UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10/A
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 04-3156167 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395
Maynard, Massachusetts 01754
(Address of principal executive offices)
(978) 648-6000
(Registrants telephone number)
Copies of correspondence to:
David A. Frank Chief Financial Officer AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395 Maynard, Massachusetts 01754 Telephone: (978) 648-6000 |
Bradley C. Brasser Michael P. Earley Jones Day 77 W. Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60601 Telephone: (312) 782-3939 |
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class to be so registered |
Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered | |
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
The Company qualifies as an emerging growth company as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act.
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Item 3. | 36 | |||||
Item 4. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management |
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Item 5. | 37 | |||||
Item 6. | 40 | |||||
Item 7. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
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Item 8. | 49 | |||||
Item 9. | Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters | 49 | ||||
Item 10. | 51 | |||||
Item 11. | 52 | |||||
Item 12. | 53 | |||||
Item 13. | 54 | |||||
Item 14. | Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 54 | ||||
Item 15. | 54 |
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form 10 is being filed by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. in order to register its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, voluntarily pursuant to Section 12(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. Unless otherwise noted or indicated by the context, the terms AquaBounty, the Company, we, us and our refer to AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as amended by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act enacted on April 5, 2012, which we refer to as the JOBS Act. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, an exemption from the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards until they would apply to private companies, an exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditors report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding advisory say-on-pay votes on executive compensation and shareholder advisory votes on golden parachute compensation not previously approved.
Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision not to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
Under the JOBS Act, we will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of:
| the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act; |
| the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more; |
| the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt; and |
| the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur as of the first day of the first fiscal year after we have (i) more than $700 million in outstanding common equity held by our non-affiliates as of the last day of our second fiscal quarter and (ii) been public for at least 12 months. |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Registration Statement on Form 10 contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include any statements that address future results or occurrences. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, might, will, would, should, could or the negatives thereof. Generally, the words anticipate, believe, continue, expect, intend, estimate, project, plan and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance contained in this Registration Statement on Form 10 in Item 1. Business, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 2. Financial InformationManagements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our possible or assumed future actions and business strategies and the process of obtaining regulatory approval to commercialize our product candidates.
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to:
| our AquAdvantage® Salmon product; |
| the uncertainty of achieving the business plan, future revenue and operating results; |
| developments concerning our research projects; |
| our ability to successfully enter new markets or develop additional products; |
| competition from existing technologies and products or new technologies and products that may emerge; |
| actual or anticipated variations in our operating results; |
| our cash position and ability to raise additional capital to finance our activities; |
| market conditions in our industry; |
| our ability to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights and technologies; |
| our ability to adapt to changes in laws or regulations and policies; |
| the ability to secure any necessary regulatory approvals to commercialize any products; |
| the rate and degree of market acceptance of any products developed through the application of genetic engineering, including genetically modified fish; |
| our ability to retain and recruit key personnel; |
| the ability of our majority shareholder, Intrexon Corporation, or Intrexon, to control us; |
| the success of any of our future acquisitions or investments; |
| international business risks and exchange rate fluctuations; |
| the possible volatility of our stock price; |
| our limited operating history and track record of operating losses; and |
| our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing. |
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We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Registration Statement on Form 10. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this Registration Statement on Form 10, particularly in the Item 1A. Risk Factors, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments that we may make.
Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Registration Statement on Form 10. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect future events or developments unless required by federal securities law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors.
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
This Business section, along with other sections of this Registration Statement on Form 10, includes, in some cases, management estimates based on industry and other knowledge, statistical market and industry data that we obtained from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third party sources that we believe to be reliable. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources, and we make no representation as to the accuracy of such information. While we believe internal company estimates are reliable and market definitions are appropriate, they have not been verified by any independent sources, and we make no representations as to the accuracy of such estimates. We have one segment for financial reporting purposes.
Overview
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed on December 17, 1991. Our common stock was listed on Londons Alternative Investment Market, or AIM, in 2006. Headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts, we are a biotechnology company focused on enhancing productivity in the fast growing aquaculture market. Our principal place of business is located at Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754, and our telephone number at that location is (978) 648-6000.
We use genetic manipulation and other molecular biologic techniques in order to improve the quality and yield of fish stocks and help the aquaculture industry meet growing consumer demand. At the time of our listing on AIM in 2006, we had three developed product lines, including disease management and diagnostic products for shrimp as well as a transgenic line of Atlantic salmon that exhibited an accelerated rate of growth. However, due to disappointing prospects for revenue growth, in 2008 we decided to focus our resources on the regulatory approval of our AquAdvantage® Salmon product and to discontinue spending on our other product lines. Since that time, we have completed all sections of the New Animal Drug Application, or NADA, process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, for AquAdvantage® Salmon, but are still waiting for formal approval of the NADA.
We believe that receipt of FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon would not only represent a major milestone for us, but also a significant pioneering development in introducing transgenic animals into the food chain. Although genetically modified crops have been accepted in the United States and South America for some time, AquAdvantage® Salmon would be the first genetically modified animal to
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be approved for human consumption. We intend to deploy AquAdvantage® Salmon in land-based, contained, freshwater aquaculture systems, which would allow inland fish farms to be established close to major demand centers in a profitable and environmentally sustainable manner. The technology underlying AquAdvantage® Salmon would offer the potential to reintroduce salmon aquaculture in the United States, which imported more than $2.0 billion of Atlantic salmon in 2013 according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, or the DOC. We believe it will take two years following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA to establish commercial operations and an additional two years before we can generate significant revenues. Ultimately, our prospects depend on receipt of that approval as well as consumer acceptance of genetically modified fish.
In 2012, we implemented a reorganization in conjunction with a fundraising in an effort to reduce operating expenses and conserve resources. This included the spin-off and sale of our research group to Tethys Ocean, B.V., or Tethys, which was our largest shareholder at that time. We subsequently executed a contract research agreement with the new organization, Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc., to provide us with the resources required for our development needs.
Tethys sold its shares in AquaBounty to Intrexon in November 2012. Intrexon subsequently purchased further shares in the Company in a fundraising in March 2013 and became our majority shareholder. Intrexon provided us with further funding in March 2014, increasing their ownership to 59.8%.
With the delay in the FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon, we currently have no source of revenue and continue to generate losses. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we incurred a net loss of $4.7 million, and for the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recorded a net loss of $1.6 million, bringing our cumulative losses since inception to $78.2 million.
See Our Product for more information on AquAdvantage® Salmon and Regulatory Environment for more information on our NADA process with the FDA.
The Aquaculture Industry
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, crustaceans and aquatic plants. It involves cultivating freshwater or saltwater species under controlled conditions, as an alternative to the commercial harvesting of wild species of aquatic organisms. The aquaculture industry has experienced growth in recent years, and we believe that the aquaculture industry, and in particular salmon farming, is poised for significant additional growth in the coming years as the global population expands.
Salmon Farming
According to Kontali Analyse, or Kontali, and Marine Harvest ASA, or Marine Harvest, farmed salmon accounted for approximately 60% of the worlds salmon production during 2013, of which Atlantic salmon accounted for approximately 70%. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, or the FAO, Atlantic salmon aquaculture production grew by approximately 6.5% annually between 2001 and 2012. Kontali and Marine Harvest have both indicated that they expect increases in demand to drive continued production growth through 2020, although at a lower annual rate of approximately 3.0% primarily due to supply constraints.
Atlantic salmon farming is a major industry in the cold-water countries of the northern and southern hemispheres. According to the FAO, total production volume of farmed Atlantic salmon during 2012 was 2.07 million metric tons. This production had a market value of over $10.0 billion. Below is a break-down by major producing country for the time period 2006 through 2012, which is the last year for which data is readily available.
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Worldwide Atlantic Salmon Production by Country (in metric tons)
2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada |
118,061 | 102,509 | 104,070 | 100,220 | 101,385 | 102,064 | 108,118 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chile |
376,476 | 331,042 | 388,847 | 233,308 | 123,233 | 264,349 | 399,678 | |||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.A. |
10,485 | 11,001 | 16,714 | 14,074 | 19,535 | 18,595 | 19,295 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ireland |
11,174 | 9,923 | 9,217 | 12,210 | 15,691 | 12,196 | 12,440 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Norway |
629,888 | 744,222 | 737,694 | 862,908 | 939,536 | 1,064,868 | 1,232,095 | |||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom |
131,973 | 130,104 | 128,744 | 133,440 | 154,625 | 158,168 | 162,604 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Australia |
20,710 | 25,336 | 25,737 | 29,893 | 31,807 | 35,198 | 43,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||
All other |
19,953 | 24,737 | 40,239 | 54,358 | 51,863 | 70,866 | 88,546 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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WW Volume (mt) |
1,318,720 | 1,378,874 | 1,451,262 | 1,440,410 | 1,437,675 | 1,726,304 | 2,066,561 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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© FAO - Fisheries and Aquaculture Information and Statistics Service - 03/12/2014
Pricing
According to the DOC, which tracks the volume and value of Atlantic salmon imports into the country, from 2008 to 2013, the average wholesale price of Atlantic salmon imported into the United States increased from $3.17 per pound ($7.05/kilogram) to $4.04 per pound ($8.97/ kilogram).
The daily spot (farm-gate or wholesale market) price for Atlantic salmon is very volatile due to the species long production cycle, which typically ranges between two and three years, and its short shelf life, which typically ranges between two and three weeks. Farmed salmon is typically sold as fresh and thus must be consumed within this timeframe. Consequently, the available supply is very inelastic over the short-term, while demand can be very elastic due to price, season or market size.
Major Producers
The global Atlantic salmon farming industry includes several very large companies with operations in each of the major producing countries. Consolidation has been evident in the past few years as producers attempt to gain competitive cost advantages while overcoming the regulatory challenges associated with developing new marine farm sites. Major market producers, and their primary country of operation, include the following companies: Marine Harvest (Norway), Leroy Seafood (Norway), Cermaq (Chile), Salmar (Norway), AquaChile (Chile) and Cooke Aquaculture (Canada).
U.S. Atlantic Salmon Market
According to the DOC, in 2013 the United States imported a record 514 million pounds (233,000 metric tons) of Atlantic salmon with an aggregate market value of approximately $2.08 billion, or $4.04 per pound. The DOC also reported that over 75% of the total quantity of Atlantic salmon imports into the United States in 2013 originated from Chile and Canada. The Atlantic salmon farming industry in the United States contracted significantly beginning in the 1990s in the face of environmental concerns and lower costs of production from foreign sources, notably Chile. According to the FAO, a total of only 43 million pounds of farmed Atlantic salmon was produced in the United States in 2012, an increase of just 4% from the previous year.
Despite intensive public consumer education campaigns promoting its health benefits, seafood consumption in the United States still lags other protein sources and trails consumption in overseas markets. According to the DOC, during the period from 2007 to 2011, annual seafood consumption in the United States ranged between 15 and 16 pounds per capita, significantly behind consumption of
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poultry (80 to 85 pounds), beef (57 to 65 pounds), and pork (46 to 50 pounds). In comparison, according to SeaFood Business, average seafood consumption throughout Europe was 48.5 pounds per capita in 2012.
Perception of Genetically Modified Atlantic Salmon
Though Atlantic salmon is the third largest consumed seafood in the United States, activist groups opposing genetic modifications of organisms have recently pressured a number of retail food outlets and grocery chains to publicly state that they will not carry genetically modified Atlantic salmon. However, we do not expect that this will have a significant impact on overall consumer demand and product placement in the marketplace generally, and in particular the wholesale marketplace. To date, large wholesalers have not followed the example of these retailers, and we believe that there will be sufficient demand from smaller retailers, wholesalers and institutional seafood buyers to absorb our projected production. We believe that FDA approval would reinforce the message that AquAdvantage® Salmon is a safe and nutritious seafood product that is equivalent to conventional farmed Atlantic salmon. This expectation is based in part on the results of a 2014 survey released by the International Food Information Council, titled Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology, which indicated that 59% of consumers are somewhat or very likely to buy genetically engineered seafood if the FDA deems it safe. In addition, we plan to educate consumers on the benefits of AquAdvantage® Salmon versus conventional Atlantic salmon, including better feed conversion, a lower carbon footprint due to local production and reduced reliance on chemotherapeutics due to improved biosecurity.
Atlantic Salmon Disease Impact
An area of concern with current Atlantic salmon farming techniques is its environmental impact and the cost of disease management. Salmon farming systems, particularly conventional, open sea-cage systems, are vulnerable to disease introduction and transmission, primarily from the marine environment or adjacent culture systems. The economic impact of disease to these production systems can be significant, as farmers must incur the cost of preventative measures, such as vaccines and antibiotics, and then if infected, the cost of lost or reduced harvests.
The most prevalent disease and health management issues are Infectious Salmon Anemia, or ISA, and sea lice. ISA is a viral disease in Atlantic salmon and outbreaks have occurred in virtually every major salmon farming geography since 1984, including a major event in Chile in 2008 which impacted the countrys production for three years. There is currently no effective treatment for the disease and the salmon farming industry relies on vaccines and health management practices to mitigate its impact. Though primarily occurring in traditional sea-cage farming environments, ISA can also be introduced into populations that are in land-based, self-contained facilities. We incurred an outbreak in our hatchery in 2009, which was quickly contained and eradicated. We have since increased our biosecurity measures in the facility and have re-obtained its disease free status with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Sea lice are marine parasites that occur naturally and attach to the skin of Atlantic salmon. Though a few lice on a large salmon presents no problem, the presence of significant numbers can adversely impact the health and aesthetic appearance of the fish. The cost of managing sea lice in sea-cage farming environments can be significant.
The closed, contained, land-based production systems proposed for the grow-out of AquAdvantage® Salmon are less susceptible, though not immune, to the same disease-related pressures because this type of culture system is isolated from the environment. Further, stocking closed systems with disease-free eggs or fry results in a much higher degree of biosecurity and protection from disease. We expect that production and economic losses due to disease will be significantly less in the closed, land-based
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culture systems proposed for the production of AquAdvantage® Salmon, because of greater control over environmental conditions and superior biosecurity than in traditional Atlantic salmon production systems.
Restrictions on Atlantic Salmon Farming
Environmental concerns have led certain states to impose legislative restrictions or bans on the farming of Atlantic salmon. This could reduce the number of potential sites available to us for production farms in the United States. Nevertheless, we expect that many states will offer excellent potential sites for AquAdvantage® Salmon production systems.
Our Product
Our product, AquAdvantage® Salmon, is a genetically modified Atlantic salmon that can grow to marketable size in about half the time of traditional farmed Atlantic salmon. By placing the salmon growth hormone under the control of an alternative genetic promoter (gene switch) from the edible marine fish, ocean pout, more consistent levels of growth hormone are released, which accelerates the early stages of the salmons development. The AquAdvantage® Salmon do not reach a larger final size than their traditional counterparts, but by accelerating growth in the early stages of rearing, these fish can reach a marketable size sooner. In the case of Atlantic salmon, this can reduce farming time from 28 to 36 months to 18 to 20 months.
This accelerated growth has several advantages, both economic and environmental. The faster life cycle, from birth to harvesting, of AquAdvantage® Salmon as compared to conventional salmon would allow it to be produced more economically in contained inland systems. Although this would require greater capital investment than the sea cage system, we believe that the higher costs would be offset by more efficient growth, better feed conversion and more effective control of disease. In addition, with a facility located nearer to the major food markets, there would be savings on transportation of the harvested stock as well as the ability to get fresh product to market faster.
Plan of Operation
Our core business is to develop and market superior products to improve productivity in aquaculture. Our first product is the AquAdvantage® Salmon egg, which is currently under FDA review. Our business plan contemplates that, once regulatory approval for the human consumption of AquAdvantage® Salmon in the United States is obtained, we will produce and sell AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs for commercial production.
As we scale up our production capabilities following receipt of FDA approval, we currently plan to apply for regulatory approval of a second hatchery that would likely be located in the United States. We also currently plan to increase our supply of unfertilized Atlantic salmon eggs through either the expansion of our existing Canadian hatchery or through the purchase of an existing egg producer. We may also apply to engage in commercial production of AquAdvantage® Salmon through the construction and operation in the United States of land-based recirculating aquaculture system facilities, which are closed-loop production systems that filter and recycle water. Our ability to pursue some or all of these plans is subject to uncertainties, including the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms or at all. The uncertainty of the timing of the FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon makes it difficult to create a definitive plan beyond the short-term. Upon receipt of FDA approval, we expect to finalize our operational plan and move forward with our expansion, which may require us to seek to raise additional funds. In the meantime, we are searching for potential acquisition targets that would meet our anticipated requirements for Atlantic salmon egg production.
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We intend to continue investing in research and development. We anticipate that our research and development expenditures will increase as we continue to develop our other AquAdvantage® fish products and as we initiate new development projects under the Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement, or ECC, that we entered into in February 2013 with Intrexon. See Research and Development. The timeline for development projects will depend on many factors, but could extend beyond ten to fifteen years, taking into account the time needed for development, regulatory approval and pre-marketing activities.
Any additions to headcount in our research and production activities will depend in large part on the number of development activities we undertake and the success of our commercialization efforts for AquAdvantage® Salmon. We expect to increase our headcount in administration at our corporate headquarters as we begin to commercialize our product and as a result of being a public reporting company in the United States.
Our Markets
If FDA approval of the NADA is received, we expect to market AquAdvantage® Salmon throughout the United States. In addition, we intend to focus on those significant fish farming markets where we believe we will have success in gaining regulatory approval and consumer acceptance. We currently expect to market AquAdvantage® Salmon in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil and China following receipt of required regulatory approvals in the applicable jurisdiction.
Initially, we expect the cost of production for each AquAdvantage® Salmon egg will be higher than the industry norm, but will fall significantly once volume production increases. While no pricing structure has been set, on the basis of the considerable savings available to producers, we expect AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs to sell at a premium to standard Atlantic salmon eggs.
The salmon distribution system in the United States is complex and varied. Participants include fishermen, fish farmers, processors, importers, secondary processors, broadline distributors, specialty seafood distributors, brokers, traders and many different kinds of retail and food service companies. Salmon distribution channels are evolving, with fewer and larger distributors handling an increasing share of total volume, and an increasing share of salmon being sold directly by large fish-farming companies and large wild salmon processors to large retail and food service chains. We expect that harvested AquAdvantage® Salmon will be sold into this distribution network.
Regulatory Environment
FDA Approval
We opened an Investigational New Animal Drug Application for AquAdvantage® Salmon with the FDA in 1995 and began a phased submission of studies. By 2010, we had completed all of the technical submission requirements for approval under the NADA. In September 2010, the FDA held a public meeting of its Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee to review its findings regarding AquAdvantage® Salmon. The FDAs panel of experts concluded that AquAdvantage® Salmon is indistinguishable from other farmed Atlantic salmon, is safe to eat and does not pose a threat to the environment under the conditions in which it would live and be harvested.
On December 26, 2012, the FDA published its environmental assessment, or EA, for AquAdvantage® Salmon, along with its preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI, confirming that an approval of the pending NADA would not have an adverse effect on the environment. The FDA opened up a 60-day period for public comment on the EA and FONSI. On February 13, 2013, the FDA extended the period for public comment by an additional 60 days and that period expired April 26, 2013.
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We are awaiting a final decision from the FDA on the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon. While we do not expect the FDA to require us to complete other field trials, or meet any other requirements prior to approval, the FDA has not provided us with an indication of its current or proposed process or the associated timing for approval.
Other Regulatory Approvals
On November 25, 2013, Environment Canada, the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for regulating environmental policies and issues, concluded that AquAdvantage® Salmon is not harmful to the environment or human health when produced in contained facilities. This ruling, which is currently subject to a judicial review brought about by certain environmental groups on administrative procedural grounds, recognizes that our Canadian hatchery, which produces sterile, all-female eggs, is no longer solely a research facility but can produce eggs on a commercial scale without harm to the environment or human health.
In February 2012, we filed a Novel Foods application for AquAdvantage® Salmon with Health Canada, the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for regulating products for human consumption. In conjunction with this application, we filed to register AquAdvantage® Salmon as a Novel Feed with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, a prerequisite for a Novel Food approval. To date, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have been reviewing our data submission on the safety of AquAdvantage® Salmon as a food and feed, respectively. While we continue to seek Health Canadas approval for the sale of AquAdvantage® Salmon in Canada for human consumption, there can be no assurance as to when and if this approval will be obtained.
We have not requested approval for the production or sale of AquAdvantage® Salmon in any other market. We intend to initiate additional regulatory filings outside the United States if and when FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon is obtained.
Environmental Regulation
Grow-out of AquAdvantage® Salmon in the United States will require compliance with environmental regulations and local site permitting statutes. In addition, every production site for AquAdvantage® Salmon in the United States will require approval by the FDA of both a Supplemental NADA and a site-specific EA. We expect that we will incur costs to comply with these environmental and regulatory requirements, which could take several years to complete for each production site. We are currently unable to estimate these costs but they may be significant.
Raw Materials
We currently source the unfertilized eggs that we use for internal research and trials of our AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs from a Canadian supplier. If that supplier was unwilling or unable to continue to supply our unfertilized egg requirements during the commercialization of AquAdvantage® Salmon, we believe we could find alternative sources of these materials without significant difficulty or material additional expense. In addition, as we move towards the commercialization of AquAdvantage® Salmon, we may acquire an unfertilized egg producer or expand our existing facility to produce unfertilized eggs in-house.
Intellectual Property
The AquAdvantage® fish program is based upon a single, specific molecular modification in fish that results in more rapid growth in early development. This enables shorter production cycles and increased efficiency of production. Prior to February 2014, we were a party to a license agreement with
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Genesis Group, Inc., or Genesis, and an affiliate of the Hospital for Sick Children of Toronto and Memorial University, or HSC, related to our transgenic fish program. Under the terms of this agreement, we were required to make an annual royalty payment of $25 thousand or revenue-based royalty payments equal to five percent of any gross revenues generated from products that utilize the technology covered under the license agreement. No revenue-based royalty payments were made under this agreement. The patent for the licensed technology, which had been issued in every major salmon producing country, expired in August 2013. In February 2014, we entered into a new license agreement with Genesis and HSC that replaced the prior license agreement. Under the new agreement, we hold a global, perpetual, royalty-free, fully paid, sub-licensable, assignable, non-exclusive right to the technology covering genetically modified salmonid fish that express endogenous growth hormone under the control of an anti-freeze protein gene promoter from an edible fish. In consideration for this license, we agreed to pay to Genesis a one-time payment of C$150,000 (US$140,235), which amount was paid on March 6, 2014. Despite the expiration of the patent for the licensed technology, we believe that the degree of know-how in the molecular modification process and the regulatory timescales associated with approval of genetically modified fish would present significant barriers to competition.
We currently have a pending U.S. patent application relating to our molecular sterility system that is designed to provide an improved means of sterility for farmed fish by inducing sterility at the maternal level.
For information regarding our rights to use certain technologies under the ECC with Intrexon, see Research and Development.
Seasonality
Atlantic salmon spawn once per year, so there is a natural seasonality of three to five months in the production of Atlantic salmon eggs for commercial use. This natural seasonality can be lengthened through the use of photoperiod techniques to make Atlantic salmon eggs available year round. We are not yet capable of producing AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs on a year-round basis. Currently, we produce AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs during the period of January through April of each year. We expect that once we establish a second egg rearing hatchery and increase our supply of unfertilized eggs, we will be able to produce AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs year-round.
Competition
There are four major commercial salmonid breeding companies that market proprietary lines of Atlantic salmon eggs, as well as many small producers of salmonid eggs. Additionally, many of the largest Atlantic salmon producers maintain their own egg production capabilities. We do not believe, however, that we have a direct competitor for genetically modified, growth-enhanced Atlantic salmon eggs. The industry and market for farmed Atlantic salmon is dominated by a group of large, multinational corporations with entrenched distribution channels, as discussed above under The Aquaculture IndustryMajor Producers.
Research and Development
As of December 31, 2013, we had eight employees dedicated to research and development. Our primary research and development operations are located in our owned hatchery on Prince Edward Island. In addition, we contract research activities to Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc. (doing business as the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada), our former research group, which was spun-off and sold to Tethys in 2012. We incurred expenses of $1.9 million in 2013, $1.6 million in 2012 and $2.2 million in 2011 on research and development activities.
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In February 2013, we entered into the ECC with Intrexon pursuant to which we are permitted to use Intrexons UltraVector® and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC grants us a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. This license is exclusive with respect to any clinical development, selling, offering for sale or other commercialization of developed products, and otherwise is non-exclusive. Under the ECC and subject to certain exceptions, we are responsible for, among other things, the performance of the program, including development, commercialization and certain aspects of manufacturing developed products. Among other things, Intrexon is responsible for the costs of establishing manufacturing capabilities and facilities for the bulk manufacture of certain products developed under the program, certain other aspects of manufacturing, costs of discovery-stage research with respect to platform improvements and costs of filing, prosecution and maintenance of Intrexons patents. We agreed to pay Intrexon, on a quarterly basis, 16.66% of the gross profits calculated for each developed product. We also agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of the quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, we agreed to reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. Since its execution in February 2013, we and Intrexon have commenced development on two projects under the ECC. Both projects are currently proceeding according to expectations.
In addition to the projects being undertaken under the ECC, we are exploring the potential development of a range of additional products, including a second generation of AquAdvantage® Salmon to ensure 100% sterility, molecular sterility systems to provide an improved means of sterility for farmed fish, infection control in shrimp and improved methods for generating transgenic fish.
Our research and development expenditures are directly tied to the number of projects that we choose to undertake. We expect to increase our development efforts as we commence projects under our ECC with Intrexon. We expect that these projects could result in an increase in our research and development expenditures in the range of 5% to 10% per year.
Employees
As of December 31, 2013, we had 15 employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union, and we consider our employee relations to be good.
Financial Information About Geographic Areas
While our corporate headquarters are located in Maynard, Massachusetts and we are domiciled in the United States, our primary physical assets are comprised of our hatchery on Prince Edward Island, Canada. We own the building, all improvements and the equipment used in the facility. In addition, we lease a demonstration farm for AquAdvantage® Salmon in Panama.
Recent Events
On March 20, 2014, we completed a private offering of 19,040,366 shares of our common stock to Intrexon, our majority shareholder. The shares were sold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The total net proceeds, after giving effect to expenses associated with the offering, was approximately $9.7 million. We believe that the net proceeds raised in the offering will permit us to fund our working capital needs for at least the next 12 months. We also believe that such proceeds will allow us to begin accelerated commercialization of AquAdvantage® Salmon following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon. We believe it will take two years following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon to establish
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commercial operations and an additional two years before we can generate significant revenues and, accordingly, we anticipate that we will need to raise further funds prior to that time. We also intend to apply a portion of the net proceeds of the offering towards the development of new products through the ECC with Intrexon.
In connection with the private offering, we sought and obtained the approval of our shareholders of (1) the offering and waiver of certain pre-emptive rights under the existing Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., or the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, and (2) the amendment and restatement of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation as contemplated by the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to effect a 1-for-10 reverse stock split and certain changes to the corporate governance procedures and voting thresholds set forth therein. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation, including the reverse stock split contemplated thereby, would become effective immediately following the effective time of this Registration Statement on Form 10.
We believe that the net proceeds of the offering together with the reverse stock split will allow us to satisfy certain balance sheet tests and bid price requirements under the NASDAQ initial listing standards.
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this Registration Statement on Form 10, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this Registration Statement on Form 10, before making your decision to invest in shares of our common stock. We cannot assure you that any of the events discussed in the risk factors below will not occur. These risks could have a material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects. If that were to happen, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
This Registration Statement on Form 10 also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this Registration Statement on Form 10. See Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements for information relating to these forward-looking statements.
Risks Related to our Business
We have a history of net losses and will likely incur future losses, at least during the next four years, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability.
Although we were established in 1991, we did not start to develop our current product portfolio until 1996. In the period since incorporation to December 31, 2013, we have incurred net losses of approximately $77 million. These losses reflect our personnel, research and development and marketing costs. We believe it will take two years following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon to establish commercial operations and an additional two years before we can generate significant revenues. Ultimately, our prospects depend on receipt of that approval as well as consumer acceptance of genetically modified fish. There can be no guarantee that we will achieve profitability in the future.
We may need substantial additional capital in the future in order to fund our business.
We do not expect significant sales until 2018, at the earliest. Therefore, based on our current business plan, we anticipate a need to raise further funds prior to that time. Any issuance of shares of our capital
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stock could have an effect on the potential realizable value of an investment in our common stock. In the absence of a proportionate increase in our earnings and book value, an increase in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of our capital stock caused by the issuance of any additional shares of our capital stock could dilute the earnings per share and book value per share of outstanding shares of our common stock. If such factors were reflected in the price per share of our common stock, the potential realizable value of our shareholders investments could be adversely affected.
The amount and timing of the expenditures needed to achieve our development and commercialization programs will depend on numerous factors, some of which are outside our control. Changes could result in the need for additional funds. The primary factor impacting the amount and timing of any additional expenditures is the timing of FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon. Until approval is received, we will have no sources of revenue and thus will require funds to cover operational losses, which have recently averaged between $4 million and $5 million per year.
Following receipt of FDA approval, we plan to apply for regulatory approval of a second hatchery that would likely be located in the United States. We also plan to increase our supply of unfertilized Atlantic salmon eggs through either the expansion of our Canadian hatchery or through the purchase of an existing egg producer. In addition, we may decide to vertically integrate and commence production grow-out of our AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs to harvest size, rather than selling the eggs to salmon farmers. If this path is chosen, we would need to invest in the construction of land-based recirculating aquaculture system facilities. These facilities have estimated construction costs of $10 million to $20 million each, based on desired output and the level of sophistication of the internal systems. A capital investment of $100 million would be expected over the course of two to five years to fund this business model.
There can be no assurance that additional funds will be available on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all, or that such funds, if raised, would be sufficient to enable us to continue to implement our business strategy.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interests of holders of our common stock will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through government or other third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
Our ability to generate revenue to support our operations depends on obtaining regulatory approvals for AquAdvantage® Salmon, and receipt of those approvals is uncertain.
As a genetically modified animal for human consumption, AquAdvantage® Salmon will require approval from the FDA in the United States and regulatory bodies in other countries before it can be sold and/or produced. There is no guarantee that we will receive or be able to maintain regulatory approvals from the FDA or other regulatory bodies or that there will not be a significant delay before approval. There is also no guarantee that any approvals granted will not be subject to unduly onerous obligations in relation to matters such as production or labeling, or that any regulator will not require additional data prior to approval, which may be costly and time consuming to acquire. In particular, the FDA has not provided us with an indication of the process or associated timing for approval of the NADA for
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AquAdvantage® Salmon. We do not expect to engage in commercial development of AquAdvantage® Salmon, or to generate revenue, unless and until FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon is received.
The FDA has not yet approved any genetically modified animal for sale as a food item.
The FDA has not yet approved any genetically modified animal for sale as a food item in the United States. If AquAdvantage® Salmon is approved, it will be the first approval of a NADA for the sale of a genetically modified animal as food anywhere in the world. There can be no assurance that our product will receive FDA approval.
Ethical, legal and social concerns about genetically modified organisms could limit or prevent the use of our products and limit our revenues.
Our technologies involve the use of genetically modified organisms. Public perception about the safety and environmental hazards of, and ethical concerns over, genetically engineered products could influence public acceptance of our technologies and products. Activist groups opposing genetic modifications of organisms have recently pressured a number of retail food outlets and grocery chains to publicly state that they will not carry genetically modified Atlantic salmon. If we are not able to overcome the ethical, legal and social concerns relating to genetic engineering, products using our technologies may not be accepted in the marketplace and demand for our products could fall short of what we expect. These concerns could also result in increased expenses, regulatory scrutiny, delays or other impediments to implementation of our business plan.
The subject of genetically modified organisms has received negative publicity, which has aroused public debate. This adverse publicity could lead to greater regulation and trade restrictions on imports of genetically altered products. Further, there is a concern that products produced using our technologies could be perceived to cause adverse events, which could also lead to negative publicity.
We may have limited success in gaining consumer acceptance of our products.
There is an active and vocal group of opponents to genetically modified organisms who wish to ban or restrict the technology and who, at a minimum, hope to sway consumer perceptions and acceptance of this technology. Their efforts include regulatory legal challenges and labeling campaigns for genetically modified products, as well as application of pressure to consumer retail outlets seeking a commitment not to carry genetically modified Atlantic salmon. We may not be able to overcome the negative consumer perceptions that these organizations have instilled against our products.
We may have to label our AquAdvantage® Salmon at the retail level as containing genetically modified ingredients, which could negatively impact consumer acceptance.
Under current labeling laws, our AquAdvantage® Salmon does not need to be labeled as containing genetically modified ingredients, because our product has been deemed to be substantially equivalent to the traditional product. However, several states have either passed laws or are considering new laws that would require the labeling of any product sold at the retail level that contains genetically modified ingredients. In addition, the FDA may determine that products containing genetically modified ingredients should be labeled as such even if equivalent to the traditional product. Labelling requirements could cause consumers to view the label as either a warning or as an indication that AquAdvantage® Salmon is inferior to traditional Atlantic salmon, which could negatively impact consumer acceptance of our product.
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The markets in which we intend to sell our products are subject to significant regulations.
In addition to the requirement for FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon to sell in the United States, we will also be subject to state and local regulations and permitting requirements, which could impact or delay the commercialization and commencement of revenue generation from the sale of AquAdvantage® Salmon. International sales are also subject to rules and regulations promulgated by regulatory bodies within foreign jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that foreign, state or local regulatory bodies will approve the sale of our product in their jurisdiction.
We may incur significant costs complying with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could expose us to significant liabilities.
Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws and regulations governing, among other matters, the use, generation, manufacture, transportation, storage, handling, disposal of and human exposure to our products in both the United States and overseas, including regulation by governmental regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other costs in the ordinary course of our business in complying with these laws and regulations.
We may become subject to increasing regulation in the future.
Regulations pertaining to genetically modified animals are still developing and could change from their present state. We could be subject to increasing or more onerous regulatory hurdles as we attempt to commercialize our product, which could require us to incur significant additional capital and operating expenditures and other costs in complying with these laws and regulations.
The loss of AquAdvantage® Salmon broodstock could result in the loss of our commercial technology.
Our intellectual property for AquAdvantage® Salmon resides in the breeding population of live fish, or broodstock, themselves. Destruction of AquAdvantage® Salmon broodstocks by whatever means would result in the loss of the commercial technology. Live animals are subject to disease that may, in some cases, prevent or cause delay in the export of fish or eggs to customers. Disease organisms may be present undetected and transferred inadvertently. Such events may cause loss of revenue, increased costs, or both.
Atlantic salmon farming is subject to disease outbreaks which can increase the cost of production and/or reduce production harvests.
Salmon farming systems, particularly conventional, open sea-cage systems, are vulnerable to disease introduction and transmission, primarily from the marine environment or adjacent culture systems. The economic impact of disease to these production systems can be significant, as farmers must incur the cost of preventative measures, such as vaccines and antibiotics, and then if infected, the cost of lost or reduced harvests. Although we will produce and grow our AquAdvantage® Salmon in land-based, closed containment facilities, we will still be at risk for potential disease outbreaks. We have implemented biosecurity measures in our facilities to prevent or mitigate disease impact, but there can be no assurance that any measures will be 100% effective.
We may be sued by non-governmental organizations and others who are opposed to the development or commercialization of genetically modified organisms.
There are many organizations in the United States and elsewhere that are fundamentally opposed to the development of genetically modified organisms. These groups have a history of bringing legal
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action against companies attempting to bring new biotechnology products to market. On January 16, 2014, an application was filed by two non-governmental organizations with the Canadian Federal Court seeking judicial review to declare invalid the decision by the Canadian Minister of the Environment to publish in the Canadian Gazette a Significant New Activity Notice, or SNAN, with respect to AquAdvantage® Salmon. We may be subject to future additional litigation brought by one or more of these organizations in their attempt to block the development or sale of our product. In addition, animal rights groups and various other organizations and individuals have attempted to stop genetic engineering activities by pressing for legislation and additional regulation in these areas. To the extent the actions of these organizations are successful, our business may be adversely affected. Such actions, even if unsuccessful, may distract management from its operations priorities and may cause us to incur significant costs.
Our ability to compete may be negatively impacted if we do not adequately protect our proprietary technologies or if we lose some of our intellectual property rights.
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents and maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property in the United States and abroad for our technologies and resultant products and potential products. We have adopted a strategy of seeking patent protection in the United States and abroad with respect to certain of the technologies used in or relating to our products; however, the patent to the technology covering AquAdvantage® Salmon, which we license under a global, perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license from Genesis and HSC, expired in August 2013. We expect to protect our proprietary technology in regards to AquAdvantage® Salmon through a combination of in-house know-how and the regulatory process that would need to be completed for a competing product to be commercialized, which we believe would be cost-prohibitive to our competitors. There can be no guaranty that this strategy will be successful.
We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technologies, particularly in cases when we believe patent protection is not appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect, and we may not be able to adequately protect our trade secrets or other proprietary or licensed information. While we require our employees, academic collaborators, consultants and other contractors to enter into confidentiality agreements with us, if we cannot maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary and licensed technologies and other confidential information, our ability and that of our licensor to receive patent protection and our ability to protect valuable information owned or licensed by us may be imperiled.
Enforcing our intellectual property rights may be difficult and unpredictable.
Enforcing our intellectual property rights can be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome of such efforts can be unpredictable. If we were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of our technologies, the defendant could counterclaim that our patent is invalid and/or unenforceable or assert that the patent does not cover its manufacturing processes, manufacturing components or products. Furthermore, in patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging both invalidity and unenforceability are commonplace. Although we may believe that we have conducted our patent prosecution in accordance with the duty of candor and in good faith, the outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability during patent litigation is unpredictable. With respect to the validity of our patent rights, we cannot be certain, for example, that there is no invalidating prior art, of which we and the patent examiner were unaware during prosecution. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, we would not be able to exclude others from practicing the inventions claimed therein. Such a loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our business. Even if our patent rights are found to be valid and enforceable, patent claims that survive litigation may not cover
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commercially valuable products or prevent competitors from importing or marketing products similar to our own, or using manufacturing processes or manufacturing components similar to those used to produce the products using our technologies.
Although we believe we have obtained assignments of patent rights from all inventors, if an inventor did not adequately assign their patent rights to us, a third party could obtain a license to the patent from such inventor. This could preclude us from enforcing the patent against such third party.
We may not be able to enforce our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
The laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, often do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to genetic engineering. This could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or misappropriation of our other intellectual property rights. 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. Accordingly, our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights in such countries may be inadequate.
Competitors and potential competitors may develop products and technologies that make ours obsolete or garner greater market share than ours.
We do not believe that we have a direct competitor for genetically modified, growth-enhanced Atlantic salmon eggs. However, the market for Atlantic salmon is dominated by a group of large, multinational corporations with entrenched distribution channels. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to demonstrate that AquAdvantage® Salmon is superior to and/or less expensive than other products available in the market. Certain of our competitors may benefit from government support and other incentives that are not available to us. As a result, our competitors may be able to develop competing and/or superior products and compete more aggressively and sustain that competition over a longer period of time than we can. As more companies develop new intellectual property in our markets, a competitor could acquire patent or other rights that may limit our ability to successfully market our product.
If our technologies or products are stolen, misappropriated or reverse engineered, others could use the technologies to produce competing technologies or products.
Third parties, including our collaborators, contractors and others involved in our business often have access to our technologies. If our technologies or products were stolen, misappropriated or reverse engineered, they could be used by other parties that may be able to reproduce our technologies or products using our technologies for their own commercial gain. If this were to occur, it would be difficult for us to challenge this type of use, especially in countries with limited intellectual property protection.
If we lose key personnel, including key management personnel, or are unable to attract and retain additional personnel, it could delay our commercialization plans or harm our research and development efforts, and we may be unable to sell or develop our own products.
Our success depends substantially on the efforts and abilities or our officers and other key employees. The loss of any key members of our management, or the failure to attract or retain other key employees who possess the requisite expertise for the conduct of our business, could prevent us from developing and commercializing our products and executing on our business strategy. We may not be able to attract or retain qualified employees in the future due to the intense competition for qualified
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personnel among biotechnology and other technology-based businesses, or due to the unavailability of personnel with the particular qualifications or experience necessary for our business. If we are not able to attract and retain the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience staffing constraints that could adversely affect our ability to meet the demands of our customers in a timely fashion or to support our internal research and development programs. In particular, our product development programs are dependent on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled scientists. Competition for experienced scientists and other technical personnel from numerous companies and academic and other research institutions may limit our ability to attract and retain such personnel on acceptable terms.
We may encounter difficulties managing our growth, which could adversely affect our business.
We could face a period of rapid growth following regulatory approval of AquAdvantage® Salmon, which may place significant pressure on our management, sales, operational and financial resources. The execution of our business plan and our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to manage current and planned expansion and on our ability to continue to implement and improve our operational management. Any failure to manage the planned growth may have a substantial adverse effect on our business, financial condition, trading performance and prospects.
We may pursue strategic acquisitions and investments that could have an adverse impact on our business if they are unsuccessful.
If appropriate opportunities become available, we may acquire businesses, assets, technologies or products to enhance our business in the future. In connection with any future acquisitions, we could:
| issue additional equity securities, which would dilute our current shareholders; |
| incur substantial debt to fund the acquisitions; or |
| assume significant liabilities. |
Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including:
| difficulties integrating the purchased operations, technologies or products; |
| unanticipated costs and other liabilities; |
| diversion of managements attention from our core business; |
| adverse effects on existing business relationships with current and/or prospective customers and/or suppliers; |
| risks associated with entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience; and |
| potential loss of key employees. |
We do not have extensive experience in managing the integration process, and we may not be able to successfully integrate any businesses, assets, products, technologies or personnel that we might acquire in the future without a significant expenditure of operating, financial and management resources. The integration process could divert management time from focusing on operating our business, result in a decline in employee morale or cause retention issues to arise from changes in compensation, reporting relationships, future prospects or the direction of the business. Acquisitions also may require us to record goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets that will be subject to impairment testing on a regular basis and potential periodic impairment charges, incur amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets and incur large and immediate write-offs and restructuring and other related expenses, all of which could harm our operating results and financial condition. In addition, we may acquire companies that have insufficient internal financial controls, which could impair our ability to integrate the acquired company and adversely impact our financial reporting. If we
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fail in our integration efforts with respect to any of our acquisitions and are unable to efficiently operate as a combined organization, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We have entered into agreements that require us to pay a significant portion of our future revenue to third parties.
In 2009, we received a grant from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to fund a research program. A total of C$2.9 million was made available under the grant, and we had received C$2.5 million of this amount through December 31, 2013. Once we begin to generate revenue, we must commence repayment of the outstanding loan in the form of a 10% royalty. These loan payments could negatively impact our ability to support our operations.
In addition, in February 2013, we entered into the ECC with Intrexon pursuant to which we are permitted to use Intrexons UltraVector® and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC grants us a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. We agreed under the ECC to pay Intrexon, on a quarterly basis, 16.66% of the gross profits calculated for each developed product. We also agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of the quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, we agreed to reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. These payments could negatively impact our ability to support our operations.
Our financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected by international business risks, including exchange rate fluctuation.
The majority of our employees, including our research personnel, are located outside the United States. As a consequence of the international nature of our business, we are exposed to risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We are based in the United States and present our financial statements in U.S. dollars and the majority of our cash resources are held in U.S. dollars or in Canadian dollars. Some of our future expenses and revenues are expected to be denominated in currencies other than in U.S. dollars. Therefore, movements in exchange rates to translate to foreign currencies may have a negative impact on our reported results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We have received government research grants and loans in the past, but such grants and loans may not be available in the future.
We have in the past received government assistance in the form of research grants and loans to partially fund various research projects, including projects involving our AquAdvantage® Salmon. There can be no assurance that additional government assistance will be available in the future to help offset the cost of our research activities, in which case we would need to fund our research projects entirely from our available cash resources, which may be limited. This could delay progress on future product development and introduction. In addition, we may be subject to audit by the government agencies that provided research assistance to ensure that the funds were used in accordance with the terms of the grant or loan. Any audit of the use of these funds would require the expenditure of funds and result in the diversion of managements attention.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Intrexons significant share ownership position allows it to influence corporate matters.
Intrexon currently owns 59.77% of our outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, we have granted to Intrexon certain rights to nominate members of our Board of Directors that are intended to
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ensure that Intrexon-nominated Board members represent a percentage of our Board that is proportionate to Intrexons percentage ownership of our common stock. Accordingly, Intrexon will be able to significantly influence who serves on our Board of Directors and the outcome of matters required to be submitted to our shareholders for approval, including decisions relating to the outcome of any proposed merger or consolidation of our company. Intrexons interests may not be consistent with those of our other shareholders. In addition, Intrexons significant interest in us may discourage third parties from seeking to acquire control of us, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
An active trading market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained.
Although our common stock is currently traded on AIM and we intend to apply to list our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market, an active trading market for our common stock may never develop or, if developed, be maintained. If an active market for our common stock does not develop or is not maintained, it may be difficult for shareholders to sell shares of our common stock.
As a result of Intrexons significant ownership percentage, the market in our common stock is expected to provide relatively low levels of liquidity in the foreseeable future. An inactive trading market may impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our shares as consideration.
The price of our shares of common stock is likely to be volatile.
The share price of publicly traded emerging companies can be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. The prices at which our common stock are quoted and the prices which investors may realize will be influenced by a large number of factors, some specific to our company and operations and some which may affect the quoted biotechnology sector, or quoted companies generally. These factors could include variations in our operating results, publicity regarding the process of obtaining regulatory approval to commercialize our products, divergence in financial results from analysts expectations, changes in earnings estimates by stock market analysts, overall market or sector sentiment, legislative changes in our sector, the performance of our research and development programs, large purchases or sales of our common stock, currency fluctuations, legislative changes in the genetic engineering environment and general economic conditions. Certain of these events and factors are outside of our control. Stock markets have from time to time experienced severe price and volume fluctuations, which, if recurring, could adversely affect the market prices for our commons stock.
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends, and accordingly, shareholders must rely on stock appreciation for any return on their investment.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the future and intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the operations, development and growth of our business. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may never occur, will provide a return to shareholders.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research or reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our shares of common stock will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price for our shares of common stock may be negatively impacted. If we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage and if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our shares of common stock,
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changes their opinion of our shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our shares of common stock could decrease and we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price and trading volume to decline.
We are an emerging growth company, and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our shares of common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as amended by the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, an exemption from the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards until they would apply to private companies, an exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditors report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding advisory say-on-pay votes on executive compensation and shareholder advisory votes on golden parachute compensation not previously approved. Under the JOBS Act, we will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (2) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more, (3) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt and (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. We cannot predict if investors will find our shares of common stock to be less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our shares of common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares of common stock and our share price may be more volatile.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies also can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
Our shareholders will not have the same protections generally available to shareholders of other NASDAQ-listed companies because we are currently a controlled company within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules.
Because Intrexon holds a majority of the voting power for the election of our Board of Directors, we are a controlled company within the meaning of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5615(c). As a controlled company, we qualify for exemptions from several of NASDAQs corporate governance requirements, including requirements that:
| a majority of our Board of Directors consist of independent directors; |
| compensation of officers be determined or recommended to our Board of Directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and |
21
| director nominees be selected or recommended to our Board of Directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors. |
While our Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members are independent, we may not have a compensation committee or a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, our shareholders will not be afforded the same protections generally as shareholders of other NASDAQ-listed companies for so long as Intrexon controls the composition of our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors determines to rely upon exemptions available to controlled companies.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.
The financial reporting obligations of being a public company in the United States are expensive and time consuming, and may place significant additional demands on our management.
Prior to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement on Form 10, we have not been subject to public company reporting obligations in the United States. The additional obligations of being a public company in the United States require significant additional expenditures, which we estimate will be approximately $400 thousand annually, and place additional demands on our management, including costs resulting from public company reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations regarding corporate governance practices, including those under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the listing requirements of NASDAQ, the exchange on which we intend to apply to list our common stock. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements. Moreover, despite recent reforms made possible by the JOBS Act, the reporting requirements, rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly, particularly if we were no longer to qualify as an emerging growth company. Any changes that we make to comply with these obligations may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis, or at all.
We also expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. These factors also could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board of Directors, particularly to serve on our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, or as executive officers.
22
The reverse stock split may not increase the price of shares of our common stock sufficiently and we may not be able to list our common stock on NASDAQ.
We expect that the 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock will increase the market price of our common stock so that we will be able to meet the minimum bid price requirement of the NASDAQ listing rules. However, the effect of a reverse stock split upon the market price of our common stock cannot be predicted with certainty, and it is possible that the market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split will not permit us to be in compliance with the applicable minimum bid or price requirements. If we are unable meet the minimum bid or price requirements, we may be unable to list our shares on NASDAQ.
The reverse stock split may result in shareholders owning odd lots of shares of our common stock.
The reverse stock split may result in some shareholders owning odd lots of less than 100 shares of common stock on a post-split basis. Odd lots may be more difficult to sell, or require greater transaction costs per share to sell, than shares in round lots of even multiples of 100 shares.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with other continued listing standards of NASDAQ.
Even if we are able to meet the initial requirements for the listing of our common stock on NASDAQ, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with standards necessary to maintain a listing of our common stock on NASDAQ. Our failure to meet the NASDAQ continuing listing requirements may result in our common stock being delisted from NASDAQ.
ITEM 2. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. You should read the following selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Registration Statement on Form 10 and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The consolidated statement of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2014, are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in U.S. dollars in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.
23
Our historical results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period, and our results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full fiscal year.
Three Months Ended March 31, |
Fiscal Years Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
in thousands, except share data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
$ | 318 | $ | 149 | $ | 678 | $ | 582 | $ | 673 | ||||||||||
Research and development |
546 | 351 | 1,895 | 1,629 | 2,165 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
722 | 428 | 2,302 | 2,101 | 2,578 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
| | | 94 | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
1,586 | 928 | 4,875 | 4,406 | 5,416 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating loss |
(1,586 | ) | (928 | ) | (4,875 | ) | (4,406 | ) | (5,416 | ) | ||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on royalty based financing instrument |
| | 187 | | 2,709 | |||||||||||||||
Interest and other expense, net |
(1 | ) | (4 | ) | (1 | ) | (9 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
(1 | ) | (4 | ) | 186 | (9 | ) | 2,706 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (1,587 | ) | $ | (932 | ) | $ | (4,689 | ) | $ | (4,415 | ) | $ | (2,710 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Other comprehensive income: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) |
43 | 23 | 94 | (9 | ) | 73 | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized losses on marketable securities |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) |
43 | 23 | 94 | (9 | ) | 73 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Comprehensive loss |
$ | (1,544 | ) | $ | (909 | ) | $ | (4,595 | ) | $ | (4,424 | ) | $ | (2,637 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share(1) |
$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | |||||
Weighted average number of common sharesbasic and diluted(1) |
127,849,520 | 106,341,833 | 120,613,246 | 94,701,028 | 68,570,857 |
(1) | The basic and diluted net loss per share and weighted average number of common shares used in the net loss per share calculation have not been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split to be effected immediately following the effective time of this Registration Statement on Form 10. |
As of March 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
in thousands | ||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and certificate of deposit |
$ | 10,100 | $ | 1,889 | $ | 363 | $ | 1,645 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 11,817 | $ | 3,561 | $ | 1,962 | $ | 3,537 | ||||||||
Long term debt |
$ | 2,430 | $ | 2,360 | $ | 2,035 | $ | 1,393 | ||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 8,780 | $ | 497 | $ | (780 | ) | $ | 1,578 |
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Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the other sections of this Registration Statement on Form 10, including our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. This discussion and analysis also contains forward-looking statements and should also be read in conjunction with the disclosures and information contained in Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. The following discussion and analysis is intended to enhance the readers understanding of our business environment.
Overview
We believe we are a leader in the field of biotechnology tools for improving the productivity of aquaculture. Our lead product is the AquAdvantage® Salmon, which is currently under FDA regulatory review. If approved, it will be the first genetically modified animal available for sale for human consumption. In the event we receive FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon, we intend to commence commercial activities thereafter, including the sale of AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs to qualified aquaculture farmers around the world and the farming of AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs in approved, contained, land-based Recirculating Aquaculture System facilities in the United States. We believe it will take two years following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA to establish commercial operations and an additional two years before we can generate significant revenues.
Financial Overview
We have incurred significant losses since our inception. We anticipate that we may continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability. We have never generated revenues from the sale of AquAdvantage® Salmon, and we have had no revenues from any other product since 2008.
We expect our future capital requirements will be substantial, particularly as we continue to develop our business and expand our commercial activities. As discussed in Item 1. BusinessRecent Events, in March 2014, we raised approximately $9.7 million of new equity capital through a private offering of shares of our common stock to Intrexon, our majority shareholder. After giving effect to this offering, and based on our current level of operations and anticipated growth, we believe our existing cash will provide adequate funds for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements through at least the next 12 months. We also believe that such proceeds will allow us to begin accelerated commercialization of AquAdvantage® Salmon following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon. We believe it will take two years following receipt of FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon to establish commercial operations and an additional two years before we can generate significant revenues and, accordingly, we anticipate that we will need to raise further funds prior to that time. We also intend to apply a portion of the net proceeds of the offering towards the development of new products through the ECC with Intrexon. In addition, we may need to raise additional capital if our current plans and assumptions change.
During the next several years, we expect that our annual spending on operations will increase. We expect that our research and development costs will increase as we expand the scope of our current projects and add new development projects under the ECC with Intrexon. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase due to the added reporting requirements of being a reporting company in the United States, as well as due to the anticipated growth of our company. We expect that our sales and marketing expenses will increase following commencement of commercial activities for our AquAdvantage® Salmon. We currently expect that the scale-up of production activities will require a second hatchery and an increase in our supply of green eggs. We may decide to enter production operations and raise the AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs to harvest in our own facilities, and we are
25
searching for potential acquisition targets that would meet our anticipated requirements for Atlantic salmon egg production. These activities would require substantial new investment to fund the cost of construction for land-based farming facilities. However, the uncertainty of the timing of the FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon makes it difficult to forecast these expenses or create a definitive operational plan beyond the short-term. Upon receipt of FDA approval, we expect to finalize our operational plan and move forward with our expansion, which may require us to raise additional funds.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Until we receive FDA approval of the NADA for AquAdvantage® Salmon, our sales and marketing expenses will consist primarily of personnel costs, travel and consulting fees for premarket commercial activities. As of March 31, 2014, we had two employees dedicated to sales and marketing. In addition, we operate a demonstration farm for AquAdvantage® Salmon in Panama, and we incur both lease and local management costs to run the facility.
Research and Development Expenses
We employ eight technicians at our hatchery on Prince Edward Island to oversee our broodstock of AquAdvantage® Salmon, as well as the lines of fish we maintain for research and development purposes. Since 2012, we have outsourced our research activities at the hatchery to Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc. (doing business as the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada), our former research group. In addition, under the ECC, we have an agreement with Intrexon to conduct research and develop new finfish products using their technology platform. We recognize research and development expenses as they are incurred. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of:
| salaries and related overhead expenses for personnel in research and development functions; |
| fees paid to Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc., consultants and contract research organizations who perform research on our behalf and under our direction; and |
| costs related to laboratory supplies used in our research and development efforts. |
From time to time we receive government funding or assistance in support of certain research projects. Any funds received are credited against costs incurred for the specific program.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for employees in executive, operational and finance functions. Other significant general and administrative expenses include corporate governance and public market maintenance, regulatory, rent and utilities, insurance and legal services.
Restructuring Charge
In conjunction with a fundraising in 2012, we implemented a reorganization intended to reduce operating costs by 30 percent, including the spin-off and sale of our research group to Tethys, our largest individual shareholder at that time. The restructuring charge during the year ended December 31, 2012 relates to the costs of implementing the reorganization.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash and short-term investments. Interest expense pertains to a term loan and a bridge loan from Intrexon. All of our interest bearing loans were fully
26
repaid during 2013. Other expense also includes bank charges and fees. Gain on royalty based financing instruments relates to the adjustments made to the balance of royalty based financing instruments with expiration dates. Adjustments are based on the likelihood of future repayment, taking into consideration the terms of the individual arrangements.
Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
This managements discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Registration Statement on Form 10, we believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical for fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations:
Government Assistance
From time to time we receive government assistance in the form of research grants, which are recorded as a reduction of the related expenditures. All government assistance is subject to periodic audit by the agency involved in the grant.
Valuation Allowance for Net Deferred Tax Assets
We record a valuation allowance to offset any net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that we will not recognize some or all of the deferred tax assets. We have had a history of net losses since inception, and as a result, we have established a 100% valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets. If circumstances change and we determine that we will able to realize some or all of these net deferred tax assets in the future, we will record an adjustment to the valuation allowance.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
Definite lived intangible assets include patents and licenses. Patent costs consist primarily of legal and filing fees incurred to file patents on proprietary technology that we have developed. Patent costs are amortized on a straight line basis over 20 years beginning with the issue date of the applicable patent. Licensing fees are capitalized and expensed over the term of the licensing agreement. Indefinite lived intangible assets include trademark costs, which are capitalized with no amortization as they have an indefinite life.
We review the carrying value of its long-lived tangible assets and definite lived intangible assets on an annual basis or more frequently if facts and circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. The carrying values of such assets are considered impaired when the anticipated identifiable undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying values. An impairment loss, if any, is recognized in the amount of the difference between the carrying amount and fair value. Indefinite lived intangible assets are subject to impairment testing annually or more frequently if impairment indicators
27
arise. Our impairment testing utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis that requires significant management judgment with respect to revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital and the selection and use of the appropriate discount rate. An impairment loss, if any, is recognized in the amount of the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.
Royalty-Based Financing Instruments
From time to time we will enter into financing arrangements whereby the funds received will be repaid through future royalties from revenues at agreed upon royalty rates. Amounts to be paid may be in excess of amounts borrowed. Additionally, in certain instances the repayment terms have expiration dates. We record outstanding borrowings under these arrangements as long-term debt liabilities and adjust the balance based on the likelihood of future repayment, taking into consideration the terms of the individual arrangement.
Share-Based Compensation
We measure and recognize all share-based payment awards, including stock options made to employees and directors, based on estimated fair values. The fair value of share-based payment awards are estimated on the date of grant using an option pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period in our consolidated statement of operations. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model, or Black-Scholes, as our method of valuation.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2014 to the three months ended March 31, 2013.
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, together with the changes in those items in dollars and as a percentage (in thousands):
Three months ended, March 31, |
Dollar Change |
% Change |
||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
$ | 318 | $ | 149 | $ | 169 | 113 | % | ||||||||
Research and development |
546 | 351 | 195 | 56 | % | |||||||||||
General and administrative |
722 | 428 | 294 | 69 | % | |||||||||||
Operating loss |
1,586 | 928 | 658 | 71 | % | |||||||||||
Total other expenses, net |
1 | 4 | (3 | ) | (75 | )% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss |
$ | 1,587 | $ | 932 | $ | 655 | 70 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses were $318 thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 compared to $149 thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2013, resulting in an increase of $169 thousand, or 113%. The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was the result of premarket commercial activities for AquAdvantage® Salmon, increased costs for our demonstration farm in Panama incurred in conjunction with the transfer of the management of the site and the hiring of our Chief Operating Officer. Our initial five-year lease for the Panama site commenced in October 2008. During its term, we managed the site remotely using local
28
contract workers for daily operations. When the subsequent two-year lease renewal was executed, we included a management fee to compensate the landowner for operating the site directly on our behalf. This added approximately $54 thousand to the cost of operating the farm in the three month period ended March 31, 2014. We expect that our sales and marketing expenses will increase in the event we receive FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon and commence full commercial activities.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $546 thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 compared to $351 thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2013, resulting in an increase of $195 thousand, or 56%. The increase in research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was the result of work performed on two research projects under the ECC with Intrexon. We expect that our research and development expenses will increase as we continue to enter into new ECC projects and as we scale-up our commercial operations.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $722 thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 compared to $428 thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2013, resulting in an increase of $294 thousand, or 69%. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was the result of legal fees incurred in the registration of our common stock and in defense of the legal action in Canada, and the hiring of an employee in mid-2013. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase as we operate as a public company in the United States. We estimate that expenditures associated with being a public company will be approximately $400 thousand annually and will include costs for director and officer liability insurance, costs related to the hiring of additional personnel and increased fees for outside consultants, lawyers and accountants. We also expect to incur increased costs to comply with corporate governance, internal controls and similar requirements applicable to U.S. public companies.
Total Other Expense, Net
Total other expense, net is primarily comprised of $1 thousand of interest income and $2 thousand of interest expenses and bank charges for the three month period ended March 31, 2014, compared to $4 thousand of interest expenses and bank charges for the three month period ended March 31, 2013.
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012.
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, together with the changes in those items in dollars and as a percentage (in thousands):
Years ended December 31 |
Dollar Change |
% Change |
||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
$ | 678 | $ | 582 | $ | 96 | 16 | % | ||||||||
Research and development |
1,895 | 1,629 | 266 | 16 | % | |||||||||||
General and administrative |
2,302 | 2,101 | 201 | 10 | % | |||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
| 94 | (94 | ) | (100 | )% | ||||||||||
Operating loss |
4,875 | 4,406 | 469 | 11 | % | |||||||||||
Total other income (expense), net |
186 | (9 | ) | 195 | (2167 | )% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss |
$ | 4,689 | $ | 4,415 | $ | 274 | 6 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses were $678 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $582 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012, resulting in an increase of $96 thousand, or 16%. The increase was the result of premarket commercial activities for AquAdvantage® Salmon and increased costs for our demonstration farm in Panama incurred in conjunction with the transfer of the management of the site. Our initial five-year lease for the Panama site commenced in October 2008. During its term, we managed the site remotely using local contract workers for daily operations. When the subsequent two-year lease renewal was executed, we included a management fee to compensate the landowner for operating the site directly on our behalf. This added approximately $30 thousand to the cost of operating the farm in 2013. In conjunction with the new lease, we paid an upfront deposit of $180 thousand, which will be amortized over the first year of the term. Upon completion of this lease, we expect the landowner to take over the site and thus become a customer for AquAdvantage® Salmon eggs. We also expect that our sales and marketing expenses will increase in the event we receive FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon and commence full commercial activities.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, resulting in an increase of $266 thousand, or 16%. The increase was the result of the initiation of two new research projects under the ECC with Intrexon. We expect that our research and development expenses will increase as we continue to enter into new ECC projects and as we scale-up our commercial operations.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, resulting in an increase of $201 thousand, or 10%. The increase in 2013 was the result of an employee hire mid-way through the year and a year-end bonus accrual. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase as we operate as a public company in the United States. We estimate that expenditures associated with being a public company will be approximately $400 thousand annually and will include costs for director and officer liability insurance, costs related to the hiring of additional personnel and increased fees for outside consultants, lawyers and accountants. We also expect to incur increased costs to comply with corporate governance, internal controls and similar requirements applicable to U.S. public companies.
Restructuring Charge
A restructuring charge of $94 thousand was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2012 in conjunction with our reorganization and the spin-out of our research group.
Total Other Income (Expense), Net
Total other income (expense), net is primarily comprised of $8 thousand of interest income and $9 thousand of interest expenses and bank charges for the year ended December 31, 2013, along with a gain on royalty based financing instrument of $187 thousand, compared to $9 thousand of interest expenses and bank charges for the year ended December 31, 2012.
30
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011.
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, together with the changes in those items in dollars and as a percentage (in thousands):
Years ended December 31, |
Dollar Change |
% Change |
||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
$ | 582 | $ | 673 | $ | (91 | ) | (14 | %) | |||||||
Research and development |
1,629 | 2,165 | (536 | ) | (25 | %) | ||||||||||
General and administrative |
2,101 | 2,578 | (477 | ) | (19 | %) | ||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
94 | | 94 | | ||||||||||||
Operating loss |
4,406 | 5,416 | (1,010 | ) | (19 | %) | ||||||||||
Total other income (expense), net |
(9 | ) | 2,706 | (2,715 | ) | (100 | %) | |||||||||
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Net loss |
$ | 4,415 | $ | 2,710 | $ | 1,705 | 63 | % | ||||||||
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Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses were $582 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $673 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011, resulting in a decrease of $91 thousand, or 14%. The decrease was the result of a scale-back in spending on international marketing efforts and field trial preparations.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, resulting in a decrease of $536 thousand, or 25%. The decrease in 2012 was the result of the reorganization, which included the spin-out of our research group.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, resulting in a decrease of $477 thousand, or 19%. The decrease in 2012 was the result of the reorganization, including a reduction in force and the closure of two offices.
Restructuring Charge
A restructuring charge of $94 thousand was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2012 in conjunction with the reorganization and spin-out of our research group.
Total Other Income (Expense), Net
Total other income (expense), net is primarily comprised of $9 thousand of interest expenses and bank charges for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $10 thousand of interest income and $13 thousand of interest expenses and bank charges for the year ended December 31, 2011, along with a gain on royalty based financing instrument of $2.7 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
We have incurred losses from operations since our inception in 1991 and as of March 31, 2014, we had an accumulated deficit of $78 million. From our inception through 2005, we funded our operations
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principally with the proceeds received from the sale of $34 million of our preferred stock and common stock and convertible debt to private investors. On March 20, 2006 we completed a public offering of common stock in the United Kingdom, raising net proceeds of $28 million. In 2010, 2012 and 2013, we raised additional funds totaling $13 million in three private placements of shares to existing investors.
On March 20, 2014, we completed a private placement of 19,040,366 shares of our common stock, all of which was purchased by Intrexon, our majority shareholder. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $9.7 million. As of March 31, 2014, we had cash of $10.1 million. For a discussion of the impact of this offering on our capitalization and balance sheet, see Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth the significant sources and uses of cash for the periods set forth below (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, |
Years ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | (1,665 | ) | $ | (953 | ) | $ | (4,458 | ) | $ | (3,715 | ) | $ | (4,951 | ) | |||||
Investing activities |
(14 | ) | (4 | ) | (142 | ) | (122 | ) | 3,450 | |||||||||||
Financing activities |
9,898 | 5,684 | 6,127 | 2,553 | 551 | |||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
(8 | ) | 1 | | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
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Net increase (decrease) in cash |
$ | 8,211 | $ | 4,728 | $ | 1,527 | $ | (1,282 | ) | $ | (946 | ) | ||||||||
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $1.7 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was primarily comprised of our $1.6 million net loss, offset by depreciation and stock compensation charges of $114 thousand, and working capital uses of $192 thousand. Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2013 was primarily comprised of our $932 thousand net loss offset by depreciation and stock compensation charges of $51 thousand and working capital decreases of $71 thousand. Spending on operations increased by $658 thousand during the current period, as we incurred legal expenses associated with the registration of our common stock, continued to invest in new research programs, and added headcount. Cash used for working capital was primarily for an increase in prepaid expenses of $119 thousand and a reduction of current liabilities of $91 thousand.
Net cash used in operating activities was $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2013 was primarily comprised of our $4.7 million net loss, offset by depreciation and stock compensation charges of $289 thousand, a gain of $187 thousand on a royalty-based financing instrument, and working capital increases of $129 thousand. Spending on operations increased by $470 thousand during 2013, as we began to increase employee headcount and to invest in new research programs. Cash provided by
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changes in working capital came primarily from an increase in accruals of $230 thousand related to research programs and license fees, offset by an increase in prepaid expenses of $90 thousand related to the deposit for the lease renewal in Panama.
Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2012 was primarily comprised of our $4.4 million net loss offset by depreciation and stock compensation charges of $550 thousand and working capital increases of $144 thousand. Spending on operations decreased by $1.0 million during 2012, as we implemented a reorganization and restructuring in order to conserve cash. Cash provided by changes in working capital came primarily from the payment of outstanding receivables and the amortization of prepaid expenses.
Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2011 was primarily comprised of our $2.7 million net loss, offset by depreciation and stock compensation charges of $531 thousand, a gain of $2.7 million on a royalty-based financing instrument, and working capital decreases of $63 thousand. Spending on operations increased by just $100 thousand during 2011, as we attempted to maintain operating activities at their current levels. Working capital declined during the year as cash was used on the pay down of both payables and accrued expenses.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $14 thousand and $4 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, we used $3 thousand for equipment purchases and $11 thousand for patent charges. In 2013, we used $4 thousand for patent charges.
Net cash used in investing activities was $142 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $122 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and net cash provided $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. In 2013, we used $100 thousand for equipment purchases and incurred $42 thousand for patent charges. In 2012, we used $53 thousand for equipment purchases and incurred $69 thousand for patent charges. In 2011, we received $3.5 million from the maturity of marketable securities, net of purchases, and we used $69 thousand for equipment purchases and incurred $14 thousand for patent charges.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $9.9 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, we received $9.7 million of net proceeds from the issuance of our common stock in a private placement of shares, we received $6 thousand in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and we received $148 thousand in proceeds from the issuance of debt. In 2013, we received $5.7 million of net proceeds from the issuance of our common stock in a private placement of shares, we received $4 thousand in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and we received $472 thousand in proceeds from the issuance of debt and repaid $517 thousand in current debt.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $551 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011. In 2013, we received $5.7 million of net proceeds from the issuance of our common stock in a private placement of shares, we received $4 thousand in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and we received $397 thousand in proceeds from the issuance of term debt, net of current payments. In 2012, we received $1.7 million of net proceeds from the issuance of our common stock in a private placement of shares and we received $810 thousand in proceeds from the issuance of term debt, net of current payments. In 2011, we received $4 thousand in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and we received $547 thousand in proceeds from the issuance of term debt, net of current payments.
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Future Capital Requirements
On March 20, 2014, we completed a private offering of 19,040,366 shares of our common stock to Intrexon, our majority shareholder. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $9.7 million. For a discussion of the impact of this offering on our capitalization and balance sheet, see Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities. After giving effect to the offering, we had $10.1 million of available cash at March 31, 2014.
We believe our existing cash will provide adequate funds for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements through at least the next 12 months. We anticipate a need to raise further funds in order to complete the commercialization of AquAdvantage® Salmon once FDA approval is received. We intend to devote a significant portion of our existing cash to the commercial roll-out of our AquAdvantage® Salmon product and the continued investment in our research and development projects. We have not determined the amounts we may spend on the commercial roll-out of AquAdvantage® Salmon and research and development projects. We may also use existing cash for acquisitions of companies that we believe may be complementary to our current business plan.
We have based our estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we may use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
| the timing of an FDA approval for AquAdvantage® Salmon, if ever; |
| the timing of regulatory approvals for AquAdvantage® Salmon in other countries, if any; |
| the successful roll-out of our AquAdvantage® Salmon commercial plan; |
| the acceptance of AquAdvantage® Salmon by consumers; |
| the resources, time and cost required to develop new and complimentary products; and |
| the costs associated with legal activities and regulatory filings. |
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate positive operating cash flows, we may finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, government or other third-party funding, strategic 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 holders of our common stock will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through government or other third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments at December 31, 2013 and the effects such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):
Total | Less than 1 year |
1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
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Office lease |
$ | 46 | $ | 20 | $ | 26 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
Panama site lease |
277 | 158 | 119 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Panama site management |
353 | 202 | 151 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 676 | $ | 380 | $ | 296 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
In addition to the obligations in the table above, as of December 31, 2013, we also have the following significant contractual obligations described below:
| In January 2009, we were awarded a grant to provide funding of a research and development project from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, a Canadian government agency. The total amount available under the award is C$2.9 million, which we can claim over a five year period. All amounts claimed must be repaid in the form of a 10% royalty on any products commercialized out of this research and development project until fully paid. As of December 31, 2013, the total amount claimed under the award was C$2.5 million ($2.4 million) and is included in long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet. This amount is not included in the table above due to the uncertainty of the timing of repayment. |
| In February 2013, we entered into the ECC with Intrexon, pursuant to which we are permitted to use Intrexons UltraVector® and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. We agreed under the ECC to pay Intrexon, on a quarterly basis, 16.66% of the gross profits calculated for each developed product. We also agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of the quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, we agreed to reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. Amounts required to be paid to Intrexon under the ECC are not included in the table above due to the uncertainty of the timing of payments. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The following sections provide quantitative information on our exposure to interest rate risk, stock price risk, and foreign currency exchange risk. We make use of sensitivity analyses which are inherently limited in estimating actual losses in fair value that can occur from changes in market conditions.
Interest Rate Risk
Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate risk associated with debt financing that we utilize from time to time to fund operations or specific projects. The interest on this debt is usually determined based on a fixed rate and is contractually set in advance. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we did not have any interest-bearing debt instruments on our consolidated balance sheet.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. The functional currency of our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian Dollar, and the functional currency of our Panama subsidiary is the U.S. Dollar. For the Canadian subsidiary, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at the historical exchange rate and the income statement accounts are translated at the average rate for each period during the year. Net translation gains or losses are adjusted directly to a separate component of other comprehensive loss within stockholders equity (deficit).
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ITEM 3. | PROPERTIES |
Our primary operations include locations in Massachusetts, Canada and Panama. We lease approximately 1,800 square feet of office space which is used as our corporate headquarters in Maynard, Massachusetts under the term of a three year lease. We lease a demonstration farm for AquAdvantage® Salmon in Panama. And we own an 18,000 square foot hatchery on Price Edward Island, Canada. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsContractual Obligations in Item 2. Financial Information.
ITEM 4. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
As of July 9, 2014, there are 144,537,265 shares of our common stock outstanding. The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our share capital as of July 9, 2014 by:
| each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our shares of common stock; |
| each of our directors; |
| each of our named executive officers; and |
| all of our directors and current named executive officers as a group. |
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
Name and address of beneficial owner |
Number of shares beneficially owned(1) |
Percentage of shares beneficially owned |
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Intrexon Corporation(2) |
86,386,624 | 59.77 | % | |||||
222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 1400 |
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Alejandro Weinstein (3) |
22,130,040 | 15.31 | % | |||||
Avenida Pedro de Valdivia No 295 Comuna de Providencia Ciudad de Santiago Region Metroploitana 7500524 Chile |
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Ronald L. Stotish |
2,370,000 | 1.62 | % | |||||
David A. Frank |
666,600 | * | ||||||
Henry C. Clifford |
536,600 | * | ||||||
Richard J. Clothier |
791,559 | * | ||||||
Thomas U. Barton |
| | ||||||
Christine St.Clare |
| | ||||||
Richard L. Huber |
783,321 | * | ||||||
Thomas R. Kasser. |
| | ||||||
Rick Sterling |
| | ||||||
James C. Turk |
| | ||||||
Named executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons) |
5,148,080 | 3.44 | % |
* | Indicates beneficial ownership of less than one percent of the total outstanding shares of our common stock. |
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(1) | Numbers of shares does not give effect to the 1-for-10 reverse stock split to be effected immediately following the effective time of this Registration Statement on Form 10. Percentages of shares beneficially owned will not change as a result of the reverse stock split. Amounts include options to purchase shares of our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days on March 31, 2014. |
(2) | As provided by the definitive proxy statement of Intrexon Corporation filed on April 29, 2014, voting and dispositive power over 62,450,701 of these shares is held by Randall J. Kirk, including shares held by the following entities over which Mr. Kirk (or an entity over which he exercises exclusive control) exercises exclusive control: 179,199 shares held by ADC 2010, LLC, 101,482 shares held by JPK 2008, LLC, 699,586 shares held by JPK 2009, LLC, 818,461 shares held by JPK 2012, LLC, 5,746,167 shares held by Kapital Joe, LLC, 131,081 shares held by Kellie L. Banks (2009) Long Term Trust, 5,428,401 shares held by Mascara Kaboom, LLC, 102,437 shares held by MGK 2008, LLC, 764,206 shares held by MGK 2009, LLC, 940,426 shares held by MGK 2011, LLC, 1,196,077 shares held by New River Management IV, LP, 22,636,052 shares held by New River Management V, LP, 1,679,578 shares held by NewVa Capital Partners, LP, 13,340,645 shares held by NRM VI Holdings I, LLC, 243,001 shares held by NRM VII Holdings I, LLC, 4,711,852 shares held by R.J. Kirk Declaration of Trust, 678,323 shares held by Third Security Incentive 2010 LLC, 1,356,648 shares held by Third Security Senior Staff 2008 LLC, 178,724 shares held by Third Security Staff 2001 LLC, 1,356,648 shares held by Third Security Staff 2010 LLC, 76,611 shares held by ZSK 2008, LLC, and 73,668 shares held by ZSK 2009, LLC. |
(3) | The amount includes 311,922 shares of our common stock held by Western Pharmaceuticals and 21,818,118 shares of our common stock held by CFR International SPA. Mr. Weinstein is a controlling shareholder of both companies. |
ITEM 5. | DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our directors and executive officers as of July 9, 2014:
Name |
Age | Position(s) | ||||
Richard J. Clothier |
68 | Chairman | ||||
Richard L Huber |
77 | Director | ||||
Thomas R. Kasser, Ph.D. |
59 | Director | ||||
Rick Sterling |
50 | Director | ||||
Christine St.Clare |
63 | Director | ||||
James C. Turk |
57 | Director | ||||
Ronald L. Stotish |
65 | Director, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||
Alejandro Rojas |
52 | Chief Operating Officer | ||||
David A. Frank |
53 | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary | ||||
Henry C. Clifford |
59 | VP Marketing & Sales |
Our directors are elected for a one-year term to hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders or until removed from office in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws. Our executive officers are elected by our Board of Directors and hold office until removed by the Board of Directors, and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, retirement, removal or death.
Richard J. Clothier. Mr. Clothier has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of AquaBounty since April 2006. Mr. Clothier has served as the Chairman of Robinson Plc since 2004, of Spearhead International Ltd since 2005 and of Exosect since 2013. He retired as Group Chief Executive of PGI Group Plc, an international agricultural products producer, following 20 years with Dalgety Plc where he was chief executive officer of the genetics firm Pig Improvement Company until 1992 and then
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Group Chief Executive Officer until 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Natal University and an Advanced Management Program degree from Harvard Business School. Mr. Clothiers extensive experience, both as an executive in the food industry and as a director of public and private companies, provides considerable operating, strategic and policy knowledge to our Board of Directors.
Richard L. Huber. Mr. Huber joined the Board of Directors of AquaBounty after our public offering in 2006. Mr. Huber is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aetna, a major U.S. health insurer, and is currently an independent investor in a number of companies operating in a wide range of businesses, mainly in South America. Following a 40 year career in the financial services industry, Mr. Huber now serves as a director of two private companies in Chile, Vina San Rafael and Invina, SA. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Harvard. Mr. Huber brings unique knowledge and experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, accounting, legal and governmental affairs to our Board of Directors.
Thomas R. Kasser, Ph.D. Dr. Kasser joined the Board of Directors of AquaBounty in February 2013. He is the President of the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Biotechnology Divisions and a Senior Vice President at Intrexon Corporation. Dr. Kasser brings over 25 years of business management experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industries. He was most recently President and Chief Executive Officer of Angionics, Inc., an early-stage biotech company focused on novel anti-angiogenic technology directed at therapies for cancer and ocular diseases. Prior to Angionics, he was a Covance Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Covance Research Products. Dr. Kasser had over 20 years of experience at Monsanto Company both in commercial as well as scientific leadership roles, including tenures as General Manager of Monsanto Choice Genetics, directing new product development for the nutrition and consumer products business, and managing clinical safety and efficacy trials under the jurisdiction of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kasser was designated a Monsanto Fellow in recognition of his scientific and technical excellence. Dr. Kasser received his Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Animal Nutrition from the Pennsylvania State University. He also received a Masters of Business Administration from Washington UniversitySt. Louis. Mr. Kassers knowledge of our industry and his research and executive leadership experience make him well qualified to serve as a director.
Christine St.Clare. Ms. St.Clare joined the Board of Directors of AquaBounty in May 2014. She retired as a partner of KPMG LLP in 2010, where she worked for a total of 35 years. While at KPMG, Ms. St.Clare worked as an Audit Partner serving publicly-held companies until 2005 when she transferred to the Advisory Practice, serving in the Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance practice until her retirement. She currently serves on the boards of Polymer Group, Inc., a global manufacturer of engineered materials, and of Fibrocell Science, Inc., a company that specializes in the development of personalized biologics, and has held both of these board positions since 2013. Ms. St.Clare has a Bachelor of Science from California State University at Long Beach and has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California, Texas and Georgia. Ms. St.Clares background in accounting and support of publicly-held companies, as well as her experience with biotechnology, makes her well suited for service on our Board of Directors.
Rick Sterling. Mr. Sterling joined the Board of Directors of AquaBounty in September 2013. He is the Chief Financial Officer at Intrexon Corporation. Prior to joining Intrexon, he was with KPMG LLP where he worked in the audit practice for over 17 years, with a client base primarily in the healthcare, technology and manufacturing industries. Mr. Sterlings experience includes serving clients in both the private and public sector, including significant experience with SEC filings and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Virginia Tech and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Sterlings background in audit and finance, as well as his experience with technology companies, make him well suited for service on our Board of Directors.
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James C. Turk. Mr. Turk joined the Board of Directors of AquaBounty in February 2013. Mr. Turk has served as a partner in the law firm Harrison & Turk, P.C. since 1987, having practiced two years before that with other firms. He has previously served as a member of the board of directors for multiple companies and foundations including Intrexon Corporation, the New River Community College Education Foundation, and the Virginia Student Assistance Authorities. He presently serves as a director of SunTrust Bank, Synchrony Inc., the Virginia Tech Athletic Foundation, and is a member of the Roanoke College Presidents advisory board. Mr. Turk received a Bachelor of Arts from Roanoke College and a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Mr. Turks legal background and his experience on multiple boards make him well qualified for service on our Board of Directors.
Ronald L. Stotish, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President. Dr. Stotish was appointed Executive Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of AquaBounty in May 2008. He joined AquaBounty in 2006 as Vice-President for Regulatory Affairs and, most recently, was Senior Vice-President for R&D and Regulatory Affairs. Prior to joining AquaBounty, Dr. Stotish was Executive Vice-President for R&D at MetaMorphix, Inc. He has served as Vice-President for Pharmaceutical R&D at Fort Dodge Animal Health and held a variety of positions at American Cyanamid. He began his career in research at Merck & Co. Dr. Stotish has degrees in biochemistry and over 40 years experience in the discovery, development and commercialization of new animal health products. Mr. Stotish has a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Science and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.
Alejandro Rojas, D.V.M., Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rojas joined AquaBounty as the Chief Operating Officer in February 2014. He formerly was the Production and Technical Manager for Marine Harvest from 1988 to 2000, where he was responsible for operations and the production of salmonids in Chile. He was also responsible for managing Quality Control Labs, Environmental Programs and Fish Health Programs. Mr. Rojas has a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and for the past 14 years has been a Technical Advisor and Consultant to numerous global aquaculture and biotech companies working with marine fish, including salmon, seabass, seabream and barramundi. His areas of expertise include benchmarking and market studies, technical and economic analysis for M&A activities, new species development in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and consulting on fish production, aquatic health, environment and biosecurity programs to private companies and governments.
David A. Frank, M.B.A., Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary. Mr. Frank was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of AquaBounty in October 2007. Previously he served as President and General Manager of TekCel LLC, a subsidiary of Magellan Biosciences, after serving as Magellans Chief Financial Officer since the companys founding in 2004 and as TekCels Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Frank has over 30 years of financial management experience, including as Chief Financial Officer of SmartEnergy, an independent energy supplier, as Corporate Controller for Moldflow Corporation, and in financial roles at PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc., Lotus Development Corporation, Apollo Computer, Inc. and Honeywell International, Inc. He has a Bachelor of Science in finance and accounting from Boston College and a Masters of Business Administration from Babson College.
Henry C. Clifford, Vice President Marketing & Sales. Mr. Clifford was appointed Vice-President of Marketing and Sales of AquaBounty in June 2005 and is responsible for the commercial deployment of AquaBountys product lines. Mr. Clifford is an internationally recognized authority on aquaculture and genetic improvement programs with a career spanning more than 30 years in the industry. He has provided technical services in aquaculture to more than 250 clients in 20 countries. In addition to implementing sales and marketing strategies for the company and overseeing customer relations, Mr. Clifford directs domestic and international field trial evaluations of the companys products, including the successful introduction and production of AquAdvantage® Salmon in Panama. Mr. Clifford has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Masters of Science in aquaculture from Texas A&M University.
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ITEM 6. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Overview
In preparing to become a public company, we have begun a thorough review of all elements of our executive and director compensation program, including the function and design of our equity incentive programs. We have begun, and we expect to continue in the coming months, to evaluate the need for revisions to our executive compensation program to ensure our program is competitive with the companies with which we compete for executive talent and is appropriate for a public company.
The tables and discussion below present compensation information for our chief executive officer and our two other most highly compensated officers for the year ended December 31, 2013, whom we refer to collectively as our named executive officers. These officers are:
| Ronald L. Stotish, Chief Executive Officer and President; |
| David A. Frank, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary; and |
| Henry C. Clifford, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 to our named executive officers.
Name and Position |
Year | Salary ($) (1) |
Bonus ($) (2) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($) (3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
All Other Compensation (4) ($) |
Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Stotish |
2013 | 315,167 | 80,063 | | | | | 6,653 | 401,883 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CEO and President |
2012 | 305,000 | | | | | | 6,467 | 311,467 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Frank |
2013 | 226,667 | | | 46,471 | | | 6,579 | 279,717 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CFO, Treasurer and Secretary |
2012 | 220,000 | | | | | | 6,392 | 226,392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Clifford |
2013 | 216,667 | | | 46,471 | | | 6,500 | 269,638 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VP Sales and Marketing |
2012 | 210,000 | | | | | | 6,300 | 216,300 |
(1) | Represents salaries before any employee contributions under our 401(k) plan. |
(2) | Represents discretionary cash incentive awards paid for performance during the 2013 fiscal year. |
(3) | The Option Awards included for each individual consists of stock option awards granted under the AquaBounty Technologies 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The value for each of these awards is its grant date fair value calculated by multiplying the number of shares subject to the award by the fair value of the stock option award on the date such award was granted, computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. The following table summarizes the number of stock option awards granted, the grant date and the fair value of the stock option award to calculate the total grant date fair value for the option awards reported. The Fair Value of the stock option grants were measured on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes calculation. The assumptions included an expected stock price volatility of 160%, a risk-free interest rate of 1.05%, a dividend yield of 0% and an expected life of 5 years. |
Name |
# of Stock Option Awards | Grant Date | Per Share Fair Value | Total Grant Date Fair Value |
||||||||||||
R. Stotish |
| | | | ||||||||||||
D. Frank |
200,000 | April 27, 2013 | $ | 0.2324 | $ | 46,471 | ||||||||||
C. Clifford |
200,000 | April 27, 2013 | $ | 0.2324 | $ | 46,471 |
40
The actual value a named executive officer may receive depends on market prices and there can be no assurance that the amounts reflected in the Option Awards column will actually be realized. No gain to a named executive officer is possible without an appreciation in stock value after the date of grant.
(4) | Amounts represent our contributions under our 401(k) plan. |
In 2013, we paid base salaries to Dr. Stotish, Mr. Frank and Mr. Clifford of $315,167, $226,667 and $216,667, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the base salaries of Dr. Stotish, Mr. Frank and Mr. Clifford were $320,250, $230,000 and $220,000, respectively. Base salaries are used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all of our employees, including our named executive officers. Certain of our named executive officers is currently party to an employment agreement that provides for the continuation of certain compensation upon termination of employment. See Employment Agreements.
Our Board of Directors may, at its discretion, award bonuses to our named executive officers from time to time. We typically establish bonus targets for our named executive officers and evaluate their performance based on the achievement of specified goals and objectives by each individual employee. Our management may propose bonus awards to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors primarily based on such achievements. Our Board of Directors makes the final determination of the eligibility requirements for and the amounts of such bonus awards. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the bonus award for Dr. Stotish was $80,063, which represents 25% of his base salary, awarded for his achievements in progressing the approval process for AquAdvantage® Salmon with the FDA.
Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to the grant of equity incentive awards to our executive officers, or any formal equity ownership guidelines applicable to them, we believe that equity grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the ownership interests of our executives and our shareholders. In addition, we believe that equity grants with a time-based vesting feature promote executive retention because this feature incentivizes our executive officers to remain in our employment during the vesting period.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table summarizes outstanding equity awards to our named executive officers at December 31, 2013.
Option Awards | ||||||||||||||||
Number of securities underlying unexercised options |
Option Exercise Price |
Option Expiration Date |
||||||||||||||
Name |
Exercisable | Unexercisable | ||||||||||||||
R. Stotish |
1,870,000 | 0 | $ | 0.11 | 06/30/2019 | |||||||||||
CEO and President |
500,000 | 0 | $ | 0.23 | 01/10/2021 | |||||||||||
D. Frank |
450,000 | 0 | $ | 0.11 | 06/30/2019 | |||||||||||
CFO, Treasurer and Secretary |
150,000 | 0 | $ | 0.23 | 01/10/2021 | |||||||||||
0 | 200,000 | $ | 0.25 | 04/26/2023 | ||||||||||||
H. Clifford |
90,000 | 0 | $ | 0.10 | 05/31/2019 | |||||||||||
VP Sales and Marketing |
280,000 | 0 | $ | 0.11 | 06/30/2019 | |||||||||||
100,000 | 0 | $ | 0.23 | 01/10/2021 | ||||||||||||
0 | 200,000 | $ | 0.25 | 04/26/2023 |
41
Director Compensation
Through December 31, 2013, the Chairman of our Board of Directors received annual compensation of £40,000 (approximately $66,228 using the pound sterling to U.S. Dollar spot exchange rate of 1.6557 published in The Wall Street Journal as of December 31, 2013), payable in quarterly installments of £10,000 (approximately $16,557). He also received an annual grant of restricted common shares equal to £15,000 (approximately $24,836) (based on the fair market value on the date of grant), with vesting after three years.
Through December 31, 2013, all non-employee directors, except for directors appointed by Intrexon per the Relationship Agreement described under Item 7, Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director IndependenceRelated Person TransactionsRelationship Agreement received annual compensation of $12,000, payable in quarterly installments of $3,000, and an additional $1,500 per meeting. Board of Directors committee chairs received $5,000 per annum and members of a board committee received $3,000 per annum, both payable quarterly. All non-employee directors, except for directors employed and appointed by Intrexon per the Relationship Agreement, received an annual grant of options to purchase 24,000 shares of our common stock (with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant), with vesting after one year.
The following table discloses all compensation provided to the non-employee directors for the most recently completed fiscal year ending December 31, 2013:
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
R. Clothier(1) |
64,986 | 22,812 | | | | | 87,798 | |||||||||||||||||||||
T. Barton(2) |
| | 7,788 | | | | 7,788 | |||||||||||||||||||||
R. Huber |
31,875 | | 7,788 | | | | 39,663 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. T. Kasser(2) |
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
R. Sterling(2) |
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Turk(2) |
| | 7,788 | | | | 7,788 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
96,861 | 22,812 | 23,364 | | | | 143,037 |
(1) | Mr. Clothiers compensation includes both Board of Directors fees and an annual grant of ordinary shares. Included in his 2013 compensation is a share grant of $22,812. |
(2) | Messrs. Barton, Kasser, Sterling and Turk are appointees to our Board of Directors by Intrexon and do not receive cash compensation from AquaBounty at this time. |
Employment Agreements
We have formal employment agreements with Dr. Stotish, Dr. Rojas, and Messrs. Frank and Clifford. Each agreement provides for the payment of a base salary, an annual bonus determined at the discretion of our Board of Directors based on achievement of financial targets and other performance criteria and, for Dr. Stotish, a one-time grant of 90,000 stock options.
Each agreement will remain in effect unless and until terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement. Each of Mr. Franks and Mr. Cliffords agreements provide that employment may be terminated by either us or the employee after giving the other not less than 12 months notice. Dr. Rojas agreement provides that employment may be terminated by us after giving to Dr. Rojas not less than 12 months notice, and by Dr. Rojas after giving to us not less than 1 months notice. During these respective notice periods, we have the right to terminate employment prior to
42
expiration of the notice period by paying the employee a sum equal to his basic salary and benefits during the notice period. Dr. Stotishs agreement does not contain termination notice requirements applicable to his current employment.
In addition, under each agreement, we may terminate the employees employment without notice or payment at any time for cause. For these purposes, cause means any of the following:
| performance by the employee of his duties in a manner that is deemed consistently materially unsatisfactory by our Board of Directors in its sole and exclusive discretion; |
| willful and material failure or refusal by the employee to perform his duties under the employment agreement (other than by reason of the employees death or disability); |
| certain breaches or nonobservance by the employee of the provisions of the employment agreement or directions of our Board of Directors or of rules issued by a stock exchange on which our securities are listed; |
| any intentional act of dishonesty, fraud or embezzlement by the employee or the admission or conviction of, or entering a plea of no contest by, the employee with respect to any felony or lesser crime involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, embezzlement or theft; |
| any negligence, willful misconduct or personal dishonesty of the employee resulting in a good faith determination by our Board of Directors of a loss to us or a damage to our reputation; |
| any failure by the employee to comply with our policies or procedures to a material extent; |
| the employee commits any act of deliberate unlawful discrimination or harassment; |
| the employee is adjudged bankrupt or enters into any composition or arrangement with or for the benefit of his creditors; |
| the employee becomes of unsound mind or a patient for the purposes of any law relating to mental health; or |
| the employee becomes prohibited by law from being a director. |
Each agreement also contains confidentiality and noncompetition provisions that we believe are typical for agreements of this type.
Equity Incentive and Retirement Plans
AquaBounty Technologies 2006 Equity Incentive Plan
The AquaBounty Technologies 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, which we refer to as the 2006 Plan, was first adopted by our Board of Directors and our shareholders in June 2007.
The 2006 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options to our employees and non-qualified stock options and awards of restricted and direct stock purchases to our directors, officers, employees and consultants. In accordance with the terms of the 2006 Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the 2006 Plan and, subject to any limitations, approves the recipients of awards and determines, among other things:
| the number of shares of our common stock covered by options and the dates upon which those options become exercisable; |
| the exercise prices of options; |
| the duration of options (subject to certain limitations set forth in the plan); |
43
| the methods of payment of the exercise price of options; |
| the number of shares of our common stock subject to any restricted stock awards and the terms and conditions of those awards, including the price, if any, restriction period (subject to certain limitations set forth in the plan) and conditions for repurchase (with respect to restricted stock awards); and |
| the number of shares of our common stock subject to any incentive awards and the terms and conditions of those awards, including the payment terms and award or the dollar amount of any incentive award period (subject to certain limitations set forth in the plan). |
In the event of a change in control, as defined in the 2006 Plan, all awards under the 2006 Plan, subject to the reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors, will become vested and exercisable, restrictions on Restricted Shares and Deferred Shares will lapse and performance targets will be deemed achieved and all other terms and conditions met, and all other awards will be delivered or paid.
As of December 31, 2013, there were options to purchase an aggregate of 4,249,000 shares of our common stock outstanding under the 2006 Plan at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.16 per share. As of December 31, 2013, there were 8,281,547 shares of our common stock reserved for future awards under the 2006 Plan.
AquaBounty Technologies 1998 Stock Option Program
In 1998, the Board of Directors reserved for issuance shares to be granted pursuant to stock options, which we refer to as the 1998 Program. The 1998 Program provides for the issuance of incentive stock options to our employees and non-qualified stock options to our directors, officers, employees and consultants. As of December 31, 2013, there were options to purchase an aggregate of 2,375,000 shares of our common stock outstanding under the 1998 Program at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.40 per share. These options were held by former members of our Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2013, there were no shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the 1998 Program. Effective as of the adoption of the 2006 Plan, our Board of Directors ceased making awards under the 1998 Program, and there are no shares of our common stock reserved for future awards under the 1998 Program.
401(k) Plan
We provide an employee retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which we refer to as the 401(k) plan, to all U.S. employees that are eligible employees as defined in the 401(k) plan. Subject to annual limits set by the Internal Revenue Service, we match 50 percent of eligible employee contributions up to a maximum of 3% of an employees salary, and vesting in our match is immediate. We made contributions in connection with the 401(k) plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 of $21,788, $24,851 and $31,860 respectively.
Registered Retirement Savings Plan
We also have a Registered Retirement Savings Plan for our Canadian employees. Subject to annual limits set by the Canadian government, we match 50 percent of eligible employee contributions up to a maximum of 3% of an employees salary, and vesting in our match is immediate. We made contributions in connection with this plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 of $14,312, $13,730 and $16,636, respectively.
Compensation Committee Interlocks
None of our executive officers serves, or in the past has served, as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has
44
one or more executive officers who serve as members of our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. None of the members of our Compensation Committee is also an officer or employee of AquaBounty, nor have they ever been an officer or employee of AquaBounty.
ITEM 7. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
Related Person Transactions
Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement
In February 2013, we entered into the ECC with Intrexon, pursuant to which we are permitted to use Intrexons UltraVector® and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC grants us a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. This license is exclusive with respect to any clinical development, selling, offering for sale or other commercialization of developed products, and otherwise is non-exclusive. Under the ECC and subject to certain exceptions, we are responsible for, among other things, the performance of the program, including development, commercialization and certain aspects of manufacturing developed products. Among other things, Intrexon is responsible for the costs of establishing manufacturing capabilities and facilities for the bulk manufacture of certain products developed under the program, certain other aspects of manufacturing, costs of discovery-stage research with respect to platform improvements and costs of filing, prosecution and maintenance of Intrexons patents. We agreed to pay Intrexon, on a quarterly basis, 16.66% of the gross profits calculated for each developed product. We also agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of the quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, we agreed to reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. The total Intrexon service costs incurred under the ECC during 2013 were approximately $453 thousand, of which approximately $107 thousand was reflected as an account payable in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. The ECC may be terminated by either us or Intrexon in the event of a material breach by the other. Intrexon may terminate the ECC (a) if we elect not to pursue the development of a superior animal product identified by Intrexon or (b) under certain circumstances if we assign our rights under the ECC without Intrexons consent. We may voluntarily terminate the ECC at any time upon 90 days written notice to Intrexon. Upon termination of the ECC, we may continue to develop and commercialize any collaboration product that, at the time of termination, (x) is being sold by us, (y) has received regulatory approval or (z) is the subject of an application for regulatory approval. Our obligation to pay 16.66% of the gross profits with respect to these retained products will survive termination of the ECC.
Relationship Agreement
In December 2012, we entered into a Relationship Agreement with Intrexon, which we refer to as the Relationship Agreement that sets forth certain matters relating to Intrexons relationship with us as a major shareholder. The Relationship Agreement was entered into in connection with the acquisition in October 2012 by Intrexon of shares of our common stock constituting 47.56% of our outstanding share capital from Linnaeus Capital Partners B.V. and Tethys, our former major shareholders.
Pursuant to the Relationship Agreement, we agreed to increase the size of our Board of Directors from three members to six members and to appoint three nominees of Intrexon, referred to as Intrexon Nominees, as directors with terms expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders held on July 10, 2013. Intrexon nominated Messrs. Barton, Kasser and Turk to serve as directors. Each was appointed to our Board of Directors on February 14, 2013. In addition, we agreed that, so long as the Relationship Agreement remains in effect and Intrexon and its affiliates together control 25% or more
45
of the voting rights exercisable at meetings of our shareholders, we will (a) nominate such number of Intrexon Nominees as may be designated by Intrexon for election to our Board of Directors at each annual meeting of our shareholders so that Intrexon will have representation on our Board of Directors proportional to Intrexons percentage shareholding and (b) recommend that shareholders vote to elect such Intrexon Nominees at the next annual meeting of shareholders occurring after the date of nomination. Subsequent to entering into the Relationship Agreement, we increased the size of our Board of Directors from six members to seven members and Intrexon nominated Mr. Sterling to fill the Board vacancy. Mr. Sterling was appointed to our Board of Directors on September 13, 2013. On May 30, 2014, Mr. Barton resigned as a director and Intrexon nominated Ms. St.Clare to serve as a director. Our Board of Directors approved and appointed Ms. St.Clare to the Board of Directors on May 30, 2014.
In addition, we and Intrexon agreed that, so long as Intrexon and its affiliates control 10% or more of the voting rights exercisable at meetings of our shareholders, for any time period for which Intrexon has reasonably concluded that it is required to consolidate or include our financial statements with its own:
| we will maintain at our principal place of business (i) a copy of our certificate of incorporation and other organizational documents, (ii) a copy of the Relationship Agreement, (iii) copies of our federal, state and local income tax returns and (iv) minutes of our Board of Director and shareholder meetings, redacted as necessary to exclude sensitive or confidential information; |
| we will keep our books and records consistent with U.S. GAAP; |
| Intrexon may examine any information that it may reasonably request and make copies of and abstracts from our financial and operating records and books of account, and discuss our affairs, finances and accounts with us and our independent auditors; |
| as soon as available but no later than ninety days after the end of each fiscal year, we will furnish to Intrexon an audited balance sheet, income statement and statements of cash flows and stockholders equity as of and for the fiscal year then ended, together with a report of our independent auditor that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operation and cash flows; |
| as soon as available but no later than forty-five days after the end of each calendar quarter, we will furnish to Intrexon an unaudited balance sheet, income statement and statements of cash slows and stockholders equity for such period, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP; and |
| as requested by Intrexon but no more than quarterly, we will provide to Intrexon (i) a certificate of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certifying as to the accuracy of our books and records and the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and (ii) any information requested by Intrexon for purposes of its compliance with applicable law. |
The Relationship Agreement and related documents also provide for certain confidentiality obligations between the two parties. The Relationship Agreement will continue in full force and effect until Intrexon and its affiliates cease to control 10% or more of the voting rights exercisable at meetings of our shareholders.
Bridge Loan
In December 2012, Intrexon agreed to provide us with a $500,000 bridge loan to help fund operations until permanent financing could be completed. The terms of the loan provided that borrowings could be made in increments of $100,000. Outstanding borrowings accrued interest at 3.0% per annum and
46
were required to be repaid with the proceeds of our next fundraising but in any event no later than May 2013. As of December 31, 2012, we had borrowed $200,000 of the available amounts, and during January 2013 and February 2013, we made additional borrowings of $200,000 and $100,000, respectively. The balance under the bridge loan, including $2,567 in accrued interest, was repaid on March 15, 2013.
2013 Subscription Agreements
On February 14, 2013, we entered into separate subscription agreements with certain of our existing shareholders, including Intrexon and Alejandro Weinstein, another major shareholder, pursuant to which Intrexon and Mr. Weinstein agreed to invest an aggregate of approximately $6.0 million into us by way of a subscription for 22,883,295 new shares or our common stock at a price of $0.2622 per share. Intrexon initially agreed to subscribe for the full amount of the subscription but reduce its participation to a minimum 14,874,142 shares in the event that other eligible shareholders agreed to participate in the subscription. The closing of the subscription occurred on March 15, 2013 and resulted in Intrexon purchasing 18,714,814 shares and Mr. Weinstein purchasing 4,046,682 shares and other investors purchasing a combined 121,799 shares. The subscription price represented the average share price of our common stock on AIM for the 24 trading days prior to and including February 14, 2013, which was the date of the pricing of the subscription.
2014 Subscription Agreement
On March 5, 2014, we entered into a subscription agreement with Intrexon pursuant to which Intrexon agreed to invest approximately $10.0 million into us by way of a subscription for 19,040,366 new shares or our common stock at a price of $0.5252 per share. The closing of the subscription occurred on March 20, 2014. The subscription price represented the closing share price of our common stock on AIM on March 4, 2014, which was the last practical date prior to the signing of the subscription agreement.
Policies and Procedures for Review of Related Person Transactions
Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy with respect to related person transactions. This policy governs the review, approval or ratification of covered related person transactions. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors manages this policy.
For purposes of this policy, a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we (or any of our subsidiaries) were, are or will be a participant, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest. For purposes of determining whether a transaction is a related person transaction, the Audit Committee relies upon Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.
A related person is defined as:
| any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year was, one of our directors or executive officers or a nominee to become one of our directors; |
| any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities; |
| any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or |
47
more than five percent beneficial owner and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than five percent beneficial owner; and |
| any firm, corporation, or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a ten percent or greater beneficial ownership interest. |
The policy generally provides that we may enter into a related person transaction only if:
| the Audit Committee pre-approves such transaction in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the policy; |
| the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arms length dealings with an unrelated third party and the Audit Committee (or the chairperson of the Audit Committee) approves or ratifies such transaction in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the policy; |
| the transaction is approved by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors; or |
| the transaction involves compensation approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. |
In the event a related person transaction is not pre-approved by the Audit Committee and our management determines to recommend such related person transaction to the Audit Committee, such transaction must be reviewed and by the Audit Committee. After review, the Audit Committee will approve or disapprove such transaction.
In addition, the Audit Committee will review the policy at least annually and recommend amendments to the policy to the Board of Directors from time to time.
The policy provides that all related person transactions will be disclosed to the Audit Committee, and all material related person transactions will be disclosed to the Board of Directors. Additionally, all related person transactions requiring public disclosure will be properly disclosed in our public filings.
The Audit Committee will review all relevant information available to it about the related person transaction. The policy provides that the Audit Committee may approve or ratify the related person transaction only if the Audit Committee determines that, under all of the circumstances, the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests. The policy provides that the Audit Committee may, in its sole discretion, impose such conditions as it deems appropriate on us or the related person in connection with approval of the related person transaction.
Director Independence; Controlled Company Exemption
As required by the NASDAQ listing rules, our Board of Directors will evaluate the independence of its members at least once annually and at other appropriate times when a change in circumstances could potentially impact the independence or effectiveness of one of our directors.
In April and May 2014, our Board of Directors undertook a review of the composition of our Board of Directors and its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board of Directors has determined each of Messrs. Clothier, Huber and Turk and Ms. St.Clare is an independent director as defined under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). On May 30, 2014, our Board of Directors determined that Messrs. Huber and Turk and Ms. St.Clare, who will be members of our Audit Committee following our NASDAQ listing,
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satisfy the special independence standards for such committee established by the SEC and NASDAQ, as applicable, and that Ms. St.Clare is an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined by the SEC in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K. Shareholders should understand that this designation is an SEC disclosure requirement relating to Ms. St.Clares experience and understanding of certain accounting and auditing matters, which the SEC has stated does not impose on the director so designated any additional duty, obligation or liability than otherwise is imposed generally by virtue of serving on the Audit Committee and/or our Board of Directors.
The remaining members of our Board of Directors may not satisfy these independence definitions because they have been chosen by and/or are affiliated with our controlling shareholder, Intrexon, in a non-independent capacity. Because we are eligible to be a controlled company within the meaning of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5615(c) and our Board of Directors has chosen to rely on this exception, we are exempt from certain NASDAQ listing rules that would otherwise require us to have a majority independent board and fully independent standing nominating and compensation committees. We determined that we are such a controlled company because Intrexon holds more than 50% of the voting power for the election of our directors. If Intrexons voting power were to fall below this level, however, we would cease to be permitted to rely on the controlled company exception and would be required to have a majority independent board and fully independent standing nominating and compensation committees. Our Board of Directors has determined that a board consisting of between six and ten members is appropriate at the current time and has currently set the number at seven members. Our Board of Directors is currently considering whether to increase the number of members from seven to eight and will continue to evaluate the appropriate size of our Board of Directors from time to time. As of the date of this Registration Statement on Form 10, our Board of Directors has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee.
ITEM 8. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
On January 16, 2014, an application was filed by Ecology Action Centre and Living Oceans Society with the Canadian Federal Court seeking judicial review to declare invalid the decision by the Canadian Minister of the Environment to publish in the Canada Gazette a SNAN with respect to AquAdvantage® Salmon. The Canadian Minister of the Environment, the Canadian Minister of Health and AquaBounty Canada Inc., our Canadian subsidiary, were listed as respondents on the application. The plaintiffs allege that the Canadian Minister of the Environment inappropriately waived a requirement of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, or CEPA, to provide certain prescribed information for an assessment under CEPA. The plaintiffs are seeking an order from the court that the minister acted unlawfully and without jurisdiction by publishing notice of the SNAN with respect to AquAdvantage® Salmon in the Canada Gazette, that the SNAN is invalid and unlawful and, in the alternative that the minister acted unreasonably in exercising her discretion.
Other than as set forth above, we are not party to any legal proceedings the outcome of which, we believe, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our future business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. We may, from time to time, be subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the normal course of business activities.
ITEM 9. | MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on AIM under the symbol ABTX. As of March 31, 2014, 144,405,837 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2014, there were
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approximately 290 holders of record of our common stock. Our U.K. registrar for our common stock is Capita Registrars Limited and the U.S. transfer agent for our common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by AIM. These prices are as reported by the London Stock Exchange plc. Amounts presented in U.S. dollars reflect the currency exchange rate in effect on the date the price was reported on AIM.
