AXIM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

U.S.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

or

☐      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 000-54296

6191 Cornerstone Court, E. Suite 114 San Diego, CA92121

(Address of principal executive offices) 

(858) 923-4422

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 

__________________________________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 after the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ☐      No ☐

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 227,649,403 of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding as of May 22, 2023.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AXIM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

AXIM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

AXIM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

NOTE 1: ORGANIZATION

The Company was originally incorporated in Nevada on November 18, 2010, as Axim International Inc. On July 24, 2014, the Company changed its name to AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. to better reflect its business operations. The Company’s principal executive office is located at 6191 Cornerstone Court E suite 114 San Diego Ca 92121. On August 7, 2014, the Company formed a wholly owned Nevada subsidiary named Axim Holdings, Inc. This subsidiary will be used to help facilitate the anticipated activities planned by the Company. On May 11, 2015 the Company acquired a 100% interest in CanChew License Company a Nevada incorporated licensing Company, through the exchange of 5,826,706 shares of its common stock. In October 2017 the company formed a wholly owned subsidiary in the Netherlands for purposes of holding pharmaceutical licenses as required by the Netherlands regulations and laws. On October 16, 2018, the Company formed a wholly owned disregarded entity Marina Street, LLC as part of improvement of internal control over cash management and bank activities.

On March 17, 2020, the Company acquired Sapphire Biotech, Inc., (“Sapphire’) which is research and Development Company that has a mission to improve global cancer care through the development of proprietary therapeutics for inhibiting cancer growth and metastasis. Sapphire is also developing a line of novel diagnostics for early cancer detection, response to treatment, and recurrence monitoring. Additionally, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company decided to begin creating COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tools, including multiple first-in-class COVID-19 neutralizing antibody tests and other innovations.

Sapphire’s operations are located in the Greater San Diego Area.

COVID-19 impact and related risks

The ongoing global outbreak of COVID-19, and the various attempts throughout the world to contain it, have created significant volatility, uncertainty and disruption. In response to government directives and guidelines, health care advisories and employee and other concerns, A number of the Company’s employees have had to work remotely from home and those on site have had to follow the Company’s social distance guidelines, which could impact their productivity. COVID-19 could also disrupt the Company’s operations due to absenteeism by infected or ill members of management or other employees, or absenteeism by members of management and other employees who cannot effectively work remotely but who elect not to come to work due to the illness affecting others in the Company’s office or laboratory facilities, or due to quarantines.

Because of COVID-19, travel, visits, and in-person meetings related to The Company’s business have been severely curtailed or canceled and the Company has instead used on-line or virtual meetings to meet with potential customers and others.

In addition to operational adjustments, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to uncertainties related to The Company’s business growth and ability to forecast the demand for its diagnostic testing and resulting revenues.

The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it might impact The Company’s business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that are not subject to accurate prediction and that are beyond The Company’s control.

Changes to the Company’s Board of Directors

On January 4, 2022, Mauricio Gatto Bellora tendered his resignation as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, and the Company on that date accepted his resignation. Mr. Bellora’s decision to resign was not the result of any disagreement with the Company.

On January 6, 2022, the record holder of 500,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock, representing 100% of the 500,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, which shares are entitled to cast a vote for election of up to four Series C Directors, whether by shareholder meeting (annual or special) or by written consent, acting pursuant to Section 78.320 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and Article III, Section 3 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, consented by written consent in lieu of a meeting appointing Blake N. Schroeder to fill the director seat vacated by the resignation of Mauricio Javier Gatto Bellora.

Mr. Blake N. Schroeder, 42, began his career with a commercial litigation law firm in Salt Lake City, Utah. Beginning in 2008, Schroeder focused on the sale and marketing of natural products and opening international marketplaces to those products. From 2008 to 2014 Mr. Schroeder served in various capacities at MonaVie, LLC developing international business plans and growing international businesses. From August 2014 to February 2016, Mr. Schroeder served as the Chief Operating Officer of For evergreen International, where he was responsible for global operation and sales of the multinational organization, including oversight of a global supply chain. From 2021 to the present, Mr. Schroeder has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Medical Marijuana, Inc. From 2016 to the present, Mr. Schroeder serves as the chief executive officer of Kannaway USA, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medical Marijuana, Inc. Medical Marijuana, Inc. is one of the Company’s largest shareholders holding approximately 16.4% of the Company’s common stock, as of January 10, 2022. Mr. Schroeder holds a B.S. in Finance from Utah State University and a law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.

Changes in the Business

On March 7, 2022, the Company announced that is has shifted its focus for its rapid COVID-19 Neutralizing Antibody (“Nab”)(NAb) Test to become For Research Use Only (“RUO”). The test will provide researchers an important tool for COVID-19 research and is not intended for use in diagnostic procedures. The Company has also entered a separation agreement with Empowered Diagnostics, LLC following the FDA recall of Empowered’s products, including the NabNAb test.

NOTE 2: ACQUISITION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF ADVANCED TEAR DIAGNOSTIC, LLC.

AXIM entered into two substantially contemporaneous transactions to acquire patents and 510(K) Licenses from Advanced Tear Diagnostics, LLC (the “Seller”) (collectively, the “Asset Acquisition”) for a total amount of $4,520,000.

The first transaction occurred on July 29, 2021, in which AXIM purchased five patents (the “Patents”) from the Seller for $250,000 (which includes assuming and paying $30,000 of the Seller’s liabilities). The bulk of the purchase price ($210,000) was in a note that requires seven equal monthly payments of $30,000, which payment started on September 3, 2021.

The second transaction occurred on August 26, 2021, in which AXIM purchased certain eye disease diagnostic technology, which consisted of a 510(K) license for Lactoferrin, a biomarker for dry eye disease and a 510(K) license for IgE, a biomarker for allergic ocular reaction (collectively, the “510(K) Licenses”). The purchase price for the 510(K) Licenses was $4,270,000, which price was paid by issuing to the Seller 7 million shares of AXIM restricted common stock.

Together, the Patents and the 510(K) Licenses constitute the acquired technology asset (the “Technology Asset”), which for accounting purposes, are considered one unit of account. We are amortizing the Technology Asset ratably over the 11.54 average remaining life of the Patents.

In accordance with FASB’s requirements for accounting for business combinations (FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 805, Business Combinations (“Topic 805”)), since all of the value of this acquisition resides in one asset, the Technology Asset, we have accounted for this transaction as the acquisition of an asset. The seller had not been able to commercialize or complete development of the Technology Asset prior to the asset acquisition and AXIM has established an Ophthalmology Division to commercialize and market the diagnostic technology. In an asset acquisition, the total purchase price of the transaction, including transaction expenses, is allocated to the assets acquired based on the fair value of the assets acquired. In our acquisition of the Technology Asset, the total amount of the purchase price was allocated to the Technology Asset.

NOTE 3: BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The interim unaudited condensed financial statements included herein reflect all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications and non-recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are ordinary and necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures required under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s management believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

The condensed balance sheet information as of December 31, 2022 was derived from the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (“2022 Annual Report”), filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on April 17, 2023. These interim unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2022 Annual Report. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year or for any other period.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Axim Biotechnologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Axim Holdings, Inc., Marina Street LLC, Axim Biotechnologies (the Netherland Company) and Sapphire Biotech, Inc. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

NOTE 4: GOING CONCERN

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As shown in the consolidated financial statements, the Company has negative working capital of $4,806,775 and has an accumulated deficit of $66,887,804, has cash used in operating activities of continuing operations $141,959. The Company extinguished its old debt and entered in debt exchange agreement. On April 16, 2018, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement and sold 1,945,000 shares of our common stock registered under the Registration Statement on Form S-3 declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 14, 2017. On March 11, 2019 the company issued shares in accordance with an SPA dated August 1, 2018 which the amount reduced due to shareholder by $400,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company raised additional capital of $175,000 through its S-1. This capital provides funds for research, development, and ongoing operations. The Company intends to raise substantial additional capital through private placements of debt and equity securities, but there can be no assurance that these funds will be available on terms acceptable to the Company or will be sufficient to enable the Company to fully complete its development activities or sustain operations. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds, it will have to develop and implement a plan to further extend payables, reduce overhead, or scale back its current business plan until sufficient additional capital is raised to support further operations. There can be no assurance that such a plan will be successful. That will raise a doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in operation.

NOTE 5: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates are assumptions about collection of useful life of intangible assets and assumptions used in Black-Scholes-Merton, or BSM, valuation methods, such as expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend rate.

Operating lease

We lease property under various operating leases which are disclosed on our Balance sheet in accordance with ASC 842.

Risks and uncertainties

The Company operates in a dynamic and highly competitive industry and is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry, including, but not limited to, development by competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, contract manufacturer and contract research organizations, compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing to fund operations. Product candidates currently under development will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials and regulatory approval, prior to commercialization. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel infrastructure and extensive compliance and reporting. The Company believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position, results of operations, or cash flows; ability to obtain future financing; advances and trends in new technologies and industry standards; results of clinical trials; regulatory approval and market acceptance of the Company’s products; development of sales channels; certain strategic relationships; litigation or claims against the Company based on intellectual property, patent, product, regulatory, or other factors; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its growth.

Products developed by the Company require approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or other international regulatory agencies prior to commercial sales. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development will be successfully completed, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained or maintained, that the products will receive the necessary approvals, or that any approved products will be commercially viable. If the Company was denied approval, approval was delayed or the Company was unable to maintain approval, it could have a materially adverse impact on the Company. Even if the Company’s product development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In addition, the Company is dependent upon the services of its employees, consultants and other third parties.

Beginning in late 2019, the outbreak of a novel strain of virus named SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), or coronavirus, which causes coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has evolved into a global pandemic. The extent of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Company’s business will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and the extent and severity of the impact on the Company’s clinical trial activities, research activities and suppliers, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. At this point, the extent to which the coronavirus outbreak may materially impact the Company’s financial condition, liquidity or results of operations is uncertain. The Company has expended and will continue to expend substantial funds to complete the research, development and clinical testing of product candidates. The Company also will be required to expend additional funds to establish commercial-scale manufacturing arrangements and to provide for the marketing and distribution of products that receive regulatory approval. The Company may require additional funds to commercialize its products. The Company is unable to entirely fund these efforts with its current financial resources. If adequate funds are unavailable on a timely basis from operations or additional sources of financing, the Company may have to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of its research or development programs which would materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and operations.

There have been no material changes in the accounting policies from those disclosed in the financial statements and the related notes included in the Form 10-K.

Cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had no cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company had no uninsured balances at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances.

Accounts Receivable

It is the Company’s policy to review accounts receivable at least on a monthly basis for conductibility and follow up with customers accordingly. Covid19 has slowed collection as our customers are in a mandated pause. We do not have geographic concentration of customers.

Concentrations

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no accounts receivable. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 one customer accounted for 100% of total revenue. There was no revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2022.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using straight-line method over the estimated useful life. New assets and expenditures that extend the useful life of property or equipment are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. The Company’s property and equipment consisted of the following at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Depreciation expense was $8,143 and $7,916 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination. We conduct an impairment analysis for goodwill annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist or if a decision is made to sell or exit a business. Significant judgments are involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include deterioration in general economic conditions, negative developments in equity and credit markets, adverse changes in the markets in which an entity operates, increases in input costs that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows, or a trend of negative or declining cash flows over multiple periods, among others. The fair value that could be realized in an actual transaction may differ from that used to evaluate the impairment of goodwill.

We first may assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test included in U.S. GAAP. To the extent our assessment identifies adverse conditions, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment, goodwill is tested using a quantitative impairment test.

Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

For indefinite-lived intangible assets such as in-process research and development (IPRD), we conduct an impairment analysis annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of each of the in-process research and development assets exceeds its fair value. The qualitative assessment requires the consideration of factors such as recent market transactions, macroeconomic conditions, and changes in projected future cash flows. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount of the in-process research and development assets, a quantitative assessment is performed. The quantitative assessment compares the fair value of the in-process research and development assets to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess.

We elected to perform a quantitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets and determined that the fair value of the goodwill and IPRD related to the Sapphire acquisition was less than its carrying amount and that in-process research and development were fully impaired.

The Company’s intangible assets relating to continuing operations consisted of the following at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years ending December 31 is as follows:

Amortization expense recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $98,612 and $98,612; respectively.

Revenue Recognition

The Company follows the guidance contained in Topic 606 (FASB ASC 606). The core principle of Topic 606 (FASB ASC 606) is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods of services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The revenue recognition guidance contained in Topic 606, to follow the five-step revenue recognition model along with other guidance impacted by this standard: (1) identify the contract with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transportation price; (4) allocate the transportation price; (5) recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. All revenue was from operations that were divested.

Revenues are recognized when title for goods is transferred; non-refundable fees and proceeds from irrevocable agreements recognized when inflows or other enhancements of assets of the Company are received.

Revenues from continuing operations recognized for three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $0 and $0, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies the guidance that is codified under ASC 820-10 related to assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

The Company’s financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, and long-term debt. The recorded values of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate their fair values based on their short-term nature. The recorded values of notes payable and long-term debt approximate their fair values, as interest approximates market rates.

ASC 820-10 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based on the highest and best use of the asset or liability. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC 820-10 requires valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:

All items required to be recorded or measured on a recurring basis are based upon Level 3 inputs.

To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is disclosed and is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company recognizes its derivative liabilities as Level 3 and values its derivatives using the methods discussed below. While the Company believes that its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, it recognizes that the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The primary assumptions that would significantly affect the fair values using the methods discussed are that of volatility and market price of the underlying common stock of the Company.

Items recorded or measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements consisted of the following items as of March 31, 2023.

December 31, 2022

Convertible Instruments

The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in its convertible instruments in accordance with professional standards for “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

Professional standards generally provide three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instruments are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument. Professional standards also provide an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional as defined under professional standards as “The Meaning of “Conventional Convertible Debt Instrument.”

The Company accounts for convertible instruments (when it has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments) in accordance with professional standards when “Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features,” as those professional standards pertain to “Certain Convertible Instruments.” Accordingly, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. Debt discounts under these arrangements are amortized over the term of the related debt to their earliest date of redemption. The Company also records when necessary deemed dividends for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in preferred shares based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note.

ASC 815-40 provides that, among other things, generally, if an event is not within the entity’s control could or require net cash settlement, then the contract shall be classified as an asset or a liability.

Income Taxes

The Company follows Section 740-10, Income tax (“ASC 740-10”) Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the Statements of Operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that the Company believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including reversals of any existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and the results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize a deferred tax asset in the future in excess of any recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company adopted section 740-10-25 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Section 740-10-25”). Section 740-10-25 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under Section 740-10-25, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent (50%) likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Section 740-10-25 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. The Company had no liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits according to the provisions of Section 740-10-25.

No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively. The Company is not aware of any uncertain tax positions that could result in significant additional payments, accruals, or other material deviation for the Three Months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “Cares Act”) was enacted. The CARES Act included loans and grants to certain businesses, and temporary amendments to the Internal Revenue Code which changed net loss carryforward and back provisions and the business interest expenses limitation. Under the CARES Act provisions, the most relevant income tax considerations to Oncocyte relate to the amounts received under the Paycheck Protection Program loan program and the possible forgiveness of those loans by the SBA.

On December 21, 2020, the U.S. president has signed into law the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” which includes further COVID-19 economic relief and extension of certain expiring tax provisions. The relief package includes a tax provision clarifying that businesses with forgiven PPP loans can deduct regular business expenses that are paid for with the loan proceeds for federal tax purposes. Additional pandemic relief tax measures include an expansion of the employee retention credit, enhanced charitable contribution deductions, and a temporary full deduction for business expenses for food and beverages provided by a restaurant.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company had $0 and $0 allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and had $0 accounts receivable at March 31, 2023 and $0 at December 31, 2022.

Net Loss per Common Share

Net loss per common share is computed pursuant to section 260-10-45 Earnings Per Share (“ASC 260-10”) of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the member potentially outstanding during each period. In periods when a net loss is experienced, only basic net loss per share is calculated because to do otherwise would be anti-dilutive.

