Yew Bio-Pharm Group, Inc. - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020

OR

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from _______ to _________

Commission File Number 000-54701

YEW BIO-PHARM GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

9460 Telstar Avenue, Suite 6

El Monte, California 91731

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (626) 401-9588

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, Par Value $0.001

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

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

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2020 was approximately $5,762,400.

As of March 30, 2021, there were 51,700,000 shares, $0.001 par value per share, of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: NONE

YEW BIO-PHARM GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements”, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements present our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. Except for our ongoing obligation to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties. Some of the key factors impacting these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

For a detailed description of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see the section entitled “Risk Factors”, beginning on page 13 below.

PART I

The discussion of our business is as of the date of filing this report, unless otherwise indicated.

Introduction

Unless otherwise noted, references in this registration statement to the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” means Yew Bio-Pharm Group, Inc. (individually, “YBP”), a Nevada corporation; its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Yew Bio-Pharm Holdings Limited (individually, “Yew HK”), a corporation organized under the laws of Hong Kong, and Heilongjiang Jinshangjing Bio-Technology Development Co., Limited (individually, “JSJ”), a corporation organized in the People’s Republic of China, (“China” or the “PRC”); and a deemed variable interest entity, or VIE, Harbin Yew Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. (individually, “HDS”), a corporation organized in the PRC, Harbin Yew Food Co. Ltd. (individually, “HYF”), the subsidiary of HDS, a corporation organized in the PRC, and MC Commerce Holding Inc. (individually, “MC”), a California corporation.

We are a major grower and seller of yew trees and manufacturer of products made from yew trees in China. We also sell raw material, including the branches and leaves of yew trees, used in the manufacture of TCM. The yew raw material contains taxol, and TCM containing yew raw material has been approved in the PRC for use as a secondary treatment of certain cancers, meaning it must be administered in combination with other pharmaceutical drugs. The yew industry is regulated in the PRC because the yew tree is considered an endangered species.

We believe that our business is built upon five unique components:

Using patented accelerated growth technology developed by our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang, based on principles of asexual propagation and cloning, we can bring yew trees to maturity and commercialize them in as little as two-to-three years, compared to more than 50 years needed for naturally grown yew trees. Additionally, we have permits from the Heilongjiang provincial government to sell our yew trees and products made from yew trees. We believe that we are one of only a few companies in the PRC with such permission.

We provided various products: TCM raw materials, yew trees, handicrafts, yew candles, extracts, yew cosmetics and others. We sell TCM raw materials in the form of yew tree branches and leaves to our customers, primarily an affiliate, to manufacture TCM containing taxol.

In December 2009, another company owned directly and indirectly primarily by Mr. Wang, Heilongjiang Yew Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., or Yew Pharmaceutical, received approval from the Heilongjiang Food and Drug Agency, or HFDA, to sell Zi Shan, a TCM to be sold under both prescription and over-the-counter drug categories. Zi Shan contains taxol, and the TCM is approved in the PRC as a secondary treatment of cancer, meaning it must be administered in combination with other pharmaceutical drugs. In February 2010, we began selling to Yew Pharmaceutical branches and leaves of yew trees, which is more environmentally responsible than using the bark of yew trees, to extract taxol.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues from the sale of TCM raw materials represented approximately 61.01% of consolidated revenue; sale of handicrafts represented approximately 0.04% of consolidated revenue; sale of extracts represented approximately 38.19% of consolidated revenue; and the sale of the others represented approximately 0.76% of consolidated revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2019, revenues from the sale of TCM raw materials represented approximately 38,39% of consolidated revenue; sale of handicrafts represented approximately 0.56% of consolidated revenue; sale of extracts represented approximately 59.76% of consolidated revenue; and the sale of the others represented approximately 1.29% of consolidated revenue.

Under Article 27 of the Law of the PRC on Enterprises Income Tax and Article 15 of the provisional regulations of the PRC on Value Added Tax, we do not pay any tax, including income tax and value-added tax, or VAT, in our TCM raw materials and yew tree segments. Our current VAT exemption certificate was issued on December 8, 2016 and effective on the same day. Annual renewal is not required for the Company to continuously enjoy the VAT exemption, and our current income tax exemption certificate is valid from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2058. We pay taxes on handicrafts made from yew timber, wood ear mushroom, yew candle, yew essential oil soap and pine needle extracts.

Zhiguo Wang, the founder of the Company and our President, does not devote all of his time to the Company’s business. We estimate that Mr. Wang devotes approximately 71% of his time, or approximately 120 hours per month, to the Company’s business.

The executive offices of HDS, our operating entity, are located in Harbin City, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in the PRC. Our four nurseries used to cultivate yew trees, and our production facilities to manufacture products made from yew trees, are in and around Harbin. We also have a facility in Harbin where we exhibit and warehouse potted yew trees, handicrafts and furniture.

YBP was incorporated in Nevada on November 5, 2007. YBP’s current executive office is located at 9460 Telstar Avenue Suite 6, El Monte, CA 91731, and our telephone number is (626) 401-9588. Our website is www.yewbiopharm.com. No part of our website is incorporated into this registration statement or any other report we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Industry Overview

Since 1996, we have grown Japanese yew trees (also referred to in China as Northeast yew trees), taxus cuspidate , on mountain hillsides near Harbin and cultivate them in four nurseries we operate near Harbin. We have successfully cultivated more than eight million yew nursery seedlings in four nurseries. These nurseries occupy approximately 52,446 Mu (approximately 8,640 acres) of forested land. We currently have the capacity to grow up to two million yew nursery seedlings annually.

Northeast yew trees grow well in the climate of Northeast China. Using our patented Asexual Reproduction Method, developed by our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang, based on principles of asexual propagation and cloning, we can bring yew trees to maturity and commercialize them in as little as two-to-three years, compared to more than 50 years of maturity period for naturally grown yew trees. We believe that utilizing the Asexual Reproduction Method addresses an imbalance between supply and demand for yew trees, both for reforestation and use in the production of cancer-fighting TCM.

The Northeast yew is a small- to medium-sized evergreen tree, typically growing from between 35 and 65 feet tall, with a trunk up to 6-1/2 feet in diameter. The bark is thin and scaly brown. The leaves are lanceolate, flat and dark green, typically between 1/2 and 1-1/2 inches long and about 0.1 inches broad, arranged in a spiral pattern on the stem. The Northeast yew tree is relatively slow growing compared to other species of yew trees, but can be very long-lived. It is estimated that a Northeast yew tree can live up to 2,000 years. The growing cycle of a Northeast yew tree is extremely long and regeneration is difficult.

Yew trees are scarce and, traditionally, it takes a long time to bring them to commercialization. It can take more than 50 years for a yew tree to mature naturally for pharmaceutical use. Our Asexual Reproduction Method shortens this period significantly. We begin with cuttings from natural yew trees, which we transplant at our nurseries. By using our Asexual Reproduction Method, the success rate of maturation is enhanced and in approximately two-to-three years the yew tree is able to be used for commercialization. We use some trees in their entirety and parts of other yew trees that we need and take the rest of the tree itself back to the forest to finish full growth to maturity in 10-15 years, creating a new generation of mature yew trees.

Because the Northeast yew trees are categorized as an endangered species and are protected in the PRC as a Level 2 preserved tree, the operation of the yew industry in the PRC is strictly regulated by the PRC Forest Law and its Implementing Regulations, Rules on Permit for Felling of Forest Trees, Regulations on Wild Plants Protection and other PRC laws and regulations. The available sources for yew trees for commercialization are scarce and costs of production are relatively high.

In accordance with the Notification about Key Points of Forestry Policies from National Forestry Bureau Registered (2007) No.173, or the Notification, issued on August 10, 2007 jointly by the National Forestry Bureau, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Finance Ministry, the Commerce Department, the State Administration of Taxation, the China Banking Regulatory Commission, and China Security Regulatory Commission, the Chinese government encourages the development of technologies promoting the cultivation of rare trees and plant-based pharmaceuticals; encourages the cultivation of fast growing timber species, especially rare and large diameter timber; and accelerates the reorganization and integration of existing wood-based panels, furniture, wood products manufacturing enterprises. The Notification also provides that the forestry industry shall enjoy state preferential taxation policies. According to the provisions of the relevant tax laws and regulations on enterprises engaged in agriculture and forestry projects, the enterprise income tax can be reduced or eliminated.

The Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC implemented the Spark Program, or the Spark Program, in 1986. The major task of the Spark Program is to rejuvenate the rural economy by relying on science and technology and popularizing advanced and applicable scientific and technological findings in the rural areas. To encourage the Spark Program, the Chinese government set up the National Spark Prize in 1987, including Spark Science and Technology Prize, Spark Talent Training Prize, Spark Management Prize, Spark Outstanding Youth Prize and Spark Demonstrating Enterprise Prize. In 2001 the project of cultivation of yew trees has been recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology of PRC as the Spark Program.

We have entered into several land use agreements with various parties, which provide the potential for us to grow a large number of yew trees on approximately 1,038,443.5mu (approximately 171,070 acres) over the next few decades, although we cannot currently estimate the total number of trees we will grow or the total amount of land we will put into production over such period. Among these land use agreements, on March 21, 2004, we entered into a Joint-Stock Construct Rare Plant Northeast Yew Contract, or the Joint Venture Agreement, with the Heilongjiang Province Wuchang City Forestry Bureau, or the Wuchang Forestry Bureau, pursuant to which the Wuchang Forestry Bureau has given us access to 1,000,000 mu (approximately 166,667 acres) of forest land located in Wuchang City to develop yew tree forests and produce yew seedlings. Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, we have permission to plant yew trees on this land from 2004 through 2034. Under the Joint Venture Agreement, any profits from the planting of yew trees and other agriculture shall be distributed 80% to the Company and 20% to the Wuchang Forestry Bureau. We have not yet cultivated this land or generated any revenue under the Joint Venture Agreement. On June 14, 2018, HDS entered into a Joint Venture Planting Agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) with Qingan State-owned Forestry Bureau (the “Qingan Forest Bureau”), pursuant to which the Qingan Forest Bureau has given HDS access to 10,730 mu (approximately 1,768 acres) of forest land located in Qingan City to develop yew tree forests and produce yew seedlings and foliage. Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, the Company is required to plant yew trees on this land from 2018 to 2038. Any profits from the planting of yew trees and other agriculture shall be distributed 80% to the Company and 20% to the Qingan Forest Bureau. For the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company has not generated any revenues. On May 16, 2019, HDS entered into three Joint Venture Planting Agreements (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) with Qingan State-owned Forestry Bureau (the “Qingan Forest Bureau”), pursuant to which the Qingan Forest Bureau has given HDS access to 5,000 mu (approximately 824 acres) in total of forest land located in Qingan City to develop yew tree forests and produce yew seedlings and foliage. Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, the Company is required to plant yew trees on this land from 2019 to 2049. Any profits from the planting of yew trees and other agriculture shall be distributed 70% to the Company and 30% to the Qingan Forest Bureau. For the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company has not generated any revenues. In March, 2020, HDS entered into two Joint Venture Planting Agreements (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) with Qingan State-owned Forestry Bureau (the “Qingan Forest Bureau”), pursuant to which the Qingan Forest Bureau has given HDS access to 5,000 mu (approximately 824 acres) in total of forest land located in Qingan City to develop yew tree forests and produce yew seedlings and foliage. Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, the Company is required to plant yew trees on this land from 2020 to 2050. Any profits from the planting of yew trees and other agriculture shall be distributed 70% to the Company and 30% to the Qingan Forest Bureau. Because of the profit-sharing feature of these agreements, we presently intend to focus on cultivating yew trees on other land subject to existing and possibly future land use agreements as our priority for at least the next few years.

Our business is sustainable and environmentally responsible. We accelerate the growth of yew trees utilizing our Asexual Reproduction Method, more than replenishing the number of yew trees we cultivate and put into production. We harvest yew trees twice a year. We do not use the bark of yew trees in production, which would kill the yew tree; instead, we use the branches and leaves of the yew tree.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

There is a long-established, scientifically recognized relationship between the Pacific yew, taxus brevifolia, and similar species of yew (including the Northeast yew), and certain cancer drugs, most notably paclitaxel, also known as taxol. Paclitaxel is a broad-spectrum mitotic inhibitor used in cancer chemotherapy. It was discovered in a U.S. National Cancer Institute program at the Research Triangle Institute in 1967 when Monroe E. Wall and Mansukh C. Wani isolated it from the bark of the Pacific yew tree and named it taxol. Taxol is found in the root, stem, leaf, seed and bark of the taxus family of trees, including the Pacific and Northeast yews. It was developed commercially by Bristol-Myers Squibb under the brand name Taxol®. The PRC State Food and Drug Administration, or the SFDA, approved a new drug certification for taxol in 1995.

The improvement on the extraction and isolation technology of the biological properties of taxol made it a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer in the 1990s, providing a non-intrusive alternative to the more radical techniques of radiotherapy and surgery. Taxol is used to treat patients with lung, ovarian, breast, head and neck cancer, and advanced forms of Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Taxol, derived from certain species of yew tree including the Northeast yew tree, is a taxane drug and mitotic inhibitor that is used to treat cancer. All cells grow by a process called mitosis (cell division). Taxol targets rapidly growing cancer cells, sticks to them while they are trying to divide and prevents them from completing the division process. Since the cancer cells cannot divide into new cells, they cannot grow and the cancer cannot metastasize. Taxol may suppress tumor growth through regulating microtubule stabilization, inducing apoptosis and adjusting immunologic mechanism. Taxol can promote the polymerization of microtubule and inhibit their degradation, through which taxol can block cell division in the G2/M stage and induce apoptosis of tumor cells.

Taxol is a clear, colorless fluid that is given intravenously as a chemotherapy injection or as an infusion pumped from a dose bag. Taxol can be administered as high-dose chemotherapy, once every two or three weeks, or in low doses on a weekly basis. In the treatment of certain soft tissue cancers, such as breast cancer, taxol is given for early stage and metastatic breast cancer after combination anthracycline and cytoxan therapy and is also given as neoadjuvant treatment to shrink a tumor before surgery. Taxol can also be used together with a drug called Cisplatin to treat advanced ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved taxol as the primary and secondary treatment for NSCLC. There are other generally accepted protocols for the use of taxol as a cancer drug alone or in combination with other drugs depending upon the diagnosis, staging and type of cancer, as well as a patient’s medical history, tolerances and allergies, among other relevant factors.

The Chinese Herbal Medicine Standard (manual) of Heilogjiang Province (2011 version), edited by the HFDA, states that the Northeast yew has a secondary effect on treating cancer, meaning that while it has an impact on treating cancer, yew tree extract by itself (as distinguished from processed taxol) cannot be used as a stand-alone treatment of cancer. While the TCM raw material we sell contains taxol naturally, the companies to whom we sell such raw materials do not extract taxol from our TCM raw materials to produce pharmaceutical taxol.

Certain species of yew trees are the only natural source of taxol. Initially, taxol was extracted from the bark of the yew tree, but harvesting the bark usually kills the tree. Moreover, taxol is extracted from the bark of yew trees in extremely small amounts, often requiring the destruction of several yew trees to extract enough taxol to treat a single patient. Accordingly, taxol extracted from the yew is both very expensive and environmentally harmful. Because of environmental concerns about the adverse impact on forests in the Pacific Northwest in the United States, by the 1990s taxol ceased being derived from the bark of the Pacific yew. Alternative ways to develop taxol from renewable resources is ongoing. These include taxol-producing fungi from the yew tree and using other parts of the yew tree that may contain taxol.

We believe using yew trees that have been grown using our Asexual Reproduction Method significantly shortens the maturity cycle of naturally-grown yew trees and allows earlier commercialization of yew trees as a source of taxol. We further believe that using the branches and leaves of yew trees in large quantities, as we do, provides the key to solving the need for additional sources of taxol while not further endangering the PRC’s natural supply of yew trees, which themselves were over-forested in previous decades since the discovery of taxol.

The founder and President of our company, Zhiguo Wang, with the support of the Ministry of Forest and Science, and the Technology Department of Heilongjiang Province, successfully completed a project from 1984 to 1995 for asexual reproduction of the Northeast yew, and developed the first artificial cloned yew forest in the world. Tests conducted by the Ministry of Education’s Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology in Northeast Forestry University have shown that the growing cycle of a cloned yew is significantly shorter than that of a natural yew and the concentration is taxol is higher. In 1995, this project received the Second Scientific and Technological Progress Award of Heilongjiang Province.

In December 2009, Yew Pharmaceutical received authorization from HFDA approving the sale of a yew-based TCM as a secondary treatment of cancer and certain other disorders, including uric disorders, certain liver diseases and menstrual discomfort. This TCM, sold under the brand name Zi Shan , has been approved to be sold under both prescription and over-the-counter drug categories. We also believe that Zi Shan may provide general beneficial effects on overall health. According to the Quintessence of Materia Medica, published in August 2006 by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences - Institute of Medicinal Plants, the Northeast yew plays a role as a diuretic, detumescence and in restoring menstrual flow. The approval from HFDA allows Yew Pharmaceutical to sell Zi Shan throughout the PRC.

In November 2010, Yew Pharmaceutical applied to the SFDA to approve an upgrade of Zi Shan from provincial to national standard, which we believe will enhance its general market acceptance and therefore could create additional demand for the raw materials we sell to Yew Pharmaceutical. As of the date of this report, the application is pending.

We entered into Cooperation and Development Agreement dated January 9, 2010, or the Development Agreement, with Yew Pharmaceutical, a related party, for the development, production and sale of yew-based TCM. Under the Development Agreement, we sell yew branches and leaves to Yew Pharmaceutical. Yew Pharmaceutical manufactures TCM at its own facilities in Harbin in accordance with the requirements of HFDA. Yew Pharmaceutical is also responsible for producing the finished product in accordance with good manufacturing practice, or GMP, requirements (in this regard, it received a GMP certificate in November 2009), and filing all applications with and obtaining all approvals from the HFDA.

Yew Pharmaceutical is the primary purchaser of the raw materials we sell in our TCM raw materials business. The term of the Development Agreement is ten years, terminating on January 9, 2020. We began selling raw material in the form of branches and leaves of yew trees to Yew Pharmaceutical commencing in February 2010.

Yew Pharmaceutical is owned 95% by Heilongjiang Hongdoushan Ecology Forest Co., Ltd, a Chinese company, or HEFS, which itself is owned 63% by our founder, President and one of our directors, Zhiguo Wang, and 34% by his wife, Guifang Qi, who is also one of our directors. The remaining 5% is owned directly by Madame Qi. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

Since June 2010, other pharmaceutical companies have been purchasing yew raw materials from us to manufacture and sell TCM similar to Zi Shan in other provinces.

Yew Trees

We have developed a detailed process of yew tree breeding. We start growing yew trees from seedlings that we purchase from various third parties, including certain affiliates. These seedlings come from naturally-grown mature yew trees. Because yew trees are protected, yew seedlings are scarce. Prices have been rising for yew seedlings by approximately 20% per year in recent years and we expect that to continue for at least the next few years. See “Suppliers” below and Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

We cultivate the yew seedlings at our nurseries for at least three to four years. Most of the land we lease from various parties for the growth of yew trees is location in and around Harbin. We have entered into several land use agreements with various parties, which provide the potential for us to grow a large number of yew trees on large areas of land over the next few decades, although we cannot currently estimate the number of trees we will grow or the total amount of land we will put into production over such period. Among these land use agreements, pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreements, we have been granted permission to grow yew trees on up to 1,000,000 mu (approximately 166,667 acres) and to share profits 80% to the Company and 20% to the Wuchang Forestry Bureau, and 10,730 mu (approximately 1,768 acres) and to share profits 80% to the Company and 20% to the Qingan Forest Bureau, and 10,000 mu (approximately1,647 acres) and to share profits 70% to the Company and 30% to the Qingan Forest Bureau .. See Item 2, “Properties”.

When the yew trees are mature enough for transplanting, we prepare survey and design specifications for an afforestation plan. Once this has been prepared and approved, we clean and divide the reproducing area, clearing brushwood and weeds, and mark off breeding areas of between five and eight meters in width and less than one meter in length. We typically plant stock in the spring, when the defrosted soil is a depth of at least 15 centimeters.

The cut materials are then dried for a period of 18-20 hours at a temperature of between 55°C and 60°C, with the temperature monitored every three hours. After the drying process, the moisture content of the plant material should not exceed 8.0%. We then use a crusher to grind the plant material into a powder. The powder is mixed before being put into sealed plastic bags. The sealed plastic bags are put into outer shipping material and the package undergoes a final inspection before being ready for shipment.

By using our patented Asexual Reproduction Method, developed by our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang, we are able to accelerate the commercial viability of a yew tree, so that it is able to be used for commercialization starting in approximately three years, compared to more than 50 years for naturally grown yew trees. For example, the branches and leaves from an accelerated growth yew tree can be used in the production of TCM in three to five years, and a cutting from an accelerated growth yew tree will develop into a small yew tree that can be sold as a potted tree starting in approximately three years. We are authorized sell cuttings of cloned yew trees without a government permit.

We sell yew trees primarily to state-owned enterprises and private businesses for reforestation in Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Province, in Northeast China. Historically, we have sold the majority of our yew trees to a small number of larger customers. However, even though we have a number of long-term customers, we do not enter into long-term agreements for the sale of our yew trees. Because our profit margin is smaller for larger customers due to volume price discounts, we are making efforts to increase sales to smaller customers. Our business relating to the sale of yew trees is seasonal. March to May, November and December are our strongest months.

After a period of three-to-seven years under cultivation, we also transplant some yew trees into decorative ceramic pots and sell these to retail customers for display in homes and offices. The Chinese people believe that in addition to its aesthetic qualities, yew trees help cleanse the air and reduce pollution. Accordingly, yew trees are purchased by individuals for personal use in their home or office and are often given as gifts. Yew trees can be found at landmarks around the world, including the White House and Lincoln Memorial.

We purchase high quality ceramic pots from third parties into which the yew trees are transplanted. We believe that there is a readily available supply of high-quality ceramic pots at relatively low and stable prices.

Because of the limited supply of yew trees and restrictions on the commercial use of yew trees, combined with the high quality of the ceramic pots we purchase from third-party sources, primarily in South China, used for the transplanted trees, the potted yew trees that we sell are highly prized and we charge premium retail prices by Chinese standards. Retail prices of potted yew trees vary based on the age, shape and other desirable qualities of the tree, and range from approximately RMB 280 to approximately RMB 3,080.

Handicrafts

Yew wood is of medium strength, making it possible to fashion products from the yew tree without undue effort or expense requiring special equipment. To create our current inventory of award-winning handicrafts, including furniture, historically we employed between 15 and 20 artisans from throughout the PRC, principally from Fujian Province and Jiangxi Province in southern China, annually from summer through late fall, to manufacture handicrafts made from yew timber at our production facility near Harbin. Since we currently have an adequate inventory of handicrafts, we now manufacture additional handicrafts only when orders are placed.

We begin the process of manufacturing handicrafts by selecting yew timber with greater variation in molding, which is indicative of a more attractive grain to the wood. The selected timber is then placed in a drying chamber and steam is injected to accelerate water evaporation until moisture content is only 3%. Depending upon the size and thickness of the timber, this process can take as long as one week.

The process of designing the item to be created begins with rough basing, based on geometrical form to summarize the overall artistic idea. During the entire process of carving the timber it is important to minimize knife scarring. Our crafted pieces typically go through a dying process; this not only can address certain small imperfections in the wood but is also done to aesthetically enhance the finished piece. After waiting at least twelve hours following dyeing, the carved item is then polished with sandpapers of different roughness and finally finishing cloths.

All of our products are hand-made, using yew tree timber of different maturities. Much of the furniture that we produce is reproductions of popular Ming and Qing Dynasty styles. We have acquired an inventory of yew timber from various parties over a number of years and have an adequate supply on hand for approximately five more years’ worth of production. Because of the scarcity of yew timber needed to produce handicrafts, it is very expensive to acquire new inventory of yew timber and supplies are extremely limited, if available at all. Accordingly, we plan to reduce and eventually eliminate our handicraft segment over the next several years.

Pursuant to the Department of Forestry of Heilongjiang Province (2003) Document No.188, issued by Department of Forestry of Heilongjiang Province on October 25, 2003, we have been granted rights to develop comprehensively and use Northeast yew resources. We believe that we are one of only a few companies in the PRC to have received approval for the manufacture of items made from yew timber.

Others

The others mainly include the sales of yew candles, yew essential oil soap, complex taxus cuspidate extract, composite northeast yew extract and pine needle extracts. We started to sell yew candle products in the third quarter of 2015, pine needle extracts in the fourth quarter of 2015, yew essential oil soap in the fourth quarter of 2016, complex taxus cuspidate extract and composite northeast yew extract in the third quarter of 2017.

Suppliers

We obtain yew forest assets and yew seedlings from several sources. Prior to January 1, 2011, our largest supplier was Zishan Technology Co., Ltd., or ZTC, a related party. We believe that we pay market rate for the seedlings and cuttings we purchase from our suppliers. ZTC is an entity under common control with the Company. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

None of the agreements we have with our suppliers are long-term contracts, meaning they can be canceled at any time. We believe that the supply of yew seedlings is readily available and if we lost one of our suppliers, we could readily find a replacement.

Sales and Marketing

We sell most of our products in the Chinese domestic market. The sale of yew trees for reforestation in Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Province is to both state-owned enterprises and private businesses.

We sold our products to a relatively small number of customers. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the following customers accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenue:

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the following customers accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenue:

Yew Pharmaceutical is the manufacturer of Zi Shan and other pharmaceutical products, and is owned, directly and indirectly, primarily by Zhiguo Wang and Guifang Qi.

Intellectual Property

We believe that we are able to cultivate and grow yew trees successfully and faster by using our patented Asexual Reproduction Method, based on principles of asexual propagation and cloning, developed by our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang. Our patented Asexual Reproduction Method functions through cell replication with identical genes, sometimes referred to as cloning, of Northeast Yew with only a single parent present.

Mr. Wang first studied yew cloning techniques in 1982, for the purpose of addressing the long reproduction time, low reproduction rates and weak survival rates for yew trees in general. With the support of the Ministry of Forest and Science, and the Technology Department of Heilongjiang Province, Mr. Wang successfully completed a project from 1984 to 1995 for asexual cultivation and cloning technology of the yew, and developed the first artificial cloned yew forest in the world. Tests conducted by the Ministry of Education’s Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology in Northeast Forestry University have shown that the growing cycle of a cultivated yew is significantly shorter than that of a natural yew and the concentration is taxol is higher.

We have been issued two patents related to our advanced growth technology:

We believe that our patented Asexual Reproduction Method has three unique advantages:

We do not currently own any trade names or service marks the loss of which would be materially adverse to our business.

Competition

We believe that we face little competition within the PRC for the growth and cultivation of yew trees because of the amount of space needed for proper cultivation of yew trees, the long period to maturity of the yew tree, the difficulties of propagation, the scarcity of yews and the regulation of the yew industry in the PRC. Because of the need for governmental approval to grow, cultivate and commercialize yew trees, we believe that there are high barriers to entry to our industry.

Most of our competitors are smaller companies that do not have cloning technology and therefore have to engage in substantially longer growing cycles to commercialize yew trees. Our main competitors in the growth of yew trees and cultivation of yew cuttings include Zhejiang Changshan Mandiya Yew Science and Technology Limited Company, located in Zhejiang, China; and Luo Yang Madia Yew Science and Technology Development Limited Company, or Luo Yang, located in Henan, China. For example, Luo Yang has only approximately 300 mu (approximately 50 acres) of yew seedlings under cultivation.

There are significant competitions for the sale of handicraft, oil candle and oil soap in the PRC. These are highly-fragmented industries in the PRC with innumerable competitors and little, if any, concentration of market share locally, regionally or nationally. Many of our competitors are probably larger than we are and can devote more resources than we can to the manufacture, distribution and sale of handicrafts, oil candles and oil soaps. Additionally, many of our competitors sell handicrafts, oil candles and oil soaps not made from yew trees, at prices considerably lower than the premium prices at which we sell our products. However, we believe that there is relatively little competition within the Chinese domestic market for our premium-priced yew products, primarily because of the scarcity of yew trees and the regulation of the yew industry in the PRC.

While we do not manufacture TCM or any taxol-based product ourselves, we could be seen as indirectly competing with companies that do manufacture taxol-based medicine. We face potential competition from many providers of TCM for many ailments. With respect to TCM specifically for use as a secondary treatment for cancer, we may be seen to compete with companies such as Fujian Leephick Pharmaceutical Limited Company, or Fujian Leephick, located in Wuping, China, and Qi Ao Chinese Medicine Tablet Co., Ltd., or Qi Ao, located in Anguo City, Hebei Province, China. Fujian Leephick is a fairly new company that we believe is only in an early stage of its research and development. Qi Ao can be differentiated from our company in that Qi Ao does not cultivate yew trees and requires third party supply of raw materials to produce TCM, whereas we produce the raw materials and sell them to our affiliate under the Development Agreement for the production of TCM, thereby providing a reliable supply of raw materials combined with the financial assurance of being paid up-front rather than being paid depending upon the timing and amount of sales to purchasers of the TCM.

Plant and Equipment

The machinery and other equipment that we use in making our products are manufactured, for the most part, in the PRC. We conduct our own maintenance of our machinery and equipment. Replacement parts are relatively easy to obtain without delays as and when required and are not subject to significant price fluctuations.

Government Regulations

Certain parts of our business are regulated under national, provincial and local laws in the PRC. The following information summarizes certain major regulations that apply to us.

Regulations at the national, provincial and local levels in the PRC are subject to change. To date, compliance with governmental regulations has not had a material impact on our earnings or competitive position, but, because of the evolving nature of such regulations, we are unable to predict the impact such regulation may have in the foreseeable future.

The growing and cultivation of yew trees and manufacturing products from yew trees, is regulated by Forest Law and its Implementing Regulations, Rules on Permit for Felling of Forest Trees, Regulations on Wild Plants Protection and other PRC laws and regulations. HDS received approval issued by the Department of Forestry of Heilongjiang Province (Document No. 188) on October 25, 2003, allowing it to sell yew trees and manufacture handicrafts using yew timber. There is no cost to the Company to maintain this approval. This approval has no expiration date.

As a foreign-invested enterprise, JSJ is subject to the Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law (1986), as amended, and the Regulations of Implementation of the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1990), as amended, both of which provide for incorporation, corporate governance, operation, business and other aspects of a foreign-invested enterprise.

PRC resident shareholders of the Company are required to complete foreign exchange registration with the State Administration on Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. In October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or SAFE Circular 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005, and was further supplemented by two implementation notices issued by the SAFE on November 24, 2005, May 29, 2007 and July1, 2011, respectively. SAFE Circular 75 states that PRC residents, whether natural or legal persons, must register with the relevant local SAFE branch prior to establishing or taking control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving onshore assets or equity interests held by them.

In 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies jointly adopted Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule. The M&A Rule requires that, if an overseas company established or controlled by PRC domestic companies or citizens intends to acquire equity interests or assets of any other PRC domestic company affiliated with the PRC domestic companies or citizens, such acquisition must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, rather than local regulators, for approval. In addition, this regulation requires that an overseas company controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or citizens and holding equity interests of PRC domestic companies needs to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, prior to listing its securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying the documents and materials required to be submitted by overseas special purpose companies seeking CSRC’s approval of their overseas listings.

Environmental Issues

Our operations are subject to various pollution control regulations with respect to noise, water and air pollution and the disposal of waste and hazardous materials. We are also subject to periodic inspections by local environmental protection authorities. Our operating facilities have received certifications from the relevant PRC government agencies in charge of environmental protection indicating that the operations are in compliance with the relevant PRC environmental laws and regulations.

We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to our business. We are not currently subject to any pending actions alleging any violations of applicable PRC environmental laws.

Corporate Recapitalization

Recapitalization

Generally, the founders of a corporation in the United States receive shares of stock in consideration of the tangible and intangible assets contributed by them to the enterprise. Since the consideration for those shares is the transfer of assets, including intellectual property, and business know-how, sometimes referred to as “sweat equity”, no cash payment for such shares occurs.

However, unfamiliar with the usual way that founders acquire equity interests in corporations in the United States, the HDS Shareholders both contributed assets to the Company and actually purchased their HDS Shareholders’ Stock between March 2008 and September 2009, for cash, in a series of four different offerings of YBP common stock during that period, at prices ranging between $0.02 and $0.10 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $966,501.

As a result of the Contractual Arrangements of the Second Restructure, in which all of the profits of HDS will be paid under the terms of the Business Cooperation Agreement to JSJ, which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of YBP, combined with the actual purchase by the HDS Shareholders of the HDS Shareholders’ Stock for cash, it could be viewed that Mr. Wang, Madame Qi and Mr. Han have, in effect, paid for their HDS Shareholders’ Stock twice.

Accordingly, the Company rectified this situation by obtaining shareholder approval at the Special Meeting on December 13, 2012 to issue a stock purchase option, each referred to as a Founder’s Option and collectively referred to as the Founders’ Options, to each of Mr. Wang and Madame Qi in an amount equal to the number of shares of YBP common stock that each of them then currently owned. The terms of the Founders’ Options are identical to each other except for the name of the optionee and the number of shares of YBP common stock subject to each such Founder’s Option. Those terms include:

The number of shares of YBP common stock subject to each Founder’s Option as of December 31, 2020 is as follows:

The terms of the Founders’ Options have not been determined as a result of arm’s-length negotiations. The Board of Directors of YBP, which consists of the same persons who are the HDS Shareholders and the grantees of the Founders’ Options, obtained shareholder approval of the issuance of the Founders’ Options at the Special Meeting on December 13, 2012.

Employees

As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately 35 full-time employees in the PRC and US. Our employees that work in China belong to a trade union. We believe that we maintain good labor relations with our employees. We also hire additional people for brief periods of time during peak production and processing seasons.

Risks Related to our Business

Our products may not achieve or maintain widespread market acceptance.

Success of our products is highly dependent on market acceptance. We believe that continued market acceptance of our products will depend on many factors, including:

If our products fail to achieve or maintain market acceptance, or if new products are introduced by others that are more favorably received than our products, are more cost effective or otherwise render our products obsolete, we may experience a decline in the demand for our products. If we are unable to market and sell our products successfully, our business, financial condition, results of operation and future growth would be adversely affected.

We have limited insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from product liability claims or business interruptions.

The nature of our business exposes us to the risk of product liability claims that is inherent in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. These risks are greater for our products that receive regulatory approval for commercial sale. Even if a product were approved for commercial use by an appropriate governmental agency, there can be no assurance that users will not claim effects other than those intended resulted from the use of our products. While to date no material claim for personal injury resulting from allegedly defective products has been brought against us, a substantial claim or a substantial number of claims, if successful, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have a high concentration of sales to a small number of customers, one of which is an affiliate of our founder and President.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Yew Pharmaceutical accounted for approximately 100% of our TCM raw materials revenue and approximately 61% of our consolidated revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Yew Pharmaceutical accounted for approximately 100% of our TCM raw materials revenue and approximately 38% of our consolidated revenue. Yew Pharmaceutical is directly and indirectly owned primarily by our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang, and his wife, Guifang Qi.

The loss of any of our largest customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations unless and until we can replace such customers.

The concentration of sales to a small number of large customers could subject us to loss of significant revenues in the event that we were to lose one or more of our larger customers.

We owe amounts to related parties that are unsecured and payable on demand.

We owe certain amounts to related parties, including HBP, Zhiguo Wang and Guifang Qi, that are payable on demand. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate amount of these payables was approximately $651,360 and as of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of these payables was approximately $633,779. If one or more of the parties demanded payment of the amounts due to them, we would be required to use cash on hand or other assets to satisfy these obligations. While we believe that we presently have more than adequate resources to satisfy all of these obligations, there is no assurance that, in the future, the use of resources to satisfy then-current amounts owed to such parties or other related parties would not require us to modify our operations should such obligations then constitute a significant amount of our then-available resources.

We face substantial competition in connection with the marketing and sale of our products.

Our products compete with products with similar medical efficacy in similar market areas. Most of our competitors are well established, have greater financial, marketing, personnel and other resources, have been in business for longer periods of time than us, and have products that have gained wide customer acceptance in the marketplace. The TCM and pharmaceutical industries are also characterized by the frequent introduction of new products. We may be unable to compete successfully or our competitors may develop products which have greater medical efficacy or gain wider market acceptance than ours.

Our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in availability and price of raw materials.

The raw materials we use are subject to price fluctuations due to various factors beyond our control, including, among other pertinent factors:

We also expect that our raw material prices will continue to fluctuate and be affected by inflation in the future. Changes to our raw materials prices may result in increases in production and packaging costs, and we may be unable to raise the prices of our products to offset the increase costs in the short-term or at all. As a result, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in certain current favorable tax treatment we receive could adversely affect our business.

Under current PRC national laws and regulations, we do not pay any tax, including income tax, on (i) the raw materials we sell for the manufacture of TCM or (ii) the yew trees we sell for reforestation or transplanting, or on the cultivate yew trees we sell as potted yew trees. If these laws and regulations change and we become subject to tax on any of these operations, our costs of doing business would increase, which would decrease our profits and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Developments by competitors may render our products or technologies obsolete or non-competitive.

The TCM and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological change. A large number of companies are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals that target the same diseases and conditions that our TCM raw materials are targeting. We face competition from TCM and pharmaceutical companies in the PRC and other countries. In addition, companies pursuing different but related fields represent substantial competition. Many of these organizations competing with us have substantially greater capital resources, larger research and development staffs and facilities, longer drug development history in obtaining regulatory approvals and greater manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we do. These organizations also compete with us to attract qualified personnel and parties for acquisitions, joint ventures or other collaborations.

We rely substantially on our founder and President. We may be adversely affected if we lose his services or the services of other key personnel or are unable to attract and retain additional personnel.

Our success is substantially dependent on the efforts of our senior management, particularly Zhiguo Wang, our founder and President. The loss of the services of Mr. Wang or other members of our senior management may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives. If we lose the services of, or do not successfully recruit, key sales and marketing, technical and corporate personnel, the growth of our business could be substantially impaired. At present, we do not maintain key man insurance for any of our senior management.

There may be conflicts of interest between management and other stockholders of the Company.

Zhiguo Wang, the founder of our company, our President and a director, is also our principal stockholder. As a result of this conflict of interest, management may have an incentive to act in a manner that is in its best interest, which could be adverse to the interests of any other stockholders of the Company. In addition, a conflict of interest may arise between Mr. Wang’s personal pecuniary interests directly, as the lessor of certain premises we rent, or indirectly through companies he controls and with whom we do business, such as Yew Pharmaceutical, Kairun and ZTC, and his fiduciary duty to our stockholders.

We have engaged, and are likely to continue to engage, in certain transactions with related parties. These transactions are not negotiated on an arms’ length basis.

We have engaged in certain transactions with our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang, and his wife, Guifang Qi. These include renting office space from Mr. Wang and retail space from Madame Qi, the aggregate rental expense incurred for which was approximately $3,622 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $4,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively; an agreement whereby Yew Pharmaceutical, a company controlled by Mr. Wang, purchases raw materials including yew branches and leaves of yew trees from us to manufacture TCM and with respect to which we generated approximately $16.7 million or 61% of our total revenue for year ended December 31, 2020 and $10.7 million or 38% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively; We are likely to continue to engage in these arrangements and may enter into new arrangements with Mr. Wang and/or Madame Qi. None of these arrangements has been negotiated as a result of arms’ length transactions. It is possible that we could have received more favorable terms had these agreements been entered into with third parties.

We are considered a smaller reporting company and are exempt from certain disclosure requirements, which could make our stock less attractive to potential investors

Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, as amended and effective September 10, 2018, defines a “smaller reporting company” as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:

As a “smaller reporting company” (in addition to and without regard to our status as an “emerging growth company”) (i) we are not required and may not include a “Discussion and Analysis” section in our proxy statements; (ii) we provide only 3 years of business development information; (iii) we provide fewer years of selected financial data in certain tables; and (iv) we have other “scaled” disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not “smaller reporting companies” which may make our stock less attractive to potential investors, which could make it even more difficult for you to sell your shares.”

We must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

We are required to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in the PRC. If our competitors engage in these practices, they may receive preferential treatment from personnel of some companies, giving our competitors an advantage in securing business or from government officials who might give them priority in obtaining new licenses, which would put us at a disadvantage. Although we intend to inform our personnel that such practices are illegal, we cannot assure you that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties.

If the Chinese regulatory bodies determine that the structure for operating our business in the PRC does not comply with Chinese regulatory restrictions on foreign investment, we could be subject to severe penalties, which may materially and adversely affect our business.

The Chinese government has broad discretion in dealing with violations of laws and regulations, including levying fines, revoking business and other licenses and requiring actions necessary for compliance. In particular, licenses and permits issued or granted to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a later time by higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict the effect of the interpretation of existing or new Chinese laws or regulations on our businesses. We cannot assure you that our current ownership and operating structure would not be found in violation of any current or future Chinese laws or regulations. As a result, we may be subject to sanctions, including fines, and could be required to restructure our operations or cease to provide certain services. Any of these or similar actions could significantly disrupt our business operations or restrict us from conducting a substantial portion of our business operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are determined to be in violation of any existing or future Chinese laws, rules or regulations or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required governmental permits or approvals, the relevant Chinese regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

The imposition of any of these penalties would severely disrupt our ability to conduct business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Special Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC

Because all of our operations are outside the United States, we are subject to additional significant risks.

We are subject to risks inherent in business operations outside the United States. These risks include but are not limited to geopolitical concerns, currency fluctuations, currency exchange controls, restrictions on repatriating foreign-derived profits to the United States, inflation, local regulatory compliance, punitive tariffs, unstable local tax policies, trade embargoes, import and export license requirements, trade restrictions, greater difficulty collecting accounts receivable and longer payment cycles, unfamiliarity with local laws and regulations, differing legal standards in enforcing or defending our rights in courts or otherwise, less favorable intellectual property protection than is provided in the United States, changes in labor conditions, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, difficulties in finding personnel locally who are capable to complying with the requirements of reporting by a U.S. reporting company, risks related to shipment of raw materials and finished goods across national borders, and cultural and language differences. Foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States economy in growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, market development, rate of savings, capital investment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions, and in many other respects.

The production, sale and distribution of TCM are subject to Chinese regulation.

Economic reforms adopted by the Chinese government have had a positive effect on the economic development of the country, but the government could change these economic reforms or any of the legal systems at any time. This could either benefit or damage our operations and profitability. Some changes that could have this effect are: (i) level of government involvement in the economy; (ii) control of foreign exchange; (iii) methods of allocating resources; (iv) balance of payment positions; (v) international trade restrictions; and (vi) international conflict.

We depend upon governmental laws and regulations that may be changed in ways that will harm our business.

Our business and products are subject to government regulations mandating the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in the PRC and other countries. Changes in the laws or regulations in the PRC, or other countries we may sell into, that govern or apply to our operations could have a materially adverse effect on our business. For example, the law could change so as to prohibit the use of certain pharmaceuticals. If one of our pharmaceuticals or medical products is prohibited, this change would reduce our productivity of that product.

We derive virtually all of our revenues from the PRC and we are therefore susceptible to the strength of the Chinese economy.

We derive virtually all of our revenues from the sale of products within the PRC. Any significant decline in the condition of the Chinese economy could adversely affect consumer demand of our services, among other things, which in turn would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchange may adversely affect our business, including limiting our ability to convert Chinese currency into foreign currencies and, if the Chinese currency were to decline in value, reducing our revenue in U.S. dollar terms.

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and our operations use the RMB as our primary functional currency in our operations. We are subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations with respect to either of these currencies. For example, the value of the RMB depends to a large extent on Chinese government policies and the PRC’s domestic and international economic and political developments, as well as supply and demand in the local market. Since 1994, the official exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to the U.S. dollar had generally been stable and the RMB had appreciated slightly against the U.S. dollar. However, on July 21, 2005, the Chinese government changed its policy of pegging the value of RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, RMB may fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. It is possible that the Chinese government could adopt a more flexible currency policy, which could result in more significant fluctuation of RMB against the U.S. dollar. We can offer no assurance that RMB will be stable against the U.S. dollar or any other foreign currency.

The income statements of our operations in the PRC will be translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks.

Although Chinese governmental policies were introduced in 1996 to allow the convertibility of RMB into foreign currency for current account items, conversion of RMB into foreign exchange for capital items, such as foreign direct investment, loans or securities, requires the approval of SAFE, which is under the authority of the People’s Bank of China. These approvals, however, do not guarantee the availability of foreign currency conversion. We cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain all required conversion approvals for our operations or that Chinese regulatory authority will not impose greater restrictions on the convertibility of RMB in the future. Because a significant amount of our future revenue may be in the form of RMB, our inability to obtain the requisite approvals or any future restrictions on currency exchanges could limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in RMB to fund any business activities outside of the PRC or to repay foreign currency obligations, including our debt obligations, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Chinese currency is not freely convertible, which may limit our ability to obtain financing for expansion on favorable terms, and may limit our ability to pay dividends in the future.

The RMB is not a freely convertible currency at present and, based solely on our understanding of the news that is widely and publicly available, it does not appear that the RMB will become a freely convertible currency in the foreseeable future. Some, and perhaps a significant amount, of the revenue generated by our future operations in the PRC will be paid in RMB, which may need to be converted to other currencies, primarily U.S. dollars, and remitted outside the PRC from time to time. The Chinese government strictly regulates conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. Over the years, foreign exchange regulations in the PRC have significantly reduced the government’s control over routine foreign exchange transactions under current accounts.

SAFE regulates the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. Effective July 1, 1996, foreign currency “current account” transactions by foreign investment enterprises are no longer subject to the approval of SAFE, but need only a ministerial review, according to the Administration of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange Provisions promulgated in 1996. “Current account” items include international commercial transactions, which occur on a regular basis, such as those relating to trade and provision of services. Distributions to joint venture parties also are considered a “current account” transaction. Other non-current account items, known as “capital account” items, remain subject to SAFE approval. Under current regulations, we believe that we can obtain foreign currency in exchange for RMB from swap centers authorized by the Chinese government. We cannot assure you that foreign currency shortages or changes in currency exchange laws and regulations by the Chinese government will not restrict us from freely converting RMB in a timely manner or at all, as needed.

HDS is subject to restrictions on making payments to us.

HDS is our operating entity, which we control through contractual arrangements. As a result of our holding company structure, we rely entirely on payments from HDS to us. The Chinese government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. We may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency. Furthermore, if Yew HK, JSJ or HDS were to incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to make payments. If we are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through these contractual arrangements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.

Future fluctuation in the value of the RMB may negatively affect our ability to convert our return on operations to U.S. dollars in a profitable manner.

In recent years, the value of the RMB has appreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar. Many countries, including the United States, have argued that the RMB is artificially undervalued due to the PRC’s current monetary policies and have pressured the PRC to allow the RMB to float freely in world markets. If any devaluation of the RMB were to occur in the future, our returns on our operations in the PRC, to the extent they are paid in RMB, will be negatively affected upon conversion to U.S. dollars. Conversely, although we will attempt to have certain future payments to us paid in U.S. dollars to mitigate the foregoing risk, any increase in the value of the RMB in the future would increase the cost of purchasing goods or services within the PRC when we convert U.S. dollars to RMB to pay for such items.

We may be unable to enforce our rights due to policies regarding the regulation of foreign investments in the PRC.

The PRC’s legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes in which decided legal cases have little value as precedents, unlike the common law system prevalent in the United States. The PRC does not have a well-developed, consolidated body of laws governing foreign investment enterprises. Thus, the administration of laws and regulations by government agencies may be subject to considerable discretion and variation, and may be subject to influence by external forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter. The PRC’s regulations and policies with respect to foreign investments are evolving. Definitive regulations and policies with respect to such matters as the permissible percentage of foreign investment and permissible rates of equity returns have not yet been published. Statements regarding these evolving policies have been conflicting and any such policies, as administered, are likely to be subject to broad interpretation and discretion and to be modified, perhaps on a case-by-case basis. The uncertainties regarding such regulations and policies present risks which may affect our ability to achieve our business objectives. We cannot assure you that we will be able to enforce any legal rights we may have under our contracts or otherwise. Our failure to enforce our legal rights may have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial position, as well as our ability to compete with other companies in our industry.

Inflation in the PRC may inhibit economic activity in such places and adversely affect our operations.

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation which have led to the adoption by the Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. Because of a strong currency, a large trade surplus, strong domestic growth and increasing wages, the PRC is currently experiencing inflationary pressures, despite the global economic crisis. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action which could inhibit economic activity in the PRC generally, and thereby adversely affect our future business operations and prospects in the PRC. Inflation in the PRC may inhibit economic activity in such places and adversely affect our operations. Inflation in the PRC may inhibit economic activity in such places and adversely affect our operations.

The Chinese legal system may have inherent uncertainties that could materially and adversely impact our ability to enforce the agreements governing our operations.

We are subject to oversight at the provincial and local levels of government. Our operations and prospects would be materially and adversely affected by the failure of the local government to honor our agreements or an adverse change in the laws governing them. In the event of a dispute, enforcement of these agreements could be difficult in the PRC. The PRC tends to issue legislation, which is followed by implementing regulations, interpretations and guidelines that can render immediate compliance difficult. Similarly, on occasion, conflicts arise between national legislation and implementation by the provinces that take time to reconcile. These factors can present difficulties in our ability to achieve compliance. Unlike the United States, the PRC has a civil law system based on written statutes in which judicial decisions have limited precedential value. The Chinese government has enacted laws and regulations to deal with economic matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. However, our experience in interpreting and enforcing our rights under these laws and regulations is limited, and our future ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes in the PRC is therefore unpredictable. These matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces and factors unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination.

It will be extremely difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities against our officers, directors and assets based in the PRC.

Substantially most of our assets are located outside of the United States and most of our officers and directors reside outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for United States investors to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under Federal securities laws of the United States. Moreover, we have been advised that the PRC does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the United States. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and the PRC would permit effective enforcement of criminal penalties of the Federal securities laws of the United States.

We may have limited legal recourse under Chinese law if disputes arise with third parties.

The Chinese government has enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, commerce, taxation and trade. However, the PRC’s experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. If any new business ventures in which we may become involved are unsuccessful, or other adverse circumstances arise from these transactions, we face the risk that the parties to these ventures may seek ways to terminate the transactions, or, may hinder or prevent us from accessing important information regarding the financial and business operations of any acquired companies. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies and other instrumentalities of the Chinese government or those acting on its behalf, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance, or to seek an injunction under Chinese law, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent these situations from occurring. The occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Because Chinese law will govern almost all of our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our legal rights internationally, which could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.

Chinese law will govern almost all of our material agreements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to enforce any of our material agreements or that remedies will be available outside of the PRC. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in the PRC may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The Chinese judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.

National, provincial and local governments have established many regulations governing our business operations.

We are also subject to numerous national, provincial and local governmental regulations, including environmental, labor, waste management, health and safety matters and product specifications and regulatory approvals from healthcare agencies. We are subject to laws and regulations governing our relationship with our employees including wage requirements, limitations on hours worked, working and safety conditions, citizenship requirements, work permits and travel restrictions. These local labor laws and regulations may require substantial resources for compliance. We are subject to significant government regulation with regard to property ownership and use in connection with our facilities in the PRC, import restrictions, currency restrictions and restrictions on the volume of domestic sales and other areas of regulation. These regulations can limit our ability to react to market pressures in a timely or effective way, thus causing us to lose business or miss opportunities to expand our business.

Our contractual arrangements with HDS and its shareholders may not be as effective in providing control over HDS as direct ownership of it.

Our contractual arrangements with HDS and its respective shareholders provide us with effective control over this company. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are considered to be the primary beneficiary of HDS; we consolidate the results of operations, assets and liabilities of HDS in our financial statements. However, these contractual arrangements may not be maximally effective in providing us with control over HDS as direct ownership of these companies. If HDS or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective.

The M&A Rule sets forth complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors that could make it more difficult to pursue acquisitions.

The M&A Rule sets forth complex procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Complying with the requirements of the M&A Rule to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.

We may be subject to penalties, including restriction on our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries and our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us, if our PRC resident shareholders or beneficial owners fail to comply with relevant PRC foreign exchange rules.

In October 2005, SAFE issued a public notice requiring PRC residents to register with the local SAFE branch before establishing or controlling any company outside of the PRC for the purpose of capital financing with assets or equities of PRC companies, referred to in the notice as an “offshore special purpose vehicle PRC residents that are shareholders and/or beneficial owners of offshore special purpose companies established before November 1, 2005 were required to register with the local SAFE branch before March 31, 2006. In addition, any PRC resident that is a shareholder of an offshore special purpose vehicle is required to amend its SAFE registration with respect to that offshore special purpose company in connection with any increase or decrease of capital, transfer of shares, merger, division, equity investment or creation of any security interest over any assets located in the PRC or other material changes in share capital.

Zhiguo Wang, Guifang Qi and Xingming Han, collectively referred to as the HDS Shareholders, completed their respective registrations under SAFE Circular 75 on April 15, 2011. We have requested our other shareholders and/or beneficial owners to disclose whether they or their shareholders or beneficial owners fall within the ambit of the SAFE notice and urge those who are PRC residents to register with the local SAFE branch as required under the SAFE notice. To date, we have not received any notice from any of our other shareholders or beneficial owners that he or she is subject to the SAFE Circular 75 registration requirement. However, we cannot provide any assurance that all of our shareholders and beneficial owners who are PRC residents will comply with our request to make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or comply with other requirements required by the SAFE notice or other related rules. In case of any non-compliance on any of our PRC resident shareholders or beneficial owners, our PRC subsidiary, JSJ, and such shareholders and beneficial owners may be subject to fines and other legal sanctions.

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

On December 25, 2006, the People’s Bank of China promulgated the Administrative Measures of Foreign Exchange Matters for Individuals, which set forth the respective requirements for foreign exchange transactions by individuals (both PRC and non-PRC citizens) under either the current account or the capital account. On January 5, 2007, SAFE issued implementation rules for the Administrative Measures of Foreign Exchange Matters for Individuals which, among other things, specified approval requirements for certain capital account transactions such as a PRC citizen’s participation in the employee stock ownership plans or stock option plans of an overseas publicly listed company. On March 28, 2007, SAFE promulgated the Operation Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of Overseas-Listed Company, or the Stock Option Rules. Under this rule, PRC citizens who participate in an employee stock ownership plan or a stock option plan of an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures. For participants of an employee stock ownership plan, an overseas custodian bank should be retained by PRC agent, which could be the PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly-listed company or other qualified entity, to hold on trusteeship all overseas assets held by such participants under the employee stock ownership plan. In the case of a stock option plan, a financial institution with stock brokerage qualification at the place where the overseas publicly listed company is listed or a qualified institution designated by the overseas publicly listed company is required to be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options for the stock option plan participants. We and our PRC citizen employees who participate in an employee stock ownership plan or a stock option plan will be subject to these regulations when our company becomes a publicly listed company in the United States. If we or our PRC optionees fail to comply with these regulations, we or our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Risks Related to our Stockholders and Shares of Common Stock

We may issue more securities in one or more capital raises in the future, which will result in substantial dilution to all stockholders prior to such issuance.

YBP’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes the Company to issue an aggregate of 140,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Any capital raise effected by us is likely to result in the issuance of additional securities and substantial dilution in the percentage of the equity held by our then existing stockholders. We may also issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for common stock in connection with hiring or retaining employees or consultants, future acquisitions, future sales of our securities for capital raising purposes or for other business purposes. Our board of directors has the power to issue any or all of such authorized but unissued shares without stockholder approval.

There is currently only a limited trading market for our common stock, and liquidity of shares of our common stock is limited.

Although we have been approved for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol YEWB, there is currently only a limited trading market for our common stock and a more active market may not develop or be sustained. The OTC Bulletin Board is not a listing service or exchange, but is instead a dealer quotation service for subscribing members. If a more active public market for our common stock does not develop, then investors may not be able to readily resell the shares of our common stock that they have purchased making this an illiquid investment. If we establish a more active trading market for our common stock, the market price of our common stock may be significantly affected by factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results, general market conditions and other factors. In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of the shares of developmental stage companies, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock in a material manner.

Compliance with the criteria for securing exemptions under federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states is extremely complex, especially in respect of those exemptions affording flexibility and the elimination of trading restrictions in respect of securities received in exempt transactions and subsequently disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or state securities laws.

Because of the trading price of our common stock, it is considered a “penny stock”, which makes it more difficult for investors to sell their shares due to suitability requirements.

Our common stock is deemed to be “penny stock” as that term is defined under the Exchange Act. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the Nasdaq system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). Penny stock rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors.” The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000, not including their primary residence, or an annual income exceeding $200,000 (or $300,000 jointly with their spouse).

The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. Moreover, broker/dealers are required to determine whether an investment in a penny stock is a suitable investment for a prospective investor. A broker/dealer must receive a written agreement to the transaction from the investor setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased. These requirements may reduce the potential market for our common stock by reducing the number of potential investors. This may make it more difficult for investors in our common stock to sell shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them. This could cause our stock price to decline.

The market price of our common stock is likely to be subject to significant price and volume fluctuations.

The price of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations due to variations in our operating results, news announcements, our limited trading volume, general market trends both domestically and internationally, currency movements, sales of common shares by our officers, directors and our principal stockholders, and sales of common shares by existing investors. Certain events, such as the issuance of common shares upon the exercise of our outstanding stock options, could also materially and adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common shares. Further, the stock markets in general have recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of equity securities of many companies and that have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of such companies. In addition, a change in sentiment by U.S. investors for PRC-based companies could have a negative impact on the stock price. These fluctuations may materially and adversely affect the market price of our common shares and the ability to resell shares at or above the price paid, or at any price.

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not intend to do so in the foreseeable future. Moreover, our holding company structure may hinder the payments of dividends.

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not presently intend to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that any funds available for payment of dividends will be re-invested into the Company to further our business strategy. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of the board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of our operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as the board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and, if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend.

YBP has ownership of five subsidiaries. Should we decide to pay dividends in the future, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries, our VIE and other holdings and investments. In addition, our subsidiaries and VIE, may, from time to time, be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us due to restrictive covenants in agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions applicable to our subsidiaries. If future dividends are paid in RMB, fluctuations in the exchange rate for the conversion of the RMB into U.S. dollars may reduce the amount received by U.S. stockholders upon conversion of the dividend payment into U.S. dollars.

The HDS Shareholders currently have effective, but not absolute, control of the Company. If the Founders’ Options are exercised by the HDS Shareholders, they - and Mr. Wang by himself - will have both effective and absolute control of the Company and be able to determine the outcome of most actions by the Company and its shareholders.

Presently, Mr, Zhiguo Wang and Ms. Guifang Qi collectively own 22,543,212 shares, or 43.6%, of YBP’s common stock. Mr. Wang serves as the CEO / CFO and director of the Company. Ms. Qi serves as the director and Secretary of the Company. Their Founders’ Options were approved by our shareholders at a special meeting of shareholders, or the Special Meeting, on December 13, 2012, and issued to them in December 2012. On September 12, 2017, the board unanimously approved to extend each Founder’s Option of Zhiguo Wang and Guifang Qi for two years to December 31, 2019, and subsequently extended to December 31, 2021 with reduced amount of options. As a result, Mr. Wang and Ms. Qi may, upon exercise, own as many as 30,031,949 shares, or 50.73%, of YBP’s common stock. In such event, Mr. Wang and Ms. Qi would have both effective and absolute control of the Company, allowing them, by themselves, to elect all directors of the Company and determine the outcome of most matters placed before the shareholders for action.

None.

Office and Retail Space

The principal executive offices of YBP in the U.S. is located at 9460 Telstar Avenue, Suite 6, El Monte, California 91731. YBP lease this premise on a renewed 2-year lease at a monthly rent of approximately $4,000.

On July 1, 2012, JSJ entered into a lease for office space (the “JSJ Lease”) with the Company’s President, Zhiguo Wang, as lessor. Pursuant to the JSJ Lease, JSJ leases approximately 30 square meters of office space from Mr. Wang in Harbin, in the same premises used by HDS for its office space. Rent under the JSJ Lease is RMB 10,000 annually for a term of three years, expiring on June 30, 2018. On July 1, 2018, the Company renewed JSJ Lease for three years, which will now expire on June 30, 2021. Pursuant to the renewed lease agreement, the annual payment will be RMB 10,000. We believe that the rent is at or below market for the space we are occupying. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

HDS leases approximately 20 square meters of an apartment (“Jixing Lease”) in the Nangang District of Harbin from Guifang Qi, a director of the Company and the wife of Zhiguo Wang. Pursuant to a Lease Contract dated October 1, 2016, the term of Jixing Lease is one year. On October 1, 2017, the Company and Ms. Qi renewed the Jixing Lease. The renewed lease expires on September 30, 2018. On October 1, 2018, the Company and Ms. Qi renewed the Lease. The renewed lease expires on September 30, 2019. Rent under the Jixing Lease is RMB 10,000 annually. We believe that the rent was at or below market for the space we were occupying. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

HDS leases approximately 3,886 square meters of office space in Beichuan Village (“A cheng Lease”) from Heilongjiang Pingshan Yew Comprehensive Development Co., Ltd., or Pingshan, under a 23-year lease commencing March 20, 2002 and expiring March 19, 2025. We pay rent at an annual rate of RMB 25,000 for each year of the terms as follows: RMB 250,000 on or before December 31, 2012 for the first ten years of the term; RMB 125,000 on or before December 31, 2017 for the next five years of the term; and a final payment of RMB 175,000 on or before the end of the term for the remaining seven years of the term. We made the first payment covering the first ten years of rent in the amount of RMB 250,000 in February 2012.

On January 1, 2010, HDS leases approximately 93 square meters of office space in Xiangfang District (“Office Lease”) of Harbin from Zhiguo Wang, the CEO and CFO of the Company. Rent under the Office Lease is RMB 15,000 annually for a term of 25 years, expiring on December 31, 2025. We believe that the rent is at or below market for the space we are occupying. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

On May 1, 2017, YBP rent an approximately 3,000 square foot supermarket in San Gabriel, California for product exhibition and promotion in California. The lease is on month by month basis and the monthly rent is $2,800.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had unpaid rent of $Nil and $718, respectively to related parties pursuant to the JSJ Lease, Office Lease. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, A cheng Lease described above and prepaid rent of $Nil to related parties pursuant to the Jixing Lease described above and the lease with ZTC described below under “Land Use and Similar Agreements”. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” and Note 11 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Land Use and Similar Agreements

There is no private ownership of land in the PRC. Land is owned by the government and the government grants land use rights for specified terms. Therefore, we have entered into several long-term agreements to use land and/or cultivate yew trees on such land:

On March 21, 2004, we entered into the Joint Venture Agreement with the Wuchang Forestry Bureau, pursuant to which the Wuchang Forestry Bureau has given us access to 1,000,000 mu (approximately 166,667 acres) of forest land located in Wuchang City to develop yew tree forests and produce yew seedlings. The Wuchang Forestry Bureau has also granted us land to use for two nurseries, of 400 mu (approximately 67 acres) and 1400 mu (approximately 233 acres), respectively, to cultivate yew tree seedlings. Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, we have permission to plant yew trees on this land from 2004 to 2034. Any profits from the planting of yew trees and other agriculture shall be distributed 80% to the Company and 20% to the Wuchang Forestry Bureau. We have not yet cultivated this land or generated any revenue under the Joint Venture Agreement.

Under an agreement dated March 22, 2004, we lease from one individual 125 mu (approximately 21 acres) of land in Beichuan Village, Pingshan Town, A’cheng City, Heilongjiang Province. We made a one-time payment to the lessor in the amount RMB 552,500 under this lease, which has a term of 50 years.

Under an agreement dated April 4, 2004, we lease from Pingshan Town Government (Beichuan Village Committee) 400 mu (approximately 67 acres) of barren hill and uncultivated land in Beichuan Village, Heilongjiang Province, for a term of 50 years. We made a one-time payment of RMB 1,003,000 under this agreement. Based on surveying undertaken jointly between HDS and the Beichuan Village Committee, we have agreed that the land subject to this agreement actually comprises 955 mu (approximately 159 acres), although only 400 mu is usable land. At the end of the 50-year term of this agreement, we will retain the right to use the land without making further payments.

Under an agreement dated March 25, 2005 with ZTC, we lease 361 mu (approximately 60 acres) of land in Lalin Town, Wuchang City, Heilongjiang Province, for nursery land used to cultivate yew stock. This agreement is for a term of 30 years expiring on March 24, 2035, after which term the right of land use shall be transferred to us. Under this agreement, we pay RMB 162,450 per year, with a lump sum payment of RMB 812,250 representing the first five years of the lease on or before December 31, 2010. We made a payment in the amount of RMB 1,000,000 in March 2012. Thereafter, we are required to pay each next five years’ rent in advance. Mr. Wang and Madame Qi are the principal owners of ZTC. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.

Under an agreement dated April 2006, we lease from an individual and our founder and President, Zhiguo Wang, 5 mu of land in Beichuan Village, Pingshan Town, A’cheng City, Heilongjiang Province. We made a one-time payment to the lessors in the amount RMB 23,201 under this lease, which has a term of 22 years. At the end of the 22- year term of this agreement, we will retain the right to use the land without making further payments.

Under an agreement dated January 18, 2008, we lease from two individuals approximately 290 mu (approximately 48 acres) and the building thereon, on the north side of Dalazi Mountain located in Pingshan Town, Heilongjiang Province. We paid RMB 2,370,000 for the use of the land, the yew trees thereon and the buildings thereon. We own the trees and buildings and lease the land. The lease has a term of 50 years. At the end of the 50-year term of this agreement, we will retain the right to use the land without making further payments.

Under an agreement dated March 4, 2010, we lease from Pingshan 15,865 mu (approximately 2,644 acres) of land in Pingfangdian, Wuchang City, for a term of 45 years expiring on March 4, 2055, and purchased all the yews situated thereon. We are required to make total payments of RMB 80,152,900 to Pingshan. The total payment has been divided into three installments, each installment representing a parcel of land. In 2010, we made payments in two installments aggregating RMB 42,434,000, for a parcel of 10,720 mu and all the yew trees and seedlings situated thereon and had a balance due of RMB 37,718,900 as of December 31, 2010, of which amount RMB 26,314,300 related to the final parcel of 5,145 mu. Subsequent to December 31, 2010, we acquired the remaining 5,145 mu and made payments aggregating RMB 8,144,300 in 2012.

On July 18, 2012, we entered into the Fuye Field Agreement with an individual in the PRC. Pursuant to the Fuye Field Agreement, HDS will lease 117.5 mu (approximately 19.6 acres) located at Fuye Field, Beizhao Village, Hongxing Town, A’cheng District in Helongjiang Province, PRC. Based on surveying undertaken after the Fuye Field Agreement was signed, we have agreed that the land subject to this agreement actually comprises 148 mu (approximately 24.7 acres). The term of the agreement is 16 years, through March 2028. During the term of the Fuye Field Agreement, HDS has the right to develop the property for the production of yew trees. In addition, HDS has acquired a building and more than 80,000 trees - which are not yew trees - located on the property. These trees consist of approximately 20,000 larix, 56,700 spruce and 3,700 poplar trees.

Payments to be made by us under the Fuye Field Agreement total RMB 15,002,300, payable as follows:

We prepaid the first installment of RMB 6,300,000 on or about June 20, 2012 and paid the entire remaining balance of RMB 8,702,300 on or about December 31, 2012.

On November 15, 2013, Harbin Yew Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“HDS”), the operating entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of Yew Bio-Pharm Group, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into a Forest and Land Use Right Acquisition Contract of Wuchang Erhexiang Pingfangdian Forestry Centre 15 th Compartments (the “Wuchang Pingfangdian Forestry Centre Contract”) with Heilongjiang Zishan Keji Gufen Limited Company. (“ZKG”).

Pursuant to the Wuchang Pingfangdian Forestry Centre Contract, HDS acquired 2,565 mu of yew tree forests and land use right of the underlying land located at Wuchang Pingfangdian Forestry Centre in Helongjiang Province, PRC. The term of the contract is 38 years, through November 7, 2051. During the term of the Wuchang Pingfangdian Forestry Centre Contract, HDS plans to harvest cut and replant the trees, sell the harvest cutting logs, promote the growth of the young trees accordingly, as well as plant yew trees of five years old or above based on the condition of the harvest cutting.

Payments made by the Company under the Wuchang Pingfangdian Forestry Centre Contract total RMB47.2 million (approximately $7.7 million), payable as follows:

Since the assets purchase occurred between entities under common control, HDS recorded the assets received at historical carrying costs recorded by ZTC. The difference of $2,338,212 between the actual contract price and carrying costs is reflected as a reduction of shareholders’ equity (Additional paid-in capital). As of December 31, 2013, the assets purchased were transferred to HDS, and the amount due to ZTC is approximately $4.8 million. This amount was paid in full as of December 31, 2016.

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise, in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

Not applicable.

PART II

Market Information

The Company’s common stock, par value, $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) began trading on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “YEWB” on November 27, 2013. Since that time there has been only limited trading. The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the range of high and low closing “Bid” prices reported by the OTCQB. Such quotations represent prices between dealers and may not include markups, markdowns, or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Penny Stock Considerations

The trading of our common stock is deemed to be “penny stock” as that term is generally defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to mean equity securities with a price of less than $5.00. Our shares thus are subject to rules that impose sales practice and disclosure requirements on broker-dealers who engage in certain transactions involving a penny stock.

Under the penny stock regulations, a broker-dealer selling a penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or accredited investor must make a special suitability determination regarding the purchaser and must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the sale, unless the broker-dealer is otherwise exempt. Generally, an individual with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $100,000 individually or $300,000 together with his or her spouse is considered an accredited investor. In addition, under the penny stock regulations the broker-dealer is required to:

Because of these regulations, broker-dealers may encounter difficulties in their attempt to buy or sell shares of our common stock, which may affect the ability of selling stockholders or other holders to sell their shares in the secondary market and have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market. These additional sales practice and disclosure requirements could impede the sale of our common stock in the market place. In addition, the liquidity for our common stock may be decreased, with a corresponding decrease in the price of our common stock. Our shares are likely to be subject to such penny stock rules for the foreseeable future.

Stockholders

As of the date of this Report, we had approximately 1,000 stockholders of record of our common stock. This figure does not include holders of shares registered in “street name” or persons, or other entities identified in security position listings maintained by depositories.

Dividend Policy

We have not declared any cash dividends on our common stock since our inception and do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. We plan to retain future earnings, if any, for use in our business. Any decisions as to future payments of dividends will depend on our earnings and financial position and such other facts, as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Reports to Stockholders

We are currently subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will continue to file periodic reports, and other information with the SEC. We intend to send annual reports to our stockholders containing audited financial statements.

Transfer Agent

West Coast Stock Transfer, Inc., 721 N. Vulcan Ave. 1st FL, Encinitas, CA 92024 is the registrar and transfer agent for our common stock.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Not Applicable

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

We are authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of common stock for grants under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and 5,000,000 shares of common stock for grants under the 2019 Stock Option Plan.

Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

The following discussion of our consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and consolidated financial conditions as of December 31, 2020, and 2019 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this document.

Overview

We are a major grower and seller of yew trees and manufacturer of products made from yew trees, we also sell branches and leaves of yew trees for the manufacture of TCM containing taxol, which TCM has been approved in the PRC for use as a secondary treatment of certain cancers, meaning it must be administered in combination with other pharmaceutical drugs. The yew industry is highly regulated in the PRC because the Northeast yew tree is considered an endangered species. In the third quarter of 2016, we started to sell handmade yew-related products, such as yew essence oil soaps, yew candles and yew extracts.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we operated in two reportable business segments. The business of HDS, JSJ and HYF in PRC was managed and reviewed as PRC segment. The business of YBP, Yew Bio-Pharm (HK), and MC was managed and reviewed as USA segment.

For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, revenues from the PRC segment accounted for approximately 99.83% and 98.73% of consolidated revenue; revenues from USA segment accounted for approximately 0.17% and 1.27% of consolidated revenue.

YBP’s revenues were mostly generated by HDS in the PRC. The expenses incurred in the U.S. were primarily related to fulfilling the reporting requirements of public listed company, stock-based compensation, office daily operations, inventory write-down and other costs. As of December 31, 2020, YBP had approximately $1,888,000 assets and held the 100% equity interests in its subsidiaries Yew HK and JSJ. Yew HK itself has no business operations or assets other than holding of equity interests in JSJ. JSJ had no business operations and assets with a book value of approximately $12,000, including approximately $10,000in cash at December 31, 2020. JSJ also holds the VIE interests in HDS through the contractual arrangements (the “Contractual Arrangements”) described in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. On November 4, 2014, HDS established a new subsidiary, Harbin Yew Food Co. LTD. (“HYF”), to develop and cultivate wood ear mushroom. For the year ended December 31, 2020, HYF had limited activities. In the event that we are unable to enforce the Contractual Agreements, we may not be able to exert effective control over HDS and HYF, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially and adversely affected. If the applicable PRC authorities invalidate our Contractual Agreements for any violation of PRC laws, rules and regulations, we would lose control of the VIE and its subsidiary resulting in its deconsolidation in financial reporting and severe loss in our market valuation. On June 8, 2016, YBP established a new subsidiary, MC Commerce Holding Inc. (MC), to sales the Company’s yew products in American market. MC had limited operation activities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In December 2019, COVID-19 was reported in China. Since then, COVID-19 has spread globally, to include the United States and several European countries. Many countries around the world have imposed quarantines and restrictions on travel and mass gatherings to slow the spread of the virus and have closed non-essential businesses. The pandemics could result in increased travel restrictions, market downturns and changes in the behavior of the terminal customers of our products related to pandemic fears. In addition, our certain customers could decrease the demand on our products due to the outbreak of the COVID-19. To date, our business is impact by the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in China, which resulted the decrease of our revenue during the first half of 2020. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our results will depend on future developments and reactions in China, which are highly uncertain and will include emerging information concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions taken by governments to attempt to contain the coronavirus. Any decreased collectability of accounts receivable, or reduction of purchase orders could further negatively impact our results of operations.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We continually evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, allowance for obsolete inventory, and the classification of short and long-term inventory, the useful life of property and equipment and land use rights and yew forest assets, recovery of long-lived assets, write-down in value of inventory, and the valuation of equity transactions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believed 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. Any future changes to these estimates and assumptions could cause a material change to our reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements.

Variable interest entities

Pursuant to ASC 810 and related subtopics related to the consolidation of variable interest entities, we are required to include in our consolidated financial statements the financial statements of VIEs. The accounting standards require a VIE to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to the risk of loss for the VIE or is entitled to receive the VIE’s residual returns. VIEs are those entities in which we, through contractual arrangements, bear the risk of, and enjoy the rewards normally associated with ownership of the entity, and therefore we are the primary beneficiary of the entity. HDS is considered a VIE, and we are the primary beneficiary. We entered into agreements with HDS pursuant to which we shall receive 100% of HDS’s net income. In accordance with these agreements, HDS shall pay consulting fees equal to 100% of its net income to our wholly-owned subsidiary, JSJ. JSJ shall supply the technology and administrative services needed to service the HDS.

The accounts of HDS are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. As a VIE, HDS’ sales are included in our total sales, its income from operations is consolidated with ours, and our net income includes all of HDS’ net income, and their assets and liabilities are included in our consolidated balance sheets. The VIEs do not have any non-controlling interest and, accordingly, we did not subtract any net income in calculating the net income attributable to us. Because of the contractual arrangements, we have pecuniary interest in HDS that requires consolidation of HDS’ financial statements with our financial statements.

As required by ASC 810-10, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of HDS which is identified as a VIE of us. A quality assessment begins with an understanding of the nature of the risks in the entity as well as the nature of the entity’s activities including terms of the contracts entered into by the entity, ownership interests issued by the entity and the parties involved in the design of the entity. The significant terms of the agreements between us and HDS are discussed above in the “Corporate Structure and Recapitalization - Second Restructure” section. Our assessment on the involvement with HDS reveals that we have the absolute power to direct the most significant activities that impact the economic performance of HDS. JSJ, our wholly own subsidiary, is obligated to absorb the risk of loss from HDS activities and is entitled to receive HDS’s expected residual returns. In addition, HDS’ shareholders have pledged their equity interest in HDS to JSJ, irrevocably granted JSJ an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC Law, all or part of the equity interests in HDS and agreed to entrust all the rights to exercise their voting power to the person(s) appointed by JSJ. Under the accounting guidance, we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of HDS and the results of HDS’ operation are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements for financial reporting purposes.

Accordingly, as a VIE, HDS’ sales are included in our total sales, its income from operations is consolidated with our income from operations and our net income includes all of HDS’ net income. All the equity (net assets) and profits (losses) of HDS are attributed to us. Therefore, no non-controlling interest in HDS is presented in our consolidated financial statements. As we do not have any non-controlling interest and, accordingly, did not subtract any net income in calculating the net income attributable to us. Because of the Contractual Arrangements, YBP has a pecuniary interest in HDS that requires consolidation of HDS’ financial statements with those of ours.

Additionally, pursuant to ASC 805, as YBP and HDS are under the common control of the HDS Shareholders, the Second Restructure was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. As a result, our historical amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements give retrospective effect to the Second Restructure, whereby our assets and liabilities are reflected at the historical carrying values and their operations are presented as if they were consolidated for all periods presented, with our results of operations being consolidated from the date of the Second Transfer Agreement. The accounts of HDS are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. We review the accounts receivable balance on a periodic basis and make general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, we consider many factors, including the age of the balance, a customer’s historical payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. Accounts are written off after exhaustive efforts at collection. We recognize the probability of the collection for each customer.

Inventories

Inventories consisted of raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods-handicrafts, yew seedlings, yew candles and other trees (consisting of larix, spruce and poplar trees). We classify our inventories based on our historical and anticipated levels of sales; any inventory in excess of its normal operating cycle of one year is classified as long-term on our consolidated balance sheets. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value utilizing the weighted average method. Raw materials primarily include yew timber used in the production of products such as handicrafts, furniture and other products containing yew timber. Finished goods-handicraft and yew seedlings include direct materials and direct labor.

We estimate the amount of the excess inventories by comparing inventory on hand with the estimated sales that can be sold within our normal operating cycle of one year. Any inventory in excess of our current requirements based on historical and anticipated levels of sales is classified as long-term on our consolidated balance sheets. Our classification of long-term inventory requires us to estimate the portion of inventory that can be realized over the next 12 months.

To estimate the amount of slow-moving or obsolete inventories, we analyze movement of our products, monitor competing products and technologies and evaluate acceptance of our products. Periodically, we identify inventories that cannot be sold at all or can only be sold at deeply discounted prices. An allowance will be established if management determines that certain inventories may not be saleable. If inventory costs exceed expected net realizable value due to obsolescence or quantities in excess of expected demand, we will record reserves for the difference between the carrying cost and the estimated net realizable value.

Our handicraft and yew furniture products are hand-made by traditional Chinese artisans.

In accordance with ASC 905, “Agriculture”, our costs of growing yew seedlings are accumulated until the time of harvest and are reported at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost computed on a weighted-average basis.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis (after taking into account their respective estimated residual value) over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired, or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. We examine the possibility of decreases in the value of fixed assets when events or changes in circumstances reflect the fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Land use rights and yew forest assets

All land in the PRC is owned by the PRC government and cannot be sold to any individual or company. We have recorded the amounts paid to the PRC government to acquire long-term interests to utilize land and yew forests as land use rights and yew forest assets. This type of arrangement is common for the use of land in the PRC. Yew trees on land containing yew tree forests are used to supply raw materials such as branches, leaves and fruit to us that will be used to manufacture our products. We amortize these land and yew forest use rights over the term of the respective land and yew forest use right, which ranges from 15 to 50 years. The lease agreements do not have any renewal option and we have no further obligations to the lessor. We record the amortization of these land and forest use rights as part of our cost of revenues.

Revenue recognition

The Company accounts for revenue arising from contracts and customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (ASU or Update) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which was adopted on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method. The adoption of ASC 606 did not impact the Company’s previously reported financial statements in any prior period nor did it result in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings.

Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price, which is allocated to the respective performance obligation, when the performance obligation is satisfied. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied when the customers take possession of the products, which normally occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the contracts.

Income taxes

We are governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC, Hong Kong and the United States. We account for income tax using the liability method prescribed by ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. We record a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence; it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.

We apply the provisions of ASC 740-10-50, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, which provides clarification related to the process associated with accounting for uncertain tax positions recognized in our financial statements. Audit periods remain open for review until the statute of limitations has passed. The completion of review or the expiration of the statute of limitations for a given audit period could result in an adjustment to our liability for income taxes. Any such adjustment could be material to our results of operations for any given quarterly or annual period based, in part, upon the results of operations for the given period. Currently, we have no uncertain tax positions, and will continue to evaluate for uncertain positions in the future.

Stock-based compensation

The Company accounts for stock options and other equity-based compensation issued in accordance with ASC 718 “Stock Compensation” after adoption of ASC 2018-07 on January 1, 2019, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense related to the fair value of equity-based compensation awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Stock-based compensation expense recognized includes the compensation cost for all share-based compensation payments granted to employees and nonemployees, net of estimated forfeitures, over the employees’ requisite service period or the non-employee performance period based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. ASC 718 is also applied to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled during the periods reported. Please see Note 9 for additional information.

Operating leases

Prior to the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019:

Leases, mainly leases of offices, where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the lessor are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company had no finance leases for any of the periods stated herein.

Upon and hereafter the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019:

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, operating lease liability, and operating lease liability, non-current in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. When determining the lease term, the Company includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option, if any. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company has elected to adopt the following lease policies in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2016-02: (i) for leases that have lease terms of 12 months or less and does not include a purchase option that is reasonably certain to exercise, the Company elected not to apply ASC 842 recognition requirements; and (ii) the Company elected to apply the package of practical expedients for existing arrangements entered into prior to January 1, 2019 to not reassess (a) whether an arrangement is or contains a lease, (b) the lease classification applied to existing leases, and(c) initial direct costs.

Segment reporting

ASC Topic 280 requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. The Company managed and reviewed its business as two operating segments starting from year 2018. The business of HDS, JSJ and HYF in PRC was managed and reviewed as PRC segment. The business of YBP, Yew Bio-Pharm (HK), and MC was managed and reviewed as USA segment. PRC and USA segments retain all of the reported consolidated amounts.

Related party transactions

A related party is generally defined as (i) any person that holds 10% or more of the Company’s securities including such person’s immediate families, (ii) the Company’s management, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties.

Collaborative arrangement

HDS entered into a Joint Venture Planting Agreement with Wuchang City Forestry Bureau on March 21, 2004 and certain Joint Venture Planting Agreements with Qingan State-owned Bureau (the “Qingan Forest Bureau”) in June 2018 and May 2019, respectively (see Note 16), which is considered a collaborative arrangement under U.S. GAAP. The purpose of this arrangement is to share some of the risks and rewards associated with this Joint Venture Planting Agreement. The Company’s current share of profits is 80% for the collaborative agreement with Wuchang City Forestry Bureau and Qingan State-owned Bureau dated in June 2018, and is 70% for the collaborative agreement with Qingan State-owned Bureau dated in May 2019. The Company accounts for this collaborative arrangement under ASC 808, “Collaborative Arrangements” and related topics and will record revenue gross as the prime contractor. ASC Topic 808-10-15 defines collaborative arrangements and requires collaborators to present the result of activities for which they act as the principal on a gross basis and report any payments received from (made to) the other collaborators based on other applicable authoritative accounting literature, and in the absence of other applicable authoritative literature, on a reasonable, rational and consistent accounting policy is to be elected. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 808-10-15. The adoption of this statement did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has not generated any revenues or activity from this collaborative agreement.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses”. The standard, including subsequently issued amendments (ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, ASU 2019-10 and ASU 2019-11), requires a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis, such as accounts receivable and certain other financial assets, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10 to postpone the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for public business entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies defined by the SEC to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The standard will be adopted upon the effective date for us beginning January 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of the standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The standard provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions in which the reference LIBOR or another reference rate are expected to be discontinued as a result of the Reference Rate Reform. The standard is effective for all entities. The standard may be adopted as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of the standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Currency exchange rates

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, and the functional currency of our operating subsidiaries and VIE is the RMB. All of our sales are denominated in RMB. As a result, changes in the relative values of U.S. dollars and RMB affect our reported levels of revenues and profitability as the results of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. In particular, fluctuations in currency exchange rates could have a significant impact on our financial stability due to a mismatch among various foreign currency-denominated sales and costs. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and RMB affect our gross and net profit margins and could result in foreign exchange and operating losses.

Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to currency gains or losses resulting from timing differences between signing of sales contracts and settling of these contracts. Furthermore, we translate monetary assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies into RMB, the functional currency of our operating subsidiaries. Our results of operations and cash flow are translated at average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate at the end of the period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in our statement of shareholders’ equity. We have not used any forward contracts, currency options or borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. We cannot predict the impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations and may incur net foreign currency losses in the future.

Our financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency of our parent company. The functional currency of our operating subsidiaries and affiliates is RMB. To the extent we hold assets denominated in U.S. dollars, any appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar could result in a charge in our statement of operations and a reduction in the value of our U.S. dollar denominated assets. On the other hand, a decline in the value of RMB against the U.S. dollar could reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts of our financial results.

Results of Operations

The following tables set forth key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated, in dollars. The discussion following the table is based on these results:

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had total revenues of $27,307,687, as compared to $27,883,649 for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $575,962 or 2.07%. The decrease in total revenue was attributable to the decrease in revenues from extracts, partially offset by increase in revenues from sales of TCM raw materials.

Total revenue is summarized as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019, the increase in revenue of TCM raw material was mainly attributable to the increase in demand from our related party, Yew Pharmaceutical . The decrease in revenue of extracts was mainly attributable to the increase in demand of pine needle extract, complex taxus cuspidate extract, and composite northeast yew extract.

Cost of Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2020, cost of revenues amounted to $23,780,672 as compared to $27,109,518 for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $3,328,846 or 12.28%. For the year ended December 31, 2020, cost of revenues accounted for 87.08% of total revenues compared to 97.22% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Cost of revenues by product categories is as follows:

The decrease in our cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily a result of the decrease in costs of revenue in extracts, partially offset by increases in TCM raw materials.

Gross Profit

For the year ended December 31, 2020, gross profit was $3,527,015 as compared to $774,131 for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing gross profit margins of 12.92% and 2.78%, respectively. Gross profit margins by categories are as follows:

The increase in our overall gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to the higher gross margin yields of TCM raw materials and Extracts.

The increase in our gross margin percentage related to the sale of TCM raw materials for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, was primarily attributable to the fact that conversion rate from Yew tree into yew foliage for the year ended December 31, 2020 was higher than it for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Operating Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2020, operating expenses amounted to $958,316, as compared to $(237,388) for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $1,195,704 or 503.69%.

The increase was mainly due to the fact that the Company had $30,658 bad debt recovery as of December 31, 2020 compared with $1,688,406 bad debt recovery during prior year after offset with $177,583 decrease of stock-based compensation over the two years.

Income from Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2020, income from operations was $2,568,699, as compared to income from operations of $1,011,519 for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $1,557,180, or 153.94%. The increase was primarily attributable to the reasons stated above.

Other Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2020, total other expense was $1,075,049 as compared to total other expense was $14,799 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase is mainly attributable to the increase of exchange loss.

Net Income

As a result of the factors described above, our net income was $1,464,882 or $0.03 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to net income of $985,506 or $0.02 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we reported an unrealized gain on foreign currency translation of $2,799,088, as compared to an unrealized loss $544,809 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The change reflects the effect of the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the RMB. These gains and loss are non-cash items. As described elsewhere herein, the functional currency of our subsidiary, JSJ, and our VIE, HDS and HYF, is RMB. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been translated and presented in U.S. dollars using period end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for the period for net revenues, costs, and expenses. Net gains or loss resulting from foreign exchange transactions, if any, are included in the consolidated statements of income.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the year ended December 31, 2020, comprehensive income of $4,263,970 was derived from the sum of our net income of $1,464,882 and foreign currency translation gain of $2,799,088. For the year ended December 31, 2019, comprehensive income of $440,697 was derived from the sum of our net income of $985,506 and foreign currency translation loss of $544,809.

Segment Information

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we operated in two reportable business segments. The business of HDS, JSJ and HYF in PRC was managed and reviewed as PRC segment. The business of YBP, Yew Bio-Pharm (HK), and MC was managed and reviewed as USA segment.

Information with respect to these reportable business segments for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the revenue from PRC segment was $27,261,876 and $27,528,924, respectively, decrease of $267,048 or 0.97% due to the decrease demand on Asia market. The decrease in PRC segment was mainly due to the decrease in revenue from third parties in the amount of $8,835,121, offset by the increase in revenue from related parties in the amount of $8,568,073.

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the revenue from USA segment was $45,811 and $354,725, respectively, decrease of $308,914 or 87.09%. The decrease in USA segment was due to the decrease in revenue from third parties in the amount of $308,914 attributable to our China customers’ decreased oversea demand.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had cash balances of $563,792 and $742,294, respectively. These funds were primarily located in various financial institutions located in China. Our primary uses of cash have been for the purchase of yew trees, land use rights and yew forest assets. Additionally, we use cash for employee compensation and working capital. Our working capital decreased by $1,725,779 to $(535,726) at December 31, 2020, from working capital of $1,190,053 at December 31, 2019.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $17,340,086, as compared to $11,953,657 for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $5,386,429. Because the exchange rate conversion is different for the balance sheet and the statements of cash flows, the changes in assets and liabilities reflected on the statements of cash flows are not necessarily identical with the comparable changes reflected on the balance sheets.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash flow provided by operating activities of $17,340,086 was primarily attributable to:

the receipt of cash from operations from changes in operating assets and liabilities, such as a decrease in accounts receivable of approximately $7,561,000, and a decrease in inventories, net of approximately $2,739,000.

partially offset by:

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash flow provided by operating activities of $11,953,657 was primarily attributable to:

the receipt of cash from operations from changes in operating assets and liabilities, such as a decrease in accounts receivable-related parties of approximately $6,053,000, and a decrease in inventories, net of $3,589,000.

partially offset by:

Net cash flow used in investing activities was approximately $17,000,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we have made prepayment in approximately $4,600,000 for purchase of yew forest assets and approximately $12,700,000 for purchase of land use right and yew forest assets. Net cash flow used in investing activities was approximately $15,000,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we have made payment in approximately $14,700,000 for purchase of land use right and yew forest assets.

Net cash flow used in financing activities was approximately $14,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and consisted of proceeds of approximately $11,814,000 new borrowings from banks and offset by repayments of approximately $11,934,000 bank loans. Net cash flow provided by financing activities was approximately $2,900,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and consisted of proceeds of approximately $12,000,000 from banks and offset by repayments of approximately $9,000,000.

We have historically financed our operations and capital expenditures through cash flows from operations, bank loans and advances from related parties. From March 2008 to September 2009, we received approximately $2.9 million of proceeds in the aggregate from offerings and sales of our common stock. Except for the portion used to pay for professional and other expenses in the U.S., substantial portions of the proceeds we received through sales of our common stock were retained in the PRC and used to fund our working capital requirements. As the PRC government imposes controls on PRC companies’ ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currency out of China, from time to time, in order to fund our corporate activities in the U.S., Zhiguo Wang, our President and CEO, advanced funds to us in the U.S. and we repaid the amounts owed to him in RMB in the PRC.

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The majority of our funds are maintained in RMB in bank accounts in China. We receive most of our revenue in the PRC. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) or its local counterparts is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also, at its discretion, restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, approximately $50.3 million and $44.6 million, respectively, of our net assets are located in the PRC. If the foreign exchange control system in the PRC prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to transfer funds deposited within the PRC to fund working capital requirements in the U.S. or pay any dividends in currencies other than the RMB, to our shareholders.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have certain potential commitments that include future estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions, changing interest rates and other factors may result in actual payments differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of payments. We have presented below a summary of the most significant assumptions used in our determination of amounts presented in the tables, in order to assist in the review of this information within the context of our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The following tables summarize our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020, and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

Years Ending December 31:

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

See pages F-1 through F-33

None

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of our CEO, performed evaluations of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. Based on those evaluations, which identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, our management, including our CEO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2020.

The specific material weaknesses identified by our management were as follows:

We expect the material weaknesses will be remediated by the end of fiscal year 2021. Until such time, however, as these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are remediated, we expect to have continuing weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and related procedures.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted evaluations of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control Integrated Framework that was issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on those evaluations, our management concluded that, due to the material weaknesses described above, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020.

Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Through our increased awareness and remediation efforts, we believe that our actions will result in an improvement in our internal control over financial reporting in fiscal year 2020. Specifically, we plan to recruit more accounting staff, conduct ongoing US GAAP trainings, and through our internal reviews and improved control procedures, we will identify certain prior accounting errors and make appropriate error corrections and disclosures, to prevent potential future material misstatements. In addition, we plan to make improvement throughout fiscal year 2021 to achieve our overall remediation target and objectives. Management believes that the actions described above will remediate the material weaknesses we have identified in fiscal year 2020. As we work towards improvement of our internal control over financial reporting and implementation of the remediation measures, we may supplement or modify these remediation measures as appropriate.

Our management believes that our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance of achieving their objectives. Our management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal financial controls will prevent all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of year 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

None

PART III

Our directors and executive officers as of December 31, 2020, and additional information concerning them are as follows:

Zhiguo Wang has been the President and a director of YBP since the company was incorporated in November 2007 and has been the Chief Financial Officer since December 15, 2013. Mr. Wang founded our company in 1996 and has served as Chairman of the Board and General Manager of HDS since its inception. Since August 2007, Mr. Wang has served as executive director of the China National Forest Industry Association. In January 2007, he was elected to the first board of directors by the Heilongjiang Province Pharmaceutical Professional Association. In August 2007, he was elected Executive Director of the China National Forest Industry Association. In December 2010, Mr. Wang was elected vice chairman of the Heilongjiang Province Forestry Industry Association. Mr. Wang is also involved in the management of other businesses, including Yew Pharmaceutical, Kairun and ZTC. He currently devotes approximately 71% of his time, or 120 hours per month, on average, to the Company’s business. Mr. Wang graduated from Northeast Forestry University, located in Harbin, for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Mr. Wang is the husband of Guifang Qi.

Guifang Qi was the Treasurer of YBP from May 2010 until December 15, 2013 when she took over the position of Secretary. She has been a director of YBP since December 2010. Since 1997, she has also served as Vice General Manager of HDS in charge of purchasing and suppliers. Madame Qi graduated from Mudanjiang Forestry School, located in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, where she majored in forestry. Madame Qi is the wife of Zhiguo Wang.

Xuehai Wu has been the Deputy General Manager of Harbin Yew Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“HDS”), a subsidiary of the Company, since April, 2014. From October, 2011 until March 2014, Mr. Hu was the Chairman of the Board of Heilongjiang ZhiLong Pharmaceutical Technology Development Co., Ltd. and from June 2007 until September 2011, he was the Deputy General Manager for HaGaoKe White Swan Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. From October, 2005 until June, 2007, Mr. Wu was the Chief Engineer of Harbin SongHe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Mr. Wu graduated with a Bachelor degree from Northeast Agricultural University (China) where he majored in Biological Science.

Guoshuang Tian, Male, ethnic Han, born in July 1963 in Jilin Province. At present he holds the position of Dean of the Economics and Management School of Northeast Forestry University. Moreover, he has many other titles: in the school, he is Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Postdoctoral Cooperation Supervisor, and Academic Leader of Heilongjiang Key Professional Accounting Major; in the society, he is the member of Agricultural and Forestry Economic Management Subject Appraisal Group of the State Council Academic Degree Committee, Vice president of China Forestry Economics association, Member of Accounting Society of China, Vice-general Secretary of Forestry Department of China Accounting Society, Expert of Agro forestry Ecological Expert Group of Heilongjiang Province Scientific Advisory Committee, Vice-chairman of Accounting Society of Heilongjiang Province, Vice-president of Heilongjiang Management Committee, Vice-president of Heilongjiang Application Economic Committee, Chief Editor of Green Finance and Accounting . He was invited to attend many discussion meetings about the key policy of state-owned forest region economic and social development, and put forward a large number of comments and suggestions for the revitalization of the northeast, forestry enterprise transformation, accounting personnel training. He presided over more than 20 projects and subjects research, including National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC), Ph.D. Program Foundation of Ministry of Education, State Forestry Administration, project of Accounting Society of China, Audit Society of China, Heilongjiang Province Social and Scientific Fund, Heilongjiang Province Natural and Scientific Fund, Soft Scientific Project of Heilongjiang Province Science and Technology Department. He was also involved in 7 scientific researches supporting by National Social and Scientific Fund, the Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Science Fund, China Postdoctoral fund. He published more than 100 papers in core journals such as Management World , EI and CSSCI, had 15 published monographs. He won one first prize and several third prizes of the excellent scientific research achievements of Heilongjiang province social science. He has trained 23 doctoral students and over 130 postgraduates.

Yongchun Shi was born in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province. In 1981, he majored in Forestry at Northeast Forestry University and received his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. In 1985, he worked as a lecturer at Heilongjiang College of Logging Industry Managerial Personnel Training. In 2006, he started his postgraduate degree in engineering at Northeast Forestry University while teaching at Heilongjiang College of Logging Industry Managerial Personnel Training. In 2010, he was promoted to professor at Heilongjiang College of Logging Industry Managerial Personnel Training. Mr. Shi is currently employed as Head of Resources and Environment Department at Heilongjiang Vocational Institute of Ecological Engineering and as Secretary General of Heilongjiang Vocational Teaching Steering Committee of Environmental Protection.

Xiefeng Liu, Male, Age 55. From September 1978 to July 1981, Mr. Liu was a student at Mudanjiang Forestry School; Silviculture Major. From July 1981 to September 1985 he was a teacher at Mudanjiang Forestry and Technical College 09/1985-07/1988. From July 1997 to July 2000, Mr. Liu worked as a Director, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer for Mudanjiang Forestry and Technical College. From May 2005 to December 2017, he was Director of Admission Office at Heilongjiang River Forestry Vocational and Technical College and then from January 1 2018 until the present he was Director of Research Department at Heilongjiang River Forestry Vocational and Technical College

Hailong Sun, Male, born in September 1981. From July 2004, he is the teacher of Heilongjiang Forestry Vocational and Technical College. Mr. Sun graduated with a Bachelor degree from Northeast Forestry University (China) where he majored in gardens on 2004, and obtained his master degree from Northeast Forestry University (China) on 2009, where he majored in landscape garden area. Mr. Sun was granted award by Mudanjiang Science and Technology Bureau for Third Prize in Mudanjiang City Science and Technology Progress on 2010. He also has a few publications on academic journals from 2009 to 2016 such as “Study on the Application of Ornamental Grass in the Peony River Area”, “Study on Sustainable Management Technology of Natural Scenic Forest in Eastern Mountain Area of Liaoning Province” and so forth. Mr. Sun has three patents in China including “Electric Garden Repairer”, “Internet of Things Intelligent Greenhouse” and “A Tree Pruning”.

Each of our director’s primary qualification to serve as such involves his or her extensive experience with different aspects of yew tree technology, cultivation, engineering and/or project management or investment banking and/or accounting and finance.

During the past ten years, there have been no events under any bankruptcy act, no criminal proceedings and no judgments, injunctions, orders or decrees material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any director, executive officer, promoter or control person of the Company, including any allegations (not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated), permanent or temporary injunction, or any other order of any federal or state authority or self-regulatory organization, relating to activities in any phase of the securities, commodities, banking, savings and loan, or insurance businesses in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity, or involving mail or wire fraud in any business. None of our directors presently serves as a director of any other public companies.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

None of our directors and officers has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors, nor has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past ten years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. There have been no events under any bankruptcy act, no criminal proceedings, no judgments, injunctions, orders or decrees material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any of our directors, executive officers, promoters or control persons during the past ten years.

We maintain a corporate website and post our SEC filings on a page of that website. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this proxy statement or incorporated by reference into this or any other filing we make with the SEC.

Board of Directors

Director Independence

The Board currently consists of six members, of which Yongchun Shi, Xiefeng Liu and Hailong Sun meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market as currently in effect.

Meetings of the Board

Each of the directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board in 2020.

Board Leadership

Our Company is led by Zhiguo Wang, who has served as both our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since our incorporation in 2007. Our Board leadership structure is the traditional one most commonly utilized by other public companies in the United States, and we believe that this leadership structure has been effective for our Company. We believe that having a combined Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the Board provides the right form of leadership and balance for our Company, given our small size. This structure provides us with a single leader for our company to ensure continuity of our operational, executive and Board functions.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The board of directors has created three committees - the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each of the committees has a charter which we believe meets the NASDAQ requirements and will be composed of three independent directors.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of one individual, and we are also seeking for other qualified board members to fulfill the Audit Committee at present.

Our Audit Committee oversees our corporate accounting, financial reporting practices and the audits of financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee does have a charter (which is reviewed annually) and perform several functions. The Audit Committee performs the following:

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is comprised of two individuals, all of the members are independent directors.

The Compensation Committee does review or recommend the compensation arrangements for our management and employees and also assist our Board of Directors in reviewing and approving matters such as company benefit and insurance plans, including monitoring the performance thereof. The Compensation Committee has a charter (which is reviewed annually) and perform several functions.

The Compensation Committee does have the authority to directly engage, at our expense, any compensation consultants or other advisers as it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities in determining the amount and form of employee, executive and director compensation.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of two individuals, each of whom is an independent director.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing our corporate governance policies and with proposing potential director nominees to the Board of Directors for consideration. This committee has the authority to oversee the hiring of potential executive positions in our Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and performs several functions.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Communications with the Board

Shareholders and any interested parties may send correspondence to the Board or to any individual director, by mail to Corporate Secretary, Yew Bio-Pharm Group, Inc., 9460 Telstar Ave., Ste. 6, El Monte, California, 91731 or by e-mail to hpang@yewbiopharm.com.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, our securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to provide us with copies of those filings. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were satisfied.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Summary Compensation Table shows certain compensation information for services rendered in all capacities for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Other than as set forth herein, no executive officer’s salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in any of the applicable years. The following information includes the dollar value of base salaries, bonus awards, the number of stock options granted and certain other compensation, if any, whether paid or deferred.

Summary Compensation Table

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with our Chinese executive officers in the form and with the provisions specified by the Harbin Labor and Social Security Bureau. The provisions of these agreements are not negotiable and do not vary other than providing the term, title and salary of the individual employee.

We have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers in the past. Currently we have no written employment agreements with any of our executive officers.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

On December 13, 2012, at a special meeting of our shareholders (the “Special Meeting”), our shareholders approved the issuance of a stock purchase option (each, a “Founder’s Option” and collectively, the “Founders’ Options”) to Zhiguo Wang, Guifang Qi and Xingming Han (collectively, the “Founders”). Following the Special Meeting, the Board met on December 13, 2012 and, among other things, issued the Founders’ Options to the Founders.

The terms of each Founder’s Option are identical to each other except for the name of the optionee and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to each such Founder’s Option. The principal terms of the Founders’ Options include the following:

The following table provides information concerning unexercised options, stock that has not vested and equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer outstanding at December 31, 2020.

The following table provides certain information with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2020,

Bonuses and Deferred Compensation

We do not have any bonus, deferred compensation or retirement plan. All decisions regarding compensation are determined by our board of directors.

Payment of Post-Termination Compensation

We do not have change-in-control agreements with any of our directors or executive officers, and we are not obligated to pay severance or other enhanced benefits to executive officers upon termination of their employment.

Board of Directors and Director Compensation

All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. We do not currently have any independent directors. Our directors do not receive compensation for serving in such capacity.

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2020, the number of shares of our common stock owned of record and beneficially by all directors, executive officers, nominees for director and persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock:

Transactions with Yew Pharmaceutical

On January 9, 2010, the Company entered into a Cooperation and Development Agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with Yew Pharmaceutical. Pursuant to the Development Agreement, for a period of ten years expiring on January 9, 2020, the Company shall supply cultivated yew raw materials to Yew Pharmaceutical that will be used by Yew Pharmaceutical to make traditional Chinese medicines and other pharmaceutical products, at price of RMB 1,000,000 (approximately $146,000) per metric ton. In addition, the Company entered into a series of wood ear mushroom selling agreements with Yew Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company sells wood ear mushroom collected from local peasants to Yew Pharmaceuticals for manufacturing of wood ear mushroom products. Furthermore, the Company entered into a series of yew candles, yew essential oil soaps, complex taxus cuspidate extract, composite northeast yew extract and pine needle extracts purchase agreements with Yew Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company purchases yew candles and pine needle extracts as finished goods and then sells to third party and related party. The Company has not renewed the Development Agreement with Yew Pharmaceutical yet. We currently enter into individual agreement for each single transaction.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, total revenues from Yew Pharmaceutical under the above agreement amounted to $16,659,547 and $10,705,727, and the corresponding cost of revenues amounted to $14,792,713 and $9,962,940, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $2,982,114 and $Nil accounts receivable from Yew Pharmaceutical, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total purchase of yew candles, yew essential oil soap, complex taxus cuspidate extract, composite northeast yew extract, wood ear mushroom extract, and pine needle extracts from Yew Pharmaceutical amounted to $7,980,296 and $13,299,780, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the products purchased from Yew Pharmaceutical in the amount of $10,059,610 and $16,633,020 were sold and included in the total cost of revenues of $23,846,886 and $27,109,518, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $Nil and $16,629 accounts payable to Yew Pharmaceutical, respectively.

Transactions with HBP

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HBP paid off operation expense on behalf of HYF in the amount of $Nil and $1,737. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, HYF had due to HBP in the amount of $96,282 and $103,158, respectively, which was included in due to related parties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Transactions with Lifeforfun Limited

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, total revenues from Lifeforfun Limited amounted to $7,056,000 and receivable from $Nil. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $6,036,080 and $Nil accounts Lifeforfun Limited, respectively.

Transactions with DMSU

On February 10, 2020, the Company entered a payment schedule agreement with DMSU regarding the outstanding accounts receivable under 2018 and 2020 sales contracts. Pursuant to the payment schedule, DMSU agreed to make payments in 2020 totaling of $1,000,000 out of total $5,304,000 receivable balance under 2018 sales contracts and the remaining will be paid within next three years. Regarding the 2020 sales contracts entered, DMSU will arrange payments of the entire transaction within six months after goods are delivered.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, total revenues from DMSU amounted to $2,592,000. The company collected approximately $2,753,000 from DMSU during the year of 2020, of which $161,000 was recorded as recovery of accounts receivable due from DMSU previously written off under 2018 sales contracts. The company further collected approximately $757,000 from DMSU subsequently during the first quarter of 2021, which was fully recorded as recovery of accounts receivable due from DMSU previously written off under 2018 sales contracts.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, there was $Nil sales transaction the Company conducted with DMSU. The Company recovered approximately $1,034,000 of accounts receivable previously written off from DMSU. The amount 1,034,000 was recorded in bad debt recovery.

Transactions with YIDA

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, total revenues from YIDA amounted to $Nil and $7,144,649. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $Nil and $193,000 accounts receivable, which were net of allowance for doubtful account $386,000 and $193,000 from YIDA, respectively.

Transactions with ZTC

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets from ZTC in the amount of $1,057,664 and $2,121,880, respectively. Since the assets purchase occurred between entities under common control, the Company recorded the assets received at historical carrying costs recorded by ZTC, which amounted to $935,885 and $1,729,793, respectively. The differences between the actual contract price and carrying costs are recorded as additional paid-in capital in the amount of $121,779 and $392,087, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no balance payable to ZTC.

Transactions with Xinlin

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets from Xinlin in the amount of $463,634 and $148,396, respectively. Since the assets purchase occurred between entities under common control, the Company recorded the assets received at historical carrying costs recorded by Xinlin, which amounted to $410,316 and $121,981, respectively. The differences between the actual contract price and carrying costs are recorded as additional paid-in capital in the amount of $53,318 and $26,415, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no balance payable to Xinlin.

Transactions with Jinguo Wang

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets and yew seedlings from Jinguo Wang in the amount of $1,124,312 and $1,078,121, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no accounts payable to Jinguo Wang.

Transactions with Weihong Zhang

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets from Weihong Zhang in the amount of $28,977 and $789,032, respectively.

Transactions with Chunping Wang

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets from Chunping Wang in the amount of $870,762 and $1,653,347, respectively.

Transactions with Xue Wang

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets from Xue Wang in the amount of $751,956 and $157,054, respectively.

Transactions with Cai Wang

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HDS purchased yew forest assets from Cai Wang in the amount of $391,191 and $81,075, respectively.

Loans Guaranteed

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s certain loans were guaranteed by related parties (see note 8).

Operating Leases

On March 25, 2005, the Company entered into an Agreement for the Lease of Seedling Land with ZTC (the “ZTC Lease”). Pursuant to the ZTC Lease, the Company leased 361 mu of land from ZTC for a period of 30 years, expiring on March 24, 2035. Annual payments under the ZTC Lease are RMB 162,450 (approximately $24,000). The payment for the first five years of the ZTC Lease was due prior to December 31, 2010 and beginning in 2011, the Company is required to make full payment for the land use rights in advance for each subsequent five-year period. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, rent expense related to the ZTC Lease amounted to approximately $24,000 and $24,000, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, prepaid rent to ZTC amounted to approximately $Nil and $5,800 which was included in prepaid expenses-related parties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

On January 1, 2010, the Company entered into a lease for office space with Mr. Wang (the “Office Lease”). Pursuant to the Office Lease, annual payments of RMB15,000 (approximately $2,000) are due for each of the term. The term of the Office Lease is 15 years and expires on December 31, 2025. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, rent expense related to the Office Lease amounted to approximately $2,200 and $2,200, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no unpaid rent related to the Office Lease.

On July 1, 2012, the Company entered into a lease for office space with Mr. Wang (the “JSJ Lease”). Pursuant to the JSJ Lease, JSJ leases approximately 30 square meter of office space from Mr. Wang in Harbin. Rent under the JSJ Lease is RMB10,000 (approximately $1,500) annually. The term of the JSJ Lease is three years and expires on June 30, 2015. On July 1, 2015, the Company and Mr. Wang renewed the JSJ Lease. The renewed lease expires on June 30, 2018. On July 1, 2018, the Company renewed JSJ Lease for three years, which will now expire on June 30, 2021. Pursuant to the renewed lease agreement, the annual payment will be RMB 10,000 (approximately $1,500). For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, rent expense related to the JSJ Lease amounted to approximately $1,400 and $1,400, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the unpaid rent was approximately $Nil and $700 respectively, which was included in due to related parties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company entered into two forest land leases with Mr. Wang. Pursuant to the Leases, Mr.Wang leases two forest land with area of 20 mu and 73 mu, respectively, to the Company for free. The leases terms are for the periods from January 9, 2008 to November 24, 2022 and from January 30, 2007 to December 30, 2026, respectively.

On January 1, 2015, HYF entered into an lease agreement with HBP, pursuant to which HBP leases a warehouse, with an area of 225 square meters, and a workshop, with an area of 50 square meters, both of which are located at No.1 Zisan Road, Shangzhi economic development district, Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang Province, to HYF in exchange for no consideration for the period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020.

The Company leased office space in the A’cheng district in Harbin (the “A’cheng Lease”) from HDS Development on March 20, 2002. The A’cheng Lease is for a term of 23 years and expires on March 19, 2025. Pursuant to the A’cheng Lease, lease payment shall be made as follows: