International Stem Cell CORP - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
FORM
10-K
þ
|
ANNUAL
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
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For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
o
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TRANSITION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
|
For
the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission File
No. 0-51891
INTERNATIONAL
STEM CELL CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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20-4494098
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(State
of other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
Number)
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2595
Jason Court
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||
Oceanside,
CA
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92056
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant’s
telephone number: (760) 940-6383
Securities
registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
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Name
of each exchange on which registered
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None
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None
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Securities
registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.001 par
value per share
(Title of
class)
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No þ
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No þ
Note – Checking the box above
will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligation under those
Sections.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 204 of
Regulations S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will
not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Park III of their Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
þ
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” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large
accelerated filer o
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Accelerated
filer o
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Non-accelerated
filer o (Do
not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller
reporting company þ
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
o No þ
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State the
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by
non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was
last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the
last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal
quarter.
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Number of
shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of
March 16, 2008:
Common
Stock: 38,410,675-
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information
from the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual meeting of
Stockholders in 2009 is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form
10-K.
2
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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Cautionary
Note About Forward-Looking Statements
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4
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PART
I
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5
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Item 1.
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Business.
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5
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Item
1A.
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Risk
Factors.
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16
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Item
1B.
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Unresolved
Staff Comments.
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27
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Item 2.
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Properties.
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27
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Item 3.
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Legal
Proceedings.
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27
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Item 4.
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
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27
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PART
II
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28
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Item 5.
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Market
for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
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28
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Item 6.
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Selected
Financial Data.
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29
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Item
7.
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Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
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29
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Item
7A.
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Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
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35
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Item 8.
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Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data.
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35
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Item 9.
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Changes
in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
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35
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Item 9A.
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Controls
and Procedures.
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35
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Item 9B.
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Other
Information.
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36
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PART
III
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37
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Item 10.
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Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
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37
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Item
11.
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Executive
Compensation.
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37
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Item
12.
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters.
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37
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Item
13.
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
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37
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Item
14.
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Principal
Accounting Fees and Services.
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37
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PART
IV
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37
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Item 15.
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Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules.
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37
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SIGNATURES
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40
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Exhibit
21.1
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Exhibit
23.1
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Exhibit
31.1
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Exhibit
31.2
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Exhibit
32.1
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Exhibit
32.2
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3
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. For example,
statements regarding our financial position, business strategy and other plans
and objectives for future operations, and assumptions and predictions about
future product demand, marketing, expenses and sales are all forward-looking
statements. These statements may be found in the items of this Annual Report
entitled “Description of Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis or
Results of Operations,” as well as in this Annual Report generally. These
statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “estimate,” “potential(ly),” “continue,” “forecast,” “predict,”
“plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” or the negative of
such terms or other comparable terminology.
We have
based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and
projections about future events. We believe that the assumptions and
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, based
on information available to us on the date hereof, but we cannot assure you that
these assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct or that we
will take any action that we may presently be planning. However, these
forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Actual results or experience may differ materially from those
expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to,
regulatory policies, competition from other similar businesses, market and
general economic factors, and the other risks discussed in Item 14 of
this Annual Report. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual
Report.
We have
identified some of the important factors that could cause future events to
differ from our current expectations and they are described in this Annual
Report in the section entitled “Risk Factors” which you should review carefully.
Please consider our forward-looking statements in light of those risks as you
read this Annual Report. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties
materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual
results may vary materially from what we project. We do not undertake, and
specifically decline any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements or
to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any statements to reflect
new information or future events or developments.
4
PART I
BUSINESS
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Business Overview
We are a
biotechnology company currently focused on developing therapeutic products and
research products. In the area of therapeutic product development, our objective
is to create an unlimited source of human cells for use in the treatment of
several diseases including diabetes, liver disease, corneal disease and retinal
disease through cell transplant therapy. In furtherance of this objective, we
are currently developing (i) pluripotent stem cells that are comparable in
function to, but distinct in derivation from, embryonic stem cells from which
cells for human transplant can be derived, (ii) techniques to cause those cells
to be “differentiated” into the specific cell types required for transplant, and
(iii) manufacturing protocols to produce these cells without contamination
with animal by-products in compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration
requirements. While our cell lines are comparable to embryonic cell lines
because they have the potential to become any cell in the human body through
differentiation, the development of our cell lines does not require the use of
fertilized eggs or the destruction of any embryos created through
fertilization.
According
to the National Institutes of Health, research on stem cells is advancing
knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy
cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms. This area of science is also
leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to
treat disease, which is often referred to as regenerative or reparative
medicine. A potential application of human stem cells is the generation of cells
and tissues that may be used for cell-based therapies. Today, donated organs and
tissues are often used to replace ailing or destroyed tissue, but the need for
transplantable tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply. Stem
cells, directed to differentiate into specific cell types, offer the possibility
of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases
including diabetes, liver disease, corneal disease and retinal
disease.
Pluripotent
stem cells are undifferentiated primary cells that have the potential to become
any tissues or organs of the body. However, stem cell therapies have technical,
ethical and legal hurdles to overcome before they will be able to be used to
effect tissue and organ repair. To realize the promise of cell-based therapies
for the treatment of diseases, scientists must be able to manipulate stem cells
so that they possess the necessary characteristics for successful
differentiation, transplantation and engraftment. The following is a list of
some of the major steps in successful cell-based treatments that scientists will
have to learn to precisely control to ready such treatments for clinical use. To
be useful for transplant purposes, stem cells must be reproducibly made
to:
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proliferate
extensively and generate sufficient quantities of stem
cells;
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differentiate
into the desired cell type(s) and generate sufficient quantities of those
cell types;
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survive
in the recipient after transplant;
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integrate
into the surrounding tissue after transplant;
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function
appropriately;
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avoid
harming the recipient; and
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avoid
or reduce the problem of immune
rejection.
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We
believe that the market for our products will be substantial given the current
limited supply of human cells required to make transplants possible, the need
for cells that will not be rejected, and the need for cells produced without
contamination by animal by-products. Addressing these core issues will provide
an excellent opportunity for the commercialization of our products.
During
2007 and 2008, we had two peer review papers published describing our procedures
for creating pluripotent stem cells through parthenogenesis.
5
In
addition to the work we are doing to develop cells for therapeutic cell
transplant, we are engaged in the development, production and sale of specialty
research products (specialized cell systems, media and reagents for use in stem
cell and other medical research) which we have commercialized and are selling to
academic institutions, government entities, and commercial research companies.
This portion of our business is focused on the needs of stem cell researchers
for specialized cells, media and reagents used in the development of therapeutic
products. The sale of these research products is expected to provide
us with revenue to support a portion of the development of therapeutic
products.
History
We were
incorporated in Delaware on June 7, 2005 under the name BTHC III, Inc. to
effect the reincorporation of BTHC III, LLC, a Texas limited liability company,
mandated by a plan of reorganization. Pursuant to the plan of reorganization, an
aggregate of 500,000 shares of our common stock were issued to holders of
administrative and tax claims and unsecured debt, of which 350,000 shares were
issued to Halter Financial Group. The plan of reorganization required the
consummation of a merger or acquisition prior to June 20, 2007. Until the
Share Exchange Agreement described below, BTHC III, Inc. conducted no
operations. In October 2006, BTHC III, Inc. affected a 4.42-for-one stock
split with respect to the outstanding shares of common stock. After giving
effect to the stock split and eliminating fractional shares, there were
2,209,993 shares of common stock outstanding.
On
December 28, 2006, pursuant to a Share Exchange Agreement, BTHC III, Inc.
issued 33,156,502 shares of common stock, representing approximately 93.7% of
the common stock outstanding immediately after the transaction, to the
shareholders of International Stem Cell Corporation, a California corporation
(“ISC California”), in exchange for all outstanding stock of ISC California. As
a result of this transaction, ISC California became wholly owned by us. This
transaction was accounted for as a “reverse merger” for accounting purposes.
Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the historical operations that are
reflected in our financial statements are those of ISC California and its
subsidiary. On January 29, 2007, we changed our name to International Stem
Cell Corporation and in connection therewith our trading symbol changed to
ISCO.OB.
ISC
California was incorporated in California in June 2006 for the purpose of
restructuring the business of Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, which was organized
in California in August 2001. As a result of the restructuring, Lifeline
became wholly-owned by ISC California. All of our current operations are
conducted by Lifeline. Our principal executive offices are located at 2595 Jason
Court, Oceanside, California 92056, and our telephone number is
(760) 940-6383.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What are Stem
Cells?
Cells are
the basic living units that make up a human being. Stem cells have two important
characteristics that distinguish them from other types of cells. First, they are
unspecialized cells that renew themselves for long periods of time. Second,
under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to
become cells with special functions such as the beating cells of the heart
muscle or the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Until recently,
scientists have worked with two kinds of stem cells from animals and humans:
embryonic stem cells
and adult stem cells,
which have different functions and characteristics. We have developed a
third category of stem cells that we believe will have the therapeutic
advantages of embryonic stem cells without the difficulties discussed
below.
What
are Pluripotent Stem Cells?
Pluripotent
stem cells are important because of their ability to be differentiated, or
developed into virtually any other cell made by the human body. Both embryonic
stem cells and the parthenogenetic stem cells developed by International Stem
Cell Corporation and discussed below, are pluripotent stem cells.
6
What are Embryonic Stem
Cells?
Embryonic
stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been
fertilized in vitro—(typically in an in vitro fertilization clinic)—which are
donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. They are not
derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body. The embryos from which human
embryonic stem cells are derived are typically four or five days old and are a
hollow microscopic ball of cells called the blastocyst. Embryonic stem
cells are grown in a laboratory through a process known as cell
culture.
Human
embryonic stem cells, or hES cells, are isolated by transferring the inner cell
mass into a laboratory culture dish that contains a nutrient broth known as a
culture medium. The cells then divide and spread over the surface of the dish.
Over the course of several days, the cells of the inner cell mass proliferate
and begin to crowd the culture dish. When this occurs, they are removed and
plated into several fresh culture dishes. The process of replating the cells is
repeated many times and for many months. After six months or so, the original
small cluster of cells of the inner cell mass yields millions of embryonic stem
cells. Once cell lines are established, or even before that stage, batches of
them can be frozen and shipped to other laboratories for further culture and
experimentation.
What are Adult Stem
Cells?
An adult
stem cell is an undifferentiated cell found among differentiated cells in a
tissue or organ. An adult stem cell can renew itself and can differentiate to
yield the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. These cells can
be isolated from many tissues, including the brain. The most common places to
obtain these cells are from the bone marrow that is located in the center of
some bones and from umbilical cord blood obtained at birth.
Why are Embryonic Stem Cells
Important?
Embryonic
stem cells are of interest because of their ability to be differentiated, or
develop into virtually any other cell made by the human body. In theory, if stem
cells can be grown and their development directed in culture, it would be
possible to grow cells for the treatment of specific diseases. The first
potential applications of human embryonic stem cell technology may be in the
area of drug discovery. The ability to grow pure populations of specific cell
types offers a proving ground for chemical compounds that may have medical
importance in that it may ultimately permit the rapid screening of chemicals.
Treating specific cell types and measuring their response may offer an expedited
methodology to ascertain test agents such as chemicals that can be used to treat
the diseases that involve those specific cell types.
The study
of human development may also benefit from embryonic stem cell research in that
understanding the events that occur at the first stages of development has
potential clinical significance for preventing or treating birth defects,
infertility and pregnancy loss. The earliest stages of human development have
been difficult or impossible to study. Human embryonic stem cells offer insights
into developmental events that cannot be studied directly in humans in vivo or
fully understood through the use of animal models.
What
are Parthenogenetic Stem Cells and how are they different?
The cells
and cell lines used by International Stem Cell Corporation for therapeutic
purposes are “Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Lines” and differentiated cells derived
from those lines. Our research is based on perfecting proprietary techniques for
deriving stem cells through a technology based on parthenogenesis, which results
in the creation of human parthenogenetic stem cell lines that have the same
capacity to become all cells found in the human body just as do embryonic stem
cells. However, the parthenogenetic process does not use fertilized human eggs
or cause the destruction of such eggs. From the parthenogenetic stem cell lines
we have created, we will conduct research to develop specialized cells (such as
liver, pancreatic, corneal and retinal cells) needed for transplantation. We do
not obtain stem cells from fetal tissue from abortion clinics and our technology
does not require the use of discarded frozen human embryos. We do not anticipate
using such sources of stem cells in the future.
7
Why Not Use Stem Cells Derived from
Adults?
There are
several approaches now in human clinical trials that utilize mature stem cells
(such as blood-forming cells, neuron-forming cells and cartilage-forming cells).
However, adult stem cells are limited in their inability to proliferate in
culture. Unlike pluripotent stem cells, which have a capacity to reproduce
indefinitely in the laboratory, adult stem cells are difficult to grow in the
lab and their potential to reproduce diminishes with age. Therefore, obtaining
clinically significant amounts of adult stem cells may prove to be
difficult.
What is Therapeutic
Cloning?
Cloning
is simply using the natural process of cell division to make exact copies of a
cell. Cloning to make cells creates many identical cells called a “cell line”
and cloning to make cells for medical use is generally called “therapeutic
cloning.” Therapeutic cloning is not the same thing as cloning an entire animal,
which is called “reproductive cloning.” Therapeutic cloning never creates a
complete human being. We work only in the field of therapeutic
cloning.
Why is Stem Cell Research
Controversial?
The
sources of some types of stem cells cause social and religious controversy. Some
scientists obtain stem cells from aborted fetal tissue, causing opposition from
those opposed to abortion. Another controversial source of stem cells is the
residual frozen human fertilized eggs (embryos) that remain after vitro
fertilization procedures and are used to create embryonic stem cell lines. A
final controversial source of stem cells are those obtained from very early
stage embryos created by therapeutic cloning because this process of obtaining
stem cells results in the destruction of these early-stage embryos.
Is Stem Cell Research Banned in the
United States?
Embryonic
stem cell research, in general, is not banned in the United States. Work by
private organizations is not restricted except by the restrictions applicable to
all human research. In addition, Proposition 71 in California, which voters
approved in November 2004, specifically allows state funds to be used for
stem cell research.
Why Not Use the Currently “Approved”
Embryonic Stem Cells Lines?
The human
embryonic stem cell lines approved by President George W. Bush were all produced
using methods that exposed them to animal protein and animal cells. We believe
that this will likely make them unsuitable for human therapeutic purposes and
restrict their utility even for research into human disease. We have developed
technologies to create human embryonic stem cell lines that will be free of
non-human materials.
Why
Not use Adult Cells Reprogrammed to become Pluripotent Cells?
Cells
produced in this manner process have received much recent publicity, primarily
because they are not derived from human embryos. These cells, known as Induced
Pluripotent Stem Cells, or “iPS” cells, are produced by introducing foreign
agents known as vectors, and the vectors currently being used involve known
cancer causing agents. The process also involves genetic manipulation
not required for embryonic or parthenogenetic stem cells. As a
result, the current use of iPS cells is primarily as research tools for drug
discovery and the study of disease development pathways.
Ethical Issues
The use
of embryonic stem cells derived from fertilized human eggs has created an
ethical debate in the United States and around the world. However, since no
fertilized human eggs are used in creating our cells and no fertilized human
embryo is being created or destroyed, our hope is that our success in perfecting
parthenogenesis will resolve many of the current ethical controversies that
surround traditional embryonic stem cell research.
We also
own the worldwide rights to use in our chosen therapeutic fields, a technology
known as Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer to create human stem cells. The
President’s Council on Bioethics, as reported in the publication “Reproduction
and Responsibility — The Regulation of New Biotechnologies,” 2004, has agreed on
a series of recommendations for the use of such technology, addressed to both
the government and to the relevant scientific and medical practitioners for
professional self-scrutiny. In addition, countries such as the United Kingdom
have made similar recommendations. Although we have chosen for now to pursue our
own proprietary technology, we have implemented the relevant recommendations
from this study into our research practices and will continue to adhere to
internationally accepted standards regarding the use of this technology in
obtaining and using human embryonic stem cells for our therapeutic
research.
8
Our Technology
With the
assistance of our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Elena Revazova, M.D.,
Ph.D., we have developed a proprietary patent pending process, based on
parthenogenesis, for the creation of new stem cell lines that we believe will
have all the beneficial characteristics of traditional embryonic stem cells. Our
technology allows embryonic-like stem cells, called parthenogenetic stem cells,
to be created without the use of fertilized embryos or fertilized human eggs
(called “oocytes”). Because of their DNA complement, parthenogenetic stem cells
have the potential to become cells that will not be rejected by some patients.
These cells could be used to create stem cell “banks” in which cells could be
stored and matched to a patient’s immune system when needed for transplantation.
Though not currently our primary area of focus, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, a
process to which we also hold a license, can use a patient’s own cells to create
stem cells having the same genetic makeup as the patient, thus avoiding immune
rejection, the most common cause of transplant failure. We also own patent
rights to certain key processes now used in creating iPS cells, which we may
elect to develop in the future if such cells prove therapeutically useful or
valuable as research products. These technologies, however, are not
currently within our primary areas of focus.
Our Products
Specialty Research
Products
A
critical element for any researcher seeking to develop a therapeutic cell from
either a human pluripotent stem cell or an adult stem cell is causing the stem
cell to change (“differentiate”) into the specific cell needed for a particular
therapy. The challenge is to discover the proper set of culture conditions
(combinations of proteins, salts, temperatures and hundreds of other
environmental factors) to change stem cells into the specific cell types that
can be used to cure specific diseases; then develop the procedures needed to
produce such cells on demand as needed for human therapy. This process is driven
in large part by the “media” and the other added chemicals (called “reagents”)
used to develop the cells. The type of media and reagents used can dictate what
kind of cells will be produced and is critical to the process of developing cell
transplants from differentiated stem cells.
Our
research products consist of cells, growth media and related cell-based products
essential to the process of creating and differentiating stem cells. The
customers for these products are academic research centers, government research
centers, and corporations engaged in developing cell-based
therapies.
Our
research products include:
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FibrolifeTM
human fibroblast medium, available as a serum-free or low serum
formats.
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Human
fibroblast cells for use as feeder layers to grow human embryonic stem
cells (eliminates contamination from mouse cells).
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Two
types of low serum human endothelial media
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1.
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VascuLifeTM
VEGF-Microvascular
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2.
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VascuLifeTM
EnGS.-Microvasular
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Human
endothelial cells. (Endothelial cells form blood
vessels).
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DermaLifeTM
human serum-free keratinocyte medium for the culture of human
epidermal.
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Human
epidermal keratinocyte cells for use as a model to study healing,
toxicology or basic cell biology.
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Line
of adult neural stem cells with the ability to produce neurons that can
survive in low-oxygen and low glucose conditions, a product useful for the
discovery of drugs for the treatment of
strokes.
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9
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Two
types of media for the culture of the adult neural
cells
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1.
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NeuralLifeTM
ags NSC expansion medium kit
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2.
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NeuralLifeTM
ags NSC differentiation medium kit.
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An
assortment of cell culture reagents and supplements for the growth of
human cells.
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We
believe products such as these are essential to the development of our own
proprietary therapeutic products and are a natural adjunct to that endeavor. The
sale of these products to other stem cell-related researchers and businesses
will benefit us in several ways: (1) it provides revenue to help support
our therapeutic research, (2) it may provide us with an opportunity to
preview stem cell work being conducted throughout the world, and (3) if our
products are adopted by a successful producer of therapeutic cells, we have the
potential of becoming a supplier in a much broader market than
research.
Further,
because of the process by which therapeutic products are developed and submitted
to the FDA for approval, the media and reagents used in developing cells for
clinical trials tend to a large degree to become “baked in” to the final
therapeutic product. Because of a reluctance or legal inability to change the
process of creating the therapeutic product once it has been approved, if
another company uses our media and reagents to develop an FDA approved product,
we may become the sole approved supplier of these media and reagents for the
manufacture of that product.
Our human
cell culture products also consist of standardized living cells, including fully
functional adult cells and (non-embryonic) stem cell lines. The cells are
provided frozen in vials containing approximately 500,000 cells each, or are
plated into flasks. Each cell system is quality tested for the expression of
specific markers (to assure the cells are the correct type) for proliferation
rate, viability, morphology and for the absence of pathogens. Each cell system
also contains associated donor information.
In
addition to our cell system, pursuant to the terms of License Agreements with
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (“Advanced Cell Technology”), we will manufacture
and sell embryonic stem cell products developed by Advanced Cell Technology. The
first products we expect to release are (i) medium optimized for the growth of
human embryonic stem cells, and (ii) pre-coated tissue culture plates for
the serum-free and feeder-layer-free culture of embryonic stem cells. Some of
the products previously owned by Advanced Cell Technology have been sold to
BioTime, Inc., and we have rights to distribute those products also under a
separate agreement with BioTime entered into in 2007. Under the agreement with
BioTime we intend to develop jointly with BioTime stem cell products for the
research market based on the ACTCellerate technology that we licensed from
Advanced Cell Technology.
Our long
term plans for additional product offerings that may be based on the technology
licensed from Advanced Cell Technology include:
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Stem
cells derived functional human liver cells provided in plates or frozen (a
byproduct of therapeutic research). These cells must have active and
inducible enzyme systems, they must have a correct morphology, they must
express albumin and they must attach to the cell culture
dish.
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Stem
cells derived functional islet cells provided in plates or frozen. These
cells must produce and express insulin in response to
glucose.
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Reagents
for the culture and differentiation of embryonic stem
cells.
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Stem
cell derived retinal cells provide frozen for the study of retinal
disease.
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Therapeutic
Products
We have
already used human stem cells to create retinal cells known as retinal pigment
epithelial, or RPE. We are currently expanding these cells as part of
pre-clinical trials, and commenced animal trials in January 2009 in
collaboration with the University of California, Irvine.
10
We are in
the process of developing specialized liver cells for use in the treatment of
liver disease and pancreatic “islet” cells to treat diabetes as the third
target.
We made a
discovery during the derivation of retinal cells from stem cells that lead to
the in vitro growth of a tissue sphere that closely resembles a human
cornea. Studies by an independent pathology laboratory confirmed that
the tissue spheres were consistent with human cornea. We have
reproduced this work and are continuing to develop methods to perfect the
“corneal construct” and the methods of manufacture. We have filed
patents to protect our IP. Further research will be done in 2008 to
confirm that the corneal constructs have a critical “endothelial layer”, to
confirm that they have proper optical properties and to confirm that they can be
reproducibly manufactured in commercial quantities. The goal of this
project is to manufacture human corneas for implantation to cure corneal
blindness. Techniques of implantation have already been developed and
can be applied using cultured corneas.
As
discussed below, each of these product candidates will require extensive
additional testing and cost through clinical tests and regulatory
approval before they can be sold for therapeutic use.
Our Markets
Therapeutic
Market
Retinal Diseases — Diseases
involving retinal degeneration include age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”)
and retinitis pigmentosa (“RP”). These diseases are characterized by the death
of critical photoreceptor cells called rods and cones. Photoreceptor death is
due to an abnormality and/or to disruption or death of supportive cells called
retinal pigment epithelial (“RPE”) cells. The use of RPE derived from
parthenogenetic stem cells may prove beneficial in the treatment of AMD and RP
as retinal cell transplant therapy has been shown to be clinically feasible for
the treatment of AMD and RP and the differentiation procedures to derive human
retinal cells from parthenogenetic stem cells have been worked out. We are
working toward the manufacture of these cells for therapeutic use.
According
to a 2004 study on Blindness
and Blinding Diseases in the U.S. published by the University of
Washington, approximately 13,000,000 Americans have signs of AMD, over
10,000,000 suffer visual loss and over 200,000 are legally blind from the
disease. The occurrence of AMD increases with a patient’s age. According to the
same study, approximately 6,300,000 people are projected to develop AMD in 2030,
compared to 1,700,000 in 1995.
Because
the therapeutic use of retinal cells is one of the more advanced applications in
stem cell therapy and we have already produced human retinal pigment epithelial
cells from human embryonic and parthenogenetic stem cell lines, we
are focusing on retinal cells as our first therapeutic market target. Our goal
is to manufacture retinal cells derived from hES cells to replace the limited
supply of donor derived cells for therapeutic use. We will collaborate with
academic research and other research institutions to develop FDA-approved
therapeutic methodologies for producing retinal cells for therapeutic
use.
Corneal
Disease — According to
the Eye Bank Association of America’s 2006 Eye Banking Statistical Report, there
are more than 34,000 corneal transplants performed annually in the
US. An additional 150,000 transplants are performed in the rest of
the world. There are eight million corneal blind patients in
developing countries who would benefit from corneal replacement were
it not for the lack of established eye banking operations and religious/ethical
issues. Concern over donor-to-recipient disease transmission and the
increasing use of LASIK treatment has reduced the availability of donated
corneas and increased costs. Demand for corneal tissue is growing
based on advances in corneal transplant techniques. Even considering
the fact that fees would be less in developing countries, the existing corneal
transplant market is billions of dollars in size and is growing.
Diabetes — Another area of
focus is on diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association,
approximately 20,800,000 people, or 7% of the U.S. population, have some form of
diabetes, and the National Institutes of Health estimates that there are as many
as 2,500,000 people suffering from Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Mellitus). Normally, certain cells in the pancreas, called the islet ß cells,
produce insulin which promotes the uptake of the sugar glucose by cells in the
human body. Degeneration of pancreatic islet ß cells results in a lack of
insulin in the bloodstream which results in diabetes. Although diabetics can be
treated with daily injections of insulin, these injections enable only
intermittent glucose control.
11
The
transplantation of insulin producing cells called “islet cells” from one person
to another has been shown to relieve the suffering and serious side effects
caused by current therapies. As the primary source of islet cells today is organ
donations, available supply is extremely limited. Therefore, our objective in
the field of diabetes therapy is to increase the availability of pancreatic
islet cells by inducing stem cells derived from our parthenogenic cell lines to
grow and become islets or the individual cells found in the islets.
Liver Disease — According to
the American Liver Foundation, chronic liver disease (including hepatitis C) is
the third most common cause of death due to chronic diseases in persons 35 to 64
years of age. In the United States diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis were
ranked as the 12th leading cause of death in 2000. The only effective treatment
currently available for people with liver failure is full or partial organ
transplantation. Unfortunately, as with islets, the demand for organs far
exceeds the number of organs available. According to the United Network for
Organ Sharing, there are currently more than 17,000 persons on the wait list for
a liver transplant.
Liver
cell transplantation has been used in early stage clinical trials to treat
patients with liver failure caused by acute or chronic disease and in patients
with genetically caused metabolic defects. This therapy has proven to be
especially useful as a “bridge” to keep patients alive until they can receive a
whole liver transplant, as well as an alternative to whole-organ transplantation
in specific cases. The procedure involves supplementing a patient’s liver
function by injecting a donor’s liver cells (obtained from livers donated from
brain dead, heart beating donors) into a patient’s liver or spleen where the
liver cells remain and function. Our objective is to provide an alternate source
of liver cells for the treatment of liver disease through cell transplant
therapy.
Research Market
The
research market for cell systems is made up of scientists performing basic
research and applied research in the biological sciences. Basic research
involves the study of cell biology, and the biochemical pathways to human
disease. Applied research involves drug discovery, vaccine development, clinical
research including cell engineering, and cell transplantation.
The
domestic market can be broken into three segments. These include:
(i) academic researchers in universities and privately-funded research
organizations; (ii) government institutions such as the National Institutes
of Health, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others;
and (iii) industrial organizations such as pharmaceutical companies and
consumer product companies.
Management
believes that the combined academic and government market comprises
approximately 40% of the total market and that the industrial segment comprises
approximately 60% of the remaining market.
We
believe the following are the main drivers in the research market for commercial
cell systems:
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The
need for experimental human cells which are more predictive of human
biology than non-human cells or genetically modified cell
lines.
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The
desire to lower the cost of drug development in the pharmaceutical
industry. We believe that human cell systems may provide a platform for
screening toxic drugs early in the development process, thus avoiding late
stage failures in clinical trials and reducing costs.
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The
need to eliminate animal products in research reagents that may
contaminate future therapeutic products.
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The
need for experimental control. Serum-free defined media provides the
benefit of experimental control because there are fewer undefined
components.
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The
need for consistency in experiments that can be given by quality
controlled products.
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The
need to eliminate the necessity to formulate media in-house, obtain tissue
or perform cell isolations.
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The
need to reduce animal testing in the consumer products
industry.
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12
Our
internal projections for the global market for human cell systems for use in
basic research are several hundred million dollars annually with an anticipated
growth rate between 10% and 20%.
Intellectual
Property
Patents
We have
filed patent applications covering our proprietary technology to create stem
cells without the use of fertilized eggs or transferred DNA. In addition, we
have obtained exclusive worldwide licenses to a portfolio of patents and patent
applications from Advanced Cell Technology.
Our
patent portfolio consists of 30 families of patents consisting of over 110
separate patents (including international filings) and patent applications in
the field of stem cell culture. We also have an exclusive license to the only
patent issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for the creation of
human embryonic stem cells, or hES cells using nuclear transfer technology for
human therapeutic use. Of these, eight are issued patents and a majority of the
patents and applications have been filed in the United States and in foreign
countries through the Patent Corporation Treaty or by direct country filings in
those jurisdictions deemed significant to our operations.
We have
several internally-generated patents pending. Two of these pending patents cover
both composition of matter for our parthenogenetic stem cell lines and the
methods of deriving them. We have also filed patents on unique
methods of differentiating parthenogenetic stem cells.
The
Company has protected its research products and branding through both patents
and trademarks. Lifeline has patents pending on its unique packaging
for research products. The Company has registered trademarks on its
company name, logo and various product names to protect its branding
investment.
The
patentability of human cells in countries throughout the world reflects widely
differing governmental attitudes. In the United States, hundreds of patents
covering human embryonic stem cells have already been granted, including those
on which we rely. In certain countries in Europe, the European Patent Office
currently appears to take the position that hES cells themselves are not
patentable, while the United Kingdom has decided that some types of hES cells
can be patented. As a result, we plan to file internationally wherever feasible
and focus our research strategy on cells that best fit the United States and
United Kingdom Patent Offices’ definitions of patentable cells.
License
Agreements
In
May 2005, we entered into three exclusive license agreements with Advanced
Cell Technology for the production of therapeutic products in the fields of
diabetes, liver disease, retinal disease, and the creation of research products
in all fields. The license agreements give us access to all aspects of Advanced
Cell Technology’s human cell patent portfolio as it existed on that date, plus a
combination of exclusive and non-exclusive rights to future developments. A
significant feature of the licensed technology is that it allows us to isolate
and differentiate hES stem cells directly from a “blastocyst.” The hES cells can
be immediately differentiated into stem cells capable of expansion and
differentiation into islet cells, liver cells, and retinal cells.
Pursuant
to the terms of our agreements with Advanced Cell Technology, in exchange for
worldwide therapeutic rights to Advanced Cell Technology’s portfolio of patents
and patent applications in the fields of diabetes, liver disease and retinal
disease, we are required to make a payment of $150,000 in May 2009 and
annual payments thereafter of $150,000, plus milestone payments linked to the
launch of therapeutic products (not research products) ranging from $250,000 at
first launch to $1 million upon reaching sales of $10 million, with a
maximum of $1.75 million in the aggregate. The agreements also require us
to pay royalties on sales and meet minimum research and development
requirements. The agreements continue until expiration of the last valid claim
within the licensed patent rights. Advanced Cell Technology is required to
defend any patent infringement claims. Either party may terminate the agreements
for an uncured breach, or we may terminate the agreements at any time with
30 days notice.
The
agreements with Advanced Cell Technology further provide that any technology
either party currently owns, develops or licenses in the future may be licensed
on a non-exclusive basis by the other party for use in specific fields. This
arrangement gives us continuing access to future discoveries made or licensed by
Advanced Cell Technology in our fields of diabetes, liver disease, retinal
disease, plus all research products, and obligates us to provide similar license
rights to Advanced Cell Technology in the fields of blood and cardiovascular
diseases.
13
Exclusive License Agreement Number
One, as amended, covers patent rights and technology that are relevant
to:
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the
research, development, manufacture and sale of human and non-human animal
cells for commercial research; and
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the
manufacture and selling of hES cells for therapeutic and diagnostic use in
the treatment of human diabetes, liver diseases, retinal diseases and
retinal degenerative diseases.
|
Exclusive License Agreement Number
Two, as amended, covers patent rights and technology that are relevant
to:
●
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the
research, development, manufacture and sale of human and non-human animal
cells and defined animal cell lines for commercial
research;
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the
manufacture and selling of human cells for therapeutic and diagnostic use
in the treatment of human diabetes, liver diseases, retinal diseases and
retinal degenerative diseases; and
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the
use of defined animal cell lines in the process of manufacturing and
selling human cells for therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of
human diabetes, liver diseases and retinal
diseases.
|
Exclusive License Agreement Number
Three, as amended, covers patent rights and technology relevant to the
research, development, manufacture and sale of human cells for cell therapy in
the treatment of therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of human
diabetes and liver diseases, and retinal diseases and retinal degenerative
diseases.
Research
Agreements
Dr. Revazova,
our Chief Scientific Officer, currently is conducting basic research at the
Scientific Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology of the Russian
Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow, Russia. This laboratory contains all of
the necessary equipment and scientific resources to complete our preliminary
research in parthenogenesis and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer technology.
Through a research agreement, Dr. Revazova continues to conduct research
into the creation and characterization of embryonic stem cell lines. The
Institute provides Dr. Revazova access to the equipment and technicians
needed to create and fully characterize human parthenogenic and embryonic stem
cells. This includes equipment for immunofluorescence, karyotyping, gene
expression, and equipment for molecular biology and cell biology. Under the
terms of the agreement, we retain all intellectual property rights in the United
States and the Institute retains such rights in Russia. We share equally in any
royalty payments from the rest of the world, but we retain control of all
marketing and distribution anywhere in the world, except Russia. The agreement
expires by its terms on August 5, 2009, and is expected to be renewed. If not
renewed, we will seek a similar relationship with another laboratory in Russia.
We do not consider the availability of such a laboratory to be necessary for our
current operations.
During
2007, we entered into sponsored research agreements with the University of
California at Irvine (UCI) and are in negotiations to develop collaborative
research agreements with domestic and international research organizations from
both the public and private sector. These agreements allow us to team
up with nationally and internationally known research scientists to study stem
cell technologies developed or licensed by ISC for possible use in therapeutic
fields. Dr. Hans Keirstead at UCI will be working with our proprietary stem
cells on the further development of retinal pigment epithelial cells as well as
towards the derivation of photoreceptors to treat macular degeneration and
retinitis pigmentosa. We expect that other developing collaborative
agreements will focus on the creation of liver cells for the treatment of liver
disease, beta cells for the treatment of diabetes and continuing work on our
corneal tissues for use in transplantation therapy for corneal-caused vision
loss. In addition to the sponsored research agreement with UCI, we provide our
stem cell lines to researchers at many universities and other research
facilities. Ordinarily, the stem cell lines are provided without
charge, but we retain the right to either an exclusive or non-exclusive right to
use any technology that may be developed that is necessary in order for us to
make therapeutic products based on the research that uses our
cells.
14
Competition
The
development of therapeutic and diagnostic agents for human disease is intensely
competitive. Pharmaceutical companies currently offer a number of pharmaceutical
products to treat diabetes, liver diseases, retinal disease, corneal disease and
other diseases for which our technologies may be applicable. Many pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies are investigating new drugs and therapeutic
approaches for the same purposes, which may achieve new efficacy profiles,
extend the therapeutic window for such products, alter the prognosis of these
diseases, or prevent their onset. We believe that our therapeutic products, when
and if successfully developed, will compete with these products principally on
the basis of improved and extended efficacy and safety and their overall
economic benefit to the health care system. We believe that our most significant
competitors will be fully integrated pharmaceutical companies and more
established biotechnology companies. Smaller companies may also be significant
competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large
pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. Some of our primary competitors in
the development of stem cell therapies are Geron Corporation, Genzyme
Corporation, StemCell Inc., Advanced Cell Technology, Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
and ViaCell, Inc., most of which have substantially greater resources and
experience. In the field of research products, our primary competitors for stem
cells, media and reagents are Lonza, Chemicon, Life Technologies Corp. (formerly
Invitrogen Corp.), StemCell Technologies Inc., Millipore and Specialty Media.
These companies primarily provide standard media that have not been optimized
for human embryonic stem cell growth.
Sales and
Marketing
To date,
sales of our research products have been derived primarily through our in-house
sales force and distribution agreements with American Tissue Culture Collection
(“ATCC”) and CellSystems Biotechnologies Vertrieb GmbH. We have also recently
signed a worldwide distribution agreement with Millipore Corp., a worldwide
supplier of bioscience products and tools, but the agreement is too recent to
have made a major contribution to sales yet. As of March 16, 2009, we had 3
full-time sales and marketing employees.
Government
Regulation
Regulation
by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries is a
significant factor in the development, manufacture and marketing of our proposed
therapeutic products and in our ongoing research and product development
activities. The nature and extent to which such regulation applies to us will
vary depending on the nature of any products that may be developed by us. We
anticipate that many, if not all, of our proposed therapeutic products will
require regulatory approval by governmental agencies prior to commercialization.
In particular, human therapeutic products are subject to rigorous preclinical
and clinical testing and other approval procedures of the FDA, and similar
regulatory authorities in European and other countries. Various governmental
statutes and regulations also govern or influence testing, manufacturing,
safety, labeling, storage and recordkeeping related to such products and their
marketing. The process of obtaining these approvals and the subsequent
compliance with appropriate statutes and regulations require the expenditure of
substantial time and money, and there can be no guarantee that approvals will be
granted.
FDA Approval
Process
Prior to
commencement of clinical studies involving humans, preclinical testing of new
pharmaceutical products is generally conducted on animals in the laboratory to
evaluate the potential efficacy and safety of the product candidate. The results
of these studies are submitted to the FDA as a part of an Investigational New
Drug (IND) application, which must become effective before clinical testing
in humans can begin. Typically, human clinical evaluation involves a
time-consuming and costly three-phase process. In Phase 1, clinical trials are
conducted with a small number of people to assess safety and to evaluate the
pattern of drug distribution and metabolism within the body. In Phase 2,
clinical trials are conducted with groups of patients afflicted with a specific
disease in order to determine preliminary efficacy, optimal dosages and expanded
evidence of safety. In some cases, an initial trial is conducted in diseased
patients to assess both preliminary efficacy and preliminary safety and patterns
of drug metabolism and distribution, in which case it is referred to as a Phase
1-2 trial. In Phase 3, large-scale, multi-center, comparative trials are
conducted with patients afflicted with a target disease in order to provide
enough data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety required by the FDA. The FDA
closely monitors the progress of each of the three phases of clinical testing
and may, at its discretion, re-evaluate, alter, suspend, or terminate the
testing based upon the data which have been accumulated to that point and its
assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient. Monitoring of all aspects
of the study to minimize risks is a continuing process. All adverse events must
be reported to the FDA.
15
The
results of the preclinical and clinical testing on a non-biologic drug and
certain diagnostic drugs are submitted to the FDA in the form of a New Drug
Application (“NDA”) for approval prior to commencement of commercial sales. In
the case of vaccines or gene and cell therapies, the results of clinical trials
are submitted as a Biologics License Application (“BLA”). In responding to a NDA
or BLA, the FDA may grant marketing approval, request additional information or
refuse to approve if the FDA determines that the application does not satisfy
its regulatory approval criteria. There can be no assurance that approvals will
be granted on a timely basis, if at all, for any of our proposed
products.
European and Other Regulatory
Approval
Whether
or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a product by comparable
regulatory authorities in Europe and other countries will likely be necessary
prior to commencement of marketing the product in such countries. The regulatory
authorities in each country may impose their own requirements and may refuse to
grant an approval, or may require additional data before granting it, even
though the relevant product has been approved by the FDA or another authority.
As with the FDA, the regulatory authorities in the European Union (“EU”) and
other developed countries have lengthy approval processes for pharmaceutical
products. The process for gaining approval in particular countries varies, but
generally follows a similar sequence to that described for FDA approval. In
Europe, the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products provides a
mechanism for EU-member states to exchange information on all aspects of product
licensing. The EU has established a European agency for the evaluation of
medical products, with both a centralized community procedure and a
decentralized procedure, the latter being based on the principle of licensing
within one member country followed by mutual recognition by the other member
countries.
Other
Regulations
We are
also subject to various United States federal, state, local and international
laws, regulations and recommendations relating to safe working conditions,
laboratory and manufacturing practices and the use and disposal of hazardous or
potentially hazardous substances, including radioactive compounds and infectious
disease agents, used in connection with our research work. We cannot accurately
predict the extent of government regulation which might result from future
legislation or administrative action.
Employees
In
addition to our four executive officers, we utilize the services of 25 full-time
and 5 part-time staff members.
Item
1A.
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RISK
FACTORS.
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Risks Related to Our
Business
Our business is
at an early stage of development and we may not develop therapeutic products
that can be commercialized.
Our
business is at an early stage of development. We do not have any products in
late-stage clinical trials. We are still in the early stages of identifying and
conducting research on potential therapeutic products. Our potential therapeutic
products will require significant research and development and preclinical and
clinical testing prior to regulatory approval in the United States and other
countries. We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals, enter clinical
trials for any of our product candidates, or commercialize any products. Our
product candidates may prove to have undesirable and unintended side effects or
other characteristics adversely affecting their safety, efficacy or
cost-effectiveness that could prevent or limit their use. Any product using any
of our technology may fail to provide the intended therapeutic benefits, or
achieve therapeutic benefits equal to or better than the standard of treatment
at the time of testing or production.
16
We have a history
of operating losses and do not expect to be profitable in the near
future.
We have
not generated any profits since our entry into the biotechnology business and
have incurred significant operating losses. We expect to incur additional
operating losses for the foreseeable future and, as we increase our research and
development activities, we expect our operating losses to increase
significantly. We do not have any sources of significant revenues and may not
have any in the foreseeable future.
We will need
additional capital to conduct our operations and develop our products and our
ability to obtain the necessary funding is uncertain.
We need
to obtain significant additional capital resources from sources including equity
and/or debt financings, license arrangements, grants and/or collaborative
research arrangements in order to develop products. Our current burn rate is
approximately $450,000 per month excluding capital expenditures and the company
has been funding this through private equity financings, as required. We believe
that more formal financing in an amount sufficient to fund operations for a year
or more will be required and we intend to seek such financing when
the capital markets permit. However, if such financing is not
available or available only on terms that are detrimental to the long term
survival of the company, it could have a major adverse effect on our ability to
continue to function. The timing and degree of any future capital requirements
will depend on many factors, including:
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the
accuracy of the assumptions underlying our estimates for capital needs in
2009 and beyond;
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scientific
progress in our research and development programs;
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the
magnitude and scope of our research and development programs and our
ability to establish, enforce and maintain strategic arrangements for
research, development, clinical testing, manufacturing and
marketing;
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our
progress with preclinical development and clinical
trials;
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the
time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory
approvals;
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the
costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending
and enforcing patent claims; and
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the
number and type of product candidates that we pursue.
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Additional
financing through strategic collaborations, public or private equity financings
or other financing sources may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.
Additional equity financing could result in significant dilution to our
stockholders. Further, if additional funds are obtained through arrangements
with collaborative partners, these arrangements may require us to relinquish
rights to some of our technologies, product candidates or products that we would
otherwise seek to develop and commercialize on our own. If sufficient capital is
not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one
or more of our product lines, any of which could have a material adverse affect
on our financial condition or business prospects.
Clinical trials
are subject to extensive regulatory requirements, very expensive, time-consuming
and difficult to design and implement. Our products may fail to achieve
necessary safety and efficacy endpoints during clinical
trials.
Human
clinical trials can be very expensive and difficult to design and implement, in
part because they are subject to rigorous regulatory requirements. The clinical
trial process is also time consuming. We estimate that clinical trials of our
product candidates will take at least several years to complete. Furthermore,
failure can occur at any stage of the trials, and we could encounter problems
that cause us to abandon or repeat clinical trials. The commencement and
completion of clinical trials may be delayed by several factors,
including:
17
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unforeseen
safety issues;
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determination
of dosing issues;
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lack
of effectiveness during clinical trials;
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slower
than expected rates of patient recruitment;
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inability
to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment;
and
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inability
or unwillingness of medical investigators to follow our clinical
protocols.
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In
addition, we or the FDA may suspend our clinical trials at any time if it
appears that we are exposing participants to unacceptable health risks or if the
FDA finds deficiencies in our IND submissions or the conduct of these
trials.
Patents obtained
by other persons may result in infringement claims against us that are costly to
defend and which may limit our ability to use the disputed technologies and
prevent us from pursuing research and development or commercialization of
potential products.
A number
of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other companies, universities and research
institutions have filed patent applications or have been issued patents relating
to cell therapy, stem cells, and other technologies potentially relevant to or
required by our expected products. We cannot predict which, if any, of such
applications will issue as patents or the claims that might be allowed. We are
aware that a number of companies have filed applications relating to stem cells.
We are also aware of a number of patent applications and patents claiming use of
stem cells and other modified cells to treat disease, disorder or
injury.
If third
party patents or patent applications contain claims infringed by either our
licensed technology or other technology required to make and use our potential
products and such claims are ultimately determined to be valid, there can be no
assurance that we would be able to obtain licenses to these patents at a
reasonable cost, if at all, or be able to develop or obtain alternative
technology. If we are unable to obtain such licenses at a reasonable cost, we
may not be able to develop some products commercially. We may be required to
defend ourselves in court against allegations of infringement of third party
patents. Patent litigation is very expensive and could consume substantial
resources and create significant uncertainties. An adverse outcome in such a
suit could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties, require
disputed rights to be licensed from third parties, or require us to cease using
such technology.
We may not be
able to adequately protect against piracy of intellectual property in foreign
jurisdictions.
Considerable
research in the areas of stem cells, cell therapeutics and regenerative medicine
is being performed in countries outside of the United States, and a number of
our competitors are located in those countries. The laws protecting intellectual
property in some of those countries may not provide adequate protection to
prevent our competitors from misappropriating our intellectual
property.
Our competition
includes fully integrated biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that have
significant advantages over us.
The
market for therapeutic stem cell products is highly competitive. We expect that
our most significant competitors will be fully integrated pharmaceutical
companies and more established biotechnology and stem cell companies. These
companies are developing stem cell-based products and they have significantly
greater capital resources in research and development, manufacturing, testing,
obtaining regulatory approvals, and marketing capabilities. Many of these
potential competitors are further along in the process of product development
and also operate large, company-funded research and development programs. As a
result, our competitors may develop more competitive or affordable products, or
achieve earlier patent protection or product commercialization than we are able
to achieve. Competitive products may render any products or product candidates
that we develop obsolete.
18
If we fail to
meet our obligations under our license agreements, we may lose our rights to key
technologies on which our business depends.
Our
business depends in part on licenses from third parties. These third party
license agreements impose obligations on us, such as payment obligations and
obligations to diligently pursue development of commercial products under the
licensed patents. If a licensor believes that we have failed to meet our
obligations under a license agreement, the licensor could seek to limit or
terminate our license rights, which could lead to costly and time-consuming
litigation and, potentially, a loss of the licensed rights. During the period of
any such litigation, our ability to carry out the development and
commercialization of potential products could be significantly and negatively
affected. If our license rights were restricted or ultimately lost, our ability
to continue our business based on the affected technology platform could be
severely adversely affected.
Restrictive and
extensive government regulation could slow or hinder our production of a
cellular product.
The
research and development of stem cell therapies is subject to and restricted by
extensive regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other
countries. The process of obtaining FDA and other necessary regulatory approvals
is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. We may fail to obtain the necessary
approvals to continue our research and development, which would hinder our
ability to manufacture or market any future product.
Research in the
field of nuclear transfer and embryonic stem cells is currently subject to
strict government regulations, and our operations could be restricted or
outlawed by any legislative or administrative efforts impacting the use of
nuclear transfer technology or human embryonic material.
Our
business is focused on human cell therapy, which includes the production of
human differentiated cells from stem cells and involves human oocytes. Although
our focus is on stem cells derived from unfertilized oocytes, certain aspects of
that work may involve the use of nuclear transfer technology or material deemed
to be embryonic material. Nuclear transfer technology, commonly known as
therapeutic cloning, and research utilizing embryonic stem cells is
controversial, and currently subject to intense scrutiny, particularly in the
area of nuclear transfer of human cells and the use of human embryonic material.
Cloning for research purposes is unlawful in many states and this type of
prohibition may expand into other states, including some where we now
operate.
Federal
law no longer restricts the use of federal funds for human embryonic cell
research, commonly referred to as hES cell research, however, there can be no
assurance that our operations will not be restricted by any future legislative
or administrative efforts by politicians or groups opposed to the development of
hES call technology or nuclear transfer technology, or that such efforts might
not be extended to include our parthenogenic technology. Further, there can be
no assurance that legislative or administrative restrictions directly or
indirectly delaying, limiting or preventing the use of hES technology, nuclear
transfer technology, the use of human embryonic material, or the sale,
manufacture or use of products or services derived from nuclear transfer
technology or other hES technology will not be adopted in the future or extend
to include our parthenogenetic processes.
Restrictions on
the use of human stem cells, and the ethical, legal and social implications of
that research, could prevent us from developing or gaining acceptance for
commercially viable products in these areas.
Although
our stem cells are derived from unfertilized human eggs through a process called
“parthenogenesis” that can produce cells suitable for therapy, but are believed
to be incapable of producing a human being, such cells are nevertheless often
referred to as “embryonic” stem cells. Because the use of human embryonic stem
cells gives rise to ethical, legal and social issues regarding the appropriate
use of these cells, our research related to human parthenogenic stem cells could
become the subject of adverse commentary or publicity and some political and
religious groups may still raise opposition to our technology and practices. In
addition, many research institutions, including some of our scientific
collaborators, have adopted policies regarding the ethical use of human
embryonic tissue, which, if applied to our procedures, may have the effect of
limiting the scope of research conducted using our stem cells, thereby impairing
our ability to conduct research in this field. In some states, use of embryos as
a source of stem cells is prohibited.
19
To the extent we
utilize governmental grants in the future, the governmental entities involved
may retain certain rights in technology that we develop using such grant money
and we may lose the revenues from such technology if we do not commercialize and
utilize the technology pursuant to established government
guidelines.
Certain
of our licensors’ research have been or are being funded in part by government
grants and our research may be so funded in the future. In connection with
certain grants, the governmental entity involved retains rights in the
technology developed with the grant. These rights could restrict our ability to
fully capitalize upon the value of this research by reducing total revenues that
might otherwise be available since such governmental rights may give it the
right to practice the invention without payment of royalties.
We rely on
parthenogenesis, cell differentiation and other stem cell technologies that we
may not be able to successfully develop, which may prevent us from generating
revenues, operating profitably or providing investors any return on their
investment.
We have
concentrated our research on our parthenogenesis, cell differentiation and stem
cell technologies, and our ability to operate profitably will depend on being
able to successfully implement or develop these technologies for human
applications. These are emerging technologies with, as yet, limited human
applications. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully implement
or develop our nuclear transfer, parthenogenesis, cell differentiation and other
stem cell technologies or that these technologies will result in products or
services with any significant commercial utility. We anticipate that the
commercial sale of such products or services, and royalty/licensing fees related
to our technology, would be our primary sources of revenues.
The outcome of
pre-clinical, clinical and product testing of our products is uncertain, and if
we are unable to satisfactorily complete such testing, or if such testing yields
unsatisfactory results, we will be unable to commercially produce our proposed
products.
Before
obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any potential human
products, our products will be subjected to extensive pre-clinical and clinical
testing to demonstrate their safety and efficacy in humans. The clinical trials
of our products, or those of our licensees or collaborators, demonstrate the
safety and efficacy of such products at all, or to the extent necessary to
obtain appropriate regulatory approvals. Similarly, the testing of such products
may not be completed in a timely manner, if at all, or only after significant
increases in costs, program delays or both, all of which could harm our ability
to generate revenues. In addition, our prospective products may not prove to be
more effective for treating disease or injury than current therapies.
Accordingly, we may have to delay or abandon efforts to research, develop or
obtain regulatory approval to market our prospective products. The failure to
adequately demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a therapeutic product under
development could delay or prevent regulatory approval of the product and could
harm our ability to generate revenues, operate profitably or produce any return
on an investment in us.
If we are unable
to keep up with rapid technological changes in our field or compete effectively,
we will be unable to operate profitably.
We are
engaged in activities in the biotechnology field, which is characterized by
extensive research efforts and rapid technological progress. If we fail to
anticipate or respond adequately to technological developments, our ability to
operate profitably could suffer. Research and discoveries by other
biotechnology, agricultural, pharmaceutical or other companies may render our
technologies or potential products or services uneconomical or result in
products superior to those we develop. Similarly, any technologies,
products or services we develop may not be preferred to any existing
or newly-developed technologies, products or services.
20
We may not be
able to protect our proprietary technology, which could harm our ability to
operate profitably.
The
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries place considerable importance on
obtaining patent and trade secret protection for new technologies, products and
processes. Our success will depend, to a substantial degree, on our ability to
obtain and enforce patent protection for our products, preserve any trade
secrets and operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others. We
cannot assure you that:
●
|
we
will succeed in obtaining any patents, obtain them in a timely manner, or
that the breadth or degree of protection that any such patents will
protect our interests;
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the
use of our technology will not infringe on the proprietary rights of
others;
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patent
applications relating to our potential products or technologies will
result in the issuance of any patents or that, if issued, such patents
will afford adequate protection to us or will not be challenged,
invalidated or infringed; or
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|
patents
will not be issued to other parties, which may be infringed by our
potential products or technologies.
|
We are
aware of certain patents that have been granted to others and certain patent
applications that have been filed by others with respect to nuclear transfer and
other stem cell technologies. The fields in which we operate have been
characterized by significant efforts by competitors to establish dominant or
blocking patent rights to gain a competitive advantage, and by considerable
differences of opinion as to the value and legal legitimacy of competitors’
purported patent rights and the technologies they actually utilize in their
businesses.
Our business is
highly dependent upon maintaining licenses with respect to key
technology.
Although
our primary focus relates to intellectual property we have developed internally,
some of the patents we utilize are licensed to us by Advanced Cell Technology,
which has licensed some of these from other parties, including the University of
Massachusetts. These licenses are subject to termination under certain
circumstances (including, for example, our failure to make minimum royalty
payments or to timely achieve development and commercialization benchmarks). The
loss of any of such licenses, or the conversion of such licenses to
non-exclusive licenses, could harm our operations and/or enhance the prospects
of our competitors. Although our licenses with Advanced Cell Technology allow us
to cure any defaults under the underlying licenses to them and to take over the
patents and patents pending in the event of default by Advanced Cell Technology,
the cost of such remedies could be significant and we might be unable to
adequately maintain these patent positions. If so, such inability could have a
material adverse affect on our business.
Some of
these licenses also contain restrictions (e.g., limitations on our
ability to grant sublicenses) that could materially interfere with our ability
to generate revenue through the licensing or sale to third parties of important
and valuable technologies that we have, for strategic reasons, elected not to
pursue directly. In the future we may require further licenses to complete
and/or commercialize our proposed products. We may not be able to acquire any
such licenses on a commercially viable basis.
Patents
pending may not be granted.
Our
business is based in large part on technology which we have developed and on
which we have filed domestic and international patent
applications. However, although we have researched prior art in the
fields covered by our patents and believe that they will ultimately be granted,
some or all of such patent applications may not be granted. We may
not have the resources to defend them in the event of
infringement.
Certain of our
technology may not be subject to protection through patents, which leaves us
vulnerable to theft of our technology.
Certain
parts of our know-how and technology are not patentable. To protect our
proprietary position in such know-how and technology, we intend to require all
employees, consultants, advisors and collaborators to enter into confidentiality
and invention ownership agreements with us. These agreements may not provide
meaningful protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary
information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure. Further, in the
absence of patent protection, competitors who independently develop
substantially equivalent technology may harm our business.
21
We depend on our
collaborators to help us develop and test our proposed products, and our ability
to develop and commercialize products may be impaired or delayed if
collaborations are unsuccessful.
Our
strategy for the development, clinical testing and commercialization of our
proposed products requires that we enter into collaborations with corporate
partners, licensors, licensees and others. We are dependent upon the subsequent
success of these other parties in performing their respective responsibilities
and the continued cooperation of our partners. Our collaborators may not
cooperate with us or perform their obligations under our agreements with them.
We cannot control the amount and timing of our collaborators’ resources that
will be devoted to our research and development activities related to our
collaborative agreements with them. Our collaborators may choose to pursue
existing or alternative technologies in preference to those being developed in
collaboration with us.
Under
agreements with collaborators, we may rely significantly on such collaborators
to, among other things:
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design
and conduct advanced clinical trials in the event that we reach clinical
trials;
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fund
research and development activities with us;
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pay
us fees upon the achievement of milestones; and
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market
with us any commercial products that result from our
collaborations.
|
The
development and commercialization of potential products will be delayed if
collaborators fail to conduct these activities in a timely manner, or at all. In
addition, our collaborators could terminate their agreements with us and we may
not receive any development or milestone payments. If we do not achieve
milestones set forth in the agreements, or if our collaborators breach or
terminate their collaborative agreements with us, our business may be materially
harmed.
Our reliance on
the activities of our non-employee consultants, research institutions, and
scientific contractors, whose activities are not wholly within our control, may
lead to delays in development of our proposed products.
We rely
extensively upon and have relationships with scientific consultants at academic
and other institutions, some of whom conduct research at our request, and other
consultants with expertise in clinical development strategy or other matters.
These consultants are not our employees and may have commitments to, or
consulting or advisory contracts with, other entities that may limit their
availability to us. We have limited control over the activities of these
consultants and, except as otherwise required by our collaboration and
consulting agreements to the extent they exist, can expect only limited amounts
of their time to be dedicated to our activities.
These
research facilities may have commitments to other commercial and non-commercial
entities. We have limited control over the operations of these laboratories and
can expect only limited amounts of time to be dedicated to our research
goals.
We may be subject
to litigation that will be costly to defend or pursue and uncertain in its
outcome.
Our
business may bring us into conflict with our licensees, licensors or others with
whom we have contractual or other business relationships, or with our
competitors or others whose interests differ from ours. If we are unable to
resolve those conflicts on terms that are satisfactory to all parties, we may
become involved in litigation brought by or against us. That litigation is
likely to be expensive and may require a significant amount of management’s time
and attention, at the expense of other aspects of our business. The outcome of
litigation is always uncertain, and in some cases could include judgments
against us that require us to pay damages, enjoin us from certain activities, or
otherwise affect our legal or contractual rights, which could have a significant
adverse effect on our business.
22
We may not be
able to obtain third-party patient reimbursement or favorable product pricing,
which would reduce our ability to operate profitably.
Our
ability to successfully commercialize certain of our proposed products in the
human therapeutic field may depend to a significant degree on patient
reimbursement of the costs of such products and related treatments at acceptable
levels from government authorities, private health insurers and other
organizations, such as health maintenance organizations. Reimbursement in the
United States or foreign countries may not be available for any products we may
develop, and, if available, may be decreased in the future.
Also, reimbursement amounts may reduce the demand for, or
the price of, our products with a consequent harm to our business. We cannot
predict what additional regulation or legislation relating to the health care
industry or third-party coverage and reimbursement may be enacted in the future
or what effect such regulation or legislation may have on our business. If
additional regulations are overly onerous or expensive, or if health care
related legislation makes our business more expensive or burdensome than
originally anticipated, we may be forced to significantly downsize our business
plans or completely abandon our business model.
Our products may
be expensive to manufacture, and they may not be profitable if we are unable to
control the costs to manufacture them.
Our
products may be significantly more expensive to manufacture than other
therapeutic products currently on the market today. We hope to substantially
reduce manufacturing costs through process improvements, development of new
science, increases in manufacturing scale and outsourcing to experienced
manufacturers. If we are not able to make these, or other improvements, and
depending on the pricing of the product, our profit margins may be significantly
less than that of other therapeutic products on the market today. In addition,
we may not be able to charge a high enough price for any cell therapy product we
develop, even if they are safe and effective, to make a profit. If we are unable
to realize significant profits from our potential product candidates, our
business would be materially harmed.
To be successful,
our proposed products must be accepted by the health care community, which can
be very slow to adopt or unreceptive to new technologies and
products.
Our
proposed products and those developed by our collaborative partners, if approved
for marketing, may not achieve market acceptance since hospitals, physicians,
patients or the medical community in general may decide not to accept and
utilize these products. The products that we are attempting to develop represent
substantial departures from established treatment methods and will compete with
a number of more conventional therapies manufactured and marketed by major
pharmaceutical companies. The degree of market acceptance of any of our
developed products will depend on a number of factors, including:
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our
establishment and demonstration to the medical community of the clinical
efficacy and safety of our proposed products;
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our
ability to create products that are superior to alternatives currently on
the market;
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our
ability to establish in the medical community the potential advantage of
our treatments over alternative treatment methods; and
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reimbursement
policies of government and third-party
payers.
|
If the
healthcare community does not accept our products for any of the foregoing
reasons, or for any other reason, our business would be materially
harmed.
We depend on key
personnel for our continued operations and future success, and a loss of certain
key personnel could significantly hinder our ability to move forward with our
business plan.
Because
of the specialized nature of our business, we are highly dependent on our
ability to identify, hire, train and retain highly qualified scientific and
technical personnel for the research and development activities we conduct or
sponsor. The loss of one or more key executive officers, or scientific officers,
particularly Mr. Janus, Mr. Aldrich, Mr. Adams or Dr. Revazova, would
be significantly detrimental to us. In addition, recruiting and retaining
qualified scientific personnel to perform research and development work is
critical to our success. Our anticipated growth and expansion into areas and
activities requiring additional expertise, such as clinical testing, regulatory
compliance, manufacturing and marketing, will require the addition of new
management personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing
management personnel. There is intense competition for qualified personnel in
the areas of our present and planned activities, and we may not be able to
continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the
development of our business. The failure to attract and retain such personnel or
to develop such expertise would adversely affect our
business.
23
We may not have
sufficient product liability insurance, which may leave us vulnerable to future
claims we will be unable to satisfy.
The
testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of human therapeutic products entail
an inherent risk of product liability claims. We currently have a limited amount
of product liability insurance, which may not be adequate to meet potential
product liability claims. In the event we are forced to expend significant funds
on defending product liability actions, and in the event those funds come from
operating capital, we will be required to reduce our business activities, which
could lead to significant losses. Adequate insurance coverage may not be
available in the future on acceptable terms, if at all. If available,
we may not be able to maintain any such insurance at sufficient
levels of coverage and any such insurance may not provide adequate
protection against potential liabilities. Whether or not a product liability
insurance policy is obtained or maintained in the future, any product liability
claim could harm our business or financial condition.
Risks
Related to the Securities Markets and Our Capital Structure
Stock prices for
biotechnology companies have historically tended to be very
volatile.
Stock
prices and trading volumes for many biotechnology companies fluctuate widely for
a number of reasons, including but not limited to the following factors, some of
which may be unrelated to their businesses or results of
operations:
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clinical
trial results;
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the
amount of cash resources and such company’s ability to obtain additional
funding;
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announcements
of research activities, business developments, technological innovations
or new products by competitors;
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entering
into or terminating strategic relationships;
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changes
in government regulation;
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disputes
concerning patents or proprietary rights;
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changes
in our revenues or expense levels;
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public
concern regarding the safety, efficacy or other aspects of the products or
methodologies we are developing;
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reports
by securities analysts;
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activities
of various interest groups or organizations;
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media
coverage; and
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status
of the investment markets.
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This
market volatility, as well as general domestic or international economic, market
and political conditions, could materially and adversely affect the market price
of our common stock.
The application
of the “penny stock” rules to our common stock could limit the trading and
liquidity of the our common stock, adversely affect the market price of our
common stock and increase stockholder transaction costs to sell those
shares.
24
As long
as the trading price of our common stock is below $5.00 per share, the
open-market trading of our common stock will be subject to the “penny stock”
rules, unless we otherwise qualify for an exemption from the “penny stock”
definition. The “penny stock” rules impose additional sales practice
requirements on certain broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than
established customers and accredited investors (generally those with assets in
excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together
with their spouse). These regulations, if they apply, require the delivery,
prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule
explaining the penny stock market and the associated risks. Under these
regulations, certain brokers who recommend such securities to persons other than
established customers or certain accredited investors must make a special
written suitability determination regarding such a purchaser and receive such
purchaser’s written agreement to a transaction prior to sale. These regulations
may have the effect of limiting the trading activity of our common stock,
reducing the liquidity of an investment in our common stock and increasing the
transaction costs for sales and purchases of our common stock as compared to
other securities.
The market price
for our common stock may be particularly volatile given our status as a
relatively unknown company with a limited operating history and lack of profits,
which could lead to wide fluctuations in our share price. The price at which
stockholders purchase shares of our common stock may not be indicative of the
price of our common stock that will prevail in the trading
market.
The
market for our common stock may be characterized by significant price volatility
when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect that our stock price could
continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future.
The potential volatility in our share price is attributable to a number of
factors. First, there has been limited trading in our common stock. As a
consequence of this lack of liquidity, any future trading of shares by our
stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in
either direction. Second, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our
limited operating history and lack of profits to date, and uncertainty of future
market acceptance for our potential products. As a consequence of this enhanced
risk, more risk averse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of
their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more
inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater
discounts than would be the case with the stock of a seasoned issuer. Many of
these factors will be beyond our control and may decrease the market price of
our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any
predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our common
stock will be at any time or as to what effect that the sale of shares or the
availability of shares for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market
price.
In
addition, the market price of our common stock could be subject to wide
fluctuations in response to:
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quarterly
variations in our revenues and operating expenses;
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announcements
of new products or services by us;
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fluctuations
in interest rates;
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significant
sales of our common stock;
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the
operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors
may deem comparable to us; and
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news
reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic
conditions.
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Shares eligible
for future sale may adversely affect the market.
From time
to time, certain of our stockholders may be eligible to sell all or some of
their shares of common stock by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the
open market pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, subject to certain limitations. In general, pursuant to
Rule 144, a stockholder (or stockholders whose shares are aggregated) who
is not an affiliate of our company and who has satisfied a six month holding
period may, as long as we are current in our required filings with the SEC, sell
securities without further limitation. Rule 144 also permits, under certain
circumstances, the sale of securities, without any limitations, by a
non-affiliate of our company who has satisfied a one-year holding period.
Affiliates of our company who have satisfied a six month holding period may sell
securities subject to volume limitations. Any substantial sale of our common
stock pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to any resale prospectus may have an
adverse effect on the market price of our securities. Currently, almost all of
our securities are either free trading or subject to the release of trading
restrictions under the six month or one year holding periods of Rule
144.
25
Certain
provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Delaware law may make it more
difficult for a third party to affect a change-in-control.
Our
Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue up to
20,000,000 shares of preferred stock and our Board of Directors has created and
issued shares of four series of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be
issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time
of issuance by the Board of Directors without further action by the
stockholders. These terms may include voting rights including the right to vote
as a series on particular matters, preferences as to dividends and liquidation,
conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. The issuance
of any preferred stock could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock,
and therefore could reduce the value of such common stock. In addition, specific
rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict
our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of the
Board of Directors to issue preferred stock could make it more difficult, delay,
discourage, prevent or make it more costly to acquire the Company or affect a
change-in-control.
The sale or
issuance of a substantial number of shares may adversely affect the market price
for our common stock.
The
future sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public
market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could significantly and
negatively affect the market price for our common stock. We expect that we will
likely issue a substantial number of shares of our capital stock in financing
transactions in order to fund our operations and the growth of our business.
Under these arrangements, we may agree to register the shares for resale soon
after their issuance. We may also continue to pay for certain goods and services
with equity, which would dilute our current stockholders. Also, sales of the
shares issued in this manner could negatively affect the market price of our
stock.
Limitations on
director and officer liability and indemnification of our officers and directors
by us may discourage stockholders from bringing suit against a
director.
Our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide, with certain exceptions as
permitted by governing state law, that a director or officer shall not be
personally liable to us or our stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct,
fraud or knowing violation of law, or unlawful payments of dividends. These
provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing suit against a director for
breach of fiduciary duty and may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation
brought by stockholders on our behalf against a director. In addition, our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws may provide for mandatory
indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by
governing state law.
Compliance with
the rules established by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will be complex. Failure to comply in a timely manner
could adversely affect investor confidence and our stock
price.
Rules
adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 require us to perform an annual assessment of our internal controls over
financial reporting, certify the effectiveness of those controls and secure an
attestation of our assessment by our independent registered public accountants.
The standards that must be met for management to assess the internal controls
over financial reporting as now in effect are complex, and require significant
documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards.
We may encounter problems or delays in completing activities necessary to make
an assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting. In addition,
the attestation process is new for us and we may encounter problems or delays in
completing the implementation of any requested improvements and receiving an
attestation of the assessment by our independent registered public accountants.
If we cannot perform the assessment or certify that our internal controls over
financial reporting are effective, or our independent registered public
accountants are unable to provide an unqualified attestation on such assessment,
investor confidence and share value may be negatively impacted.
We do not expect
to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We have not paid cash
dividends on our stock and we do not plan to pay cash dividends on our stock in
the foreseeable future.
26
ITEM
1B.
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UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS.
|
None
ITEM
2.
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PROPERTIES
|
We have
established our primary research facility in 8,215 square feet of leased office
and laboratory space in Oceanside, California. Our lease for this facility
expires in August 2011, with a five-year option to renew at our discretion.
Our current base rent is $6,983 per month. The facility has over $1,000,000 of
improvements which include clean rooms, segregated rooms for biohazard control
and containment of human donor tissue. We are in the process of building and
equipping a cGMP pilot manufacturing laboratory that will be uniquely suited for
the creation, culture and differentiation of parthenogenetic stem
cells. We believe that this facility is well suited to meet our
research, development and therapeutic production needs.
We have a
3,240 square foot laboratory in Walkersville, Maryland. Our lease for this
facility expires in March 2009, with a three-year renewal option, which at
this time the Company plans to exercise that option. Our current base rent is
$5,142 per month. This laboratory is being used to develop and manufacture our
research products, as well as for sales and marketing and general
administration. The Walkersville facility contains a 2,000 square foot
manufacturing laboratory space with two clean rooms and is fitted with the
necessary water purification, refrigeration, labeling equipment and standard
manufacturing equipment to manufacture, package, store and distribute media
products. There is a 500 square foot quality control and cell culture laboratory
outfitted with the necessary cell isolation equipment, incubators, microscopes
and standard cell culture equipment necessary to isolate and culture cells and
conduct quality control tests to produce superior cell culture
products.
The
manufacturing and quality control laboratories also serve as product development
laboratories, and 300 square feet are devoted to administration, sales and
marketing. This area contains the computers, communication equipment and the
file systems necessary to establish technical offices, sales and marketing
offices, finance and human resources. Equipment monitoring and security systems
are in place.
Commencing
February 1, 2007, we entered into a lease for approximately 1,700 sq. ft.
of commercial space in Walkersville, Maryland. Our lease for this facility
expires on January 31, 2010, subject to a three-year extension at our
option. Our base rent is $1,200 per month. These facilities are close to our
laboratory in Walkersville.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS.
None.
|
SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
None.
|
27
ITEM
5.
|
MARKET
FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
|
Our
common stock is approved for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board under the
trading symbol “ISCO.OB.” From January 8, 2007 until January 29, 2007,
we traded under the symbol “BTHC.OB.” A trading market for our common stock did
not begin until January 8, 2007. The OTC Bulletin Board is a regulated
quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last-sale prices and volume
information in over-the-counter equity securities. The OTC Bulletin Board
securities are traded by a community of market makers that enter quotes and
trade reports. This market is extremely limited and any prices quoted may not be
a reliable indication of the value of our common stock.
On March
16, 2009 the last reported sales price of our common stock as reported by the
OTC Bulletin Board was $ .50 per share. As of March 16, 2009, we
had 38,410,675shares of common stock outstanding, and approximately 779 holders
of record of our common stock, and we had 3,450,030 shares of
preferred stock outstanding, and approximately 13 holders of record of our
preferred stock, with 100,000 shares of preferred stock being convertible into
400,00 shares of common stock.
Our
common stock started trading on OTC Bulletin Board in December 2006, as we went
public through a reverse merger at that time. The quotations reflect
inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not
reflect actual transactions. The high and low sales prices of our common stock,
as reported by OTC Bulletin Board for each quarter during fiscal years 2007 and
2008, are reported below:
Market
Price
|
||||||||||
High
|
Low
|
|||||||||
Fiscal
Year 2008
|
||||||||||
First
Quarter
|
$ | 1.02 | $ | 0.40 | ||||||
Second
Quarter
|
$ | 0.55 | $ | 0.32 | ||||||
Third
Quarter
|
$ | 0.41 | $ | 0.15 | ||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$ | 0.45 | $ | 0.14 | ||||||
Fiscal
Year 2007
|
||||||||||
First
Quarter
|
$ | 3.50 | $ | 2.50 | ||||||
Second
Quarter
|
$ | 3.20 | $ | 2.54 | ||||||
Third
Quarter
|
$ | 3.05 | $ | 0.86 | ||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$ | 1.47 | $ | 0.54 |
Our Board
of Directors determines any payment of dividends. We have never declared or paid
cash dividends on our common stock. We do not expect to authorize the payment of
cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future. Any
future decision with respect to dividends will depend on future earnings,
operations, capital requirements and availability, restrictions in future
financing agreements and other business and financial
considerations.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 we did not issue any securities that
were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, except as disclosed in
previous filings with the Commission.
The
following table provides the information indicated as of December 31, 2008
with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation
arrangements) under which equity securities of the registrant are authorized for
issuance, aggregated (i) for all compensation plans previously approved by
security holders, and (ii) all compensation plans not previously approved
by security holders.
28
Equity Compensation Plan
Information
Plan
Category
|
Number
of securities to be
issued upon exercise |
Weighted-average exercise
price of |
Number
of securities remaining
available for |
||||||||||||
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
|||||||||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security
holders:
|
|||||||||||||||
2006
Equity Participation Plan
|
6,167,500
|
$
|
0.61
|
8,832,500
|
|||||||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security
holders
|
0
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total
|
6,167,500
|
$
|
0.61
|
8,832,500
|
ITEM
6.
|
SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA
|
Not
required.
|
ITEM
7.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
|
The
following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should
be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related
notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K. The discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon
current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans,
expectations and intentions. Our actual results may differ significantly from
management’s expectations. This discussion should not be construed to imply that
the results discussed herein will necessarily continue into the future, or that
any conclusion reached herein will necessarily be indicative of actual operating
results in the future. Such discussion represents only the best present
assessment of our management.
Overview
We were
originally incorporated in Delaware on June 7, 2005 as BTHC III, Inc. to
effect the reincorporation of BTHC III, LLC, a Texas limited liability company,
mandated by a plan of reorganization. Pursuant to the plan of reorganization, an
aggregate of 500,000 shares of our common stock were issued to holders of
administrative and tax claims and unsecured debt, of which 350,000 shares were
issued to Halter Financial Group. The plan of reorganization required BTHC III,
Inc. to consummate a merger or acquisition prior to June 20, 2007. Until
the Share Exchange Agreement described below, BTHC III, Inc. conducted no
operations. In October 2006, BTHC III, Inc. affected a 4.42-for-one stock
split with respect to the outstanding shares of common stock.
On
December 28, 2006, pursuant to a Share Exchange Agreement, BTHC III, Inc.
issued 33,156,502 shares of common stock, representing approximately 93.7% of
the common stock outstanding immediately after the transaction, to the
shareholders of International Stem Cell Corporation, a California corporation
(“ISC California”), in exchange for all outstanding stock of ISC California.
This transaction is being accounted for as a “reverse merger” for accounting
purposes. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the historical operations
that are reflected in our financial statements are those of ISC
California.
ISC
California was incorporated in California in June 2006 for the purpose of
restructuring the business of Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, which was organized
in California in August 2001. As a result of the restructuring, Lifeline
became wholly-owned by ISC California, which in turn is wholly-owned by us. All
of our current operations are conducted by Lifeline. Our principal executive
offices are located at 2595 Jason Court, Oceanside, California 92056, and our
telephone number is (760) 940-6383.
29
Results of
Operations
Year
Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
Revenues
We are a
development stage company and as such have generated nominal revenues. For the
year end December 31, 2008, our product sales have continued to increase. We
recognized $367,771 of product revenue and $135,000 of licensing revenue during
2008, compared to $38,764 of product sales for the year ended December 31, 2007.
The increase in product sales is due to our strategic marketing efforts executed
over the years on advertising and our continued increased efforts by our sales
and marketing team as well as our marketing consultants promoting our
products.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $3,579,044
an increase of $489,081, or 16%, compared to $3,089,963 for the same period in
2007. The increase primarily related to the development of a support staff,
which included payroll related expenses of $1,554,821, financial consultants to
assist with various Securities and Exchange Commission filings of $70,753, audit
and accounting $192,537, deferred compensation charges of $559,500 and general
corporate expenses of $1,201,432.
Research and
Development
Research
and development expenses were $1,946,704 for the year ended December 31, 2008, a
decrease of $539,713, or 22%, compared to $2,486,417 for the same period in
2007. Research and development expenses decreased from the prior year primarily
due to our efforts to manage our cash position. We reviewed all research and
development expenses for cost reduction opportunities and during the year
decreased research and development activities being conducted at our Russian
Lab. We also reduced expenses related to our research consultants, as well as
our reduced research efforts and expenses on certain collaboration activities.
We gained efficiencies in our laboratory activities and streamlined our
production activities to reduce costs.
R&D
operations consisted primarily of the development of additional stem cell lines
through parthenogenesis, the development of new techniques of parthenogenesis,
the development of differentiation techniques for retinal, corneal and
definitive endoderm cells, and the development of research products for sale.
Expenses related to these projects have not been separately accounted for on our
books as yet since the research involved often involves multiple projects,
including the use of the same employees and equipment for multiple
purposes.
The
development of cells for therapeutic use will be an ongoing endeavor for many
years and it is impossible to make any meaningful estimate of the nature and
timing of costs related thereto. Future R&D related to research cells and
media products will be ongoing as products are developed and offered for sale
and will be accounted for separately at such time as specific allocations can be
meaningfully made based on demand and sales. We have not yet reached that stage
of development. The project at UCI previously described will be the first for
which separate allocation will be feasible.
Other
than with respect to the research agreement described previously, no specific
completion dates have been established for any particular project since most of
our work is experimental. No revenues are expected from any R&D efforts
directed toward cell based therapy for several years and may never develop if
our research is not successful. Some revenues are expected from research cells
and media, but it is too early in our history to make meaningful predictions as
to the amount of such revenues.
Research
and development expenses are expensed as they are incurred, and are not yet
accounted for on a project by project basis since, to date, all of our research
has had potential applicability to each of our projects.
30
Marketing
Expense
Marketing
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $380,895, a decrease of
$114,114, or 23%, compared to $495,009 for 2007. During 2008, as part of our
cost saving measures, we reduced expenses related to our marketing consultants
and our cost of advertising. We continued to develop marketing and sales
strategies, as well as, our marketing infrastructure to support our sales team
and our sales goals. Our primary marketing expenses for the year ended 2008,
related to our professional sales representatives, sales literature, development
and placement of print ads for trade journals, trade shows and marketing
consultants.
Liquidity and Capital
Resources
At
December 31, 2008, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $381,822. Overall, we
had an increase in cash of $216,478 for the year ended December 31, 2008,
resulting from $4,750,826 cash used in operating activities and $318,196 used in
investment activities, offset by $5,285,000 of cash provided by our financing
activities. The funds generated from financing activities during 2008 were used
mainly to support our operating losses.
Operating
Cash Flows
Net cash
used in operating activities of $4,750,326 for the year end December 31, 2008
was primarily attributable to a net loss of $6,571,324. The adjustments to
reconcile the net loss to net cash used in operating activities include
depreciation and amortization expense of $163,055, non-cash stock option expense
of $734,867, Amortization of discounts on convertible notes of $1,013,735, a
decrease in inventory of $241,707, an increase in prepaid assets of $43,607, a
decrease in accounts receivable of $70,473, a decrease in other assets of
$3,779, a decrease in accounts payable of $28,392, an increase in accrued
expenses of $98,816, and a decrease of $485,130 in related party
payables.
Investing
Cash Flows
Net cash
used in investing activities of $318,196 for the year ended December 31, 2008
was primarily attributable to purchases of property and equipment of $254,353
consisting primarily of laboratory equipment for use in a variety of research
projects, and building leasehold improvements related to new research labs. In
addition we made payments for patent licenses of $63,843 during
2008.
Financing
Cash Flows
Net cash
provided by financing activities of $5,285,000 for the year ended December 31,
2008 was primarily attributable to closing the Series A, B, C and D Preferred
Stock financings of $4,550,000, net proceeds from loan of $1,110,000 and
advances of $250,000, offset by a loan payment of $625,000.
Management
believes that we will need to obtain significant additional capital resources
from sources including equity and/or debt financings, license arrangements,
grants and/or collaborative research arrangements in order to develop products.
Thereafter, we will need to raise additional working capital. Our current burn
rate is approximately $450,000 per month excluding capital expenditures. The
timing and degree of any future capital requirements will depend on many
factors., Based on the above, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern.
Year
Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006
Revenues
We
recognized $38,764 of product revenue during 2007, compared to $2,828 for 2006.
This increase is due to increased marketing dollars spent in 2007 on advertising
and increased efforts by our sales and marketing team as well as our marketing
consultants.
31
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $3,089,963
a decrease of $641,378, or 17%, compared to $3,731,341 for the same period in
2006. The decrease primarily relates to reduced expenses of the private
placement of securities in 2006. During 2007 our general and administrative
expenses related to the development of a support staff, which included payroll
related expenses of $1,300,296, financial consultants to assist with various
Securities and Exchange Commission filings of $64,250, public relations of
$174,172, audit and accounting $266,910, and general corporate expenses of
$952,606. In addition, we incurred expenses related to a private placement of
securities in 2006, which certain closings occurred in early 2007. In addition
we filed a SB-2 and incurred onetime expenses for legal, accounting and
consulting fees during the year until the filing was effective on July 12,
2007.
Research and
Development
Research
and development expenses were $2,486,417 for the year ended December 31, 2007,
an increase of $627,959, or 34%, compared to $1,858,458 for the same period in
2006. Research and development expenses increased from the prior year primarily
due to increased salaries as a result of the addition of the lab in Oceanside,
California, resulting in additional scientific staffing, as well as the addition
of scientific staff at our Walkersville Maryland facilities. R&D salary
expense totaled $860,951. Also, contract service expenditures continued to
increase due to increased activity and collaborations with our lab located in
Russia, as well as, contract service expenditures in the form of consulting fees
incurred for scientific projects. These expenses totaled $472,698. Expenditures
for lab supplies and lab facility rental increased primarily as a result of the
addition of the Oceanside facility. Lab supplies and lab facility expenses
totaled $526,563. Depreciation of lab equipment and amortization of licensed
technology both increased as we continue to expand our facilities both in
Oceanside, California and Walkersville Maryland, as well as, additions to our
patent portfolio.
R&D
operations consisted primarily of the development of additional stem cell lines
through parthenogenesis, the development of new techniques of parthenogenesis,
and the development of research products for sale. Expenses related to these
projects have not been separately accounted for on our books as yet since the
research involved often involves multiple projects, including the use of the
same employees and equipment for multiple purposes.
The
development of cells for therapeutic use will be an ongoing endeavor for many
years and it is impossible to make any meaningful estimate of the nature and
timing of costs related thereto. Future R&D related to research cells and
media products will be ongoing as products are developed and offered for sale
and will be accounted for separately at such time as specific allocations can be
meaningfully made based on demand and sales. We have not yet reached that stage
of development. The project at UCI previously described will be the first for
which separate allocation will be feasible.
Other
than with respect to the research agreement described previously, no specific
completion dates have been established for any particular project since most of
our work is experimental. No revenues are expected from any R&D efforts
directed toward cell based therapy for several years and may never develop if
our research is not successful. Some revenues are expected from research cells
and media, but it is too early in our history to make meaningful predictions as
to the amount of such revenues.
Research
and development expenses are expensed as they are incurred, and are not yet
accounted for on a project by project basis since, to date, all of our research
has had potential applicability to each of our projects.
Marketing
Expense
Marketing
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $495,009, an increase of
$397,085, compared to $97,924 for the same period in 2006. During 2007, we
continued to invest in developing marketing and sales strategies, as well as,
establishing an infrastructure to support our sales team and our sales goals.
Our primary marketing expenses continued to be for the development for our web
site, creation of sales literature, and development and placement of print ads
for trade journals. In previous years these functions did not exist nor needed
improvement to support our current sales and marketing needs. Sales and
marketing expense primarily consisted of $181,489 in sales and marketing
salaries, $260,365 in marketing consulting and related expenses and $57,130 in
trade show expenses.
32
Liquidity and Capital
Resources
At
December 31, 2007, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $165,344. Overall, we
had a decrease in cash of $4,531,350 for the twelve month period ended December
31, 2007, resulting from $5,228,622 cash used in operating activities and
$437,853 used in investment activities, offset by $1,160,125 of cash provided by
our financing activities. The funds generated from financing activities during
2007 were used mainly to support our operating losses.
Operating
Cash Flows
Net cash
used in operating activities of $5,228,622 for the year ended December 31, 2007
was primarily attributable to a net loss of $6,071,983. The adjustments to
reconcile the net loss to net cash used in operating activities include
depreciation and amortization expense of $135,729, non-cash stock option expense
of $427,496, an increase in inventory of $155,491, an increase in prepaid assets
of $119,035, an increase in other assets of $9,575, a decrease in deposits of
$2,320, an increase in accounts payable of $171,837, an increase in accrued
expenses of $120,747, and an increase of $269,333 of related party payables
attributable to loan by our Chairman Mr. Kenneth Aldrich.
Investing
Cash Flows
Net cash
used in investing activities of $437,853 for the year ended December 31, 2007
was primarily attributable to purchases of property and equipment of $430,694
consisting primarily of laboratory equipment for use in a variety of research
projects, and building leasehold improvements related to new research labs. In
addition we made payments for patent licenses of $7,159 during
2007.
Financing
Cash Flows
Net cash
provided by financing activities of $1,135,125 for the year ended December 31,
2007 was primarily attributable to the delayed closings during such period for
the sale of 1,373,000 shares of common stock that were part of a private
placement of securities during the second half of 2006. Such shares were sold
for cash at $1.00 per share, we incurred $212,875 in cash expense related
to the subscriptions that closed in 2007 and we paid loans of
$25,000.
Management
believes that we will need to obtain significant additional capital resources
from sources including equity and/or debt financings, license arrangements,
grants and/or collaborative research arrangements in order to develop products.
Thereafter, we will need to raise additional working capital. Our current burn
rate is approximately $450,000 per month excluding capital expenditures. The
timing and degree of any future capital requirements will depend on many
factors, including: Based on the above, there is substantial doubt about the
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements
There
were no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recently Issued Accounting
Pronouncements
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements,
(“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures
about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value
measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a
fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of the
information. This statement is effective for the Company beginning
January 1, 2008 and did not have an impact on the financial statements as the
Company does not have financial instruments subject to the expanded disclosure
requirements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which provides a one year
delay of the effective date of FAS 157 as it relates to nonfinancial assets and
liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of
SFAS 157 relating to nonfinancial assets and liabilities will be effective for
the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company assessed the potential
impact that adoption of FASB 157 as it relates to nonfinancial assets and
liabilities would have on its consolidated financial statements and have
concluded that there will be no material impact in 2009.
33
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). Under the provisions of
SFAS 159, companies may choose to account for eligible financial instruments,
warranties and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract
basis. Changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings each reporting
period. FASB 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. The adoption of SFAS 159 had no impact on our consolidated
financial statements as the Company did not elect the fair value
option.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business
Combinations.( SFAS 141(r)”). The new standard requires the acquiring entity in
a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair
value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities
assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all
of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial
effect of the business combination. This is effective for the Company beginning
January 1, 2009 and has assessed that it will have no impact on the consolidated
financial statements.
In
December, 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51(“SFAS 160”). This
statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling
interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This
statement is effective prospectively, except for certain retrospective
disclosure requirements, for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008. The Company expects that this will have no impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, FASB ratified the consensus reached by EITF on EITF Issue 07-1,
Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements, or EITF 07-1. EITF 07-1 requires
collaborators to present the results of activities for which they act as the
principal on a gross basis and report any payments received from (made to) other
collaborators based on other applicable GAAP or, in the absence of other
applicable GAAP, based on analogy to authoritative accounting literature or a
reasonable, rational, and consistently applied accounting policy election.
Further, EITF 07-1 clarified that the determination of whether transactions
within a collaborative arrangement are part of a vendor-customer (or analogous)
relationship subject to EITF 01-9, ‘‘Accounting for Consideration Given by a
Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products).’’ EITF
07-1 will be effective beginning on January 1, 2008. The Company assessed the
potential impact adopting this pronouncement would have on the consolidated
financial statements and have concluded that there is no material impact as of
December 31, 2008.
In
March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). This statement
requires companies with derivative instruments to disclose information that
should enable financial statement users to understand how and why a company uses
derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are
accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, and how derivative instruments and related
hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15,
2008. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a
material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
In May
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies a consistent framework,
or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing
financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles for nongovernmental entities (the “Hierarchy”).
The Hierarchy within SFAS 162 is consistent with that previously defined in the
AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards No. 69, The Meaning of Present Fairly in
Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SAS 69”). SFAS 162 is
effective 60 days following the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission’s (the “SEC”) approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity
With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of SFAS 162 will not
have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements because the
Company has utilized the guidance within SAS 69.
In May
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee
Insurance Contracts—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60 (“SFAS No. 163”).
SFAS 163 requires recognition of an insurance claim liability prior to an event
of default when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an
insured financial obligation. SFAS 163 is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and all interim
periods within those fiscal years. Early application is not permitted. The
Company expects that the adoption of SFAS 163 will not have a material effect on
the consolidated financial statements.
34
ITEM
7A.
|
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not
required.
|
ITEM
8.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
|
The
information required by this Item is set forth in our Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes thereto beginning at page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
ITEM
9.
|
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
None.
|
ITEM
9A.
|
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES.
|
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As
required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Company has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the
Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of
its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in such rules) as of the end
of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by the Company in reports prepared in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
by the SEC’s rules and forms.
Our
management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures
will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well
conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance
that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a
control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and
the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of
the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can
provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if
any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include
the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that
breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
Additionally,
controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by
collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The
design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions
about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any
design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future
conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control
system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be
detected.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There
have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2008
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect,
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company continues
to review its disclosure controls and procedures, including its internal
controls over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed
at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company’s systems evolve
with its business.
35
Management
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting. Our internal control system is designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and
includes those policies and procedures that:
●
|
pertain
to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company;
|
|
●
|
provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that
receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance
with authorizations of management and directors of the company;
and
|
|
●
|
provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that
could have a material effect on its financial
statements.
|
Because
of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial
reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of
internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system
contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct
deficiencies as they are identified.
Our
management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of
internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded
that our system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of
December 31, 2008.
This
report does not include an attestation report of our registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public
accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual
report.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION.
None.
|
36
PART
III
ITEM
10.
|
DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information under the caption "Election of Directors" and "Corporate
Governance" contained in the Proxy Statement.
|
ITEM
11.
|
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION.
The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information under the caption "Executive Compensation" contained in
the Proxy Statement.
|
ITEM
12.
|
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information under the caption "Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters" contained in
the Proxy Statement.
|
ITEM
13.
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE.
The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information under the caption "Related Person Transactions" and
"Corporate Governance" contained in the Proxy
Statement.
|
ITEM
14.
|
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services”
contained in the Proxy Statement.
|
PART IV | |
ITEM
15.
|
EXHIBITS,
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
Exhibit
|
||||
Number
|
Description
|
|||
3.1
|
Certificate
of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the
issuer’s Form 10-SB filed on April 4, 2006).
|
|||
3.2
|
Certificate
of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Issuer’s Preliminary Information Statement on
Form 14C filed on December 29, 2006).
|
|||
3.3
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 of the Issuer’s Preliminary Information Statement on
Form 14C filed on December 29, 2006).
|
|||
4.1
|
Form
of Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
|
|||
4.2
|
Form
of Lifeline Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
37
4.3
|
Form
of Lifeline Warrant held by ISC Bridge lenders (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on
December 29, 2006).
|
|||
4.4
|
Placement
Agents Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2006).
|
|||
4.5
|
Certification
of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed on January 17,
2008).
|
|||
|
||||
4.6
|
Certification
of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed on May 12,
2008).
|
|||
4.7
|
Certification
of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed on August 21,
2008).
|
|||
4.8
|
Certification
of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed on January 5,
2009).
|
|||
4.9 | Warrant Certificate for warrants in connection with Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2008). | |||
4.10 |
Warrant
Certificate for warrants in connection with Series B Preferred Stock
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed
on May 12, 2008).
|
|||
10.1
|
Employment
Agreement, dated December 1, 2006, by and between International Stem
Cell and Kenneth C. Aldrich (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on
December 29, 2006).
|
|||
10.2
|
Employment
Agreement, dated November 1, 2006, by and between International Stem
Cell and William B. Adams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2
of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.3
|
Employment
Agreement, dated March 27, 2006, by and between
International
Stem
Cell and Jeff Krstich (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of
the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.4
|
Employment
Agreement, dated October 31, 2006, by and between International Stem
Cell and Jeffrey Janus (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of
the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.5
|
Advisory
Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2006, by and between International
Stem Cell and Halter Financial Group, L.P. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on
December 29, 2006).
|
|||
10.6
|
Consulting
Agreement, effective as of September 1, 2006, by and between
International Stem Cell and Capital Group Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant’s
Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2006).
|
|||
10.7
|
Lifeline/ASC
Final Settlement Agreement, effective as of June 30, 2006, by and
between each of the American Stem Cell Corporation Parties (which include
American Stem Cell Corporation Kenneth Swaisland, Ken Sorensen, Milton
Datsopoulos, Michael McClain, Array Capital, Catalytix LDC, Catalytix Life
Sciences Hedge, Avion Holdings, Inc., jointly and severally) and the
Lifeline Parties (which include Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC
(“Lifeline”), Jeffrey Janus, William B. Adams, Kenneth C. Aldrich, jointly
and severally) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.8
|
First Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement (ACT IP), dated as of August 1, 2005, by and between Advanced Cell, Inc. and Lifeline (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2006). |
38
10.9
|
First
Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement (UMass IP) dated as of
August 1, 2005, by and between Advanced Cell, Inc. and Lifeline
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant’s Form
8-K filed on December 29, 2006).
|
|||
10.10
|
First
Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement (Infigen IP) dated as of
August 1, 2005, by and between Advanced Cell, Inc. and Lifeline
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant’s
Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2006).
|
|||
10.11
|
Exclusive
License Agreement (Infigen IP), dated as of May 14, 2004, by and
between Advanced Cell Technology, Inc and PacGen Cellco, LLC (predecessor
company of Lifeline) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of
the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.12
|
Exclusive
License Agreement (ACT IP), dated as of May 14, 2004, by and between
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and PacGen Cellco, LLC (predecessor company
of Lifeline) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.13
|
Exclusive
License Agreement (UMass IP), dated as of May 14, 2004, by and
between Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and PacGen Cellco, LLC (predecessor
company of Lifeline) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of
the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
10.14
|
International
Stem Cell Corporation 2006 Equity Participation Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on
December 29, 2006).
|
|||
10.15 | Securities Purchase Agreement of May 14, 2008 for sale of OID Senior Secured Convertible Note and Warrants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2008). | |||
10.16 | OID Senior Secured Convertible note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2008). | |||
10.17 | Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued with OID Senior Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2008). | |||
10.18 | Multiple Advance Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on August 18, 2008). | |||
10.19 | Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued with Multiple Advance Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on August 18, 2008). | |||
10.20 | Employment Agreement with Andrei Semetchkine (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2009). | |||
10.21 |
Employment
Agreement with Rouslan Semetchkine (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.5 of the Issuers Form 8-K filed on January 5,
2009).
|
|||
21.1
|
Subsidiaries
of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29,
2006).
|
|||
23.1 | Consent of Vasquez & Company LLP | |||
31.1
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14a
(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
|
|||
31.2
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14a
(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
|
|||
32.1
|
Section 1350
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
|
|||
32.2
|
Section 1350
Certification of Chief Financial
Officer.
|
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
INTERNATIONAL
STEM CELL CORPORATION
|
||||
By:
|
/s/
William B. Adams
|
|||
Name:
|
William
B. Adams
|
|||
Title:
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|||
Dated:
March 30, 2009
|
In
accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature:
|
Capacity:
|
Date:
|
||
/s/ Kenneth C. Aldrich
Kenneth
C. Aldrich
|
Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
|
March
30, 2009
|
||
/s/ Jeffrey D. Janus
Jeffrey
D. Janus
|
President
and Director
|
March
30, 2009
|
||
/s/ William B. Adams
William
B. Adams
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer) |
March
30, 2009
|
||
/s/ Donald A. Wright
Donald
A. Wright
|
Director
|
March
30, 2009
|
||
/s/ Paul V. Maier
Paul
V. Maier
|
Director
|
March
30, 2009
|
||
/s/ Rouslan Semetchkine
Rouslan
Semetchkine
|
Director
|
March
30, 2009
|
||
/s/ Andrei Semetchkine
Andrei
Semetchkine
|
Director
|
March
30, 2009
|
||
40
Consolidated
Financial Statements
International
Stem Cell Corporation and Subsidiary
(A
Development Stage Company)
Years Ended December 31, 2008
and 2007
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
F-2
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
F-3
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
|
F-4
|
Consolidated
Statements of Members' Deficit and Stockholders’ Equity
|
F-5
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
F-6
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-7
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
International
Stem Cell Corporation
(A
Development Stage Company)
Los
Angeles, California
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of International Stem Cell
Corporation and subsidiary (a development stage company) (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, members’ deficit and stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of
the years then ended and for the period from inception (August 17, 2001)
through December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over
financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining,
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of International Stem Cell
Corporation and subsidiary as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended and
for the period from inception (August 17, 2001) through December 31,
2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial
statements, the Company expects to incur losses and needs to raise capital,
which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.
Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of the uncertainty.
/s/
Vasquez & Company LLP
Los
Angeles, California
March 30,
2009
F-2
INTERNATIONAL
STEM CELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
December
31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Assets
|
||||||||
Current
assets
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
381,822
|
$
|
165,344
|
||||
Accounts
Receivable
|
81,898
|
10,189
|
||||||
Inventory
|
417,343
|
175,636
|
||||||
Prepaid
assets
|
75,428
|
119,035
|
||||||
Total
current assets
|
956,491
|
470,204
|
||||||
|
||||||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
625,870
|
482,786
|
||||||
Patent
licenses, net
|
637,205
|
625,148
|
||||||
Deposits
and other assets
|
22,186
|
19,643
|
||||||
|
||||||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
2,241,752
|
$
|
1,597,781
|
||||
|
||||||||
Liabilities,
Member’s Deficit and Stockholders’ Equity
|
||||||||
Current
liabilities
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
465,034
|
$
|
493,426
|
||||
Accrued
expenses
|
231,488
|
142,177
|
||||||
Convertible
debt and advances
|
690,994
|
--
|
||||||
Related
party payable
|
420,931
|
749,778
|
||||||
|
||||||||
Total
liabilities
|
1,808,447
|
1,385,381
|
Member’s
Deficit and Stockholders’ Equity
|
||||||||
Capital
stock, $0.001 par value 200,000,000 shares authorized, 38,410,675
issued.
|
38,410
|
35,369
|
||||||
Preferred
stock, $0.001 par value 20,000,000 shares authorized, 3,550,010 and 0
issued.
|
3,550
|
—
|
||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
24,491,311
|
16,124,046
|
||||||
Deficit
accumulated during the development stage
|
(24,099,966
|
)
|
(15,947,015
|
)
|
||||
Total
members’ deficit and stockholders’ equity
|
433,305
|
212,400
|
||||||
Total
liabilities, members’ deficit and stockholders’ equity
|
$
|
2,241,752
|
$
|
1,597,781
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
Inception
|
||||||||||||
(August
2001)
|
||||||||||||
through
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended December 31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
||||||||||
Product
Sales
|
$
|
367,771
|
$
|
38,764
|
$
|
409,521
|
||||||
Royalties
and license
|
|
135,000
|
|
--
|
|
135,000
|
||||||
Total
revenue
|
|
502,771
|
|
38,764
|
|
544,521
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||
Development
expenses
|
||||||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
129,257
|
40,997
|
201,126
|
|||||||||
Research
and development
|
1,946,704
|
2,486,417
|
8,321,816
|
|||||||||
Marketing
|
380,895
|
495,009
|
1,012,351
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative
|
3,579,044
|
3,089,963
|
11,412,811
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Total
development expenses
|
6,035,900
|
6,112,386
|
20,948,104
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Loss
from development activities
|
(5,533,129
|
)
|
(6,073,622
|
)
|
(20,403,583
|
)
|
||||||
Other
income (expense)
|
||||||||||||
Settlement
with related company
|
—
|
--
|
(93,333
|
)
|
||||||||
Miscellaneous
|
---
|
3,164
|
8,643
|
|||||||||
Dividend
& interest income
|
1,682
|
31,741
|
56,013
|
|||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(1,048,277
|
)
|
(41,808
|
)
|
(2,116,408
|
)
|
||||||
Sublease
income
|
8,400
|
9,642
|
37,129
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Total
other income (loss)
|
(1,038,195
|
)
|
2,739
|
(2,107,956
|
)
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||
Loss
before tax
|
(6,571,324
|
)
|
(6,070,883
|
)
|
(22,511,539
|
)
|
||||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
---
|
1,100
|
6,800
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(6,571,324
|
)
|
$
|
(6,071,983
|
)
|
$
|
(22,518,339
|
)
|
|||
Deemed
Dividend
|
(1,581,627
|
) |
---
|
(1,581,627
|
) | |||||||
Net
loss applicable to common Shareholders
|
$
|
(8,152,951
|
)
|
$
|
(6,071,983
|
)
|
$
|
(24,099,966
|
)
|
|||
Net
loss per common share - basic and diluted
|
$ |
(0.22
|
)
|
$ |
(0.17
|
)
|
n/a
|
|||||
Weighted
average shares - basic and diluted
|
36,358,890
|
35,362,206
|
n/a
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARY
From
Inception to December 31, 2008
Additional
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
Preferred
Stock
|
Paid-in
|
Accumulated
|
Total
|
Member’s
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Par
|
Shares
|
Par
|
Capital
|
Deficit
|
Equity
|
Deficit
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at August 17, 2001
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members
contribution
|
$ | 100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the period from inception
|
(140,996 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2001
|
(40,996 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members
contribution
|
250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the year ended
|
(390,751 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2002
|
(181,747 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members
contribution
|
195,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the year ended
|
(518,895 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2003
|
(505,642 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members
contribution
|
1,110,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the year ended
|
(854,718 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2004
|
(250,360 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members
contribution
|
780,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the year ended
|
(1,385,745 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2005
|
(856,105 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members
contribution
|
250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Effect
of the reorganization transaction
|
20,000,000 | $ | 20,000 | $ | 2,665,000 | $ | (3,291,105 | ) | $ | (606,105 | ) | $ | (606,105 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
BTHC
transactions
|
2,209,993 | 2,210 | (2,210 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offering
costs
|
(2,778,082 | ) | (2,778,082 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
issued for equity placement services
|
1,230,649 | 1,230,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
issued for services
|
222,077 | 222,077 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
issued with promissory note
|
637,828 | 637,828 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock issued for services
|
1,350,000 | 1,350 | 1,348,650 | 1,350,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
10,436,502 | 10,436 | 10,371,512 | 10,381,948 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
842,374 | 842,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2006
|
(6,583,927 | ) | (6,583,927 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
33,996,495 | 33,996 | 14,537,798 | (9,875,032 | ) | 4,696,762 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offering
costs
|
(382,124 | ) | (382,124 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
issued for equity placement services
|
169,249 | 169,249 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
1,370,000 | 1,370 | 1,368,630 | 1,370,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
3,000 | 3 | 2,997 | 3,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
427,496 | 427,496 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2007
|
(6,071,983 | ) | (6,071,983 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
35,369,495 | $ | 35,369 | - | $ | - | $ | 16,124,046 | $ | (15,947,015 | ) | $ | 212,400 | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of Preferred stock
|
3,550,010 | 3,550 | 4,546,450 | 4,550,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred
Stock Subscribed
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
issued and beneficial conversion feature
|
910,963 | 910,963 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of Common Stock for services
|
3,041,180 | 3,041 | 593,358 | 596,399 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
734,867 | 734,867 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deemed
dividend on preferred stock
|
1,581,627 | (1,581,627 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss year to date September 30, 2008
|
(6,571,324 | ) | (6,571,324 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2008
|
38,410,675 | $ | 38,410 | 3,550,010 | $ | 3,550 | $ | 24,491,311 | $ | (24,099,966 | ) | $ | 433,305 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-5
INTERNATIONAL
STEM CELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
December
31,
|
Inception December
31,(August 2001) through |
|||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
||||||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities
|
||||||||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(6,571,324
|
)
|
$
|
(6,071,983
|
)
|
$
|
(22,518,339
|
)
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
163,055
|
135,729
|
452,472
|
|||||||||
Accretion
of discount on notes payable
|
—
|
—
|
103,304
|
|||||||||
Accretion
of discount on bridge loans
|
—
|
—
|
637,828
|
|||||||||
Non-cash
warrants for services
|
—
|
—
|
222,077
|
|||||||||
Non-cash
compensation expense
|
734,867
|
427,496
|
2,004,737
|
|||||||||
Common
stock issued for services
|
596,399
|
—
|
1,946,399
|
|||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Amortization
of debt discount on convertible debt
|
1,013,735
|
—
|
1,013,735
|
|||||||||
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
|
|
|||||||||||
Increase
in inventory
|
(241,707
|
)
|
(155,491
|
)
|
(417,343
|
)
|
||||||
Increase
in prepaid assets
|
43,607
|
(119,035
|
)
|
(75,428
|
)
|
|||||||
Increase
in other current assets
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||||||
Increase
(decrease) in deposits
|
(2,543)
|
2,320
|
(22,186
|
)
|
||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in accounts receivable
|
(71,709)
|
(9,575
|
)
|
(81,898
|
)
|
|||||||
Increase
(decrease) in accounts payable
|
(28,392
|
)
|
171,837
|
465,034
|
||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in accrued expenses
|
98,816
|
120,747
|
240,991
|
|||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in related party payables
|
(485,130
|
)
|
269,333
|
264,648
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Net cash used in operating
activities
|
(4,750,326
|
)
|
(5,228,622
|
)
|
(15,763,969
|
)
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||
Investing
activities
|
||||||||||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(254,353
|
)
|
(430,694
|
)
|
(893,568
|
)
|
||||||
Payments
for patent licenses
|
(63,843
|
)
|
(7,159
|
)
|
(821,978
|
)
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
(318,196
|
)
|
(437,853
|
)
|
(1,715,546
|
)
|
||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Financing
activities
|
|
|||||||||||
Proceeds
from members’ contribution
|
—
|
—
|
2,685,000
|
|||||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
—
|
1,373,000
|
11,754,949
|
|||||||||
Issuance
of preferred stock
|
4,550,000
|
—
|
4,550,000
|
|||||||||
Issuance
of convertible promissory notes
|
—
|
—
|
2,099,552
|
|||||||||
Payment
of promissory notes
|
—
|
—
|
(2,202,856
|
)
|
||||||||
Payment
of offering costs
|
—
|
(212,875
|
)
|
(1,760,308
|
)
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from convertible debt, advances and loan payable
|
1,360,000
|
—
|
1,360,000
|
|||||||||
Payment
of loan payable
|
(625,000)
|
(25,000
|
)
|
(625,000
|
)
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing
activities
|
5,285,000
|
1,135,125
|
17,861,337
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
216,478
|
(4,531,350
|
)
|
381,822
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalent at beginning of period
|
165,344
|
4,696,694
|
—
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalent at end of period
|
$
|
381,822
|
$
|
165,344
|
381,822
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information
|
||||||||||||
Cash
paid for interest
|
$
|
117,140
|
$
|
30,290
|
$ |
341,354
|
||||||
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
$
|
7,083
|
$
|
1,100
|
$ |
7,400
|
||||||
Non-cash
financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Discount on convertible debt from beneficial conversion feature | $ |
641,331
|
$ |
641,331
|
||||||||
Discount on convertible debt from warrants | $ |
269,632
|
$ |
269,632
|
||||||||
Deemed
Dividend
|
$
|
1,581,627
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
1,581,627
|
||||||
Warrants issued for placement agent services | $ |
—
|
$ |
—
|
$ |
1,230,649
|
||||||
Warrants issued with promissory notes | $ |
—
|
$ |
—
|
$ |
637,828
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-6
International
Stem Cell Corporation and Subsidiary
(A Development Stage
Company)
1. Organization and Significant
Accounting Policies
BUSINESS
COMBINATION AND CORPORATE RESTRUCTURE
BTHC III,
Inc. (“BTHC III” or the “Company”) was organized in Delaware in June 2005
as a shell company to effect the reincorporation of BTHC III, LLC, a Texas
limited liability company. On December 28, 2006, we affected a Share
Exchange pursuant to which we acquired all of the stock of International Stem
Cell Corporation, a California corporation (“ISC California”). After giving
effect to the Share Exchange, the stockholders of ISC California owned 93.7% of
our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. As a result of the Share
Exchange, ISC California is now our wholly owned subsidiary, though for
accounting purposes it was deemed to have been the acquirer in a “reverse
merger.” In the reverse merger, BTHC III is considered the legal acquirer and
ISC California is considered the accounting acquirer. On January 29, 2007,
we changed our name from BTHC III, Inc. to International Stem Cell
Corporation.
Lifeline
Cell Technology, LLC (“Lifeline”) was formed in the State of California on
August 17, 2001. Lifeline is in the business of developing and
manufacturing human embryonic stem cells and reagents free from animal protein
contamination. Lifeline’s scientists have used a technology, called basal medium
optimization to systematically eliminate animal proteins from cell culture
systems. Lifeline is unique in the industry in that it has in place scientific
and manufacturing staff with the experience and knowledge to set up systems and
facilities to produce a source of consistent, standardized, animal protein free
ES cell products suitable for FDA approval.
On
July 1, 2006, Lifeline entered into an agreement among Lifeline, ISC
California and the holders of membership units and warrants for the purchase of
membership interests of Lifeline. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, all
the membership units in Lifeline were exchanged for 20,000,000 shares of ISC
California Common Stock and for ISC California’s assumption of Lifeline’s
obligations under the warrants. Lifeline became a wholly owned subsidiary of ISC
California.
Going
Concern
The
Company continues in the development stage and as such has accumulated losses
from inception and expects to incur additional losses in the near future.
Thereafter, the Company will need to raise additional working capital. The
timing and degree of any future capital requirements will depend on many
factors. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
maintaining its burn rate of approximately $450,000 per month and the timing of
its capital expenditures will result in cash flow sufficient to sustain the
Company’s operations through 2009. Based on the above, there is substantial
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects
on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this
uncertainty. `Management’s plans in regard to these matters are focused on
maintaining its burn rate, the proper timing of its capital expenditures, and
raising additional capital or financing in the future.
Basis
of Presentation
International
Stem Cell Corporation was formed in June 2006. BTHC III, Inc. was a shell
company that had no operations and no net assets. For accounting purposes the
acquisition has been treated as a recapitalization of BTHC III with ISC
California as the accounting acquirer (reverse acquisition). The historical
statements prior to June 2006 are those of Lifeline Cell Technology, the
wholly owned subsidiary of ISC California.
Principles
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of
International Stem Cell Corporation and its subsidiary after intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Cash
Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months
or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
F-7
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost. The provision for depreciation and
amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets, which generally range from three to five years. The
costs of major remodeling and leasehold improvements are capitalized and
depreciated over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease or the life of
the asset.
Patent
Licenses
Patent
licenses, net, consists of acquired research and development rights used in
research and development, which have alternative future uses. Patent licenses
are recorded at cost of $821,978 and $758,135 at December 31, 2008 and
2007, respectively, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter
of the lives of the underlying patents or the useful life of the license.
Amortization expense amounted to $51,786 and $50,027 for the years ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and is included in research and
development expense. Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
are $184,772 and $132,987. Additional information regarding patent licenses is
included in Note 4.
Long-Lived
Asset Impairment
The
Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in
business conditions indicate that their carrying value may not be recovered. The
Company considers assets to be impaired and writes them down to fair value if
expected associated cash flows are less than the carrying amounts. Fair value is
the present value of the associated cash flows. The Company has determined that
no material long-lived assets are impaired at December 31,
2008.
Product
Sales
Revenue
from product sales is recognized at the time of shipment to the customer
provided all other revenue recognition criteria of the Security and Exchange
Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition, have
been met. If the customer has a right of return, in accordance with the
provisions set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB)
Statement No. 48, Revenue Recognition When Right of Return Exists
(SFAS 48), the Company recognizes product revenues upon shipment, provided
that future returns can be reasonably estimated. In the case where returns
cannot be reasonably estimated, revenue will be deferred until such estimates
can be made.
Revenue
Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables
The
Company sometimes enters into revenue arrangements that contain multiple
deliverables in accordance with EITF No. 00-21. This issue addresses the timing
and method of revenue recognition for revenue arrangements that include the
delivery of more than one product or service. In these cases, the Company
recognizes revenue from each element of the arrangement as long as separate
value for each element can be determined, the Company has completed its
obligation to deliver or perform on that element, and collection of the
resulting receivable is reasonably assured.
Cost
of Sales
Cost of
sales consists primarily of costs and expenses for salaries and benefits
associated with employee efforts expended directly on the production of the
Company’s products and include related direct materials, overhead and occupancy
costs. Certain of the agreements under which the Company has licensed technology
will require the payment of royalties based on the sale of its future products.
Such royalties will be recorded a component of cost of sales. Additionally, the
amortization of license fees or milestone payments related to developed
technologies used in the Company’s products will be classified as a component of
cost of sales to the extent such payments become due in the future.
Research
and Development Costs
Research
and development costs, which are expensed as incurred, are primarily comprised
of costs and expenses for salaries and benefits associated with research and
development personnel; overhead and occupancy; contract services; and
amortization of technology used in research and development with alternative
future uses.
Registration
Payment Arrangements
The
Company adopted FASB Staff Position No. EITF 00-19-2, Accounting for
Registration Payment Arrangements (“FSP EITF 00-19-2”), on January 1, 2007.
FSP EITF 00-19-2 requires that companies separately recognize and measure
registration payment arrangements, whether issued as a separate agreement or
included as a provision of a financial instrument or other agreement. Such
payments include penalties for failure to affect a registration of
securities.
F-8
Prior to
the adoption of FSP EITF 00-19-2, the Company accounted for registration rights
as separate arrangements. Accordingly, the adoption of FSP EITF 00-19-2 had no
impact on the consolidated financial position, operations, or cash flows of the
Company.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements,
(“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures
about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value
measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a
fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of the
information. This statement is effective for the Company beginning
January 1, 2008 and did not have an impact on the financial statements as the
Company does not have financial instruments subject to the expanded disclosure
requirements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which provides a one year
delay of the effective date of FAS 157 as it relates to nonfinancial assets and
liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of
SFAS 157 relating to nonfinancial assets and liabilities will be effective for
the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company assessed the potential
impact that adoption of FASB 157 as it relates to nonfinancial assets and
liabilities would have on its consolidated financial statements and have
concluded that there will be no material impact in 2009.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). Under the provisions of
SFAS 159, companies may choose to account for eligible financial instruments,
warranties and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract
basis. Changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings each reporting
period. FASB 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. The adoption of SFAS 159 had no impact on our consolidated
financial statements as the Company did not elect the fair value
option.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business
Combinations.( SFAS 141(r)”). The new standard requires the acquiring entity in
a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair
value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities
assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all
of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial
effect of the business combination. This is effective for the Company beginning
January 1, 2009 and has assessed that it will have no impact on the consolidated
financial statements.
In
December, 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51(“SFAS 160”). This
statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling
interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This
statement is effective prospectively, except for certain retrospective
disclosure requirements, for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008. The Company expects that this will have no impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, FASB ratified the consensus reached by EITF on EITF Issue 07-1,
Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements, or EITF 07-1. EITF 07-1 requires
collaborators to present the results of activities for which they act as the
principal on a gross basis and report any payments received from (made to) other
collaborators based on other applicable GAAP or, in the absence of other
applicable GAAP, based on analogy to authoritative accounting literature or a
reasonable, rational, and consistently applied accounting policy election.
Further, EITF 07-1 clarified that the determination of whether transactions
within a collaborative arrangement are part of a vendor-customer (or analogous)
relationship subject to EITF 01-9, ‘‘Accounting for Consideration Given by a
Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products).’’ EITF
07-1 will be effective beginning on January 1, 2008. The Company assessed the
potential impact adopting this pronouncement would have on the consolidated
financial statements and have concluded that there is no material impact as of
December 31, 2008.
In March
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). This statement
requires companies with derivative instruments to disclose information that
should enable financial statement users to understand how and why a company uses
derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are
accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, and how derivative instruments and related
hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15,
2008. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a
material effect on our financial position or results of
operations.
F-9
In May
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies a consistent framework,
or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing
financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles for nongovernmental entities (the “Hierarchy”).
The Hierarchy within SFAS 162 is consistent with that previously defined in the
AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards No. 69, The Meaning of Present Fairly in
Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SAS 69”). SFAS 162 is
effective 60 days following the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission’s (the “SEC”) approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity
With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of SFAS 162 will not
have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements because the
Company has utilized the guidance within SAS 69.
In May
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee
Insurance Contracts—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60 (“SFAS No. 163”).
SFAS 163 requires recognition of an insurance claim liability prior to an event
of default when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an
insured financial obligation. SFAS 163 is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and all interim
periods within those fiscal years. Early application is not permitted. The
Company expects that the adoption of SFAS 163 will not have a material effect on
the consolidated financial statements.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FAS
No. 109 requires the Company to provide a net deferred tax asset/liability
equal to the expected future tax benefit/expense of temporary reporting
differences between book and tax accounting methods and any available operating
loss or tax credit carryforwards. The Company has available at December 31,
2008, operating loss carryforwards of approximately $10,500,000, which may be
applied against future taxable income and will expire in various years through
2025. At December 31, 2007, the company had operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $10,500,000. The increase in carryforwards for the year ended
December 31, 2008 is approximately $6,700,000.
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of consolidated 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 amounts reported in
the consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates include patent life
(remaining legal life versus remaining useful life) and transactions using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model, e.g., promissory notes, warrants, and stock
options. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
The
Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in banks located primarily in
the United States. Bank accounts are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 for the year end December 31, 2008 and
$100,000 for the year end December 31, 2007 per financial institution. At
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s cash balances on deposit with the
financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insurance limit amounted to
$131,822 and $65,344, respectively.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
Company believes that the carrying value of its cash and cash equivalents,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of those
instruments.
Income
(Loss) Per Common Share
The
computation of net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number
of shares outstanding during each period based on the exchange ratio of shares
issued in the merger. The computation of diluted earnings per common share is
based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period
plus the common stock equivalents, which would arise from the exercise of stock
options and warrants outstanding using the treasury stock method and the average
market price per share during the period. At year end, December 31, 2008,
there were 14,147,820
warrants, 3,092,500 vested stock options and 3,075,000 unvested options
outstanding. These options and warrants were not included in the
diluted loss per share calculation because the effect would have been anti
dilutive.
F-10
2.
Inventory
Inventories
are stated at the lower of cost or market. Lab supplies used in the research and
development process are expensed as consumed. Inventory is reviewed periodically
for product expiration and obsolete inventory and adjusted accordingly. The
components of inventories are as follows:
December
31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Raw
materials
|
$
|
50,529
|
$
|
33,646
|
||||
Work
in Process
|
170,714
|
3,270
|
||||||
Finished
Goods
|
196,100
|
138,720
|
||||||
$
|
417,343
|
$
|
175,636
|
3. Property and
Equipment
Property
and equipment consists of the following:
December
31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Machinery
and equipment
|
$
|
328,002
|
$
|
301,246
|
||||
Computer
equipment
|
173,641
|
100,375
|
||||||
Office
equipment
|
61,956
|
59,809
|
||||||
Leasehold
improvements
|
329,970
|
177,786
|
||||||
893,569
|
639,216
|
|||||||
Accumulated
depreciation and amortization
|
(267,699
|
)
|
(156,430
|
)
|
||||
$
|
625,870
|
$
|
482,786
|
4. Patent
Licenses
On
December 31, 2003, Lifeline entered into an Option to License Intellectual
Property agreement with Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (“ACT”) for patent
rights and paid ACT $340,000 in option and license fees.
On
February 13, 2004, Lifeline and ACT amended the Option agreement and
Lifeline paid ACT additional option fees of $22,500 for fees related to
registering ACT’s patents in selected international countries.
On
May 14, 2004, Lifeline amended the licensing agreement with ACT for the
exclusive worldwide patent rights for the following ACT technologies: UMass IP
and ACT IP, which terms are summarized below. The license fees aggregate a total
of $400,000 and are secured by separate convertible promissory notes. The notes
bear no interest unless they are not repaid at maturity, in which event they
shall thereafter bear interest at an annual rate equal the lesser of 10% or the
maximum non-usurious rate legally allowed.
The notes
could be converted at the option of ACT into the first equity financing of
Lifeline with cash proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 under the following
conditions: i) Upon the consummation of the First Equity Financing; or ii)
Immediately prior to the closing of any merger, sale or other consolidation of
the Company or of any sale of all or substantially all assets of the Company
which occurs prior to the First Equity Financing (an “Acquisition Event”).
Notwithstanding the above, and only in the event that a conversion resulting
from such Acquisition Event would result in a security not traded on a national
stock exchange (including NASDAQ and NASDAQ small cap), upon written notice to
the Company not later than five days after the consummation of the Acquisition
Event and notice of the Acquisition Event to the holder of the note, the holder
may elect to receive payment in cash of the entire outstanding principal of this
Note. On December 21, 2007 ACT elected to receive payment and was paid in
cash in lieu of conversion of the notes.
F-11
UMass
IP
|
ACT
IP
|
|||||||
License
fee
|
$
|
150,000
|
$
|
250,000
|
||||
Royalty
rates
|
3%
to 12
|
%
|
3%
to 10
|
%
|
||||
Minimum
royalties
|
||||||||
At
12 months
|
$
|
15,000
|
$
|
22,500
|
||||
At
24 months
|
$
|
30,000
|
$
|
45,000
|
||||
At
36 months
|
$
|
45,000
|
$
|
67,500
|
||||
Annually
thereafter
|
$
|
60,000
|
$
|
90,000
|
||||
Milestone
payments
|
||||||||
First
commercial product
|
$
|
250,000
|
$
|
500,000
|
||||
Sales
reaching $5,000,000
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
||||
Sales
reaching $10,000,000
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
$
|
2,000,000
|
5. Related Party
Payables
The
Company has incurred obligations to the following related parties:
December
31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Management
fee
|
$
|
264,648
|
$
|
749,778
|
||||
Loan payable, net of debt discount of $8,221 |
156,283
|
—
|
||||||
Related Party Payables |
$
|
420,931
|
$
|
749,778
|
SeaCrest
Capital and SeaCrest Partners are controlled by Mr. Adams and Mr. Aldrich, YKA
Partners is controlled by Mr. Aldrich and the amounts represent advances to the
Company for operating expenses. The management fee was paid to Mr. Adams and Mr.
Aldrich, who acted as managing members of the Company (and prior to the Share
Exchange of ISC California and Lifeline) for management of the Company since
inception of Lifeline for an aggregate of $10,000 per month plus accrued
interest at 10% per annum on the unpaid balance. Effective June 1, 2006 the
management fee was increased to $20,000 per month. The management fee ceased on
November 1, 2006, at which time Mr. Adams and Mr. Aldrich became employees of
ISC.
During
2007, in an effort to raise additional working capital, the Company and Mr.
Aldrich signed a convertible note where Mr. Aldrich would loan the company
$500,000 for working capital purposes. Subsequently, the Company decided to
raise additional working capital by offering a Private Placement of preferred
stock and converted this note payable into shares of preferred stock.
See
SeaCrest
Capital and SeaCrest Partners are controlled by Mr. Adams and
Mr. Aldrich, YKA Partners is controlled by Mr. Aldrich and the amounts
represent advances to the Company for operating expenses.
On August
15, 2008, to provide funding for working capital and to convert short term
advances to a term Note, the Company issued a Multiple Advance Convertible Note
to YKA Partners in the amount of $350,000, with warrants to purchase shares of
Common Stock. The Note provides for multiple advances, permits whole
or partial repayments without penalty, and is intended to allow the Company to
borrow and repay indebtedness as needed to meet operating costs. It is unsecured
and subordinate to the Company’s outstanding secured debt of $1,000,000, carries
an interest rate of 8% per annum and is due and payable on or before January 31,
2009. For the year ended December 31, 2008, YKA Partners, Ltd.
advanced $280,000 to the Company of which $125,000 was paid during
2008.
The
warrants permit the holder to purchase up to 700,000 shares of common stock from
the Company at $0.50 per share until five years from the issuance of the
warrants. The warrants contain anti-dilution clauses whereby, (subject to the
exceptions contained in those instruments) if the Company issues equity
securities or securities convertible into equity at a price below the exercise
price of the warrant, such exercise price shall be adjusted downward to equal
the price of the new securities.
In August
2008, due to the issuance of equity securities with a conversion rate that is
lower than the exercise price of the warrants, the exercise price of the
warrants was reduced to $0.25. The estimated adjusted fair value of
the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model using
risk-free interest rate of 3%, volatility rate of 57.9%, term of five years, and
exercise price of $0.25. Allocated fair value of the warrants of
$80,963 has been recorded as a discount to the related party loan payable and is
being amortized over the term of the note using the straight-line
method. For the year ended December 31, 2008, amortization of the
discount was $72,742. Unamortized discount as of December 31, 2008
was $8,221.
F-12
6. Convertible Debt and
Advances
Convertible
debt
On May
14, 2008, to obtain funding for working capital, the Company entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor (Gemini Capital) for
the issuance (for total consideration of $830,000 minus certain expenses of the
purchaser) of an OID Senior Secured Convertible Note and
warrants. The note was for $1,000,000 (and was issued
with a 15% original issue discount) and is due and payable on or before January
31, 2009. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the
company at the rate of $0.50 per share. The note is guaranteed
by the subsidiaries of the Company and secured by certain patents and patent
applications. Warrants were issued which permit the holder to
purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock from the Company at $0.50 per
share until five years from the issuance of the warrants. The note and the
warrants contain anti-dilution clauses whereby, (subject to the exceptions
contained in those instruments) if the Company issues equity securities or
securities convertible into equity at a price below the respective conversion
price of the note or exercise price of the warrant, such conversion and exercise
prices shall be adjusted downward to equal the price of the new
securities. As of December 31, 2008, $500,000 has been paid to Gemini
Capital.
In
accordance with EITF 98-05, “Accounting for Convertible Securities with
Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustment Conversion Ratios
Abstract”, the Company allocated the $830,000 proceeds according to the value of
the convertible note and the warrants based on their relative fair
values. Fair value of the warrants was determined using the
Black-Scholes valuation model using risk-free interest rate of 3.22%, volatility
rate of 59.5%, term of five years, and exercise price of $0.50.
In
accordance with EITF 00-27, “Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain
Convertible Instruments”, the reduction in proceeds, value of the beneficial
conversion feature, and value of the warrants amounting to $170,000, $216,117
and $266,117, respectively, have been recorded as a discount to convertible
notes and are being amortized over the term of the notes using the straight-line
method. In August 2008, in accordance with the anti-dilution
provisions of the debt, the conversion rate and exercise price were reduced to
$0.25. Estimated adjusted fair value of the warrants was determined using the
Black-Scholes valuation model using risk-free interest rate of 3%, volatility
rate of 57.9%, term of five years, and exercise price of $0.25. The beneficial
conversion feature and warrants were adjusted to $641,331 and $188,669,
respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2008, amortization of the debt
discount from reduction in proceeds, value of the beneficial conversion feature,
and value of the warrants were $160,096, $603,389, and $177,508,
respectively. Unamortized debt discount as of December 31, 2008 are
$9,904, $37,942 and $11,161, respectively.
Advance
On June
18, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with BioTime, Inc. (“Bio Time”),
were Bio Time will pay an advance of $250,000 to LifeLine Cell Technology
(“Lifeline”), a wholly owned subsidiary of International Stem Cell Corporation,
to produce, make, and distribute Joint Products. The $250,000 advance will be
paid down with the first $250,000 of net revenues that otherwise would be
allocated to Lifeline under the agreement. As of September 30, 2008 no revenues
were realized from this agreement.
December
31,
2008
|
December
31,
2007
|
|||||||
Gemini
Capital, net of debt discount of $56,006
|
$
|
440,994
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Bio
Time, Inc
|
250,000
|
-
|
||||||
$
|
690,994
|
$
|
-
|
F-13
7.
Capital Stock
As of
December 31, 2006, the Company was authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares
of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of December 31, 2006, the Company has
issued and outstanding 33,996,495 shares of common stock and no shares of
preferred stock.
In
October 2006, the board of directors of BTHC III approved a stock split of
4.42 shares to 1. As a result of the split, the outstanding common stock of BTHC
III increased from 500,000 to 2,209,993 shares. Pursuant to the Share Exchange
Agreement, each share of International Stem Cell Corporation common stock was
exchanged for one share of BTHC III common stock. All numbers in the financial
statements and notes to the financial statements have been adjusted to reflect
the stock split for all periods presented.
On
December 27, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors and holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares approved a change in the Company’s name to
International Stem Cell Corporation, which change became effective in
January 2007. The accompanying financial statements have been changed to
reflect the change as if it had happened at the beginning of the periods
presented.
On
December 27, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors and holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares approved an increase in the authorized
capital stock of the Company to 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par
value per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per
share. The increase did not become effective until
January 2007.
In
November and December of 2006, ISC California issued 9,880,950 shares of common
stock for cash at $1.00 per share for net proceeds after commissions and
expenses of $8,334,515, net of cash expenses totaling $1,547,433. In addition,
ISC California issued 555,552 shares of common stock for $500,000. The holders
of the shares are entitled to the following registration rights with respect to
the shares: (1) the Company must file a registration statement for the
resale of the shares within 60 days from final closing date of
February 13, 2007; (2) the registration statement must be declared
effective by the SEC no later than 150 days from the final closing date of
February 13, 2007; (3) the Company must reply to SEC staff comments
within 30 days of receipt; and (4) the Company must maintain the
effectiveness of the registration statement for 12 months from the final
closing date of February 13, 2007. The first day after failing to perform
any of the above is known as the first determination date. The Company is
required to deliver penalty shares equal to 1% of the original number of shares
entitled to such registration rights, 30 days after the first determination
date, and additional shares equal to 1% of the original number of shares
entitled to such registration rights each week thereafter, not to exceed 10%
except with respect to replying to SEC staff comments within 30 days, which
shall not exceed 20%. The Company filed its registration statement on Form SB-2
within 60 days from the final closing and believes the effects of the above
penalties are remote. The Company periodically reviews its obligations and
corresponding penalties under FAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and FSP EITF
00-19-2. Paragraph B9 of FSP EITF 00-19-2, states that entities should
recognize and measure the contingent obligation to transfer consideration under
a registration payment arrangement using the guidance in Statement 5, instead of
requiring that a liability be recognized and measured at fair value at
inception.
In
December 2006, the Company issued 1,350,000 shares of common stock, 350,000
of such shares in consideration for legal consulting services relating to the
reverse merger and 1,000,000 shares in consideration for a contract to provide
investor relations services which commenced September 1, 2006 for a period
of one year.
In
January and February 2007, ISC California completed the Brookstreet
financing and issued 1,370,000 shares of common stock that was part of a private
placement of securities by ISC California during the second half of 2006. The
net proceeds from the shares whose sale was finalized in 2007 was $1,157,125 net
of cash fees and expenses. In connection with the final settlement in 2007, the
selling agent for the private placement received 274,000 additional warrants,
which entitle the holder thereof to purchase the number of shares of common
stock for $1.00 each.
On
January 15, 2008, to raise funds, the Company entered into a subscription
agreement with accredited investors for the sale between one million and five
million of Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred"). Series A Units
consists of one share of Series A Preferred and two Warrants ("Series A
Warrants") to purchase Common Stock for each $1.00 invested. The Series A
Preferred was convertible into shares of common stock at market price on the
date of the first finance closing, but not to exceed $1 per share and the Series
A Warrants are exercisable at $0.50 per share. The Series A Preferred has an
anti-dilution clause whereby, if the Company issues $1 million or more of equity
securities or securities convertible into equity at a price below the respective
exercise prices of the Series A Preferred or the Series A Warrant shall be
adjusted downward to equal the price of the new securities. The Series A
Preferred has priority on any sale or liquidation of the Company equal to the
purchase price of the Series A Units, plus a liquidation premium of 6% per year.
If the Company elects to declare a dividend in any year, it must first pay to
the Series A Preferred a dividend of the amount of the dividend the Series A
Preferred holder would receive if the shares were converted just prior to the
dividend declaration. Each share of Series A Preferred has the same voting
rights as the number of shares of Common Stock into which it would be
convertible on the record date.
On May
12, 2008, to obtain funding for working capital, the Company entered into a
series of subscription agreements with a total of five accredited investors for
the sale of a total of 400,000 Series B Units, each Series B Unit consisting of
one share of Series B Preferred Stock ("Series B
Preferred") and two Series B Warrants ("Series B Warrants") to purchase
Common Stock for each $1.00 invested. The total purchase price received by the
Company was $400,000. The Series B Preferred is convertible into
shares of common stock at the initial conversion ratio of two shares of common
stock for each share of Series B Preferred converted (which was established
based on an initial conversion price of $0.50 per share), and the Series B
Warrants are exercisable at $0.50 per share until five years from the issuance
of the Series B Warrants. The Series B Preferred and Series B Warrants contain
anti-dilution clauses whereby, (subject to the exceptions contained in those
instruments) if the Company issues equity securities or securities convertible
into equity at a price below the respective conversion price of the Series B
Preferred or the exercise price of the Series B
Warrant, such conversion and exercise prices shall be adjusted downward
to equal the price of the new securities. The Series B Preferred has a priority
(senior to the shares of common stock, but junior to the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock) on any sale or liquidation of the Company equal to the purchase
price of the Series B
Units, plus a liquidation premium of 6% per year. If the Company elects
to declare a dividend in any year, it must first pay to the Series B Preferred
holder a dividend equal to the amount of the dividend the Series B Preferred
holder would receive if the Series B Preferred were converted just prior to the
dividend declaration. Each share of Series B Preferred has the same voting
rights as the number of shares of Common Stock into which it would be
convertible on the record date.
F-14
On July
30, 2008, to obtain funding for working capital, the Company entered into a
series of subscription agreements with a total of two accredited investors for
the sale of a total of 150,000 Series B Units. The total purchase price received
by the Company was $150,000. The Series B Preferred is convertible into shares
of common stock at the initial conversion ratio of two shares of common stock
for each share of Series B Preferred converted (which was established based on
an initial conversion price of $0.50 per share), and the Series B Warrants will
exercisable at $0.50 per share until five years from the issuance of the Series
B Warrants. The Series B Preferred and Series B Warrants contain anti-dilution
clauses whereby, (subject to the exceptions contained in those instruments) if
the Company issues equity securities or securities convertible into equity at a
price below the respective conversion price of the Series B Preferred or the
exercise price of the Series B Warrant, such conversion and exercise prices
shall be adjusted downward to equal the price of the new securities. The Series
B
Preferred has a priority (senior to the shares of common stock, but
junior to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock) on any sale or liquidation of
the Company equal to the purchase price of the Series B Units, plus a
liquidation premium of 6% per year. If the Company elects to declare a dividend
in any year, it must first pay to the Series B Preferred a dividend equal to the
amount of the dividend the Series B Preferred holder would receive if the Series
B Preferred were converted just prior to the dividend declaration. Each share of
Series B
Preferred has the same voting rights as the number of shares of Common
Stock into which it would be convertible on the record date.
In
accordance with EITF 98-05, “Accounting for Convertible Securities with
Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustment Conversion Ratios
Abstract”, the Company allocated the proceeds of the Series A and B preferred
stock according to the value of the convertible preferred stock and the warrants
based on their relative fair values. Fair value of the warrants for
Series A and Series B were determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model
using risk-free interest rates of 3% and 3.37%, volatility rate of 65.0% and
57.9%, term of five years, and exercise price of $0.50.
In August
2008, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the securities, the
conversion rates and exercise price were reduced to $0.25. Estimated
adjusted fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes
valuation model using risk-free interest rate of 3%, volatility rate of 57.9%,
term of five years, and exercise price of $0.25. For Series A and
Series B, the beneficial conversion feature and warrants were adjusted to
$553,320 and $193,321, and $308,307 and $110,307,
respectively.
On August
20, 2008, to obtain funding for working capital, the Company entered into a
subscription agreement with an accredited investor (the "Series C Investor") to
sell for three million dollars ($3,000,000) up to three million (3,000,000)
shares of Series C Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred") at a price of $1.00
per Series C Preferred share. The Series C Preferred will be convertible into
shares of common stock at $0.25 per share. The Series C Preferred has an
anti-dilution clause whereby, if the Company issues 250,000 shares or more of
equity securities or securities convertible into equity at a price below the
conversion price of the Series C Preferred, the conversion price of the Series C
Preferred shall be adjusted downward to equal the price of the new securities.
The Series C Preferred shall have priority over the Common Stock on any sale or
liquidation of the Company equal to the purchase price of the Units, plus a
liquidation premium of 6% per year. If the Company elects to declare a dividend
in any year, it must first pay to the Series C Preferred a dividend in the
amount of the dividend the Series C Preferred holder would receive if converted
just prior to the dividend declaration. Each share of Series C Preferred shall
have the same voting rights as the number of shares of Common Stock into which
it would be convertible on the record date. Subject to determination by the
Investor that there has been no material adverse event, the sale of the Series C
Preferred is scheduled to close on the following schedule: (I) 700,000 shares
were sold August 20, 2008, and (2) 1,300,000 shares were sold September 23,
2008. The
beneficial conversion feature for the Series C preferred stock is
$720,000. The
beneficial conversion feature from the Series A, Series B and Series C preferred
stock are recognized as deemed dividend totaling $1,581, 627.
On
December 30, 2008, to obtain funding for both working capital and the eventual
repayment of the outstanding obligation under the OID Senior Secured Convertible
Note with a principal amount of $1,000,000 issued in May 2008, International
Stem Cell Corporation (the “Company”) entered into a Series D Preferred Stock
Purchase Agreement (the “Series D Agreement”) with accredited investors (the
“Investors”) to sell for up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) up to fifty
(50) shares of Series D Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred”) at a price of
$100,000 per Series D Preferred share. The sale of the Preferred is
scheduled to close on the following schedule: (1) 10 shares were sold December
30, 2008; (2) subject to determination by the Investors that there has been no
material adverse event with respect to the Company, 10 shares will be sold
February 5, 2009; and (3) at the Investors’ sole discretion 10 shares will be
sold on each of March 20, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 20,
2009. If the Investors decide not to purchase shares in any of the
later three discretionary tranches, then their rights to purchase shares in
future tranches shall terminate. As of December 31, 2008, the Company
received $1 million from the Series D financing and issued 10 shares of Series D
Preferred Stock.
On
December 29, 2008 the Company issued a total of 2,121,180 restricted shares of
common stock to six executive officers and directors and one
employee at $0.25 per share. The shares are subject to stock restriction
provisions and vest upon the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to
accelerated vesting upon certain changes of control or terminations of service.
The Company will reacquire any unvested shares for no cost upon the termination
of the recipient’s service to the Company. These shares were issued to the
individuals in recognition of the fact that they had previously agreed to reduce
(and in some cases completely eliminate) the cash compensation that would have
otherwise been payable to them in 2008.
F-15
8. Income
Taxes
The Company
accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FAS No. 109 requires
the Company to provide a net deferred tax asset/liability equal to the expected
future tax benefit/expense of temporary reporting differences between book and
tax accounting methods and any available operating loss or tax credit
carryforwards. The Company has available at December 31, 2008, operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $15,200,000, which may be applied against
future taxable income and will expire in various years through 2025. At
December 31, 2007, the company had operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $10,500,000. The increase in carryforwards for the year ended
December 31, 2008 is approximately $4,700,000.
The amount of and ultimate realization of the benefits
from the operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes is dependent, in
part, upon the tax laws in effect, the future earnings of the Company, and other
future events, the effects of which cannot be determined at this time. Because
of the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the loss carryforwards, the
Company has established a valuation allowance equal to the tax effect of the
loss carryforwards, R&D credits, and accruals; therefore, no net deferred
tax asset has been recognized. A reconciliation of the statutory Federal income
tax rate and the effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31,
2008 and 2007 follows:
December 31,
2008
|
December 31,
2007
|
||||||||
Statutory federal income tax
rate
|
(35
|
)%
|
(35
|
)%
|
|||||
State income taxes, net of federal
taxes
|
(6
|
)%
|
(6
|
)%
|
|||||
Valuation allowance
|
41
|
%
|
41
|
%
|
|||||
Effective income tax
rate
|
0
|
%
|
0
|
%
|
The
Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal
jurisdiction, and various states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer
subject to U.S. federal,
state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before
2005.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN
48"), on January 1,
2007, with no
material impact to the financial statements.
The company may be subject to IRC code section 382 which
could limit the amount of the net operating loss and tax credit carryovers that
can be used in future years.
Significant
components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
December 31,
2008
|
December 31,
2007
|
|||||||
Deferred
tax assets(liabilities)
|
|
|
||||||
Net
operating loss carryforwards
|
$
|
4,531,000
|
$
|
142,147
|
||||
Accrued
expenses
|
231,490
|
102,400
|
||||||
Research
and Development tax credit (Fed and St.)
|
286,469
|
169,500
|
||||||
Deferred
tax assets
|
5,048,959
|
4,616,647
|
||||||
Valuation
allowance
|
(5,048,959
|
)
|
(4,616,647
|
)
|
||||
Net
deferred tax assets
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
The components of the provisions for income
taxes were as follows:
December 31,
2008
|
December 31,
2007
|
|||||||
Current
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
||||
Deferred
|
0
|
0
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
F-16
9.
Stock Options and Warrants
The
Company has adopted the 2006 Equity Participation Plan (the “Plan”). The options
granted under the Plan may be either qualified or non-qualified options. Up to
15,000,000 options may be granted to employees, directors and consultants under
the Plan. Options may be granted with different vesting terms and expire no
later than 10 years from the date of grant. For the year ended December 31,
2008, the Company had 6,167,500 options outstanding with a weighted average
exercise price of $ .61 were granted under the Plan. Stockholders approved the
Plan effective December 1, 2006.
Stock
Options
Transactions
involving stock options issued to employees, directors and consultants under the
Plan are summarized below. Options issued under the plan have a maximum life of
10 years. The following table summarizes the changes in options outstanding
and the related exercise prices for the shares of the Company’s common stock
issued under the Plan as of December 31, 2008:
Options
Outstanding
|
Options
Exercisable
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Weighted
Average
|
Weighed
|
Weighted
|
||||||||||||||||||
Exercise
|
Number
|
Remaining
Contractual
|
Average
|
Number
|
Average
|
|||||||||||||||
Prices
|
Outstanding
|
Life
(Years)
|
Exercise
Price
|
Exercisable
|
Exercise
Price
|
|||||||||||||||
$1.00
|
3,087,500
|
10
|
$
|
1.00
|
1,596,600
|
$
|
1.00
|
|||||||||||||
$3.20
|
230,000
|
10
|
$
|
3.20
|
32,200
|
$
|
3.20
|
|||||||||||||
$1.45
|
300,000
|
10
|
$
|
1.45
|
27,000
|
$
|
1.45
|
|||||||||||||
$1.00
|
190,000
|
10
|
$
|
1.00
|
190,000
|
$
|
1.00
|
|||||||||||||
$0.45
|
1,865,000
|
10
|
$
|
0.45
|
1,865,000
|
$
|
0.45
|
|||||||||||||
$0.30
|
490,000
|
10
|
$
|
0.30
|
490,000
|
$
|
0.30
|
|||||||||||||
$0.22
|
145,000
|
10
|
$
|
0.22
|
145,000
|
$
|
0.22
|
Number
of Shares
|
Weighted
Average Price Per
Share |
|||||||
Outstanding
at December 31, 2006
|
3,087,500
|
—
|
||||||
Granted
|
720,000
|
$
|
$1.89
|
|||||
Exercised
|
none
|
—
|
||||||
Canceled
or expired
|
none
|
—
|
||||||
Outstanding
at December 31, 2007
|
3,807,500
|
$
|
$1.17
|
|||||
Granted
|
2,500,000
|
$ |
0.42
|
|||||
Exercised
|
none
|
—
|
||||||
Canceled
or expired
|
140,000
|
—
|
||||||
Outstanding
at December 31, 2008
|
6,167,500
|
$
|
$0.61
|
The
weighted-average fair value of stock options vested during the year ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the weighted-average significant assumptions
used to determine those fair values, using a Black-Scholes option pricing model
are as follows:
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||
Significant
assumptions (weighted-average):
|
||||||||||
Risk-free
interest rate at grant date
|
2.26% | 4.20 % | ||||||||
Expected
stock price volatility
|
63% | 68% | ||||||||
Expected
dividend payout
|
0% | 0 % | ||||||||
Expected
option life-years based on management’s estimate
|
3.75
yrs
|
3.75
yrs
|
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment
(SFAS123R). This Statement requires public entities to measure the cost of
equity awards to employees based on the grant-date value of the award. For the
year ended December 31, 2008, the company recognized $734,867 of Stock-based
compensation, of which approximately $393,078 related to R&D expense,
$12,729 related to Sales and Marketing expense and $329,060 related to General
and administrative expense. During 2007, the Company recognized $427,496 as
stock-based compensation expenses, of which $223,000 related to R&D expense
and the remainder is included in General and Administrative expense.
Unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options as of December 31, 2008
was $1,288,685 and the weighted average life of these outstanding stock options
is approximately 9.03 years.
F-17
Warrants
As of
December 31, 2006 Brookstreet Securities Corporation (“Brookstreet”) had
earned 1,976,190 warrants as partial compensation for its services as placement
agent for the raising of equity capital. An additional 274,000 warrants were
earned by Brookstreet in the first quarter of 2007, for a total of 2,250,190
warrants related to the Company’s private placement. In addition, 426,767
warrants were granted to a number of individuals as compensation for services
rendered to the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase
the number of shares of common stock that could be purchased by the dollar
amount of the Warrant being exercised at $1.00 in the case of the Brookstreet
warrants and $0.80 in the case of the individuals’ warrants. The Company
recognized the value attributable to the individuals’ warrants in the amount of
$222,077 and applied it to general and administrative expense. The Company
recognized the value attributable to the Brookstreet warrants in the amount of
$1,230,649. The Company recognized the Brookstreet warrants as a component of
additional paid-in capital with a corresponding reduction in additional paid-in
capital to reflect this as a non-cash cost of the offering. Proceeds from the
private equity placement totaled $9,881,950 and are offset by cash offering
costs of $1,547,433 as well as the non-cash offering cost of $1,230,649 related
to the fair value of the Brookstreet warrants. The Company valued the
Brookstreet warrants and the warrants issued to the individuals in accordance
with EITF 00-27 using the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following
assumptions: contractual terms of 5 years and 3 years, an average risk
free interest rate of 4.70% and 5.13%, a dividend yield of 0% and 0%, and
volatility of 71% and 63%, respectively.
Additionally,
in 2006, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,202,856 shares of common
stock in connection with certain financing transactions. See note 6 for
further details.
10.
Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The
Company leases office space under a noncancelable operating leases. Future
minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial or
remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of January 1,
2008, are as follows:
Amount
|
||||
2008
|
$
|
168,558
|
||
2009
|
129,359
|
|||
2010
|
96,100
|
|||
2011
|
64,134
|
|||
2012
|
—
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
458,151
|
11.
Subsequent Events
On February 3, 2009, the Company and Gemini
Master Fund Ltd. extended the due date for the remaining $400,000 balance of the
Promissory Note previously issued to Gemini Master Fund Ltd. from its original
due date of January 31, 2009 to a new due date of April 5, 2009. The
company has deposited the remaining balance of the note in an interest bearing
escrow account, which will be released to the lender on April 5, 2009 if the
note balance is not converted to common stock of the company; and the principal
amount of the note that is converted to common stock will be released to the
company. The company re-paid $500,000 of the original $1,000,000 note
prior to its due date and tendered the remaining balance prior to entering into
this extension. Gemini Master Fund Ltd. converted $400,000 of the note into
common stock, leaving a balance of $100,000. Gemini Master Fund Ltd.
has released all liens against assets of the company.
On March
17, 2009, the Company received the third $1 million tranche of an anticipated
private equity financing of up to $5 million to be funded over the next several
months. To date, the Company has received a total of $3 million. The total
amount of the financing will allow the Company to move forward with the
construction of its new cGMP cell culture facility and to continue its
therapeutic research, including ongoing pre-clinical trials. The money will also
be allocated to fund equipment, product development and marketing requirements
to increase revenues in the Company’s subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology,
which makes and sells specialty cells and growth media.
F-18