There were common share equivalents 185,766,420 at March 31, 2023 and 47,298,693 at December 31, 2022. For the period ended March 31, 2023 these potential shares were excluded from the shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would reduce net loss per share. If necessary, the company would increase authorized shares to honor conversion agreements. The company recognized a derivative short share expense for the quarter ending March 31, 2023 in the amount of 2,033,074 as a result of authorized shares being insufficient to redeem convertible securities and notes.  This will be corrected in Quarter ending June 30, 2023.  See subsequent events.

Stock Based Compensation

All stock-based payments to employees and to nonemployee directors for their services as directors, including any grants of restricted stock and stock options, are measured at fair value on the grant date and recognized in the statements of operations as compensation or other expense over the relevant service period. Stock-based payments to nonemployees are recognized as an expense over the period of performance. Such payments are measured at fair value at the earlier of the date a performance commitment is reached, or the date performance is completed. In addition, for awards that vest immediately and are non-forfeitable the measurement date is the date the award is issued. The Company accounts for stock options issued to non-employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payment to Non-employees. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options granted to non-employees is recognized as the stock options vest. The Company believes that the fair value of the stock options is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the services received. Stock options granted to non-employees are recorded at their fair value on the measurement date and are subject to periodic adjustments as such options vest and at the end of each reporting period, and the resulting change in value, if any, is recognized in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the period the related services are rendered.

Research and Development

Material Equity Instruments

The Company evaluates stock options, stock warrants and other contracts (convertible promissory note payable) to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivative financial instruments to be separately accounted for under the relevant sections of ASC 815-40, Derivative Instruments and Hedging: Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815”). The result of this accounting treatment could be that the fair value of a financial instrument is classified as a derivative financial instrument and is marked-to-market at each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income or other expense. Upon conversion or exercise of a derivative financial instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the conversion date and then that fair value is reclassified to equity. Financial instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC 815 are reclassified to a liability account at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

Certain of the Company’s embedded conversion features on debt and outstanding warrants are treated as derivative liabilities for accounting purposes under ASC 815-40 due to insufficient authorized shares to settle these outstanding contracts. Pursuant to SEC staff guidance that permits a sequencing approach based on the use of ASC 840-15-25 which provides guidance for contracts that permit partial net share settlement. The sequencing approach may be applied in one of two ways: contracts may be evaluated based on (1)earliest issuance date or (2) latest maturity date. In the case of insufficient authorized share capital available to fully settle outstanding contracts, the Company utilizes the earliest maturity date sequencing method to reclassify outstanding contracts as derivative instruments. These contracts are recognized currently in earnings until such time as the convertible notes or warrants are exercised, expire, the related rights have been waived and/or the authorized share capital has been amended to accommodate settlement of these contracts. These instruments do not trade in an active securities market.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Implemented Since December 31, 2022

ASC Update 2021-04

Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).

The amendments in this Update affect all entities that issue freestanding written call options that are classified in equity. Specifically, the amendments affect those entities when a freestanding equity-classified written call option is modified or exchanged and remains equity classified after the modification or exchange. The amendments that relate to the recognition and measurement of EPS for certain modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options affect entities that present EPS in accordance with the guidance in Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. The amendments in this Update do not apply to modifications or exchanges of financial instruments that are within the scope of another Topic. That is, accounting for those instruments continues to be subject to the requirements in other Topics. The amendments in this Update do not affect a holder’s accounting for freestanding call options.

ASC Update No. 2020-10

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2020-10, Codification Improvements. Update No. 2020-10 amends a wide variety of Topics in the Codification in order to improve the consistency of the Codification and the application thereof, while leaving Generally Accepted Accounting Principles unchanged.

ASC Update No. 2020-06

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The amendments in Update No. 2020-06 simplify the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. More specifically, the amendments focus on the guidance for convertible instruments and derivative scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 6: PREPAID EXPENSES

Prepaid expenses consist of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively:

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company recognized amortization of prepaid expense and prepaid insurance of $42,858 and $93,828 respectively.

NOTE 7: PROMISSORY NOTE

On December 31, 2019, Sapphire Biotech, Inc. had entered into a Debt Exchange Agreement whereas the Company assumed three (3) loans totaling $128,375 of Debt owned by Sapphire Diagnostics, LLC which had an interest rate of 6% per annum. In the same Debt Exchange Agreement, the Company assumed four (4) additional loans made to Sapphire in 2019, which had an interest rate of 6% per annum. All seven (7) loans totaling $310,000, plus the aggregate interest accrued thereon of $14,218 making the face value of the new note $324,218. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively, the principal and accrued interest balances were $368,041 and $363,178 respectively.

On July 29, 2021, the Company recorded a $210,000 note payable in conjunction with the acquisition of patents from Advanced Tear Diagnostics LLC. The note balance as of December 31, 2022 is $90,000 with accrued interest of $1,515. The note was paid off February 2022 and has a zero balance as of March 31, 2023.

NOTE 8: OTHER COMMITMENTS

None 

NOTE 9: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related Party

The Company has an employment agreement with Catalina Valencia at a rate of $15,000 per month commencing March 17, 2020. The agreement can be terminated with 30 days’ notice by either party.

The company has a consulting agreement with Glycodots LLC whereby it will provide the services of Dr. Sergei A. Svarovsky at a rate of $15,000 per month commencing March 17, 2020. The agreement can be terminated with 30 days’ notice by either party.

Purchase of Promissory Note and Forbearance Agreement

Effective May 4, 2020, the Company acquired from TL-66, a California limited liability company (“Seller”), a promissory note issued to Seller by Dr. Anastassov (“Maker”) dated December 1, 2017, with a face value of $350,000 and a remaining balance due of approximately $100,000 (the “Note”). The purchase price for the Note was $100,000 payable by the Company issuing Seller One Million (1,000,000) restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Effective May 6, 2020, the Company and Maker entered into a Forbearance Agreement whereby the Company agreed to forbear from making any collection efforts on the Note for a period of 24 months so long as Maker has not breached the Separation Agreement. Following 24 months, if there has been no breach of the Separation Agreement by Maker, repayment of the Note, including all principal and unpaid interest, will be waived in full. As of May, 4, 2020 the carrying value of the note receivable was $102,567, the value of the common stock to be issued was $135,000, resulting in a loss of $32,433 accounted as loss on debt extinguishment. The balance of the Note Receivable as of March 31 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is $0 and $0 excluding interest accrued thereon of $0 and $0, respectively. The note was forgiven in May, 2022.

NOTE 10: DUE TO FIRST INSURANCE FUNDING

On June 25, 2022, the Company renewed its D&O insurance policy with total premiums, taxes and fees for $87,762. A cash down payment of $8,776 was paid on July 6, 2022. Under the terms of the insurance financing, payments of $8,957, which include interest at the rate of 4.92% per annum, are due each month for nine months commencing on July 25, 2022.

The total outstanding due to First Insurance Funding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is $-0- and $26,781, respectively.

The policy was canceled for non-payment of premium in April 2023.

NOTE 11: CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE

The following table summarizes convertible note payable of related party as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively:

On January 23, 2023, Creditor agreed to waive and forfeit all interest accrued on the MMI Note through December 31, 2022, in the aggregate amount of $261,537, and to waive all prior defaults on the MMI Note through the Effective Date. Interest shall accrue on the MMI Note at the original rate of 3.5% per annum through June 30, 2023, and be payable on that date. Thereafter interest will be payable on a monthly basis beginning on August 1, 2023. In addition, the Conversion Price for the MMI Note is hereby reduced from $0.25 to $0.075. This Agreement serves to modify and amend the MMI Note as set forth herein, in all other respects the terms of the MMI Note remain in full force and effect. The Company determined that the debt modification including conversion feature added resulted in a debt extinguishment due to the change in the fair values exceeding 10% of the debt carrying value. As a result of the debt modification the company recorded a gain on Extinguishment of debt in the amount of $261,537.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, interest expense was $35,000 and $35,000, respectively.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the balance of secured convertible note was $4,035,000 and $4,261,537 which included $35,000 and $261,537 accrued interest, respectively.

The following table summarizes convertible note payable as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively:

(1) On September 16, 2016, we entered into a convertible note purchase agreement (the “Convertible Note Purchase Agreement” or “Agreement”) with a third-party investor. Under the terms of the Convertible Note Purchase Agreement the investor may acquire up to $5,000,000 of convertible notes from the Company. With various closings, under terms acceptable to the Company and the investor as of the time of each closing. Pursuant to the Agreement, on September 16, 2016 the investor provided the Company with $850,000 secured convertible note financing pursuant to four (4) Secured Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Notes”). Each of the Notes matures on October 1, 2029, and pay 3.5% compounded interest paid bi-annually. The Note are secured by the assets of the Company, may not be pre-paid without the consent of the holder, and are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company common stock at a conversion price equal to $0.2201 per share.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively, the balance of secured convertible notes was $488,811 and $590,945, which included $4,333 and $106,467 accrued interest, respectively. See below for debt modification treatment.

(2) On October 20, 2016, a third-party investor provided the Company with $1,000,000 secured convertible note financing pursuant to three (3) Secured Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Notes”). Each of the Notes mature on October 1, 2029 and pay 3.5% compounded interest paid bi-annually. The Notes are secured by the assets of the Company, may not be pre-paid without the consent of the holder, and are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion price equal of $0.2201 per share. The investor paid cash of $500,000 for one of the Notes and issued to the Company two (2) secured promissory notes of $250,000 each for two (2) Convertible Notes of $250,000 each. The two secured promissory notes issued by the investor (totaling $500,000) as payment for two (2) secured Notes totaling $500,000 mature on February 1, 2017 ($250,000) and March 1, 2017 ($250,000), bear interest at the rate of 1% per annum, are full recourse and additionally secured by 10,486,303 shares of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (Pink Sheets symbol: MJNA) and were valued at $858,828 based upon the closing price of MJNA on October 20, 2016. A debt discount was recorded related to beneficial conversion feature inn connection with this convertible note of $499,318, related to the beneficial conversion feature of the note to be amortized over the life of the note or until the note is converted or repaid. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively, this note has not been converted and the balance of secured convertible notes was $504,472 and $610,104, which included $4,472 and $110,104 accrued interest, respectively. See below for debt extinguishment treatment.

(1) & (2) On January 23, 2023, Creditor agreed to waive and forfeit all interest accrued on the Secured Notes through December 31, 2022, in the aggregate amount of $216,572. All prior defaults on the Secured Notes are hereby waived through the Effective Date, and the next interest payments due on each of the Secured Notes is extended from April 1, 2023, to July 1, 2023. In addition, the Conversion Price for each of the Secured Notes is hereby reduced from $0.2201 to $0.04. The Agreement served to modify and amend each of the Secured Notes as set forth above, in all other respects the terms of the Secured Notes remained in full force and effect. The Company determined that the debt modification including conversion feature added resulted in a debt extinguishment due to the change in the fair values exceeding 10% of the debt carrying value.

The Renegotiation of the above TL-66 notes was deemed to be a debt extinguishment resulting in Amortization of the remaining debt discount of $381,760 and recognition of the Beneficial conversion feature upon modification of $209,522.  And a gain on conversion of $35,537 calculated by comparing fair value of new note to old note including accrued interest.  

On June 7, 2021 the Company converted $500,000 of the Convertible Note with TL-66-LLC along with the accrued interest of $82,707 into 2,647,464 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.2201 per share which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1,535,264.

(3) On December 31, 2019, Sapphire Biotech, Inc. entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement whereas the Company issued a convertible note with a face value of $190,000 with a compounding interest rate of 3% per annum, the interest shall be payable annually beginning on December 31, 2020 until the maturity date of December 31, 2034, at which time all principal and interest accrued thereon shall be due and payable. The Convertible Note is secured by substantially all the Company’s tangible and intangible assets. In addition, the Convertible Note includes various non-financial covenants including the Company may not enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding of any kind that would result in a transaction, or series of transactions, that would result in the sale of 50% or more of the Company’s capital stock without the prior approval of the holder.

Upon issuance, the Convertible Note was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.90 per share. At December 31, 2019, the Company determined that the Convertible Note contained a beneficial conversion feature for which a full discount was recorded on the Convertible Note. The fair market value of the Company’s common stock was based upon the estimated per share acquisition price per the pending acquisition of the Company. The discount of $190,000 will be amortized using the effective interest method and will be fully amortized by December 31, 2034.

On March 17, 2020, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (“Agreement”) with Sapphire Biotech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Sapphire”) and all of the Sapphire stockholders (collectively, the “Sapphire Stockholders”). Following the closing of the transaction, Sapphire will become a wholly owned subsidiary of AXIM. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company intends to assume the convertible notes in the principal amounts of $190,000. After the acquisition, the Convertible Note was able to convert 6,000,000 shares of Axim’s common stock. Upon assumption of the note, the Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature of $190,000. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the balance of secured convertible note was $190,497 and $207,116, which included $497 and $17,116 accrued interest, respectively.

On January 27, 2023, Creditor agreed to waive and forfeit all interest accrued on the Sapphire Note through December 31, 2022, in the aggregate amount of $17,115 and to waive all prior defaults on the Sapphire Note through the Effective Date. This was not deemed to be a debt extinguishment since the waiver of accrued interest was not deemed to produce a change in cash flow greater than 10%. The company recorded a gain on modification of $17,117 resulting from forgiveness of accrued interest.

(4) On January 27, 2022, Sapphire Bitotech entered into a debt exchange agreement (effective April 1 2022) whereas the company exchanged a convertible note with a balance of 367,931 including accrued interest for a new note charging interest at a rate of 3% per annum first interest payment due January 27, 2023 compounded monthly.  The maturity date is January 27, 2032.  Upon issuance was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock  at a conversion price of $0.10 per share. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the balance of secured convertible note was $370,697 and $378,193, which included $2,766 and $10,262 accrued interest, respectively. This was not deemed to be a debt extinguishment.

On January 23, 2023, Creditor agreed to waive and forfeit all interest accrued on the TL-66 Note through January 27, 2023, in the aggregate amount of $11,190, and to waive all prior defaults on the TL-66 Note through the Effective Date. This was not deemed to be a debt extinguishment since the waiver of accrued interest was not deemed to produce a change in cash flow greater than 10%. The company recorded a gain on modification of $11,190 resulting from forgiveness of accrued interest. 

Convertible Note payable – related party (officer)

As of December 31, 2022, the Company owed to the Executive, for employment in his capacity as CEO of AXIM, $512,500 of unpaid salary which is overdue and payable immediately. Executive and AXIM desired to enter into this Agreement in order resolve the Amount Due in a way that preserves the Company's working capital and incentivizes and retains Executive. Executive agreed to Issuance of Convertible Note as Partial Satisfaction of the Amount Due. $250,000 of the Amount Due will be paid by issuing to Executive a convertible note, face value $250,000 (the "Convertible Note")   Executive agreed that he shall waive/forfeit $50,000 of the Amount Due, leaving a remaining balance after such waiver of $212,500 ($512,500 minus $250,000 for the Convertible Note = $262,500 minus $50,000 waiver = $212,500), which shall not be payable at any time prior to July 1, 2023, and that Executive shall have no right prior to July 1, 2023 to seek payment of the remaining balance of the Amount Due. Executive further agrees that if in the reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors full payment of the remaining balance of the Amount Due on July 1, 2023 ($212,500) is too burdensome for the Company's working capital position at that time, then Executive will either grant an additional 3-month extension for the payment of the remaining Amount Due or engage in good faith discussions with the Board in order to enter into a payment plan for the remaining Amount Due, or a combination of both.

Payment of Principal and Interest. From the date of this Convertible Note (the “Note” or “Convertible Note”), interest shall be payable annually on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year and compounded on a yearly basis at a rate equal to Four Percent (4%) per annum (the “Interest Rate”).  beginning on January 23, 2024 until the maturity date of January 23, 2033, at which time all principal and interest accrued thereon shall be due and payable. Upon issuance, the Convertible Note was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.01 per share. At January 23, 2023, the modification date, the Company determined that the Convertible Note contained a beneficial conversion feature for which a full discount was recorded on the Convertible Note. The fair market value of the Company’s common stock was based upon the estimated per share acquisition price per the pending acquisition of the Company. The discount of $250,000 will be amortized using the effective interest method and will be fully amortized by January 23, 2033.  This is a new note accounted for by recording the note at face value and a debt discount of $250,000 which will be amortized over the life of the note. 