Price Per Share of Common Stock(1) |
||||||||||||||||
Quarterly Period |
Low | High | ||||||||||||||
2012 |
||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2012 |
£ | 0.0350 | $ | 0.0536 | £ | 0.0440 | $ | 0.0693 | ||||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2012 |
£ | 0.0375 | $ | 0.0595 | £ | 0.0798 | $ | 0.1243 | ||||||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2012 |
£ | 0.0538 | $ | 0.0870 | £ | 0.0800 | $ | 0.1251 | ||||||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2012 |
£ | 0.0512 | $ | 0.0818 | £ | 0.1862 | $ | 0.3005 | ||||||||
2013 |
||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2013 |
£ | 0.1475 | $ | 0.2236 | £ | 0.2175 | $ | 0.3523 | ||||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2013 |
£ | 0.1525 | $ | 0.2322 | £ | 0.2375 | $ | 0.3731 | ||||||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |
£ | 0.2175 | $ | 0.3236 | £ | 0.2425 | $ | 0.3873 | ||||||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2013 |
£ | 0.2400 | $ | 0.3827 | £ | 0.5050 | $ | 0.8302 | ||||||||
2014 |
||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2013 |
£ | 0.3150 | $ | 0.5192 | £ | 0.4950 | $ | 0.8200 | ||||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2014 |
£ | 0.2050 | $ | 0.3438 | £ | 0.3150 | $ | 0.5345 | ||||||||
Period July 1, 2014 through July 21, 2014 |
£ | 0.2100 | $ | 0.3581 | £ | 0.2100 | $ | 0.3603 |
(1) | The figures have not been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split to be effected immediately following the effective time of this Registration Statement on Form 10. See Item 11. Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered. The following table presents such information as adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split. |
Price Per Share of Common Stock(1) |
||||||||||||||||
Quarterly Period |
Low | High | ||||||||||||||
2012 |
||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2012 |
£ | 0.350 | $ | 0.536 | £ | 0.440 | $ | 0.693 | ||||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2012 |
£ | 0.375 | $ | 0.595 | £ | 0.798 | $ | 1.243 | ||||||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2012 |
£ | 0.538 | $ | 0.870 | £ | 0.800 | $ | 1.251 | ||||||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2012 |
£ | 0.512 | $ | 0.818 | £ | 1.862 | $ | 3.005 | ||||||||
2013 |
||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2013 |
£ | 1.475 | $ | 2.236 | £ | 2.175 | $ | 3.523 | ||||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2013 |
£ | 1.525 | $ | 2.322 | £ | 2.375 | $ | 3.731 | ||||||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |
£ | 2.175 | $ | 3.236 | £ | 2.425 | $ | 3.873 | ||||||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2013 |
£ | 2.400 | $ | 3.827 | £ | 5.050 | $ | 8.302 | ||||||||
2014 |
||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2013 |
£ | 3.150 | $ | 5.192 | £ | 4.950 | $ | 8.200 | ||||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2014 |
£ | 2.050 | $ | 3.438 | £ | 3.150 | $ | 5.345 | ||||||||
Period July 1, 2014 through July 21, 2014 |
£ | 2.100 | $ | 3.581 | £ | 2.100 | $ | 3.603 |
50
Holders of Common Stock
See Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management for disclosure regarding the holders of our common stock.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in current or future financing instruments, provisions of applicable law and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
We have reserved the following number of securities for issuance under the 2006 Plan and the 1998 Program as of December 31, 2013:
Plan Category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 4,249,000 | $ | 0.16 | 8,281,547 | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 2,375,000 | $ | 0.40 | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
6,624,000 | $ | 0.25 | 8,281,547 |
ITEM 10. | RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES |
The following sets forth information regarding all unregistered securities sold since January 1, 2011:
| On March 22, 2012, we issued 33,277,870 shares of our common stock to certain of our existing shareholders at a per share price of $0.06, for aggregate consideration of approximately $2,000,000. The net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. |
| On March 15, 2013, we issued 22,883,295 shares of our common stock to certain of our existing shareholders at a per share price of $0.26, for aggregate consideration of approximately $6,000,000. The net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. |
| On March 20, 2014, we issued 19,040,366 shares of our common stock to Intrexon at a per share price of $0.53, for aggregate consideration of approximately $10,000,000. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. |
Each of the sales of our common stock referenced above was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D and Regulation S under the Securities Act. We did not pay or give, directly or indirectly, any commission or other remuneration, including underwriting discounts or commissions, in connection with any of the sales of our common stock referenced above. The recipients of the shares of our common stock in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these
51
transactions. All recipients represented that they had adequate access to information about us. Each of the sales was made without any general solicitation or advertising. With respect to sales exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S, those sales were made outside of the United State to, and for the account or benefit of, non-U.S. persons.
ITEM 11. | DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANTS SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED |
The following description summarizes certain important terms of our capital stock, as they are expected to be in effect immediately following the effective time of this Registration Statement on Form 10. We expect to adopt the Restated Certificate of Incorporation that will become effective immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement on Form 10, and this description summarizes the provisions that are expected to be included in such document. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation contemplates a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, which would become effective immediately following the time this Registration Statement on Form 10 becomes effective. Because this description is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of the matters set forth in this section, you should refer to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, forms of which are included as exhibits to this Registration Statement on Form 10.
General
Immediately following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement on Form 10, our authorized capital stock will consist of:
| 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share; and |
| 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 par value per share. |
As of March 31, 2013, and after giving effect to the reverse stock split as if it had occurred as of that date, there were zero shares of preferred stock and 14,440,583 shares of common stock outstanding. There were 290 holders of record of our shares of our common stock as of March 31, 2013. Our Board of Directors will be authorized to issue additional shares of our capital stock without shareholder approval, except as required by the NASDAQ listing standards.
Dividends
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as our Board of Directors may declare on the common stock out of funds legally available for that purpose.
Voting Rights
Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote is required for any action by the shareholders except (a) except as otherwise provided by law or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and (b) that directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at elections. Holders of shares of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Liquidation
Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of shares of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock.
52
Future Issuance of Preferred Stock
There are no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding. Our Board of Directors may, without further action by our shareholders, from time to time, direct the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series. Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of our common stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our common stock. Under certain circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. Our Board of Directors may, without shareholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the holders of shares of our common stock.
Certain Provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws
Advance Notice Procedures
The Amended and Restated Bylaws establish advance notice procedures for shareholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors, or bring other business before an annual meeting of its shareholders. These procedures provide that only persons who are nominated by or at the direction of our Board of Directors or by a shareholder who has given timely notice in proper written form that is received at our principal executive offices prior to the applicable annual meeting will be eligible for election as directors. These procedures also require that, in order to raise matters at an annual meeting, those matters be raised before the meeting pursuant to the notice of meeting we deliver or by, or at the direction of, our Board of Directors or by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given timely notice in proper written form to our Corporate Secretary of the shareholders intention to raise those matters at the annual meeting. If the officer presiding at a meeting determines that a person was not nominated, or other business was not brought before the meeting, in accordance with the notice procedure, that person will not be eligible for election as a director, or that business will not be conducted at the meeting.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock are available for future issuance without shareholder approval. We may use these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and as incentive compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Transfer Agent
Our U.K. registrar for our common stock is Capita Registrars Limited and the U.S. transfer agent for our common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
ITEM 12. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of
53
loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that none of our directors will be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for or with respect to any acts or omissions in the performance of such persons duties as a director, except to the extent required by law.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification will be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court deems proper.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we may indemnify, and advance expenses to, our directors and officers with respect to certain liabilities, expenses and other accounts imposed upon them because of having been a director or officer.
ITEM 13. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
See Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
ITEM 14. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS |
(a) Financial Statements
The financial statements required by this Item are included beginning at page F-1.
(b) Exhibits
54
Exhibit Designation |
Description | |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.* | |
3.2 | Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (to be in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement)* | |
3.3 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.* | |
4.1 | Specimen Certificate of Common Stock** | |
10.1 | AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan* | |
10.2 | Amendment No. 1 to AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan* | |
10.3 | Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan* | |
10.4 | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan* | |
10.5 | Relationship Agreement, by and between AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and Intrexon Corporation, dated December 5, 2012* | |
10.6 | Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement, by and between AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and Intrexon Corporation, dated February 14, 2013* | |
10.7 | Subscription Agreement, by and between AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and the investors listed therein, dated February 14, 2013** | |
10.8 | Subscription Agreement, by and between AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and Intrexon Corporation, dated March 5, 2014** | |
10.9 | Lease and Management Agreement, by and between AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L. and Luis Lamastus, dated October 1, 2013** | |
10.10 | Agreement, by and among Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and AquaBounty Canada, Inc. and AquaBounty Technologies Inc., dated December 16, 2009* | |
10.11 | Employment Agreement, by and between Ronald Stotish and AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., dated April 1, 2006* | |
10.12 | Employment Agreement, by and between David Frank and AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., dated October 1, 2007* | |
10.13 | Employment Agreement, by and between Henry Clifford and AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., dated November 28, 2007* | |
10.14 | Employment Agreement, by and between Alejandro Rojas and AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., dated December 30, 2013* | |
10.15 | Collaborative Research Agreement, by and between AquaBounty Canada Inc. and Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc., dated March 22, 2012.** | |
21.1 | List of Subsidiaries of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.* |
* | Previously filed. |
** | Filed herewith. |
55
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: July 23, 2014 | AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Ronald L. Stotish | |||
Name: | Ronald L. Stotish | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President |
56
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
F-1 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
(unaudited)
As of | March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 10,086,965 | $ | 1,875,749 | ||||
Certificate of deposit |
12,960 | 13,431 | ||||||
Other receivables |
58,783 | 78,455 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
339,008 | 220,888 | ||||||
Total current assets |
10,497,716 | 2,188,523 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
952,954 | 1,016,843 | ||||||
Definite lived intangible assets, net |
152,833 | 141,779 | ||||||
Indefinite lived intangible assets |
191,800 | 191,800 | ||||||
Other assets |
21,628 | 21,628 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 11,816,931 | 3,560,573 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 607,394 | $ | 704,028 | ||||
Total current liabilities |
607,394 | 704,028 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
2,429,520 | 2,359,653 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
3,036,914 | 3,063,681 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 144,405,837 (2013: 125,305,471) shares outstanding |
144,406 | 125,305 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
87,390,008 | 77,582,210 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(523,296 | ) | (566,310 | ) | ||||
Accumulated deficit |
(78,231,101 | ) | (76,644,313 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
8,780,017 | 496,892 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 11,816,931 | $ | 3,560,573 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-2 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended, March 31, | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES |
||||||||
Sales and marketing |
$ | 318,683 | $ | 149,237 | ||||
Research and development |
545,760 | 351,127 | ||||||
General and administrative |
721,739 | 427,996 | ||||||
Total costs and expenses |
1,586,182 | 928,360 | ||||||
OPERATING LOSS |
(1,586,182 | ) | (928,360 | ) | ||||
OTHER EXPENSE: |
||||||||
Interest and other expense, net |
(606 | ) | (4,086 | ) | ||||
Total other expense |
(606 | ) | (4,086 | ) | ||||
NET LOSS |
$ | (1,586,788 | ) | $ | (932,446 | ) | ||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: |
||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain |
43,014 | 23,580 | ||||||
Total other comprehensive income |
43,014 | 23,580 | ||||||
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS |
$ | (1,543,774 | ) | $ | (908,866 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||
Weighted average number of common shares basic and diluted |
127,849,520 | 106,341,833 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-3 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated statements of cash flows
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended, March 31, | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (1,586,788 | ) | $ | (932,446 | ) | ||
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
36,946 | 37,888 | ||||||
Share-based compensation |
77,389 | 12,577 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Other receivables |
17,378 | (16,188 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(118,691 | ) | (52,995 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(90,871 | ) | (1,756 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,664,637 | ) | (952,920 | ) | ||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||
Purchases of equipment |
(3,083 | ) | | |||||
Paid out (reinvested) interest on certificate of deposit |
| 23 | ||||||
Payment of patent costs |
(11,054 | ) | (3,665 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(14,137 | ) | (3,642 | ) | ||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of bridge loan |
| 300,000 | ||||||
Repayment of bridge loan |
| (500,000 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
148,110 | 172,018 | ||||||
Repayment of other term debt |
| (17,381 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net |
9,743,510 | 5,725,367 | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
6,000 | 4,000 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
9,897,620 | 5,684,004 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(7,630 | ) | 247 | |||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
8,211,216 | 4,727,689 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
1,875,749 | 348,521 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 10,086,965 | $ | 5,076,210 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
||||||||
Interest paid in cash |
$ | 47 | $ | 3,019 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-4 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
1. Nature of business and organization
Nature of business
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (the Parent) was incorporated in December 1991 in the State of Delaware for the purpose of conducting research and development of the commercial viability of a group of proteins commonly known as antifreeze proteins (AFPs). In 1996, the Parent obtained the exclusive licensing rights for a gene construct (transgene) used to create a breed of farm-raised Atlantic salmon that exhibit growth rates that are substantially faster than traditional salmon.
AquaBounty Canada, Inc. (the Canadian Subsidiary) was incorporated in January 1994 in Canada for the purpose of establishing a commercial biotechnology laboratory to produce antifreeze proteins and to conduct research and development programs related to the commercialization of cryopreservatives and the antifreeze gene construct.
AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L. (the Panama Subsidiary) was incorporated in May 2008 in Panama for the purpose of conducting commercial trials of the Companys AquAdvantage® Salmon.
2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) consistent with those applied in, and should be read in conjunction with, the Companys audited financial statements and related footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Companys Form 10 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 25, 2014. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys financial position as of March 31, 2014 and its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of results for subsequent interim periods or for the full year. The interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements as allowed by the relevant SEC rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that its disclosures are adequate to ensure that the information presented is not misleading.
3. Risks and uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common in the biotechnology and aquaculture industries. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) results from current and planned product development studies and trials; (ii) decisions made by the FDA or similar regulatory bodies in other countries with respect to approval and commercial sale of any of the Companys proposed products; (iii) the commercial acceptance of any products approved for sale and the Companys ability to manufacture, distribute and sell for a profit any products approved for sale; (iv) the Companys ability to obtain the necessary patents and proprietary rights to effectively protect its technologies; and (v) the outcome of any collaborations or alliances entered into by the Company.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents and marketable securities. This risk is minimized by the Companys policy of investing in financial instruments with short-term maturities issued by highly rated financial institutions. The Companys cash balances may at times exceed insurance limitations.
Liquidity and Managements Plan
The Company has recurring net losses and has relied on its fundraising efforts to finance its operations and will continue to do so until such time that the Company is able to achieve positive cash flows from operations. In March 2014, the Company closed on a fundraising resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $9.7 million (see Note 9).
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-5 |
4. Property, plant and equipment
Major classifications of property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||||
Land |
$ | 91,729 | $ | 94,875 | ||||
Building and improvements |
1,423,078 | 1,471,883 | ||||||
Equipment |
594,957 | 615,362 | ||||||
Office furniture and equipment |
30,255 | 27,613 | ||||||
Vehicles |
13,005 | 13,451 | ||||||
Total property and equipment |
2,153,024 | 2,223,184 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(1,200,070 | ) | (1,206,341 | ) | ||||
Property, plant and equipment |
$ | 952,954 | $ | 1,016,843 |
Depreciation and amortization expense was $36,946 and $34,913 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
5. Definite lived intangible assets
The following is a summary of definite lived intangible assets:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||||
Patents, gross |
$ | 157,047 | $ | 145,993 | ||||
Less accumulated amortization |
(4,214 | ) | (4,214 | ) | ||||
Patents, net |
152,833 | 141,779 | ||||||
Licenses, gross |
30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
Less accumulated amortization |
(30,000 | ) | (30,000 | ) | ||||
Licenses, net |
| | ||||||
Total definite lived intangible assets |
$ | 152,833 | $ | 141,779 |
Patent amortization expense was $nil and $2,975 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Gross patent costs include $152,833 that have not yet begun to amortize as the patent has not yet been issued.
6. Prepaid expenses and other assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets include the following:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||||
Prepaid insurance |
$ | 74,188 | $ | 23,758 | ||||
Prepaid supplies |
33,703 | 16,525 | ||||||
Prepaid professional services |
68,604 | 28,164 | ||||||
Prepaid rent and lease deposits, short-term (Note 11) |
137,990 | 152,441 | ||||||
Prepaid other |
24,523 | | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
$ | 339,008 | $ | 220,888 | ||||
Long-term investment |
21,628 | 21,628 | ||||||
Other assets |
$ | 21,628 | $ | 21,628 |
Long-term investment consists of 2,162,809 shares of common stock of A/F Protein, Inc. (AFP) with a cost basis of $21,628, which the Company believes to be the best estimate of market value. AFP and the Company have certain shareholders in common.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-6 |
7. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities include the following:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 181,662 | $ | 387,076 | ||||
Accrued payroll including vacation |
205,873 | 194,824 | ||||||
Accrued professional fees |
142,068 | 115,439 | ||||||
Accrued research and development costs |
62,634 | | ||||||
Accrued other |
7,500 | 3,313 | ||||||
Accrued taxes |
7,657 | 3,376 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 607,394 | $ | 704,028 |
8. Long-term debt
The current terms and conditions of long-term debt outstanding are as follows:
Loan source | Amount | Interest rate |
Monthly repayment terms |
Maturity date |
March 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
||||||||||||||||||
Royalty-based financing: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACOA AIF grant |
C$ | 2,687,819 | 0 | % | Royalties | | 2,429,520 | 2,359,653 | ||||||||||||||||
TPC funding |
C$ | 2,964,900 | 0 | % | Royalties | June 2014 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
$ | 2,429,520 | $ | 2,359,653 |
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
ACOA is a Canadian government agency that provides funding to support the development of businesses and to promote employment in the Atlantic region of Canada.
In January 2009, the Canadian Subsidiary was awarded a grant from ACOA to provide a contribution towards the funding of a research and development project. The total amount available under the award is C$2,871,900 which can be claimed over a five-year period. All amounts claimed by the Canadian Subsidiary must be repaid in the form of a 10% royalty on any products that are commercialized out of this research project, until the loan is fully paid. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 , the Canadian Subsidiary submitted a claim and received funds in the amount of C$163,856. No repayments have been made to date. Cumulative draws on this award aggregate C$2,687,819 and the remaining balance available under this award at March 31 2014 is C$184,081.
Technology Partnership Canada (TPC)
TPC is a Canadian government agency that provides funding to promote economic growth and create jobs in Canada.
In November 1999, TPC agreed to provide funding up to C$2,964,900 to support the Canadian Subsidiarys efforts to develop commercial applications of its transgenic growth enhanced fin fish technology. Funding under the TPC funding agreement was completed in 2003. This amount is repayable to TPC in the form of a 5.2% royalty on revenues generated from the sale of transgenic based growth enhanced fin fish commercial products. However, the Canadian Subsidiary will have no further repayment obligations after 30 June 2014 even if the total amount has not been repaid as of such date. In 2011, management concluded that the probable amount owed would not exceed C$200,000 and the balance owed to TPC was adjusted to C$200,000 at that time. In 2013, management concluded that the probable amount owed would be $0 as no revenue would be generated to pay back the outstanding balance prior to the loan termination date. As a result, the balance owed to TPC was adjusted to $nil and the Company recognized a gain of C$200,000 in December 2013.
The Company recognized interest expense of $nil and $2,993 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively on their interest-bearing debt.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-7 |
9. Stockholders equity
The Company is presently authorized to issue up to 240 million shares of stock, of which 40 million are authorized as preferred stock and 200 million as common stock. The Company had nil and nil shares of preferred stock and 144,405,837 and 125,305,471 of common stock, issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Common stock
The holders of the common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held at all meetings of stockholders. Dividends and distribution of assets of the Company in the event of liquidation are subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding preferred shares. At March 31, 2014 the Company had reserved 7,359,000 shares of common stock for the exercise of options.
Recent issuances
In January 2014, the Board approved a fundraising of $10.0 million before expenses by means of a subscription for new common shares by the Companys majority shareholder, Intrexon Corporation. The subscription price was $0.5252 per share and the aggregate number of common shares subscribed was 19,040,366. The transaction closed on March 20, 2014 with net proceeds to the Company of approximately $9.74 million.
In March 2014 the Company received proceeds of $6,000 in connection with the exercise of options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock.
Stock options
In 1998 the Company established a stock option plan. This plan was superseded by the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan). The Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options to employees of the Company and non-qualified stock options and awards of restricted and direct stock purchases to Directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company.
The Companys option activity under the Plan is summarized as follows:
Number of options |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 |
6,624,000 | $ | 0.28 | |||||
Issued |
800,000 | 0.78 | ||||||
Exercised |
(60,000 | ) | 0.10 | |||||
Expired |
(5,000 | ) | 0.25 | |||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 |
7,359,000 | $ | 0.31 | |||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2014 |
5,992,000 | $ | 0.25 |
The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014:
Weighted average price of outstanding options |
Number of options outstanding |
Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years) |
Number of options exercisable |
Weighted average price of outstanding and exercisable options |
||||||||||||
$0.10 |
30,000 | 5.2 | 30,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.11 |
2,665,000 | 5.4 | 2,665,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.12 |
24,000 | 8.3 | 24,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.23 |
773,500 | 6.8 | 773,500 | |||||||||||||
$0.25 |
495,000 | 9.1 | 0 | |||||||||||||
$0.32 |
24,000 | 6.6 | 24,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.33 |
24,000 | 4.3 | 24,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.35 |
72,000 | 9.3 | 0 | |||||||||||||
$0.40 |
2,375,000 | 1.3 | 2,375,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.65 |
76,500 | 3.2 | 76,500 | |||||||||||||
$0.78 |
800,000 | 9.8 | 0 | |||||||||||||
7,359,000 | 5,992,000 | $ | 0.25 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-8 |
Unless otherwise indicated, options issued to employees, members of the Board of Directors and non-employees are vested over one to three years and are exercisable for a term of ten years from the date of issuance.
The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $0.54. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in this period was $25,440. The total intrinsic value of all options outstanding was $1,805,345 and $3,756,724 and the total intrinsic value of exercisable options was $1,657,187 and $3,440,172 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The fair values of stock option grants/modifications to employees, members of the Board of Directors and non-employees during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were measured on the date of grant/modification using Black-Scholes, with the following weighted average assumptions:
Three Months Ended, March 31, | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Expected volatility |
142 | % | 160 | % | ||||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.67 | % | 1.05 | % | ||||
Expected dividend yield |
0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||
Expected life (in years) |
5 | 5 |
The risk-free interest rate is estimated using the Federal Funds interest rate for a period that is commensurate with the expected term of the awards. The expected dividend yield is zero because the Company has never paid a dividend and does not expect to do so for the foreseeable future. The expected life was based on a number of factors including historical experience, vesting provisions, exercise price relative to market price and expected volatility. The Company believes that all groups of employees demonstrate similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior and, therefore, does not stratify employees into multiple groups. The expected volatility was estimated using the Companys historical price volatility over a period that is commensurate with the expected term of the awards.
Total share-based compensation on stock-option grants amounted to $77,389 and $12,577 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At March 31, 2014 the balance of unearned share-based compensation to be expensed in future periods related to unvested share-based awards is $666,292. The period over which the unearned share-based compensation is expected to be earned is approximately three years.
10. Commitments and contingencies
The Company recognizes and discloses commitments when it enters into executed contractual obligations with other parties. The Company accrues contingent liabilities when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated.
Lease commitments
In June 2013, the Companys subsidiary in Panama entered into a new two year lease agreement. Under the terms of the lease agreement, the Company will make payments totalling $712,834 over the term of the agreement, including $316,800 representing rental payments and $396,034 representing a management fee as all management services and operational expenses of the site were turned over to the landowner. Payments are due in monthly installments and a prepayment of $180,000 was made in 2013 under the terms of the agreement.
In March 2013, the Companys extended its lease for office space in Maynard, Massachusetts for an additional three years at a total cost of $59,670.
Total rent expense, including the management fee of the Panama site, under non-cancelable operating leases for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $94,724 and $10,137, respectively. Future minimum commitments under its operating leases are as follows:
Period ended 31 December | Amount | |||
2014 (remaining 9 months) |
$ | 284,918 | ||
2015 |
290,636 | |||
2016 |
5,221 | |||
Lease commitments |
$ | 580,775 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-9 |
License agreements
The Company was a party to a license agreement with Genesis Group, Inc. related to the Companys transgenic fish program. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company was required to make an annual royalty payment of $25,000 or revenue-based royalty payments equal to 5% of any gross revenues generated from products that utilize the technology covered under the license agreement.
No revenue-based royalty payments have been made to date. In consideration for a worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid up, sub-licensable, assignable, non-exclusive right and license to the transgenic fish technology, the Company agreed to pay to Genesis Group, Inc. a one-time payment of C$150,000. This amount , which was included as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2013 was paid in March 2014.
Employment agreements
The Company has employment agreements with certain of its officers. The agreements provide for base pay and benefits, as defined. Under certain circumstances of termination, the Company must make severance payments.
Bonus obligation
The Company is obligated to pay a bonus to its Chief Executive Officer of $80,062 upon the successful approval of its AquAdvantage® Salmon New Animal Drug Application by the Food and Drug Administration. The Company has recorded an accrual for this bonus as of March 31, 2014 based on managements expectation regarding payment.
11. Related Party Collaboration Agreement
In February 2013, the Company entered into an Exclusive Channel Collaboration agreement (ECC) with Intrexon Corporation, its majority shareholder, pursuant to which the Company will use Intrexons UltraVector® and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC, which can be terminated by the Company upon 90 days written notice, grants the Company a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. Such license is exclusive with respect to any clinical development, selling, offering for sale or other commercialization of developed products, and otherwise is non-exclusive.
Under the ECC and subject to certain exceptions, the Company is responsible for, among other things, the performance of the program, including development, commercialization and certain aspects of manufacturing developed products. Among other things, Intrexon is responsible for the costs of establishing manufacturing capabilities and facilities for the bulk manufacture of certain products developed under the program, certain other aspects of manufacturing, costs of discovery-stage research with respect to platform improvements and costs of filing, prosecution and maintenance of Intrexons patents.
The Company will pay Intrexon quarterly 16.66% of the gross profits calculated under the terms of the agreement for each developed product. The Company has likewise agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, the Company will reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. Total Intrexon service costs incurred under the terms of this agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $223,988 and $nil, respectively and is included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
12. Retirement plan
The Company has a savings and retirement plan for its US employees which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan covers substantially all employees and provides for voluntary contributions by participating employees up to the maximum contribution allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions by the Company can be made, as determined by the Board of Directors, provided the amount does not exceed the maximum permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $6,302 and $6,004, respectively. The Company also has a Registered Retirement Savings Plan for its Canadian employees. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $4,564 and $3,318, respectively.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-10 |
13. Government assistance
From time to time the Company receives government assistance in the form of research grants, which are recorded as a reduction of the related expenditures. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, grants of $42,934 and $40,519 were recorded as a reduction of expenditures. Included in other receivables at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are amounts due under research grants totalling $19,209 and $5,914, respectively. All government assistance is subject to periodic audit by the agency involved in the grant.
14. Contract Research Agreement
In March 2012, the Company executed a contract research agreement with Tethys Aquaculture Canada Inc. (TAC), to provide AquaBounty with the resources required for its ongoing development needs. Under the terms of the extended agreement, TAC will provide services to the Company through 1 April 2014 and on a month-to-month basis thereafter. Total costs incurred under the terms of this agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $92,535 and $84,083, respectively and is included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-11 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated financial statements
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2013.
F-12 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C.
Wolf & Company, P.C.
Boston, Massachusetts
April 23, 2014
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-13 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
As of 31 December | Note | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,875,749 | $ | 348,521 | ||||||||
Certificate of deposit |
13,431 | 14,405 | ||||||||||
Other receivables |
78,455 | 24,429 | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
[6 | ] | 220,888 | 127,104 | ||||||||
Total current assets |
2,188,523 | 514,459 | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
[4 | ] | 1,016,843 | 1,131,214 | ||||||||
Definite lived intangible assets, net |
[5 | ] | 141,779 | 102,504 | ||||||||
Indefinite lived intangible assets |
191,800 | 191,800 | ||||||||||
Other assets |
[6 | ] | 21,628 | 21,628 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 3,560,573 | $ | 1,961,605 | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
[7 | ] | $ | 704,028 | $ | 435,849 | ||||||
Current debt |
[8 | ] | _ | 270,560 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities |
704,028 | 706,409 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of current portion |
[8 | ] | 2,359,653 | 2,034,907 | ||||||||
Total liabilities |
3,063,681 | 2,741,316 | ||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
[11 | ] | ||||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit): |
[9 | ] | ||||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 125,305,471 (2012: 102,255,688) shares outstanding | 125,305 | 102,256 | ||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
77,582,210 | 71,733,509 | ||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(566,310 | ) | (660,201 | ) | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(76,644,313 | ) | (71,955,275 | ) | ||||||||
Total stockholders equity (deficit) |
496,892 | (779,711 | ) | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 3,560,573 | $ | 1,961,605 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-14 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss
Years ended 31 December | Note | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES |
||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
$ | 678,153 | $ | 581,954 | $ | 673,306 | ||||||||||
Research and development |
1,895,056 | 1,628,593 | 2,165,270 | |||||||||||||
General and administrative |
2,302,279 | 2,101,260 | 2,577,320 | |||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
[1 | ] | | 93,780 | | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
4,875,488 | 4,405,587 | 5,415,896 | |||||||||||||
OPERATING LOSS |
(4,875,488 | ) | (4,405,587 | ) | (5,415,896 | ) | ||||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||||||||||
Gain on royalty based financing instrument |
[8 | ] | 186,980 | | 2,709,602 | |||||||||||
Interest and other expense, net |
(530 | ) | (9,026 | ) | (3,301 | ) | ||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
186,450 | (9,026 | ) | 2,706,301 | ||||||||||||
NET LOSS |
$ | (4,689,038 | ) | $ | (4,414,613 | ) | $ | (2,709,595 | ) | |||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS): |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) |
93,891 | (9,397 | ) | 72,557 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized losses on marketable securities |
| | (77 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) |
93,891 | (9,397 | ) | 72,480 | ||||||||||||
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS |
$ | (4,595,147 | ) | $ | (4,424,010 | ) | $ | (2,637,115 | ) | |||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | |||||||
Weighted average number of common shares basic and diluted |
120,613,246 | 94,701,028 | 68,570,857 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-15 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders equity (deficit)
Common stock issued and outstanding |
Par value | Additional paid-in capital |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
Accumulated deficit |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2010 | 68,167,109 | $ | 68,167 | $ | 69,447,376 | $ | (723,284 | ) | $ | (64,831,067 | ) | $ | 3,961,192 | |||||||||||
Net loss | (2,709,595 | ) | (2,709,595 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 72,480 | 72,480 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options for common stock | 387,273 | 387 | 3,486 | 3,873 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation common stock | 226,586 | 227 | 23,859 | 24,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation options | 225,477 | 225,477 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2011 | 68,780,968 | $ | 68,781 | $ | 69,700,198 | $ | (650,804 | ) | $ | (67,540,662 | ) | $ | 1,577,513 | |||||||||||
Net loss | (4,414,613 | ) | (4,414,613 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | (9,397 | ) | (9,397 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses | 33,277,870 | 33,278 | 1,709,200 | 1,742,478 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation common stock | 196,850 | 197 | 23,353 | 23,550 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation options | 300,758 | 300,758 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2012 | 102,255,688 | $ | 102,256 | $ | 71,733,509 | $ | (660,201 | ) | $ | (71,955,275 | ) | $ | (779,711 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss | (4,689,038 | ) | (4,689,038 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 93,891 | 93,891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses | 22,883,295 | 22,883 | 5,702,724 | 5,725,607 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options for common stock | 29,500 | 29 | 3,971 | 4,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options for common stockcashless | 71,771 | 72 | (72 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation common stock | 65,217 | 65 | 22,747 | 22,812 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation options | 119,331 | 119,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2013 | 125,305,471 | $ | 125,305 | $ | 77,582,210 | $ | (566,310 | ) | $ | (76,644,313 | ) | $ | 496,892 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-16 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated statements of cash flows
Years ended 31 December | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (4,689,038 | ) | $ | (4,414,613 | ) | $ | (2,709,595 | ) | |||
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
147,101 | 225,416 | 211,684 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation |
142,143 | 324,308 | 249,563 | |||||||||
Amortization (accretion) of discount (premium) on corporate bonds |
| (326 | ) | 69,948 | ||||||||
Loss on disposed assets |
| 5,776 | | |||||||||
Gain on royalty based financing instrument |
(186,980 | ) | | (2,709,602 | ) | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Other receivables |
(57,264 | ) | 90,907 | (9,518 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(94,935 | ) | 121,481 | 111,001 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
281,345 | (68,404 | ) | (164,228 | ) | |||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(4,457,628 | ) | (3,715,455 | ) | (4,950,747 | ) | ||||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Purchases of equipment |
(99,500 | ) | (52,841 | ) | (68,615 | ) | ||||||
Purchases of marketable securities |
| | (1,545,980 | ) | ||||||||
Maturities of marketable securities |
| | 5,078,266 | |||||||||
Paid out (reinvested) interest on certificate of deposit |
(6 | ) | 6 | (16 | ) | |||||||
Payment of patent costs |
(42,249 | ) | (69,210 | ) | (14,173 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
(141,755 | ) | (122,045 | ) | 3,449,482 | |||||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of bridge loan |
300,000 | 200,000 | | |||||||||
Repayment of bridge loan |
(500,000 | ) | | | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
665,199 | 678,657 | 613,723 | |||||||||
Repayment of other term debt |
(68,327 | ) | (68,575 | ) | (66,479 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net |
5,725,607 | 1,742,478 | | |||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
4,000 | | 3,873 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
6,126,479 | 2,552,560 | 551,117 | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
132 | 2,481 | 3,939 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
1,527,228 | (1,282,459 | ) | (946,209 | ) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
348,521 | 1,630,980 | 2,577,189 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
$ | 1,875,749 | $ | 348,521 | $ | 1,630,980 | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
||||||||||||
Interest paid in cash |
$ | 4,223 | $ | 4,414 | $ | 7,115 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-17 |
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the years ended 31 December 2013, 2012 and 2011
1. Nature of business and organization
Nature of business
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (the Parent) was incorporated in December 1991 in the State of Delaware for the purpose of conducting research and development of the commercial viability of a group of proteins commonly known as antifreeze proteins (AFPs). In 1996, the Parent obtained the exclusive licensing rights for a gene construct (transgene) used to create a breed of farm-raised Atlantic salmon that exhibit growth rates that are substantially faster than traditional salmon.
Prior to 2006, the Company considered itself a development stage entity. The Company commenced sales of its first product in 2004 and expanded the markets to which that product had been sold. In addition, upon listing on the AIM in 2006, management no longer devoted most of its activities and resources toward raising capital. As a result, in 2006 the Company determined that it was no longer a development stage entity.
AquaBounty Canada, Inc. (the Canadian Subsidiary) was incorporated in January 1994 in Canada for the purpose of establishing a commercial biotechnology laboratory to produce antifreeze proteins and to conduct research and development programs related to the commercialization of cryopreservatives and the antifreeze gene construct.
AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L. (the Panama Subsidiary) was incorporated in May 2008 in Panama for the purpose of conducting commercial trials of the Companys AquAdvantage® Salmon.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, AquaBounty Canada, Inc. and AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L. The entities are collectively referred to herein as the Company. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Restructuring
In March 2012, the Company undertook a restructuring to reduce operating spend by approximately 30% per annum. Included in the restructuring was the spin-out and sale of the Companys research and development division for $1 to Tethys Ocean, B.V., at the time the Companys largest shareholder. The Company recorded a $93,780 restructuring charge in 2012, including a $5,776 loss on disposed assets. In connection with the restructuring, the Company entered into a contract research agreement with the new organization, Tethys Aquaculture Canada Inc. (Note 13).
Liquidity and Managements Plan
The Company has recurring net losses and has relied on its fundraising efforts to finance its operations and will continue to do so until such time that the Company is able to achieve positive cash flows from operations. In March 2014, the Company closed on a fundraising resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $9.7 million (see Note 15).
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Comprehensive loss
The Company displays comprehensive loss and its components as part of its consolidated financial statements. Comprehensive loss consists of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes foreign currency translation adjustments.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-18 |
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency of the Parent is the US Dollar. The functional currency of the Canadian Subsidiary is the Canadian Dollar (C$) and the functional currency of the Panama Subsidiary is the US Dollar. For the Canadian Subsidiary, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at the historical exchange rate and the income statement accounts are translated at the average rate for each period during the year. Net translation gains or losses are adjusted directly to a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders equity (deficit).
Cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds, corporate obligations and US government agency obligations.
Certificate of deposit
The Company has a one-year certificate of deposit at December 31, 2013 and 2012 that currently bears interest at 0.8%. It is renewable annually in January.
Government assistance
From time to time the Company receives government assistance in the form of research grants, which are recorded as a reduction of the related expenditures. During the year, an amount of $175,665 (2012: $118,657; 2011: $52,861) was recorded as a reduction of expenditures. Included in other receivables at December 31, 2013 is $5,914 (2012: $11,193) of amounts due under research grants. All government assistance is subject to periodic audit by the agency involved in the grant.
Intangible assets
Definite lived intangible assets include patents and licenses. Patent costs consist primarily of legal and filing fees incurred to file patents on proprietary technology developed by the Company. Patent costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years beginning with the issue date of the applicable patent. Licensing fees are capitalized and expensed over the term of the licensing agreement.
Indefinite lived intangible assets include trademark costs, which are capitalized with no amortization as they have an indefinite life.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, except for those owned by the Canadian Subsidiary which records such assets net of any related Canadian government grants received. The Company depreciates all asset classes over their estimated useful lives.
Building |
25 years | |
Equipment |
710 years | |
Office furniture and equipment |
3 years | |
Leasehold improvements |
shorter of asset life or lease term | |
Vehicles |
3 years |
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived tangible assets and definite lived intangible assets on an annual basis or more frequently if facts and circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. The carrying values of such assets are considered impaired when the anticipated identifiable undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying values. An impairment loss, if any, is recognized in the amount of the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.
Indefinite lived intangible assets are subject to impairment testing annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Companys impairment testing utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis that requires significant management judgment with respect to revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital and the selection and use of the appropriate discount rate. An impairment loss, if any, is recognized in the amount of the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.
Income taxes
The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-19 |
and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. A valuation allowance is established to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company follows accounting guidance regarding the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements. Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Companys tax returns are required to be evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are more-likely-than-not to be upheld under regulatory review. The resulting tax impact of these tax positions are recognized in the financial statements based on the results of this evaluation. The Company did not recognize any tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, nor has it recognized any interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax positions. Generally, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.
Royalty based financing instruments
From time to time the Company will enter into financing arrangements whereby the funds received will be repaid through future royalties from revenues at agreed upon royalty rates. Amounts to be paid may be in excess of amounts borrowed. Additionally, in certain instances the repayment terms have expiration dates. The Company records outstanding borrowings under these arrangements as long-term debt liabilities and adjusts the balance based on the likelihood of future repayment, taking into consideration the terms of the individual arrangements.
Net loss per share
Basic and diluted net loss per share available to common stockholders has been calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Basic net loss is based solely on the number of common shares outstanding during the year. Fully diluted net loss per share includes the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants and options with an exercise price less than the fair value of the common stock. Since the Company is reporting a net loss for all periods presented, all potential common shares are considered anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share.
Share-based compensation
The Company measures and recognizes all share-based payment awards, including stock options made to employees and Directors, based on estimated fair values. The fair value of share-based payment awards are estimated on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period in the Companys consolidated statement of operations. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (Black-Scholes) as its method of valuation. Non-employee stock-based compensation is accounted for using the Black-Scholes to determine the fair value of warrants or options awarded to non-employees with the fair value of such issuances expensed over the period of service.
3. Risks and uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common in the biotechnology and aquaculture industries. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) results from current and planned product development studies and trials; (ii) decisions made by the FDA or similar regulatory bodies in other countries with respect to approval and commercial sale of any of the Companys proposed products; (iii) the commercial acceptance of any products approved for sale and the Companys ability to manufacture, distribute and sell for a profit any products approved for sale; (iv) the Companys ability to obtain the necessary patents and proprietary rights to effectively protect its technologies; and (v) the outcome of any collaborations or alliances entered into by the Company.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents and marketable securities. This risk is minimized by the Companys policy of investing in financial instruments with short-term maturities issued by highly rated financial institutions. The Companys cash balances may at times exceed insurance limitations.
Financial instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for other receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying value of debt approximates its fair value since it provides for market terms and interest rates other than as disclosed in Note 8 related to royalty-based financing instruments. These royalty based financing instruments are adjusted at each reporting period to the amounts the Company expects to repay.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-20 |
The Company groups its financial instruments measured at fair value, if any, in three levels, based on markets in which the instruments are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price).
Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.
Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that are derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
In certain cases, the input used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an instruments level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Companys assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument.
4. Property, plant and equipment
Major classifications of property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Land |
$ | 94,875 | $ | 101,796 | ||||
Building and improvements |
1,471,883 | 1,579,255 | ||||||
Equipment |
615,362 | 566,014 | ||||||
Office furniture and equipment |
27,613 | 32,689 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements |
| 23,626 | ||||||
Vehicles |
13,451 | 28,459 | ||||||
Total property and equipment |
2,223,184 | 2,331,839 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(1,206,341) | (1,200,625) | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
$ | 1,016,843 | $ | 1,131,214 |
During 2013, the Company retired $41,856 of fully depreciated property and equipment in Panama that was turned over to the landowner at the expiration of the initial site lease. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2013 on property, plant and equipment was $144,126 (2012: $189,900; 2011: $176,168).
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-21 |
5. Definite lived intangible assets
The following is a summary of definite lived intangible assets at 31 December 2013 and 2012:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Patents, gross |
$ | 145,993 | $ | 413,427 | ||||
Less accumulated amortization |
(4,214) | (310,923) | ||||||
Patents, net |
141,779 | 102,504 | ||||||
Licenses, gross |
30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
Less accumulated amortization |
(30,000) | (30,000) | ||||||
Licenses, net |
| | ||||||
Total definite lived intangible assets |
$ | 141,779 | $ | 102,504 |
During 2013, the Company retired $309,683 of fully amortized patent costs for which the underlying patents have expired. Patent amortization expense for 2013 was $2,975 (2012: $33,641; 2011: $33,641). Estimated amortization expense for 2014 is $nil. Gross patent costs include $141,779 that have not yet begun to amortize as the patent has not yet been issued. License amortization expense for 2013 was $nil (2012: $1,875; 2011: $1,875). There are no further expenses for licenses.
6. Prepaid expenses and other assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets include the following at 31 December 2013 and 2012:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Prepaid insurance |
$ | 23,758 | $ | 25,449 | ||||
Prepaid supplies |
16,525 | 7,794 | ||||||
Prepaid professional services |
28,164 | 23,979 | ||||||
Prepaid rent and lease deposits, short-term (Note 11) |
152,441 | 69,882 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
$ | 220,888 | $ | 127,104 | ||||
Long-term investment |
21,628 | 21,628 | ||||||
Other assets |
$ | 21,628 | $ | 21,628 |
Long term investment consists of 2,162,809 shares of common stock of A/F Protein, Inc. (AFP) with a cost basis of $21,628, which the Company believes to be the best estimate of market value. AFP and the Company have certain shareholders in common.
7. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities include the following at 31 December 2013 and 2012:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 387,076 | $ | 240,878 | ||||
Accrued payroll including vacation |
194,824 | 90,955 | ||||||
Accrued professional fees |
115,439 | 87,846 | ||||||
Accrued other |
3,313 | 11,000 | ||||||
Accrued taxes |
3,376 | 5,170 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 704,028 | $ | 435,849 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-22 |
8. Long-term debt
The current terms and conditions of long-term debt outstanding at 31 December 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
Loan source | Amount | Interest rate |
Monthly payment/ repayment terms |
Maturity date |
2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||
Term and bridge debt: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
EPEI loan |
C$300,000 | 6.657 | % | C$3,738 | December 2013 | $ | | $ | 42,714 | |||||||||||||||
ACOA loan |
C$250,000 | 0 | % | C$2,315 | December 2013 | | 27,846 | |||||||||||||||||
Intrexon bridge loan |
US$500,000 | 3 | % | None | May 2013 | | 200,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Royalty-based financing: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACOA AIF grant |
C$2,523,963 | 0 | % | Royalties | | 2,359,653 | 1,834,287 | |||||||||||||||||
TPC funding |
C$2,964,900 | 0 | % | Royalties | June 2014 | | 200,620 | |||||||||||||||||
Total debt |
2,359,653 | 2,305,467 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: current portion |
| (270,560 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
$ | 2,359,653 | $ | 2,034,907 |
All term debt was repaid in full in 2013. The difference between 2012 balances and closing payoff amounts are due to foreign exchange adjustments.
Enterprise PEI (EPEI)
EPEI is a provincial government agency that provides funding to promote the growth and development of companies within the province of Prince Edward Island.
In August 2003, the Canadian subsidiary obtained a loan with EPEI in the amount of C$300,000. This loan was being repaid through monthly payments of principal and interest and was collateralized by a demand note executed by the Canadian Subsidiary. In addition, the loan provided additional collateralization including fixed or floating liens on substantially all of the Canadian Subsidiarys assets, including land, building and fixtures and accounts receivable, as well as an assignment of fire insurance. The loan was fully repaid upon maturity in December 2013.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
ACOA is a Canadian government agency that provides funding to support the development of businesses and to promote employment in the Atlantic region of Canada.
Term debt:
In October 2003, the Canadian Subsidiary obtained a loan with ACOA in the amount of C$250,000. The loan was being repaid through monthly payments of principal and was unsecured. The loan was fully repaid upon maturity in December 2013.
Royalty-based financing:
In January 2009, the Canadian Subsidiary was awarded a grant from ACOA to provide a contribution towards the funding of a research and development project. The total amount available under the award is C$2,871,900 which can be claimed over a five-year period. All amounts claimed by the Canadian Subsidiary must be repaid in the form of a 10% royalty on any products that are commercialized out of this research project, until the loan is fully paid. During 2013, the Canadian Subsidiary submitted a claim and received funds in the amount of C$695,344 (2012: C$678,504). No repayments have been made to date. Cumulative draws on this award aggregate C$2,523,963 and the remaining balance available under this award at 31 December 2013 is C$347,937.
Intrexon Corporation (Intrexon)
Intrexon is a public company specializing in next generation synthetic biology. In November 2012, Intrexon purchased the common shares of AquaBounty that had been previously held by Linnaeus Capital Partners, B.V. and thus became the majority shareholder in the Company.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-23 |
In December 2012, Intrexon agreed to provide the Company with a $500,000 bridge loan to help fund operations until permanent financing could be completed. The loan could be drawn-down in increments of $100,000 and carried an interest rate of 3%. All funds borrowed, plus interest, were to be repaid from the proceeds of the Companys next fundraising, but no later than May 2013. As of 31 December 2012, the Company had borrowed $200,000 under this debt facility. In January and February 2013, the Company borrowed the additional $300,000 available under this debt facility. All amounts were repaid in full in March 2013, including accrued interest of $2,567.
Technology Partnership Canada (TPC)
TPC is a Canadian government agency that provides funding to promote economic growth and create jobs in Canada.
In November 1999, TPC agreed to provide funding up to C$2,964,900 to support the Canadian Subsidiarys efforts to develop commercial applications of its transgenic growth enhanced fin fish technology. Funding under the TPC funding agreement was completed in 2003. This amount is repayable to TPC in the form of a 5.2% royalty on revenues generated from the sale of transgenic based growth enhanced fin fish commercial products. However, the Canadian Subsidiary will have no further repayment obligations after 30 June 2014 even if the total amount has not been repaid as of such date. In 2011, management concluded that the probable amount owed would not exceed C$200,000 and the balance owed to TPC was adjusted to C$200,000 at that time. In 2013, management concluded that the probable amount owed would be $0 as no revenue would be generated to pay back the outstanding balance prior to the loan termination date. As a result, the balance owed to TPC was adjusted to $0 and the Company recognized a gain of C$200,000 in 2013 (US$186,980 after foreign exchange adjustment).
The Company recognized interest expense in 2013 of $3,877 (2012: $4,631; 2011: $6,895) on their interest-bearing debt.
9. Stockholders equity
The Company is presently authorized to issue up to 240 million shares of stock, of which 40 million are authorized as preferred stock and 200 million as common stock. At 31 December 2013 the Company had nil shares (2012: nil) of preferred stock and 125,305,471 shares (2012: 102,255,688) of common stock, issued and outstanding.
Common stock
The holders of the common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held at all meetings of stockholders. Dividends and distribution of assets of the Company in the event of liquidation are subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding preferred shares. At 31 December 2013 the Company had reserved 6,624,000 shares of common stock for the exercise of options.
Recent issuances
On 1 July 2013 the Company issued 65,217 shares of common stock as part of the compensation package for the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Company recorded a compensation charge of $22,812 in connection with the issuance.
In March 2013 the Company received proceeds of $4,000 in connection with the exercise of options to purchase 29,500 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company issued 71,771 shares of common stock in a cashless exercise of 132,500 options.
In February 2013 the Board approved a fundraising of approximately £3.9 million ($6.0 million) before expenses by means of a subscription for new common shares by certain existing shareholders. The subscription price was 16.89 pence per share ($0.2622) and the aggregate number of common shares subscribed was 22,883,295. The transaction closed on 15 March 2013 with net proceeds to the Company of $5.73 million.
On 2 July 2012 the Company issued 196,850 shares of common stock as part of the compensation package for the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Company recorded a compensation charge in 2012 of $23,550 in connection with the issuance.
In January 2012 the Board approved a fundraising of approximately £1.26 million ($2.0 million) before expenses by means of a subscription for new common shares by certain existing shareholders. The subscription price was 3.79 pence per share ($0.0601) and the aggregate number of common shares subscribed was 33,277,870. The transaction closed on 22 March 2012 with net proceeds to the Company of $1.74 million.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-24 |
On 1 July 2011 the Company issued 226,586 shares of common stock as part of the compensation package for the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Company recorded a compensation charge in 2011 of $24,086 in connection with the issuance.
On 17 May 2011 the Company received proceeds of $3,873 in connection with the exercise of options to purchase 387,273 shares of common stock.
Stock options
In 1998 the Company established a stock option plan. This plan was superseded by the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan). The Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options to employees of the Company and non-qualified stock options and awards of restricted and direct stock purchases to Directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company.
The Companys option activity under the Plan is summarized as follows:
Number of options |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||||
Outstanding at 31 December 2010 |
7,947,773 | $0.20 | ||||||
Issued |
945,500 | 0.21 | ||||||
Exercised |
(387,273 | ) | 0.01 | |||||
Expired |
(151,000 | ) | 0.21 | |||||
Outstanding at 31 December 2011 |
8,355,000 | $0.21 | ||||||
Issued |
72,000 | 0.12 | ||||||
Exercised |
| | ||||||
Expired |
(1,225,000 | ) | 0.20 | |||||
Outstanding at 31 December 2012 |
7,202,000 | $0.28 | ||||||
Issued |
596,000 | 0.27 | ||||||
Exercised |
(162,000 | ) | 0.12 | |||||
Expired |
(1,012,000 | ) | 0.51 | |||||
Outstanding at 31 December 2013 |
6,624,000 | $0.25 | ||||||
Exercisable at 31 December 2013 |
6,052,000 | $0.25 |
The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and exercisable at 31 December 2013:
Weighted average price of outstanding options |
Number of options outstanding |
Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years) |
Number of options exercisable |
Weighted average price of outstanding and exercisable options |
||||||||||||
$0.10 |
90,000 | 5.4 | 90,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.11 |
2,665,000 | 5.5 | 2,665,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.12 |
24,000 | 8.5 | 24,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.23 |
773,500 | 7.0 | 773,500 | |||||||||||||
$0.25 |
500,000 | 9.3 | 0 | |||||||||||||
$0.32 |
24,000 | 6.8 | 24,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.33 |
24,000 | 4.5 | 24,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.35 |
72,000 | 9.5 | 0 | |||||||||||||
$0.40 |
2,375,000 | 1.5 | 2,375,000 | |||||||||||||
$0.65 |
76,500 | 3.5 | 76,500 | |||||||||||||
6,624,000 | 6,052,000 | $ | 0.25 |
Unless otherwise indicated, options issued to employees, members of the Board of Directors and non-employees are vested over one to three years and are exercisable for a term of ten years from the date of issuance.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-25 |
The weighted average fair value of stock options granted in 2013 was $0.27 (2012: $0.12; 2011: $0.21). The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2013 was $3,254 (2012: $nil; 2011: $54,218). At 31 December 2013, the total intrinsic value of all options outstanding was $3,756,724 (2012: $681,029) and the total intrinsic value of exercisable options was $3,440,172 (2012: $622,140).
The market values of stock option grants/modifications to employees, members of the Board of Directors and non-employees during 2013, 2012 and 2011 were measured on the date of grant/modification using Black-Scholes, with the following weighted average assumptions:
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Expected volatility |
160 | % | 160 | % | 177 | % | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.05 | % | 0.60 | % | 1.98 | % | ||||||
Expected dividend yield |
0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||||
Expected life (in years) |
5 | 3-5 | 5 |
The risk-free interest rate is estimated using the Federal Funds interest rate for a period that is commensurate with the expected term of the awards. The expected dividend yield is zero because the Company has never paid a dividend and does not expect to do so for the foreseeable future. The expected life was based on a number of factors including historical experience, vesting provisions, exercise price relative to market price and expected volatility. The Company believes that all groups of employees demonstrate similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior and, therefore, does not stratify employees into multiple groups. The expected volatility was estimated using the Companys historical price volatility over a period that is commensurate with the expected term of the awards.
Total share-based compensation on stock-option grants amounted to $119,331 in 2013 (2012: $300,758; 2011: $225,477). At 31 December 2013, the balance of unearned share-based compensation to be expensed in future periods related to unvested share-based awards is $97,394. The period over which the unearned share-based compensation is expected to be earned is approximately three years.
Recent issuances
During April 2013 the Company granted options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock to certain executive officers and employees at an exercise price of $0.25. These options vest over a one-to-three year period.
During July 2013 the Company issued 96,000 options at an exercise price of $0.35 under the terms of its service agreement with Non-executive Directors. These options vest over a one-year period.
During July 2012 the Company issued 72,000 options at an exercise price of $0.12 under the terms of its service agreement with Non-executive Directors. These options vest over a one-year period.
At the Companys Annual General Meeting in July 2012, the shareholders approved a 3 year extension to the exercise term on 2,375,000 options belonging to previous Company Directors which were due to expire. In conjunction with the extension, the exercise price of the options was increased from $0.20 to $0.40. The Company recognized an immediate non-cash stock-based compensation charge of $202,987 in 2012 for this extension.
During January 2011 the Company granted options to purchase 801,500 shares of common stock to certain executive officers and employees at an exercise price of $0.23. These options vest over a one-to-three year period.
During July 2011 the Company issued 144,000 options at an exercise price of $0.11 under the terms of its service agreement with Non-executive Directors. These options vest over a one-year period.
Share-based compensation
The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs recognized in the Companys consolidated statements of operations for the years ended 31 December 2013, 2012 and 2011:
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Research and development |
$6,454 | $3,721 | $16,553 | |||||||||
Sales and marketing |
17,645 | 15,104 | 22,890 | |||||||||
General and administrative |
118,044 | 305,483 | 210,120 | |||||||||
Total share-based compensation |
$142,143 | $324,308 | $249,563 |
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-26 |
10. Income taxes
As at 31 December 2013 the Company has net domestic operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8.3 million to offset future federal taxable income, which expires at various times through the year 2031. The future utilization of the net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, however, are subject to annual use limitations based on the change in stock ownership rules of Internal Revenue Code Sections 382 and 383. The Company experienced a change in ownership under these rules during 2012 and revised its calculation of net operating loss carryforwards based on annual limitation rules. The Company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards in the amount of approximately $4.1 million and federal R&D tax credits of approximately $2.7 million at 31 December 2013, which expire at various times through 2031. Since the Company has incurred only losses from inception and there is uncertainty related to the ultimate use of the loss carryforwards and tax credits, a valuation allowance has been recognized to offset the Companys deferred tax assets.
Significant components of the Companys deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets (liabilities): |
||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards |
$4,571,597 | $3,653,409 | ||||||
Federal research and development tax credit carryforwards |
3,010,329 | 3,098,157 | ||||||
Property and equipment |
427,454 | 456,008 | ||||||
Accounts receivable and other |
400 | 400 | ||||||
Stock options |
695,417 | 882,600 | ||||||
Accrued royalties |
56,094 | | ||||||
Accrued vacation |
24,708 | 21,777 | ||||||
Accrued compensation |
34,475 | | ||||||
Capital loss carryforwards |
| 63,214 | ||||||
Intangible assets |
(164,002 | ) | (136,798 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax assets |
8,656,472 | 8,038,767 | ||||||
Valuation allowance |
(8,656,472 | ) | (8,038,767 | ) | ||||
Net deferred tax assets |
$ | $ |
The valuation allowance increased by $617,705 during 2013 and decreased by $11,036,117 during 2012. The increase in 2013 was due primarily to an increase in deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards offset by a decrease in federal research and development tax credit carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards as well as a decrease in stock options. The 2012 decrease was due primarily to a decrease in deferred tax assets for expired net operating loss carryforwards.
11. Commitments and contingencies
The Company recognizes and discloses commitments when it enters into executed contractual obligations with other parties. The Company accrues contingent liabilities when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated.
Lease commitments
In 2008 the Company established a subsidiary in Panama for the purpose of conducting commercial field trials of one of its products. The Company entered into a land lease agreement for a term of five years commencing 1 October 2008. Under the terms of the lease, the Company agreed to pay for improvements to the site in lieu of rent. The Company incurred costs of $346,735 for the site improvements during 2008 and these costs were amortized to rent expense over the term of the lease. These fully amortized leasehold improvements were turned over to the landowner upon expiration of the initial lease in 2013. In June 2013, the Company entered into a new lease with the landowner to lease the site for an additional two years. Under the terms of the new lease agreement, the Company will make payments totalling $712,834 over the term of the agreement, including $316,800 representing rental payments and $396,034 representing a management fee as all management services and operational expenses of the site were turned over to the landowner. Payments are due in monthly installments and a prepayment of $180,000 was made in 2013 under the terms of the agreement.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-27 |
In February 2012, the Company signed a one-year lease for office space in Maynard, Massachusetts for its corporate headquarters for a total of $17,901. In March 2013, this lease was extended for an additional three years at a total cost of $59,670.
Total rent expense, including the management fee of the Panama site, under non-cancelable operating leases in 2013 was $165,170 (2012: $117,162; 2011: $192,154). Future minimum commitments under its operating leases are as follows:
Year ended 31 December | Amount | |||
2014 |
$ | 379,641 | ||
2015 |
290,636 | |||
2016 |
5,221 | |||
Lease commitments |
$ | 675,498 |
License agreements
The Company was a party to a license agreement with Genesis Group, Inc. related to the Companys transgenic fish program. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company was required to make an annual royalty payment of $25,000 or revenue-based royalty payments equal to 5% of any gross revenues generated from products that utilize the technology covered under the license agreement.
No revenue-based royalty payments have been made to date. In consideration for a worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid up, sub-licensable, assignable, non-exclusive right and license to the transgenic fish technology, the Company agreed to pay to Genesis Group, Inc. a one-time payment of C$150,000 (US$140,235). This amount is included as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities at 31 December 2013.
Royalty obligations
As discussed in Note 8, the Canadian Subsidiary is obligated to pay royalties to TPC in an amount equal to 5.2% of gross sales generated from the sale of any growth enhanced transgenic-based fin fish commercial products. Such royalties are payable until the earlier of: (i) 30 June 2014; or (ii) until cumulative royalties of C$5,750,000 have been paid. No royalty payments have been made to date.
As discussed in Note 8, the Canadian subsidiary is obligated to pay royalties to ACOA in an amount equal to 10% of gross sales generated from the sale of any new products that are developed through the research project that is being co-funded by ACOA. This royalty is for the repayment of the funds contributed by ACOA to the Canadian Subsidiary through the AIF grant. The first scheduled repayment is 30 June 2015 and subsequent repayments are due annually until the full balance of the contributed funds is paid. Total amount outstanding at 31 December 2013 is C$2,523,963 (US$2,359,653) and the maximum amount available under the grant is C$2,871,900.
Employment agreements
The Company has employment agreements with certain of its officers. The agreements provide for base pay and benefits, as defined. Under certain circumstances of termination, the Company must make severance payments.
Bonus obligation
The Company is obligated to pay a bonus to its Chief Executive Officer of $80,062 upon the successful approval of its AquAdvantage® Salmon New Animal Drug Application by the Food and Drug Administration. The Company has recorded an accrual for this bonus as of 31 December 2013 based on managements expectation regarding payment.
12. Retirement plan
The Company has a savings and retirement plan for its US employees which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan covers substantially all employees and provides for voluntary contributions by participating employees up to the maximum contribution allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions by the Company can be made, as determined by the Board of Directors, provided the amount does not exceed the maximum permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the year ended 31 December 2013 amounted to $21,788 (2012: $24,851; 2011: $31,860). The Company also has a Registered Retirement Savings Plan for its Canadian employees. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the year ended 31 December 2013 amounted to $14,312 (2012: $13,730; 2011: $16,636).
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-28 |
13. Contract Research Agreement
In March 2012, and in connection with the restructuring (Note 1), the Company executed a contract research agreement with Tethys Aquaculture Canada Inc. (TAC), to provide AquaBounty with the resources required for its ongoing development needs. Under the terms of the extended agreement, TAC will provide services to the Company through 1 April 2014. Total costs incurred under the terms of this agreement amounted to $386,806 in 2013 (2012: $260,798) and is included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
14. Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement
In February 2013, the Company entered into an Exclusive Channel Collaboration agreement (ECC) with Intrexon Corporation, its majority shareholder, pursuant to which the Company will use Intrexons UltraVector® and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC, which can be terminated by the Company upon 90 days written notice, grants the Company a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. Such license is exclusive with respect to any clinical development, selling, offering for sale or other commercialization of developed products, and otherwise is non-exclusive.
Under the ECC and subject to certain exceptions, the Company is responsible for, among other things, the performance of the program, including development, commercialization and certain aspects of manufacturing developed products. Among other things, Intrexon is responsible for the costs of establishing manufacturing capabilities and facilities for the bulk manufacture of certain products developed under the program, certain other aspects of manufacturing, costs of discovery-stage research with respect to platform improvements and costs of filing, prosecution and maintenance of Intrexons patents.
The Company will pay Intrexon quarterly 16.66% of the gross profits calculated under the terms of the agreement for each developed product. The Company has likewise agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, the Company will reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. Total Intrexon service costs incurred under the terms of this agreement amounted to $453,304 in 2013, of which $106,647 is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at 31 December 2013, and is included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
15. Subsequent events
The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to 31 December 2013, identifying those that are required to be disclosed as follows:
In January 2014, the Board approved a fundraising of $10.0 million before expenses by means of a subscription for new common shares by the Companys majority shareholder, Intrexon Corporation. The subscription price was $0.5252 per share and the aggregate number of common shares subscribed was 19,040,366. The transaction closed on 20 March 2014 with net proceeds to the Company of approximately $9.7 million.
There were no other subsequent events that require adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Financial Statements | F-29 |
Exhibit 4.1
THIS CERTIFIES THAT is the owner of CUSIP DATED COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter called the Company), transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby, are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the By-Laws, as amended, of the Company (copies of which are on file with the Company and with the Transfer Agent), to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. COMMON SHARES PAR VALUE $0.001 COMMON SHARES THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CANTON, MA, JERSEY CITY, NJ AND COLLEGE STATION, TX SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS Certificate Number Shares . AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE FACSIMILE SIGNATURE TO COME FACSIMILE SIGNATURE TO COME President Secretary By AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE ZQ|CERT#|COY|CLS|RGSTRY|ACCT#|TRANSTYPE|RUN#|TRANS# XXXXXX XX X DD-MMM-YYYY * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample **000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares ****000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares ****000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares*** *000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares ****000000 **Shares**** 000000**Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000**Shares****0 00000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000**Shares****00 0000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000**Shares****000 000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000**Shares****0000 00 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000**Shares****00000 0 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000* *Shares****000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000** Shares****000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000 **Shares**** 000000**S ***ZERO HUNDRED THOUSAND ZERO HUNDRED AND ZERO*** MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE & MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE ZQ00000000 Certificate Numbers 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 Total Transaction Num/No. 123456 Denom. 123456 Total 1234567 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. PO BOX 43004, Providence, RI 02940-3004 CUSIP XXXXXX XX X Holder ID XXXXXXXXXX Insurance Value 1,000,000.00 Number of Shares 123456 DTC 12345678 123456789012345
The IRS requires that we report the cost basis of certain shares acquired after January 1, 2011. If your shares were covered by the legislation and you have sold or transferred the shares and requested a specific cost basis calculation method, we have processed as requested. If you did not specify a cost basis calculation method, we have defaulted to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Please visit our website or consult your tax advisor if you need additional information about cost basis. If you do not keep in contact with us or do not have any activity in your account for the time periods specified by state law, your property could become subject to state unclaimed property laws and transferred to the appropriate state. For value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto Shares Attorney Dated: 20 Signature: Signature: Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises. . AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED, AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE. Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - Custodian (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State) JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship UNIF TRF MIN ACT - Custodian (until age ) and not as tenants in common (Cust) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (Minor) (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list
Exhibit 10.7
DATED 14 FEBRUARY 2013
(1) AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(2) THE INVESTORS LISTED ON EXHIBIT A HERETO
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
CONTENTS
Clause | Page | |||||
1. | Definitions and Interpretation |
1 | ||||
2. | Subscription |
6 | ||||
3. | Termination |
8 | ||||
4. | Company Warranties |
9 | ||||
5. | Investor Warranties |
10 | ||||
6. | Participation by Shareholders |
13 | ||||
7. | Assignment |
13 | ||||
8. | Applicable Law and Jurisdiction |
14 | ||||
9. | General |
14 | ||||
10. | Notices |
16 |
Exhibit A
THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made on 14 February 2013
BETWEEN:
(1) | AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., incorporated and registered in the state of Delaware, USA with registered number 2282110 and whose principal place of business is at Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395, Maynard, MA 01754 USA (the Company); and |
(2) | Each of the investors listed on Exhibit A hereto (each an Investor and, collectively, the Investors). |
WHEREAS:
The Investors have agreed to subscribe for the New Shares (as defined below) in the capital of the Company and the parties have agreed to regulate the terms of the Subscription (as defined below) on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
1.1 | The following words and expressions where used in this Agreement have the meanings given to them below: |
Admission shall have the meaning given to it in clause 2.1.3 of this Agreement.
Admission Condition shall have the meaning given to it in clause 2.2 of this Agreement.
Aggregate Subscription Amount means the sum of $6,000,000, being the aggregate subscription price payable by the Investors for the New Shares.
Agreement shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble of this Agreement.
AIM means AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange.
AIM Rules means the AIM Rules for Companies published by the London Stock Exchange.
Authorities shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1 of Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
Board means the board of directors of the Company from time to time.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or English bank or public holiday.
Bylaws means the corporate bylaws of the Company in effect as at the date of this Agreement.
Certificate of Incorporation means the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended.
Circular shall have the meaning given to it in clause 2.5 of this Agreement.
Common Shares means the shares of common stock, par value one tenth of one cent ($0.001) per share of the Company.
Companies Act means the Companies Act 2006.
Company shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble of this Agreement.
Completion means completion of the Subscription, (subject to the full satisfaction of the Conditions) in accordance with clause 2.12.
Completion Date means the date on which Completion occurs.
Conditions means the conditions to Completion set out in clause 2.1.
Copyright means copyright, which includes all rights in computer software and in databases and all rights or forms of protection which have equivalent or similar effect to the foregoing and which subsist anywhere in the world.
Directors means the directors of the Company from time to time.
FSA means the Financial Services Authority.
FSMA means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Group means the Company and any company which is a subsidiary undertaking of the Company from time to time and references to Group Company and member of the Group shall be construed accordingly.
Intellectual Property Rights includes patents, inventions, Know-How, trade secrets and other confidential information, registered designs, Copyright, database rights, design rights, rights affording equivalent protection to copyright, database rights and design rights, topography rights, trade marks, service marks, business names, trade names, domain names, registration of an application to register any of the aforesaid items, rights to sue for passing-off and rights in the nature of any of the aforesaid items in any country.
International Jurisdiction means a country other than the United States.
International Securities Laws means, in respect of each and every offer or sale of New Shares, any securities laws having application to an Investor and the Subscription other than the laws of the USA and all regulatory notices, orders, rules, regulations, policies and other instruments incident thereto.
Intrexon means Intrexon Corporation, a Virginia corporation.
Investor shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble of this Agreement.
Investor Representatives shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1.1 of this Agreement.
Investor Warranties means the warranties set out in clause 5.
Know-How means inventions, discoveries, improvement, processes, formulae, techniques, specifications, technical information, methods, tests, reports, component lists, manuals, instructions, drawings and information relating to customers and suppliers (whether written, unwritten or in any other form and whether confidential or not).
London Stock Exchange means London Stock Exchange plc.
Mandatory Offer Waiver means a waiver of the requirement under paragraph 7(b) of the Certificate of Incorporation that a person who is an Offeror makes an Offer as a consequence of (i) the Subscription or (ii) a related transaction prior to the Subscription, made pursuant to paragraph 7(n) of the Certificate of Incorporation by way of independent vote or consent of a majority of all Shareholders with voting rights other than those Shareholders who would be an Offeror under paragraph 7(b) of the Certificate of Incorporation had the requirement to make an Offer thereunder not been waived.
New Shares means the 22,883,295 Common Shares in the capital of the Company to be subscribed by the Investors under the terms of this Agreement.
Notice has the meaning set forth in clause 9.1.
Offer shall be as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Offeror shall be as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Participating Shareholder has the meaning set forth in clause 6.
Pre-Completion means the satisfaction of the conditions and obligations set forth in clauses 2.7 to 2.10 (inclusive).
Prospectus Rules means the Prospectus Rules made by the Financial Services Authority under Part VI of the FSMA.
Publicly Announced means the making by the Company of an announcement on a Regulatory Information Service provided by the London Stock Exchange, within the 6 month period immediately preceding the date of this Agreement.
Purchased Shares means, with respect to each Investor, the number of New Shares for which such Investor is subscribing pursuant to this Agreement, as set forth opposite such Investors name on Exhibit A.
Resolutions means the resolutions of the Shareholders of the Company in the approved terms, inter alia, waiving the application of the pre-emption rights contained in Section 4(c) of the Certificate of Incorporation, approving the Mandatory Offer Waiver and waiving the application of Section 4(d) of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Share means any share in or of capital stock issued by the Company from time to time.
Share Price means $0.2622 per share.
Shareholder means any holder of any Share from time to time.
Subscription means the subscription by the Investors for the New Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Subscription Amount means, with respect to each Investor, the amount listed on Exhibit A, which is a product of such Investors Purchased Shares, multiplied by the Share Price.
Terminating Investor shall have the meaning given to it in clause 3.3 of this Agreement.
Terminating Investor Shares shall have the meaning given to it in clause 3.4 of this Agreement.
US Laws shall have the meaning given to it in clause 3.1 of Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
USA or U.S. means the United States of America.
Warranties means the warranties and representations set out in Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
1.2 | Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions defined in or having a meaning provided by the Companies Act shall have the same meaning in this Agreement. |
1.3 | Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to: |
1.3.1 | any of the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall include other genders; |
1.3.2 | the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; |
1.3.3 | a person shall include a reference to any natural person, body corporate, unincorporated association, partnership, firm and trust; |
1.3.4 | any statute or statutory provision shall be deemed to include any instrument, order, regulation or direction made or issued under it and shall be construed as a reference to the same as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, modified, consolidated, re-enacted or replaced except to the extent that any amendment or modification made after the date of this Agreement would increase any liability or impose any additional obligation under this Agreement; |
1.3.5 | any English legal term for any action, remedy, method of judicial proceeding, legal document, legal status, court, official or any legal concept or thing shall, in respect of any jurisdiction other than that of England, be deemed to include what most nearly approximates in that jurisdiction to the English legal term; and |
1.3.6 | any time or date shall be construed as a reference to the time or date prevailing in England. |
1.4 | The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect its meaning. References to a clause, Schedule, Exhibit or paragraph are (unless otherwise stated) to a clause or paragraph of, or Schedule or Exhibit to, this Agreement. The Schedules and Exhibits form part of this Agreement and shall have the same force and effect as if expressly set out in the body of this Agreement. |
1.5 | A document expressed to be in the approved terms means a document, the terms of which have been approved by the parties to the Agreement and a copy of which has been identified as such and initialled by or on behalf of each such party. |
1.6 | In construing this Agreement, general words introduced by the word other shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are preceded by words indicating a particular class of acts, matters or things and general words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are followed by particular examples intended to be embraced by the general words. |
2. | SUBSCRIPTION |
Conditions
2.1 | Subject to clause 3, Completion shall be conditional in all respects on: |
2.1.1 | the passing of the Resolutions; |
2.1.2 | the obtaining by the Company of the Mandatory Offer Waiver; and |
2.1.3 | the admission of the New Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective in accordance with the latest edition of the AIM Rules (Admission). |
2.2 | The Company agrees to notify the Investors in writing within one Business Day of the last of the Conditions in clauses 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 (but not clause 2.1.3 (the Admission Condition)) being satisfied and the Company shall provide such evidence as the Investors may reasonably request as to the satisfaction of these Conditions. |
2.3 | From the date of this Agreement until Completion (or termination of this Agreement), the Company undertakes to the Investors that it shall take no action that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or the consummation of the Subscription as contemplated by this Agreement. |
2.4 | If the Conditions have not been satisfied in full on or before April 1, 2013, this Agreement (other than this clause 2.4 and clauses 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10) shall have no further effect and in such event no party to this Agreement shall have any claim against the other parties to this Agreement for costs, damages, compensation or otherwise, provided that such termination shall be without prejudice to any accrued rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement or the ability of the Investors to bring a claim against the Company for a breach of the Warranties. |
Signing of this Agreement
2.5 | The Company agrees that, promptly (but in no event more than five days) following the date of |
this Agreement, it will send to each Shareholder entitled thereto a circular incorporating a notice convening a special meeting of the Shareholders of the Company (the Circular) containing the Resolutions, including the request for the Mandatory Offer Waiver, in accordance with the requirements of the Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation. |
2.6 | Upon signing of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to each of the Investors duly passed resolutions of the Board in terms reasonably satisfactory to the Investors approving the entry into this Agreement and granting all necessary authorities to implement its terms including, subject to the satisfaction of the Conditions and receipt of the subscription monies from the Investors, the issue of the New Shares to the Investors in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
Pre-Completion
2.7 | Pre-Completion shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures on the Business Day immediately following notification by the Company to the Investors, under clause 2.2, of all of the Conditions (other than the Admission Condition) being satisfied. |
2.8 | At Pre-Completion, the Company shall deliver to each of the Investors certified copies of the Resolutions and the Mandatory Offer Waiver. |
2.9 | Subject to clause 2.11, at Pre-Completion each Investor shall subscribe in cash (conditional upon Admission) for its Purchased Shares, at a price per share equal to the Share Price, and each Investor shall pay its Subscription Amount into the following bank account of the Company and such payment shall constitute a full and proper discharge by each Investor of its obligations under this clause 2.9: |
Bank: | Citizens Bank | |
Bank Address: | 28 State Street, Boston, MA 02109 | |
Account number: | XXXXXXXXX | |
Routing number: | XXXXXXXXX | |
ABA: | XXXXXXXXX |
2.10 | Subject to clause 2.11, at Pre-Completion, upon receipt by the Company of each Investors Subscription Amount pursuant to clause 2.9, the Company shall allot (conditional upon Admission) each Investor its Purchased Shares, shall deliver to each Investor a share certificate in respect of its Purchased Shares and enter the name of such Investor in the Companys stock register as the holder of such Purchased Shares. |
2.11 | Clauses 2.7 to 2.10 (inclusive) shall not apply to any Investor whose obligations under this Agreement have been terminated pursuant to clause 3. |
Completion
2.12 | Completion shall take place automatically upon Admission. Promptly following Completion, the Company shall deliver to each Investor a share certificate in respect of its Purchased Shares and enter the name of such Investor in the Companys stock register as the holder of such Purchased Shares. |
3. | TERMINATION |
3.1 | If at any time prior to Completion: |
3.1.1 | it comes to the knowledge of any of the Investors (whether by way of receipt of a notification pursuant to clause 4.4 or otherwise) that any of the Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading when made and/or that any of the Warranties has ceased to be materially true or accurate or has become materially misleading by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting, provided, that for purposes of this clause 3.1.1 any materiality qualifier in a Warranty shall be read without such qualifier; or |
3.1.2 | the Company shall fail, in a material way, to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, |
then each Investor shall be entitled to terminate its obligations under this Agreement by giving notice to the Company at any time prior to Completion.
3.2 | If at any time prior to Completion it comes to the knowledge of the Company that any of the Investor Warranties was, in relation to any particular Investor, materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading when made and/or that any of the Investor Warranties has, in relation to any particular Investor, ceased to be materially true or accurate or has become materially misleading, the Company shall be entitled to terminate its obligations under this Agreement in relation to that particular Investor only, by giving notice to such Investor at any time prior to Completion. |
3.3 | If this Agreement is terminated under clause 3.1 or 3.2 in relation to any particular Investor (the Terminating Investor), this Agreement (other than this clause 3.3 and clauses 4, 7 and 8) shall have no further effect in respect of the Terminating Investor. |
3.4 | In the event that the obligations of any one or more Investors, other than Intrexon, are terminated pursuant to clauses 3.1 or 3.2, Intrexon shall subscribe for the Purchased Shares of each Terminating Investor (the Terminating Investor Shares) (in addition to Intrexons |
Purchased Shares) at the Share Price and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, if Intrexon is terminated pursuant to clauses 3.1 or 3.2, it shall not be obligated to subscribe for or purchase any Terminating Investor Shares. |
4. | COMPANY WARRANTIES |
4.1 | The Company, upon the execution of this Agreement, warrants and represents to the Investors in the terms of the Warranties. The Company acknowledges that the Investors have relied on the Warranties in entering into this Agreement. |
4.2 | No fact, matter, event or circumstance of which the Investors have or may be deemed to have knowledge (actual, constructive or imputed) shall prejudice any claim made by the Investors under the Warranties or operate to reduce any amount recoverable. |
4.3 | The Warranties are given at the date of this Agreement. The Warranties shall continue in full force and effect until Completion. |
4.4 | The Company undertakes to the Investors that it will immediately notify the Investors upon its becoming aware at any time up to Completion: |
4.4.1 | that any of the Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the date of this Agreement; or |
4.4.2 | that any of the Warranties would be materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading if it were to be repeated at any time before Completion by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting. |
4.5 | Each Warranty shall be separate and independent and, save as expressly provided, shall not be limited by reference to any other Warranty or any other provision in this Agreement. |
4.6 | Where any statement in the Warranties is qualified by the expression so far as the Company is aware or any similar expression, the Company shall be deemed to have knowledge of: |
4.6.1 | anything of which any of the Directors or officers of the Company has knowledge or is deemed by clause 4.6.2 or 4.6.3 to have knowledge; |
4.6.2 | anything of which a Director or officer of the Company ought reasonably to have knowledge given his particular position in and responsibility to the Group; and |
4.6.3 | anything of which it would have had knowledge had it made enquiry immediately before giving the Warranties. |
4.7 | The Company agrees with the Investors: |
4.7.1 | to waive any right or claim which it may have against any of its officers, employees, agents or advisers for any error, omission or misrepresentation of any such information or opinion (provided that nothing in this clause shall exclude any liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation); and |
4.7.2 | that any such right or claim shall not constitute a defence to any claim by the Investors under or in relation to this Agreement (including the Warranties). |
LIMITATIONS
Time Limits
4.8 | The Company shall not be liable for any claim under the Warranties (other than clauses 3, 10 and 11 of the Warranties) unless the Investors who are bringing such claim give written notice thereof to the Company before the expiry of six months following the Completion Date (containing such details of the claim under the Warranties, including its anticipated value, as the relevant Investors have available to them within 60 days after becoming aware of the claim under the Warranties). |
Maximum Liability
4.9 | For all claims under the Warranties or other claims under this Agreement, the aggregate amount of the liability of the Company shall not exceed the Aggregate Subscription Amount and the liability of the Company to each Investor shall not exceed the Subscription Amount actually paid by such Investor. |
5. | INVESTOR WARRANTIES |
5.1 | Each Investor severally and not jointly and severally, represents and warrants that: |
5.1.1 | The Company has afforded each Investor and each Investors attorneys, accountants, investment advisors and other representatives (the Investor Representatives) full, complete and unrestricted access to all financial reports and information of the Company requested by the Investors or the Investor Representatives. The Investors are familiar with the business and operations of the Company and have had the opportunity to obtain the advice of the Investor Representatives with respect to all aspects of this Agreement. The Investors are entering into this Agreement and purchasing the New Shares from the Company of their own free will and the Aggregate Subscription Amount and terms of payment are fair, equitable and desired by the Investors. |
5.1.2 | If an Investor is in the United States or is a resident of the United States, such Investor is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act. Each Investor understands and acknowledges that: (i) the New Shares are being offered and sold to it without registration under the Securities Act in a private placement that is exempt from registration provisions of the Securities Act, and (ii) the availability of such exemption depends in part on, and the Company will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of, the representations, warranties and covenants of such Investor set forth in this clause 5, and such Investor hereby consents to such reliance. |
5.1.3 | If an Investor is not in the United States, then such Investor represents that (i) it is not a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act); (ii) the Investor has not been subject to any directed selling efforts (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act) by or on behalf of the Company, its affiliates or any person controlled by its or their affiliates; and (iii) at the time the buy order for the New Shares was placed, the Investor was outside of the United States. |
5.1.4 | Each Investor understands that the New Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state of the USA or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, nor is such registration contemplated, and such Investor will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (or solicit offers to buy, purchase, or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of) any of the New Shares, except in compliance with the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws and the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. |
5.1.5 | If an Investor is a resident of an International Jurisdiction, then such Investor on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of others for whom it is hereby acting, confirms that: |
(i) | such Investor is knowledgeable of, or has been independently advised as to, the International Securities Laws which would apply to this Subscription, if any; |
(ii) | such Investor is purchasing the New Shares pursuant to an applicable exemption from any prospectus, registration or similar requirements under the International Securities Laws of that International Jurisdiction, or, if such is not applicable, such Investor is permitted to purchase the New Shares under the International Securities Laws of the International Jurisdiction without the need to rely on exemptions; |
(iii) | the Subscription by such Investor does not contravene any of the International Securities Laws applicable to the Investor and the Company and does not give rise to any obligation of the Company to prepare and file a prospectus or similar document or to register the New Shares or to be registered with any governmental or regulatory authority; and |
(iv) | the International Securities Laws do not require the Company to make any filings or seek any approvals of any kind whatsoever from any regulatory authority of any kind whatsoever in the International Jurisdiction. |
5.1.6 | Each Investor acknowledges that (i) transfers of the New Shares are restricted by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and (ii) that legends stating that the New Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or other applicable securities laws and setting out or referring to the restrictions on the transferability and resale of the New Shares will be placed on all documents evidencing the New Shares, and accordingly, it may not be possible for an Investor to readily, if at all, liquidate its investment in the Company in the case of an emergency or otherwise. |
5.1.7 | Each Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the New Shares, is able to bear the risks of an investment in the Company and understands the risks of, and other considerations relating to, a purchase of New Shares. |
5.1.8 | Each Investor undertakes to the Company that it will immediately notify the Company upon its becoming aware at any time up to Completion: |
(i) | that in relation to that Investor, any of the Investor Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the date of this Agreement; or |
(ii) | that in relation to that Investor, any of the Investor Warranties would be materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading if it were to be repeated at any time before Completion. |
5.1.9 | Each Investor is acquiring the New Shares to be acquired hereunder for such Investors own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to or for the sale in connection with any distribution of all or any part of such New Shares. Each Investor has become aware of the Company and the opportunity to subscribe for New Shares directly from the Company or its affiliates or agents, and not by means of any general solicitation or general advertising (including, without limitation, any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, website or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, and any seminars or meetings whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or advertising). |
5.1.10 | If an Investor is not a natural person, (i) such Investor has the power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by such Investor in connection with this Subscription for New Shares, and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (ii) the person signing this Agreement on behalf of such Investor has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by such Investor in connection with this Subscription for New Shares. If an Investor is a natural person, such Investor has all requisite legal capacity to acquire and hold the New Shares and to execute, deliver and comply with the terms of each of the documents required to be executed and delivered by such Investor in connection with this Subscription for New Shares. The execution and delivery by such Investor of, and compliance by such Investor with, this Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by such Investor in connection with this Subscription for New Shares do not violate, represent a breach of, or constitute a default under, any instruments governing such Investor, any permit, franchise, judgment, decree, statute, order, rule or regulation applicable to such Investor or such Investors business or properties, or any agreement to which such Investor is a party or by which such Investor is bound. This Agreement has been duly executed by each Investor and when executed by the Company will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of each Investor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. |
6. | PARTICIPATION BY SHAREHOLDERS |
In the event that, during the period starting on the date the Company mails the Circular to the Shareholders and ending on the date the Resolutions are approved by the Shareholders, any holder of Common Shares provides notice to the Company that it wishes to participate in the Subscription (each a Participating Shareholder), the Company may elect to sell a portion of the New Shares to any Participating Shareholder and, to give effect to that participation, the number of Purchased Shares to which Intrexon is entitled shall be reduced to permit the participation of each Participating Shareholder; provided, however, that Intrexons Purchased Shares shall not be reduced below 14,874,142 Shares.
7. | ASSIGNMENT |
If at any time any Investor (or any person holding the legal title to the Common Shares as nominee, custodian or trustee or otherwise on behalf of such Investor) transfers any of its
Common Shares, its rights and/or benefits arising from, or in connection with, this Agreement (including the benefit of the Warranties) shall be assignable in whole or in proportionate part to the transferee of such Common Shares or any interest therein.
8. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
8.1 | This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties including all non-contractual obligations arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware. |
8.2 | The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Massachusetts in respect of any claim, dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and/or any non-contractual obligation arising in connection with this Agreement, provided that nothing contained in this clause shall be taken to have limited the right of the Investors to proceed in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction. |
9. | GENERAL |
Entire agreement
9.1 | This Agreement (together with any documents referred to herein or entered into pursuant to this Agreement including, in the case of Intrexon, the Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement between the Company and Intrexon dated as of even date herewith) contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings or arrangements (both oral and written) relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and any such document. Each of the parties acknowledges that it is entering into this Agreement without reliance on any undertaking or representation given by or on behalf of the other party, other than as expressly contained in this Agreement, provided that nothing in this clause shall exclude any liability of either party for fraudulent misrepresentation. |
9.2 | This Agreement shall not be construed as creating any partnership or agency relationship between any of the parties. |
Variations and waivers
9.3 | No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by or on behalf of all the parties and expressed to be such a variation. |
9.4 | No failure or delay by the Investors or time or indulgence given in exercising any remedy or right under or in relation to this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of the same nor shall any single or partial exercise of any remedy or right preclude any further exercise of the same or the exercise of any other remedy or right. |
9.5 | No waiver by any party of any requirement of this Agreement, or of any remedy or right under this Agreement, shall have effect unless given in writing and signed by such party. No waiver of any particular breach of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any repetition of such breach. |
Effect of Completion
9.6 | The provisions of this Agreement, insofar as the same shall not have been performed at Completion, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding Completion. |
Counterparts
9.7 | This Agreement may be executed as two or more counterparts and execution by any of the parties of any one of such counterparts will constitute due execution of this Agreement. |
Further assurance
9.8 | Each party shall, and shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that any necessary third party shall, do and execute and perform all such further deeds, documents, assurances, acts and things as may reasonably be required to give effect to this Agreement. |
Other remedies
9.9 | Any remedy or right conferred upon the Investors for breach of this Agreement shall be in addition, and without prejudice, to all other rights and remedies available to them. |
Third party rights
9.10 | Where, in connection with this Agreement (or any other agreement or arrangement to be entered into by the Investors in accordance with this Agreement), the Company undertakes any obligation in respect of any person (other than, or in addition to, the Investors), the Company unconditionally and irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that each Investor is entering into this Agreement (or any such other agreement or arrangement) and accepting the benefits of such obligations not only for itself but also as agent and trustee for such other person. |
9.11 | No provision of this Agreement is intended to benefit or be enforceable by any third party pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, but this shall not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. Notwithstanding any benefits or rights conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, the parties to this Agreement may vary, terminate or rescind this Agreement without obtaining the consent of any such third party. |
10. | NOTICES |
Form of Notice
10.1 | Any notice, consent, request, demand, approval or other communication to be given or made under or in connection with this Agreement (each a Notice for the purposes of this clause) shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the person giving it. |
Method of service
10.2 | Service of a Notice must be effected by one of the following methods; |
10.2.1 | by hand to the relevant address set out in clause 10.4 and shall be deemed served upon delivery if delivered during a Business Day, or at the start of the next Business Day if delivered at any other time; |
10.2.2 | by prepaid international airmail to the relevant address set out in clause 10.4 and shall be deemed served at the start of the fourth Business Day after the date of posting; or |
10.2.3 | by facsimile transmission to the relevant facsimile number set out in clause 9.4 and shall be deemed served on despatch if despatched during a Business Day, or at the start of the next Business Day if despatched at any other time, provided that in each case a receipt indicating complete transmission of the Notice is obtained by the sender and that a copy of the Notice is also despatched to the recipient using a method described in clause 10.2.1 or clause 10.2.2 no later than the end of the next Business Day. |
10.3 | In clause 10.2 during a Business Day means any time between 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on a Business Day based on the local time where the recipient of the Notice is located. References to the start of a Business Day and the end of a Business Day shall be construed accordingly. |
Address for service
10.4 | Notices shall be addressed as follows: |
10.4.1 | Notices for the Company shall be marked for the attention of: |
Name: | the Company Secretary | |
Address: | Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395, Maynard, MA 01754 USA | |
Fax number: | +1 978-897-3217 |
10.4.2 | Notices for the Investors shall be marked for the attention of the persons listed on Exhibit A hereto. |
Change of details
10.5 | A party may change its address for service provided that it gives all other parties not less than 14 days prior notice in accordance with this clause 10. Until the end of such notice period, service on either address shall remain effective. |
THIS AGREEMENT has been duly executed and delivered as a deed on the date stated above.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ David Frank | |
Name: | David Frank | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
INTREXON CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Thomas R. Kasser | |
Name: | Thomas R. Kasser | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to AquaBounty Subscription Agreement]
SCHEDULE 1
Warranties
1. | Circular |
Statements of fact contained in the Circular are true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading in any material respect and there are no facts, matters or circumstances known, or which could after due and proper consideration and enquiry have been known, to the Company or any of the Directors which are not disclosed in the Circular, the omission of which would, or might reasonably be expected to, materially affect the ability of the Companys Shareholders to properly consider the matters contained therein.
2. | Liabilities |
2.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, the Company has no outstanding borrowings of any nature or amount (including, without limitation, any overdraft facilities; loans; invoice discounting factoring or other financial facilities). |
3. | Compliance with Laws |
3.1 | Subject to the passing of the Resolutions, the execution of this Agreement by the Company and the creation and issue of the New Shares will comply in all respects with the FSMA, the rules and regulations of the FSA and the London Stock Exchange, the Prospectus Rules, the AIM Rules, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the federal securities laws of the USA, and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations of the USA (collectively, the US Laws), and all other relevant laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and elsewhere and will comply with and will not infringe or exceed any limits, powers or restrictions or the terms of any agreement, obligation or commitment to which the Company or any Group Company is a party or by which the Company or any Group Company is bound. |
3.2 | Each Group Company and its officers, agents and employees (past and present) in the course of their respective duties have complied in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Kingdom, the European Community and any foreign jurisdiction in which the business of such Group Company is carried on, including, without limitation, the US Laws. |
4. | Position Since the Accounts Date |
4.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, since June 30, 2012: |
4.1.1 | the business of the Group has been carried on in the ordinary and usual course; |
4.1.2 | there has been no significant adverse change in the financial or trading position of the Group taken as a whole; |
4.1.3 | no member of the Group has acquired or disposed of or agreed to acquire or dispose of any of its assets or businesses other than in the ordinary course of trading; and |
4.1.4 | no member of the Group has paid or made any payment or transfer to shareholders of any dividend, bonus, loan or distribution. |
5. | Licences and Consents |
5.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, the Group has all material licences, consents, approvals, permissions, permits, certificates, qualifications, registrations and other authorisations (public and private) necessary for the proper and efficient operation of its current businesses in the places and in the manner in which the business is now carried on (together the Authorities). |
5.2 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, all of the Authorities are in full force and effect and are not limited in duration or subject to any unusual or onerous conditions, and have been complied with in all material respects. |
5.3 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, so far as the Company is aware, there are no circumstances which indicate that any of the Authorities will be revoked or not renewed, in whole or in part, whether as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise. |
6. | Intellectual Property |
6.1 | The Company owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all Intellectual Property Rights necessary for its business as now conducted, without any known infringement of the rights of others. The Company is not aware of any allegations that the Company is presently violating any of the Intellectual Property Rights of any other Person. |
7. | Options and Warrants |
7.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, there are no options, warrants or other agreements or arrangements in force which call for the issue to any person, or accord to any person the right to call for the issue of any shares in the capital of the Group or any other securities of any member of the Group. |
8. | Assets |
8.1 | All the material assets necessary for the operation of the business of the Group, as currently carried on, are legally and beneficially owned or leased by the Company or the applicable member of the Group. |
8.2 | The Groups fixed asset register provided to the Investors sets out a complete and accurate record of the plant, machinery, vehicles and equipment owned or used by it. |
9. | Litigation |
No member of the Group nor any Director nor any other person for whom the Company or any member of the Group is or may be vicariously liable is engaged in any material legal or arbitration proceedings or is the subject of any disciplinary proceedings or enquiries by any governmental or regulatory bodies which individually or collectively may have, or have had during the 12 months preceding the date of this Agreement, a material effect on the financial position of the Group and, so far as the Company is aware, no such legal or arbitration proceedings are threatened or pending nor are there any circumstances of which the Company is aware which may give rise to any such legal or arbitration proceedings being threatened or commenced.
10. | Capitalization and Issuance |
10.1 | As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and 40,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 102,255,688 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding. |
10.2 | The New Shares (i) are duly authorized, (ii) when issued and sold to Investors will be validly issued, (iii) after receipt of all consideration due therefore, will be fully paid and nonassessable with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof and (iv) will be free and clear of any and all liens, charges, restrictions, claims and encumbrances, except as set forth in this Agreement or the Certificate of Incorporation. |
10.3 | Based in part on, and in reliance upon the accuracy of, the representations and warranties of Investors set forth in clause 5 of this Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the New Shares in conformity with the terms of this Agreement are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and are exempt from the qualification or registration requirements of applicable U.S. state securities laws. Neither the Company nor any agent on its behalf has solicited or will solicit any offers to sell or has offered to sell or will offer to sell all or any part of the New Shares to any Person or Persons so as to bring the sale of such New Shares by the Company within the registration provisions of the Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws. |
11. | Authorization |
11.1 | This Agreement has been duly executed by the Company and when executed by an Investor will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against it by such Investor in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally or by equitable principles, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnification provisions may be limited by applicable laws. |
11.2 | Except for the conditions listed in clause 2.1 of this Agreement, all corporate action on the part of the Company and its officers and Directors necessary for (i) the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of all obligations of the Company under each of this Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation has been taken and (ii) the issuance and sale by the Company of the New Shares hereunder has been taken. |
EXHIBIT A
Investor |
Shares | Subscription Amount | ||||||
Intrexon Corporation 20358 Seneca Meadows Parkway Germantown, MD 20876 |
22,883,295 | $ | 6,000,000 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total: |
22,883,295 | $ | 6,000,000 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 10.8
DATED 5 MARCH 2014
(1) AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(2) INTREXON CORPORATION
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made on 5 March 2014
BETWEEN:
(1) | AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., incorporated and registered in the state of Delaware, USA with registered number 2282110 and whose principal place of business is at Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395, Maynard, MA 01754 USA (the Company); and |
(2) | INTREXON CORPORATION, incorporated and registered in the state of Virginia, USA with registered number 06154801 and whose principal place of business is at 20358 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, MD 20876 USA (Intrexon). |
WHEREAS:
Intrexon has agreed to subscribe for the New Shares (as defined below) in the capital of the Company and the parties have agreed to regulate the terms of the Subscription (as defined below) on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
1.1 | The following words and expressions where used in this Agreement have the meanings given to them below: |
Admission shall have the meaning given to it in clause 2.1.2 of this Agreement.
Admission Condition shall have the meaning given to it in clause 2.2 of this Agreement.
Advisers Act shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1.11(d) of this Agreement.
Agreement shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble of this Agreement.
AIM means AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange.
AIM Rules means the AIM Rules for Companies published by the London Stock Exchange.
Authorities shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1 of Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
Board means the board of directors of the Company from time to time.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or English bank or public holiday.
Bylaws means the corporate bylaws of the Company in effect as at the date of this Agreement.
Certificate of Incorporation means the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended.
Circular shall have the meaning given to it in clause 2.5 of this Agreement.
Common Shares means the shares of common stock, par value one tenth of one cent ($0.001) per share of the Company.
Companies Act means the Companies Act 2006.
Company shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble of this Agreement.
Completion means completion of the Subscription, (subject to the full satisfaction of the Conditions) in accordance with clause 2.12.
Completion Date means the date on which Completion occurs.
Conditions means the conditions to Completion set out in clause 2.1.
Copyright means copyright, which includes all rights in computer software and in databases and all rights or forms of protection which have equivalent or similar effect to the foregoing and which subsist anywhere in the world.
Directors means the directors of the Company from time to time.
Exchange Act shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1.11(d) of this Agreement.
FSA means the Financial Services Authority.
FSMA means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Group means the Company and any company which is a subsidiary undertaking of the Company from time to time and references to Group Company and member of the Group shall be construed accordingly.
2
Intellectual Property Rights includes patents, inventions, Know-How, trade secrets and other confidential information, registered designs, Copyright, database rights, design rights, rights affording equivalent protection to copyright, database rights and design rights, topography rights, trade marks, service marks, business names, trade names, domain names, registration of an application to register any of the aforesaid items, rights to sue for passing-off and rights in the nature of any of the aforesaid items in any country.
Intrexon shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble of this Agreement.
Intrexon Representatives shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1.1 of this Agreement.
Intrexon Warranties means the warranties set out in clause 5.
Know-How means inventions, discoveries, improvement, processes, formulae, techniques, specifications, technical information, methods, tests, reports, component lists, manuals, instructions, drawings and information relating to customers and suppliers (whether written, unwritten or in any other form and whether confidential or not).
London Stock Exchange means London Stock Exchange plc.
New Shares means the 19,040,366 Common Shares in the capital of the Company to be subscribed by Intrexon under the terms of this Agreement.
Notice has the meaning set forth in clause 9.1.
Pre-Completion means the satisfaction of the conditions and obligations set forth in clauses 2.7 to 2.10 (inclusive).
Prospectus Rules means the Prospectus Rules made by the Financial Services Authority under Part VI of the FSMA.
Publicly Announced means the making by the Company of an announcement on a Regulatory Information Service provided by the London Stock Exchange, within the 6 month period immediately preceding the date of this Agreement.
Resolutions means the resolutions of the Stockholders of the Company in the approved terms, inter alia, waiving the application of the pre-emption rights contained in Section 4(c) of the Certificate of Incorporation, waiving the application of Section 4(d) of the Certificate of Incorporation, and approving the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
SEC shall have the meaning given to it in clause 5.1.11(a) of this Agreement.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
3
Share means any share in or of capital stock issued by the Company from time to time.
Share Price means US$0.5252 per share, which represents (i) the closing price per share for the Companys Common Shares on AIM (which will be quoted in British pounds sterling) on the day before the date of this Agreement, divided by (ii) the exchange rate for British pounds sterling and U.S. dollars on the date of this Agreement.
Stockholder means any holder of any Share from time to time.
Subscription means the subscription by Intrexon for the New Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Subscription Amount means the sum of $10,000,000, being the aggregate subscription price payable by Intrexon for the New Shares.
US Laws shall have the meaning given to it in clause 3.1 of Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
USA or U.S. means the United States of America.
Warranties means the warranties and representations set out in Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
1.2 | Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions defined in or having a meaning provided by the Companies Act shall have the same meaning in this Agreement. |
1.3 | Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to: |
1.3.1 | any of the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall include other genders; |
1.3.2 | the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; |
1.3.3 | a person shall include a reference to any natural person, body corporate, unincorporated association, partnership, firm and trust; |
1.3.4 | any statute or statutory provision shall be deemed to include any instrument, order, regulation or direction made or issued under it and shall be construed as a reference to the same as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, modified, consolidated, re-enacted or replaced except to the extent that any amendment or modification made after the date of this Agreement would increase any liability or impose any additional obligation under this Agreement; |
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1.3.5 | any English legal term for any action, remedy, method of judicial proceeding, legal document, legal status, court, official or any legal concept or thing shall, in respect of any jurisdiction other than that of England, be deemed to include what most nearly approximates in that jurisdiction to the English legal term; and |
1.3.6 | any time or date shall be construed as a reference to the time or date prevailing in England. |
1.4 | The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect its meaning. References to a clause, Schedule, Exhibit or paragraph are (unless otherwise stated) to a clause or paragraph of, or Schedule or Exhibit to, this Agreement. The Schedules and Exhibits form part of this Agreement and shall have the same force and effect as if expressly set out in the body of this Agreement. |
1.5 | A document expressed to be in the approved terms means a document, the terms of which have been approved by the parties to the Agreement and a copy of which has been identified as such and initialled by or on behalf of each such party. |
1.6 | In construing this Agreement, general words introduced by the word other shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are preceded by words indicating a particular class of acts, matters or things and general words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are followed by particular examples intended to be embraced by the general words. |
2. | SUBSCRIPTION |
Conditions
2.1 | Subject to clause 3, Completion shall be conditional in all respects on: |
2.1.1 | the passing of the Resolutions; and |
2.1.2 | the admission of the New Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective in accordance with the latest edition of the AIM Rules (Admission). |
2.2 | The Company agrees to notify Intrexon in writing within one Business Day of the last of the Condition in clause 2.1.1 (but not clause 2.1.2 (the Admission Condition)) being satisfied and the Company shall provide such evidence as Intrexon may reasonably request as to the satisfaction of these Conditions. |
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2.3 | From the date of this Agreement until Completion (or termination of this Agreement), the Company undertakes to Intrexon that it shall take no action that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or the consummation of the Subscription as contemplated by this Agreement. |
2.4 | If the Conditions have not been satisfied in full on or before April 15, 2013, this Agreement (other than this clause 2.4 and clauses 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10) shall have no further effect and in such event no party to this Agreement shall have any claim against the other parties to this Agreement for costs, damages, compensation or otherwise, provided that such termination shall be without prejudice to any accrued rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement or the ability of Intrexon to bring a claim against the Company for a breach of the Warranties. |
Signing of this Agreement
2.5 | The Company agrees that, promptly (but in no event more than five days) following the date of this Agreement, it will send to each Stockholder entitled thereto a circular incorporating a notice convening a special meeting of the Stockholders of the Company (the Circular) containing the Resolutions, in accordance with the requirements of the Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation. |
2.6 | Upon signing of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to Intrexon duly passed resolutions of the Board in terms reasonably satisfactory to Intrexon approving the entry into this Agreement and granting all necessary authorities to implement its terms including, subject to the satisfaction of the Conditions and receipt of the subscription monies from Intrexon, the issue of the New Shares to Intrexon in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
Pre-Completion
2.7 | Pre-Completion shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures on the Business Day immediately following notification by the Company to Intrexon, under clause 2.2, of all of the Conditions (other than the Admission Condition) being satisfied. |
2.8 | At Pre-Completion, the Company shall deliver to Intrexon certified copies of the Resolutions. |
2.9 | Subject to clause 2.11, at Pre-Completion Intrexon shall subscribe in cash (conditional upon Admission) for the New Shares, at a price per share equal to the Share Price, and Intrexon shall pay its Subscription Amount into the following bank account of the Company and such payment shall constitute a full and proper discharge by Intrexon of its obligations under this clause 2.9: |
Bank: | Citizens Bank | |
Bank Address: | 28 State Street, Boston, MA 02109 | |
Account number: | XXXXXXXXXX | |
Routing number: | XXXXXXXXX | |
ABA: | XXXXXXXXX |
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2.10 | Subject to clause 2.11, at Pre-Completion, upon receipt by the Company of the Subscription Amount pursuant to clause 2.9, the Company shall allot (conditional upon Admission) Intrexon the New Shares and enter the name of Intrexon in the Companys stock register as the holder of the New Shares. |
Completion
2.11 | Completion shall take place automatically upon Admission. Promptly following Completion, the Company shall deliver to Intrexon a share certificate in respect of the New Shares and enter the name of Intrexon in the Companys stock register as the holder of the New Shares. |
3. | TERMINATION |
3.1 | If at any time prior to Completion: |
3.1.1 | it comes to the knowledge of Intrexon (whether by way of receipt of a notification pursuant to clause 4.4 or otherwise) that any of the Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading when made and/or that any of the Warranties has ceased to be materially true or accurate or has become materially misleading by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting, provided, that for purposes of this clause 3.1.1 any materiality qualifier in a Warranty shall be read without such qualifier; or |
3.1.2 | the Company shall fail, in a material way, to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, |
then Intrexon shall be entitled to terminate its obligations under this Agreement by giving notice to the Company at any time prior to Completion.
3.2 | If at any time prior to Completion it comes to the knowledge of the Company that any of the Intrexon Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading when made and/or that any of the Intrexon Warranties has ceased to be materially true or accurate or has become materially misleading, the Company shall be entitled to terminate its obligations under this Agreement by giving notice to Intrexon at any time prior to Completion. |
4. | COMPANY WARRANTIES |
4.1 | The Company, upon the execution of this Agreement, warrants and represents to Intrexon in the terms of the Warranties. The Company acknowledges that Intrexon has relied on the Warranties in entering into this Agreement. |
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4.2 | No fact, matter, event or circumstance of which Intrexon has or may be deemed to have knowledge (actual, constructive or imputed) shall prejudice any claim made by Intrexon under the Warranties or operate to reduce any amount recoverable. |
4.3 | The Warranties are given at the date of this Agreement. The Warranties shall continue in full force and effect until Completion. |
4.4 | The Company undertakes to Intrexon that it will immediately notify Intrexon upon its becoming aware at any time up to Completion: |
4.4.1 | that any of the Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the date of this Agreement; or |
4.4.2 | that any of the Warranties would be materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading if it were to be repeated at any time before Completion by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting. |
4.5 | Each Warranty shall be separate and independent and, save as expressly provided, shall not be limited by reference to any other Warranty or any other provision in this Agreement. |
4.6 | Where any statement in the Warranties is qualified by the expression so far as the Company is aware or any similar expression, the Company shall be deemed to have knowledge of: |
4.6.1 | anything of which any of the Directors or officers of the Company has knowledge or is deemed by clause 4.6.2 or 4.6.3 to have knowledge; |
4.6.2 | anything of which a Director or officer of the Company ought reasonably to have knowledge given his particular position in and responsibility to the Group; and |
4.6.3 | anything of which it would have had knowledge had it made enquiry immediately before giving the Warranties. |
4.7 | The Company agrees with Intrexon: |
4.7.1 | to waive any right or claim which it may have against any of its officers, employees, agents or advisers for any error, omission or misrepresentation of any such information or opinion (provided that nothing in this clause shall exclude any liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation); and |
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4.7.2 | that any such right or claim shall not constitute a defence to any claim by Intrexon under or in relation to this Agreement (including the Warranties). |
LIMITATIONS
Time Limits
4.8 | The Company shall not be liable for any claim under the Warranties (other than clauses 3, 10 and 11 of the Warranties) unless Intrexon gives written notice thereof to the Company before the expiry of six months following the Completion Date (containing such details of the claim under the Warranties, including its anticipated value, as Intrexon has available to them within 60 days after becoming aware of the claim under the Warranties). |
Maximum Liability
4.9 | For all claims under the Warranties or other claims under this Agreement, the aggregate amount of the liability of the Company shall not exceed the Subscription Amount. |
5. | INTREXON WARRANTIES |
5.1 | Intrexon represents and warrants that: |
5.1.1 | The Company has afforded Intrexon and each of Intrexons attorneys, accountants, investment advisors and other representatives (the Intrexon Representatives) full, complete and unrestricted access to all financial reports and information of the Company requested by Intrexon or the Intrexon Representatives. Intrexon is familiar with the business and operations of the Company and has had the opportunity to obtain the advice of the Intrexon Representatives with respect to all aspects of this Agreement. Intrexon is entering into this Agreement and purchasing the New Shares from the Company of its own free will and the Subscription Amount and terms of payment are fair, equitable and desired by Intrexon. |
5.1.2 | Intrexon is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act. Intrexon understands and acknowledges that: (i) the New Shares are being offered and sold to it without registration under the Securities Act in a private placement that is exempt from registration provisions of the Securities Act, and (ii) the availability of such exemption depends in part on, and the Company will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of, the representations, warranties and covenants of Intrexon set forth in this clause 5, and Intrexon hereby consents to such reliance. |
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5.1.3 | [Reserved] |
5.1.4 | Intrexon understands that the New Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state of the USA or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, nor is such registration contemplated, and Intrexon will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (or solicit offers to buy, purchase, or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of) any of the New Shares, except in compliance with the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws and the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. |
5.1.5 | [Reserved] |
5.1.6 | Intrexon acknowledges that (i) transfers of the New Shares are restricted by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and (ii) that legends stating that the New Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or other applicable securities laws and setting out or referring to the restrictions on the transferability and resale of the New Shares will be placed on all documents evidencing the New Shares, and accordingly, it may not be possible for Intrexon to readily, if at all, liquidate its investment in the Company in the case of an emergency or otherwise. |
5.1.7 | Intrexon has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the New Shares, is able to bear the risks of an investment in the Company and understands the risks of, and other considerations relating to, a purchase of New Shares. |
5.1.8 | Intrexon undertakes to the Company that it will immediately notify the Company upon its becoming aware at any time up to Completion: |
(i) | that any of the Intrexon Warranties was materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the date of this Agreement; or |
(ii) | that any of the Intrexon Warranties would be materially untrue, inaccurate or misleading if it were to be repeated at any time before Completion. |
5.1.9 | Intrexon is acquiring the New Shares to be acquired hereunder for Intrexons own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to or for the sale in connection with any distribution of all or any part of such New Shares. Intrexon has become aware of the Company and the opportunity to subscribe for New Shares directly from the Company or its affiliates or agents, and not by means of any general solicitation or general advertising (including, without limitation, any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, website or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, and any seminars or meetings whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or advertising). |
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5.1.10 | Intrexon has the power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by Intrexon in connection with this Subscription for New Shares, and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (ii) the person signing this Agreement on behalf of Intrexon has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by Intrexon in connection with this Subscription for New Shares. The execution and delivery by Intrexon of, and compliance by Intrexon with, this Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by Intrexon in connection with this Subscription for New Shares do not violate, represent a breach of, or constitute a default under, any instruments governing Intrexon, any permit, franchise, judgment, decree, statute, order, rule or regulation applicable to Intrexon or Intrexons business or properties, or any agreement to which Intrexon is a party or by which Intrexon is bound. This Agreement has been duly executed by Intrexon and when executed by the Company will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of Intrexon, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. |
5.1.11 | Neither (x) Intrexon, (y) any other person who, through Intrexons ownership, would be deemed to beneficially own 20% or more of the outstanding voting equity securities1 of the Company, and (z) any person(s) who have the authority to make decisions with respect to the undersigneds outstanding securities of the Company (collectively, the Intrexon Parties): |
(a) | has, within the last 10 years, been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities; |
(b) | is currently subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, entered in the last 5 years, that restrains or enjoins Intrexon from engaging in any conduct or practice (i) in connection with |
1 | Note that the term voting securities has not been specifically defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The SEC intends such term to be applied based on whether securityholders have or share the ability, either currently or on a contingent basis, to control or significantly influence the management and policies of the issuer through the exercise of a voting right. For example, the SEC would consider that securities that confer to securityholders the right to elect or remove the directors or equivalent controlling persons of the issuer, or to approve significant transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions or financings, would be considered voting securities for these purposes. Conversely, securities that confer voting rights limited solely to approval of changes to the rights and preferences of the class would not be considered voting securities for these purposes. |
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the purchase or sale of any security, (ii) involving the making of a false filing with the SEC or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker-dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities; |
(c) | is currently subject to a Final Order2 of a state securities commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing similar functions), a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions, a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a State performing like functions), an appropriate federal banking agency, the National Credit Union Administration, or the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, that (i) bars any Intrexon Party from (A) association with an entity regulated by such commission, authority, agency, or officer; (B) engaging in the business of securities, insurance, or banking; or (C) engaging in savings association or credit union activities; or (ii) constitutes a Final Order based on a violation of any law or regulation that prohibits fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct within the last 10 years; |
(d) | is currently subject to an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 15(b) or 15B(c) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) or Section 203(e) or (f) of the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act) that (i) suspends or revokes such Intrexon Partys registration as a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer or investment adviser, (ii) places limitations on Intrexons activities, functions or operations or (iii) bars such Intrexon Party from being associated with any entity or from participating in the offering of any penny stock; |
(e) | is currently subject to any order of the SEC, entered in the last 5 years, that orders Intrexon to cease and desist from committing or causing a violation or future violation of (i) any scienter-based antifraud provision of the federal securities laws (including without limitation Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, Section 15(c)(1) of the Exchange Act and Section 206(1) of the Advisers Act, or any other rule or regulation thereunder) or (ii) Section 5 of the Securities Act; |
2 | A Final Order is a written directive or declaratory statement issued by a federal or State agency under applicable statutory authority that provides for notice and an opportunity for hearing, which constitutes a final disposition or action by that federal or State agency. A Final Order may still be subject to appeal and otherwise meet this definition. |
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(f) | is currently suspended or expelled from membership in, or suspended or barred from association with a member of, a registered national securities exchange or registered national or affiliated securities association for any act or omission to act constituting conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade; |
(g) | has filed as a registrant or issuer, or the issuer has been named as an underwriter in, a registration statement or Regulation A offering statement filed with the SEC that, within the last 5 years, (i) was the subject of a refusal order, stop order, or order suspending the Regulation A exemption or (ii) is currently the subject of an investigation or a proceeding to determine whether such a stop order or suspension order should be issued; |
(h) | has been subject to (i) a United States Postal Service false representation order entered into within the last 5 years, or (ii) a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction with respect to conduct alleged by the United States Postal Service to constitute a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations; or |
(i) | If the statements described in clauses (a) through (h) of this Section 5.1.11 apply to any Intrexon Party, the Intrexon Party has obtained a waiver from disqualification under Rule 506(d) either (i) from the SEC or (ii) from the court or regulatory authority that entered the relevant order, judgment or decree. |
6. | ASSIGNMENT |
If at any time Intrexon (or any person holding the legal title to the Common Shares as nominee, custodian or trustee or otherwise on behalf of Intrexon) transfers any of its Common Shares, its rights and/or benefits arising from, or in connection with, this Agreement (including the benefit of the Warranties) shall be assignable in whole or in proportionate part to the transferee of such Common Shares or any interest therein.
7. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
7.1 | This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties including all non-contractual obligations arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware. |
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7.2 | The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Massachusetts in respect of any claim, dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and/or any non-contractual obligation arising in connection with this Agreement, provided that nothing contained in this clause shall be taken to have limited the right of Intrexon to proceed in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction. |
8. | GENERAL |
Entire agreement
8.1 | This Agreement (together with any documents referred to herein or entered into pursuant to this Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings or arrangements (both oral and written) relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and any such document. Each of the parties acknowledges that it is entering into this Agreement without reliance on any undertaking or representation given by or on behalf of the other party, other than as expressly contained in this Agreement, provided that nothing in this clause shall exclude any liability of either party for fraudulent misrepresentation. |
8.2 | This Agreement shall not be construed as creating any partnership or agency relationship between any of the parties. |
Variations and waivers
8.3 | No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by or on behalf of all the parties and expressed to be such a variation. |
8.4 | No failure or delay by Intrexon or time or indulgence given in exercising any remedy or right under or in relation to this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of the same nor shall any single or partial exercise of any remedy or right preclude any further exercise of the same or the exercise of any other remedy or right. |
8.5 | No waiver by any party of any requirement of this Agreement, or of any remedy or right under this Agreement, shall have effect unless given in writing and signed by such party. No waiver of any particular breach of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any repetition of such breach. |
Effect of Completion
8.6 | The provisions of this Agreement, insofar as the same shall not have been performed at Completion, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding Completion. |
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Counterparts
8.7 | This Agreement may be executed as two or more counterparts and execution by any of the parties of any one of such counterparts will constitute due execution of this Agreement. |
Further assurance
8.8 | Each party shall, and shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that any necessary third party shall, do and execute and perform all such further deeds, documents, assurances, acts and things as may reasonably be required to give effect to this Agreement. |
Other remedies
8.9 | Any remedy or right conferred upon Intrexon for breach of this Agreement shall be in addition, and without prejudice, to all other rights and remedies available to them. |
Third party rights
8.10 | Where, in connection with this Agreement (or any other agreement or arrangement to be entered into by Intrexon in accordance with this Agreement), the Company undertakes any obligation in respect of any person (other than, or in addition to, Intrexon), the Company unconditionally and irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that Intrexon is entering into this Agreement (or any such other agreement or arrangement) and accepting the benefits of such obligations not only for itself but also as agent and trustee for such other person. |
8.11 | No provision of this Agreement is intended to benefit or be enforceable by any third party pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, but this shall not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. Notwithstanding any benefits or rights conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, the parties to this Agreement may vary, terminate or rescind this Agreement without obtaining the consent of any such third party. |
9. | NOTICES |
Form of Notice
9.1 | Any notice, consent, request, demand, approval or other communication to be given or made under or in connection with this Agreement (each a Notice for the purposes of this clause) shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the person giving it. |
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Method of service
9.2 | Service of a Notice must be effected by one of the following methods; |
9.2.1 | by hand to the relevant address set out in clause 9.4 and shall be deemed served upon delivery if delivered during a Business Day, or at the start of the next Business Day if delivered at any other time; |
9.2.2 | by prepaid international airmail to the relevant address set out in clause 9.4 and shall be deemed served at the start of the fourth Business Day after the date of posting; or |
9.2.3 | by facsimile transmission to the relevant facsimile number set out in clause 9.4 and shall be deemed served on despatch if despatched during a Business Day, or at the start of the next Business Day if despatched at any other time, provided that in each case a receipt indicating complete transmission of the Notice is obtained by the sender and that a copy of the Notice is also despatched to the recipient using a method described in clause 9.2.1 or clause 9.2.2 no later than the end of the next Business Day. |
9.3 | In clause 9.2 during a Business Day means any time between 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on a Business Day based on the local time where the recipient of the Notice is located. References to the start of a Business Day and the end of a Business Day shall be construed accordingly. |
Address for service
9.4 | Notices shall be addressed as follows: |
9.4.1 | Notices for the Company shall be marked for the attention of: |
Name: | the Company Secretary | |
Address: | Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395, Maynard, MA 01754 USA | |
Fax number: | +1 978-897-3217 |
9.4.2 | Notices for the Intrexon shall be marked for the attention of: |
Name: | General Counsel | |
Address: | 20358 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, MD 20876 USA | |
Fax number: | +1 301-556-9902 |
Change of details
9.5 | A party may change its address for service provided that it gives all other parties not less than 14 days prior notice in accordance with this clause 9. Until the end of such notice period, service on either address shall remain effective. |
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THIS AGREEMENT has been duly executed and delivered as a deed on the date stated above.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ David Frank | |
Name: | David Frank | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
INTREXON CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Don Lehr | |
Name: | Don Lehr | |
Title: | Chief Legal Officer |
AquaBounty Subscription Agreement
SCHEDULE 1
Warranties
1. | Circular |
Statements of fact contained in the Circular are true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading in any material respect and there are no facts, matters or circumstances known, or which could after due and proper consideration and enquiry have been known, to the Company or any of the Directors which are not disclosed in the Circular, the omission of which would, or might reasonably be expected to, materially affect the ability of the Companys Stockholders to properly consider the matters contained therein.
2. | Liabilities |
2.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, the Company has no outstanding borrowings of any nature or amount (including, without limitation, any overdraft facilities; loans; invoice discounting factoring or other financial facilities). |
3. | Compliance with Laws |
3.1 | Subject to the passing of the Resolutions, the execution of this Agreement by the Company and the creation and issue of the New Shares will comply in all respects with the FSMA, the rules and regulations of the FSA and the London Stock Exchange, the Prospectus Rules, the AIM Rules, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the federal securities laws of the USA, and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations of the USA (collectively, the US Laws), and all other relevant laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and elsewhere and will comply with and will not infringe or exceed any limits, powers or restrictions or the terms of any agreement, obligation or commitment to which the Company or any Group Company is a party or by which the Company or any Group Company is bound. |
3.2 | Each Group Company and its officers, agents and employees (past and present) in the course of their respective duties have complied in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Kingdom, the European Community and any foreign jurisdiction in which the business of such Group Company is carried on, including, without limitation, the US Laws. |
4. | Position Since the Accounts Date |
4.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, since June 30, 2013: |
4.1.1 | the business of the Group has been carried on in the ordinary and usual course; |
4.1.2 | there has been no significant adverse change in the financial or trading position of the Group taken as a whole; |
4.1.3 | no member of the Group has acquired or disposed of or agreed to acquire or dispose of any of its assets or businesses other than in the ordinary course of trading; and |
4.1.4 | no member of the Group has paid or made any payment or transfer to stockholders of any dividend, bonus, loan or distribution. |
5. | Licences and Consents |
5.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, the Group has all material licences, consents, approvals, permissions, permits, certificates, qualifications, registrations and other authorisations (public and private) necessary for the proper and efficient operation of its current businesses in the places and in the manner in which the business is now carried on (together the Authorities). |
5.2 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, all of the Authorities are in full force and effect and are not limited in duration or subject to any unusual or onerous conditions, and have been complied with in all material respects. |
5.3 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, so far as the Company is aware, there are no circumstances which indicate that any of the Authorities will be revoked or not renewed, in whole or in part, whether as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise. |
6. | Intellectual Property |
6.1 | Except as disclosed on Schedule 2, the Company owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all Intellectual Property Rights necessary for its business as now conducted, without any known infringement of the rights of others. The Company is not aware of any allegations that the Company is presently violating any of the Intellectual Property Rights of any other Person. |
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7. | Options and Warrants |
7.1 | Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular, there are no options, warrants or other agreements or arrangements in force which call for the issue to any person, or accord to any person the right to call for the issue of any shares in the capital of the Group or any other securities of any member of the Group. |
8. | Assets |
8.1 | All the material assets necessary for the operation of the business of the Group, as currently carried on, are legally and beneficially owned or leased by the Company or the applicable member of the Group. |
8.2 | The Groups fixed asset register provided to Intrexon sets out a complete and accurate record of the plant, machinery, vehicles and equipment owned or used by it. |
9. | Litigation |
Save as Publicly Announced or disclosed in the Circular or on Schedule 2, no member of the Group nor any Director nor any other person for whom the Company or any member of the Group is or may be vicariously liable is engaged in any material legal or arbitration proceedings or is the subject of any disciplinary proceedings or enquiries by any governmental or regulatory bodies which individually or collectively may have, or have had during the 12 months preceding the date of this Agreement, a material effect on the financial position of the Group and, so far as the Company is aware, no such legal or arbitration proceedings are threatened or pending nor are there any circumstances of which the Company is aware which may give rise to any such legal or arbitration proceedings being threatened or commenced.
10. | Capitalization and Issuance |
10.1 | As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and 40,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 125,305,471 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding. |
10.2 | The New Shares (i) are duly authorized, (ii) when issued and sold to Intrexon will be validly issued, (iii) after receipt of all consideration due therefore, will be fully paid and nonassessable with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof and (iv) will be free and clear of any and all liens, charges, restrictions, claims and encumbrances, except as set forth in this Agreement or the Certificate of Incorporation. |
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10.3 | Based in part on, and in reliance upon the accuracy of, the representations and warranties of Intrexon set forth in clause 5 of this Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the New Shares in conformity with the terms of this Agreement are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and are exempt from the qualification or registration requirements of applicable U.S. state securities laws. Neither the Company nor any agent on its behalf has solicited or will solicit any offers to sell or has offered to sell or will offer to sell all or any part of the New Shares to any Person or Persons so as to bring the sale of such New Shares by the Company within the registration provisions of the Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws. |
11. | Authorization |
11.1 | This Agreement has been duly executed by the Company and when executed by Intrexon will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against it by Intrexon in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally or by equitable principles, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnification provisions may be limited by applicable laws. |
11.2 | Except for the conditions listed in clause 2.1 of this Agreement, all corporate action on the part of the Company and its officers and Directors necessary for (i) the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of all obligations of the Company under each of this Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation has been taken and (ii) the issuance and sale by the Company of the New Shares hereunder has been taken. |
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SCHEDULE 2
On July 25, 2013, the Company set a notice of termination to Genesis Group, Inc. (Genesis) which terminated the License Agreement dated July 10,1996 (as amended), which was originally entered into by and among the Companys predecessors in interest, A/F Protein Inc. and A/F Protein Canada Inc, and HSC Research and Development Partnership and Genesis (the License Agreement). On October 18, 2013, the Company received a letter from Genesis counsel disputing the termination of the License Agreement. The Company and Genesis are currently negotiating a settlement agreement under which the Company will pay Genesis C$150,000 in return for (i) a complete release from Genesis for any claims it may have against the Company under the License Agreement, and (ii) a perpetual license for the Company to make use of the technology and licensed patents covered under the License Agreement.
Exhibit 10.9
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
APOSTILLE (Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961) | ||
1. Country: This public document |
United States of America
| |
2. has been signed by: | Caillin D. Wall | |
3. acting in the capacity of: | Notary Public | |
4. bears the seal/stamp of: whose commission expires on: |
Caillin D. Wall November 28, 2019 | |
Certified | ||
5. at: Boston, Massachusetts | 6. the: 26 June, 2013 | |
7. by: the Secretary of the Commonwealth | ||
8. No.: 1677755 | ||
9. Seal/stamp: | Great Seal of the Commonwealth | |
10. Signature | ||
/s/ William Francis Galvin | ||
William Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth |
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss
On this 20th day of June, 2013, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared David A. Frank and proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which was a drivers license, to be the person whose name is signed on the preceding or attached document, and who swore or affirmed to me that the contents of the document are truthful and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief.
/s/ Caillin Wall |
Caillin Wall |
Notary Public |
My Commission Expires: November 28, 2019 |
LEASE AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This Lease and Management Agreement (Agreement) is made and entered into as of 1 October 2013 (the Effective Date), by and between LUIS LAMASTUS, male, Panamanian, of legal age, married, with identity card No. #-###-### (LANDLORD), on one hand, and on the other hand, DAVID FRANK, male, American (USA), of legal age, with passport No. #########, acting in name and on behalf of AQUA BOUNTY PANAMA, S. de R.L., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Panama, registered under Microjacket 1017, Document 1363400 of the Mercantile Section of the Public Registry of the Republic of Panama, (ABP) duly authorized to that end, as registered before the Public Registry, (each individually a Party and both collectively the Parties).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the LANDLORD owns possessory rights over a property of approximately 21 hectares, located in Los Naranjos, District of Boquete, Province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama (the Property).
WHEREAS, the Property is adjacent to a river flow that originates from the Rio Caldera (River Flow), with an average water flow of 95,000 gallons per minute during the rainy season, that is key for the purpose of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the LANDLORD is the only owner of the Property and has had the total control and use of the Property, for sixteen (16) years, including the River Flow but for the 2.03 hectares previously given in usufruct to ABP. Furthermore, the Property is under a titling process before the National Property Administration Authority (ANATI) to obtain an official property title.
WHEREAS, the Property was subject to a usufruct agreement entered into and between the LANDLORD and ABP (the Previous Usufruct Agreement).
WHEREAS, the LANDLORD wishes to lease to ABP, and ABP wishes to lease from the LANDLORD, a portion of 2.03 hectares of the Property adjacent to the River Flow, that is described and depicted in EXHIBIT A attached hereto that constitutes part of this Agreement (the Parcel).
Whereas, the Parcel is free and clear from any encumbrances, liens or restrictions. Furthermore, the Property is in good standing from any fees or taxes applicable from any public or private institutions.
Whereas, there are no claims or disputes over the possessory rights and/or title rights of the LANDLORD on the Parcel or of any other nature.
Whereas, ABP is developing an aquaculture project in the Parcel identified as Aqua Bounty Panama Project consisting of the production of genetically modified salmon (the ABP Project) that requires (i) the importation of AquAdvantage Salmon (AAS) eggs from the facilities of Aqua Bounty Technologies (ABT) and (ii) grow-out of the AAS.
WHEREAS, ABP will obtain from ABT the AAS eggs from ABT and will ship them to Panama for production.
Whereas, ABP made capital investments and improvements to the Parcel during the term of the Previous Usufruct Agreement, consisting of the following (FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT):
1. | The buildings contained on the Parcel, including, but not limited to, the quarantine building containing the fry tanks, egg incubation system, feed warehouse and office. |
2. | The structures, including, but not limited to, the small LHO (Low Head Oxygenator), large LHO, concrete water intake and distribution structure, containment sump, and sedimentation pond outlet structures. |
3. | The fry tanks and external grow-out tanks. |
4. | The containment components, including the filters and screens, filter boxes, containment sump screens, sedimentations ponds including their outlet screens, and perimeter fencing. |
5. | Water distribution components, including river and spring water intakes, pipes, drainage canal, and sedimentation ponds. |
6. | Electrical generation system, including the solar panels, hydroelectric turbine, and associated electrical transmission and storage components. |
WHEREAS, in furtherance of this ABP Project, ABP wishes to obtain from the LANDLORD, and the LANDLORD wishes to provide to ABP the management services specified in this Agreement in connection with the ABP Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises described above, and of the mutual benefits and obligations set forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
The Recitals set forth above are material to this Agreement and are hereby expressly incorporated herein.
ARTICLE 1. LEASE
The LANDLORD hereby leases to ABP the following:
1. | The Parcel described in EXHIBIT A and all its inherent benefits. |
2. | The River Flow and spring water adjacent to the Parcel. |
ARTICLE 2. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The LANDLORD may use the FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT and is obliged to provide the following management services:
2.1 Carry on the daily management of the ABP Project;
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2.2 Obtain all the permits and authorizations required for the Property and the ABP Project to comply with the regulations of Panama, including, but not limited to import permits and any permit and/or authorization before the National Environmental Authority (ANAM), Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP), and the National Bio-safety Commission (Comisión Nacional de Bioseguridad- CNB);
2.3 Purchase local and imported feeds;
2.4 Take care of the security within the ABP Project;
2.5 Harvest the product on the dates established to that end by ABP;
2.6 Maintain the necessary stock of food for the salmons, and parts for repairing the facilities within the ABP Project;
2.7 Transfer the AAS from the incubation system to the fry tanks, and from the fry tanks to the growout tanks as indicated and/or established by ABP;
2.8 Maintain the facilities within the ABP Project in good conditions to guarantee the health, safety, and survival of the AAS and the ABP Project;
2.9 Assume the minor legal expenses related to the administration of the ABP Project, and not covered in Article 9.6;
2.10 Pay all the operating expenses of the ABP Project, including but not limited to, all salaries for full time and part time employees, feed, oxygen, gas, supplies, equipment, maintenance, utilities, and costs related to regulatory compliance; and
2.11 Maintain a minimum of 100 AAS alive in the ABP Project.
ARTICLE 3. PARCEL AND WATER USE
3.1 ABP shall only use the Parcel for activities related to the ABP Project.
3.2 ABP shall use the Parcel with the diligence of a good pater familias and shall not allow the Parcel to be used for any unlawful purpose.
3.3 ABP shall make any additional improvements that it deems convenient and/or necessary to develop the ABP Project without the approval of the LANDLORD.
3.4 Unless there is a cause that originates from Acts of God, the ABP Project will have access to the River Flow and to spring water at the same volumes that are currently in use in the ABP Project and in no event shall these volumes be lower than 2170 gallons per minute of river water for the growout tanks and 130 gallons per minute of spring water for the fry tanks.
3.5 The water distribution system of the ABP Project will be managed by the LANDLORD. The LANDLORD will not diminish, increase or in any way endanger the water levels in the ABP Projects drainage canal and sedimentation ponds without the written consent of ABP.
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3.6 In the event that the LANDLORD develops production facilities that require water use in his portion of the Property, ABP shall share with the LANDLORD, without any cost to the LANDLORD, a portion of the water flow contained in the water distribution system only if the water requirements for the ABP Project are met.
ARTICLE 4. TERM
The term of this Agreement shall be two (2) years as of the Effective date (Term).
ARTICLE 5. LANDLORD OBLIGATIONS AND PROHIBITIONS
5.1 The LANDLORD shall guarantee ABP the peaceful and uninterrupted use of the Parcel.
5.2 The LANDLORD shall make any repair that is needed to preserve the Parcel for the use of ABP for the purposes herein established.
5.3 The LANDLORD shall not impose any liens or restrictions for the use of the Property during the Term of this Agreement. Shall the LANDLORD sell or transfer his possessory rights over the Property, the contract covering the sale or transfer of the possessory rights over the Property to the new owner shall include the duty of the new owner to respect this Agreement. In any case, ABP has the right to exercise any actions that it deems convenient or necessary to guarantee that the Parcel, the equipment and the Improvements are free and clear from any liens or restriction of use.
5.4 The LANDLORD agrees not to modify or interfere with any of the existing AAS production facilities, containment, and/or water distribution systems of the ABP Project without prior written authorization of ABP and/or ABT. The LANDLORD will not jeopardize, negatively impact or increase effluent flow into the project drainage canal and sedimentation ponds without the written authorization of ABP. The LANDLORD has knowledge that any unauthorized change to the facilities of the ABP Project that were previously inspected by the FDA could jeopardize ABTs Food and Drug Administration (FDA) application.
5.5 The LANDLORD also agrees to staff the ABP Project with at least the following persons, all which shall be employees of the LANDLORD or of a company of its control: Luis Lamastus as Manager, plus a minimum of four (4) production staff comprised of: (i) one (1) experienced supervisor; and (ii) three (3) workers (Production Staff). None of the Production Staff shall be considered an employee of ABP.
5.6 Whenever there are AAS in the ABP Project, the LANDLORD will make every effort to assure that there is a minimum of one (1) LANDLORD employee present at the ABP Project twenty four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. ABP and/or ABT will continue to visit and monitor the ABP Project, and if there is indication that the health, well-being or survival of the salmon is being endangered by the Production Staff, ABT will notify the LANDLORD in writing, and the LANDLORD will immediately replace the Production Staff with the necessary biologists and/or technicians trained in fish biology.
ARTICLE 6. LANDLORD RIGHTS
6.1 The LANDLORD is permitted to build on the Property outside the borders of the Parcel, in accordance with the Property borders established in EXHIBIT A, as long as the construction and new infrastructure does not impede the development of the ABP Project, damages or
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interferes with (i) the existing ABP Project infrastructure; (ii) the equipment; (iii) containment elements and/or (iv) the River Flow and spring water used in the ABP Project and the effluent. The LANDLORD must advise ABP in writing before making any constructions or additions to the infrastructure of the ABP Project for ABP and shall await for ABP to authorize them.
6.2 The LANDLORD has the right to receive the monthly fee described in Article 9.1.
6.3 The LANDLORD has the right to receive technical assistance from ABP when needed.
ARTICLE 7. ABP OBLIGATIONS
ABP shall provide the LANDLORD with the following:
7.1 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) export permits for all the AAS egg shipments to Panama from Canada (Shipment);
7.2 All the permits that are required by the laws of Panama to introduce the Shipment from Canada to Panama, including Aquatic Animal Health Certificates and Export Permits from Canada for the National Directorship of Animal Health of Panama (Autoridad Nacional de Salud Animal-DINASA and/or the Animal Quarantine Directorship (Dirección de Cuarentena Animal DECA) permits or eligibility renewals;
7.3 The Shipment;
7.4 The technical assistance when required or needed; and
7.5 The payment of the monthly fee described in Article 9.1 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8. ABP RIGHTS
8.1 ABP has the right to:
1. | Enter the ABP Project at any time without prior notice to the LANDLORD. |
2. | Impose its technical and management parameters on the management of the ABP Project to guarantee the survival, performance, and production of the AAS, in accordance with Article 8.2. |
8.2 All of the technical parameters for the management of the ABP project (including, but not limited to, the stocking densities, optimal ASS biomasses, feed types and rates, size grading and population reduction, mean harvest weight, and harvest scheduling) will be mutually agreed upon by ABP and/or ABT, and the LANDLORD.
8.3 Unless otherwise informed by ABP in writing, the AAS biomass will be maintained at or below twenty (20) kilograms per cubic meter of grow-out tank water volume, and the AAS biomass will be managed through selective culling and harvesting. This maximum AAS biomass may be modified in the future under mutual written agreement of ABP and/or ABT, and the LANDLORD.
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ARTICLE 9. PAYMENT
9.1 ABP agrees to pay the LANDLORD a total fee of US$712,834.00 over the term of the lease (the FEE), such payments to be made according to article 9.2 that cover all of the costs for:
1. | The lease of the Parcel, which is US$13,200.00 per month of the FEE and is included in the monthly payments and the Deposit as further defined in this Agreement; |
2. | The management services of the ABP Project; |
3. | The operational expenses of the ABP Project; and |
4. | The opportunity costs for loss of revenue from sales of trout to organic food wholesalers. |
9.2 Payments to the LANDLORD:
a. The first payment to the LANDLORD will be a $180,000.00 Deposit that the LANDLORD will acknowledge in writing upon receipt by means of a letter that shall be personally delivered to ABP; and by email, as well;
b. Monthly payments numbers one (1) through twelve (12) will be $15,000.00 per month for October 2013 through September 2014;
c. Monthly payment number thirteen (13) will be $22,834.00 for October 2014; and
d. Monthly payments number fourteen (14) through twenty-four (24) will be $30,000.00 per month for November 2014 through September 2015.
9.3 The FEE shall be transferred to the following bank account designated by the LANDLORD within the first ten (10) days of every month:
CITIBANK NEW YORK
ABA ######### (Swift: ###### ## )
Credit to account No. ########
In name of GLOBAL BANK CORPORATION (Swift: GLBLPAPA )
For further credit to account No. ##-###-#####-#
In the name of: LUIS LAMASTUS
9.4 The LANDLORD agrees to pay all operational expenses related to the ABP Project from the FEE, excluding (i) the AAS eggs; and (ii) the freight costs associated with the Shipment of the AAS eggs from Canada to Panama.
9.5 The monthly payment described in section 9.1 will be suspended if the total live AAS population in the ABP Projects rearing facilities falls below one hundred (100) AAS, for any reason other than programmed harvests mutually agreed upon by both, ABT by means of ABP, and the LANDLORD. In the event that the AAS population in the rearing facilities has not recovered to more than one hundred (100) AAS within ninety (90) days of falling below the one hundred (100) AAS threshold, this agreement will be irrevocably terminated without the need of previous notice or judicial authorization, unless it is remedied within the cure period stated in Article 12 of this Agreement.
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In the event that the loss of AAS is due to an Act of God (caso fortuito as described in the second paragraph of Article 34-D of the Civil Code of Panama) or a government imposed action (fuerza mayor as described in the first paragraph of Article 34-D of the Civil Code of Panama), that was not directly or indirectly caused by the LANDLORD, the monthly payments will continue at fifty percent (50%), which is US$15,000.00 per month, until the termination date of this Agreement.
In the event that the conditions of 9.5 have been triggered by loss of AAS as described above within the first thirteen (13) months of the TERM, the reduced monthly payments of $15,000.00 described above will be discounted (up to a maximum of $15,000 per month) until the Deposit has been fully realized, at which point the $15,000.00 per month payments to the LANDLORD will continue until the termination date of the Agreement.
9.6 ABP will pay for an independent local auditor to prepare an inventory of the AAS population in the ABP Project and to verify that no material changes have been made to the ABP Projects layout, production facilities, containment elements, and water distribution pathways.
9.7 In the event that Panamanian legal counsel is required to defend the ABP Project against litigations or claims, ABP will assume the legal expenses if the litigation or claim arises out of (i) reasons not attributable to the LANDLORD; and/or (ii) reasons attributable to the ABP Project or the AAS eggs. However, if the litigation or claim is a result of a direct or indirect action of the LANDLORD, then the LANDLORD will bear said legal expenses.
9.8 ABP will transfer ownership to the LANDLORD of ABPs vehicle (2007 Nissan Frontier, license plate: 416101) at no cost to the LANDLORD.
ARTICLE 10. PRODUCT
10.1 Product ownership: ABP is the owner of (i) the AAS contained in the tanks; and (ii) the harvested AAS. At its discretion, ABP may offer without any cost to the LANDLORD a portion of the AAS as a production performance incentive bonus, in addition to the monthly fees described in Article 9.1, if the AAS has been approved by United States (U.S.) and Panamanian authorities as described in Article 11.
10.2 Product sales: In the event that the AAS is approved by U.S. and the authorities of the Republic of Panama, as described in Article 11, ABP, and/or ABT, will determine to whom and in what form the harvested AAS will be commercialized. The LANDLORD will be given first rights of refusal to purchase the harvested AAS.
10.3 Product processing: ABT and/or ABP will decide where to process the harvested AAS. If ABT and/or ABP use the LANDLORD to process the AAS, ABT and/or ABP will pay the LANDLORD a competitively priced processing and packing fee that shall be agreed by both parties.
10.4 Sales Proceeds: In the event that the AAS is approved by the U.S. and authorities of the Republic of Panama, as described in Article 11, all sales proceeds from approved harvested AAS will belong to ABP and/or ABT.
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ARTICLE 11. PRODUCT DISPOSITION
Until the U.S. FDA has approved AAS in the U.S., and until ABP has complied with the regulations and laws of the Republic of Panama permitting the commercialization and consumption of AAS in Panama, all AAS produced at the ABP Project must be destroyed according to the protocol established by the authorities in Panama and not allowed to enter commerce or be consumed.
ARTICLE 12. CURE PERIOD
If any of the Parties breaches the terms of this Agreement (Breach), the offended party will deliver a written notice to the breaching party (Notice) within thirty (30) calendar days of the Breach. The breaching party will in turn have sixty (60) calendar days to remedy his Breach (Cure Period). In the event that breaching party does not satisfactorily remedy his Breach within the Cure Period, the offended party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by written notice to the breaching party. Notwithstanding the above, shall according to the exclusive opinion of ABP, the Breach endanger the ABP Project, upon Notice the LANDLORD will be obliged to immediately remedy the Breach, and shall it not be remedied, ABP will be entitled to terminate this Agreement without Notice and/or judicial authorization.
ARTICLE 13. TERMINATION
13.1 The occurrence of any of the following events shall be deemed to be and shall be treated as a default under this Agreement and the parties shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement without the need of Notice and/or judicial authorization:
1. | The breach or failure by either Party in the due observance or performance of the obligations of this Agreement; |
2. | The extinction of the possessory rights of LANDLORD over the Property, unless that such possessory rights evolve into property rights and title; |
3. | The resignation or death of the LANDLORD; |
4. | The diminishment of the River Flow and/or spring water adjacent to the Parcel in such a manner that could impede ABP to continue developing its activities and/or the ABP Project; |
5. | The expiration of the Term of this Agreement; and |
6. | If either of the Parties files or have filed a petition of bankruptcy liquidation or dissolution. |
ARTICLE 14. CONFLICT RESOLUTION
In case any disputes arise in connection with the interpretation or execution of this Agreement, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration in law, at a proceeding administered by the Centro de Conciliación y Arbitraje de la Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Agricultura of the Republic of Panama, to which rules the Parties unconditionally voluntarily submit and claim knowledge thereof. The dispute shall be resolved in accordance with Panamanian substantive rules and the procedural rules of the Centro de Conciliación y Arbitraje de la Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Agricultura of the Republic of Panama or, in its defect, applicable procedural rules under Panamanian law. The arbitration shall take place in Panama City, Republic of Panama and proceedings shall be in Spanish unless the Parties to the dispute agree otherwise. The dispute will be resolved by a panel of three arbitrators. Each Party to the dispute shall appoint an arbitrator from the list of arbitrators approved by the Centro de Conciliación y Arbitraje de la
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Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Agricultura of the Republic of Panama. The Centro de Conciliación y Arbitraje de la Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Agricultura of the Republic of Panama shall appoint the third arbitrator who will preside the panel. The award rendered pursuant to such arbitration shall be in writing, shall be final, binding and conclusive between the Parties. The award shall have no further recourse, except for those provided for annulment in accordance with the laws of Panama. Once the award is rendered and is final, it will produce the effects of res judicata and the Parties shall comply with the award without delay.
All costs and expenses related to the arbitration proceeding shall be borne by the Parties to the dispute in equal parts. Each party will cover the costs of its own legal counsel and expert witnesses, except they expressly agree otherwise or the arbitrators so decide in the final award.
ARTICLE 15. TAXES
The LANDLORD shall maintain the Property in good standing from any applicable fees or taxes from any public or private institutions.
ARTICLE 16. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Panama.
ARTICLE 17. ENTIRE .AGREEMENT.
This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties related to the subject matter herein, and the terms included herein may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior Agreement or of any oral Agreement.
ARTICLE 18. NOTICES
Any notice or written communications required or submitted under this Agreement shall be sent to the Following Addresses:
For ABP:
Name: | David A. Frank | |
Domicile: | Two Clock Tower Place, Suite 395, Maynard, MA 01754 | |
Telephone: | (978) 648-6048 | |
Email: | dfrank@aquabounty.com |
For the LANDLORD:
Name: | Luis Lamastus | |
Domicile: | Los Naranjos, Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama | |
Telephone: | 507 66174739 | |
Email: | luitolamastus@hotmail.com |
ARTICLE 19. MODIFICATIONS.
This Agreement can be only modified by written agreement of the Parties. No change in, addition to, or waiver of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon any Party unless approved by it in writing.
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ARTICLE 20. ASSIGNMENT.
The Parties to this Agreement shall not assign any rights or obligations hereunder without the express written consent of the other Party.
ARTICLE 21. SEVERABILITY
If it is determined that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or not binding, in whole or in part, such invalidity shall be only in respect of that provision or portion thereof and the remainder of the same clause or all the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain valid, in full force and binding on the Parties.
ARTICLE 22. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Parties agree to maintain strict confidentiality of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties shall treat as confidential all information made available to them under this Agreement and shall not disclose such confidential information without the written consent of the owner of that information.
The foregoing restriction on use and disclosure shall not apply to confidential information that, at the time of disclosure or its becoming known to the recipient, the recipient can show:
1. | Is public knowledge; or |
2. | Came lawfully into the recipients possession otherwise than directly or indirectly from the owner without restriction on its subsequent disclosure or use by the recipient. |
The foregoing restriction on use and disclosure shall be maintained by the recipient until the confidential information:
1. | Becomes public knowledge through no fault or action on the recipients part; or |
2. | Comes into the recipients possession free from any restriction from a third party (other than the owner or its affiliate) who has the lawful right to make such disclosure. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing restriction on use and disclosure, a party may disclose confidential information to any competent governmental agencies having authority to require such disclosure but informing such governmental agencies of the confidential nature of such information.
ARTICLE 23. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Parties in their respective counterparts, and when taken together constitute a single document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Luis Lamastus |
/s/ David Frank | |||
LUIS LAMASTUS LANDLORD |
DAVID FRANK AQUA BOUNTY PANAMA S. DE R.L. |
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Exhibit 10.15
EXECUTION COPY
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AGREEMENT
This COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of March 22, 2012, by and between Aqua Bounty Canada Inc. (the Company), a Newfoundland corporation having registered offices at P.O. Box 2430, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, A1C 6E7, and Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc. (the Collaborator), a Canadian corporation with offices at 0718 Bay Fortune, RR No. 4, Souris, PEI, Canada, C0A 2B0. The Company and the Collaborator are sometimes referred to in this Agreement together as the Parties or individually as a Party.
WHEREAS, the Parties have developed a mutually agreeable statement of work and budget for the research project as described on Schedule A attached hereto (the Project); and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the Collaborator with access to confidential and proprietary information relating to its business for use only in connection with this Agreement and subject to the confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions set forth herein, and the Collaborator acknowledges that such information has been developed by the Company through substantial expenditures of time, effort, and money and constitutes valuable and unique property of the Company.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Collaborator agree as follows:
ARTICLE I AGREEMENT AS TO SERVICES
1.1 Services. The Collaborator will undertake the Project and will use reasonable efforts to perform the Project substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the statement of work forming part of Schedule A. The Company and the Collaborator may at any time amend the Project by mutual written agreement.
1.2 Manager. In the event that Debbie Plouffe (the Manager) of the Collaborator ceases to have primary responsibility for the Project, and a mutually acceptable substitute is not available, the Company has the right to terminate the Project and this Agreement by providing the Collaborator with two (2) weeks prior written notice. The Manager shall be responsible for, among other things, management and oversight of the Project and the preparation and production of reports, including those reports described in Section 3.2 below.
ARTICLE II TERM
2.1 Duration. Subject to the right of either Party to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Article 6 below, the Collaborator shall provide the Services (as hereinafter defined) to the Company beginning April 1, 2012 and shall continue in full force and effect until April 1, 2013, unless otherwise extended by mutual written agreement of the Parties (the Project Period).
ARTICLE III PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES
3.1 Services. During the Project Period, the Collaborator will perform the services described on Schedule A (the Services) in collaboration with the Company and its parent, subsidiaries or affiliates. Collaborator must perform duties in compliance with regulatory requirements when necessary, such compliance requirements to be set by the Company. The Company may add to or subtract from the Services by mutual written agreement with the Collaborator.
3.2 Reporting. During the Project Period, the Collaborator will keep the Company informed, orally or in writing, as to the progress of the Project. The Collaborator will submit monthly reports to the Company within seven (7) days after the end of each calendar month. Additionally, the Collaborator will prepare written quarterly and annual status reports regarding the AIF research project to the Company within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter and year. The Collaborator will submit a final written report to the Company within sixty (60) days after the conclusion of the Project Period or the early termination of this Agreement, whichever is sooner. To the extent that either of the parties will make application for input tax credits that are based on scientific research or experimental development (i.e., SR/ED credits), the reports prepared pursuant to this Section 3.2 will be in a form sufficient to substantiate the amounts of such credits for the benefit of the party entitled thereto; provided, however, that, if the Collaborator is applying for input tax credits, it shall only disclose information in any such application to the extent required by such application and in no event will the Collaborator disclose any Confidential Information (as defined below).
3.3 Discretion. The Collaborator will exercise customary discretion and independent judgment with respect to the manner in which it performs the Services pursuant to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to deprive the Collaborator of such discretion or judgment, or to require the Collaborator to perform particular Services at any particular time or in any specific manner.
ARTICLE IV COSTS AND INVOICES
4.1 Costs. The Parties understand and agree that the Services specified in this Project are governed by the mutually agreed to budget set forth on Schedule A and that the monthly costs incurred in performing the Services of the Project shall be an aggregate amount calculated based on the submission of monthly timesheets of the individuals set forth on Schedule A. Changes to the budget for the Project can only be made by mutual written agreement of the Parties.
4.2 Direct Charges. For those categories of expenses that are listed as direct charges in the budget, purchase orders will be issued in the name of the Collaborator and billed directly to the Company, and the Company will directly pay the resulting invoices. Any such purchase order issued in the name of the Collaborator shall be signed by the Company.
4.3 Invoice and Receipts. For those categories of expenses that are not listed as direct charges in the budget, the Collaborator shall submit monthly invoices for such other Services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. Receipts or other evidence showing the amount of each expense must support the invoice. The Company will pay all validly supported invoices submitted by the Collaborator for the Services rendered pursuant to this Agreement within thirty (30) days of receipt.
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ARTICLE V CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
5.1 Confidential Information. Confidential Information means all information, regardless of its form, disclosed by one Party (the Discloser) to the other Party (the Recipient) and which is clearly marked as confidential or proprietary when first disclosed and includes, without limitation, trade secrets, know-how, show-how, concepts, discoveries, inventions, research or technical data and other proprietary information or material (biological or otherwise). Confidential Information may also include information furnished during discussions or oral presentations if it is conspicuously identified as proprietary at the time and then transcribed or confirmed in writing within thirty (30) days, specifically describing what portions of such information is considered to be proprietary or confidential, except that Confidential Information does not include information:
(i) known by the Recipient prior to receipt from the Discloser, other than through (a) prior confidential disclosure by the Discloser, as evidenced by the Recipients business records, or (b) prior disclosure by a third party under a confidentiality obligation to the Discloser in respect of such Confidential Information;
(ii) published or available to the general public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement;
(iii) obtained by the Recipient from a third party with a valid right to disclose it, provided that the third party is not under a confidentiality obligation to the Discloser in respect of the same; or
(iv) independently developed by employees, agents or consultants of the Recipient who had no knowledge of or access to the Disclosers information.
5.2 Non-Disclosure. Each Recipient will keep and use the Disclosers Confidential Information in confidence and will not, without the Disclosers prior written consent, disclose the Disclosers Confidential Information to any person or entity, except to the Recipients directors, officers or employees who require the Confidential Information to assist Recipient in performing its obligations and exercising its rights under this Agreement.
5.3 Judicial Process. Any Party required by judicial or administrative process to disclose the other Partys Confidential Information will promptly notify the other Party and allow it reasonable time to oppose the process before disclosing the Confidential Information.
5.4 Return or Destroy. Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, the Recipient will promptly discontinue the use of, and will return to the Discloser or its designee, or, at the request of the Discloser, destroy, all of the Disclosers Confidential Information and copies thereof which were furnished to or otherwise came into the possession of Recipient during the term of this Agreement, and any notes, summaries and other documents or materials containing information relating to such Confidential Information.
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5.5 Company Objection. The Company may object to the proposed disclosure on the grounds that (i) it contains Confidential Information that was disclosed to the Collaborator by the Company; or (ii) that it discloses patentable subject matter which needs protection. If the Company makes objection on the grounds of the inclusion of the Companys Confidential Information, the Collaborator will remove such Confidential Information immediately from the proposed disclosure, after which the Collaborator is free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. If the Company makes an objection on the grounds of protection of patentable subject matter, the Collaborator will delay the proposed disclosure until the Company has filed one or more patent applications with one or more patent offices directed to such patentable subject matter (the Delay). A provisional patent application will be considered to be a patent application in the United States of America for the purposes of this Agreement.
5.6 Publication. The Collaborator is not restricted from presenting at symposia, conferences or professional meetings, or from publishing in journals or other publications, results from the Project, provided that the Company is provided with copies of the proposed disclosure at least ninety (90) days before any material is disclosed (including by way of a submission for publication or a proposal for a presentation at a symposia, conference or professional meeting) or presented or published and does not, within sixty (60) days after delivery of the proposed disclosure, give notice to the Collaborator indicating that it objects to the proposed disclosure.
5.7 | Intellectual Property Rights. The Company shall own: |
(i) all copyrights, copyright registrations and copyright applications that are owned by the Company as of the date of this Agreement;
(ii) all trademarks, service marks, mark registrations and mark registration applications owned by the Company as of the date of this Agreement;
(iii) all patents and patent applications in any country owned by the Company as of the date of this Agreement;
(iv) all technical information, proprietary information, trade secrets, techniques, technology, Improvements (hereinafter defined) and other specialized knowledge that is owned by the Company as of the date of this Agreement (all of the above, collectively, the Company Intellectual Property); and
(v) any and all improvements, modifications, inventions, discoveries and enhancements (Improvements) to, or made with, the Company Intellectual Property made or created by the Company, the Collaborator, or the subsidiaries, parents or affiliates of the Collaborator, alone or jointly.
The Collaborator hereby irrevocably and unconditionally transfers and assigns to the Company and agrees to transfer and assign to the Company, its successors and assigns, all of the Collaborators right, title and interest in any and all Improvements to, or made with, the Company Intellectual Property.
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Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of this Agreement, the Company grants to the Collaborator a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable, revocable, royalty-free license to use the Company Intellectual Property and Improvements to, or made with, the Company Intellectual Property solely in connection with this Agreement for the purpose of conducting the activities contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VI TERMINATION
6.1 Termination. This Agreement will terminate by its terms at the end of the Project Period, unless mutually extended by written agreement of the Parties. Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other Party.
6.2 Breach. If either Party commits any breach or default of any terms or conditions of this Agreement and also fails to remedy such breach or default within thirty (30) days after receipt of a written notice from the other Party, the Party giving notice may terminate this Agreement by sending a notice of termination in writing to the Party in breach. This termination will be effective as of the date of the receipt of such notice of termination. The termination may be in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.
6.3 Extension. The Parties may extend this Agreement in writing for additional periods under mutually agreeable terms and conditions. Said extension will be effective upon signature by both Parties.
ARTICLE VII STATUS AND AUTHORITY
7.1 Independence. The Collaborator will perform all services hereunder as an independent organization. The relationships of the Parties are those of independent contractors and nothing contained herein will be deemed to create a partnership, joint venture or any other relationship between the Collaborator and the Company, its parent, subsidiaries or affiliates.
7.2 Mutual Authority. Nothing contained herein will be deemed to authorize either Party to act as the agent or legal representative of the other Party. Each Party hereby acknowledges that it is not authorized to act as the agent or legal representative or to otherwise act in the name of or on behalf of the other Party, its parent, subsidiaries or affiliates.
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNITY AND DISCLAIMER
8.1 Mutual Indemnity. Each Party (the Indemnifying Party) hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the other Party, its directors, officers, employees, affiliates, contractors, partners, shareholders, invitees and agents (each an Indemnified Party) against any and all liabilities, suits, judgments, settlements, obligations, fines, damages, penalties, claims, costs, charges and expenses, including, without limitation, all reasonable legal fees and disbursements, which may be imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against any Indemnified Party by reason of or resulting from any one or more of the following occurring during or after (but attributable to a period of time falling within) the Project Period: (i) any accident, injury (including death) or damage to any employee of the Indemnifying Party occurring in, on or about the premises of an Indemnified Party or any part thereof (the Premises), (ii) any accident, injury (including death) or damage to any person or property occurring in, on or about the Premises as a result of the act or neglect of any employee of the Indemnifying Party, or (iii) any act or failure to act on the part of any employee of the Indemnifying Party while in, on or about the Premises during the performance of this Agreement.
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8.2 Disclaimer. COLLABORATOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY COMPANY FROM USE OF THE DELIVERABLES AND THE SERVICES PURCHASED FROM THE COLLABORATOR.
8.3 Limitation of Liability. The maximum liability of each party under this Agreement is the amount paid by Company to Collaborator for the Project.
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth all the understandings between and obligations of the Parties hereto. There are no other promises, understandings or obligations extant between the Parties.
9.2 Headings. The headings to the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not be deemed a part of this Agreement for purposes of interpreting or applying the provisions of this Agreement.
9.3 Severability. All provisions, terms, conditions, paragraphs and covenants contained in this Agreement are severable and, in the event any one of them shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision was not contained herein, and such determination shall not otherwise affect the validity of any other provisions. This and all other provisions of this Agreement shall be and remain applicable as provided herein, irrespective of any termination of the Collaborators services hereunder, whether by the Company or by the Collaborator, and irrespective of any other termination or expiration of this or any other written or oral agreement or arrangement (or any extensions thereof) with the Company.
9.4 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed in all respects by the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and the laws of Canada in force in that Province.
9.5 Amendments. The Collaborator and the Company may amend this Agreement, but any such amendment must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
9.6 Assignment. Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
9.7 Continuation of Covenants. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Parties respective rights and obligations under Articles 5 and 6 of this Agreement will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement or the termination of the Collaborators Services for any reason whatsoever.
9.8 Notice of Obligations. The Collaborator hereby consents to the notification of persons or entities of the Collaborators obligations under this Agreement when the Company reasonably believes that the Collaborators activities are likely to be restricted by this Agreement.
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9.9 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by overnight courier, by mail or by facsimile, and shall be deemed delivered when actually received. The executed copy of this Agreement and/or any written notices to the Company should be provided to:
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Two Clock Tower Place
Suite 395 Maynard,
Massachusetts 01754
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
If to the Collaborator to:
John Buchanan
President
0718 Bay Fortune, RR No. 4
Souris, PEI C0A 2B0
9.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY: | ||
AQUA BOUNTY CANADA INC. | ||
By: | /s/ David A. Frank | |
Name: | David A. Frank | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
COLLABORATOR: | ||
TETHYS AQUACULTURE CANADA, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ John Buchanon | |
Name: | John Buchanon | |
Title: | CEO |
[Signature Page to Collaborative Research Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
Statement of Work
(See attached)
STATEMENT OF WORK
Description of Major Activities
AquaBounty Commercial
1. | Development and validation of a GLP qPCR-based assay, including high-throughput genomic DNA |
extraction, for determination of zygosity and qualification of AquAdvantage broodstock. |
a. | Development of a Study Protocol, conduct of the study and completion of the Final Study Report |
for hemizygous and homozygous discrimination. |
b. | As a replacement for Southern blot analysis, requiring the ability to discriminate between 2 and 3 |
or more copies of the transgene (method development ongoing, but formal validation upon FDA |
acceptance of this approach) |
c. | Preparation of SOPs for the high-throughput genomic DNA extraction and qPCR assays. |
2. | GxP-compliant qualification of AquAdvantage broodstock including: |
a. | Confirmation of identity and location of the EO-1a transgene using traditional PCR |
b. | Confirmation of zygosity using a validated qPCR-based assay |
c. | Confirmation of transgene copy number through GLP Southern blotting (involving coordination |
with a GLP-contract research facility OR an approved, validated qPCR-based assay developed by |
TAC) |
d. | Diagnostic PCRs |
3. | GxP-compliant QC for induction of triploidy in commercial batches of AquAdvantage salmon as required |
4. | Assist in management of studies optimizing the production of sex-reversed females (neomales) |
a. | Continue evaluation of sex-reversal treatments applied to the 2010YC |
b. | Evaluate of at least three different hormone treatments to achieve sex reversal for the 2011YC |
confirming efficacy of successful immersion treatment(s) from the 2010YC. |
c. | Summarize data and report recommendation for optimal sex-reversal treatments |
d. | Evaluate photoperiod and temperature manipulation to induce sexual maturation in one and two |
year old sex-reversed AquAdvantage salmon. |
5. | Maintain and develop laboratory SOPs as necessary. |
6. | Review of regulatory documents, preparation of Study Protocols and Final Study Reports for validation of |
assays and equipment as reasonable. Assist in preparation of regulatory documents (US, Canada, other) as |
reasonable. |
7. | Maintenance of GxP compliance in the laboratory including maintenance, calibration and performance |
verification/qualification of equipment. |
8. | Ad hoc PCR and flow cytometry as reasonable. |
AquaBounty AIF
1. | Management of AIF collaborators |
a. | Collect, analyze and report results as necessary |
b. | Coordinate meetings of collaborators, review publications |
c. | Prepare quarterly and annual updates for ACOA as part of AIF administration |
d. | Interact with ACOA/AIF administration as needed in support of AIF funding |
2. | Coordination of the ABC Animal Care Committee |
a. | Participation on the committee and preparation of protocols for review |
3. | Assessment of family-based growth performance and appearance in 2009-2011YC from the in-house |
selective breeding program. Make recommendations for improved performance through breeding. |
a. | Analyze and present growth performance and appearance data for all current year classes |
comparing diploid and triploid performance, looking for correlations. |
b. | Consult on establishment of the 2012YC families for the selective breeding program |
c. | Assist in tissue and growth-data collection for performance studies as needed |
4. | Organization, management, and conduct of test-diet trials for juvenile Atlantic salmon |
a. | Assist with formulation and preparation of test diets |
b. | Assist with feeding and sampling events |
c. | Collect, analyze and present growth and FCR data |
d. | Ensure collection of biochemical data |
5. | Collection and presentation of composition data for first-feeding fry of the 2010YC in relation to feed |
composition to assess nutrient utilization in early life stages. |
a. | Recommendation of diet formulation for first-feeding fry based on results |
6. | Evaluation of fatty acid composition of growth hormone transgenic and nontransgenic diploids and |
triploids; correlation of blood and tissue levels of fatty acids. |
7. | Manage assessment of new genetics and improved lines in-house at AquaBounty and/or as a part of field |
trials at alternate locations |
a. | Preparation of study plans, assistance in data collection, analysis and presentation/comparison of growth results |
8. | Coordinate utilization of genetic markers to: |
a. | Define genetic diversity of in-house stocks and any new genetics |
b. | Assign parentage of fish enrolled in the growth performance and nutrition studies as necessary |
c. | Predict genetic sex as required |
9. | Confirmation of ploidy and presence of the EO-1a transgene using flow cytometry and traditional PCR for |
individuals as required. |
10. | Assist with evaluation and testing of the database |
SCHEDULE A
Budget
(See attached)
AquaBounty Canada, Inc.
Contract Research Budget
with Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc.
April 2012 - March 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production | % | AIF | % | Total | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Professional Services: |
Name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research Director |
Plouffe | 17,400 | 20 | % | 52,200 | 60 | % | 69,600 | 80 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Research Associate |
Bryenton | 21,500 | 50 | % | 21,500 | 50 | % | 43,000 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Aquaculture Research Associate |
Peters | 6,500 | 20 | % | 26,000 | 80 | % | 32,500 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Aquaculture Research Associate |
MacInnis | 18,000 | 50 | % | 18,000 | 50 | % | 36,000 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Postdoctoral Researcher |
Wall | | 0 | % | 42,000 | 100 | % | 42,000 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Postdoctoral Researcher |
Ganga | | 0 | % | 50,000 | 100 | % | 50,000 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Corporate Administrator |
JB | 16,800 | 10 | % | 42,000 | 25 | % | 58,800 | 35 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Benefits (15%) |
12,030 | 37,755 | 49,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
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Total Professional Services |
92,230 | 289,455 | 381,685 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
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Operating Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplies and Materials |
22,667 | 40,000 | 62,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maintenance and Repair |
| | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Travel and Entertainment |
2,600 | 3,667 | 6,267 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Miscellaneous |
1,867 | 4,333 | 6,200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
27,133 | 48,000 | 75,133 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
TAC Expenses |
119,363 | 337,455 | 456,818 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional services to be invoiced by TAC monthly based on timesheets.
Supplies to be direct billed to ABC via PO process.
Travel expenses to be reimbursed by ABC.
[AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. Letterhead]
July 23, 2014
VIA EDGAR
Division of Corporation Finance
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attention: Jennifer Thompson
Re: | AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. |
Form 10-12B |
Filed April 25, 2014 |
File No. 001-36426 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Set forth below are the responses of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (the Company) to the comments of the staff (the Staff) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) Division of Corporation Finance contained in the Staffs letter dated May 21, 2014. We are also filing simultaneously herewith Amendment No. 1 (the Amendment) to the Registration Statement on Form 10 (the Registration Statement). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement. For reference, the Staffs comments are provided below in bold immediately prior to the Companys responses.
General
1. | Please note that in accordance with Section 12(d) of the Exchange Act, this Form 10 registration statement filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act will become effective 30 days after the Commission receives certification from NASDAQ that your listing application has been approved. |
Response:
The Company acknowledges that its registration statement filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act will become effective 30 days after the Commission receives certification from NASDAQ that the Companys listing application has been approved.
Emerging Growth Company Status, page 1
2. | We note your disclosure here that you have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We also note your disclosure here and on page 18 that you have irrevocably elected not to avail yourself of the exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Please reconcile and revise these disclosures. |
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 2
Response:
The Company has revised its disclosure on pages 1 and 21 of the Amendment to consistently reflect that it has elected to avail itself of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards.
Item 1. Business, page 3
3. | We note your disclosure on page 23 that in conjunction with a fundraising in 2012, you implemented a reorganization to cut costs and spin off your research group, the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada. Please discuss this reorganization along with any other material changes in your business, such as the sale of your common stock to Intrexon. Refer to Item 101(a) of Regulation S-K. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure to include a discussion of the referenced reorganization on page 4 of the Amendment.
Overview, page 3
4. | Please balance the overview by disclosing your net losses for the most recently completed fiscal year and interim period and accumulated net losses. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure on page 4 of the Amendment to include a discussion of the Companys net losses.
The Aquaculture Industry, page 4
5. | We note that you rely on reports and publications prepared by third parties, including Kontali Analyse and Marine Harvest ASA, for data. Please provide us with copies of the relevant portions of the reports and publications you cite. Additionally, please tell us whether any of the data provided by the listed sources, such as the data from other third-party sources and industry publications, were commissioned by you for use in the registration statement. If so, please file consents as exhibits to your registration statement. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has supplementally provided copies of the third-party sources that were relied upon for data contained in the Registration Statement, marked to highlight the sections relied upon and cross-referenced in the Registration Statement.
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 3
In addition, the Company confirms no third-party reports or publications, including those prepared by Kontali Analyse and Marine Harvest ASA, that are referenced or relied upon in the Registration Statement, were commissioned by the Company.
6. | Please balance this section by disclosing that several prominent grocery chains have publicly stated that they will not carry genetically modified salmon, and discuss the impact this and similar pronouncements may have on your business. Please revise the second and third risk factors on page 12 in this manner as well. We note in this regard several media accounts that specifically refer to your product. |
Response:
The Company has included additional disclosure on page 6 of the Amendment and has revised and added risk factor disclosure on page 14 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment.
7. | We note media accounts of recent disease outbreaks impacting salmon production, most notably the infectious salmon anemia virus in Chile and the piscine reovirus in Norway and British Columbia. Please balance the disclosure in this section by discussing the impact of these diseases on salmon farming and the extent to which the costs of disease control and prevention may impact salmon prices and production costs. Please also add risk factor disclosure in this regard. |
Response:
The Company has included additional disclosure on page 6 of the Amendment and has added a risk factor on page 15 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment.
8. | We also note media accounts that certain states have restricted or prohibited salmon farming. Please balance your disclosure in this section accordingly and discuss any impact state restrictions may have on your efforts to locate a site for your proposed salmon farms. Please also add a risk factor describing the attendant risks. |
Response:
The Company has included additional disclosure on page 7 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment. In addition, the Company respectfully submits that it does not view these state restrictions to have a material impact on the Companys business and therefore has not added a risk factor describing the attendant risks.
Plan of Operation, page 6
9. | We note that you plan to increase [y]our supply of unfertilized Atlantic salmon eggs through either the expansion of [y]our existing Canadian hatchery or through the purchase of an existing egg producer. Please explain these plans in greater detail, including whether you have secured financing for such expansion, or whether |
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 4
you have identified any potential egg producers for acquisition. Similarly, please explain whether you have secured financing for the construction and operation of land-based Recirculating Aquaculture System facilities, and explain what a Recirculating Aquaculture System is. If you do not have definitive plans to implement your plan of operation beyond the short term, please describe the factors and criteria you expect to use to determine whether and when to pursue your longer-term plans. Revise the Financial Overview discussion in MD&A in this manner as well. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure on pages 7, 8 and 26 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment.
Intellectual Property, page 8
10. | We note your disclosure that you hold a global, perpetual, non-exclusive license from the Hospital for Sick Children of Toronto and Memorial University to the technology covering genetically modified salmonid fish that express endogenous growth hormone under the control of an anti-freeze protein gene promoter from an edible fish and that the patent for this technology which had been issued in every major salmon producing country, expired in August 2013 . . . Please revise to discuss the material terms of your license for this technology. Additionally, please clarify the status of the intellectual property of this technology as it relates to your company both now and historically, as it appears from this disclosure that you never held a patent on the AquAdvantage Salmon, while page 13 of the risk factors section refers to the patent for AquAdvantage Salmon. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on pages 10 and 16 to clarify that the patent for AquAdvantage® Salmon is currently licensed pursuant to a perpetual, royalty-free license arrangement. The Company respectfully submits that characterization of this license agreement as global, perpetual, royalty-free [and] non-exclusive provides an accurate description of the material terms of this agreement. Neither the Company nor the counterparties have any continuing rights or obligations under the license agreement that the Company views would be material to investors. The Company has supplementally provided a copy of the license agreement for the Staffs review.
11. | Please discuss your licensing of Intrexons UltraVector and other technology here, or explain to us why this is not an appropriate section for this discussion. Additionally, please disclose all material license agreements here. In this regard, we note the disclosure on page F-17 of a license agreement with Genesis Group, Inc., which is not discussed in the registration statement. |
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 5
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure on pages 9, 10 and 11 of the Amendment to include a cross-reference to the disclosure of the Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement with Intrexon and a discussion of the license agreement with Genesis and HSC. The Company believes that the Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement with Intrexon is the only license agreement that might be material to investors of the Company.
Item 1A. Risk Factors, page 10
Risks Related to Our Business, page 11
12. | Please add a risk factor describing the risks because you receive government research grants, including the risks because of agency audit rights. We note in this regard your disclosure on page 24. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on page 19 of the Amendment to add a risk factor describing the risks associated with the Companys receipt of government research grants and loans, including the risks relating to agency audit rights.
We may need substantial additional capital in the future, page 11
13. | Please include an estimate of the amount of capital you believe you will need to raise to implement your business plan and place the risks described here in context by briefly discussing the factors that will influence the timing and amount of capital you require. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on page 13 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment.
We may be sued by non-governmental organizations, page 13
14. | So that investors may better assess the risks described here, please briefly discuss the application filed in Canadian Federal Court on January 16, 2014. We note your disclosure in Legal Proceedings on page 44. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure on page 16 of the Amendment to include a discussion of the referenced application.
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 6
Managements Discussion and Analysis, page 22
Results of Operations, page 25
Sales and Marketing Expenses, page 25
15. | We note your disclosure that you incurred increased costs for your demonstration farm in Panama in conjunction with the transfer of the management of the site. Please tell us and disclose in your filing the facts and circumstances in regard to the transfer of the management of the demonstration farm in Panama and the associated impact on your future results, liquidity and cash flow. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on page 26 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment.
General and Administrative Expenses, page 26
16. | To the extent practicable, please quantify the estimated costs of being a public company. Please also include this disclosure under the risk factor regarding your status as a U.S. public company on page 19. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on pages 22, 29 and 30 of the Amendment to quantify the estimated costs of being a public company.
Liquidity and Capital Resources, page 27
Cash Flow from Operating Activities, page 28
17. | Please clarify your analysis in regard to how the factors disclosed directly affect cash regarding the variance in net cash flows of operating activities. References to results of operations, which are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, noncash items and working capital movements, may not provide a sufficient basis for an investor to fully understand comparative changes in cash flows of operating activities in terms of cash. Revise your disclosure to discuss the factors that directly affected cash of operating activities for each comparative period presented. Your discussion should address the drivers underlying each factor cited. For example, discuss the specific items that created favorable and unfavorable movements in working capital in terms of cash and the reasons underlying such movements. Refer to Section IV.B.1 of Interpretation: Commission Guidance Regarding Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations available on our website at http://www.sec.gov/rules/interp/33-8350.htm for guidance. |
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 7
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on pages 32 and 33 of the Amendment to address the matters identified in the Staffs comment.
Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, page 31
18. | Please identify the individual or individuals who have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Intrexon Corporation. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure on page 37 of the Amendment to add footnote disclosure that identifies the individual who has voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Intrexon.
Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers, page 32
19. | Please revise this section to provide the dates indicating each director and executive officers term of office. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised its disclosure on page 37 of the Amendment to indicate the terms of office of the directors and executive officers.
20. | We note your disclosure that Richard L. Huber holds directorships in several other companies in the United States and elsewhere in the world. To the extent any of these directorships is of a company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 or subject to a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, please identify these companies. |
Response:
The Company acknowledges the Staffs comment and respectfully advises the Staff that Richard L. Huber has not, in the past five years, served as a director of a company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrants Common Equity, page 44
21. | In the table on page 45, we note that the figures have been adjusted to reflect a 1-for-10 reverse stock split that will become effective immediately following the effective time of your registration statement on Form 10. For consistency with the other sections of your filing, please present the figures unadjusted for the 1-for-10 reverse stock split along with pro forma figures adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split. SAB Topic 4C states that such changes in the capital structure |
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 8
must be given retroactive effect if the capital structure change occurs after the date of the latest reported balance sheet but before the release of the financial statements or the effective date of the registration statement, whichever is later. In your circumstance, the change will occur after the effective date of your registration statement on Form 10 so we believe giving pro forma figures adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split is appropriate for transparency. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has revised the table on page 50 of the Amendment to present the figures unadjusted for the 1-for-10 reverse stock split and has updated the footnote to the table to reflect this change.
Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities, page 46
22. | Please revise this section for each unregistered sale to include all of the information required by Item 701 of Regulation S-K, including, in each case, a brief discussion of the facts relied upon to make the exemption available. |
Response:
The Company has revised Item 10 in accordance with the Staffs comment to state that each of the listed sales was made pursuant to the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D and Regulation S thereunder and describe the facts relied on for purposes of these exemptions and safe harbors. The Company confirms that it has included all sales of unregistered securities for the past three years.
Item 11. Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered, page 46
23. | We note the statement that for a complete description of the matters set forth in this section, [investors] should refer to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the new Amended and Restated Bylaws, forms of which are included as exhibits to this Registration Statement on Form 10, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law . . . . Please remove this statement, as it is not appropriate to qualify information in the registration statement by reference to information not included in the registration statement or filed as an exhibit. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has removed the reference to provisions of Delaware law on page 52 of the Amendment.
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 9
Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits
24. | Please file as an exhibit the license agreement with the Hospital for Sick Children of Toronto and Memorial University for the technology covering genetically modified salmonid, as discussed on page 8, along with all other material license agreements. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company respectfully submits that the license agreement is not material to the Company. The Company confirms that it holds no other license agreements that it believes might be considered to be material to investors other than the Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement with Intrexon, which is filed as Exhibit 10.6 respectively, to the Amendment.
25. | Please file as an exhibit the agreement you have with the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada for research and development, as discussed on page 9. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has filed the Collaborative Research Agreement with the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada as Exhibit 10.15 to the Amendment.
Consolidated financial statements, page F-1
26. | Please update the financial statements included in the filing pursuant to Rule 8-08 of Regulation S-X. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the Company has included updated financial statements to comply with Rule 8-08 of Regulation S-X.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, page F-7
Note 1: Nature of business and organization, page F-7
27. | We note your disclosure that you commenced sales of your first product in 2004 and expanded the markets to which that product had been sold. Considering that you present no revenues for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011 please disclose when you ceased sales of the product and why. Also, please disclose the nature of the product that you sold. |
Response:
The Company acknowledges the Staffs comment and respectfully submits that in 2006, the Company had three developed product lines: Shrimp IMS (IMS)a feed additive for shrimp used to reduce mortality by enhancing the animals natural immune system, launched in 2004; Disease Diagnostic Kits (Kits)a series of products used to diagnose disease in aquatic
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 10
animals, launched in 2004; and AquAdvantage Salmon (AAS)our genetically modified Atlantic salmon that grows faster than its conventional counterpart, which was fully developed but undergoing review by the FDA. These three product lines were developed utilizing the Companys technology, knowledge and expertise in the biology of aquatic animals.
The Companys revenue from IMS was over $200,000 in 2006 and growing, as sales and marketing resources were being used to expand the number of markets for its sale. Revenue from Kits was just commencing with $12,000 recorded in 2006. There was no revenue from AAS because, although the technology was fully developed, it was still undergoing regulatory review. At this time, the Company determined that it was no longer a development stage entity, as it had established its products and business and was recognizing a growing revenue stream.
After experiencing disappointing financial results in 2007, the Company undertook a reassessment of its business strategy in early 2008. Revenue from product sales in 2007 had increased versus 2006, but not at a level that the Company deemed sufficient to ensure a path to profitability in the next several years. The Company thus decided to focus its efforts on AAS and to abandon IMS and Kits. The decision was based on the expectation that FDA approval was near at hand and that AAS provided the best path to profitability. In support of this decision, the Company established a grow-out facility for AAS eggs in Panama to produce harvest sized fish.
Nearly six years later, the facility in Panama continues to operate and to produce full-sized AquAdvantage Salmon. However, due to the continued delay in receiving FDA approval, these fish cannot be harvested and sold to generate revenue for the Company.
Given that the Company determined to abandon IMS and Kits in 2008, which is prior to the periods covered by the Financial Statements referenced in the Staffs comment, the Company has not amended the disclosure on page F-7 of the Amendment.
28. | In addition, we note your disclosure that you no longer devote most of your activities and resources toward raising capital. As a result, in 2006 you determined that you were no longer a development stage entity. ASC 915-10-20 defines a development stage entity as an entity devoting substantially all of its efforts to establishing a new business and for which either of the following conditions exists: |
(a) | Planned principal operations have not commenced. |
(b) | Planned principal operations have commenced, but there has been no significant revenue therefrom. |
Considering that your planned operations have not commenced and there are no revenues, it appears that you may be a development stage entity. Please tell us in greater detail why you believe that you are no longer a development stage entity or revise as necessary.
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 23, 2014
Page 11
Response:
The Company acknowledges the Staffs comment and respectfully submits that, as noted above, the Company exited the development stage in 2006 and believes that it has remained an operating company. This decision was made in consideration of the fact that the technology underlying the Companys current product, AAS, was fully developed prior to 2006 and the Company was operating a business by applying its expertise with aquatic animals. The Company continues to enhance the underlying technology for AAS while it awaits FDA approval; however, the core technology has not been modified. AAS does not represent the establishment of a new business for the Company.
The Company feels it would be misleading to be labeled a development stage company as the AAS product is fully developed and has been for some time.
* * * *
In connection with the Companys response to the Staffs comments, the Company acknowledges that:
| the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; |
| Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and |
| the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States. |
Please call Brad Brasser at (312) 269-4252 should you wish to discuss the matters addressed above or other issues relating to the subject Form 10. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Ronald L. Stotish |
Ronald L. Stotish |
Chief Executive Officer |
cc: | Bradley C. Brasser, Esq. |
Jones Day |