PURE BIOSCIENCE, INC. - Quarter Report: 2017 April (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2017
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 001-14468
PURE Bioscience, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 33-0530289 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1725 Gillespie Way El Cajon, California |
92020 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (619) 596-8600
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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | [ ] | Accelerated filer | [ ] |
Non-accelerated filer | [ ] | Smaller reporting company | [X] |
Emerging growth company | [ ] |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
As of June 8, 2017, there were 62,707,037 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.
PURE Bioscience, Inc.
Form 10-Q
for the Quarterly Period Ended April 30, 2017
Page | ||
PART I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
Item 1. | Financial Statements | 3 |
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 16 |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 27 |
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 28 |
PART II | OTHER INFORMATION | |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 29 |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 29 |
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 30 |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 30 |
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 30 |
Item 5. | Other Information | 30 |
Item 6. | Exhibits | 31 |
Signatures | 33 |
2 |
Part I - Financial Information
PURE Bioscience, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
April 30, 2017 | July 31, 2016 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,714,000 | $ | 5,194,000 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 185,000 | 263,000 | ||||||
Inventories, net | 348,000 | 350,000 | ||||||
Restricted cash | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 154,000 | 260,000 | ||||||
Total current assets | 3,476,000 | 6,142,000 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 574,000 | 440,000 | ||||||
Patents, net | 858,000 | 980,000 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 4,908,000 | $ | 7,562,000 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 574,000 | $ | 479,000 | ||||
Restructuring liability | 24,000 | 39,000 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities | 194,000 | 216,000 | ||||||
Derivative liabilities | 1,641,000 | 1,802,000 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 2,433,000 | 2,536,000 | ||||||
Deferred rent | 12,000 | 3,000 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 2,445,000 | 2,539,000 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 6) | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: | ||||||||
5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued | — | — | ||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value: | ||||||||
100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,707,037 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2017, and 64,823,917 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2016 | 628,000 | 649,000 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 109,471,000 | 107,593,000 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (107,636,000 | ) | (103,219,000 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 2,463,000 | 5,023,000 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 4,908,000 | $ | 7,562,000 |
See accompanying notes.
3 |
PURE Bioscience, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended | Three months ended | |||||||||||||||
April 30, | April 30, | |||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
Net product sales | $ | 1,316,000 | $ | 765,000 | $ | 338,000 | $ | 403,000 | ||||||||
Operating costs and expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 531,000 | 218,000 | 132,000 | 116,000 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 3,972,000 | 3,857,000 | 1,302,000 | 1,385,000 | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 684,000 | 679,000 | 222,000 | 205,000 | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | 723,000 | 1,621,000 | 275,000 | 186,000 | ||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 5,910,000 | 6,375,000 | 1,931,000 | 1,892,000 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (4,594,000 | ) | (5,610,000 | ) | (1,593,000 | ) | (1,489,000 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
Fair value of derivative liabilities in excess of proceeds | — | (1,867,000 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
Change in derivative liabilities | 153,000 | (6,241,000 | ) | (147,000 | ) | 1,506,000 | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (4,000 | ) | (8,000 | ) | (1,000 | ) | (3,000 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 28,000 | 34,000 | 3,000 | 16,000 | ||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) | 177,000 | (8,082,000 | ) | (145,000 | ) | 1,519,000 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (4,417,000 | ) | $ | (13,692,000 | ) | $ | (1,738,000 | ) | $ | 30,000 | |||||
Net income (loss) per common share-basic | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.00 | |||||
Net income (loss) per common share-diluted | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares-basic | 63,718,152 | 54,329,594 | 62,679,644 | 61,445,913 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average shares-diluted | 63,718,152 | 54,329,594 | 62,679,644 | 71,308,771 |
See accompanying notes.
4 |
PURE Bioscience, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
April 30, | ||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,417,000 | ) | $ | (13,692,000 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Share-based compensation | 723,000 | 1,621,000 | ||||||
Amortization of stock issued for services | 108,000 | 163,000 | ||||||
Fair value of derivative liabilities in excess of proceeds | — | 1,867,000 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 204,000 | 154,000 | ||||||
Impairment of patents | — | 48,000 | ||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liability | (153,000 | ) | 6,241,000 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 78,000 | 121,000 | ||||||
Inventories | 2,000 | (113,000 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses | (5,000 | ) | — | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 58,000 | (125,000 | ) | |||||
Deferred rent | 9,000 | (4,000 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (3,393,000 | ) | (3,719,000 | ) | ||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Investment in patents | (11,000 | ) | (11,000 | ) | ||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (205,000 | ) | (337,000 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (216,000 | ) | (348,000 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Net proceeds from the sale of common stock | 1,049,000 | 8,000,000 | ||||||
Net proceeds from the exercise of warrants | 80,000 | 151,000 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,129,000 | 8,151,000 | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (2,480,000 | ) | 4,084,000 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 5,194,000 | 1,321,000 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 2,714,000 | $ | 5,405,000 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
Cash paid for taxes | $ | 2,000 | $ | 2,000 | ||||
Warrant liabilities removed due to settlements | $ | 8,000 | $ | 6,310,000 | ||||
Restricted stock unit cancelation | $ | 38,000 | $ | — | ||||
Common stock issued for prepaid services | $ | — | $ | 288,000 |
See accompanying notes.
5 |
PURE Bioscience, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of PURE Bioscience, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, ETI H2O Inc., a Nevada corporation. ETI H2O, Inc. currently has no business operations and no material assets or liabilities and there have been no significant transactions related to ETI H2O, Inc. during the periods presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. All references to “PURE,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to PURE Bioscience, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiary.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial information pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10/Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other quarters or the year ending July 31, 2017. The July 31, 2016 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP and included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. For more complete information, these unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2016 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K covering such period filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on October 27, 2016.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
2. Liquidity & Going Concern Uncertainty
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared and presented on a basis assuming we will continue as a going concern. The factors below raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private offerings of securities, debt financing, and revenue from product sales and license agreements. We have a history of recurring losses, and as of April 30, 2017, we have incurred a cumulative net loss of $107,636,000.
We do not have, and may never have, significant cash inflows from product sales or from other sources of revenue to fund our operations. As of April 30, 2017, we had $2,714,000 in cash and cash equivalents, and $574,000 of accounts payable. As of April 30, 2017, we have no long-term debt. We do not currently believe that our existing cash resources are sufficient to meet our anticipated needs over the next twelve months from the date hereof.
Our future capital requirements depend on numerous forward-looking factors. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the following: the acceptance of, and demand for, our products; our success and the success of our partners in selling our products; our success and the success of our partners in obtaining regulatory approvals to sell our products; the costs of further developing our existing products and technologies; the extent to which we invest in new product and technology development; and the costs associated with the continued operation, and any future growth, of our business. The outcome of these and other forward-looking factors will substantially affect our liquidity and capital resources.
Until we can generate significant cash from operations, we expect to continue to fund our operations with the proceeds of offerings of our equity and debt securities. However, we cannot assure you that additional financing will be available when needed or that, if available, financing will be obtained on terms favorable to us or to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds from the issuance of equity securities, substantial dilution to our existing stockholders would likely result. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business. Further, any contracts or license arrangements we enter into to raise funds may require us to relinquish our rights to our products or technology, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into any such contracts or license arrangements on acceptable terms, or at all. Having insufficient funds may require us to delay or scale back our marketing, distribution and other commercialization activities or cease our operations altogether.
6 |
We do not have any unused credit facilities or other sources of capital available to us at this time. We intend to secure additional working capital through sales of additional debt or equity securities. Our intended financing initiatives are subject to risk, and we cannot provide any assurance about the availability or terms of these or any future financings.
If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital, it will have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. It could cause us to fail to execute our business plan, fail to take advantage of future opportunities, or fail to respond to competitive pressures or customer requirements. It also may require us to significantly modify our business model and operations to reduce spending to a sustainable level, which may include delaying, scaling back or eliminating some or all of our ongoing and planned investments in corporate infrastructure, research and development projects, regulatory submissions, business development initiatives, and sales and marketing activities, among other investments. If adequate funds are not available when needed, we may be required to reduce or cease operations altogether.
The financial statements do not include any adjustment relating to recoverability or classification of recorded assets and classification of recorded liabilities.
3. Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and the weighted-average number of dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period, using the treasury stock method. Dilutive common share equivalents are comprised of in-the-money stock options, warrants and restricted stock units, based on the average stock price for each period using the treasury stock method. For the three months ended April 30, 2016, the incremental dilutive common share equivalents were 9,862,858. Since we incurred a loss for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock units, and the exercise of warrants, none of which are included in the computation of basic net loss per common share, was 13,409,795 and 18,946,821, respectively.
4. Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, including unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and foreign currency translation adjustments. For the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, our comprehensive loss consisted only of net loss.
5. Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, and net of a valuation allowance for potential excess or obsolete material. Cost is determined using the average cost method. Depreciation related to manufacturing is systematically allocated to inventory produced, and expensed through cost of goods sold at the time inventory is sold.
Inventories consist of the following:
April 30, 2017 | July 31, 2016 | |||||||
Raw materials | $ | 98,000 | $ | 120,000 | ||||
Finished goods | 250,000 | 230,000 | ||||||
$ | 348,000 | $ | 350,000 |
7 |
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Severance Agreement
On August 13, 2013, the Company entered into a Severance and Release Agreement with Dennis Brovarone, a former Board member. Mr. Brovarone will receive $91,000, payable in 60 monthly installments of approximately $1,600, commencing December 11, 2013 for amounts previously accrued as of July 31, 2013. Approximately $24,000 remains payable under the agreement and is included in the accrued restructuring liability section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2017.
7. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with GAAP, if indicators of impairment exist, we assess the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, we measure the amount of such impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the fair value of the asset and we record the impairment as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and a charge to operating results. Estimating the undiscounted future cash flows associated with long-lived assets requires judgment, and assumptions could differ materially from actual results. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017, no impairment of long-lived assets was indicated or recorded. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 we incurred $48,000 of expense relating to the impairment of long-lived assets.
8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the authoritative guidance establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
● | Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |
● | Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. | |
● | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. |
In connection with the October and November 2015 Private Placement and a prior Bridge Loan, we issued warrants with derivative features. These instruments are accounted for as derivative liabilities (See Note 9 to these condensed consolidated financial statements).
We used Level 3 inputs for the valuation methodology of the derivative liabilities. The estimated fair values were computed using a Monte Carlo option pricing model based on various assumptions. Our derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect estimated fair value at each period end, with any decrease or increase in the estimated fair value being recorded in other income or expense accordingly, as adjustments to the fair value of the derivative liabilities. Various factors are considered in the pricing models we use to value the warrants, including the Company’s current stock price, the remaining life of the warrants, the volatility of the Company’s stock price, and the risk free interest rate. Future changes in these factors will have a significant impact on the computed fair value of the warrant liabilities. As such, we expect future changes in the fair value of the warrants to vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
8 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the derivative liabilities for the nine months ended April 30, 2017:
Fair Value of Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Warrant | ||||
Liabilities | ||||
Balance at July 31, 2016 | $ | 1,802,000 | ||
Issuances | — | |||
Settlement of warrant liabilities | (8,000 | ) | ||
Adjustments to estimated fair value | (153,000 | ) | ||
Balance at April 30, 2017 | $ | 1,641,000 |
9. Derivative Liabilities
On October 23, 2015 (the “October Closing Date”), we completed a first closing of a private placement financing (the “2015 Private Placement Financing”), where we issued, among other securities, a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 6,666,666 shares of common stock with a term of five years and a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 8,666,666 shares of common stock with a term of six months (See Note 10 to these condensed consolidated financial statements).
On November 23, 2015 (the “November Closing Date’), we completed a second and final closing of the 2015 Private Placement Financing, where we issued, among other securities, a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,222,217 shares of common stock with a term of five years and a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,820,670 shares of common stock with a term of six months (See Note 10 to these condensed consolidated financial statements).
We accounted for the combined 20,376,219 warrants issued in connection with the 2015 Private Placement Financing in accordance with the accounting guidance for derivatives. The applicable accounting guidance sets forth a two-step model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify such financial instruments for a scope exception. This scope exception specifies that a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative financial instrument would not be considered as such if the contract is both (i) indexed to the entity’s own stock and (ii) classified in the stockholders’ equity section of the entity’s balance sheet. We determined the warrants were ineligible for equity classification due to anti-dilution provisions set forth therein.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016, (i) all 2,820,670 of the six-month warrants issued in the second and final closing were exercised, (ii) the six-month warrants issued in the first closing expired and (iii) the five-year warrants issued in the first closing were cancelled.
On the October Closing Date, the derivative liabilities were recorded at an estimated fair value of $7,008,000. Given that the fair value of the derivative liabilities exceeded the total proceeds of the private placement of $6,000,000, no net amounts were allocated to the common stock. The $1,008,000 amount by which the recorded liabilities exceeded the proceeds was charged to other expense at the October Closing Date. Given that the fair value of the derivative liabilities issued on the November Closing Date exceeded the total proceeds of the private placement of $2,000,000, as of the November Closing Date, no net amounts were allocated to the common stock. The $859,000 amount by which the recorded liabilities exceeded the proceeds was charged to other expense at the November Closing Date.
As of April 30, 2017, we had a warrant liability of $1,641,000 related to the 2,222,217 warrants outstanding issued in connection with the November closing of the 2015 Private Placement Financing. The following assumptions were used as inputs to the model at April 30, 2017: stock price of $0.99 per share and a warrant exercise price of $0.45 per share as of the valuation date; our historical stock price volatility of 80.00%; risk free interest rate on U.S. treasury notes of 1.5%; warrant expiration of 3.6 years.
9 |
During the fourth quarter of 2012 we issued 132,420 warrants with derivative features pursuant to a Bridge Loan financing. During the nine months ended April 30, 2017, of the 9,709 warrants outstanding, there was a net exercise on 5,335 warrants which resulted in the issuance of 4,179 shares of our common stock. As these warrants were net exercised, as permitted under the respective warrant agreement, we did not receive any cash proceeds. The remaining 4,374 warrants issued in connection with the Bridge Loan expired during the nine months ended April 30, 2017. The fair value on the exercise date and the date of expiration was returned to additional paid in capital and is reflected in the Settlement of warrant liability section on the table above.
On April 30, 2017, the total value of the derivative liabilities was $1,641,000. The change in fair value of the warrant liabilities for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017, was an increase of $147,000 and a decrease of $153,000, respectively, which was recorded as a change in derivative liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The change in fair value of the warrant liability for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, was a decrease of $1,506,000 and an increase of $6,241,000, respectively, which was recorded as a change in derivative liability in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. We have revalued the derivative liabilities as of April 30, 2017, and will continue to do so on each subsequent balance sheet date until the securities to which the derivative liabilities relate are exercised or expire, with any changes in the fair value between reporting periods recorded as other income or expense.
10. Stockholders’ Equity
Private Placements
On December 1, 2016, we completed an initial closing (the “Initial Closing”) of a private placement financing (the “Private Placement Offering”) to accredited investors. We raised aggregate gross proceeds of $1,000,000 from the sale of (i) an aggregate of 1,176,472 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $0.85 per share and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,176,472 shares of common stock with a term of five years at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. We determined the warrants issued in connection with the Initial Closing were equity instruments and did not represent derivative instruments.
On January 23, 2017, we closed on a second and final closing (the “Final Closing”) of the Private Placement Offering. In the Final Closing we raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $337,000 from the sale of (i) an aggregate of 396,469 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $0.85 per share and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 396,469 shares of common stock with a term of five years at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The securities issued in the Private Placement Offering were issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement entered into with the accredited investors. We determined the warrants issued in connection with the Final Closing were equity instruments and did not represent derivative instruments.
We utilized the services of a placement agent for the Private Placement Offering. In connection with the Private Placement Offering, we paid such placement agent an aggregate cash fee of $128,600 and issued to such placement agent or its designees warrants to purchase 151,294 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.275 per share. The terms of the placement agent warrants are substantially identical to the investor warrants, other than the exercise price and the holders’ ability to exercise the placement agent warrants on a cashless basis at its discretion. Additionally, we agreed to pay the placement agent a $12,000 due diligence fee and to reimburse the placement agent for fees of counsel up to $35,000.
The net proceeds from the Private Placement Offering were approximately $1,049,000 and we expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including our research and development efforts, and for general administrative expenses and working capital.
We also entered into a registration rights agreement with the Investors (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which we were obligated to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as soon as practicable, but in any event, by February 6, 2017, this registration statement on Form S-1 to register 1,572,941 shares of common stock issued to the selling security holders in the Private Placement Offering and up to 1,572,941 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued to the selling security holders in the Private Placement Offering. We were obligated to use our commercially reasonable best efforts to cause this registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC within 45 days after the filing of this registration statement (or within 75 days if this registration statement is subject to a full review by the SEC). Additionally, the Registration Rights Agreement provides for certain monetary penalties if the registration statement is not filed or declared effective prior to certain dates, or it is not maintained effective, as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
10 |
The Private Placement Offering described above was made pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
On February 6, 2017, we filed a resale registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC, which was declared effective on February 15, 2017, registering the 1,572,941 shares of common stock issued to the selling security holders in the Private Placement Offering and up to 1,572,941 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued to the selling security holders in the Private Placement Offering.
In the October closing of the 2015 Private Placement Financing we received aggregate gross proceeds to us of $6.0 million. We did not engage a placement agent or investment banker to facilitate the Private Placement Financing.
In the November closing of the 2015 Private Placement Financing we received aggregate gross proceeds to us of $2.0 million. We did not engage a placement agent or investment banker to facilitate the Private Placement Financing.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016, (i) all 2,820,670 of the six-month warrants issued in the second and final closing of the 2015 Private Placement were exercised, (ii) the six-month warrants issued in the first closing of the 2015 Private Placement expired and (iii) the five-year warrants issued in the first closing of the 2015 Private Placement were cancelled.
We also entered into a registration rights agreement with the Investors in the 2015 Private Placement Financing (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which we are obligated, upon request of the Investor in the October closing of the 2015 Private Placement Financing and subject to certain conditions, to file with the SEC as soon as practicable, but in any event within 60 days after receiving such applicable request, a registration statement on Form S-1 (the “2015 Resale Registration Statement”) to register the Purchase Shares and the Warrant Shares for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and other securities issued or issuable with respect to or in exchange for the Purchase Shares or Warrant Shares. We are obligated to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the 2015 Resale Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing of the Resale Registration Statement, but no monetary penalty or liquidated damages will be imposed upon the Company if the Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC.
Warrants
During the three months ended April 30, 2017, we received approximately $80,000 from the exercise of warrants to purchase 106,000 shares of common stock. The warrants were issued in connection with the private placement completed in August 2014 and were considered equity instruments. In addition, there was a net exercise on 5,335 warrants which resulted in the issuance of 4,179 shares of our common stock (See Note 9 to these condensed consolidated financial statements).
During the three months ended April 30, 2016, we received $151,000 from the exercise of warrants issued in November 2015 to purchase 335,981 shares of our common stock.
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, there was a net exercise on 28,000 warrants which resulted in the issuance of 13,906 shares of our common stock. As these warrants were net exercised, as permitted under the respective warrant agreement, we did not receive any cash proceeds. The warrants were issued in connection with a prior year private placement and were considered equity instruments.
Other Activity
On April 13, 2016, we entered into a two-year service agreement for general financial advisory services. In accordance with the agreement we issued 250,000 shares of common stock, with a value of $290,000. The value was capitalized to prepaid expense and is being amortized over the term of the agreement. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017, we recognized $36,000 and $108,000 of expense related to these services, respectively. In addition, during the three months ended April 30, 2016, we recognized $7,000 of expense related to these services.
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11. Share-Based Compensation
Restricted Stock Units
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors issued 200,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to Henry R. Lambert, our Chief Executive Officer. The RSUs vest based on performance conditions and expire July 31, 2018. If the performance conditions are not met, or expected to be met, no compensation cost will be recognized on the underlying RSUs. If the performance condition is expected to be met, the expense will be allocated over the performance period. The RSUs granted to Mr. Lambert were not granted pursuant to any compensatory, bonus, or similar plan maintained or otherwise sponsored by the Company.
In addition, during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, we issued 612,500 RSUs to key employees. The RSUs vest based on performance and service conditions. If the performance conditions are not met, or expected to be met, no compensation cost will be recognized on the underlying RSUs. If the performance condition is expected to be met, the expense will be allocated over the performance period.
Of the 1,110,000 RSUs outstanding, we currently expect 150,000 to vest based on service conditions. As of April 30, 2017, there was $24,000 of unrecognized non-cash compensation cost related to RSUs we expect to vest, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.25 years.
For the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, share-based compensation expense for outstanding restricted stock units (“RSUs”) was $23,000 and $136,000, respectively. For the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, share-based compensation expense for outstanding RSUs was $98,000 and $1,495,000, respectively.
RSU Termination
On December 13, 2016, we entered into an RSU Cancellation Agreement with our officers and directors who received RSUs in October 2013 as compensation for their continued services to us over a required vesting period. Under this Agreement, our officers and directors agreed to cancel RSUs representing the right to receive an aggregate of 3.9 million vested shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the cancelled RSUs, we would have been required to settle and deliver these vested shares to the individual officers and directors prior to January 1, 2017, which would have triggered a taxable event. Our officers and directors, in their individual capacities, voluntarily agreed to cancel their respective RSUs based on their determination that cancelling the RSUs would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The individual officers and directors reached this conclusion for the following reasons:
1. | Conserves our Available Cash Resources. The RSUs held by our officers provide these individuals with the right to require us to pay the applicable state and federal taxes due upon the settlement and delivery of their vested RSU shares in exchange for the individual cancelling and returning to us that number of shares of common stock equal in value to the contractual tax payment obligation. By agreeing to cancel the RSUs, we will not be required to utilize our available cash resources to pay the tax payments on behalf of our officers, and as a result, we can conserve our available cash resources to support the continued implementation of our business plan. | |
2. | Reduces Pressure on Our Stock Price. The RSUs held by our non-employee directors provide these individuals with the right to immediately sell into the public market that number of shares of common stock sufficient to cover the applicable state and federal taxes payable as a result of the settlement and delivery of their vested RSU shares. Our common stock currently has a limited daily trading volume, and the sale or the potential sale of a substantial number of shares of common stock by our officers and directors to cover their federal and state tax obligations would adversely affect the market price of our common stock, which in turn, could harm our ability to raise funds to support our operations or require us to raise funds at terms and valuations that would be more dilutive to our existing stockholders. |
Each of our officers and directors who are parties to the RSU Cancellation Agreement agreed to cancel their RSUs and the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs in their individual capacities as stockholders and equity award holders, and without any agreement or promise from us or our officers or directors to issue them equity, equity-based awards or cash compensation in the future in exchange for entering into the Agreement.
As a result of the RSU cancelation, $87,000 of pre-vest expense was reversed.
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Stock Option Plans
In February 2016, we amended and restated our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan, to, among other changes, increase the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Plan by 4,000,000 shares and extend the term of the Plan until February 4, 2026. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive and non-qualified stock options, as well as other share-based payment awards, to our employees, directors, consultants and advisors. These awards have up to a 10-year contractual life and are subject to various vesting periods, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan is the only active plan pursuant to which options to acquire common stock or restricted stock awards can be granted and are currently outstanding. As of April 30, 2017, there were approximately 561,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan.
During the three months ended April 30, 2017, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 950,000 stock options to our officers and directors. The breakdown is as follows:
● | Henry R. Lambert Option Award: We granted Mr. Lambert an award consisting of an option to purchase two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of common stock. | |
● | Mark S. Elliott Option Award: We granted Mr. Elliott an award consisting of an option to purchase one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares of common stock. | |
● | Chairman Option Award: We granted Mr. Pfanzelter an award consisting of an option to purchase two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of common stock. | |
● | Director Option Awards: We granted Messrs. Cohee, Lee, Otis and Dr. Theno, awards consisting of an option to purchase one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of common stock, respectively. |
In addition, during the three months ended April 30, 2017, we issued 600,000 options to purchase common stock to employees supporting our selling, general and administrative, and research and development functions and 85,000 options to purchase common stock to third-party consultants for business development and investor relations services.
All option awards granted during the three months ended April 30, 2017 carry a five-year term and vest in four installments: 25% on April 30, 2017; 25% on July 31, 2017; 25% on October 31, 2017; and 25% on January 31, 2018.
None of the options granted to our officers and directors were granted pursuant to any compensatory, bonus, or similar plan maintained or otherwise sponsored by the Company.
During the nine months ended April 30, 2017, we issued 100,000 options to purchase common stock to a member of our scientific advisory board. The options vest quarterly over one year and carry a five-year term.
During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, we issued 740,000 and 110,000 options, respectively, to purchase common stock to employees supporting our selling, general and administrative, and research and development functions. The vesting terms of the options varied from 100% on grant date to quarterly over a one year period and carried a term between two and five years.
A summary of our stock option activity is as follows:
Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||
Outstanding at July 31, 2015 | 434,218 | $ | 4.07 | $ | — | |||||||
Granted | 1,850,000 | $ | 1.07 | |||||||||
Exercised | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Cancelled | (6,250 | ) | $ | 14.72 | ||||||||
Outstanding at July 31, 2016 | 2,277,968 | $ | 1.60 | $ | 48,000 | |||||||
Granted | 1,735,000 | $ | 0.89 | |||||||||
Exercised | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Cancelled | (253,125 | ) | $ | 1.42 | ||||||||
Outstanding at April 30, 2017 | 3,759,843 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 222,000 |
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At April 30, 2017, options to purchase 2,258,593 shares of common stock were exercisable. These options had a weighted-average exercise price of $1.53, an aggregate intrinsic value of $87,000, and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 3.25 years. The weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the nine months ended April 30, 2017 was $0.43.
We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock options. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The fair value of options granted is estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted average assumptions for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016:
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
April 30, 2017 | April 30, 2016 | April 30, 2017 | April 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||
Volatility | 74.10 | % | 82.36 | % | 74.13 | % | 84.20 | % | ||||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 1.51 | % | 0.67 | % | 1.48 | % | 0.70 | % | ||||||||
Dividend yield | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Expected life | 2.88 years | 1.62 years | 2.87 years | 1.73 years |
Volatility is the measure by which our stock price is expected to fluctuate during the expected term of an option. Volatility is derived from the historical daily change in the market price of our common stock, as we believe that historical volatility is the best indicator of future volatility.
The risk-free interest rates used in the Black-Scholes calculations are based on the prevailing U.S. Treasury yield as determined by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
We have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, we have assumed no dividend yield for purposes of estimating the fair value of our share-based compensation.
The weighted average expected life of options was estimated using the average of the contractual term and the weighted average vesting term of the options. Certain options granted to consultants are subject to variable accounting treatment and are required to be revalued until vested.
Stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore is reduced by expected forfeitures. We have not had significant forfeitures of stock options granted to employees and directors as a significant number of our historical stock option grants were fully vested at issuance or were issued with short vesting provisions. Therefore, we have estimated the forfeiture rate of our outstanding stock options as zero.
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option grants as of April 30, 2017 was approximately $497,000 and the weighted average period over which these grants are expected to vest is 0.72 years.
For the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, share-based compensation expense for stock options was $251,000 and $50,000 respectively. For the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, share-based compensation expense for stock options was $712,000 and $126,000 respectively.
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12. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, provide certain footnote disclosures. This ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted ASU 2014-15 during the three months ended April 30, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 in the third quarter of 2018. We currently do not have any material revenue contracts with customers and will review any new contracts entered into prior to the adoption of the new standard. We are evaluating the effect that this update will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is designed to simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeiture rate calculations. We adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the three months ended April 30, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
13. Subsequent Events
None.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
All references in this Item 2 and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report to “PURE,” “we”, “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to PURE Bioscience, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and our wholly owned subsidiary, ETI H2O, Inc., a Nevada corporation. ETI H2O, Inc. currently has no business operations and no material assets or liabilities and there have been no significant transactions related to ETI H2O, Inc. during the periods presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
The discussion in this section contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results to differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. Several risks and uncertainties we face are discussed in more detail under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report or in the discussion and analysis below. You should, however, understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risks and uncertainties and you should not consider the risks and uncertainties identified by us to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties that could materially affect us. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements we make herein because some or all of them may turn out to be wrong. We undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events and developments, except as required by law. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
Company Overview
We are focused on developing and commercializing proprietary antimicrobial products that provide safe and cost-effective solutions to the health and environmental challenges of pathogen and hygienic control. Our technology platform is based on patented stabilized ionic silver, and our initial products contain silver dihydrogen citrate, or SDC. SDC is a broad-spectrum, non-toxic antimicrobial agent, which offers 24-hour residual protection and formulates well with other compounds. As a platform technology, we believe SDC is distinguished from existing products in the marketplace because of its superior efficacy, reduced toxicity and the inability of bacteria to form a resistance to it.
Our SDC-based technology platform has potential application in a number of industries. Our near-term focus is on offering products that address food safety risks across the food industry supply chain. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses affect more than 48 million people annually in the U.S., causing 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 fatalities. The CDC estimated that more than 9 million of these foodborne illnesses were attributed to major pathogens. The CDC reported that contaminated produce was responsible for approximately 46% of the foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens and 23% of the foodborne illness-related deaths in the US between 1998 and 2008. Among the top pathogens contributing to foodborne illness in the U.S. are Norovirus, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus, Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli and Listeria. Salmonella is the leading cause of hospitalization, followed by Norovirus, and is the leading cause of deaths related to foodborne illness.
Based on these statistics, we believe there is a significant market opportunity for our safe, non-toxic and effective SDC-based solutions. We currently offer PURE® Hard Surface as a food contact surface sanitizer and disinfectant to restaurant chains and food processors. We also offer PURE Control® as a direct food contact processing aid. We received the required FDA approvals to market PURE Control® as a direct food contact processing aid for raw poultry and fresh produce in December 2015 and January 2016, respectively. In July 2016, we received a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) granting approval for SDC-based PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry. In January 2017, we submitted an additional FCN to the FDA to allow use of higher SDC concentrations in poultry processing, allowing the flexibility to adjust to varying plant and processing conditions. In May 2017, we received a Final Letter from the FDA for this FCN as well as a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) granting approval for the higher concentrations of SDC-based PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry.
We have not, however, received the required approval from the USDA to utilize PURE Control in OLR poultry processing, which effectively restricts our ability to commercialize PURE Control for poultry processing until we receive such additional approval. We continue our on-going plant trials to optimize the application of PURE Control, including with higher concentrations of SDC, in OLR to gain USDA approval for use in that stage of poultry processing. Additionally, we are currently testing and continuing development of PURE Control to allow us to seek regulatory approval to also utilize PURE Control as a direct food contact processing aid for raw meats, including beef and pork. In addition to our direct sales efforts with PURE Hard Surface and PURE Control, we market and sell our SDC-based products indirectly through third-party distributors.
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Business Strategy
Our goal is to become a sustainable company by commercializing the SDC-based products we have developed with our proprietary technology platform. We are focused on delivering leading antimicrobial products that address food safety risks across the food industry supply chain. Key aspects of our business strategy include:
● | Expanding sales and distribution for our products into the food industry with a focus on a dual track of food safety market opportunities: |
● | Hard Surface Disinfectant - commercializing our current EPA registered PURE Hard Surface disinfectant and sanitizer for use in foodservice operations and food manufacturing. | ||
● | Direct Food Contact - commercializing FDA approved PURE Control as a direct food contact processing aid for fresh produce; commercializing FDA approved PURE Control as a food processing and intervention aid for food processors treating raw poultry subject to further USDA approval for OLR poultry processing and FDA approval for higher concentrations of SDC; expecting to commercialize, subject to both FDA and USDA approval, the use of SDC as a food processing and intervention aid for food processors treating raw beef and pork. |
● | Establishing strategic alliances to maximize the commercial potential of our technology platform; | |
● | Developing additional proprietary products and applications; and | |
● | Protecting and enhancing our intellectual property. |
In addition to our current products addressing food safety, we intend to leverage our technology platform through licensing and distribution collaborations in order to develop new products and enter into new markets that could potentially generate multiple sources of revenue.
Our Products
Our near-term focus is on delivering leading antimicrobial products that address food safety risks across the food industry supply chain. We currently offer PURE® Hard Surface as a food contact surface sanitizer and disinfectant to restaurant chains and food processors. We also offer PURE Control® as a direct food contact processing aid. We received the required FDA approvals to market PURE Control® as a direct food contact processing aid for raw poultry and fresh produce in December 2015 and January 2016, respectively. In July 2016, we received a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) granting approval for SDC-based PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry. In January 2017, we submitted an additional FCN to the FDA to allow use of higher SDC concentrations in poultry processing, allowing the flexibility to adjust to varying plant and processing conditions. In May 2017, we received a Final Letter from the FDA for this FCN as well as a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) granting approval for the higher concentrations of SDC-based PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry.
We have not, however, received the required approval from the USDA to utilize PURE Control in OLR poultry processing, which effectively restricts our ability to commercialize PURE Control for poultry processing until we receive such additional approval. We continue our on-going plant trials to optimize the application of PURE Control, including with higher concentrations of SDC, in OLR to gain USDA approval for use in that stage of poultry processing. Additionally, we are currently testing and continuing development of PURE Control to allow us to seek regulatory approval to also utilize PURE Control as a direct food contact processing aid for raw meats, including beef and pork.
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In addition to our direct sales efforts with PURE Hard Surface and PURE Control, we market and sell our SDC-based products indirectly through third-party distributors. In addition to PURE Hard Surface and PURE Control, we manufacture and sell (i) SDC-based products for end use, (ii) products preserved with SDC and (iii) SDC as a raw material ingredient for manufacturing use.
PURE® Hard Surface Disinfectant and Sanitizer (Ready to Use)
PURE Hard Surface is our SDC-based, patented and EPA-registered, ready-to-use hard surface disinfectant and food contact surface sanitizer. PURE Hard Surface combines high efficacy and low toxicity with bacterial and viral kill times as few as 30-seconds and 24-hour residual protection. The product completely kills resistant pathogens such as MRSA and Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (NDM-1), and effectively eliminates dangerous fungi and viruses including HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Norovirus, Influenza A, Avian Influenza and H1N1. It also eradicates hazardous food pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria. PURE Hard Surface delivers broad-spectrum efficacy yet remains classified as least-toxic by the EPA. The active ingredient, SDC, has been designated as “Generally Recognized as Safe”, or GRAS, for use on food processing equipment, machinery and utensils.
PURE Control®
We have the necessary regulatory approvals from the FDA to offer PURE Control as a direct food contact processing aid for fresh produce and raw poultry. We also have regulatory approvals from the USDA for certain methods of application of PURE Control on poultry and we are also performing additional trials to gain further USDA approvals for additional food contact applications for poultry. Additionally, we are currently testing and continuing development of PURE Control to allow us to seek regulatory approval to also utilize PURE Control as a direct food contact processing aid for raw meats, including beef and pork.
Poultry Processing Aid. In December 2015, we received the required approvals from the FDA stating that our FCN (food contact notification) for SDC as a raw poultry processing aid is complete. We have received a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) granting approval for SDC-based PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry. In January 2017, we submitted an additional FCN to the FDA to allow use of higher SDC concentrations in poultry processing, allowing the flexibility to adjust to varying plant and processing conditions. In May 2017, we received a Final Letter from the FDA for this FCN as well as a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) granting approval for the higher concentrations of SDC-based PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry.
We have not, however, received the required approval from the USDA to utilize PURE Control in OLR poultry processing, which effectively restricts our ability to commercialize PURE Control for poultry processing until we receive such additional approval. We continue our on-going plant trials to optimize the application of PURE Control, including with higher concentrations of SDC, in OLR to gain USDA approval for use in that stage of poultry processing. We are continuing to work with the FDA to obtain approval for the higher concentrations of SDC in poultry processing and expect to receive FDA approval in the third calendar quarter of 2017.
Testing data conducted by Dr. James Marsden at Kansas State University and submitted in support of our FCN showed that, SDC achieved an average reduction in Salmonella of 2.75 log10 CFU/cm2 when applied as an OLR (online reprocessing) spray and 6.28 log10 CFU/cm2 when combined with an immersion chilling process simulating current U.S. industry practices. We believe that testing by Dr. Marsden provides support to the following benefits of SDC for poultry processing:
● | The use of SDC antimicrobial solution in poultry processing has the potential to enable plants to achieve non-detectable Salmonella levels post-chill process. | |
● | A sensory evaluation of SDC showed no difference in color, appearance or odor in treated poultry. |
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● | SDC has a neutral to positive impact on yield. | |
● | SDC offers a highly effective alternative to hazardous and difficult to blend chemicals currently used as treatments in raw poultry processing. | |
● | SDC is a significant improvement over current processing practices. The product is: |
○ | Easier to handle and dilute; | ||
○ | Non-corrosive to processing equipment; | ||
○ | Does not create noxious fumes; and | ||
○ | Poultry processors will also benefit from the highly stable solution, ease of use and improved worker safety. |
Produce Processing Aid. In January 2016, we received the required approvals from the FDA stating that our FCN for SDC as a spray or dip on processed fruits and vegetables is complete. We were not required to obtain any approvals from the USDA to use PURE Control as a produce processing aid.
Data from testing conducted by Dr. James Marsden at Kansas State University and submitted in support of our FCN for produce showed that SDC achieved average reductions up to 2.36 log10 CFU/cm2 when applied alone as a spray and up to 3.10 log10 CFU/cm2 when combined with chlorine wash, simulating current processing practices. Sensory evaluations of produce treated with SDC indicated no difference in color, appearance or odor to untreated controls; and SDC had no effect on the nutritional composition of the produce.
Currently, produce processors target achieving only a 1 log10 CFU/cm2 reduction per intervention treatment. Data suggests that by incorporating SDC, processors can improve their results 100-fold with only one step. This represents a significant advantage to produce processors as well as improvement to the safety of processed produce going to the consumer.
Other Processing Aids under Development. We are currently testing and continuing development of PURE Control to allow us to seek regulatory approval to also utilize PURE Control as a direct food contact processing aid for raw meats, including beef and pork. Subject to successful pilot testing results and development, we intend to submit for both FDA and USDA approval during calendar 2017. In addition, we may identify other food processing opportunities for SDC.
Additional SDC-Based Products
In addition to PURE Hard Surface and PURE Control, we manufacture and sell (i) SDC-based products for end use, (ii) products preserved with SDC and (iii) SDC as a raw material ingredient for manufacturing use. These products include:
Product Name | Product Use | EPA Registration | ||
PURE Complete Solution: | ||||
PURE® Multi-Purpose and Floor Cleaner Concentrate | Cleaner | Not applicable | ||
PURE® Multi-Purpose Hi-Foam Cleaner Concentrate | Cleaner | Not applicable | ||
Axen®30 | Disinfectant | Axen30 | ||
Axenohl® | Raw material ingredient | Axenohl | ||
SILVÉRION® | Raw material ingredient | Not applicable |
PURE Complete Solution
Our PURE Complete Solution is comprised of PURE Hard Surface and concentrated cleaning products that were launched as companion products to PURE Hard Surface. The PURE Complete Solution offers a comprehensive, cost-effective and user-friendly cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing product line to end-users including our targeted foodservice, food manufacturing and food processing customers. We can also target this product line to hospital and medical care facilities; janitorial service providers and the distributors that supply them.
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PURE® Multi-Purpose and Floor Cleaner Concentrate (End-User Dilutable)
PURE Multi-Purpose and Floor Cleaner, is an environmentally responsible cleaning product that is protected by SDC. SDC ensures the quality and safety of PURE Multi-Purpose and Floor Cleaner without human or environmental exposure to toxic chemical preservatives. PURE Multi-Purpose and Floor Cleaner is non-toxic and non-flammable and contains no EDTA, phosphates, ammonia or bleach as well as no VOCs or NPEs. This efficient cleaner provides professional strength cleaning in a concentrate formula that yields a 1:96 – 1:256 use dilution that is safe for use on all resilient surfaces, including floors, glass and food contact surfaces.
PURE® Multi-Purpose Hi-Foam Cleaner Concentrate (End-User Dilutable)
PURE Multi-Purpose Hi-Foam Cleaner is an environmentally responsible, professional strength high foam forming cleaning product that is protected by SDC. SDC ensures the quality and safety of PURE Multi-Purpose Hi-Foam Cleaner without human or environmental exposure to toxic chemical preservatives. PURE Multi-Purpose Hi-Foam Cleaner is non-toxic and non-flammable and contains no EDTA, phosphates, ammonia or bleach as well as no VOCs or NPEs. PURE Multi-Purpose Hi-Foam Cleaner provides high foam cleaning in a concentrate formula that yields a 1:50 use dilution that is safe for use on stainless steel equipment, resilient floors, walls and painted surfaces.
Axen® 30 (Ready-to-Use)
Axen30 is our patented and EPA-registered hard surface disinfectant and is a predecessor ready-to-use product to PURE Hard Surface. Axen30 is currently sold on a limited basis by distributors under their respective private labels.
Axenohl® (Raw Material Ingredient)
Axenohl is our patented and EPA-registered SDC-based antimicrobial formulation for use as a raw material ingredient in the manufacturing of EPA-registered products. Axenohl is a colorless, odorless and stable solution that provides fast acting efficacy against bacteria, viruses and fungi when manufactured into consumer and commercial disinfecting and sanitizing products.
SILVÉRION® (Raw Material Ingredient)
SILVÉRION is our patented SDC-based antimicrobial formulation for use as a raw material ingredient in the manufacturing of personal care products. It can be used as either an active ingredient or a preservative. SILVÉRION is a colorless, odorless and stable solution that provides ionic silver in a water-soluble form. It provides fast acting efficacy at low concentrations against a broad-spectrum of bacteria, viruses, yeast and molds. SILVÉRION is currently sold domestically and outside of the United States in various personal care products.
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Liquidity & Going Concern Update
Our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report have been prepared and presented on a basis assuming we will continue as a going concern. The factors below raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private offerings of securities, debt financing, and revenue from product sales and license agreements. We have a history of recurring losses, and as of April 30, 2017 we have incurred a cumulative net loss of $107,636,000.
We do not have, and may never have, significant cash inflows from product sales or from other sources of revenue to fund our operations. As of April 30, 2017, we had $2,714,000 in cash and cash equivalents, and $574,000 in accounts payable. As of April 30, 2017, we have no long-term debt. Our existing cash resources are not sufficient to meet our anticipated needs over the next twelve months from the date hereof. Excluding proceeds from either additional capital or revenues and / or reduction in operating expenses, we believe our existing cash resources will meet our anticipated needs at least through December 2017. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a further discussion on our continuation as a going concern.
Financial Overview
This financial overview provides a general description of our revenue and expenses.
Revenue
We contract manufacture and sell SDC-based products for end use, and as a raw material for manufacturing use. We also license our products and technology to development and commercialization partners. Revenue is recognized when realized or realizable and earned. Any amounts received prior to satisfying revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold for product sales includes direct and indirect costs to manufacture products, including materials consumed, manufacturing overhead, shipping costs, salaries, benefits, reserved inventory, and related expenses of operations. Depreciation related to manufacturing is systematically allocated to inventory produced, and expensed through cost of goods sold at the time inventory is sold.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of salaries and other related costs for personnel in business development, sales, finance, accounting, information technology, and executive functions. Other selling, general and administrative costs include product marketing, advertising, and trade show costs, as well as public relations and investor relations, facility costs, and legal, accounting and other professional fees.
Research and Development
Our research and development activities are focused on leveraging our technology platform to develop additional proprietary products and applications. Research and development expense consists primarily of personnel and related costs, product registration expenses, and third-party testing. We expense research and development costs as incurred.
Other Income (Expense)
We record interest income, interest expense, change in derivative liabilities, as well as other non-operating transactions, as other income (expense) in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
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Results of Operations
Fluctuations in Operating Results
Our results of operations have fluctuated significantly from period to period in the past and are likely to continue to do so in the future. We anticipate that our results of operations will be affected for the foreseeable future by several factors that may contribute to these periodic fluctuations, including the demand for our products, the timing and amount of our product sales, and the progress and timing of expenditures related to sales and marketing, as well as product development. Due to these fluctuations, we believe that the period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not a reliable indication of our future performance.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended April 30, 2017 and 2016
Net Product Sales
Net product sales were $338,000 and $403,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease of $65,000 was primarily attributable to fluctuations within our existing legacy customer base.
For the three months ended April 30, 2017, two individual customer accounted for 23% and 17%, of our net product sales, respectively. No other individual customer accounted for 10% or more of our net product sales. The geographic breakdown of net product sales was as follows: 100% U.S.
For the three months ended April 30, 2016, two individual customers accounted for 48% and 25%, of our net product sales, respectively. No other individual customer accounted for 10% or more of our net product sales. The geographic breakdown of net product sales was as follows: 100% U.S.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold was $132,000 and $116,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $16,000 was primarily attributable to the sale of higher cost packaging configurations sold during the quarter ended April 30, 2017, as compared with the prior period.
Gross margin as a percentage of net product sales, or gross margin percentage, was 61% and 71% for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily attributable to the sale of lower margin formulations and packaging configurations of our products during the quarter ended April 30, 2017, as compared with the prior period.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense was $1,302,000 and $1,385,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease of $83,000 was primarily attributable to decreased personnel and marketing costs offset by increased business development fees.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expense was $222,000 and $205,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $17,000 was primarily attributable to third-party testing and research supporting our FDA approval efforts.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense was $275,000 and $186,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $89,000 is primarily due to the vesting of stock options granted to employees, directors and consultants supporting our selling, general and administrative, and research and development functions during the three months ended April 30, 2017.
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Change in Derivative Liabilities
Change in derivative liabilities for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was an increase of $147,000 and a decrease of $1,506,000, respectively. The current period increase is primarily due the assumptions used in the fair value pricing model for warrants at the end of the reporting period. The prior period decrease is primarily due to the expiration of 8,666,666 warrants issued in connection with the October Private Placement Financings, as well as, a decrease in the Company’s common stock price and updates to the assumptions used in the fair value pricing model (See Notes 8 and 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was $1,000 and $3,000, respectively.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was $3,000 and $16,000, respectively.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 and 2016
Net Product Sales
Net product sales were $1,316,000 and $765,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $551,000 was primarily attributable to new customer sales in the food safety industry, as well as sales fluctuations within our existing legacy customer base.
For the nine months ended April 30, 2017, three individual customers accounted for 26%, 23% and 11% of our net product sales, respectively. No other individual customer accounted for 10% or more of our net product sales. The geographic breakdown of net product sales was as follows: 100% U.S.
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016, two individual customers accounted for 45% and 13%, of our net product sales, respectively. No other individual customer accounted for 10% or more of our net product sales. The geographic breakdown of net product sales was as follows: 100% U.S.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold was $531,000 and $218,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $313,000 was primarily attributable to increased net product sales.
Gross margin as a percentage of net product sales, or gross margin percentage, was 60% and 72% for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily attributable to the sale of lower margin formulations and packaging configurations of our products during the nine months ended April 30, 2017 as compared with the prior period.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense was $3,972,000 and $3,857,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $115,000 was primarily attributable to increased personnel costs offset by decreased marketing costs and legal fees.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expense was $684,000 and $679,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase of $5,000 was primarily attributable to third-party testing and research supporting our FDA approval efforts.
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Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense was $723,000 and $1,621,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease of $898,000 is primarily due to the vesting of restricted stock units granted to employees and directors supporting our selling, general and administrative, and research and development functions during the prior fiscal year.
Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities in Excess of Proceeds.
The fair value of derivative liabilities in excess of proceeds was zero and $1,867,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively (See Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
Change in Derivative Liability
Change in derivative liabilities for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was a decrease of $153,000 and an increase of $6,241,000, respectively. The current period decrease is primarily due the assumptions used in the fair value pricing model for warrants at the end of the reporting period. The prior period increase is due to the 20,376,219 warrants issued in connection with the October and November 2015 Private Placement Financing, as well as, updates to the assumptions used in the fair value pricing model for warrants at the end of the reporting period (See Notes 8 and 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was $4,000 and $8,000, respectively.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was $28,000 and $34,000, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private offerings of securities, debt financing, and revenue from product sales and license agreements. We have a history of recurring losses, and as of April 30, 2017 we have incurred a cumulative net loss of $107,636,000.
During the nine months ended April 30, 2017, we completed a private placement offering pursuant to which we sold 1,572,941 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 1,572,941 shares of our common stock. The shares were sold at a per share purchase price of $0.85 per share, resulting in $1,337,000 in aggregate gross proceeds. After deducting fees of approximately $288,000, the net proceeds to us were $1,049,000. In addition, we received $80,000 from the exercise of warrants to purchase 106,000 shares of common stock. (See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
As of April 30, 2017, we had $2,714,000 in cash and cash equivalents compared with $5,194,000 in cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2016. The net decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily attributable to the use of cash to fund our operations. Additionally, as of April 30, 2017, we had $2,433,000 of current liabilities, including $574,000 in accounts payable, compared with $2,536,000 of current liabilities, including $479,000 in accounts payable as of July 31, 2016. The net decrease in current liabilities was primarily due to the timing of accounts payable and the derivative liability incurred from the issuance of warrants associated with our November 2015 financing.
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In addition, from time to time we have entered into employment agreements with our executives that, under certain cases, provide for the continuation of salary and certain other benefits if these executives are terminated under specified circumstances. These agreements generally expire upon termination for cause or when we have met our obligations under these agreements. As of April 30, 2017, no events have occurred resulting in the obligation of any such payments.
We do not have, and may never have, significant cash inflows from product sales or from other sources of revenue to fund our operations. Our existing cash resources are not sufficient to meet our anticipated needs over the next twelve months from the date hereof and, excluding proceeds from either additional capital or revenues and / or reduction in operating expenses, the existing cash resources will meet our anticipated needs at least through December 2017. The uncertainties surrounding our ability to continue to fund our operations raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our future capital requirements depend on numerous forward-looking factors. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the following: the acceptance of, and demand for, our products; our success and the success of our partners in selling our products; our success and the success of our partners in obtaining regulatory approvals to sell our products; the costs of further developing our existing products and technologies; the extent to which we invest in new product and technology development; and the costs associated with the continued operation, and any future growth, of our business. The outcome of these and other forward-looking factors will substantially affect our liquidity and capital resources.
Until we can generate significant cash from operations, we expect to continue to fund our operations with the proceeds of offerings of our equity and debt securities. However, we cannot assure you that additional financing will be available when needed or that, if available, financing will be obtained on terms favorable to us or to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds from the issuance of equity securities, substantial dilution to our existing stockholders would likely result. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business. Further, any contracts or license arrangements we enter into to raise funds may require us to relinquish our rights to our products or technology, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into any such contracts or license arrangements on acceptable terms, or at all. Having insufficient funds may require us to delay or scale back our marketing, distribution and other commercialization activities or cease our operations altogether.
We do not have any unused credit facilities or other sources of capital available to us at this time. We intend to secure additional working capital through sales of additional debt or equity securities, including through private placements of our securities. Our intended financing initiatives are subject to risk, and we cannot provide any assurance about the availability or terms of these or any future financings.
If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital, it will have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. It could cause us to fail to execute our business plan, fail to take advantage of future opportunities, or fail to respond to competitive pressures or customer requirements. It also may require us to significantly modify our business model and operations to reduce spending to a sustainable level, which may include delaying, scaling back or eliminating some or all of our ongoing and planned investments in corporate infrastructure, research and development projects, regulatory submissions, business development initiatives, and sales and marketing activities, among other investments. If adequate funds are not available when needed, we may be required to reduce or cease operations altogether.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
In addition, the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report have been prepared and presented on a basis assuming we will continue as a going concern. Until we can generate significant cash from operations, we expect to continue to fund our operations with the proceeds of offerings of our equity and debt securities. However, we cannot assure you that additional financing will be available when needed or that, if available, financing will be obtained on terms favorable to us or to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds from the issuance of equity securities, substantial dilution to our existing stockholders would likely result. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business. Further, any contracts or license arrangements we enter into to raise funds may require us to relinquish our rights to our products or technology, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into any such contracts or license arrangements on acceptable terms, or at all. Having insufficient funds may require us to delay or scale back our marketing, distribution and other commercialization activities or cease our operations altogether. Our financial statements do not include any adjustment relating to recoverability or classification of recorded assets and classification of recorded liabilities.
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We believe the following accounting policies and estimates are critical to aid you in understanding and evaluating our reported financial results.
Revenue Recognition
We sell our products to distributors and end users. We record revenue when we sell products to our customers, rather than when our customers resell products to third parties. When we sell products to our customers, we reduce the balance of our inventory with a corresponding charge to cost of goods sold. We do not currently have any consignment sales.
Terms of our product sales are generally FOB shipping point. Product sales are recognized when delivery of the products has occurred (which is generally at the time of shipment), title has passed to the customer, the selling price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and we have no further obligations. Any amounts received prior to satisfying these revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue. We record product sales net of discounts at the time of sale and report product sales net of such discounts.
We also license our products and technology to development and commercialization partners. License fee revenue consists of product and technology license fees earned. If multiple-element arrangements require on-going services or performance, then upfront product and technology license fees under such arrangements are deferred and recognized over the period of such services or performance. Non-refundable amounts received for substantive milestones are recognized upon achievement of the milestone. Any amounts received prior to satisfying these revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue.
Share-Based Compensation
We grant equity-based awards under share-based compensation plans or stand-alone contracts. We estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. This fair value is then amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including price volatility of the underlying stock, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, and expected life of the option. Share-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore is reduced by expected forfeitures. Changes in assumptions used under the Black-Scholes option valuation model could materially affect our net loss and net loss per share.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with GAAP, if indicators of impairment exist, we assess the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, we measure the amount of such impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the fair value of the asset and we record the impairment as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and a charge to operating results. Estimating the undiscounted future cash flows associated with long-lived assets requires judgment, and assumptions could differ materially from actual results.
For purposes of testing impairment, we group our long-lived assets at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows independent of other asset groups. Currently, there is only one level of aggregation for our intangible assets. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets, consisting of property, plant, and equipment and our patent portfolio, whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or circumstances include:
● | an asset group’s ability to continue to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods; |
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● | loss of legal ownership or title to the asset(s); | |
● | significant changes in our strategic business objectives and utilization of the asset(s); and | |
● | the impact of significant negative industry or economic trends. |
Additionally, on a quarterly basis we review the significant assumptions underlying our impairment assessment to determine whether our previous conclusions remain valid.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used in operations is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. The factors used to evaluate the future net cash flows, while reasonable, require a high degree of judgment and the results could vary if the actual results are materially different than the forecasts. In addition, we base useful lives and amortization or depreciation expense on our subjective estimate of the period that the assets will generate revenue or otherwise be used by us. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less selling costs.
We also periodically review the lives assigned to our intangible assets to ensure that our initial estimates do not exceed any revised estimated periods from which we expect to realize cash flows from the assets. If a change were to occur in any of the above-mentioned factors or estimates, the likelihood of a material change in our reported results would increase.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow or market or foreign currency risks.
We review the terms of the common stock, warrants and convertible debt we issue to determine whether there are derivative instruments, including embedded conversion options that are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as derivative financial instruments. In circumstances where the host instrument contains more than one embedded derivative instrument, including a conversion option, that is required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.
Derivatives are initially recorded at fair value and are then revalued at each reporting date with changes in the fair value reported as non-operating income or expense. When the equity or convertible debt instruments contain embedded derivative instruments that are to be bifurcated and accounted for as liabilities, the total proceeds received are first allocated to the fair value of all the bifurcated derivative instruments. The remaining proceeds, if any, are then allocated to the host instruments themselves, usually resulting in those instruments being recorded at a discount from their face value.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and as provided in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are electing scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information requested by this Item.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, our management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on the foregoing evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d), our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, concluded that there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the three months ended April 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
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From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. The impact and outcome of litigation, if any, is subject to inherent uncertainties, and any adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that could harm our business. We are not currently aware of any such legal proceedings or claims to which we or our wholly owned subsidiary is a party or of which any of our property is subject that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
In evaluating us and our common stock, we urge you to carefully consider the risks and other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the risk factor included below, as well as the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016, which we filed with the SEC on October 27, 2016 (the “Form 10-K”) and Item 1A. to Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2016, which we filed with the SEC on March 2, 2017 (the “First Quarter 10-Q”). Other than the risk factor included below, the risks and uncertainties described in “Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our Form 10-K and of our First Quarter 10-Q have not materially changed. Any of the risks discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the risk factor included below, or any of the risks disclosed in “Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our Form 10-K and First Quarter 10-Q, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or prospects.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
As a result of our historical lack of financial liquidity, we do not currently have sufficient working capital to fund our planned operations and may not be able to continue as a going concern, and, as a result, we will need to raise additional capital in the future in order to continue operating our business and developing new products and technologies, which capital may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.
Our existing cash resources are not sufficient to meet our anticipated needs over the next twelve months from the date hereof. Excluding proceeds from either additional capital or revenues and / or reduction in operating expenses, we believe our existing cash resources will meet our anticipated needs at least through December 2017. In addition, factors below raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We have a history of recurring losses, and as of April 30, 2017, we have incurred a cumulative net loss of approximately $108 million.
As of April 30, 2017, we had $2,714,000 in cash and cash equivalents, $2,433,000 of current liabilities, including $574,000 in accounts payable. During the nine months ended April 30, 2017, our cash outflows for operating activities and for investments in patents and fixed assets were $3.6 million. As a result, we need to raise additional capital in the future to continue operating our business and developing new products and technologies, which capital may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.
Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, among others:
● | the acceptance of, and demand for, our products; | |
● | the timing and success of executing our business strategy; | |
● | our success and that of our strategic partners in developing and selling products derived from our technology; | |
● | the costs of further developing our existing, and developing new, products or technologies and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; |
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● | the extent to which we invest in new technology, testing and product development; | |
● | the timing of vendor payments and the collection of receivables, among other factors affecting our working capital; | |
● | the exercise of outstanding options or warrants to acquire our common stock; | |
● | the number and timing of acquisitions and other strategic transactions in which we participate, if any; and | |
● | the costs associated with the continued operation, and any future growth, of our business. |
Until we can generate significant cash from operations, we expect to continue to fund our operations with the proceeds of offerings of our equity and debt securities. However, we cannot assure you that additional financing will be available when needed or that, if available, financing will be obtained on terms favorable to us or to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds from the issuance of equity securities, substantial dilution to our existing stockholders would likely result. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business. Further, any contracts or license arrangements we enter into to raise funds may require us to relinquish our rights to our products or technology, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into any such contracts or license arrangements on acceptable terms, or at all. Having insufficient funds may require us to delay or scale back our marketing, distribution and other commercialization activities or cease our operations altogether.
The above circumstances, along with our history and near term forecast of incurring significant net losses and negative operating cash flows, raise substantial doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not obtain additional capital from external sources, we will not have sufficient working capital to fund our planned operations or be able to continue as a going concern.
As of June 8, 2017, we have 76,116,832 shares of common stock issued and outstanding or reserved for issuance. Shares reserved for issuance include shares under equity compensation plans, vested and unvested options, warrants, and unvested restricted stock units. Our current authorized capital stock is limited to 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Any increase in our authorized capital stock would require the approval of a majority of our shareholders as well as the approval of our Board of Directors. If we were unable to increase our authorized capital stock for any reason, our ability to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity or convertible debt would be severely compromised and we may be unable to obtain equity or convertible debt capital at all.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
None.
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The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
3.1 | Certificate of Incorporation of PURE Bioscience, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on October 29, 2012) | |
3.1.1 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of PURE Bioscience, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on October 29, 2012) | |
3.2 | Bylaws of PURE Bioscience, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on October 29, 2012) | |
3.2.1 | Amendment to the Bylaws of PURE Bioscience, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on October 29, 2012) | |
4.1 | Form of Investor Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 2, 2009) | |
4.2 | Wharton Capital Markets LLC Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2012) | |
4.3 | Form of Underwriter’s Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 13, 2012) | |
4.4 | Morrison & Foerster LLP Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2013) | |
4.5 | Form of Investor Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC April 23, 2013) | |
4.6 | Form of Investor Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC August 27, 2014) | |
4.7 | Form of Five-Year Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on October 28, 2015) | |
4.8 | Form of Six-Month Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on October 28, 2015) | |
4.9 | Form of Investor Warrant in 2016 Private Placement Financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC December 7, 2016) | |
4.10 | Form of Placement Agent Warrant in 2016 Private Placement Financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC December 7, 2016) |
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31.1 * | Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
31.2 * | Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.1 * | Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.2 * | Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
101 * | The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
* | Filed herewith. |
# | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
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Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
PURE BIOSCIENCE, INC. | ||
Date: June 8, 2017 | By: | /s/ HENRY R. LAMBERT |
Henry R. Lambert, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Date: June 8, 2017 | By: | /s/ MARK S. ELLIOTT |
Mark S. Elliott, Vice President, Finance | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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