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 the Balance due on the note was $251,861 and $-0- including accrued interest of $1,861 and $-0- respectively.

(5) Convertible Notes

Effective February 10, 2022, the Company issued seven convertible notes to a series of investors having an aggregate face value of $1,325,000 in exchange for $1,325,000 in cash (the “Convertible Notes”). One of the Convertible Notes, face value $25,000, was purchased by Blake N. Schroeder who is a director of the Company.

Each of the Convertible Notes is (i) unsecured; (ii) bears interest at a rate of 3% per annum; (iii) matures on February 10, 2032; and (iv) is convertible, in whole or in part, at any time by the holder, into restricted shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price equal to the lesser of $0.08125 or 70% of the average of the two lowest closing prices of the Company’s common stock in the ten trading days preceding any particular conversion, provided, the holder is prohibited from converting the convertible note, or portion thereof, if such conversion would result in beneficial ownership by the holder and its affiliates of more than 4.999% of Company’s issued and outstanding common stock as of the date of the conversion. A debt discount was recorded related to beneficial conversion feature in connection with this convertible note of $1,325,000, which to be amortized over the life of the note or until the note is converted or repaid. During the year ended December 31, 2022, $175,000 of the note and accrued interest of $2,840 was retired and converted to 5,665,636 common shares valued at $349,535 and as a result recognized a loss on extinguishment of $111,807, including cancellation of balance debt discount of $167,571 and a gain due to cancellation of derivative liabilities as of date of settlement of $227,459  During the three months ended March 31, 2023, $350,000 of the note and accrued interest of $30,858 was retired and converted to 22,207,486 common shares valued at $688,432 and as a result of the debt modification the company recognized a loss on extinguishment of $626,414, including cancellation of balance debt discount of $318,840 and a loss on issuance of the shares of $307,574 and a gain due to cancellation of derivative liabilities as of date of settlement of $624,490. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, the principal and accrued interest balances were $806,834 and $1,180,492 respectively, which include accrued interest of $6,834 and $30,492, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively, the Company amortized the debt discount on all the notes of $35,172 and $35,591, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, unamortized debt discount was $1,307,185 and $1,895,035, respectively.

Debt Obligations - 2022

Effective February 10, 2022, The Company issued the following debt obligations in exchange for cash. A portion of the funds received by the Company were used to pay off the GS Capital Partners, LLC note, as discussed below.

Short Term Promissory Notes

Effective February 10, 2022, the Company issued two short term notes, each having a face amount of $250,000, in exchange for a total of $500,000 in cash (the “Short Term Promissory Notes”). The Short Term Promissory Notes bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per annum and were due and payable on or before March 10, 2022, unless demand for payment is made prior to such date. Both the notes were paid in full in February 2022.

NOTE 12: DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

Upon the issuance of certain convertible note payable having a variable conversion rate, the Company determined that the features associated with the embedded conversion option embedded in the debt, should be accounted for at fair value, as a derivative liability.

We have determined that certain convertible debt instruments outstanding as of the date of these financial statements include an exercise price “reset” adjustment that qualifies as derivative financial instruments under the provisions of ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in an Entity’s Own Stock (“ASC 815-40”). Certain of the convertible debentures have a variable exercise price, thus are convertible into an indeterminate number of shares for which we cannot determine if we have sufficient authorized shares to settle the transaction with. Accordingly, the embedded conversion option is a derivative liability and is marked to market through earnings at the end of each reporting period. Any change in fair value during the period recorded in earnings as “Other income (expense) - gain (loss) on change in derivative liabilities.”

On February 10, 2022 i.e. on the date of issuance of derivative instrument, the Company estimated the fair value of the embedded derivatives of $2,641,846 using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: (1) dividend yield of 0%, (2) expected volatility of 163.09%, (3) risk-free interest rate of 2.03%, and (4) expected life of 10 years. The value of notes $1,325,000 was debited to beneficial conversion feature and the balance $1,316,846 was recorded as non-cash interest expenses under interest expenses in statement of operation.

On March 31, 2023, the Company estimated the fair value of the embedded derivatives of $ using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: (1) dividend yield of 0%, (2) expected volatility of 158.74%, (3) risk-free interest rate of 3.88%, and (4) expected life of 9.116 years. The change of $98,640 was recorded as loss on change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2023: 

 Derivative liability- insufficient shares

Certain of the Company’s embedded conversion features on debt, convertible preferred stock and outstanding options & warrants are treated as derivative liabilities for accounting purposes under ASC 815-40 due to insufficient authorized shares to settle these outstanding contracts. Pursuant to SEC staff guidance that permits a sequencing approach based on the use of ASC 840-15-25 which provides guidance for contracts that permit partial net share settlement. The sequencing approach may be applied in one of two ways: contracts may be evaluated based on (1) earliest issuance date or (2) latest maturity date. In the case of insufficient authorized share capital available to fully settle outstanding contracts, the Company utilizes the earliest maturity date sequencing method to reclassify outstanding contracts as derivative instruments. These contracts are recognized currently in earnings until such time as the convertible notes or preferred stock or option or warrants are exercised, expire, the related rights have been waived and/or the authorized share capital has been amended to accommodate settlement of these contracts. These instruments do not trade in an active securities market.

On March 31, 2023, the Company estimated the fair value of the embedded derivatives of using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: (1) dividend yield of 0%, (2) expected volatility of 154.03%, (3) risk-free interest rate of 3.88%, and (4) expected life of 2.75-9.92 years. Because of numerous issue dates weighted average exercise price and life were used to value options.  Warrants were valued at the lowest exercise price because of numerous issue dates and lack of materiality of the calculation

The Company recorded $2,033,704 as derivative liability – insufficient shares as of March 31, 2023.

NOTE 13: STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

On May 29, 2015, the Company adopted its 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Under the Plan the Company may issue up to 10,000,000 S-8 shares to officers, employees, directors or consultants for services rendered to the Company or its affiliates or to incentivize such parties to continue to render services. S-8 shares are registered immediately upon the filing of the Plan and are unrestricted shares that are free-trading upon issuance. On May 20, 2021 the board consent increased the issue up to 20,000,000 shares. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively, there were 8,094,046 and 9,806,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan.

On August 2, 2021, Bijan Pedram the Senior Scientific of Sapphire Biotechnology was granted the options to purchase 0.1 million shares of Axim common stock under the plan at the purchase price of $0.67 per share. 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the one anniversary of the vesting commencement day and the balance of the option shares will be vested of thirty-six (36) successive equal monthly in the first anniversary of the vesting commencement day.

On August 17, 2021, Jeff Busby the Senior Vice president of Sales of Axim Biotechnology was granted the options to purchase 1 million of shares of Axim common stock under the plan at the purchase price of $0.60 per share. 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the one anniversary of the vesting commencement day, 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the two anniversaries of the vesting commencement day, 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the three anniversary of the vesting commencement day and 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the four anniversaries of the vesting commencement day.

On September 1, 2021, Laura M. Periman Medical advisory board member of Axim Biotechnology was granted the options to purchase 0.1 million of shares of Axim common stock under the plan at the purchase price of $0.64 per share. 50% of the Option shares will be vested upon the one anniversary of the vesting commencement day and 50% of the Option shares will be vested upon the two anniversaries of the vesting commencement day.

On September 4, 2021, Kelly K. Nichols Medical advisory Board member of Axim Biotechnology was granted the options to purchase 0.1 million of shares of Axim common stock under the plan at the purchase price of $0.62 per share. 50% of the Option shares will be vested upon the one anniversary of the vesting commencement day and 50% of the Option shares will be vested upon the two anniversaries of the vesting commencement day.

On September 8, 2021, Joseph Tauber the Ophthalmic Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Axim Biotechnology was granted the options to purchase 1 million of shares of Axim common stock under the plan at the purchase price of $0.622 per share. 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the one anniversary of the vesting commencement day, 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the two anniversaries of the vesting commencement day, 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the three anniversary of the vesting commencement day and 25% of the Option shares will be vested upon the four anniversaries of the vesting commencement day.

On August 22, 2022, 13,500,000 options were issued with a strike price of $0.052; 5,750,000 vesting immediately and the balance vesting between six months and a year from issuance.

On December 9, 2022, 900,000 options were issued with a strike price of $0.10; all of them vesting immediately.

The Company estimated the fair value of the Option value of $.04 using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: (1) dividend yield of 0%, (2) expected volatility of 227%, (3) risk-free interest rate of 3.03%, and (4) expected life of 9.9 years.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively the Company recorded compensation expense of $103,822 and $188,917 respectively.

NOTE 14: STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Of the 5,000,000 authorized preferred shares, 4,000,000 are undesignated “blank check” preferred stock. The Company may issue such preferred shares and designate the rights, privileges and preferences of such shares at the time of designation and issuance. As of March 31, 2023, and 2021 there are -0- and -0- shares of undesignated preferred shares issued and outstanding, respectively.

There are zero shares issued and outstanding of Series A and Series B Preferred stock as of March 31, 2023.

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock

On August 17, 2016 the Company designated up to 500,000 shares of a new Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (Series C Preferred Stock). The holders of the Series C Preferred are entitled to elect four members to the Company’s board of directors and are entitled to cast 100 votes per share on all other matters presented to the shareholders for a vote. Each share of Series C Convertible Preferred is convertible into one share of the Company’s common stock. The Series C Convertible Preferred designation contains a number of protective and restrictive covenants that restrict the Company from taking a number of actions without the prior approval of the holders of the Series C Preferred or the unanimous vote of all four Series C Directors. If at any time there are four Series C Directors, one such director must be independent as that term is defined in the Series C designation. Any challenge to the independence of a Series C Director is a right conferred only upon the holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and may only be made by the holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.

On August 18, 2016 the Company issued all 500,000 shares of its newly designated Series C Preferred Stock to MJNA Investment Holdings, LLC in exchange for cash of $65,000. As the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, MJNA Investment Holdings, LLC has designated Dr. Timothy R. Scott, John W. Huemoeller II, Robert Cunningham and Blake Schroeder as their four Series C Directors.

On February 20, 2019, MJNA Investment Holdings LLC (“Seller”) sold its 500,000 shares of AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc.’s, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) Series C Preferred Stock to Juniper & Ivy Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“Purchaser”) for a purchase price of $500,000 (the “Purchase Price”) pursuant to a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”). Payment of the Purchase Price was made as follows (i) a $65,000 payment made by check payable to Seller, which Purchaser borrowed from an unrelated third-party and which has no recourse against the Series C Preferred Stock or assets of Purchaser (the “Loan”), and (ii) the issuance by Purchaser to Seller of a promissory note, face value, $435,000, which has no recourse against the Series C Preferred Stock or assets of Purchaser (the “Note”). The Company’s Chief Executive Officer John W. Huemoeller II is the President of Purchaser. Mr. Huemoeller provided a personal guaranty for the Loan and the Note.

The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to elect four members to the Company’s Board of Directors and are entitled to cast 100 votes per share on all other matters presented to the shareholders for a vote. As a result of this transaction, a change in control has occurred.

Common Stock

The Company has authorized 300,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had 223,649,403 and 192,441,917 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

2023 Transactions:

One million shares were issued in satisfaction of Common stock to be issued.

Eight million shares were issued during the first quarter of 2023 pursuant to the Company’s S-1 in exchange for $175,000, $40,000 of which was received in April 2023.

2022 Transactions:          

During January 2022, the Company issued 519,247 shares for cash of gross proceeds of $75,000 pursuant to various stock purchase agreements. The cash was received in the fourth quarter 2021 and first quarter 2022. The Company also issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 519,247 shares of common stock at an average exercise price of $0.315 per share. The warrants are exercisable within a 3-year period from issuance.

In January 2022, the Company issued 7,000,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to its asset acquisition of Advanced Tear Diagnostics which was under common stock to be issued.

In January 2022, the Company issued 302,115 of its shares of common stock, valued at $100,000, in exchange for services which have been recorded as a prepaid expense.

On January 11, 2022, the company issued 282,759 shares of common stock upon the exercise of 500,000 options at an exercise price of $0.126 a share. This exercise was performed on a cashless basis.

In March 2022, the Company issued 624,290 of its shares of common stock pursuant to a stock purchase agreement for cash gross proceeds of $55,000.

In March 2022, the Company issued 173,390 shares of its common stock, valued at $32,944, in settlement of interest due to prepayment of a note.

In March 2022, the company issued 500,000 of its shares of common stock, valued at $79,500 in exchange for services related to the arrangement of meetings and conferences.

The Company also issued 10,750,000 shares of its common stock January thru June of 2022 for cash of $973,495 pursuant to an equity purchase agreement, dated on May 14, 2021, which shares were registered pursuant to that S-1 Registration Statement filed by the Company with the SEC on May 14, 2021, and declared effective by the SEC on June 22, 2021.

The Company issued 891,610 of its shares to settle the amounts owed to George Anastassov and Lekhram Changoer. The debt totaled $60,000 and the company recognized a loss on settlement of $4,196.

The Company issued 3,544,247 of its shares in settlement of claims made by individuals pursuant to various stock Purchase agreements. The company recognized a current period loss of $226,171 as a result of this settlement.

During the third quarter 2022 the company issued 2,227,638 shares pursuant to its S-1 for cash of $78,928.

On July 14, 2022, the Company entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement with Cross & Company, pursuant to which we have the right to “put,” or sell, up to $30,000,000 worth of shares of our common stock to Cross. As provided in the Equity Purchase Agreement, we may require Cross to purchase shares of our common stock from time to time by delivering a put notice to Cross specifying the total number of shares to be purchased (such number of shares multiplied by the purchase price described below, the “Investment Amount”); provided there must be a minimum of ten trading days between delivery of each put notice. We may determine the Investment Amount, provided that such amount may not be more than 300% of the average daily trading volume in dollar amount for our common stock during the five trading days preceding the date on which we deliver the applicable put notice, unless waived by Cross in its sole discretion. Additionally, such amount may not be lower than $10,000 or higher than $250,000. Cross will have no obligation to purchase shares under the Equity Line to the extent that such purchase would cause Cross to own more than 4.99% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

The Company also issued 8,000,000 shares of its common stock January thru December of 2022 for cash of $234,844 and a subscription receivable of $46,000 under an equity purchase agreement, dated on July 14, 2022, which shares were registered pursuant to that S-1 Registration Statement filed by the Company with the SEC on July 25, 2022, and declared effective by the SEC on August 4, 2022. The subscription amount of $46,000 was received subsequent to December 31 2022. This was shown as subscription receivable on the equity statement. The company received advance of $47,720 that will be offset against future puts.

Also during the third quarter of 2022 the company issued 13,861,004 shares pursuant to various stock purchase agreements for cash of $350,000.

The Company converted debt of $177,840 during 2022 including accrued interest of $2,840 in exchange for 5,665,636 shares of its stock valued at $349,535 and as a result recognized a loss on extinguishment of $111,807, including cancellation of balance debt discount of $167,571 and a gain due to cancellation of derivative liabilities as of date of settlement of $227,459.

NOTE 15: STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

Options to purchase common stock are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or, subject to defined limitations, an executive officer of the Company to whom such authority has been delegated. Options granted to date generally have a contractual life of ten years.

The stock option activity for three months ended March 31, 2023 and year ended December 31, 2022 respectively is as follows:

The following table summarizes the changes in options outstanding, option exercisability and the related prices for the shares of the Company’s common stock issued to employees and consultants under a stock option plan at March 31, 2023:

As of March 31, 2023

As of December 31, 2022 

The Company determined the value of share-based compensation for options vested using the Black-Scholes fair value option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 stock-based compensation expense related to vested options was $103,822 and $188,918 respectively.

Warrants

The following table summarizes warrant activity during the year ended December 31, 2022 and the three months ended March 31, 2023:

All outstanding warrants are exercisable at March 31, 2023 and there was no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to warrants.

