investment to augment our cash position. We cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain the required funding. Our inability to obtain required funding in the near future or our inability to obtain funding on favorable terms will have a material adverse effect on our operations and our strategic development plan for future growth. If we cannot successfully raise additional capital and implement our strategic development plan, our liquidity, financial condition and business prospects will be materially and adversely affected.
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We operate in only one segment: the research and development and manufacturing of Point-of-Care diagnostic assays for infectious diseases.
Accounting for Research and Development Projects
Our major research and development projects are the refinement of our platform buccal delivery technology, our buccal insulin project (Generex Oral-lyn™) and Antigen’s peptide immunotherapeutic vaccines.
We did not extend any material resources on our buccal insulin (Generex Oral-lyn™) or other oral delivery products in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 due to lack of funds. The completion of further late-stage trials in Canada and the United States may require significantly greater funds than we currently have on hand.
During the fiscal years ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, we did not expend any resources on research and development relating to Antigen’s peptide immunotherapeutic vaccines and related technologies due to our lack of cash. One Antigen vaccine is currently in Phase II clinical trials in the United States involving patients with HER-2/neu positive breast cancer, and we have completed a Phase I clinical trial for an Antigen vaccine for H5N1 avian influenza which was conducted at the Lebanese-Canadian Hospital in Beirut. Antigen’s prostate cancer vaccine based on AE37 has been tested in a completed (August 2009) Phase I clinical trial in Greece.
During the portion of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018 subsequent to our acquisition of a majority interest, HDS expended $300,803 resources on research and development relating to its rapid diagnostic tests. HDS expects to expend resources on its rapid diagnostic test during the fiscal year ending July 31, 2019.
Because of various uncertainties, we cannot predict the timing of completion and commercialization of our buccal insulin or Antigen’s peptide immunotherapeutic vaccines or related technologies. These uncertainties include the success of current studies, our ability to obtain the required financing and the time required to obtain regulatory approval even if our research and development efforts are completed and successful, our ability to enter into collaborative marketing and distribution agreements with third-parties, and the success of such marketing and distribution arrangements. For the same reasons, we cannot predict when any products may begin to produce net cash inflows.
Most of our buccal delivery research and development activities to date have involved developing our platform technology for use with insulin. As a result, we have not made significant distinctions in the accounting for research and development expenses among products, as a significant portion of all research has involved improvements to the platform technology in connection with insulin, which may benefit all of our potential buccal products. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016, approximately 47%% of our $467,382 in research and development expenses was attributable to insulin and platform technology development. We ceased all material research and development activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 due to lack of funds.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016, approximately 53% of our $467,382 in research and development expenses was attributable to Antigen's immunomedicine products. During the fiscal years ended July 31, 2017 and July 31, 2018, none of our research and development expenses were attributable to Antigen's immunomedicine products.
During fiscal years 2018 and 2017, respectively, HDS expended $523,829 and $617,000 on research and development, for continuation development of its rapid diagnostic test.
Because these products are in initial phases of clinical trials or early, pre-clinical stage of development (with the exception of the Phase II clinical trials of Antigen HER-2/neu positive breast cancer vaccine that are underway), all of the expenses were accounted for as basic research and no distinctions were made as to particular products. Due to the early stage of development, we cannot predict the timing of completion of any products arising from this technology, or when products from this technology might begin producing revenues.
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Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. It requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We consider certain accounting policies related to impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets and accrued liabilities to be critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations:
Going Concern. As shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we have not been profitable and have reported recurring losses from operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue to operate in the normal course of business. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Management reviews for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of property and equipment may not be recoverable under the provisions of accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets. If it is determined that an impairment loss has occurred based upon expected future cash flows, the loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of July 31, 2017, there were no indications of any impairment of our long-lived assets.
Intangible Assets. We have intangible assets related to patents. The determination of the related estimated useful lives and whether or not these assets are impaired involves significant judgments. In assessing the recoverability of these intangible assets, we use an estimate of undiscounted operating income and related cash flows over the remaining useful life, market conditions and other factors to determine the recoverability of the asset. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges against these assets
Inventory. HDS’ inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the Weighted Average method. We periodically evaluate our inventory for any obsolete or slow moving items based on production lots and advances in production design or technology. Any inventory determined to be obsolete or slow moving is removed from inventory and disposed or a provision is made to reduce slow moving inventory to its net realizable value. At July 31, 2018, there was no reserve for obsolescence.
Estimating accrued liabilities, specifically litigation accruals. Management's current estimated range of liabilities related to pending litigation is based on management's best estimate of future costs. While the final resolution of the litigation could result in amounts different than current accruals, and therefore have an impact on our consolidated financial results in a future reporting period, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
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Share-based compensation. Management determines value of stock-based compensation to employees in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Management determines value of stock-based compensation to non-employees and consultants in accordance with and ASC 505, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.
Derivative warrant liability. FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires all derivatives to be recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. As a result, certain derivative warrant liabilities (namely those with a price protection feature) are now separately valued as of August 1, 2009 and accounted for on our balance sheet, with any changes in fair value recorded in earnings. On our consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, we used the binomial lattice model to estimate the fair value of these warrants. Key assumptions of the binomial lattice option-pricing model include the market price of our stock, the exercise price of the warrants, applicable volatility rates, risk-free interest rates, expected dividends and the instrument’s remaining term. These assumptions require significant management judgment. In addition, changes in any of these variables during a period can result in material changes in the fair value (and resultant gains or losses) of this derivative instrument.
Results of Operations
Year ended July 31, 2018 Compared to Year ended July 31, 2017
We had a net income for the year ended July 31, 2018 in the amount $36,334,098 versus net loss of $70,016,194 in the prior fiscal year. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to the change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration of $39,027,901. Our operating loss for the year ended July 31, 2018 increased to $2,495,609 compared to $1,596,841 in the fiscal year 2017. The increase in operating loss resulted from an increase in general and administrative expenses to $2,359,706 from $1,174,547 and research and development costs to $839,147 from $422,294. Revenue in years ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 was $703,244 and $0, respectively. The increase in revenue was as result of the license and research agreement between Antigen Express, Inc. and Shenzhen Bioscience Pharmaceuticals Co.
Interest expense in the current fiscal year was $583,594 compared to the previous fiscal year $743,101. Change in fair value of derivative liabilities was $0 in the 2018 fiscal year compared to a gain of $709,917 in the previous 2017 fiscal year.
The increase in research and development expenses in the year ended July 31, 2018 versus the comparative previous fiscal year is primarily due HDS’s increase of expenses.
The net operating losses attributed to HDS for fiscal 2018 amount to $790,000 for fiscal 2018 primarily from general and administrative expenses of $524,000 and research, development costs of $523,829. In the period between January 18, 2017 (the date we acquired the controlling interest in HDS) and July 31, 2017, operating losses amounted to $530,000, primarily from general and administrative expenses of $301,000 and research, development costs of $300,803 and interest income of $87,000 net of gain from forgiveness of a related party loan.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Resources
Sources of Liquidity
To date we have financed our development stage activities primarily through private placements of our common stock and securities convertible into our common stock.
The July 31, 2018 cash position was not sufficient for 12 months’ of operations. Note that anticipated revenues associated with the Veneto acquisition will dramatically alter the cash flow landscape
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While we have financed our development stage activities to date primarily through private placements of our common stock and securities convertible into our common stock and raised approximately $4,000,000 during fiscal 2017 (including proceeds from warrant exercises, short term loans and the issuance of preferred stock), our cash balances have been low throughout fiscal 2018. We did not raise any cash from the sale of our securities in fiscal 2018.
Management may seek to meet all or some of our operating cash flow requirements through financing activities, such as private placement of our common stock, preferred stock offerings and offerings of debt and convertible debt instruments as well as through merger or acquisition opportunities.
In addition, management is actively pursuing financial and strategic alternatives, including strategic investments and divestitures, industry collaboration activities, and potential strategic partners. Management has sold non-essential real estate assets which are classified as Assets Held for Investment to augment the company’s cash position and reduce its long-term debt.
We will continue to require substantial funds to continue research and development, including preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates, further clinical trials for Oral-lyn™ and to commence sales and marketing efforts if the FDA or other regulatory approvals are obtained.
Unforeseen problems with the conduct or results of Phase III clinical trials for Oral-lyn™ or further negative developments in general economic conditions could interfere with our ability to raise additional capital as needed, or materially adversely affect the terms upon which such capital is available. We cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain the required funding. Our inability to obtain required funding in the near future or our inability to obtain funding on favorable terms will have a material adverse effect on our operations and our strategic development plan for future growth. If we cannot successfully raise additional capital and implement our strategic development plan, our liquidity, financial condition and business prospects will be materially and adversely affected and we may have to cease operations.
Equity Financings
Following is a summary of the equity-related financing activities that we have completed since the beginning of the 2016 calendar year.
Financing – March 2017
Series H Preferred Stock
On March 28, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Pharma Trials, LLC pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 109,000 shares of its newly designated non-voting Series H Preferred Stock (“Series H Preferred Stock”) and 6,000 shares of its newly designated Series I Preferred Stock (“Series I Preferred Stock”). Andrew Greene, a former director and officer of Generex, held a 20% interest in Pharma Trails, LLC at the time of the transaction. Mr. Greene did not participate in the deliberations of the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to approval of the transactions contemplated by the securities purchase agreement.
The Series H Preferred Stock was scheduled to be sold in four tranches. At closing of the first tranche, the Company issued 3,000 shares of Series H Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $3,000,000. The proceeds of this sale were paid directly on the Company’s behalf to Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc., as an additional deposit under the Company’s letter of intent with Emmaus. The letter of intent with Emmaus was later terminated.
The closing of the sale of 6,000 shares of Series I Preferred Stock ($6,000,000) was to occur on April 17, 2017. Pharma Trials failed to close that sale, despite the Company being ready, willing and able to proceed. Under the securities purchase agreement, in the event Pharma Trails failed to purchase 100% of the shares of preferred stock at any given Closing, it lost its rights to purchase any other preferred stock. Our management made the determination that it was in the Company’s best interest to terminate Pharma Trial’s rights and on April 23, 2017 the Company notified Pharma Trials in writing that its rights to purchase additional shares were forfeit.
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The Series H Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder at any time into shares of the Company’s common stock at an effective conversion price of $2.50 per share. An aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock sold at the initial closing.
The Series H Preferred Stock does not have special dividend rights. If the Company pays dividends on its common stock, the holders of the preferred stock will receive dividends in the amount they would have received had they converted the preferred stock to common stock.
The conversion price of the preferred stock will be subject to adjustment in the case of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares, similar recapitalization transactions and certain pro-rata distributions to common stockholders. In the event of a fundamental transaction, such as a merger, consolidation, sale of substantially all assets and similar reorganizations or recapitalizations, the holders of convertible preferred stock will be entitled to receive, upon conversion of their shares, any securities or other consideration received by the holders of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the fundamental transaction.
The securities purchase agreement and the certificate of designation authorizing the Series H Preferred Stock include certain agreements and covenants for the benefit of the holders of the convertible preferred stock, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to amend its certificate of incorporation and bylaws in any manner that materially and adversely affects any rights of a preferred holder, prohibition on the Company’s authorizing or issuing any class of capital stock senior to the Series H in liquidation, and prohibition on the Company repurchasing more than a de minimis number of shares of its common stock or other junior securities.
On July 9, 2018, the Company entered into a Confidential Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Amendment”) pursuant to which Pharma Trials, LLC agreed
• | Not to convert any of the Series H Preferred Stock before the earlier of October 31, 2018, or the date the Company has completed two acquisitions of the types described in the Amendment. |
• | In the event the Company declares a stock dividend on its common stock in an amount in excess of 1 share for each outstanding share, to waive its right to receive an adjustment to the conversion ratio in excess of one additional share for each share of preferred stock. |
Series I Preferred Stock Issued to Directors to Satisfy Debt
Joseph Moscato, the Company’s President & CEO and a Director, and Lawrence Salvo, a Director, made personal unsecured cash advances to Company to permit it to pay the initial $500,000 deposit to Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. under our Letter of Intent with Emmaus. Mr. Salvo and Mr. Moscato have made other advances to permit the Company to pay certain third party expenses in connection with the implementation of the Company’s repurposed business plan, including legal, accounting, transfer agent, Edgarization, and press release fees.
On April 26, 2017, our Board of Directors determined it appropriate to retire the Company’s indebtedness to Messrs. Moscato and Salvo by applying a 20% original issue discount to the aggregate amounts thereof and issuing shares of our Series I Convertible Preferred Stock in full and final satisfaction thereof. The Board considered the 20% original issue discount a reasonable term as it is the same as original issue discount negotiated at arm’s length with an independent investor in March 2017. The 20% original issue discount means that the actual funds advanced by Messrs. Moscato and Salvo were 80% of the debt recognized and converted into Series I Preferred Stock. Following the Board’s decision, we issued the following shares:
a. | 391 shares of Series I Preferred Stock to Mr. Moscato to retire indebtedness of $390,983.52; and |
b. | 399 shares of Series I Preferred Stock to Mr. Salvo to retire indebtedness of $399,363.22. |
The $1,000 per share conversion ratio was based on the $1,000 per share cash price under the securities purchase agreement with Pharma Trails.
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The Series I Preferred Stock issued to Mr. Salvo and Mr. Moscato had a special one-time voting right exercisable at the Company’s 2017 annual stockholders meeting. The Series I Preferred Stock, as a class, was entitled to cast a number of votes on such proposal equal to fifty percent (50%) of the total number of votes entitled to be cast at such meeting (determined as of the record date for such meeting) by all other outstanding shares of the Company’s capital
During the period commencing on the date upon which the Company’s stockholders have approved an increase in the authorized number of shares of common stock and ending on December 31, 2018, the holders of any shares of common stock issued upon conversion of the preferred stock will to vote such shares in favor of Company management’s slate of directors.
Financing – March 2017
Convertible Note
On March 6, 2017, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the investor who previously held the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company sold its Convertible Note due March 6, 2018 (“Note”) in the principal amount of $674,854.96. The purchase price of the Note was $562,379.13 comprised of $500,000 in cash, the cancellation of a $50,000 demand Note the Company had issued to the investor in May 2016, $3,879.13 in accrued interest on the prior note and $8,500 in legal fees for the investor’s counsel, which the Company was obligated to pay pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. The remaining $112,475.83 of principal amount represented original issue discount.
Joseph Moscato, the Company’s CEO and Chairman, guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Note and subordinated any debts the Company owes to him to the Company’s obligations under the Note.
The $500,000 net proceeds of the Note were paid directly on the Company’s behalf to Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc., as an additional deposit under the Company’s letter of intent with Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc.
We repaid the Note in cash on July 17, 2017 (with a $75,000 late-payment fee).
With very limited exceptions, the investor has a pro rata right of first refusal in respect of participation in any private debt or equity financings undertaken by the Company during the 18 months following the closing of the transaction.
The Note and the shares of common stock underlying the Note, were offered privately pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933.
Cash Flows for the Year ended July 31, 2018
For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018, we used $2,293,214 in cash to fund our operating activities. The use for operating activities included a net income of $35,948,698 and changes to working capital including an increase of $872,164 related to accounts payable and accrued expenses.
The use of cash was offset by non-cash expenses of $23,780 related to depreciation and amortization, $39,027,901 related to the change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration.
In the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018, we had net cash provided by investing activities of $8,552 representing purchase of property and equipment.
We had cash provided by financing activities in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018 of $453,694, which pertained primarily to proceeds from a loan by related party of $126,101 and investment in subsidiary by noncontrolling interest $327,593.
Our net working capital at July 31, 2018 declined to negative $24,040,769 from negative $20,999,659 at July 31, 2017, which was attributed primarily to an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a decrease in cash.
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Conversion of Outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock
As of July 31, 2017, all of the 2,575 shares of our Series A 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. A total of 17,166,666 shares of common stock have been issued upon the conversion of 2,575 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock. Upon conversion, we paid the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock a “make whole” payment equal to $270 per $1,000 of stated value of the Series A convertible preferred stock, less the amount of all prior quarterly dividends paid on such converted preferred stock before the relevant conversion date. We issued 6,129,666 additional shares of common stock on such conversions of the Series A convertible preferred stock as “make-whole payments”.
As of July 31, 2017, all of the 2,000 shares of our Series B 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. We issued 38,520,832 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock and an additional 14,819,679 shares of common stock were issued as “make-whole payments” on such conversions.
As of July 31, 2017, all of the 750 shares of our Series C 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. We issued 22,916,665 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock and an additional 6,664,863 shares of common stock were issued as “make-whole payments” on such conversions.
As of July 31, 2017, all of the 750 shares of our Series D 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. We issued 24,999,999 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series D convertible preferred stock and an additional 7,825,191 shares of common stock were issued as “make-whole payments” on such conversions.
As of July 31, 2017, all of the 2,025 shares of our Series E 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. We issued 68,333,333 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series E convertible preferred stock and an additional 19,035,193 shares of common stock were issued as “make-whole payments” on such conversions.
As of July 31, 2017, 1,955 shares of our Series F 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. We issued 89,108,331 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series F convertible preferred stock and an additional 36,533,875 shares of common stock were issued as “make-whole payments” on such conversions.
As of July 31, 2017, all of the 500 shares of our Series G 9% Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of our common stock. On February 9, 2017, we entered into a Right to Shares Agreement with the holder of our Series G Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to which that holder agreed convert 100% of those preferred shares into an aggregate of 33,939 shares of Generex common stock. The conversion was at effective price of $10.31 per share. The Company initially delivered 1,000 shares (on a post reverse split basis) pursuant to The Right to Shares Agreement. At the same time, the holder exercised Warrants through cashless exercise for an aggregate of 103,809 shares of Generex common stock. Pursuant to a Right to Shares Agreement, the remaining 33,939 shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon conversion of the preferred stock, together with the 103,809 Warrant shares issuable to that holder, will be delivered to that holder from time to time based on draw down notices submitted to the Company by that holder.
Under the Right to Shares Agreement, the may not request issuance of shares holder, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise, the holder (together with the holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the holder or any of the holder’s Affiliates), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation is initially 4.99%. From and after sixty-one (61) days after the date of the Right to Shares Agreement, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall be increased from 4.99% to 9.99%. All shares have been issued under the Right to Shares Agreement.
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Funding Requirements and Commitments
If we obtain necessary financing, we expect to expend resources towards additional acquisitions and regulatory approval and commercialization of Generex Oral-lyn™ and further clinical development of our immunotherapeutic vaccines.
Our future funding requirements and commitments and our ability to raise additional capital will depend on factors that include:
• | the timing and amount of expense incurred to complete our clinical trials; |
• | the costs and timing of the regulatory process as we seek approval of our products in development; |
• | the advancement of our products in development; |
• | our ability to generate new relationships with industry partners throughout the world that will provide us with regulatory assistance and long-term commercialization opportunities; |
• | the timing, receipt and amount of sales, if any, from Generex Oral-lyn™ in India, Lebanon, Algeria and Ecuador; |
• | the cost of manufacturing (paid to third parties) of our licensed products, and the cost of marketing and sales activities of those products; |
• | the costs of prosecuting, maintaining, and enforcing patent claims, if any claims are made; |
• | our ability to maintain existing collaborative relationships and establish new relationships as we advance our products in development; |
• | our ability to obtain the necessary financing to fund our operations and effect our strategic development plan; and |
• | the receptivity of the financial market to biopharmaceutical companies. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors, and we do not have any non-consolidated special purpose entities.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Generex is a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this item.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB issued several updates on Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, including:
• | ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” |
• | ASU 2016-08 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net).” |
• | ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” |
• | ASU 2016-11, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF (Emerging Issue Task Force) Meeting.” |
• | ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” |
• | ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” |
• | ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840) and Leases (Topic 842). Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments.” |
The standards provide companies with a single model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers that supersedes current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The core principle of the model is to recognize revenue when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer, as opposed to recognizing revenue when the risks and rewards transfer to the customer under the existing revenue guidance. The guidance permits companies to either apply the requirements retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or apply the requirements in the year of adoption, through a cumulative adjustment. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on how it recognizes revenue and related expenses. The Company evaluated the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statement disclosures and does not expect there to be a significant impact.
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In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). This standard affects the accounting for equity instruments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements of financial instruments. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This update was issued to clarify certain narrow aspects of guidance concerning the recognition of financial assets and liabilities established in ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This includes an amendment to clarify that an entity measuring an equity security using the measurement alternative may change its measurement approach to a fair valuation method in accordance with Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, through an irrevocable election that would apply to that security and all identical or similar investments of the same issued. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. The Company evaluated the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and does not expect there to be a significant impact.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, which provides additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2016-02. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not plan to elect early adoption for this pronouncement.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice regarding how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the statement of cash flows. The standard provides guidance on the classification of the following items: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, (6) distributions received from equity method investments, (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (8) separately identifiable cash flows. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-15 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company evaluated the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-15 and does not expect any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that a statement of cash flows should include the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-18 will have on its consolidated financial statements and is considering early adoption of the standard. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350), which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2020. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2017-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Item. 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Generex is a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this item.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Generex Biotechnology Corporation
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Generex Biotechnology Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of July 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), change in stockholders' deficiency, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of July 31, 2018 and 2017, and its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, the Company’s experience of negative cashflow from operations since inception and its dependency upon future financing, which is uncertain due to the limitations imposed by previous financings on future financings, raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ MNP LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.
Mississauga, Canada
October 26, 2018
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GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
July 31, 2018 | July 31, 2017 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,046,365 | $ | 2,879,165 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 33,555 | — | ||||||
Inventory, net | 12,075 | 10,035 | ||||||
Other current assets | 96,251 | 21,891 | ||||||
Total current assets | 1,188,246 | 2,911,091 | ||||||
Property and equipment (Note 3) | 31,536 | 573 | ||||||
Call option (Note 13) | 2,168,211 | 4,237,829 | ||||||
Intangible asset (Note 13 and 15) | 3,187,757 | 2,911,377 | ||||||
Patents, net (Note 4) | 23,280 | 25,851 | ||||||
Other assets, net | 7,824 | 7,824 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 6,606,854 | $ | 10,094,545 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 11,044,774 | $ | 10,172,610 | ||||
Notes Payable (Note 15) | 320,000 | — | ||||||
Loans from related parties (Note 6) | 13,864,241 | 13,738,140 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 25,229,015 | 23,910,750 | ||||||
Warrants to be issued (Note 13) | 24,962,507 | 66,060,026 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 50,191,522 | 89,970,776 | ||||||
Stockholders’ Deficiency (Note 11) | ||||||||
Series F 9% Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value; authorized 4,150 shares, -0- and -0- issued shares at July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively | — | — | ||||||
Series G 9% Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value; authorized 1,000 shares, -0- and -0- issued shares at July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively | — | — | ||||||
Series H Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value; authorized 109,000 shares, 3,000 and 3,000 issued shares at July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively | 3 | 3 | ||||||
Series I Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value; authorized 6,000 shares, 790 and 790 issued shares at July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 750,000,000 and 2,450,000 shares at July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively; 1,068,101 and 1,068,101 issued and outstanding at July 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively | 1,068 | 1,068 | ||||||
Common stock payable | 2,168,951 | 2,168,951 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 368,409,627 | 368,409,627 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (409,386,468 | ) | (445,720,566 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 798,422 | 783,150 | ||||||
Non-controlling interest (Note 11) | (5,576,272 | ) | (5,518,465 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Deficiency | (43,584,668 | ) | (79,876,231 | ) | ||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY | $ | 6,606,854 | $ | 10,094,545 | ||||
Going Concern (Note 1) | ||||||||
Commitments & Contingencies (Note 9) | ||||||||
Subsequent Events (Note 17) | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements |
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GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | ||||||||
Year Ended July 31, | ||||||||
2018 | 2017 | |||||||
Revenue | ||||||||
Sales | $ | 3,244 | $ | — | ||||
Licensing income | 700,000 | — | ||||||
Total Revenue | 703,244 | — | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Research and development | 839,147 | 422,294 | ||||||
General and administrative | 2,359,706 | 1,174,547 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 3,198,853 | 1,596,841 | ||||||
Operating Loss | (2,495,609 | ) | (1,596,841 | ) | ||||
Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||
Interest expense | (583,594 | ) | (743,101 | ) | ||||
Changes in fair value of contingent purchase consideration (Note 13) | 39,027,901 | (61,822,197 | ) | |||||
Impairment of goodwill (Note 13 and 16) | — | (13,380,377 | ) | |||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | — | 709,917 | ||||||
Net Income (loss) | 35,948,698 | (76,832,599 | ) | |||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (Note 11) | (385,400 | ) | (6,816,405 | ) | ||||
Net Income (loss) Available to Common Stockholders | $ | 36,334,098 | $ | (70,016,194 | ) | |||
Net Income (loss) per Common Share (Note 10) | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 34.02 | $ | (70.92 | ) | |||
Diluted | $ | 14.02 | $ | (70.92 | ) | |||
Shares Used to Compute Income (loss) per Share (Note 10) | ||||||||
Basic | 1,068,101 | 987,288 | ||||||
Diluted | 2,591,129 | 987,288 | ||||||
Comprehensive Income (Loss): | ||||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | 36,334,098 | $ | (70,016,194 | ) | |||
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments | 15,272 | (15,722 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders | $ | 36,349,370 | $ | (70,031,916 | ) | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements |
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GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stock | Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Common Stock Payable | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Sub Total | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Stockholders’ Deficiency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at July 31, 2016 | 620 | — | 908,541 | 909 | — | 363,687,741 | (375,704,372 | ) | 798,872 | (11,216,850 | ) | — | (11,216,850 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of preferred stock | (620 | ) | — | 41,333 | 41 | — | (41 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock make whole payments | — | — | 19,529 | 20 | — | 167,380 | — | — | 167,400 | — | 167,400 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants for cash | — | — | 3,333 | 3 | — | 49,997 | — | — | 50,000 | — | 50,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cashless exercise of warrants | — | — | 31,195 | 31 | 1,071,851 | 460,455 | — | — | 1,532,337 | — | 1,532,337 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for acquisition | — | — | 53,211 | 53 | 1,097,100 | 253,763 | — | — | 1,350,916 | — | 1,350,916 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of series H preferred stock for cash | 3,000 | 3 | — | — | — | 2,999,997 | — | — | 3,000,000 | — | 3,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of series I preferred stock for conversion of debt | 790 | 1 | — | — | — | 790,346 | — | — | 790,347 | — | 790,347 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
True-up rounding shares for reverse stock split | — | — | 10,958 | 11 | — | (11 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,297,940 | 1,297,940 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | (70,016,194 | ) | — | (70,016,194 | ) | (6,816,405 | ) | (76,832,599 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (15,722 | ) | (15,722 | ) | — | (15,722 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at July 31, 2017 | 3,790 | 4 | 1,068,100 | 1,068 | 2,168,951 | 368,409,627 | (445,720,566 | ) | 783,150 | (74,357,766 | ) | (5,518,465 | ) | (79,876,231 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36,334,098 | — | 36,334,098 | (385,400 | ) | 35,948,698 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment in subsidiary by noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 327,593 | 327,593 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15,272 | 15,272 | — | 15,272 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at July 31, 2018 | 3,790 | 4 | 1,068,100 | 1,068 | 2,168,951 | 368,409,627 | (409,386,468 | ) | 798,422 | (38,008,396 | ) | (5,576,272 | ) | (43,584,668 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements |
62 |
GENEREX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||
Year Ended July 31, | ||||||||
2018 | 2017 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | 35,948,698 | $ | (76,832,599 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 23,780 | 5,045 | ||||||
Loss on goodwill impairment | — | 13,380,377 | ||||||
Changes in fair value of contingent purchase consideration | (39,027,901 | ) | 61,822,197 | |||||
Gain on disposal of property and equipment | — | 1,276 | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount | — | 252,700 | ||||||
Forgiveness of debt from related party | — | (83,554 | ) | |||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | — | (709,917 | ) | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (33,555 | ) | 980 | |||||
Inventory | (2,040 | ) | 11,106 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 872,164 | 899,750 | ||||||
Other current assets | (74,360 | ) | 77,660 | |||||
Other assets | — | 4,630 | ||||||
Net used in operating activities | (2,293,214 | ) | (1,170,349 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Deposit on investment | — | (4,000,000 | ) | |||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (8,552 | ) | — | |||||
Return of investment | — | 4,000,000 | ||||||
Cash received in acquisition of a business | — | 12,363 | ||||||
Net cash (provided by) investing activities | (8,552 | ) | 12,363 | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Loan proceeds from related party | 126,101 | 1,171,021 | ||||||
Repayment of loan to related party | — | (14,096 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from convertible note payable | — | 503,879 | ||||||
Repayment of convertible note payable | — | (674,855 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock | — | 3,000,000 | ||||||
Investment in subsidiary by noncontrolling interest | 327,593 | — | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | — | 50,000 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 453,694 | 4,035,949 | ||||||
Effects of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents | 15,272 | (15,698 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (1,832,800 | ) | 2,862,266 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year | 2,879,165 | 16,899 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year | $ | 1,046,365 | $ | 2,879,165 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | ||||||||
Payment of note by issuance of convertible note payable | $ | — | $ | 50,000 | ||||
Note payable issued for acquisition of a business | $ | 320,000 | $ | — | ||||
Cashless exercise of warrants | $ | — | $ | 1,532,337 | ||||
Conversion of debt from related party | $ | — | $ | 790,347 | ||||
Common stock issued for make whole payments | $ | — | $ | 167,400 | ||||
Issuance of round up shares | $ | — | $ | 11 | ||||
Conversion of series F 9% convertible preferred stock to common stock | $ | — | $ | 8 | ||||
Conversion of series G 9% convertible preferred stock to common stock | $ | — | $ | 33 | ||||
Shares issued for acquisition of a business | $ | — | $ | 1,350,916 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements |
63 |
Generex Biotechnology Corporation
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
July 31, 2018 and 2017
Note 1 – Organization of Business and Going Concern:
Generex Biotechnology Corporation (“Generex” or the “Company”), was formed in the State of Delaware on September 4, 1997 and its year-end is July 31. It is engaged primarily in the research and development of drug delivery systems and the use of the Company’s proprietary technology for the administration of formulations of large molecule drugs to the oral (buccal) cavity using a hand-held aerosol applicator; and through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. (“Antigen”), has undertaken work on immunomedicines incorporating proprietary vaccine formulations.
On January 18, 2017, the Company closed an Acquisition Agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired a 51% interest in Hema Diagnostic Systems, LLC (“HDS”), a Florida limited liability company established in December 2000 to market and distribute rapid test devices including infectious diseases. Since 2002, HDS has been developing an expanding line of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) including such diseases as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – 1/2, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, syphilis, typhoid and dengue as well as other infectious diseases.
On August 24, 2017, the Company and Core Tech Solutions, Inc. (“Core Tech”) entered into a letter of intent (“LOI”) contemplating Company’s acquisition of a controlling interest of the outstanding capital stock of Core Tech. This LOI was terminated on December 18, 2017.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with US GAAP, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The Company has experienced negative cash flows from operations since inception and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $410 and $446 million and a working capital deficiency of approximately $24 million and $21 million at July 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company has funded its activities to date almost exclusively from debt and equity financings.
The Company will continue to require substantial funds to implement its new investment acquisition plans. Management’s plans in order to meet its operating cash flow requirements include financing activities such as private placements of its common stock, preferred stock offerings, and issuances of debt and convertible debt instruments. Management is also actively pursuing financial and strategic alternatives, including strategic investments and divestitures, industry collaboration activities and strategic partners.
It is management’s opinion that these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from the balance sheet date. There are no assurances that such additional funding will be achieved and that the Company will succeed in its future operations. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company’s inability to obtain required funding in the near future or its inability to obtain funding on favorable terms will have a material adverse effect on its operations and strategic development plan for future growth. If the Company cannot successfully raise additional capital and implement its strategic development plan, its liquidity, financial condition and business prospects will be materially and adversely affected, and the Company may have to cease operations.
64 |
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The subsidiaries included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are: Generex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Generex (Bermuda), Inc.; Antigen Express, Inc.; 1097346 Ontario, Inc.; Hema Diagnostics Systems, LLC (51%); Hema Diagnostics Systems Panama S.A.; Rapid Medical Diagnostics Corporation; NuGenerex Distribution Solutions, LLC; Grainland Pharmacy Inc.; Empire State Pharmacy Inc; NuGenerex Medical Marketing.
Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Acquisition cost is measured as the aggregate of the fair value at the date of acquisition of the assets given, equity instruments issued or liabilities incurred or assumed. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred (except for those costs arising on the issue of equity instruments which are recognized directly in equity). Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at fair value on the acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the acquisition cost and the amount of any non-controlling interest, over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. The Company periodically evaluates its inventory for any obsolete or slow moving items based on production lot number and advances in production design or technology. Any inventory determined to be obsolete or slow moving inventory is written down to its net realizable value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to seven years as discussed in Note 3. Gains and losses on depreciable assets retired or sold are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the year of disposal. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred.
Patents
Capitalized patent costs represent legal costs incurred to establish patents and a portion of the acquisition price paid attributed to patents upon the acquisition of Antigen in August 2003 and the acquisition of HDS in January 2017. When patents reach a mature stage, any associated legal costs are comprised mostly of maintenance fees and costs of national applications and are expensed as incurred. Capitalized patent costs are amortized on a straight line basis over the remaining life of the patent. As patents are abandoned, the net book value of the patent is written off.
Revenue Recognition
On November 29, 2017, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. (“Antigen”), entered into a License and Research Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Shenzhen BioScien Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., (“Shenzhen”). Under the License Agreement, Antigen granted Shenzhen an exclusive license (the “License”) to use Antigen’s patents, know-how, data and other intellectual property relating to Antigen’s AE37 peptide to develop and sell products for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau).
In exchange for the License, Shenzhen has agreed, inter alia, to the following financial consideration:
• | a $700,000 non-refundable initial payment; |
• | milestone payments of $1,000,000 each upon completion of Phase II and Phase III studies; |
• | a milestone payment of $2,000,000 upon regulatory approval of a product covered by the License; and |
• | a 10% royalty on net sales, provided the patents are in force and there are no approved generic equivalents. |
Shenzhen, generally, will be responsible for conducting clinical trials, securing Chinese regulatory approvals, and marketing in China for all products developed under the Agreement. ASC 605 requires that four basic criteria are met (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery of products and services has occurred, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
65 |
Intangible Assets
The costs of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), related to the Company’s business combination with HDS, were recorded at fair value on the acquisition date. IPR&D intangible assets are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets until completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. IPR&D is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate the carrying value may be impaired. The Company also acquired licenses to operate pharmacies which were recorded at cost. They are evaluated annually for possible impairment. Management determined that as of July 31, 2018, the IPR&D and licenses are not impaired.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles
The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets under FASB ASC Topic 360 whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company recognizes an impairment loss only if its carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposal of the asset.
Derivative Warrant Liability
The Company’s derivative warrant instruments are measured at fair value using the binomial valuation model which takes into account, as of the valuation date, factors including the current exercise price, the expected life of the warrant, the current price of the underlying stock and its expected volatility, expected dividends on the stock and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the warrant. The liability is revalued at each reporting period and changes in fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss under the caption “Change in fair value of derivative liabilities.”
Research and Development Costs
Expenditures for research and development are expensed as incurred and include, among other costs, those related to the production of experimental drugs, including payroll costs, and amounts incurred for conducting clinical trials. Amounts expected to be received from governments under research and development tax credit arrangements are offset against current research and development expense.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method prescribed by FASB ASC Topic 740. These standards require a company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based upon the technical merits of the position. If the more likely than not threshold is met, a company must measure the tax position to determine the amount to recognize in the financial statements. Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax rates expected to be in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. At July 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a full valuation allowance equal to the amount of the net deferred tax asset.
The Company adopted the FASB guidance concerning accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, which clarifies the accounting and disclosure for uncertainty in tax positions, as of August 1, 2007. The guidance requires that the Company determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. If a tax position does not meet the more likely than not recognition criterion, the guidance requires that the tax position be measured at the largest amount of benefit greater than 50 percent not likely of being sustained upon ultimate settlement. Based on the Company’s evaluation, management has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the consolidated financial statements.