10-Q 1 f10q_111620p.htm FORM 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________________

 

FORM 10-Q

 ______________________________________

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 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: 001-35776

______________________________________

 

Acasti Pharma Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 ______________________________________

 

Québec, Canada 98-1359336
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

3009 boul. de la Concorde East, Suite 102

Laval, Québec, Canada H7E 2B5

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

450-686-4555

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

______________________________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, no par value per share ACST NASDAQ Stock Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company        

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes ☐    No  ☒

 

The number of outstanding common shares of the registrant, no par value per share, as of November 16, 2020 was 96,892,537.

 

 1 

 

 

ACASTI PHARMA INC.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2020

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements 5
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 19
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 33
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 33
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 33
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 33
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 44
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 44
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 44
     
Item 5. Other Information 44
     
Item 6. Exhibits 44

 

 

 

 2 

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report contains information that may be forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, both of which we refer to in this quarterly report as forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not statements about the present or historical facts. Forward-looking information in this quarterly report includes, among other things, information or statements about:

 

·our strategy, future operations, prospects and the plans of our management with a goal to enhance shareholder value;

 

·the outcome of the formal review process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value;

 

·our ability to establish collaborations or obtain additional funding;

 

·our intellectual property position and duration of our patent rights;

 

·the potential adverse effects that the recent COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business and operations;

 

·our need for additional financing, and our estimates regarding our future financing and capital requirements;

 

·our expectation regarding our financial performance, including our costs and expenses, liquidity and capital resources; and

 

·our projected capital requirements to fund our anticipated expenses. 

 

Although the forward-looking information in this quarterly report is based upon what we believe are reasonable assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on that forward-looking information since actual results may vary materially from it. Important assumptions made by us when making forward-looking statements include, among other things, assumptions by us that:

 

·we are able to successfully identify and execute an opportunity or opportunities to enhance shareholder value through the strategic review process;

 

·we are able to obtain the additional capital and financing we require when we need it;

 

·we are able to attract and retain key management and skilled personnel;

 

·third parties provide their services to us on a timely and effective basis;

 

·we are able to take advantage of new business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry;

 

·we are able to secure and defend our intellectual property rights, and to avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties;

 

·we face no lawsuits or other proceedings or any such matters, if they arise, are satisfactorily resolved;

 

 3 

 

 

·there are no material adverse changes in relevant laws or regulations; and

 

·we are able to continue as a going concern;

 

In addition, the forward-looking information in this quarterly report is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those described in this quarterly report under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results and developments to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by the forward-looking information, including, among others:

 

·we may never identify a suitable opportunity to enhance shareholder value through the strategic review process;

 

·if we do not successfully consummate a strategic transaction, our board of directors may decide to pursue a dissolution and liquidation of our company;

 

·we are substantially dependent on our remaining employees to facilitate the consummation of a strategic transaction;

 

·we may not realize any additional value in a strategic transaction for our intellectual property.

 

·our business and operations may be materially and adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic;

 

·there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern;

 

·we may be subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations;

 

·we may not realize any additional value in a strategic transaction for our intellectual property;

 

·it is difficult and costly to protect our intellectual property rights;

 

·we may face infringement of third party intellectual; property and other proprietary rights;

 

·general changes in economic and capital market conditions could adversely affect us

 

All of the forward-looking information in this quarterly report is qualified by this cautionary statement. There can be no guarantee that the results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the consequences or effects on our business, financial condition or results of operations that we anticipate. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake to update or amend any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking information is made as of the date of this quarterly report.

 

We express all amounts in this quarterly report in U.S. dollars, except where otherwise indicated. References to “$” and “US$” are to U.S. dollars and references to “C$” or “CAD$” are to Canadian dollars.

 

Except as otherwise indicated, references in this quarterly report to “Acasti,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Acasti Pharma Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 4 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1: Financial Information

 

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance sheets     7  
         
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss     8  
         
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity     9  
         
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     10  
         
Notes to the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements     11  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of
(Unaudited)

 

Acasti pharma inc.

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 6 

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance sheet

(Unaudited)

 

      September 30, 2020  March 31, 2020
(thousands of US dollars)  Notes  $  $
Assets         
          
Current assets:             
Cash and cash equivalents      11,552    14,240 
Receivables      625    546 
Assets held for sale  5   1,047    2,578 
Deferred financing costs  7(a)   -    121 
Prepaid expenses      489    977 
Total current assets      13,713    18,462 
              
Right of Use Asset      119    147 
Intangible assets  4   -    4,244 
Total assets      13,832    22,853 
              
              
Liabilities and Equity             
Current liabilities:             
Trade and other payables      3,670    7,319 
Lease Liability      81    76 
Total current liabilities      3,751    7,395 
              
Derivative warrant liabilities  6,7(c)   1,170    2,393 
Lease Liability      38    71 
Total liabilities      4,959    9,859 
              
Equity:             
Common shares      142,570    137,424 
Additional paid-in capital      10,855    9,797 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss      (7,400)   (7,887)
Accumulated deficit      (137,152)   (126,340)
Total shareholder’s equity (deficit)      8,873    12,994 
              
Commitments and contingencies  12   -    - 
              
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity      13,832    22,853 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited Interim financial statements.

 

 7 

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

       Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
       

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

(note 13)

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

(note 13)

 
(thousands of US dollars, except per share data)  Notes   $    $    $    $ 
Operating Expenses                       
Research and development expenses, net of government assistance  8   (1,286)   (3,954)   (3,042)   (10,144)
General and administrative expenses      (1,324)   (1,555)   (2,973)   (2,671)
Sales and marketing expenses      (134)   (746)   (850)   (1,446)
Impairment of Intangible assets  4   (3,706)   -    (3,706)   - 
Impairment of Equipment  5   (1,584)   -    (1,584)   - 
Loss from operating activities      (8,034)   (6,255)   (12,155)   (14,261)
                        
Financial Income (expenses)  9   1,888    (14,903)   1,343    (15,743)
                        
Net loss and total comprehensive loss      (6,146)   (21,158)   (10,812)   (30,004)
                        
Basic and diluted loss per share      (0.06)   (0.25)   (0.11)   (0.37)
                        
Weighted average number of shares outstanding      95,119,503    83,092,037    92,917,712    80,877,225 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 8 

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

       Common Shares                     
(thousands of US dollars except for share data) 

 

 

 

Notes

   Number    

 

 

 

Dollar

    

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

    

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

loss

    

 

 

 

Deficit

    

 

 

 

Total

 
            $    $    $    $    $ 
Balance, March 31, 2020      90,209,449    137,424    9,797    (7,887)   (126,340)   12,994 
Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the period      -    -    -    -    (4,666)   (4,666)
Cumulative translation adjustment      -    -    -    308    -    308 
Net proceeds from shares issued under the at-the-market (ATM) program  7(a)   2,278,936    1,765    -    -    -    1,765 
Stock based compensation  10   -    -    635    -    -    635 
Balance at June 30, 2020      92,488,385    139,189    10,432    (7,579)   (131,006)   11,036 
Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the period      -    -    -    -    (6,146)   (6,146)
Cumulative translation adjustment      -    -    -    179    -    179 
Net proceeds from shares issued under the at-the-market (ATM) program  7(a)   4,404,152    3,427    -    -    -    3,427 
Stock based compensation      (23,394)   (46)   423    -    -    377 
Balance at September 30, 2020      96,869,143    142,570    10,855    (7,400)   (137,152)   8,873 

 

       Common Shares                     
(thousands of US dollars except for share data) 

 

 

 

Notes

   Number    Dollar    

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

    

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

loss

    

 

 

 

Deficit

    

 

 

 

Total

 
            $    $    $    $    $ 
Balance, March 31, 2019      78,132,734    110,857    8,150    (7,135)   (100,827)   11,045 
Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the period      -    -    -    -    (8,846)   (8,846)
Cumulative translation adjustment      -    -    -    51    -    51 
Shares issued as settlement  7(b)   900,000    739    -    -    -    739 
Warrants exercised      20,000    34    -    -    -    34 
Stock based compensation      3,000    2    250    -    -    252 
Balance at June 30, 2019      79,055,734    111,632    8,400    (7,084)   (109,673)   3,275 
Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the period      -    -    -    -    (21,158)   (21,158)
Cumulative translation adjustment      -    -    -    (64)   -    (64)
Warrants exercised      6,113,195    16,706    (188)   -    -    16,518 
Stock based compensation      19,166    20    650    -    -    670 
Balance at September 30, 2019      85,188,095    128,358    8,862    (7,148)   (130,831)   (759)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim financial statements.

 

 9 

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

       Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
       

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
            (notes 13)         (notes 13) 
(thousands of US dollars)  Notes   $    $    $    $ 
                        
Cash flows used in operating activities:                       
Net loss for the period      (6,146)   (21,158)   (10,812)   (30,004)
Adjustments:                       
Amortization of intangible assets      319    482    781    963 
Depreciation of equipment      56    72    142    161 
Impairment of intangible assets      3,706    -    3,706    - 
Impairment of Equipment      1,584    -    1,584    - 
Stock-based compensation  10   401    650    1,033    900 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  6   (2,027)   14,942    (1,518)   15,874 
Write off of deferred financing costs of at-the-market (ATM) program  9   142    -    264    - 
Accretion of interest on convertible debenture      -    40    -    77 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss      (20)   64    (154)   (45)
       (1,985)   (4,908)   (4,974)   (12,074)
Changes in non-cash working capital items  11   (2,217)   (1,244)   (3,395)   (868)
Changes in other assets      24    -    24    - 
Net cash used in operating activities      (4,178)   (6,152)   (8,345)   (12,942)
                        
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:                       
Acquisition of equipment      (33)   (17)   (69)   (36)
Acquisition of short-term investments      (21)   (11)   (21)   (2,030)
Maturity of short-term investment      21    3,394    21    10,950 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities      (33)   3,366    (69)   8,884 
                        
Cash flows used in financing activities:                       
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares      under the at-the-market (ATM)  7(a)   3,435    -    5,210    - 
Deferred financing costs paid      (1)   (36)   (143)   (36)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants      -    6,619    -    6,619 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options      -    13    -    13 
Net cash provided by financing activities      3,434    6,596    5,067    6,596 
                        
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents      (31)   (101)   (151)   224 
Translations effects on cash and cash equivalents related to reporting currency      238    (190)   810    (137)
                        
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents      (570)   3,519    (2,688)   2,625 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      12,122    15,977    14,240    16,871 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period      11,552    19,496    11,552    19,496 
                        
Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of:                       
Cash      6,064    2,615    6,064    2,615 
Cash equivalents      5,488    16,881    5,488    16,881 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim financial statements.

 

 10 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

1.Nature of Operation:

 

Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Corporation”) is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Québec) (formerly Part 1A of the Companies Act (Québec)). The Corporation is domiciled in Canada and its registered office is located at 3009, boul.de la Concord Est, Laval, Québec, H7E 2B5.

 

In August 2020, the Corporation released Phase 3 clinical study results for the Corporation’s lead drug candidate, CaPre. The failure of the studies to meet the primary endpoint resulted in the Corporation making a decision not to proceed with a filing of a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

In September 2020, the Corporation has commenced a formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. Towards this end, the Corporation has engaged a financial advisor to assist in the process. There can be no assurance of a successful outcome from these efforts, or of the form or timing of any such outcome. The Corporation has greatly reduced its research and development activities including a reduction in workforce to reduce operating expenses, while it evaluates these opportunities. The Corporation’s operations are now primarily focused on evaluating these opportunities. The Corporation remains subject to a number of risks similar to other companies in the biotechnology industry, including compliance with government regulations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on third parties and product liability.

 

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

 

Adoption of U.S. GAAP:

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Comparative figures, for the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2019, which were previously presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (”IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, have been adjusted as required to be compliant with the Corporation’s accounting policies under U.S. GAAP.

 

Basis of presentation:

 

These unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Corporation’s March 31, 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, except as disclosed in Note 3 – Recent accounting pronouncements and policies, and should be read in conjunction with such statements and Notes thereto.

 

Going concern uncertainty:

 

The following summarizes the principal conditions or events relevant to the Corporation’s going concern assessment, which primarily considers the period of one year from the issuance date of these financial statements. The Corporation has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since its inception. The Corporation’s current assets of $13.7 million as at September 30, 2020 include cash and cash equivalents totaling $11.5 million. The Corporation’s current liabilities total $3.8 million at September 30, 2020 and are comprised primarily of amounts due to or accrued for creditors. The Corporations ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the issuance of the financial statements is dependent upon its ability to achieve a successful strategic alternative and ultimately generate cashflows to meet its obligations. Due to the failure of the Corporation’s Phase 3 clinical studies to meet its primary endpoints, and the resulting decision not to file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre, the Corporation has commenced a formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, which is currently the focus of the Corporation’s activities. There is no assurance that a strategic transaction will be consummated as such transaction is not within the Corporation’s control. Management plans to reduce operating expenses including workforce reductions, while they evaluate these opportunities.

 

As a result, there is a substantial doubt about the Corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Corporation will continue its operations in the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying values and classification of assets and liabilities and reported expenses that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty and that may be necessary if the going concern basis was not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements. If the Corporation was unable to continue as a going concern, material impairment of the carrying values of the Corporation’s remaining assets could be required.

 

 11 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued):

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that management may undertake in the future. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

 

Estimates and assumptions include the measurement of derivative warrant liabilities (note 6) and stock-based compensation (note 10), impairment of intangibles and assets held for sale (notes 4 and 5) and the take-or-pay contract (note 12(a)). Estimates and assumptions are also involved in measuring the accrual of services rendered with respect to research and developments expenditures at each reporting date, as well as in determining which research and development expenses qualify for investment tax credits and in what amounts. The Corporation recognizes the tax credits once it has reasonable assurance that they will be realized. Recorded tax credits are subject to review and approval by tax authorities and, therefore, could be different from the amounts recorded.

 

3.Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13-Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, the new guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2022. Management has not yet evaluated the impact of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in such cloud computing arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. Management has adopted the accounting standard update. However, the adoption of this update did not have any impact on the reported amounts as at September 30, 2020.

 

4.Impairment loss Intangible assets:

 

The Corporation tests intangible assets for impairment should circumstances change or events occur that would indicate that the fair value of an asset may be below its carrying value. During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Corporation released its Phase 3 clinical programs data and its failure to meet its primary endpoints, and the resulting decision to not file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre. In addition, a significant share price reduction occurred. Due to these indicators of impairment under ASC 350, the Corporation undertook an analysis to determine the fair value of its intangible asset this quarter.

 

In prior years, the Corporation entered into agreements with Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. (Neptune) pursuant to which the Corporation obtained a license and exercised its option under this license agreement to pay in advance all of the future royalties payable to Neptune. This license allows the Corporation to exploit the intellectual property rights in-order to develop novel active pharmaceutical ingredients into commercial products for the prescription drugs market. In assessing the magnitude of any impairment of the license the Corporation considered all available evidence including i) significant adverse impact from business climate due to Phase 3 clinical programs failure to meet its primary endpoints, and the resulting decision to not file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre, and the resulting internal forecasts that no cash flows from the use of the license was possible, and (ii) management’s estimate that a market place participant would place minimal to no value on the license if it were to be sold on its own or in combination with other assets, recognized or not, which is a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy which included unobservable inputs. Accordingly, an impairment loss of $3,706 was recognized for the three and six-months ended September 30, 2020, which represents the totality of the intangible assets net book value prior to the impairment trigger.

 

 12 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

5.Assets held for sale

 

During the period the Corporation committed to a plan and is actively marketing for sale Other assets and Equipment and has met the criteria for classification of assets held for sale:

 

    

September 30,

2020

    

March 31,

2020

 
    $    $ 
Other assets   680    668 
Equipment   367    1,910 
    1,047    2,578 

 

a.Other assets

 

Other assets represent krill oil (RKO) held by the Company that was expected to be used in the conduct of research and activities and clinical trials related to the development CaPre drug. Given the development of CaPre will no longer be pursued, the Corporation is expected to sell this reserve. However, there is uncertainty whether the other assets will be recoverable and there is a risk of loss being recorded in the near-term.

 

b.Equipment

 

September 30, 2020   Cost    

Accumulated

depreciation

    

Impairment

loss

    

Net book

value

 
    $    $         $ 
Furniture and office equipment   16    (4)   -    12 
Computer equipment   149    (28)   (54)   67 
Laboratory equipment   722    (411)   (171)   140 
Production equipment   2,472    (965)   (1,359)   148 
    3,359    (1,408)   (1,584)   367 

 

Equipment is made up of Laboratory, Production, Computer and Office equipment that was utilized in the development of CaPre. Similarly, to the intangible assets, the announcement of the failed Phase 3 clinical trials resulted in an impairment trigger for the laboratory and production equipment. The impairment loss is based on management’s estimate of the fair value of the equipment less cost to sell, which is based primarily on estimated market prices obtained from brokers specialized in selling used equipment. These projections are based on Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy and reflect the Corporations best estimate of market participants’ pricing of the assets as well as the general condition of the assets.

 

6.Derivative warrant liabilities:

 

The warrants issued as part of the public offering of units composed of Common Shares and Common Share purchase warrants on May 9, 2018 and May 14, 2018 are derivative warrant liabilities given the warrant indenture contains certain contingent provisions that allow for cash settlement.

 

Warrants issued as part of a public offering of units composed of Common Shares and Common Share purchase warrants on December 27, 2017 are derivative warrant liabilities given the currency of the exercise price is different from the Corporation’s functional currency.

 

 

 13 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

6.Derivative warrant liabilities (continued):

 

The derivative warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at each reporting period and the reconciliation of changes in fair value for the six-month periods is presented in the following tables:

 

  

Warrant liabilities issued

May 2018

  

Warrant liabilities issued

December 27, 2017

 
  

September 30,

2020

  

September 30,

2019

  

September 30,

2020

  

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Balance – beginning of period   1,146    6,177    1,247    6,005 
Exercised   -    (5,890)   -    (3,990)
Change in fair value   (680)   8,273    (838)   7,601 
Translation effect   145    38    150    17 
Balance – end of period   611    8,598    559    9,633 
                     
Fair value per share issuable  USD $0.09   USD $1.29   USD $0.08   USD $1.29 

 

The fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and based on the following assumptions:

 

  

Warrant liabilities issued

May 2018

  

Warrant liabilities issued

December 27, 2017

 
  

September 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

  

September 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

 
Exercise price  CAD $ 1.31   CAD $ 1.31   USD $1.26   USD $1.26 
Share price  CAD $ 0.27   CAD $0.53   USD $0.20   USD $ 0.38 
Risk-free interest   0.48%   0.66%   0.28%   0.37%
Estimated life (years)   2.61    3.11    2.24    2.74 
Expected volatility   137.16%   107.59%   144.33%   125.03%

 

7.Capital and other components of equity:

 

(a)“At-the-market” sales agreement:

 

On February 14, 2019, the Corporation entered into an “at-the-market” (ATM) sales agreement with B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley”) pursuant to which the Common Shares may be sold from time to time for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $30 million, with sales only being made on the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Common Shares would be issued at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale and, as a result, prices may vary between purchasers and during the period of distribution. The ATM has a 3-year term and requires the Corporation to pay between 3% and 4% commission to B. Riley based on volume of sales made. During the six-month period ended September 30, 2020, a total of 6.7 million common shares were sold for total net proceeds of approximately $5.2 million under the ATM program. Commission costs related to share sale amounted to $106. The shares were sold at the prevailing market prices, which resulted in an average price of approximately $0.81 per share. Accordingly, proportional costs of $18 related to the common shares sold, have been reclassified from deferred financings costs to equity. On June 29, 2020, the Corporation entered into an amended and restated sales agreement (the Sales Agreement) with B. Riley, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (collectively, the “Agents”) to amend the existing ATM program. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Corporation may issue and sell from time to time its common shares (the Shares) having an aggregate offering price of up to US $75,000,000 through the Agents. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Agents will use their commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares from time to time, based upon the Corporation’s instructions. The Corporation has no obligation to sell any of the Shares and may at any time suspend sales under the Sales Agreement. The Corporation and the Agents may terminate the Sales Agreement in accordance with its terms. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Corporation has provided the Agents with customary indemnification rights and the Agents will be entitled to compensation, at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of the Shares. Costs incurred to register the Sales Agreement amounted to $130 and were initially recorded as deferred financing costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Accordingly, the remaining balance of the costs incurred during February 2019 for an amount of $122 were written off to financing expenses. Subsequently, as a result of the operational events affecting the Corporation, it is not intended that the ATM will be utilized in the coming period, resulting in all remaining deferred financing costs of $142 being written off to financial expenses.

 

 14 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

7.Capital and other components of equity (continued):

  

(b)Shares issued as settlement:

 

On May 10, 2019, the Corporation announced the settlement regarding legal claims made by its former chief executive (“CEO”) officer with respect to the termination of his employment. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Corporation agreed to issue 900,000 common shares at $0.82 (CAD $1.10) per share to the former CEO. In addition, the Corporation agreed to reimburse the former CEO for legal fees of $48 (CAD $64.) Furthermore, pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Corporation received a full and final release from the former CEO on all procedures in connection with the termination of his employment. This settlement was accrued as a short-term liability as at March 31, 2019 and the expense of $786 (CAD $1,054) was included as part of General and administrative expenses. During May 2019, the shares were issued and the liability of $739 (CAD $990) reclassified as Equity.

 

(c)Warrants:

 

The warrants of the Corporation are composed of the following as at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020:

 

    September 30, 2020    March 31, 2020 
    

Number

outstanding

    

 

Amount

    

Number

outstanding

    

 

Amount

 
         $         $ 
Liability                    
May 2018 public offering warrants 2018 (i)   6,593,750    611    6,593,750    1,146 
Series December 2017 U.S. public offering warrants 2017 (ii)   7,072,962    559    7,072,962    1,247 
    13,666,712    1,170    13,666,712    2,393 
                     
Equity                    
Public offering warrants                    
Public offering Broker warrants May 2018(iii)   222,976    89    222,976    89 
Series December 2017 US Broker warrants (iv)   259,121    161    259,121    161 
Public offering warrants February 2017 (v)   1,723,934    631    1,723,934    631 
    2,206,031    881    2,206,031    881 

 

(i)Warrant to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of CAD $1.31, expiring on May 9, 2023.
(ii)Warrant to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.26, expiring on December 27, 2022.
(iii)Warrant to acquire one Common Share o at an exercise price of CAD $1.05, expiring on May 9, 2023.
(iv)Warrant to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.2625, expiring on December 19, 2022.
(v)Warrant to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of CAD $2.15, expiring on February 21, 2022.

 

8.Government assistance:

 

Government assistance is comprised of a government grant from the Canadian federal government and research and development investment tax credits receivable from the Quebec provincial government, which relate to qualifiable research and development expenditures under the applicable tax laws. The amounts recorded as receivables are subject to a government tax audit and the final amounts received may differ from those recorded. For the six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Corporation recorded $84 and $75, respectively, as a reduction of research and development expenses in the Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.

 

In September 2019, the Corporation was awarded up to CAD $750,000 in non-dilutive and non-repayable funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to apply towards eligible research and development disbursements of the Corporation’s unique commercial production platform for CaPre. During the six-month period ended September 30, 2020 the Corporation claimed $79 in connection with this program, which has been recorded as a reduction of research and development expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.

 

In October 2020, the Corporation received correspondence from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) that the eligible amount awarded to the Corporation for non-dilutive and non-repayable funding was reduced from up to CAD $750,000 to up to CAD $326,357.

 

 

 15 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

9.Financial Income (expenses):

 

    Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Foreign exchange gain (loss)   (12)   (16)   50    40 
Interest payable on convertible debenture   -    (30)   -    (60)
Accretion of interest on convertible debenture   -    (40)   -    (77)
Write off of deferred financing fees related to at-the-market (ATM) program   (142)   -    (264)   - 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities   2,027    (14,942)   1,518    (15,874)
Interest income   15    125    39    228 
                     
Financial income (expenses)   1,888    (14,903)   1,343    (15,743)

 

10.Stock based compensation:

 

At September 30, 2020 the Corporation has in place a stock option plan for directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation (“Stock Option Plan”). An amendment of the Plan was approved by shareholders on September 30, 2020. The amendment provides for an increase to the existing limits for Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan as well as certain changes to the minimum vesting period applicable to options granted to directors under the Stock Option Plan. The stock option plan continues to provide for the granting of options to purchase Common Shares. The exercise price of the stock options granted under this amended plan is not lower than the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSXV at the close of markets the day preceding the grant. The maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued upon exercise of options granted under the amended Stock Option Plan was increased from 11,719.910 representing 15% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company as of April 9, 2019, to 14,533,881 representing 15% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company as of August 26, 2020. The terms and conditions for acquiring and exercising options are set by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, subject among others, to the following limitations: the term of the options cannot exceed ten years and (i) all options granted to a director will be vested evenly on a monthly basis over a period of at least twelve (12) months, and (ii) all options granted to an employee will be vested evenly on a quarterly basis over a period of at least thirty-six (36) months.

 

The total number of shares issued to any one consultant within any twelve-month period cannot exceed 2% of the Corporation’s total issued and outstanding shares (on a non-diluted basis). The Corporation is not authorized to grant within any twelve-month period such number of options under the stock option plan that could result in a number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to options granted to (a) related persons exceeding 2% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a non-diluted basis) on the date an option is granted, or (b) any one eligible person in a twelve-month period exceeding 2% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a non-diluted basis) on the date an option is granted.

 

The following table summarizes information about activities within the stock option plan for the six-month periods ended:

 

    September 30, 2020    September 30, 2019 
    

Weighted average

exercise price

    

Number of

options

    

Weighted average

exercise price

    

Number of

options

 
    CAD $         CAD $      
Outstanding at beginning of period   1.00    9,936,486    1.25    4,046,677 
Granted   -    -    1.29    2,154,517 
Exercised   -    -    0.77    (22,166)
Forfeited   0.68    (359,000)   0.77    (1000)
Outstanding at end of period   1.01    9,577,486    1.27    6,178,028 
                     
Exercisable at end of period   1.21    4,848,149    1.46    2,567,349 

 

No stock options were granted during the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020.

 

 16 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

10.Stock based compensation (continued):

 

Compensation expense recognized under the stock option plan for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

    Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Research and development expenses   105    142    246    220 
General and administrative expenses   184    426    532    574 
Sales and marketing expenses   112    82    255    106 
    401    650    1,033    900 

 

Stock-based compensation payment transactions and broker warrants:

 

The fair value of stock-based compensation transactions is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Measurement inputs include share price on measurement date, exercise price of the instrument, expected volatility (based on weighted average historic volatility for a duration equal to the weighted average life of the instruments, life based on the average of the vesting and contractual periods for employee awards as minimal prior exercises of options in which to establish historical exercise experience; contractual life for broker warrants), and the risk-free interest rate (based on government bonds). Service and performance conditions attached to the transactions, if any, are not taken into account in determining fair value. The expected life of the stock options is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility over a period similar to the life of the options is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.

 

11.Supplemental cash flow disclosure:

 

(a)Changes in non-cash operating items:

 

    Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Receivables   (119)   427    (47)   227 
Prepaid expenses   250    185    544    556 
Unpaid fixed assets   -    (17)   -    - 
Trade and other payables   (2,348)   (1,839)   (3,892)   (1,651)
    (2,217)   (1,244)   (3,395)   (868)

 

(b)Non-cash transactions:

 

    Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Equipment included in trade and other payables   -    219    -    219 
Shares issued as settlement   -    -    -    680 
Fair value of derivative warrants liability reclassified to Equity   -    9,890         9,904 
Interest payable included in trade and other payables   -    30    -    30 

 

 

 17 

 

 

Acasti Pharma inc.

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

12.Commitments and contingencies:

 

(a)Take or pay contract:

 

On October 25, 2019, the Corporation signed a supply agreement with Aker Biomarine Antartic AS (“Aker”), to purchase raw krill oil product for a committed volume of commercial starting material for CaPre for a total value of $3.1M million (take or pay). The delivery of the products has been established following a calendar year basis and it must be completed in the 4th calendar quarter of 2021. As at September 30, 2020, the remaining balance of the commitment with Aker amounts to $2.8 million. There are no termination provisions within the supply agreement. Management is currently assessing whether they can recover any value from the raw krill oil product and given the uncertainty of recoverability, there is a risk that the Corporation may have a significant loss on this contract in the near term.

 

(b)Success fees

 

On September 23, 2020 the Corporation engaged Oppenheimer & Co., Inc,. as its financial advisor to assist in the formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. This arrangement includes fees to be paid by the Corporation based on the success of a strategic outcome.

 

13.Comparative figures

 

Certain comparative figures in the six and three-month period ended September 30, 2019, have been adjusted, in order to conform to US GAAP. Adjustments included certain reclassifications within equity for certain warrants, the recognition of deferred tax on legacy transfers of license from Neptune that were subject to an initial recognition exemption under IFRS and different classifications within the statement of cash flows for treatment of interest expense and income.

 

14.Subsequent events:

 

In October 2020, the Corporation communicated the decision to terminate certain employees identified as part of the reduction in work force activities, which $329 of severances will be paid.

 

In addition, in October 2020 in connection with its strategic review process, the Corporation entered into retention incentive agreements with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

 

The Retention Agreements provide that the Corporation will pay the CEO an employment retention incentive of $100 provided that the CEO remains employed with the Company until the earlier of April 30, 2021 or the closing of a merger or like transaction with a third party.

 

In addition, the Retention Agreements also provide that the Corporation will pay each of the CEO and COO an amount of up to $125 in the event that certain milestones are met in relation to the monetization by the Corporation of its assets relating to the Corporation’s drug candidate, CaPre.

 

 

 

 18 

 

 

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

 

This management’s discussion and analysis, or MD&A, is presented in order to provide the reader with an overview of the financial results and changes to our balance sheet as at September 30, 2020 and for the three and six-month periods then ended. This MD&A explains the material variations in our results of operations, balance sheet and cash flows for the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Market data, and certain industry data and forecasts included in this MD&A, were obtained from internal corporation surveys and market research and those conducted by third parties hired by us, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry publications, and independent third party surveys. We have relied upon industry publications as our primary sources for third-party industry data and forecasts. Industry surveys, publications and forecasts generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of that information is not guaranteed. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources or the underlying economic assumptions they have made. Similarly, internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research, which we believe to be reliable based upon our management’s or contracted third parties’ knowledge of our industry, have not been independently verified. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties, including assumptions that may prove not to be accurate, and these estimates and certain industry data are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K.

 

This MD&A, approved by the Board of Directors on November 16, 2020, should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 included in this quarterly report. Our interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the United States, or GAAP. Up to and including the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The comparative information in our financial statements for the three and six-months ended September 30, 2019, has been adjusted, as necessary, to be compliant with our accounting policies under GAAP. Our financial results are now published in United States dollars. Effective March 31, 2020, the reporting currency used in the consolidated financial statements has changed from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. This change in reporting currency has been applied in the interim financial statements retrospectively such that all amounts expressed in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto are in U.S. dollars.

 

All amounts appearing in this MD&A for the period by period discussions are in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts or unless otherwise indicated.

 

Business Overview

 

We are a biopharmaceutical innovator that has historically focused on the research, development and commercialization of prescription drugs using OM3 fatty acids delivered both as free fatty acids and bound-to-phospholipid esters, derived from krill oil. OM3 fatty acids have extensive clinical evidence of safety and efficacy in lowering triglycerides in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, or HTG. Our lead product candidate is CaPre, an OM3 phospholipid therapeutic. As a result of disappointing results from our two phase 3 trials, the Company has determined that the best way forward for our shareholders is to consider its strategic options including; the sale of the business; or other strategic transactions. Please refer to our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and our last quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a historical description of our business.

 

 19 

 

 

Recent Developments

 

TRILOGY 1 & 2 Topline Results

 

Our two Phase 3 clinical trials, designated as TRILOGY 1 &2 randomized a total of 242 and 278 patients respectively, and were designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CaPre in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. The top-line results were announced on January 13, 2020 and August 31, 2020 respectively, and neither TRILOGY 1 nor TRILOGY 2 reached statistical significance, and therefore did not meet their primary endpoint for lowering triglycerides.

 

As a result, we will not file a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, and we do not plan to conduct additional clinical trials for CaPre. CaPre was well tolerated in TRILOGY 2, with a safety profile similar to placebo, and consistent with the Company’s previously conducted Phase 2 and 3 studies. 

 

Engaged Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. to Assist in Strategic Review

 

On September 29, 2020 we announced that we had commenced a formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. Towards this end, we have engaged Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., as our financial advisor to assist in the process. There can be no assurance of a successful outcome from these efforts, or of the form or timing of any such outcome. We expect to devote significant time and resources to identifying and evaluating strategic alternatives, however, there can be no assurance that such activities will result in any agreements or transactions that will enhance shareholder value. We do not intend to make any further disclosures regarding the strategic review process unless and until a specific course of action is approved by our Board of Directors.

 

Reduction in Headcount and Discontinuation of Substantially all Commercial and R&D Activities

 

In September 2020 we initiated a plan to reduce personnel and expenses to preserve cash and further reduce our operations consistent with the decision to discontinue substantially all commercialization and research and development activities.

 

Retention Agreements

 

In connection with our strategic review process and upon the recommendation of our Governance and Human Resources Committee, in October 2020 we entered into retention incentive agreements with Ms. Jan D’Alvise, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Pierre Lemieux, our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientific Officer (the “Retention Agreements”).

 

The Retention Agreements provide that we will pay Ms. D’Alvise an employment retention incentive of US $100,000 provided that she remains employed with the Company until the earlier of April 30, 2021 or the closing of a merger or like transaction with a third party. This amount is also payable by the Company to Ms. D’Alvise in the event of the termination of her employment without cause prior to the achievement of such milestones.

 

In addition, the Retention Agreements also provide that we will pay each of Ms. D’Alvise and Mr. Lemieux an amount of up to US $125,000 in the event that certain milestones are met in relation to the monetization by the Company of its assets relating to CaPre. A minimum amount of US $75,000 is also payable by the Company to each of Ms. D’Alvise and Mr. Lemieux in the event of the termination of their employment without cause prior to the achievement of such milestones.

 

We also announce the upcoming departure of Mr. Brian Groch, our Chief Commercial Officer, from his position with the Company effective December 31, 2020, until which date he is continuing in his role with Acasti.

 

COVID-19 Update

 

To date, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not caused significant disruptions to our business operations and research and development activities. However, in light of our intended evaluation of strategic alternatives, a continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resulting volatility generally in the capital markets could adversely impact the outcome of our strategic process.

 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business and prospects will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact, among others.

 

 20 

 

 

Basis of Presentation of the Financial Statements

 

Our consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiary, Acasti Innovations AG, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, related to interim reports filed on Form 10-Q. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

 

Going Concern Uncertainty

 

The following summarizes the principal conditions or events relevant to our going concern assessment, which primarily considers the period of one year from the issuance date of our consolidated financial statements. We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. Our current assets of $13.7 million as at September 30, 2020 include cash and cash equivalents totaling $11.5 million. Our current liabilities total $3.7 million at September 30, 2020 and are comprised primarily of amounts due to or accrued for creditors. Our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the issuance of the financial statements is dependent upon our ability to achieve a successful strategic alternative and ultimately generate cashflows to meet our obligations. Due to the failure of our TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical studies to meet the primary endpoints, and the resulting decision not to file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre, we have commenced a formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, which is currently the focus of the Corporation’s activities. There is no assurance that a strategic transaction will be consummated as such transaction is not within the Corporation’s control. Management plans to reduce operating expenses including workforce reductions, while they evaluate these opportunities.

 

As a result, there is a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes we will continue our operations in the foreseeable future and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying values and classification of assets and liabilities and reported expenses that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty, and that may be necessary if the going concern basis was not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements. If we were unable to continue as a going concern, material impairment of the carrying values of our remaining assets could be required.

 

Comparative Financial Information for the Three-Month and Six-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

    Three-month periods ended    Six-Month periods ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Net loss   (6,146)   (21,158)   (10,812)   (30,004)
Basic and diluted gain (loss) per share   (0.06)   (0.25)   (0.11)   (0.37)
Total assets   13,882    29,083    13,832    29,083 
Working capital1   9,962    9,362    9,962    9,362 
Total non-current financial liabilities   1,208    18,231    1,208    18,231 
Total shareholders’ equity   8,873    (759)   8,873    (759)

 

1 Working capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets. Because there is no standard method endorsed by GAAP requirements, the results may not be comparable to similar measurements presented by other public companies.

 

 

 21 

 

 

Statement of Net Loss

 

    Three-month periods ended    Six-month periods ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Research and development expenses   (1,286)   (3,954)   (3,042)   (10,144)
General and administrative expenses   (1,324)   (1,555)   (2,973)   (2,671)
Sales and marketing expenses   (134)   (746)   (850)   (1,446)
Impairment of Intangible assets   (3,706)   -    (3,706)   - 
Impairment of Equipment   (1,584)   -    (1,584)   - 
                     
Financial Income (expenses)   1,888    (14,903)   1,343    (15,743)
Net loss   (6,146)   (21,158)   (10,812)   (30,004)

  

Results of Operations for the Three-Month and Six-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

The net loss of $6,146 or $0.06 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2020 decreased by $15,012 from the net loss $21,158 or $0.25 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

The reduction in net loss, resulted primarily from net financial expenses decreasing to a gain of $1,888 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to net financial expenses of $14,903 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This is due mostly to a decreased impact from the change in fair value of the derivative warrant liability as compared to the comparative fiscal quarter in 2019, caused by a proportionately higher decrease in the quarter over quarter closing share price partly offset by a reduction in the number of warrants outstanding due to exercises during the prior year.

 

In addition, a decrease in research and development expenses of $2,668 occurred as the TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program for CaPre was winding down. General and administrative expenses decreased from the prior period, with the current period being impacted by higher legal and professional fees offset by the reversal of annual bonus accruals. Sales and marketing expenses also decreased, as a result of the termination of CaPre commercialization activities due to the negative TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical trial results.

 

Furthermore, operational events for the TRILOGY clinical trials resulted in impairment triggers and an increased loss due to impairment of equipment and intangible assets amounting to $5,290.

 

The net loss of $10,812 or $0.11 per share for the six months ended September 30, 2020 decreased by $19,192 from the net loss $30,004 or $0.37 per share for the six months ended September 30, 2019.

 

The decreased net loss resulted primarily from a net financial income of $1,343 for the six months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to net financial expenses of $15,743 for the six months ended September 30, 2019, due mostly to the change in fair value of the warrant derivative liability. In addition, a decrease in research and development expenses of $7,102 occurred as the TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program for CaPre was winding down.

 

General and administrative expenses increased from the comparative period due to increased legal fees offset by the reversal of annual bonus accruals. Sales and marketing expenses also decreased by $596, as a result of the termination of any CaPre commercialization activities due to the negative TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical trial results.

 

Furthermore, operational events related to the TRILOGY results resulted in increased loss related to the impairment of equipment and intangible assets amounting to $5,290.

 

Two separate derivative warrant liabilities are included in the statement of financial position as at September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019. These derivative warrant liabilities stem from the financing transactions that took place in May 2018 and December 2017. The derivative warrant liabilities are re-measured to fair value at each reporting date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The valuations are mainly driven by the fluctuation in our share price resulting in an increased or decreased loss or gain related to the change in fair value of the warrant liabilities and increasing or decreasing the corresponding liability in the balance sheet.

 

 22 

 

 

Breakdown of Major Components of the Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

 

Research and development expenses                    
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Salaries and benefits   286    423    720    834 
Research contracts   275    2,493    774    7,471 
Professional fees   201    241    355    405 
Other   55    100    114    163 
Government grants & tax credits   (7)   -    (83)   (73)
Sub-total   810    3,257    1,880    8,800 
Stock-based compensation   105    142    246    220 
Depreciation and amortization   371    555    916    1,124 
Total   1,286    3,954    3,042    10,144 

 

General and administrative expenses            
    Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Salaries and benefits   135    363    493    718 
Professional fees   753    478    1,455    844 
Other   247    288    486    535 
Sub-total   1,135    1,129    2,434    2,097 
Stock-based compensation   184    426    532    574 
Depreciation   5    -    7    - 
Total   1,324    1,555    2,973    2,671 

 

Sales and Marketing Expenses            
    Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended 
    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Salaries and benefits   112    263    502    452 
Professional fees   (23)   186    75    553 
Other   (67)   215    18    335 
Sub-total   22    664    595    1,340 
Stock-based compensation   112    82    255    106 
Total   134    746    850    1,446 

 

Three-Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to the Three-Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we released our TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical study results for our product in development, CaPre. TRILOGY 2 failed to meet the primary endpoint, and consequently we will not be filing a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We have significantly reduced our research and development and marketing activities to reduce operating expenses, while we continue to evaluate a range of strategic opportunities. As a result, research and development expenses before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $810 compared to $3,257 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The net decrease was mainly attributable to a reduction in research contracts with the reduction in R&D activities.

 

 23 

 

 

General and administrative expenses totaled $1,135 before depreciation and stock-based compensation expense for the three-months ended September 30, 2020 and increased by $6 from $1,129 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This increase is mostly a result of a $273 increase related to legal fees offset by a decrease of $227 related to salaries, due to a reversal of bonus accruals.

 

Sales and marketing expenses were $22 before stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $664 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was mostly due to a reduction in professional fees as a result of an end to planned pre-launch marketing activities for CaPre.

 

Stock-based compensation expense decreased to $401 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $650 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in expense of $249 is due to forfeited options as well as the fact that no options have been granted in the current period.

 

The depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $179 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $555 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. This is due to the impact of the decreased values of intangibles and Equipment.

 

Six-Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to the Six-Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we released our TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical study results for our lead product in development, CaPre. TRILOGY 2 failed to meet the primary endpoint, and consequently we will not be filing a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We have significantly reduced our research and development and marketing activities to reduce operating expenses, while we continue to evaluate a range of strategic opportunities. As a result, research and development expenses before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense for the six-months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $1,880 compared to $8,800 for the six-months ended September 30, 2019. The net decrease was mainly attributable to a reduction in R&D activities primarily for clinical research and regulatory contracts.

 

General and administrative expenses totaled $2,434 before depreciation and stock-based compensation expense for the six-months ended September 30, 2020 and increased by $337 from $2,097 for the six-months ended September 30, 2019. This increase was mainly attributable to a $183 increase associated with our insurance policies, as well as an increase of $385 in corporate and legal fees, which was offset by a $225 decrease in salaries related to a reversal in bonus amounts accrued.

 

Sales and marketing expenses were $595 before stock-based compensation expense for the six-months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $1,340 for the six-months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was mostly due to a reduction in professional fees, due to the termination of planned pre-launch marketing activities for CaPre.

 

Stock-based compensation expense increased to $1,033 for the six-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $900 for the six-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in expense of $133 is the result of 6.1 million stock options granted to existing and new employees and directors during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, partially offset by stock options forfeited.

 

The depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $201 for the six-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $1,124 for the six-month period ended September 30, 2019. This is due to the impact of the decreased values of intangibles and equipment.

 

 

 24 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Share Capital Structure

 

Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E shares, without par value. Issued and outstanding fully paid shares, stock options, restricted shares units and warrants, were as follows for the periods ended:

 

    

September 30,

2020

Number outstanding

    

March 31,

2020

Number outstanding

 
Class A shares, voting, participating and without par value   96,869,143    90,209,449 
Stock options granted and outstanding   9,577,486    9,936,486 
May 2018 public offering of warrants exercisable at CAD$1.31, until May 9, 2023   6,593,750    6,593,750 
Public offering broker warrants May 2018 exercisable at CAD$1.05 until May 9, 2023   222,976    222,976 
December 2017 U.S. public offering of warrants exercisable at US$1.26, until December 19, 2022   7,072,962    7,072,962 
December 2017 U.S. broker warrants exercisable at US$1.2625, until December 27, 2022   259,121    259,121 
February 2017 public offering of warrants exercisable at CAD$2.15, until February 21, 2022   1,723,934    1,723,934 
           
Total fully diluted shares   122,319,372    116,018,678 

 

Cash Flows and Financial Condition Between the Three and six-Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Summary

 

As at September 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents totaled $11,552, a net decrease of $7,944 compared to cash and cash equivalents totaling $19,496 at September 30, 2019.

 

Operating activities

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Corporation’s operating activities used cash of $4,178 and $6,152, respectively, and during the six-months periods ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Corporation’s operating activities used cash of $8,345 and $12,942, respectively further modified by changes in working capital, excluding cash.

 

Investing activities

 

During the three-months ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation’s investing activities used cash of $33, compared to providing cash of $3,366 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The reduction in cash provided of $3,399 is due to the decrease in marketable securities held and invested.

 

During the six-months ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation’s investing activities used cash of $69, compared to providing cash of $8,884 for the six-months ended September 30, 2019. The reduction in cash provided of $8,953 is due to the decrease in marketable securities held and invested.

 

Financing activities

 

During the three-months ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation’s financing activities provided cash totaling $3,434 due to proceeds from the sale of shares under the “at-the-market”, or ATM, program, compared to cash generated of $6,619 due to exercise of warrants during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

 25 

 

 

During the six-months ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation’s financing activities provided cash totaling $5,067 due to proceeds from the sale of shares under the “at-the-market”, or ATM, program, compared to cash generated of $6,619 due to exercise of warrants during the six months ended September 30, 2019.

 

On June 29, 2020, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register up to US$200 million of common shares, warrants and units that may be offered and sold by us from time to time. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on July 7, 2020.

 

ATM program

 

On February 14, 2019, we entered into an ATM sales agreement with B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley”) pursuant to which our common shares may be sold from time to time for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $30 million, with sales only being made on the NASDAQ Stock Market. The common shares would be issued at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale and, as a result, prices may vary between purchasers and during the period of distribution. The ATM program has a 3-year term and requires us to pay between 3% and 4% commission to B. Riley based on volume of sales made.

 

On June 29, 2020, we entered into an amended and restated sales agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with B. Riley, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or collectively the Agents, to amend the existing ATM program. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may issue and sell from time to time common shares, having an aggregate offering price of up to $75 million through the Agents.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Agents will use their commercially reasonable efforts to sell the common shares from time to time, based upon our instructions. We have no obligation to sell any of the common shares and may at any time suspend sales under the Sales Agreement or terminate the Sales Agreement in accordance with its terms. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we provided the Agents with customary indemnification rights and the Agents will be entitled to compensation, at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of common shares. Further, the ATM may be cancelled by the Agents at their sole discretion at any time with 5 days’ notice.

 

During the six-month period ended September 30, 2020, a total of 6.7 million common shares were sold for total net proceeds of approximately $5.2 million under the ATM program. The shares were sold at the prevailing market prices, which resulted in an average price of approximately $0.81 per share. Accordingly, proportional costs of $18 related to the common shares sold have been reclassified from deferred financings costs to equity.

 

As a result of the failure of the Trilogy trials to reach their endpoints and the decision not to pursue its application with the FDA, and the consequent drop in share price, we have determined that further use of the facility is not appropriate. Costs incurred to register the Sales Agreement amounted to $130 and were initially recorded as deferred financing costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Accordingly, the remaining balance of the costs incurred during February 2019 for an amount of $122 were written off to financing expenses. Subsequently, all remaining deferred financing costs of $142 were written off to financial expenses.

 

 

 26 

 

 

Financial Position

 

The following table details the significant changes to the statements of financial position as at September 30, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year end at March 31, 2020:

 

Accounts   Increase
(Decrease) $
  Comments
Cash and cash equivalents   (2,688)   See cash flow statement
Receivables   47   Timing of reimbursement of sales taxes
Deferred financing costs   (121)   New costs, net of write off
Prepaid expenses   (544)   Expensing of insurance and other prepaid expenses
Equipment   (1,543)   Amortization & Impairment
Right of use asset   (28)   Adjustment to the net present value of lease contract for Sherbrooke
Intangible assets   (4,244)   Amortization & Impairment
Trade and other payables   (3,649)   Timing of payments net of accruals
Derivative warrant liabilities   (1,223)   Change in fair value of derivative warrants
Lease liability   (28)   Payment of lease liability

 

See the statement of changes in equity in our financial statements for details of changes to the equity accounts during the three and six-months periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Treasury Operations

 

Our treasury policy is to invest cash that is not required immediately, into instruments with an investment strategy based on capital preservation. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are primarily made in guaranteed investment certificates, term deposits and high-interest savings accounts, which are issued and held with Canadian chartered banks, highly rated promissory notes issued by government bodies and commercial paper. We hold cash denominated in both U.S. and CAD dollars. Funds received in U.S. dollars from equity financings are invested as per our treasury policy in U.S. dollar investments and converted to CAD dollars as needed to fulfill operational requirements and funding. 

 

Impairment loss Intangible assets:

 

We test intangible assets for impairment should circumstances change or events occur that would indicate that the fair value of an asset may be below its carrying value. During the second quarter of 2021, we released our Phase 3 clinical programs data and its failure to meet its primary endpoints, and the resulting decision to not file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre. Due to these indicators of impairment under ASC 350. The Corporation undertook an analysis to determine the fair value of its intangible asset this quarter.

 

In prior years, we entered into agreements with Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. (Neptune) pursuant to which the we obtained a license and exercised their option under this license agreement to pay in advance all of the future royalties payable to Neptune. This license allows us to exploit the intellectual property rights in-order to develop novel active pharmaceutical ingredients into commercial products for the prescription drugs market. In assessing the magnitude of any impairment of the license we considered all available evidence including i) significant adverse impact from business climate due to Phase 3 clinical programs failure to meet its primary endpoints, and the resulting decision to not file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre, and the resulting internal forecasts that no cash flows from the use of the license was possible, and (ii) management’s estimate that a market place participant would place minimal to no value on the license if it were to be sold on its own or in combination with other assets, recognized or not, which is a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy which included unobservable inputs. Accordingly, an impairment loss of $3,706 was recognized for the three and six-months ended September 30, 2020, which represents the totality of the intangible assets net book value prior to the impairment trigger.

 

 27 

 

 

Assets held for sale

 

During the period we committed to a plan and are actively marketing for sale, Other assets and Equipment, which have met the criteria for classification of assets held for sale:

 

    

September 30,

2020

    

March 31,

2020

 
    $    $ 
Other assets   680    668 
Equipment   367    1,910 
    1,047    2,578 

 

Other assets

 

Other assets represent krill oil (RKO) held that was expected to be used in the conduct of research and activities and clinical trials related to the development CaPre drug. Given the development of CaPre will no longer be pursued, we expect to sell this reserve. However, there is uncertainty whether the other assets will be recoverable and there is a risk of loss being recorded in the near-term.

 

Equipment

 

September 30, 2020   Cost    Accumulated depreciation    Impairment loss    Net book value 
    $    $         $ 
Furniture and office equipment   16    (4)   -    12 
Computer equipment   149    (28)   (54)   67 
Laboratory equipment   722    (411)   (171)   140 
Production equipment   2,472    (965)   (1,359)   148 
    3,359    (1,408)   (1,584)   367 

 

Equipment is made up of Laboratory, Production, Computer and Office equipment that was utilized in the development of CaPre. Similarly, to the intangible assets, the announcement of the failed Phase 3 clinical trials resulted in an impairment trigger for the laboratory and production equipment. The impairment loss is based on management’s estimate of the fair value of the equipment less cost to sell, which is based primarily on estimated market prices obtained from brokers specialized in selling used equipment. These projections are based on Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy and reflect the Corporations best estimate of market participants’ pricing of the assets as well as the general condition of the assets.

 

Derivative Warrant Liabilities

 

A total of 10,188,100 warrants were issued as part of our May 2018 public offering in Canada and recognized as derivative warrant liabilities with a fair value at inception of $3,323. During the year ended March 31, 2020, a total of 3,594,350 warrants were exercised. As of September 30, 2020, the derivative warrant liability for the remaining 6,593,750 warrants totaled $611, which represents the fair value of these warrants as at September 30, 2020. The weighted average fair value of the warrants issued in the May 2018 public offering in Canada was determined to be CAD $0.39 per warrant at inception and approximately CAD $0.12 (US $0.09) per warrant as at September 30, 2020. 

 

On December 27, 2017, 9,801,861 warrants were issued as part of our U.S. public offering and recognized as derivative warrant liabilities with a fair value at inception of $4,548. The December 2017 warrants are derivative warrant liabilities for accounting purposes due to the currency of the exercise price (US$) being different from our Canadian dollar functional currency. During the year ended March 31, 2020, 2,728,899 warrants were exercised (including 52,288 warrants exercised on a cashless basis). As of September 30, 2020, the derivative warrant liability for the remaining 7,072,962 warrants totaled $559, which represents the fair value of these warrants as at September 30, 2020. The weighted average fair value of the 2017 warrants issued was determined to be CAD $0.60 per warrant at inception and approximately CAD $0.11 (US $0.08) per warrant as at September 30, 2020.

 

 28 

 

 

The variance in the fair value of both existing derivative warrant liabilities as at September 30, 2020 is mostly due to the fluctuations in our share price and the dilution factor.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments 

 

As at September 30, 2020, our liabilities totaled $4,959, of which $3,751 was due within 1 year, and $1,170 related to derivative warrant liabilities that are expected to be settled in common shares.

 

A summary of the contractual obligations at September 30, 2020, is as follows:

 

Contractual Obligations   Total    Less than
1 year
    1 to 3 years    

More than

3 years

 
    $    $    $    $ 
Trade and other payables   3,670    3,670    -    - 
Operating lease obligations   119    81    38    - 
RKO supply agreement   2,800    2,800    -    - 
                     
Total   6,589    6,551    38    - 

 

Lease

 

On March 5, 2020, we renewed the lease agreement for our research and development and quality control laboratory facility located in Sherbrooke, Québec, resulting in an obligation of $160 over 24 months of the lease term. As at September 30, 2020, the remaining balance of the commitment amounted to $119.

 

RKO supply agreement

 

On October 25, 2019, we signed a supply agreement with Aker, to purchase RKO for a committed volume of commercial starting material for CaPre at a fixed price for a total value of $3.1 million (take or pay). The delivery of the RKO has been established following a calendar year basis and it is expected to be completed in the 4th calendar quarter of 2021. As at September 30, 2020, the remaining balance of the commitment with Aker amounts to $2.8 million. There are no termination provisions within the supply agreement. We are currently assessing whether we can recover any value from the raw krill oil product and given the uncertainty of recoverability, there is a risk that we may have a significant loss on this contract in the near term.

 

Financial advisor agreement

 

On September 23, 2020 we engaged Oppenheimer & Co., Inc,. as our financial advisor to assist in the formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. This arrangement includes fees to be paid on the success of a strategic outcome.

 

Contingencies

 

We evaluate contingencies on an ongoing basis and establish loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

On May 10, 2019, we announced the settlement regarding legal claims made by our former chief executive officer with respect to the termination of his employment. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we agreed to issue 900,000 common shares valued at CAD$1.10 per share to our former CEO. In addition, we agreed to reimburse the former CEO for legal fees of $48. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we received a full and final release from the former CEO on all procedures in connection with the termination of his employment. This settlement was accrued as a short-term liability as at March 31, 2019 and the expense of $790 was included as part of general and administrative expenses. The case is closed, and no further costs are expected.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of the date of this quarterly report, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

 

Use of estimates and measurement of uncertainty

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that management may undertake in the future. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

 

Estimates and assumptions include the measurement of derivative warrant liabilities, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangibles, assets held for sale and the take or pay contract. Estimates and assumptions are also involved in measuring the accrual of services rendered with respect to research and developments expenditures at each reporting date, are determining which research and development expenses qualify for research and development tax credits and in what amounts. We recognize the tax credits once it has reasonable assurance that they will be realized. Recorded tax credits are subject to review and approval by tax authorities and, therefore, could be different from the amounts recorded. Estimates and assumptions are also utilized in the assessment of impairment of deferred financing costs, equipment and intangibles.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Derivative warrant liabilities

 

The warrants forming part of the units issued in the May 2018 Canadian public offering are derivative liabilities for accounting purposes given the fact that the warrant indenture contains certain contingent provisions that allow for cash settlement. The warrants forming part of the units issued from the December 2017 U.S. public offering are derivative liabilities for accounting purposes due to the currency of the exercise price being different from our functional currency. The derivative warrant liabilities are required to be measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. We use the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value. The model requires the assumption of future stock price volatility, which is estimated based on weighted average historic volatility. Changes to the expected volatility could cause significant variations in the estimated fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

We have a stock-based compensation plan, which is described in note 15 of the annual consolidated financial statements and note 9 to the interim financial statements. We account for stock options granted to employees based on the fair value method, with fair value determined using the Black-Scholes model. The Black Scholes model requires certain assumptions such as future stock price volatility and expected life of the instrument. Expected volatility is estimated based on weighted average historic volatility. The expected life of the instrument is estimated based on the average of the vesting and contractual periods for employee awards as there is minimal prior exercises of options in which to establish historical exercise experience; and contractual life is used for broker warrants. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at fair value at date of grant and is expensed over the award’s vesting period with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital. For stock options granted to non-employees, we measure the grant-date fair value based on the equity instruments issued. Compensation cost is measured when we obtain the goods, or the counterparty renders the service.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We review the recoverability of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount is first compared with the undiscounted cash flows. If the carrying amount is higher than the sum of undiscounted cash flows, then we determine the fair value of the underlying asset group. Any impairment loss to be recognized is measured as the difference by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset group.

 

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Financial Instruments

 

Credit risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of a loss if a customer or counterparty to a financial asset fails to meet its contractual obligations. We have credit risk relating to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which we manage by dealing only with highly rated Canadian financial institutions. The carrying amount of financial assets, as disclosed in the statements of financial position, represents our credit exposure at the reporting date.

  

Currency risk

 

We are exposed to the financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates and the degrees of volatility of those rates. Foreign currency risk is limited to the portion of our business transactions denominated in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. Fluctuations related to foreign exchange rates could cause unforeseen fluctuations in our operating results.

 

A portion of the expenses, mainly related to research contracts and purchase of production equipment, is incurred in U.S. dollars and in Euros, for which no financial hedging is required. There is a financial risk related to the fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar and the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar. In order to minimize the financial risk related to the fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar, funds which were part of U.S. dollar financings continue to be invested as short-term investments in the U.S. dollar.

 

Furthermore, a portion of our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are denominated in U.S. dollars, further exposing us to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar.

 

The following table provides an indication of our significant foreign exchange currency exposures as stated in Canadian dollars at the following dates:

 

    September 30, 2020    September 30, 2019 
Denominated in   US
$
    Euro    US
$
    Euro 
                     
Cash and cash equivalents   4,440    -    1,903    - 
Marketable securities   -    -    20    - 
Trade and other payables   (2,585)   -    (7,087)   - 
    1,855    -    (5,164)   - 

 

The following exchange rates are those applicable to the following periods and dates:

 

    September 30, 2020    September 30, 2019 
    Average    Reporting    Average    Reporting 
                     
CAD$ per US$   1.3580    1.3319    1.3292    1.3240 
CAD$ per Euro   1.5418    1.5611    1.4855    1.4438 

 

 

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Based on our foreign currency exposures noted above, varying the above foreign exchange rates to reflect a 5% strengthening of the U.S. dollar and Euro would have an increase (decrease) in net loss as follows, assuming that all other variables remain constant:

 

    

September 30,

2020

    

September 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
           
Increase (decrease) in net loss   93    (258)

 

An assumed 5% weakening of the foreign currencies would have an equal but opposite effect on the basis that all other variables remained constant.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market rates.

 

Our exposure to interest rate risk as at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 was as follows:

 

Cash and cash equivalents   Short-term fixed interest rate
Marketable securities   Short-term fixed interest rate
Unsecured convertible debentures   Short-term fixed interest rate

 

Our capacity to reinvest the short-term amounts with equivalent return will be impacted by variations in short-term fixed interest rates available on the market. Management believes the risk we will realize a loss as a result of the decline in the fair value of our short-term investments is limited because these investments have short-term maturities and are held to maturity.

 

Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they fall due. We manage liquidity risk through the management of our capital structure and financial leverage. We also manage liquidity risk by continuously monitoring actual and projected cash flows. The Board of Directors reviews and approves our operating budgets and reviews material transactions outside the normal course of business.

 

Our contractual obligations related to financial instruments and other obligations and liquidity resources are presented in the liquidity and capital resources of this MD&A. See also “Note 2 - Going Concern Uncertainty” to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Future Accounting Changes

 

The following new standards, and amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective for the period ended September 30, 2020, and have not been applied in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2016-13-Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, the new guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2022. Management has not yet evaluated the impact of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in such cloud computing arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. Management has adopted the accounting standard update. However, the adoption of this update did not have any impact on the reported amounts as at September 30, 2020.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks is detailed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.”

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, or the CEO, and CFO, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures within the meaning of Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of September 30, 2020, our existing disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be noted that while the CEO and CFO believe that our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect the disclosure controls and procedures to be capable of preventing all errors and 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

 

No changes were made to our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. As of September 30, 2020, we are not a party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows if determined adversely to us. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Any investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. The following risk factors and other information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be carefully considered. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, prospects, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected and you could lose all or a part of the value of your investment. Additional risks or uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we deem immaterial, may also negatively affect our business operations.

 

 

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Risks Related to Our Evaluation of Strategic Alternatives

 

Our business to date has been almost entirely dependent on the success of CaPre, and we have decided we will not file a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, and we do not plan to conduct additional clinical trials for CaPr. We will explore and evaluate strategic alternatives, which may not be successful.

 

To date, we have invested substantially all of our efforts and financial resources in the research and development of our lead indication for CaPre, which was our only product candidate to enter Phase 3 clinical trials.

 

On August 31, 2020, we announced that our second Phase 3 trial, TRILOGY 2 did not meet its primary endpoints and we would discontinued research and development activities to reduce operating expenses, including a reduction in our workforce, to preserve our cash resources while we evaluate our strategic alternatives with a goal to maximize stockholder value. We have retained Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. to advise and assist us in this strategic review, along with legal advisors. There can be no assurance that our process to identify and evaluate potential strategic alternatives will result in any definitive offer to consummate a strategic transaction, or if made that the terms thereof will be acceptable to the Company. If any definitive offer to consummate a strategic transaction is received, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be executed or that, if a definitive agreement is executed, the transaction will be consummated. In addition, there can be no assurance that any transaction, involving our company and/or assets, that is consummated would enhance stockholder value. There also can be no assurance that we will conduct further drug research or development activities in the future.

 

If we are successful in completing a strategic transaction, we may be exposed to other operational and financial risks, including increased near-term or long-term expenditures, exposure to unknown liabilities, incurrence of substantial debt or dilutive issuances of equity securities to pay for acquisitions, higher-than-expected acquisition and integration costs, write-downs of assets or goodwill or impairment charges, increased amortization expenses, difficulty and cost in combining the operations and personnel of any acquired businesses with our operations and personnel, impairment of relationships with key suppliers or customers of any acquired businesses due to changes in management and ownership, and inability to retain key employees of our company or any acquired businesses.

 

The identification, negotiation, and completion of a strategic transaction will require significant time on the part of our management and may divert such attention away from other aspects of our business. The identification, negotiation, and completion of any such transaction may also require more time and cash resources than we anticipate.

 

If we do not successfully consummate a strategic transaction, our board of directors may decide to pursue a dissolution and liquidation of our company. In such an event, the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders will depend heavily on the timing of such liquidation as well as the amount of cash that will need to be reserved for commitments and contingent liabilities

 

There can be no assurance that the process to identify a strategic transaction will result in a successfully consummated transaction. If no transaction is completed, our board of directors may decide to pursue a dissolution and liquidation of the Company. In such an event, the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders will depend heavily on the timing of such decision and, ultimately, such liquidation, since the amount of cash available for distribution continues to decrease as we fund our operations while we evaluate our strategic alternatives. In addition, if our board of directors were to approve and recommend, and our shareholders were to approve, a dissolution and liquidation of the Company, we would be required under applicable corporate law to pay our outstanding obligations, as well as to make reasonable provision for contingent and unknown obligations, prior to making any distributions in liquidation to our shareholders. Our commitments and contingent liabilities may include (i) obligations under our employment and related agreements with certain employees that provide for severance and other payments following a termination of employment occurring for various reasons, including a change in control of our company; (ii) potential litigation against us, and other various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) non-cancelable obligations. As a result of this requirement, a portion of our assets may need to be reserved pending the resolution of such obligations. In addition, we may be subject to litigation or other claims related to a dissolution and liquidation of the Company. If a dissolution and liquidation were pursued, our board of directors, in consultation with its advisors, would need to evaluate these matters and make a determination about a reasonable amount to reserve. Accordingly, holders of our common shares could lose all or a significant portion of their investment in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

 

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We are substantially dependent on our remaining employees to facilitate the consummation of a strategic transaction.

 

Our ability to successfully complete a strategic transaction depends in large part on our ability to retain certain of our remaining personnel. Despite our efforts to retain these employees, one or more may terminate their employment with us on short notice. The loss of the services of any of our employees could potentially harm our ability to evaluate and pursue strategic alternatives, as well as fulfill our reporting obligations as a public company. In connection with our discontinuation of research and development activities, we initiated a plan in September 2020 to reduce personnel and expenses to preserve cash and further reduce our operations.

 

We may not realize any additional value in a strategic transaction for our intellectual property.

 

The market capitalization of our company is or may be below the value of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at the time of consummation of any strategic transaction. Although the TRILOGY clinical trials failed to meet their primary endpoints, we believe that data from preclinical and other clinical studies of CaPre may support potential further investigation and development activities by a potential counterparty in a strategic transaction. However, potential counterparties in a strategic transaction involving our company may place minimal or no value on our assets, given the limited data regarding their potential new application. Further, the development and any potential commercialization of CaPre by a potential counterparty to a strategic transaction will require substantial additional funding associated with the conduct of the necessary clinical testing to obtain regulatory approval. Consequently, any potential counterparty in a strategic transaction involving our company may choose not to spend additional resources and continue development of CaPre and may attribute little or no value, in such a transaction, to CaPre or our intellectual property.

 

Our ability to successfully consummate a strategic transaction may be materially and adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is severely adversely affecting the U.S., Canadian and many other global economies. If the outbreak continues to spread, it may affect our operations and those of third parties upon which we rely, including:

 

·limiting our ability to explore strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value

 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business and prospects will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact, among others.

 

Additionally, while the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to assess or predict, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global financial markets may reduce our ability to access capital, which could negatively impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and adversely affect our business and overall financial condition.

 

General Risks Related to the Company

 

There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. To date, we have financed our operations through public offerings and private placements of securities, proceeds from exercises of warrants, rights and options, and receipt of research tax credits and research grant programs.

 

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Our current assets of $15.3 million as at September 30, 2020 include cash and cash equivalents totaling $11.5 million. Due to the Phase 3 clinical programs failure to meet its primary endpoints, and the resulting decision to not file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre, we have commenced a formal process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. If we do not achieve a successful strategic alternative and ultimately generate cashflows to meet our obligations, we may not be able to realize our assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. There is no assurance that a strategic transaction will be consummated as such transaction is not within our control. We plan to reduce operating expenses including workforce reductions, while we evaluate these opportunities. Consequently, we expect to require additional capital to fund our daily operating needs beyond July of 2021. Based on a conservative estimate, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third calendar quarter of 2021.

 

As a result, there is a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which assumes we will continue our operations in the foreseeable future, and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, material impairments of the carrying value of our assets, could be required.

 

We may be subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

 

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. However, many of our expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, including Canadian dollars. As we previously completed financings in both Canadian and U.S. dollars, both currencies are maintained and used to make required payments in the applicable currency. Though we plan to implement measures designed to reduce our foreign exchange rate exposure, the U.S. dollar/Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar /European euro exchange rates have fluctuated significantly in the recent past and may continue to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

 

We may not realize any additional value in a strategic transaction for our intellectual property.

 

The market capitalization of our corporation is or may be below the value of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at the time of consummation of any strategic transaction. Although the CaPre clinical trial failed to meet its primary endpoints, we believe that data from preclinical and other clinical studies of CaPre may support potential further investigation and development activities. However, potential counterparties in a strategic transaction involving our corporation may place minimal or no value on our assets, given the limited data regarding their potential application. Further, the development and any potential commercialization of investigational CaPre will require substantial additional funding associated with conducting the necessary clinical testing and obtaining regulatory approval. Consequently, any potential counterparty in a strategic transaction involving our corporation may choose not to spend additional resources and continue development of CaPre and may attribute little or no value, in such a transaction, to CaPre or our other intellectual property.

 

It is difficult and costly to protect our intellectual property rights.

 

It is possible that our patents and/or proprietary technologies in the future could be circumvented through the adoption of competitive, though non-infringing, processes or products. The patent positions of pharmaceutical companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal, scientific and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. Changes in either the patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws may diminish the value of our intellectual property. We cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowable or enforceable in our patents, or of patents licensed to us.

 

We face risks that:

 

  · our rights under our U.S., Canadian or foreign patents or other licensed patents that other third parties license to us could be curtailed;

 

  · we may not be the first inventor of inventions covered by our issued patents or pending applications or be the first to file patent applications for those inventions;

 

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  · our pending or future patent applications may not be issued with the breadth of claim coverage sought by us, or be issued at all;

 

  · our competitors could independently develop or patent technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technologies;

 

  · our trade secrets could be learned independently by our competitors;

 

  · the steps we take to protect our intellectual property may not be adequate; and

 

  · effective patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable, limited or not sought by us in some foreign countries.

 

Further, patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, a patent generally expires 20 years after it is filed (or 20 years after the filing date of the first non-provisional U.S. patent application to which it claims priority). While extensions may be available, the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Without patent protection for CaPre or any other of our future product candidates, we may be open to competition from generic versions of CaPre or our other future product candidates. Further, the extensive period of time between patent filing and regulatory approval for a product candidate limits the time during which we can market that product candidate under patent protection. Patents owned by third parties could have priority over patent applications filed or in-licensed by us, or we or our licensors could become involved in interference, opposition or invalidity proceedings before U.S., Canadian or foreign patent offices. The cost of defending and enforcing our patent rights against infringement charges by other patent holders may be significant and could limit our operations.

 

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time-consuming and unsuccessful.

 

Competitors may infringe our patents or the patents of our licensors. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. If we or our licensors were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering CaPre or our technology, the defendant could counterclaim that our or our licensor’s patent is invalid or unenforceable. In patent litigation, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements; for example, lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could be an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the patent office, such as the USPTO, or made a misleading statement, during prosecution. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability during patent litigation is unpredictable. With respect to the validity question, for example, we cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art, of which we or our licensors and the patent examiner were unaware during prosecution. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity or unenforceability, we would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on CaPre or certain aspects of our platform technology. Such a loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our business. Patents and other intellectual property rights also will not protect our technology if competitors design around our protected technology without legally infringing our patents or other intellectual property rights.

 

In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business.

 

Interference proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by the USPTO may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications or those of our licensors. An unfavorable outcome could result in a loss of our current patent rights and could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Litigation or interference proceedings may result in a decision adverse to our interests and, even if we are successful, may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. We may not be able to prevent, alone or with our licensors, misappropriation of our trade secrets or confidential information, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the United States and Canada. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common shares.

 

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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

 

Changes in patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect CaPre and any of our other future product candidates.

 

Numerous recent changes to the patent laws and proposed changes to the rules of the various patent offices around the world may have a significant impact on our ability to protect our technology and enforce our intellectual property rights. These changes may lead to increasing uncertainty with regard to the scope and value of our issued patents and to our ability to obtain patents in the future.

 

Once granted, patents may remain open to opposition, re-examination, post-grant review, inter partes review, nullification derivation and opposition proceedings in court or before patent offices or similar proceedings for a given period after allowance or grant, during which time third parties can raise objections against the initial grant. In the course of any such proceedings, which may continue for a protracted period of time, the patent owner may be compelled to limit the scope of the allowed or granted claims attacked, or may lose the allowed or granted claims altogether. Depending on decisions by authorities in various jurisdictions, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that may weaken our and our licensors’ ability to obtain new patents or to enforce existing patents we and our licensors or partners may obtain in the future.

 

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

 

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of some countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

 

Risks Relating to Our Common Shares

 

The price of our common shares may be volatile.

 

Market prices for pharmaceutical companies can fluctuate significantly. Factors such as the announcement to the public or in various scientific or industry forums of technological innovations; new commercial products; patents or exclusive rights obtained by us or others; disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies; the commencement, enrollment or announcement of results of clinical trials we conduct, or changes in the development status of our product candidates; results or delays of pre-clinical and clinical studies by us or others; any delay in our regulatory filings for our product candidates and any adverse development or perceived adverse development with respect to the applicable regulatory authority’s review of such filings; a change of regulations; additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; overall performance of the equity markets; general political and economic conditions; publications; failure to meet the estimates and projections of the investment community or that we may otherwise provide to the public; research reports or positive or negative recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts; actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results; announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors; public concerns over the risks of pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements; unanticipated serious safety concerns related to the use of CaPre; the ability to finance, future sales of securities by us or our shareholders; and many other factors, many of which are beyond our control, could have considerable effects on the price of our common shares. The price of our common shares has fluctuated significantly in the past and there can be no assurance that the market price of our common shares will not experience significant fluctuations in the future.

 

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In addition, pharmaceutical companies often experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our common shares, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against pharmaceutical companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. This type of litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which would harm our business, operating results or financial condition.

 

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing shareholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates.

 

We may need to raise additional capital in order to execute on our business plan. We may seek additional capital through a combination of public and private equity offerings, debt financings, strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interests of our shareholders will be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness by us would result in increased fixed payment obligations and could involve certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. If we raise additional funds through strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies or product candidates, or grant licenses on terms unfavorable to us.

 

The market price of our common shares could decline as a result of operating results falling below the expectations of investors or fluctuations in operating results each quarter.

 

Our net losses and expenses may fluctuate significantly and any failure to meet financial or clinical expectations may disappoint securities analysts or investors and result in a decline in the price of our common shares. Our net losses and expenses have fluctuated in the past and are likely to do so in the future. The market price of our common shares has fluctuated significantly in the past and may continue to do so. Some of the factors that could cause the market price for our common shares to fluctuate include the following:

 

  · the fluctuations in valuation of our derivative warrant liabilities;

 

  · the outcome of any litigation;

 

  · changes in foreign currency fluctuations;

 

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  · competition;

 

  · the timing of achievement and the receipt of milestone payments from current or future third parties;

 

  · failure to enter into new or the expiration or termination of current agreements with third parties;

 

  · execution of any new collaboration, licensing or similar arrangement, and the timing of payments we may make or receive under such existing or future arrangements or the termination or modification of any such existing or future arrangements;

 

  · any intellectual property infringement lawsuit or opposition against us or our competition that could have a negative impact on the OM3 space, interference or cancellation proceeding in which we may become involved;

 

  · additions and departures of key personnel;

 

  ·

strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy; 

 

·

inability to achieve strategic outcome from review of strategic alternatives;

 

  · changes in general market and economic conditions.

 

If our quarterly operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our common shares could decline substantially. Furthermore, any quarterly fluctuations in our operating results may, in turn, cause the market price of our common shares to fluctuate substantially. We believe that quarterly comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.

 

There can be no assurance that an active market for our common shares will be sustained.

 

There can be no assurance that an active market for our common shares will be sustained. Holders of common shares may be unable to sell their investments on satisfactory terms. As a result of any risk factor discussed herein, the market price of our common shares at any given point in time may not accurately reflect our long-term value. Furthermore, responding to these risk factors could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. Substantial and potentially permanent declines in the value of our common shares may adversely affect the liquidity of the market for our common shares.

 

Other factors unrelated to our performance that may have an effect on the price and liquidity of our common shares include: positive or negative industry or competitor news; extent of analyst coverage; lessening in trading volume and general market interest in our common shares; the size of our public float; and any event resulting in a delisting of our common shares.

 

A large number of common shares may be issued and subsequently sold upon the exercise of existing warrants. The sale or availability for sale of existing warrants or other securities convertible into common shares may depress the price of our common shares.

 

As of September 30, 2020, there were 15.9 million common shares issuable under outstanding warrants at various exercise prices. To the extent that holders of existing warrants sell common shares issued upon the exercise of warrants, the market price of our common shares may decrease due to the additional selling pressure in the market. The risk of dilution from issuances of common shares underlying existing warrants may cause shareholders to sell their common shares, which could further contribute to any decline in our common share market price.

 

Any downward pressure on the price of our common shares caused by the sale of common shares issued upon the exercise of existing warrants could encourage short sales by third parties. In a short sale, a prospective seller borrows common shares from a shareholder or broker and sells the borrowed common shares. The prospective seller anticipates that the common share price will decline, at which time the seller can purchase common shares at a lower price for delivery back to the lender. The seller profits when the common share price declines because it is purchasing common shares at a price lower than the sale price of the borrowed common shares. Such short sales of common shares could place downward pressure on the price of our common shares by increasing the number of common shares being sold, which could lead to a decline in the market price of our common shares. 

 

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We do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future.

 

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common shares and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future because, among other reasons, we currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance our business. The future payment of cash dividends will be dependent on factors such as cash on hand and achieving profitability, the financial requirements to fund growth, our general financial condition and other factors our board of directors may consider appropriate in the circumstances. Until we pay cash dividends, which we may never do, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their common shares unless they sell them. See “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Dividends.”

 

If we fail to meet applicable listing requirements, the NASDAQ Stock Market or the TSXV may delist our common shares from trading, in which case the liquidity and market price of our common shares could decline.

 

Our common shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and the TSXV, but we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and the TSXV in the future. In the past, we have received notices from the NASDAQ Stock Market that we have not been in compliance with its continued listing standards, and we have taken responsive actions and regained compliance.

 

On February 28, 2020, we received written notification from the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Department for failing to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, as required by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) – bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”). The NASDAQ notification has no immediate effect on the listing of our common shares. Under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) – compliance period, we initially had 180 calendar days to regain compliance.

 

On April 17, 2020, we were informed that NASDAQ had granted temporary regulatory relief related to its minimum bid price requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic for all NASDAQ-listed companies and therefore extended the deadline for us to regain compliance to November 9, 2020.

 

On November 11, 2020, we were further informed that NASDAQ had granted an additional 180 calendar days, or until May 10, 2021, for us to regain compliance. We have not regained compliance to date.

 

If at any time over this relief period the bid price of our common shares closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days, NASDAQ will provide written confirmation of compliance and the matter will be closed. If we do not regain compliance within the relief period, then our common shares will be subject to delisting, at which time we may appeal the delisting determination to a NASDAQ Hearings Panel.

 

If we fail to comply with listing standards and the NASDAQ Stock Market or TSXV delists our common shares, we and our shareholders could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

 

  · a limited availability of market quotations for our common shares;

 

  · reduced liquidity for our common shares;

 

  · a determination that our common shares are “penny stock”, which would require brokers trading in our common shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common shares;

 

  · a limited amount of news about us and analyst coverage of us; and

 

  · a decreased ability for us to issue additional equity securities or obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future.

 

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We may pursue opportunities or transactions that adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

Our management, in the ordinary course of our business, regularly explores potential strategic opportunities and transactions. These opportunities and transactions may include strategic joint venture relationships, significant debt or equity investments in us by third parties, the acquisition or disposition of material assets, the licensing, acquisition or disposition of material intellectual property, the development of new drug candidates, significant distribution arrangements, the sale of our common shares and other similar opportunities and transactions. The public announcement of any of these or similar strategic opportunities or transactions might have a significant effect on the price of our common shares. Our policy is to not publicly disclose the pursuit of a potential strategic opportunity or transaction unless we are required to do so by applicable law, including applicable securities laws relating to periodic disclosure obligations. There can be no assurance that investors who buy or sell common shares are doing so at a time when we are not pursuing a particular strategic opportunity or transaction that, when announced, would have a significant effect on the price of our common shares.

 

In addition, any such future corporate development may be accompanied by certain risks, including exposure to unknown liabilities of the strategic opportunities and transactions, higher than anticipated transaction costs and expenses, the difficulty and expense of integrating operations and personnel of any acquired companies, disruption of our ongoing business, diversion of management’s time and attention, and possible dilution to shareholders. We may not be able to successfully overcome these risks and other problems associated with any future acquisitions and this may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” under the SEC’s disclosure rules and have elected to comply with the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies.

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” under the SEC’s disclosure rules, meaning that we have either:

 

  · a public float of less than $250 million; or

 

  · annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year; and

 

  o no public float; or

 

  o a public float of less than $700 million.

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are permitted to comply with scaled-back disclosure obligations in our SEC filings compared to other issuers, including with respect to disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We have elected to adopt the accommodations available to smaller reporting companies. Until we cease to be a smaller reporting company, the scaled-back disclosure in our SEC filings will result in less information about our company being available than for other public companies.

 

If investors consider our common shares less attractive as a result of our election to use the scaled-back disclosure permitted for smaller reporting companies, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile. 

 

As a non-accelerated filer, we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

We are a non-accelerated filer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Therefore, our internal controls over financial reporting will not receive the level of review provided by the process relating to the auditor attestation included in annual reports of issuers that are subject to the auditor attestation requirements. In addition, we cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and trading price for our common shares may be negatively affected.

 

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U.S. investors may be unable to enforce certain judgments.

 

We are a company existing under the Business Corporations Act (Québec). Some of our directors and officers are residents of Canada, and substantially all of our assets are currently located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult to effect service within the United States upon us or upon some of our directors and officers. Execution by U.S. courts of any judgment obtained against us or any of our directors or officers in U.S. courts may be limited to assets located in the United States. It may also be difficult for holders of securities who reside in the United States to realize in the United States upon judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liability of us and our directors and executive officers under the U.S. federal securities laws. There may be doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against non-U.S. entities or their controlling persons, directors and officers who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal or state securities laws.

 

There is a significant risk that we may be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Current or potential investors in our common shares who are U.S. Holders (as defined below) should be aware that, based on our most recent financial statements and projections and given uncertainty regarding the composition of our future income and assets, there is a significant risk that we may have been classified as a “passive foreign investment company” or “PFIC” for the 2020 taxable year and may be classified as a PFIC for our current taxable year and possibly subsequent years. If we are a PFIC for any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period of our common shares, then such U.S. taxpayer generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of such common shares or any so-called “excess distribution” received on such common shares, as ordinary income (with a portion subject to tax at the highest rate in effect), and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or excess distribution. In certain circumstances, the sum of the tax and the interest charge may exceed the total amount of proceeds realized on the disposition, or the amount of excess distribution received, by the U.S. Holder. Subject to certain limitations, a timely and effective QEF Election (as defined below) under Section 1295 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, or a Mark-to-Market Election (as defined below) under Section 1296 of the Code may be made with respect to the common shares. A U.S. Holder who makes a timely and effective QEF Election generally must report on a current basis its share of our net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which we are a PFIC, whether or not we distribute any amounts to our shareholders. A U.S. Holder who makes the Mark-to-Market Election generally must include as ordinary income each year the excess of the fair market value of their common shares over the holder’s basis therein. This paragraph is qualified in its entirety by the discussion under the heading “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Acquisition, Ownership, and Disposition of Common Shares - Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.” Each current or potential investor who is a U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our common shares, the U.S. federal tax consequences of the PFIC rules, and the availability of any election that may be available to the holder to mitigate adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding shares in a PFIC.

 

Our change from foreign private issuer to U.S. domestic issuer status may result in additional costs to us.

 

As of September 30, 2019, we no longer qualified as a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 3b-4 of the Exchange Act. As a foreign private issuer, we were exempt from certain provisions under U.S. federal securities laws applicable to U.S. public companies. We are now considered a U.S. domestic issuer and are subject to increased compliance obligations under the Exchange Act. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly more than the costs we incurred as a foreign private issuer.

 

As a U.S. domestic filer, we are no longer exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and filings of proxy statements with the SEC; the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations, in respect of shares registered under the Exchange Act; the provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; and the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction (a purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the issuer’s equity securities within less than six months).

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1   Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 from Form S-8 (File No. 333-191383) filed with the Commission on September 25, 2013)
     
3.2   Amended and Restated General By-Law (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from Form 6-K (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on February 21, 2017)
     
3.3   Advance Notice bylaw No. 2013-1 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 from Form S-8 (File No. 333-191383) filed with the Commission on September 25, 2013)
     
4.1   Specimen Certificate for Common Shares of Acasti Pharma Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 6, 2014)
     
4.2   Warrant Indenture dated December 3, 2013 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from Form 6-K (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on December 3, 2013)
     
4.3   Warrant Indenture dated February 21, 2017 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 27, 2017)
     
4.4   Warrant Agency Agreement dated December 27, 2017 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Computershare Trust Company N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2018)
     
4.5   Amended and Restated Warrant Indenture dated May 10, 2018 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2018)
     
10.1   Amended and Restated Sales Agreement, dated June 29, 2020, by and among Acasti Pharma Inc., B. Riley FBR, Inc. and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 from Form S-3 (File No. 333-239538) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2020)
     
10.2   Retention agreement, dated October 27, 2020, between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Jan D’Alvise
     
10.3   Retention agreement, dated October 29, 2020 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Pierre Lemieux
   
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 16, 2020

 

  ACASTI PHARMA INC.
     
  By: /s/ Janelle D’Alvise  
    Name: Janelle D’Alvise
   

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

     
  By: /s/ Brian Ford  
    Name: Brian Ford
   

Title: Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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