NOTE 16: COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

On January 2, 2019 the Company entered into the term of Executive’s employment agreement, at a base salary of $10,000 per month with John W. Huemoeller II to serve as its Chief Executive Officer. The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that Executive’s employment hereunder shall at all times be “at will,” which means that either Executive may resign at any time for any reason or for no reason, and that the Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for any reason or for no reason, in either case, subject to the applicable provisions of this Agreement. In further consideration for Executive’s services and subject to the approval of the Board, Executive will be granted an option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Option Shares”). The option will be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to stock options granted under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), and as described in the Plan and the stock option agreement, which Executive will be required to sign. 50% of the Option Shares shall vest on the date of grant and the remaining 50% of the Option Shares shall vest on the 12- month anniversary of the grant date, subject to Executive’s continued employment by the Company. The exercise price per share will be equal to the fair market value per share on the date of grant, as determined by the last closing price of the Company’s common stock the day prior to grant. Beginning in October 2019, the board decided to increase CEO base salary to $35,000 per month.

On April 24, 2017 the company entered into an employment agreement with Robert Malasek, its Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. The agreement does not have a set term and may be terminated at any time by the Company or Mr. Malasek with proper notice. The shares were issued in the 1^st quarter 2018. Beginning in October 2019, the board ratified to increase CFO base salary to $3,000 per month.

Industry Sponsored Research Agreement— Sapphire entered into the Industry Sponsored Research Agreement (“SRA”) effective February 7, 2020 to test and confirm the inhibitory activity of SBI-183 (exclusively licensed on January 13, 2020) and SBI-183 analogs, including those synthesized by the Company. The testing will include cell-based in vitro assays, NMR binding studies and testing to determine if SBI-183 enhances the activity of cytotoxic drugs in vitro. Animal studies will also be conducted under the SRA. Specifically, SBI-183 analogs will be evaluated in a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer using human tumor xenografts. The work will be performed over a period of one year with the total cost of the SRA totaling $150,468 paid prior to acquisition. For the year December 31, 2021, the Company recorded research and development expenses of $284,869. The agreement is now being renegotiated.

On August 5, 2020 Sapphire was awarded a $395,880 phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The grant will support continued development of novel small molecules that inhibit the enzymatic activity of Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase I (QSOX1) based on a lead compound. QSOX1 is a tumor-derived enzyme that is important for cancer growth, invasion and metastasis. Sapphire is conducting this research with technology it has exclusively licensed from Skysong Innovations, LLC, the intellectual property management company for Arizona State University. Sapphire will subcontract tumor biology work for evaluating analog inhibitors for QSOX1 to Dr. Doug Lake’s laboratory at Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic Arizona. Grant income received for the years ended 2021 was $279,981. There was nil in 2022.

On August 25, 2020 we signed an exclusive licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreement with Empowered Diagnostics LLC to execute the high-volume production of our rapid point-of-care diagnostic test. AXIM and Empowered have completed the technology transfer and Empowered Diagnostics has built out their production facility to be able to manufacture millions of our neutralizing antibody tests for COVID-19 per month. In exchange for this license Empowered will pay Axim a royalty on net sales on all licensed products sold by Empowered covered by this license which global with the exception of Mexico.

This agreement was cancelled in February, 2022.

On September 15, 2022, the company entered into a license and distribution agreement for its Lactoferrin dry eye test, Ige allergy test for allergic conjunctivitis and quantitative MMp-9 test to identify ocular surface inflammation. The licensee is Versea Ophthalmics, LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company.

The agreement will provide Verséa with the exclusive commercial right to AXIM’s proprietary portfolio of point-of-care (POC) lab testing readers and three key biomarker diagnostic tests designed specifically to assist eye-care physicians in detecting and quantifying biomarkers associated with aqueous deficient Dry Eye Disease and non-specific allergic conjunctivitis. The three AXIM’s key biomarker tests – the Ocular Immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, the Lactoferrin test, and the future MMP-9 test – require the collection of 0.5 microliters in tears and provide quantitative results in under 10 minutes, an industry-leading return time.

Verséa plans to launch IgE and Lactoferrin tests at the upcoming 2022 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and American Academy of Optometry (AAOPT) conferences. The MMP-9 test is anticipated to follow in the next 18-24 months.

Versea plans to launch sales sometime in second quarter 2023.  During first quarter 2023 further modification of the tests and packaging took place.

Operating Lease

Lease Agreement—On March 3, 2020, Sapphire entered into a 3-year lease agreement (“Lease”) to relocate to a larger space within the same business park. The new space totals 1,908 square feet with monthly base rent in the 1st year $4,713, 2nd year $4,854 and 3rd year $5,000 at implicit interest rate of 6%. A new lease is effective April 25, 2023.  Upon commencement of the Lease on April 25, 2023, the previous lease will expire. The company has renewed the lease effective May 1, 2023 and therefore the related right of use assets and lease liability established subsequent to March 31, 2023.   The following table sets forth the revised schedule of the monthly Base Rent payable for the Premises during the Extended Term:

Operating Leases - Right of Use Assets and Purchase Commitments Right of Use Assets

We have operating leases for office space that expire through 2023. Below is a summary of our right of use assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023.

The following table summarizes the lease expense for the Three Months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively:

*We recorded $30,741 of operating lease expense this includes $11,637 of maintenance charges and month to month lease.

Approximate future minimum lease payments for our right of use assets over the remaining lease periods as of March 31, 2023, are as follows:

Litigation                                                                                                                                                         

As of March 31, 2023, and this report issuing date, the Company is not a party to any pending material legal proceeding. To the knowledge of management, no federal, state or local governmental agency is presently contemplating any proceeding against the Company. To the knowledge of management, no director, executive officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of the Company’s Common Stock is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in any proceeding.

NOTE 18: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Common Stock Issuances

During April 2023, the Company received $40,000 against stock subscription receivable.

During April and May 2023, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares under their S-1 Cash has been received in the amount of $60,000.  The final determination as to allocation of proceeds has not been made as of the date of filing of this 10Q.

The company plans to increase authorized shares to One billion to cover shortfall in amounts needed to redeem convertible securities and notes and to cover future capital raises.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

On our Internet website, http://www.aximbiotech.com, we post the following recent filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC: our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

When we use the terms “AXIM”, “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” we mean Axim Biotechnologies, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as well as any predecessor entities, unless the context otherwise indicates. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the other reports, statements, and information that the Company has previously filed with or furnished to, or that we may subsequently file with or furnish to, the SEC and public announcements that we have previously made or may subsequently make include, may include, or may incorporate by reference certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and that are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that Act. To the extent that any statements made in this report contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan”, “project”, “continuing”, “ongoing”, “expect”, “believe”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, and other words of similar meaning. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, marketability of our products; legal and regulatory risks associated with trading publicly; our ability to raise additional capital to finance our activities; the future trading of our common stock; our ability to operate as a public company; our ability to protect our proprietary information; general economic and business conditions; the volatility of our operating results and financial condition; our ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, or otherwise.

Information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this report is included based on information available to us that we believe is accurate. It is generally based on industry and other publications that are not produced for purposes of securities offerings or economic analysis. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties accompanying any estimates of future market size, revenue and market acceptance of products and services. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

BUSINESS

Overview

Axim Biotechnologies, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is a leading developer of diagnostic healthcare solutions serving to enhance the health of people. Through the development of diagnostic solutions that quickly and accurately diagnose various diseases, our products allow healthcare workers to quickly test and treat at the point-of-care, which leads to improved patient outcomes and provides numerous economic benefits to the healthcare system.

Axim’s core competencies include development of rapid lateral flow immunoassays, reagents and monoclonal antibody development for such assays. Our current products fall into these categories:

(1) Eye Health, wherein we acquired two FDA cleared 510(k) tests for dye eye disease and have internally developed a third assay; and

(2) SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody tests

Following the acquisition of two FDA cleared 510(k) tests for dye eye disease, the Company’s product focus has been primarily in the area of Eye Health. We continue to maintain the products and assays developed in connection with SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody tests should a commercialization opportunity present itself in the future.

Our principal executive office is located at 6191 Cornerstone Court, E. Suite 114, San Diego, CA 92121. Our telephone number is (858) 923-4422 and our website is www.aximbiotech.com. Unless expressly noted, none of the information on our website is part of this Report. Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc., under the ticker symbol “AXIM.”

Historical Business Operations

We were originally incorporated in the State of Nevada on November 18, 2010, under the name AXIM International, Inc. On July 24, 2014, we changed our name to AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc.

The Company’s historical business operations focused on the research, development and production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products based upon our proprietary technologies. This business and its related intellectual property were divested by the Company in May, 2020.

In March 2020, we acquired Sapphire Biotech, Inc. (“Sapphire”), a diagnostic healthcare solutions company, changing our business operations.

Acquisition of Sapphire Biotech, Inc.

On March 17, 2020, we entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with Sapphire and all of its stockholders, pursuant to which, upon closing of the transaction, we: (i) acquired 100% of Sapphire’s outstanding capital, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of common stock; and (ii) assumed all of the outstanding debt of Sapphire. The outstanding debt included two convertible notes in the principal amounts of $310,000 and $190,000, respectfully.

In exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Sapphire, we issued an aggregate of 54,000,000 newly issued shares of Company common stock to Sapphire’s existing stockholders (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the Share Exchange, Sapphire became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which has resulted in consolidated financial reporting by the Company to include the results of Sapphire.

Acquisition of Advanced Tear Diagnostics, LLC Technology

On August 26, 2021, we purchased certain eye disease diagnostic technology from Advanced Tear Diagnostics, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (“Advanced Tear”), consisting of worldwide exclusive licenses to manufacture, distribute and sell 510(k) cleared medical diagnostic devices already being marketed for Lactoferrin, a biomarker for dry eye disease and a 510(K) license for IgE, a biomarker for allergic ocular reaction and ownership of the two FDA registered 510(k) clearances (collectively, the “DED Licenses”).  Pursuant to the agreement, AXIM became the FDA registered owner of the two 510(k)’s. The purchase price for the technology licenses and the 510(k)’s was $4,270,000, which price was paid by issuing 7,000,000 restricted shares of Company common stock to Advanced Tear.

This asset purchase will prohibit another company from manufacturing the same devices under the 510(k)’s now owned by AXIM. Companies wishing to compete with AXIM by manufacturing the diagnostic devices acquire by AXIM must initiate a new 510(k) application and conduct costly clinical trials in support of the lengthy clearance process.

Also on August 26, 2021, we purchased technology and intellectual property relating to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy which included five pending patent applications (the “Pending Patents”) from Advanced Tear for $250,000 (includes assuming and paying $30,000 of the Advanced Tear liabilities). The bulk of the purchase price ($210,000) was in a note that requires seven equal monthly payments of $30,000, which payment started on September 3, 2021. The note has since been repaid in full.

Eye Health Overview

On August 26, 2021, we acquired the technology, intellectual property and the exclusive global rights to market two FDA cleared lateral flow assays which utilize a non-invasive, quantitative, point of care human tear test to aid in the diagnosis and selection of therapeutics for the treatment of eye diseases. With the acquisition, the Company became focused on improving the landscape for the diagnosis of ophthalmological conditions such as Dry Eye Disease (DED) through rapid diagnostic tests. The Company owns two of the only five FDA Cleared Diagnostic tests for Dye Eye Disease.

Currently, we have FDA 510k clearance to test Lactoferrin (aqueous deficiency biomarker) and IgE (non-specific allergy biomarker). Our objective is to establish point of care testing for dry eye disease (“DED”) and to establish this modality as the new standard of care. The tests are quick, simple to use, and inexpensive to the clinic. The tests are CMS and private insurance reimbursable.

Low levels of Lactoferrin confirm inadequate glandular tear production (aqueous deficiency) and high levels of IgE indicate an active ocular allergy. If both biomarkers are normal, the cause of a patient’s dry eye condition could be attributed to evaporative dry eye. So, by performing these two tests, an eye doctor may now better assess the underlying cause of the tear film disorder, its severity and the appropriate treatment protocol to pursue. In addition, these tests are rapid, accurate, reimbursable, profitable and can be performed by a technician, which allows the physician to be more productive and attend to more patients.

While at one time the tests were sold in numerous eye doctors’ locations, when the Company acquired the assays, they had been mothballed. The Company has had to redevelop the tests, reagents and select a quantitative reader. Since the acquisition of the technology, the Company has been successful in redevelopment and is launching sales.

We have signed a supply agreement with Barcelona-based IUL SA (“IUL”) for our iPeak DED readers, which will be deployed for diagnostic testing with a focus on lactoferrin and IgE levels. This state-of-the-art portable reader is a colorimetric lateral flow reader designed to hold different cassette sizes and can read cassettes of up to five strips and seven lines per strip at a time.

iPeak is equipped with “Flash Eye” technology based on the principles of machine vision illumination. Its camera captures the image of the test illuminated from LED lights situated in the most studied geometry to achieve a precise and uniform illumination and enhance the colors of any lateral flow test. The iPeak technology also allows for more sensitivity, which is the main success of its application.

We evaluated the iPeak readers in the lab against several other comparable products before deciding on IUL’s state-of-the-art products. The Company’s diagnostic testing process for DED, and specifically for lactoferrin levels as a primary indicator, will include the use of reagent strip samples. The new readers are calibrated with the new test strips and will be distributed to ophthalmologists and optometrists at the point of care. The patients’ tear sample will be obtained and applied to the strips and then an ophthalmologist or optometrist will run the strips through a reader to determine lactoferrin levels and incidence and severity of DED.

On September 19th, the Company announced that it had signed an exclusive global commercialization agreement with Verséa Ophthalmics, LLC, a business division of Verséa Holdings, Inc. (“Verséa”), is one of the fastest growing U.S. healthcare companies, specialized in the sale and distribution of diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.

Our tests are considered moderately complex by CLIA. This requires the user of the test to obtain a CLIA certificate of compliance. This is done by filing a simple application with CMS (Form 116) and paying a fee. However, there are various lab requirements that must be in place first and there is a considerable amount of ongoing record keeping that is required, which restricts potential growth of the business.

The FDA allows for a CLIA waivers and we intend to pursue a waiver for both current tests and all future product offerings. Our scientists have been diligently making patentable improvements to the tests which will simplify use by the clinician and enhance likelihood the CLIA waiver approval.  We plan to file for the waiver in the first third quarter of 2023 after conducting a fairly simple comparative clinical study. The objective will be to determine whether the AXIM Eye test system has equal or better simplicity than the other forms of diagnostic testing for DED, which we believe is the case. This study is a key component of the filing process with the FDA for a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) Certificate of Waiver. We believe that the acquisition of these FDA 510k cleared diagnostic products, a waiver and the distribution partnership we have with Versea will allow the business to grow at a rapid pace.

Dye Eye Market

An estimated 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with DED, but the actual number of Americans suffering from dry eye symptoms is likely much higher. Some reports indicate that nearly half of all U.S. adults experience dry eye signs and symptoms, and 33% of patients in eye care clinics present with complaints about dry eye.

DED, though widespread, is under-diagnosed, in part because symptoms do not always correlate with objective signs. It has a highly variable symptom profile at different stages of the disease, and there is often a discordance between signs and symptoms. A patient can have severe symptoms yet show no sign of ocular surface damage, while others have advanced ocular surface damage, yet report no symptoms. This lack of correlation between clinical signs and symptoms of DED makes diagnosing and treating patients a challenge. Often times, inflammation is present before the clinical signs of DED.

Currently, our eye business focuses exclusively on ophthalmology and optometry, in the United States, where there are 37,000 optometrists and 19,000 ophthalmologists performing approximately 400,000 medical (dilated) eye exams per day. Of this total, we believe that approximately 20% to 30% would present with symptoms where the Company’s Lactoferrin and IgE tests would be indicated. It is estimated that total US market for our eye care systems could approach 50,000 systems. (USA Only)

We have completed development of our immunoassay system, which includes an automated colorimetric photometer reader and two FDA market-cleared point-of-care (POC) quantitative diagnostic ophthalmic lab tests and are now ready to begin manufacturing. These are:

Ocular Lactoferrin  Lf) CPT code 83520 2021 CMS reimbursement $17.27/eye *

Ocular Immunoglobulin E (IgE) CPT Code 83520 2021 CMS reimbursement $16.46/eye*

Studies indicate that in 2021, 16-49 million Americans had DED, representing 32 - 98 million potential use cases for our POC tests. These tests are not limited to DED diagnostics, but can also be used to determine the lactoferrin and allergic components of tear film prior to: