UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

 

FORM 20-FREGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

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

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

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 20182019

OR

 

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

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

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

OR

 

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

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

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report.................report

 

Commission file number 000-38104

 

IMMURON LIMITED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter


and translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Australia

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South, Victoria, 3053, Australia 3053

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Dr Jerry Kanellos, InterimDr. Gary S. Jacob, Chief Executive Officer

Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South, Victoria, 3053, Australia 3053

+61 (0)3 9824 5254(phone); +61+61 (0)3 9822 7735(fax)

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

 

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

 

Title of each className of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares,


each representing forty40 Ordinary Shares

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Warrants (expiring June 2022)

The NASDAQ CapitalStock Market

NASDAQ Capital Market

LLC

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:None

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:None

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

 

Ordinary Shares, as of June 30, 2018…………………..2019                     142,778,206163,215,706

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

YesNo

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

YesNo

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YesNo

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405(§2232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

YesNo

 

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

 

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Emerging growth companyNon-accelerated filer

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAPInternational Financial Reporting Standards as
issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board
Other

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

 

Item 17Item 18

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

YesNo

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

We are a commercial and clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology platform focused on the development and commercialization of a novel class of immunomodulatorspecifically targeted polyclonal antibodies that we believe can address significant unmet medical needs. Our oral polyclonal antibodies offer targeted delivery within the gastrointestinal (GI)(“GI”) track butand essentially do not cross into the bloodstream, potentially leading to much improved safety and tolerability, without sacrificing efficacy. We believe that our two lead immunomodulator productdrug candidates, IMM-124E and IMM-529, currently in clinical development, have the potential to transform the existing treatment paradigms for (Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) (“NASH”)travelers’ diarrhea and for ClostridiumC. difficile (“C.difficile”), infections, respectively. We currently market our flagship commercial product Travelan® in Australia, where it is a listed medicine on the Australian Register for Therapeutic Goods, as an over-the-counter product indicated to reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea. We also market an over-the-counter (OTC) product, Travelan, thatTravelan® in Canada where it is the only product approvedlicensed as a preventative to Traveler’s Diarrhea. Travelan is also based on the same technology. We recently began to market Protectyn, anatural health product targeting LPS bacteriaindicated to reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea, and presently market Travelan® in the gut to prevent gut dysbiosis, improve bacterial clearance, reduce chronic inflammation and improve immune function.U.S. as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection.

 

Our American Depositary Shares (each, an “ADS” and, collectively the “ADSs”) and warrants (each, a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”)) are listed on theThe NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols “IMRN” and “IMRNW”, respectively. Each ADS represents forty (40)40 of our ordinary shares.shares, no par value. Each Warrant has a per ADS exercise price of US$10.00 and expires five years from the date of issuance. Our ordinary shares are also listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the symbol “IMC.”

 

Our consolidated financial statements appearing in this annual report are prepared in Australian dollars and in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB. Our consolidated financial statements appearing in this annual report comply with the IFRS.

 

In this annual report, all references to “U.S. dollars” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States, and all references to “Australian dollars”, “A$” or “AUD$” are to the currency of Australia. Unless otherwise indicated or the context implies otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Immuron Limited, an Australian corporation.

 

Statements made in this annual report concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are summaries of such contracts, agreements or documents and are not complete descriptions of all of their terms. If we filed any of these documents as an exhibit to this annual report or to any registration statement or annual report that we previously filed, you may read the document itself for a complete description of its terms.

 

Except for the historical information contained in this annual report, the statements contained in this annual report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, with respect to our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current view with respect to future events and financial results. We urge you to consider that statements which use the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “do not believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” and similar expressionsor the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We remind readers that forward-looking statements are merely predictions and therefore inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors and involve known and unknown risks that could cause the actual results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any update or revision to any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise after the date hereof. We have attempted to identify significant uncertainties and other factors affecting forward-looking statements in the Risk Factors section that appears in Item 3.D. “Key Information-Risk Factors.

 


i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   Page
PART I  51
    
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS51
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE51
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION51
A.A.Selected Consolidated Financial Data51
B.B.Capitalization and Indebtedness72
C.C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds72
D.D.Risk Factors83
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY3024
A.A.History and Development of the Company3024
B.B.Business Overview3025
C.C.Organizational Structure4937
D.D.Property, PlantsPlant and Equipment4937
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS4938
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS4938
A.A.Operating Results4938
B.B.Liquidity and Capital Resources48
 C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses6150
C.D.Trend Information6251
D.E.Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements6251
E.F.Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations6251
G.Safe harbor51
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES6251
A.A.Directors and Senior Management6251
B.B.Compensation53
 CompensationC.64
C.Board Practices6756
D.D.Employees57
 EmployeesE.68
E.Share Ownership6857
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS7059
A.A.Major Shareholders7059
B.B.Related Party Transactions7059
C.C.Interests of Experts and Counsel7160
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION7160
A.A.Financial Statements and Other Financial Information7160
B.B.Significant Changes7160
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING7261
A.A.Offer and Listing Details7261
B.B.Plan of Distribution7361
C.C.Markets61
 MarketsD.73
D.Selling Shareholders7461
E.E.Dilution61
 DilutionF.74
F.Expenses of the Issue7461
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION7462
A.A.Share Capital7462
B.B.Memorandum and Articles of Association7462
C.C.Material Contracts7866
D.D.Exchange Controls7866
E.E.Taxation67
 TaxationF.79
F.Dividends and Paying Agents8573
G.G.Statement by Experts8573
H.H.Documents on Display8573
I.I.Subsidiary Information8674

 


ii

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK8674
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES8674
A.Debt Securities74
B.Warrants and Rights74
C.Other Securities75
D.American Depositary Shares75
    
PART II 8977
    
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES8977
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS8977
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES8977
A.A.Disclosure Controls and Procedures8977
B.B.Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting8977
C.C.Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm8977
D.D.Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting8977
ITEM 16. RESERVED9078
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT9078
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS9078
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES9078
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES9179
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS9179
ITEM 16F. 

CHANGESCHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

9179
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE9279
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE9279
    
PART III 9280
    
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS9280
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS9280
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS9381
SIGNATURE9482

iii

 


PART I

ITEM 1.IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A.Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

A.Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The tables below as of and for the fourfive years ended June 30, 20182019 set forth selected consolidated financial data, which is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The audited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018, 20172019 and, 20162018 appear in this annual report. OurThe consolidated income statement data for the years ended June 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019 and 2018 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in “ITEM 18: Financial Statements”. The consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for the yearyears ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statementstatements which are not included in thethis annual report. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with and is qualified entirely by reference to Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report.

 

Statement of Comprehensive Income:

 

  For the year ended June 30, 
  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
  2015
AUD$
 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data:            
Revenue:            
Operating Revenue  1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077   1,002,380 
Total Operating Revenue  1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077   1,002,380 
Cost of Goods Sold  (418,693)  (337,546)  (301,435)  (316,128)
Gross Profit  1,424,216   1,058,651   699,642   686,252 
Sales and Marketing Costs  (282,241)  (407,751)  (133,781)  (76,794)
Freight Costs  (169,458)  (135,377)  (134,967)  (116,379)
Total Gross Profit less Direct Selling Costs  972,517   515,523   430,894   493,079 
                 
Other Income  1,850,401   1,614,373   1,539,015   1,591,021 
                 
Expenses:                
Consulting, Employee and Director  (1,384,298)  (1,689,521)  (2,840,037)  (728,140)
Corporate Administration  (1,336,516)  (1,381,809)  (1,320,570)  (557,422)
Depreciation  (5,047)  (4,922)  (3,892)  (3,719)
Finance Costs  (18,857)  (24,483)  (341,600)   
Impairment of Inventory  (163,600)  (136,494)  (4,176)  (35,340)
Marketing and Promotion  (370,699)  (789,608)  (487,591)  (304,687)
Research and Development  (2,257,224)  (4,630,674)  (3,623,961)  (3,018,294)
Travel and Entertainment  (297,606)  (276,539)  (416,849)  (128,318)
Loss before income tax  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)  (2,691,820)
Income Tax Expense            
Loss for the period  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)  (2,691,820)
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)  (79,599)  40,017   8,846   (12,581)
Total Comprehensive Loss for the Period  (3,090,528)  (6,764,137)  (7,059,921)  (2,704,401)
                 
Loss per share, basic and diluted (in cents per share)  2.30   6.40   9.248   3.592 
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted  133,660,556   105,866,110   76,435,993   74,935,902 
  For the year ended June 30, 
  

2019

AUD$

  

2018

AUD$

  

2017

AUD$

  

2016

AUD$

  2015
AUD$
 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data:               
                
Revenue from contracts with customers  2,387,426   1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077   1,002,380 
Cost of Goods Sold  (667,371)  (418,693)  (337,546)  (301,435)  (316,128)
Gross Profit  1,720,055   1,424,216   1,058,651   699,642   686,252 
                     
Other Income  532,050   1,849,163   1,605,987   1,526,872   1,494,387 
Other gains/(losses) – net  38,413   95,167   (375,479)  (221,112)  (70,190)
                     
Expenses:                    
General and administrative expenses  (5,014,128)  (3,412,576)  (3,109,845)  (4,337,686)  (1,654,026)
Research and development expenses  (1,044,528)  (2,257,224)  (4,630,674)  (3,623,961)  (3,018,294)
Selling and marketing expenses  (864,644)  (686,714)  (1,271,526)  (751,805)  (226,583)
Operating loss  (4,632,782)  (2,987,968)  (6,722,886)  (6,708,050)  (2,788,454)
                     
Finance income  39   1,238   8,386   12,143   96,634 
Finance expenses     (24,199)  (89,654)  (372,860)   
Finance costs - net  39   (22,961)  (81,268)  (360,717)  96,634 
                     
Loss before income tax  (4,632,743)  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)  (2,691,820)
Income Tax Expense               
Loss for the period  (4,632,743)  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)  (2,691,820)
                     
Other comprehensive income                    
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:                    
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations  61,846   (79,599)  40,017   8,846   (12,581)
Total Comprehensive Loss for the Period  (4,570,897)  (3,090,528)  (6,764,137)  (7,059,921)  (2,704,401)
                     
Loss per share, basic and diluted (in cents per share)  (3.20)  (2.25)  (6.40)  (9.248)  (3.592)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted  144,740,535   133,660,556   105,866,110   76,435,993   74,935,902 

 


1

  As of June 30, 
  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
  2015
AUD$
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data:                
Cash  4,727,430   3,994,924   2,290,639   3,116,074 
Total current assets  7,050,437   8,267,654   8,809,421   5,998,898 
Total assets  9,242,688   8,286,491   8,827,484   6,018,412 
Total current liabilities  803,338   1,711,565   3,886,921   1,207,810 
Total liabilities  803,338   1,711,565   3,886,921   1,207,810 
Total equity  8,439,350   6,574,926   4,940,563   4,810,602 

  As of June 30, 
  

2019

AUD$

  

2018

AUD$

  

2017

AUD$

  

2016

AUD$

  2015
AUD$
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data:               
Cash and cash equivalents  5,119,887   4,727,430   3,994,924   2,290,639   3,116,074 
Total current assets  6,682,444   7,050,437   8,267,654   8,809,421   5,998,898 
Total assets  8,561,647   9,242,688   8,286,491   8,827,484   6,018,412 
Total current liabilities  1,195,531   803,338   1,711,565   3,886,921   1,207,810 
Total liabilities  1,210,511   803,338   1,711,565   3,886,921   1,207,810 
Total equity  7,351,136   8,439,350   6,574,926   4,940,563   4,810,602 

 

B.Exchange Rate Information

The following tables set forth, for the periodsCapitalization and dates indicated, certain information regarding the rates of exchange of A$1.00 into US$ based on rates published by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Each period end rate is the average ask price for the day. The average rate is the average of all the ask prices for the given time period. The high rate is the highest bid rate for the given time period. The low rate is the lowest bid rate for the given time period. We make no representation that any Australian dollar or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Australian dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all.Indebtedness

The Australian dollar is convertible into U.S. dollars at freely floating rates. There are no legal restrictions on the flow of Australian dollars between Australia and the U.S.


Year
Ended June 30,
  At Period End  Average Rate  High  Low 
              
2014  0.9420  0.9187  0.9672  0.8716 
2015  0.7680  0.8382  0.9452  0.7590 
2016  0.7426  0.7283  0.7812  0.6867 
2017  0.7692  0.7545  0.7724  0.7202 
2018  0.7399  0.7753  0.8105  0.7355 

Month  High  Low 
April 2018  0.7784  0.7543 
May 2018  0.7595  0.7445 
June 2018  0.7677  0.7355 
July 2018  0.7466  0.7322 
August 2018  0.7428  0.7233 
September 2018  0.7466  0.7222 

The exchange rate on October 24, 2018 was US$0.7082 = A$1.00.

B.Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not applicable.

 

C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.


D.Risk Factors

D.Risk Factors

 

Investing in our American Depositary SharesADSs involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below before investing in our American Depositary Shares.ADSs. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In that case, the daily price of our depositary sharesADSs could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Financial Condition

 

As a company predominantly focused on the research and development activities of our existing patent portfolio pipeline we have incurred operating losses; we expect to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

 

We have incurred losses in every period since we began operations in 1994 and we have reported net losses of A$4,632,743, A$3,010,929, A$6,804,154, A$7,068,767 and A$2,691,820 during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of June 30, 2018,2019, our accumulated deficit was A$52,539,415.56,860,523. We are budgeting to continue to incur additional operating losses for the next several years as we expand our research and development activities in fatty-liverfor the treatment of infectious diseases, commence new trials for our product candidate IMM-529 for C.difficile, and potential other assets/indications. We may never be able to achieve or maintain profitability.

 

Our actual cash requirements may vary materially from those now planned and will depend upon numerous factors, including:

 

the continued progress of our research and development programs;
the timing, scope, results and costs of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;
the cost, timing and outcome of regulatory submissions and approvals;
determinations as to the commercial potential of our product candidates;
spending on our marketed assets;
our ability to successfully expand our contract manufacturing services;
our ability to establish and maintain collaborative arrangements; and
the status and timing of competitive developments.

 

As of June 30, 2018,2019, we had A$4,727,4305,119,887 in cash.cash and cash equivalents. Developing prescription products is expensive and we will need to secure additional financing in order to continue to meet our longer-term business objectives, including advancement of our research and development programs. We may also require additional funds to pursue regulatory clearances, defend our intellectual property rights, establish commercial scale manufacturing facilities, develop marketing and sales capabilities and fund operating expenses. We intend to seek such additional funding through public or private financings and/or through licensing of our assets or strategic alliances or other arrangements with corporate partners. The global economic climate could adversely impact our ability to obtain such funding, license our assets or enter into alliances or other arrangements with corporate partners. Any shortfall in funding could result in our having to curtail or cease our operations, including our research and development activities, which would be expected to adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have never generated any revenue from prescription product sales and this area of our business may never be profitable.

 

Our ability to generate significant revenue from prescription products and achieve profitability depends on our ability to, alone or with strategic collaboration partners, successfully complete the development of and obtain the regulatory approvals for our prescription product candidates, to manufacture sufficient supply of our product candidates, to establish a sales and marketing organization or suitable third-party alternative for the marketing of any approved products and to successfully commercialize any approved products on commercially reasonable terms. All of these activities will require us to raise sufficient funds to finance business activities. Currently, we do not expect any milestone payments from our collaborative partners to be significant in the foreseeable future. However, we are actively pursuing potential partner collaboration. In addition, we do not anticipate generating revenue from commercializing product candidates for the foreseeable future, if ever.


Our ability to generate future revenues from commercializing our intellectual property (IP)(“IP”) assets depends heavily on our success in:

 

establishing proof of concept in preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates;
successfully completing clinical trials of our product candidates;
obtaining regulatory and marketing approvals for product candidates for which we complete clinical trials;
maintaining, protecting and expanding our intellectual property portfolio, and avoiding infringing on intellectual property of third parties;
establishing and maintaining successful licenses, collaborations and alliances with third parties;
developing a sustainable, scalable, reproducible and transferable manufacturing process for our product candidates;
establishing and maintaining supply and manufacturing relationships with third parties that can provide products and services adequate, in amount and quality, to support clinical development and commercialization of our product candidates, if approved;
launching and commercializing any product candidates for which we obtain regulatory and marketing approval, either by collaborating with a partner or, if launched independently, by establishing a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure;
obtaining market acceptance of any product candidates that receive regulatory approval as viable treatment options;
obtaining favorable coverage and reimbursement rates for our products from third-party payors;
addressing any competing technological and market developments;
identifying and validating new product candidates; and
negotiating favorable terms in any collaboration, licensing or other arrangements into which we may enter.

 

The process of developing product candidates for fatty-liverthe prevention and anti-infective conditionstreatment of gut mediated pathogens contains a number of inherent risks and uncertainties, including clinical and regulatory risks.

 

Even if one or more of our product candidates is approved for commercial sale, we may incur significant costs associated with commercializing any approved product candidate. As one example, our expenses could increase beyond expectations if we are required by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or other regulatory agencies, domestic or foreign, to perform clinical and other studies in addition to those that we currently anticipate. Even if we are able to generate revenues from the sale of any approved products, we may not become profitable and may need to obtain additional funding to continue operations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

We are a development stage company and our success is uncertain.

 

We are a clinical development stage company and our pharmaceutical products are designed to treat a range of anti-inflammatory and anti-infectives.infectious diseases. Other than our Travelan and Protectyn products, we have not sufficiently advanced the development of any of our products, including our current lead product candidate, IMM-124E, to market or generate revenues from their commercial application. Our current or any future product candidates, if successfully developed, may not generate sufficient or sustainable revenues to enable us to be profitable.

We receive Australian government research and development income tax concession refunds. If our research and development expenditures are not deemed eligible for the refund, we may encounter difficulties in the funding of future research and development projects, which could harm our operating results.

 

We have historically received, and expect to continue to receive, refunds from the Australian Federal Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive program, under which the government provides a cash refund for the 43.5% of eligible research and development expenditures by small to medium size Australian entities during the year ended June 30, 2018,2019, which are defined as Australian entities with less than A$20 million in revenue, having a tax loss.

 

The Research and Development Tax Incentive refunds are made by the Australian federal government for eligible research and development purposes based on the filing of an annual application and subsequent income tax returns for the fiscal year. We recognized Research and Development Tax Concession Incentive refunds in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018, June 30, 2017, June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 of A$1,849,123 A$1,575,315, A$1,512,840, and A$1,478,581, respectively, and we have recognized - A$1,849,123531,005 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018,2019, that includes an estimate of the receipt for the claim yet to be filed.


These refunds are available to fund our company’s ongoing activities including our research and development activities in Australia, as well as activities in Europe, the U.S. and Israel to the extent such overseas-based expenses relate to our activities in Australia, do not exceed half the expenses for the relevant activities and are approved by the Australian government. To the extent our research and development expenditures are deemed to be “ineligible,” then our refunds would decrease. In addition, the Australian government may in the future modify the requirements of or reduce the amounts or percentage claimable in turn reducing the refunds available under the Research and Development Tax Incentive program, or discontinue the incentive program entirely. Any such change in the Research and Development Tax Incentive program would have a negative effect on our future cash flows and our potential associated future expenditures.

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We are faced with uncertainties related to our research.

 

Our research programs are based on scientific hypotheses and experimental approaches that may not lead to desired results. In addition, the timeframe for obtaining proof of principle and other results may be considerably longer than originally anticipated, or may not be possible given time, resource, financial, strategic and collaborator scientific constraints. Success in one stage of testing is not necessarily an indication that the particular program will succeed in later stages of testing and development. It is not possible to predict whether any of the drugs designed for these programs will prove to be safe, effective, and suitable for human use. Each drug will require additional research and development, scale-up, formulation and extensive clinical testing in humans. Unsatisfactory results obtained from a particular study relating to a program may cause us to abandon our commitment to that program or to the lead compound or product candidate being tested. The discovery of toxicities, lack of sufficient efficacy, unacceptable pharmacology, inability to increase scale of manufacture, market attractiveness, regulatory hurdles, competition, as well as other factors, may make our targets, lead therapies or product candidates unattractive for further development or unsuitable for human use, and we may abandon our commitment to that program, target, lead therapy or product candidate. Any delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenue from the particular product candidate, which likely would result in significant harm to our financial position and adversely impact the price of the ADS. Furthermore, any regulatory approval to market a product may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product. These limitations may limit the size of the market for the product.

 

Clinical trials are expensive and time consuming, and their outcome is uncertain.

 

In order to obtain approvals to market a new drug product, we or our potential partners must demonstrate proof of safety and efficacy in humans. To meet these requirements, we or our potential partners will have to conduct extensive preclinical testing and “adequate and well-controlled”well- controlled” clinical trials. Conducting clinical trials is a lengthy, time-consuming and expensive process. The length of time may vary substantially according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use of the product candidate, and often can be several years or more per trial. Even if we obtain positive results from preclinical or initial clinical trials, we may not achieve the same success in future trials. Clinical trials may not demonstrate statistically sufficient safety and effectiveness to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for product candidates employing our technology. The failure of clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy for a particular desired indication could harm development of that product candidate for other indications as well as other product candidates.

 

We expect to commence new clinical trials from time to time in the course of our business as our product development work continues. Any change in, or termination of, our clinical trials could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We rely on third parties to conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials. If these third parties do not meet our deadlines or otherwise conduct the studies as required, we may be delayed in progressing, or ultimately may not be able to progress, product candidates to clinical trials, our clinical development programs could be delayed or unsuccessful, and we may not be able to commercialize or obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates when expected, or at all.

 

We do not have the ability to conduct all aspects of our preclinical testing or clinical trials ourselves. We are dependent on third parties to conduct the clinical trials for IMM-124E and IMM-529, and preclinical studies for our other product candidates, and therefore the timing of the initiation and completion of these trials and studies is reliant on third parties and may occur at times substantially different from our estimates or expectations.


If we cannot contract with acceptable third parties on commercially reasonable terms, or if these third parties do not carry out their contractual duties, satisfy legal and regulatory requirements for the conduct of preclinical studies or clinical trials or meet expected deadlines, our clinical development programs could be delayed or discontinued.

 

We may experience delays in one or any of our clinical trial programs that could have an adverse effect on our business and operations, and future commercialization opportunities of our clinical pipeline.

 

To the extent we do our best to plan and mitigate against known risk aspects of our clinical trial programs, we do not know with any certainty whether the planned clinical trials will begin on time, whether we will complete any of our clinical trials on schedule, or at all, or within the forecasted budget. Our ability to commence and complete clinical trials may be delayed by many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

government or regulatory delays, including delays in obtaining approvals from applicable hospital ethics committees and internal review boards;
slower than expected patient enrollment;
our inability to manufacture sufficient quantities of our new proprietary compound or our other product candidates or matching controls;
unforeseen safety issues; or
lack of efficacy or unacceptable toxicity during the clinical trials or non-clinical studies.

 

Patient enrollment is a function of, among other things, the nature of the clinical trial protocol, the existence of competing protocols, the size and longevity of the target patient population, and the availability of patients who comply with the eligibility criteria for the clinical trial. Delays in planned patient enrollment may result in increased costs, delays or termination of the clinical trials. Moreover, we rely on third parties such as clinical research organizations to assist us in clinical trial management functions including;including clinical trial database management, statistical analyses, site management and monitoring. Any failure by these third parties to perform under their agreements with us may cause the trials to be delayed or result in a failure to complete the trials.

 

If we experience delays in testing, the grainin gaining the receipt of necessary approvals, or if we need to perform more, larger or more complex clinical trials than planned, our product development costs may increase. Significant delays could adversely affect the commercial prospects of our product candidates and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may not be successful in obtaining or maintaining other rights necessary for the development of our pipeline through acquisitions and in-licenses.

 

Our product candidates may require specific formulations to work effectively, and efficiently, and rights to such formulations may be held by others. We may be unable to acquire or in-license any compositions, methods of use, processes or other third-party intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify on terms that we find acceptable, or at all. The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and a number of more established companies are also pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider attractive. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities.

 

For example, we sometimes collaborate with U.S. and foreign academic institutions to accelerate our preclinical research or development under written agreements with these institutions. Typically, these institutions provide us with an option to negotiate a license to any of the institution’s rights in technology resulting from the collaboration. Regardless of such right of first negotiation for intellectual property, we may be unable to negotiate a license within the specified time frame or under terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to do so, the institution may offer the intellectual property rights to other parties, potentially blocking our ability to pursue our program.

 

In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. If we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights, our business, financial condition and prospects for growth could suffer.


We rely on research institutions to conduct our clinical trials and we may not be able to secure and maintain research institutions to conduct our future trials.

 

Our reliance upon research institutions, including public and private hospitals and clinics, provides us with less control over the timing and cost of clinical trials, clinical study management personnel and the ability to recruit subjects. If we are unable to reach agreements with suitable research institutions on acceptable terms, or if any resulting agreement is terminated, we may be unable to secure, maintain, or quickly replace the research institution with another qualified institution on acceptable terms.

 

We grant licenses to our collaborators to use our hyper-immune colostrum technology exclusively for the development of product candidates for certain conditions.

 

We may out-license to our collaborators the right to use our hyper-immune colostrum technology for the development of product candidates for certain conditions, so long as our collaborators comply with certain requirements. That means that once our technology is licensed to a collaborator for a specified condition, we are generally prohibited from developing product candidates for that condition and from licensing to any third party for that condition. The limitations imposed by these exclusive licenses could prevent us from expanding our business and increasing our development of product candidates with new collaborators, both of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

We may not be able to complete the development of IMM-124E, IMM-529 or develop other pharmaceutical products.

 

We may not be able to progress with the development of our current, or any future, pharmaceutical product candidates to a stage that will attract a suitable collaborative partner for the development of any current or future pharmaceutical product candidates. The projects initially specified in connection with any such collaboration and any associated funding may change or be discontinued as a result of changing interests of either the collaborator or us, and any such change may change the budget for the projects under the collaboration. Additionally, our research may not lead to the discovery of additional product candidates, and any of our current and future product candidates may not be successfully developed, prove to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials, meet applicable regulatory standards and receive regulatory approval, be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at reasonable costs, or be successfully or profitably marketed, either by us or a collaborative partner. The products we develop may not be able to penetrate the potential market for a particular therapy, or indication, or gain market acceptance among health care providers, patients and third-party payers. We cannot predict if or when the development of IMM-124E, IMM-529 or any future pharmaceutical product will be completed or commercialized, whether funded by us, as part of a collaboration or through a grant.

 

We may need to prioritize the development of our most promising candidates at the expense of the development of other products.

 

We may need to prioritize the allocation of development resources and/or funds towards what we believe to be our most promising product or products. The nature of the drug development process is such that there is a constant availability of new information and data that could positively or adversely affect any of our products in development. We cannot predict how such new information and data may impact in the future the prioritization of the development of our current or future product candidates or that any of our products, regardless of its development stage or the investment of time and funds in its development, will continue to be funded or developed.

 

Our research and development efforts will be seriously jeopardized if we are unable to retain key personnel and cultivate key academic and scientific collaborations.

 

Our future success depends to a large extent on the continued services of our senior management and key scientific personnel, including Dr. Jerry Kanellos (PhD)Gary S Jacob who is currently our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating and Scientific Officer. The loss of the services from Dr. KanellosJacob could negatively affect our business.

 

Competition among biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for qualified employees is intense, including competition from larger companies with greater resources, and we may not be able to continue to attract and retain qualified management, technical and scientific personnel critical to our success. Our success is highly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain important relationships with leading academic institutions and scientists who conduct research at our request or assist us in formulating our research and development strategies. These academic and scientific collaborators are not our employees and may have commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with, other entities that may limit their availability to us. In addition, these collaborators may have arrangements with other companies to assist such companies in developing technologies that may prove competitive to ours.


If we are unable to successfully keep pace with technological change or with the advances of our competitors, our technology and products may become obsolete or non-competitive.

 

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to rapid and significant technological change. Our competitors are numerous and include major pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, universities and other research institutions. These competitors may develop technologies and products that are more effective than any that we are developing, or which would render our technology and products obsolete or non-competitive. Many of these competitors have greater financial and technical resources and manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we do. In addition, many of our competitors have much more experience than we do in pre-clinical testing and human clinical trials of new or improved drugs, as well as in obtaining regulatory approvals.

 

We know that competitors are developing or manufacturing various technologies or products for the treatment of diseases that we have targeted for product development. Some of these competitive products use therapeutic approaches that compete directly with our product candidates. Our ability to further develop our products may be adversely affected if any of our competitors were to succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for their competitive products sooner than us.

 

Acceptance of our products in the marketplace is uncertain, and failure to achieve market acceptance will negatively impact our business and operations.

 

Our current or future products may not achieve market acceptance even if they are approved by regulatory authorities. The degree of market acceptance of such products will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

the receipt and timing of regulatory approvals for the uses that we are studying;
the establishment and demonstration to the medical community of the safety, clinical efficacy or cost-effectiveness of our product candidates and their potential advantages over existing therapeutics and technologies; and
the pricing and reimbursement policies of governments and third-party payors.

 

Physicians, patients, third-party payors or others in the medical community may not be receptive to our product candidates, and we may not generate any future revenue from the sale or licensing of our product candidates.

 

Even if we obtain approval for a product candidate, we may not generate or sustain revenue from sales of the product if the product cannot be sold at a competitive cost or if it fails to achieve market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors or others in the medical community. These market participants may be hesitant to adopt a novel treatment based on hyper-immune colostrum technology, and we may not be able to convince the medical community and third-party payors to accept and use, or to provide favorable reimbursement for, any product candidates developed by us or our existing or future collaborators. Market acceptance of our product candidates will depend on, among other factors:

 

the safety and efficacy of our product candidates;
our ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices;
the relative convenience and ease of administration of our product candidates;
the prevalence and severity of any adverse side effects associated with our product candidates;
the terms of any approvals and the countries in which approvals are obtained;
limitations or warnings contained in any labeling approved by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities;
conditions upon the approval imposed by FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including, but not limited to, a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”);
the willingness of patients to try new treatments and of physicians to prescribe these treatments;
the availability of government and other third-party payor coverage and adequate reimbursement; and
availability of alternative effective treatments for the disease indications our product candidates are intended to treat and the relative risks, benefits and costs of those treatments.

 

Additional risks apply in relation to any disease indications we pursue which are classified as rare diseases and allow for orphan drug designation by regulatory agencies in major commercial markets, such as the U.S. or European Union. If pricing is not approved or accepted in the market at an appropriate level for any approved product for which we pursue and receive an orphan drug designation, such product may not generate enough revenue to offset costs of development, manufacturing, marketing and commercialization despite any benefits received from the orphan drug designation, such as market exclusivity, for a period of time. Orphan exclusivity could temporarily delay or block approval of one of our products if a competitor obtains orphan drug designation for its product first. However, even if we obtain orphan exclusivity for one of our products upon approval, our exclusivity may not block the subsequent approval of a competitive product that is shown to be clinically superior to our product.


Market size is also a variable in disease indications not classified as rare. Our estimates regarding potential market size for any indication may be materially different from what we discover to exist at the time we commence commercialization, if any, for a product, which could result in significant changes in our business plan and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

We face competition from entities that have developed or may develop product candidates for our target disease indications, including companies developing novel treatments and technology platforms based on modalities and technology similar to ours. If these companies develop technologies or product candidates more rapidly than we do or their technologies, including delivery technologies, are more effective, our ability to develop and successfully commercialize product candidates may be compromised.

 

The development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products is highly competitive. We compete with a variety of multinational pharmaceutical companies and specialized biotechnology companies, as well as technology being developed at universities and other research institutions. Our competitors have developed, are developing or could develop product candidates and processes competitive with our product candidates. Competitive therapeutic treatments include those that have already been approved and accepted by the medical community, patients and third-party payors, and any new treatments that enter the market.

 

We believe that a significant number of products are currently under development, and may become commercially available in the future, for the treatment of conditions for which we are developing, and may in the future try to develop, product candidates. We are aware of multiple companies that are working in the field of fatty-liver diseases and C.difficiletherapeutics, including Intercept, Gilead, Genfit, Tobira, Galmed which are all developing therapeutics for fatty-liver diseases and Seres, Synthetic Biotechnology and Assembly Biotechnology for C.difficile.

 

We have limited large scale manufacturing experience with our product candidates. Delays in manufacturing sufficient quantities of such materials to the required standards for pre-clinical and clinical trials may negatively impact our business and operations.

 

While we have extensive experience in producing therapeutic colostrum, we may not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities of our product candidates in a cost-effective or timely manner. Manufacturing includes the production, formulation and stability testing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient and its formulation into pharmaceutical products, such as capsules or tablets. Any delays in production would delay our pre-clinical and human clinical trials, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operations.

 

We may be required to enter into contracting arrangements with third parties to manufacture our product candidates for large-scale, pre-clinicalpre- clinical and/or clinical trials. We may not be able to make the transition from laboratory-scale to development-scale or from development-scale to commercial production. We may need to develop additional manufacturing resources, enter into collaborative arrangements with other parties who have established manufacturing capabilities, or have third parties manufacture our products on a contract basis. We may not have access on acceptable terms to the necessary and substantial financing that would be required to scale-up production and develop effective commercial manufacturing processes and technologies. We may not be able to enter into collaborative or contracting arrangements on acceptable terms with parties that will meet our requirements for quality, quantity and timeliness.

 

If we are not able to obtain an acceptable purity for any product candidate or an acceptable product specification, pre-clinical and clinical trials would be delayed, which could adversely affect the priority of the development of our product candidates, our business, financial condition and results of operations. This may adversely impact the cost of goods or feasibility of market scale.


Our product candidates and the process for administering our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in significant negative consequences following any potential marketing approval.

 

Treatment with our product candidates may produce undesirable side effects or adverse reactions or events. If any such adverse events occur, our clinical trials could be suspended or discontinued, and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease further development or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. The product-related side effects could affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial. If we elect or are required to delay, suspend or discontinue any clinical trial of any of our product candidates, the commercial prospects of such product candidates will be harmed and our ability to generate product revenues from any of these product candidates will be delayed or eliminated. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.

 

We currently depend upon a sole manufacturer of our lead compound and on a sole manufacturer to produce finished drug products and could incur significant costs and delays if we are unable to promptly find a replacement for either of them.

 

At this time, we are relying on a single manufacturer to develop Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)(“GMP”), processes for our lead compound. Our lead compound, IMM-124E, is manufactured by Synlait Milk Limited based in New Zealand. This manufacturer enables efficient large-scale manufacture of colostrum to provide drug substance for our current and prospective trials in fatty-liver patients. We also rely on contract manufacturers such as Catalent Australia,Mayne Pharma International, to produce all of our marketed products and Pharmaceutical Packaging Professionals and Australian Blister Sealing to package our investigational drug products. We are actively seeking additional and back-up manufacturers but may be unsuccessful in our efforts or may incur material additional costs and substantial delays.

 

The failure to establish sales, marketing and distribution capability would materially impair our ability to successfully market and sell our pharmaceutical products.

 

We currently have limited experience in the marketing, sales or distribution of pharmaceutical products. If we develop any commercially marketable pharmaceutical products and decide to perform our own sales and marketing activities, we will require additional resources and, will need to hire sales and marketing personnel which will require additional capital. Qualified personnel may not be available in adequate numbers or at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, our sales staff may not achieve success in their marketing efforts. Alternatively, we may be required to enter into marketing arrangements with other parties who have established appropriate marketing, sales and distribution capabilities. We may not be able to enter into marketing arrangements with any marketing partner, or if such arrangements are established, our marketing partners may not be able to commercialize our products successfully. Other companies offering similar or substitute products may have well-established and well-funded marketing and sales operations in place that will allow them to market their products more effectively. Failure to establish sufficient marketing capabilities would materially impair our ability to successfully market and sell our pharmaceutical products.

 

If healthcare insurers and other organizations do not pay for our products, or impose limits on reimbursement, our future business may suffer.

 

The drugs we hope to develop may be rejected by the marketplace due to many factors, including cost. The continuing efforts of governments, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and other payors of healthcare costs to contain or reduce healthcare costs may affect our future revenues and profitability and those of our potential customers, suppliers and collaborative partners, as well as the availability of capital. In Australia and certain foreign markets, the pricing or profitability of prescription pharmaceuticals is already subject to government control. We expect initiatives for similar government control at both the state and federal level to continue in the U.S. and elsewhere. The adoption of any such legislative or regulatory proposals could adversely affect our business and prospects.

 

Our ability to commercially exploit our products successfully will depend in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the cost of our products and related treatment will be available from government health administration authorities, private health coverage insurers and other organizations. Third-party payors, such as government and private health insurers, are increasingly challenging the price of medical products and services. Uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved health care products and in foreign markets, including the U.S. If third-party coverage is not available to patients for any of the products we develop, alone or with collaborators, the market acceptance of these products may be reduced, which may adversely affect our future revenues and profitability. In addition, cost containment legislation and reductions in government insurance programs may result in lower prices for our products and could materially adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.


We may be exposed to product liability claims, which could harm our business.

 

The testing, marketing, and sale of human health care products also entail the inherent risk of product liability. We may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit development or commercialization of our products if we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims. We have historically obtained no fault compensation insurance for our clinical trials and will continue to obtain similar coverage for all future clinical trials. Such coverage may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. This may result in our inability to pursue further clinical trials or to obtain adequate protection in the event of a successful claim. We may not be able to obtain product liability insurance in the event of the commercialization of a product or such insurance may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. Even if we have adequate insurance coverage, product liability claims, or recalls could result in negative publicity or force us to devote significant time, attention and financial resources to those matters.

 

Breaches of network or information technology security, natural disasters or terrorist attacks could have an adverse effect on our business.

 

Cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology (IT)(“IT”) security, natural disasters, terrorist acts or acts of war may cause equipment failures or disrupt our research and development operations. In particular, both unsuccessful and successful cyber-attacks on companies have increased in frequency, scope and potential harm in recent years. Such an event may result in our inability, or the inability of our partners, to operate the research and development facilities, which even if the event is for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses and/or significant damage to our experiments and trials. In addition, a failure to protect employee confidential data against breaches of network or IT security could result in damage to our reputation. Any of these occurrences could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

To date, we have not had any such occurrence of cyber-attacks to our networks and IT infrastructure through cyber-attack, malware, computer viruses and other means of unauthorized access or other cyber incidents, individually or in the aggregate,aggregate; however, should this occur in the future, it may result in a material impact to our operations or financial condition.

 

We expect to expand our drug development, regulatory and business development capabilities, and as a result, we may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations.

 

We expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and consultants and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of drug development, regulatory affairs and business development. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources and the limited experience of our management team in managing a company with such anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. The expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations and have a materially adverse effect on our business.

 

Preliminary positive results from the clinical trial of our leading product candidate, IMM-124E, are not necessarily predictive of the final results of the trial, and positivePositive results from preclinical studies of our product candidates are not necessarily predictive of thefuture results of our planned clinical trials of our product candidates.

IMM-124E is a first -in-class, oral antibody therapeutic which targets the endotoxin LPS and other gram negative bacterial components in the gut and prevents translocation into the blood circulation where they drive inflammation and cause damage to the liver. Topline results of our IMM-124E phase II Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) clinical study were reported in March 2018, the data generated demonstrated a significant reduction in serum Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as reductions in other biomarkers associated with liver damage. The 24-week treatment study in Australia, Israel, and the US targeted 133 biopsy-proven NASH patients. The results revealed nearly 64.3 per cent of IMM-24-dosed patients showed a 15 per cent or greater decrease in serum LPS levels, compared with just 34.5 per cent of patients showing a decrease in the placebo group.

At the same time, the study showed decreases in both Aspartate Transaminase (AST and ALT) and Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), metabolic markers associated with NASH and liver damage. The reported results provide confirmation of the mechanism of action and proof of concept that metabolic endotoxemia can be decreased using this drug candidate. Another expected but nonetheless pleasing outcome was the confirmation that IMM-124 was retained within the gut lumen and was not absorbed systemically. This finding strengthened IMM-124’s safety profile and potential for use in combination with other therapeutics. The results from this trial are not necessarily predictive of the final results required to formally register the product with the FDA. The biological effect observed in this trial has been observed in only those 133 patients, and might not be observed in any other patients treated with IMM-124E.

 

In 2012, 10 biopsy-proven NASH patients were dosed for 30 days with IMM-124E in a Phase 1 study aimed to assess the safety of IMM-124E in NASH patients. The preliminary results from this trial are not necessarily predictive of the final results of the trial. The biological effect observed in this trial has been observed in only those 10 patients, is not statistically significant and might not be observed in any other patients treated with IMM-124E.

In addition, positivePositive results in preclinical proof-of-concept and animal studies of our product candidates may not result in positive results in clinical trials in humans. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in clinical trials after achieving positive results in preclinical development or early stage clinical trials, and we cannot be certain that we will not face similar setbacks. These setbacks have been caused by, among other things, preclinical findings made while clinical trials were underway or safety or efficacy observations made in clinical trials, including adverse events. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials nonetheless failed to obtain FDA or other regulatory authority approval. If we fail to produce positive results in our clinical trials of our product candidates, the development timeline and regulatory approval and commercialization prospects for our product candidates, and, correspondingly, our business and financial prospects, would be negatively impacted.


Our future prospects may also be dependent on our or our collaborators’ ability to successfully develop a pipeline of additional product candidates, and we and our collaborators may not be successful in efforts to use our platform technologies to identify or discover additional product candidates.

 

The success of our business depends primarily upon our ability to identify, develop and commercialize products based on our platform technology. We only have two product candidates currently in clinical development, IMM-124E and IMM-529.

 

Our other product candidates derived from our platform technology may not successfully complete IND-enabling studies, and our research programs may fail to identify other potential product candidates for clinical development for a number of reasons. Our and our collaborators’ research methodology may be unsuccessful in identifying potential product candidates, our potential product candidates may not demonstrate the necessary preclinical outcomes to progress to clinical studies, or our product candidates may be shown to have harmful side effects or may have other characteristics that may make the products unmarketable or unlikely to receive marketing approval.

 

If any of these events occur, we may be forced to discontinue our development efforts for a program or programs. Research programs to identify new product candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources. We may focus our efforts and resources on potential programs or product candidates that ultimately prove to be unsuccessful.

 

We may not be able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for some of our product candidates.

 

Of our current product candidates, the only one designed for treatment of an indication that would likely qualify for rare disease status is IMM-529 for the treatment of recurrent C.difficile. Regulatory authorities in some jurisdictions, including the U.S. and the European Union, may designate drugs or biological products for relatively small patient populations as orphan drugs. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a product as an orphan drug if it is a product intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally defined as a patient population of fewer than 200,000 individuals annually in the U.S. The FDA may also designate a product as an orphan drug if it is intended to treat a disease or condition of more than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug or biological product available in the U.S. for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product candidate. Under the European Union orphan drug legislation, a rare disease or condition means a disease or condition which affects not more than five in ten thousand persons in the European Union at the time of the orphan drug designation application.

 

Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first marketing approval for the indication for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity, which precludes the FDA from approving another marketing application for the same drug for that time period. During the marketing exclusivity period, in the European Union, the European Medicines Agency, or the EMA, is precluded from approving a similar drug with an identical therapeutic indication. The applicable period is seven years in the U.S. and ten years in the European Union. The European Union exclusivity period can be reduced to six years if a drug no longer meets the criteria for orphan drug designation or if the drug is sufficiently profitable so that market exclusivity is no longer justified. Orphan drug exclusivity may be lost if the FDA or EMA determines that the request for designation was materially defective or if the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient quantity of the drug to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition.

 

Even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity for a product, that exclusivity may not effectively protect the product from competition because different drugs can be approved for the same condition, and the same drug could be approved for a different condition. Even after an orphan drug is approved, the FDA can subsequently approve the same drug, made by a competitor, for the same condition if the FDA concludes that the competitive product is clinically superior in that it is shown to be safer, more effective or makes a major contribution to patient care. In the European Union, the EMA can approve a competitive product if the orphan drug no longer meets the criteria for orphan designation (including sufficient profitability), if the competitive product is safer, more effective or otherwise clinically superior, or if the orphan drug cannot be supplied in sufficient quantities.


We have not entered into agreements with any third-party manufacturers to support commercialization of our pharmaceutical product candidates. Additionally, no manufacturers have experience producing our product candidates at commercial levels, and any manufacturer that we work with may not achieve the necessary regulatory approvals or produce our product candidates at the quality, quantities, locations and timing needed to support commercialization.

 

We have not yet secured manufacturing capabilities for commercial quantities of our product candidates or established facilities in the desired locations to support commercialization of our product candidates. We intend to rely on third-party manufacturers for commercialization, and currently we have only entered into agreements with such manufacturers to support our clinical trials for IMM-124E. We may be unable to negotiate agreements with third-party manufacturers to support our commercialization activities on commercially reasonable terms.

 

We may encounter technical or scientific issues related to manufacturing or development that we may be unable to resolve in a timely manner or with available funds. Currently, we do not have the capacity to manufacture our product candidates on a commercial scale. In addition, our product candidates are novel, and no manufacturer currently has experience producing our product candidates on a large scale. If we are unable to engage manufacturing partners to produce our product candidates on a larger scale on reasonable terms, our commercialization efforts will be harmed.

 

Even if we timely develop a manufacturing process and successfully transfer it to the third-party manufacturers of our product candidates, if such third-party manufacturers are unable to produce the necessary quantities of our product candidates, or do so in compliance with cGMPCurrent Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”) or with pertinent foreign regulatory requirements, and within our planned time frame and cost parameters, the development and sales of our product candidates, if approved, may be impaired.

 

Risks Related to Government Regulation

 

If we do not obtain the necessary governmental approvals, we will be unable to commercialize our pharmaceutical products.

 

Our ongoing research and development activities are, and the production and marketing of our pharmaceutical product candidates derived from such activities will be, subject to regulation by numerous international regulatory authorities. Prior to marketing, any therapeutic product developed must undergo rigorous pre-clinical testing and clinical trials and, to the extent that any of our pharmaceutical products under development are marketed abroad, by the relevant international regulatory authorities. For example, in Australia, principally the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA)(“TGA”), the FDA in the U.S.; the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, (MHRA)(“MHRA”) in the United Kingdom; the Medical Products Agency (MPA)(“MPA”) in Sweden; and the European Medicines Agency (EMA)EMA in Europe. These regulatory processes can take many years and require the expenditure of substantial resources. Governmental authorities may not grant regulatory approval due to matters arising from pre-clinical animal toxicology, safety pharmacology, drug formulation and purity, clinical side effects or patient risk profiles, or medical contraindications. Failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approvals would adversely affect the development and commercialization of our pharmaceutical product candidates. We may not be able to obtain the clearances and approvals necessary for clinical testing or for manufacturing and marketing our pharmaceutical product candidates.

 

We will not be able to commercialize any current or future product candidates if we fail to adequately demonstrate their safety, efficacy and superiority over existing therapies.

 

Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any of our pharmaceutical products, we must demonstrate through pre-clinicalpre- clinical testing and clinical studies that our product candidates are safe and effective for use in humans for each target indication. Results from early clinical trials may not be predictive of results obtained in large-scale, later-stage clinical testing. Even though a potential drug product shows promising results in clinical trials, regulatory authorities may not grant the necessary approvals without sufficient safety and efficacy data.

 

We may not be able to undertake further clinical trials of our current and future product candidates as therapies for fatty-liver disease, C.difficileor other indications or to demonstrate the safety and efficacy or superiority of any of these product candidates over existing therapies or other therapies under development, or enter into any collaborative arrangement to commercialize our current or future product candidates on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Clinical trial results that show insufficient safety and efficacy could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.


Even if we obtain regulatory approval for a product candidate, our products may remain subject to regulatory scrutiny.

 

Even if we obtain regulatory approval in a jurisdiction, the regulatory authority may still impose significant restrictions on the indicated uses or marketing of our product candidates or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies or post-market surveillance. For example, the holder of an approved biologics license application (BLA)(“BLA”) is obligated to monitor and report to the FDA adverse events and any failure of a product to meet the specifications in the BLA. The holder of an approved BLA must also submit new or supplemental applications and obtain FDA approval for certain changes to the approved product, product labeling or manufacturing process.

Advertising and promotional materials must comply with FDA rules and are subject to FDA review, in addition to other potentially applicable foreign, federal and state laws.

 

If we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements following approval of any of our product candidates, a regulatory agency may:

 

issue a warning letter asserting that we are in violation of the law;
seek an injunction or impose civil or criminal penalties or monetary fines;
suspend or withdraw regulatory approval;
suspend any ongoing clinical trials;
refuse to permit government reimbursement of our product by government-sponsored third-party payors;
refuse to approve a pending BLA or supplements to a BLA submitted by us for other indications or new product candidates;
seize our product; or
refuse to allow us to enter into or continue supply contracts, including government contracts.

 

Any government investigation of alleged violations of law could require us to expend significant time and resources in response and could generate negative publicity. The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit our ability to commercialize our product candidates and generate revenues.

 

Healthcare reform measures and other statutory or regulatory changes could adversely affect our business.

 

In both the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory proposals to change the healthcare system in ways that could impact our business. For example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “ACA”), enacted in March 2010, substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers, and significantly impacts the pharmaceutical industry. With regard to pharmaceutical products, among other things, the ACA is expected to expand and increase industry rebates for drugs covered under Medicaid programs and make changes to the coverage requirements under the Medicare D program.

 

If we fail to comply with our reporting and payment obligations under the Medicaid program or other governmental pricing programs, we could be subject to additional reimbursement requirements, penalties, sanctions and fines which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

 

If we obtain FDA approval for any of our product candidates and begin commercializing those products in the United States, our operations may be directly or indirectly through our customers, subject to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the federal False Claims Act, and physician sunshine laws and regulations.

 

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are subject to extensive regulation, and from time to time legislative bodies and governmental agencies consider changes to such regulations that could have significant impact on industry participants. For example, in light of certain highly-publicized safety issues regarding certain drugs that had received marketing approval, the U.S. Congress has considered various proposals regarding drug safety, including some which would require additional safety studies and monitoring and could make drug development costlier. Additional legislation or regulation, if any, relating to the implementation of cost containment measures or other aspects of drug development may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability, or commercialize our products. Such reforms could have an adverse effect on anticipated revenues from product candidates that we may successfully develop and for which we may obtain regulatory approval and may affect our overall financial condition and ability to develop product candidates. In addition, it is possible that there will be further legislation or regulation that could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.


Our product candidates are based on our hyper-immune colostrum technology. Currently, no prescription product candidates utilizing our technology have been approved for commercial sale and our approach to the development of our technology may not result in safe, effective or marketable products.

 

We have concentrated our product research and development efforts on our hyper-immune colostrum technology, and our future success depends on successful clinical development of this technology. We plan to develop a pipeline of product candidates using our technology and deliver therapeutics for a number of chronicinfectious and life-threatening conditions, including fatty-liver diseases and C.difficileInfections (CDI).(“CDI”), Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) and Traveler’s Diarrhea.

 

The scientific research that forms the basis of our efforts to develop product candidates is based on the pre-clinical and clinical data in conditions such as CDI, Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) and Traveler’s Diarrhea, NASH and C.difficile, and the identification, optimization and delivery of hyper-immune colostrum-basedcolostrum- based product candidates is relatively new. The scientific evidence to support the feasibility of successfully developing therapeutic treatments based on our technology is preliminary and limited. There can be no assurance that any development and technical problems we experience in the future will not cause significant delays or unanticipated costs, or that such development problems can be solved. We may be unable to reach an agreement on favorable terms, or at all, with providers of vectors needed to optimize delivery of our product candidates to target disease cells and we may also experience unanticipated problems or delays in expanding our manufacturing capacity or transferring our manufacturing process to commercial partners, any of which may prevent us from completing our clinical trials or commercializing our products on a timely or profitable basis, if at all.

 

Only a few product candidates based on our technology have been tested in either animals or humans. We may discover that the applications of IMM-124E and IMM-529 do not possess properties required for a therapeutic benefit, such as the ability to sufficiently suppress the immune system for the period of time required to be approved as a NASH or CDI therapeutic. In addition, application of hyper-immune-basedhyper-immune- based products in humans may result in safety problems. We currently have only limited long-term data, and no conclusive evidence, to suggest that we can effectively produce efficacious therapeutic treatments using our hyper-immune colostrum technology.

 

We are early in our product development efforts and have only two product candidates in early-stage (Phase I) and mid-stage (Phase II) clinical trials. All of our other current product candidates are still in preclinical development. We have no late-stage clinical trials (post-proof of concept) and may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for the commercialization of some or all of our product candidates.

 

The research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, selling, marketing and distribution of biologics is subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, and these regulations differ from country to country. We do not have any prescription products on the market and are early in our development efforts. We have two product candidates in clinical trials and all of our other product candidates are in preclinical development. All of our current and future product candidates are subject to the risks of failure typical for development of biologics. The development and approval process is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. In addition, the outcome of preclinical testing and early clinical trials may not be predictive of the success of later clinical trials, and interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results.

 

We have not submitted an application, or received marketing approval, for any of our product candidates and will not submit any applications for marketing approval for several years. We have limited experience in conducting and managing clinical trials necessary to obtain regulatory approvals for prescription product candidates. To receive approval, we must, among other things, demonstrate with evidence from clinical trials that the product candidate is both safe and effective for each indication for which approval is sought, and failure can occur in any stage of development. Satisfaction of the approval requirements typically takes several years and the time needed to satisfy them may vary substantially, based on the type, complexity and novelty of the pharmaceutical product. We cannot predict if or when we might receive regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates currently under development.


The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities also have substantial discretion in the pharmaceutical and biological product approval process. The numbers, types and sizes of preclinical studies and clinical trials that will be required for regulatory approval varies depending on the product candidate, the disease or condition that the product candidate is designed to address and the regulations applicable to any particular product candidate. Approval policies, regulations or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the course of a product candidate’s clinical development and may vary among jurisdictions, and there may be varying interpretations of data obtained from preclinical studies or clinical trials, any of which may cause delays or limitations in the approval or the decision not to approve an application. Regulatory agencies can delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including:

 

the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials;
we may be unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidate is safe and effective for its proposed indication;
the results of clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical or clinical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval;
the patients recruited for a particular clinical program may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval;
the results of clinical trials may not confirm the positive results from earlier preclinical studies or clinical trials;
we may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate’s clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks;
the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical trials;
the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to the satisfaction of FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to support the submission of a biologics license application, or BLA, or other comparable submission in foreign jurisdictions or to obtain regulatory approval in the U.S. or elsewhere;
the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may only agree to approve a product candidate under conditions that are so restrictive that the product is not commercially viable;
regulatory agencies might not approve or might require changes to our manufacturing processes or facilities; or
regulatory agencies may change their approval policies or adopt new regulations in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.

 

Any delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenue from the particular product candidate, which likely would result in significant harm to our financial position and adversely impact the price of the ADSs. Furthermore, any regulatory approval to market a product may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product. These limitations may limit the size of the market for the product.

 

We are not permitted to market our product candidates in the U.S. or in other countries until we receive approval of a BLA from the FDA or marketing approval from applicable regulatory authorities outside the U.S. Obtaining approval of a BLA can be a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. If we fail to obtain FDA approval to market our product candidates, we will be unable to sell our product candidates in the U.S., which will significantly impair our ability to generate any revenues. In addition, failure to comply with FDA and non-U.S. regulatory requirements may, either before or after product approval, if any, subject us to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions, including:

 

restrictions on our ability to conduct clinical trials, including full or partial clinical holds on ongoing or planned trials;
restrictions on the products, manufacturers or manufacturing process;
warning letters;
civil and criminal penalties;
injunctions;
suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals;
product seizures, detentions or import bans;
voluntary or mandatory product recalls and publicity requirements;
total or partial suspension of production;
imposition of restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; and
refusal to approve pending BLAs or supplements to approved BLAs.

 

Even if we do receive regulatory approval to market a product candidate, any such approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product. It is possible that none of our existing product candidates or any product candidates we may seek to develop in the future will ever obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals necessary for us or our collaborators to commence product sales.

Any delay in obtaining, or an inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approvals would prevent us from commercializing our product candidates, generating revenues and achieving and sustaining profitability.


If our ability to use cumulative carry forward net operating losses is or becomes subject to certain limitations, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

 

We are an Australian company subject to taxation in Australia and other jurisdictions. As of June 30, 2018,2019, our cumulative operating losses have a total potential tax benefit of A$35,299,88610,230,814 at local tax rates (excluding other temporary differences). These losses may be available for use once we are in a tax profitable position. These losses were incurred in different jurisdictions and can only be offset against profits earned in the relevant jurisdictions. Tax losses are able to be carried forward at their nominal amount indefinitely in Australia and for losses generated prior to January 1, 2018 for up to 20 years in the U.S. as long as certain conditions are met. In order to use these tax losses, it is necessary to satisfy certain tests and, as a result, we cannot assure you that the tax losses will be available to offset profits if and when we earn them. Utilization of our net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards in the U.S. may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to ownership change limitations that could occur in the future provided by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.1986, as amended. Our carry forward net operating losses in the U.S. first start to expire in 2035.

 

We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

 

Our business operations may be subject to anti-corruption laws and regulations, including restrictions imposed by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act the FCPA. The FCPA and similar anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We cannot provide assurance that our internal controls and procedures will always protect us from criminal acts committed by our employees or third parties with whom we work. If we are found to be liable for violations of the FCPA or similar anti-corruption laws in international jurisdictions, either due to our own acts or out of inadvertence, or due to the acts or inadvertence of others, we could suffer from criminal or civil penalties which could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property

 

Our success depends upon our ability to protect our intellectual property and our proprietary technology, to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties and to obtain marketing exclusivity for our products and technologies.

 

Any future success will depend in large part on whether we can:

 

obtain and maintain patents to protect our own products and technologies;
obtain orphan designation for our products and technologies;
obtain licenses to the patented technologies of third parties;
operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties; and
protect our trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information.

 

Patent matters in biotechnology are highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, the availability and breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents cannot be predicted. Any of the pending or future patent applications filed by us or on our behalf may not be approved, we may not develop additional proprietary products or processes that are patentable, or we may not be able to license any other patentable products or processes.

 

Our products may be eligible for orphan designation for particular therapeutic indications that are of relatively low prevalence and for which there is no effective treatment. Orphan drug designation affords market exclusivity post marketing authorization for a product for a specified therapeutic utility. The period of orphan protection is dependent on jurisdiction, for example, seven years in the U.S. and ten years in Europe. The opportunity to gain orphan drug designation depends on a variety of requirements specific to each marketing jurisdiction and can include; a showing of improved benefit relative to marketed products, that the mechanism of action of the product would provide plausible benefit and the nature of the unmet medical need within a therapeutic indication. It is uncertain if our products will be able to obtain orphan drug designation for the appropriate indications and in the jurisdictions sought.

 

Our commercial success will also depend, in part, on our ability to avoid infringement of patents issued to others. If a court determines that we were infringing any third-party patents, we could be required to pay damages, alter our products or processes, obtain licenses or cease certain activities. Licenses required under patents held by third parties may not be made available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. To the extent that we are unable to obtain such licenses, we could be foreclosed from the development, export, manufacture or commercialization of the product requiring such license or encounter delays in product introductions while we attempt to design around such patents, and any of these circumstances could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.


We may have to resort to litigation to enforce any patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope and validity of third party proprietary rights. We may have to defend the validity of our patents in order to protect or enforce our rights against a third party. Third parties may, in the future, assert against us infringement claims or claims that we have infringed a patent, copyright, trademark or other proprietary right belonging to them. Any infringement claim, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources and could negatively affect our profitability. While defending our patents, the scope of the claim may be reduced in breadth and inventorship of the claimed subject matter, and proprietary interests in the claimed subject matter may be altered or reduced. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial resources. Any such litigation or proceedings, regardless of outcome, could be expensive and time consuming, and adverse determinations in any such litigation or proceedings could prevent us from developing, manufacturing or commercializing our products and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The patents for our product candidates have varying expiration dates and, if these patents expire, we may be subject to increased competition and we may not be able to recover our development costs or market any of our approved products profitably. In some of the larger potential market territories, such as the U.S. and Europe, patent term extension or restoration may be available to compensate for time taken during aspects of the product’s development and regulatory review or by procedural delays before the relevant patent office. However, such an extension may not be granted, or if granted, the applicable time period or the scope of patent protection afforded during any extension period may not be sufficient. In addition, even though some regulatory authorities may provide some other exclusivity for a product under their own laws and regulations, we may not be able to qualify the product or obtain the exclusive time period. If we are unable to obtain patent term extension/restoration or some other exclusivity, we could be subject to increased competition and our opportunity to establish or maintain product revenue could be substantially reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, we may not have sufficient time to recover our development costs prior to the expiration of our U.S. and non-U.S. patents.

 

We may face difficulties in certain jurisdictions in protecting our intellectual property rights, which may diminish the value of our intellectual property rights in those jurisdictions.

 

The laws of some jurisdictions do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws in the U.S. and the European Union, and many companies have encountered significant difficulties in protecting and defending such rights in such jurisdictions. If we or our collaboration partners encounter difficulties in protecting, or are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting, the intellectual property rights important for our business in such jurisdictions, the value of these rights may be diminished and we may face additional competition from others in those jurisdictions.

 

Many countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may have limited remedies, which could materially diminish the value of such patent. If we or any of our licensors is forced to grant a license to third parties with respect to any patents relevant to our business, our competitive position may be impaired and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Intellectual property rights do not address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.

 

The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect our business, or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. The following examples are illustrative:

 

Others may be able to make products that are similar to ours but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own.;
Others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or otherwise circumvent any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights.rights;
We or any of our collaboration partners might not have been the first to conceive and reduce to practice the inventions covered by the patents or patent applications that we own, license or will own or license.license;


We or any of our collaboration partners might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of the patents or patent applications that we or they own or have obtained a license, or will own or will have obtained a license.license;
It is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents.patents;
Issued patents that we own may not provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges.challenges;
Our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights, or in countries where research and development safe harbor laws exist, and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets.markets;
The patents of third parties or pending or future applications of third parties, if issued, may have an adverse effect on our business.business; and/or
Compulsory licensing provisions of certain governments to patented technologies that are deemed necessary for the government to access.

 

Changes in patent laws or patent jurisprudence could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our products or product candidates.

 

As is the case with other pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents involves both technological complexity and legal complexity and is costly, time-consuming and inherently uncertain. In addition, the America Invents Act was recently enacted in the U.S., resulting in significant changes to the U.S. patent system. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future. Similarly, the complexity and uncertainty of European patent laws has also increased in recent years. In addition, the European patent system is relatively stringent with regard to the type of amendments that are allowed during prosecution. These changes could limit our ability to obtain new patents in the future that may be important for our business.

 

Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and protect other proprietary information.

 

We consider proprietary trade secrets and/or confidential know-how and unpatented know-how to be important to our business. We may rely on trade secrets and/or confidential know-how to protect our technology, especially where patent protection is believed by us to be of limited value. However, trade secrets and/or confidential know-how can be difficult to maintain as confidential.

 

To protect this type of information against disclosure or appropriation by competitors, our policy is to require our employees, consultants, contractors and advisors to enter into confidentiality agreements with us. However, current or former employees, consultants, contractors and advisers may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Enforcing a claim that a third-party obtained illegally and is using trade secrets and/or confidential know-how is expensive, time consuming and unpredictable. The enforceability of confidentiality agreements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

 

Failure to obtain or maintain trade secrets and/or confidential know-how trade protection could adversely affect our competitive position. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and may even apply for patent protection in respect of the same. If successful in obtaining such patent protection, our competitors could limit our use of our trade secrets and/or confidential know-how.

 

Risks Related to Our Securities

 

The market price and trading volume of our ADS may be volatile and may be affected by economic conditions beyond our control.

 

The market price of our ADS may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume of the ADS may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of the ADS declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your ADS at or above the purchase price, if at all. We cannot assure you that the market price of the ADS will not fluctuate or significantly decline in the future.


Some specific factors that could negatively affect the price of the ADS or result in fluctuations in their price and trading volume include:

 

actual or expected fluctuations in our operating results;
changes in market valuations of similar companies;
changes in our key personnel;
changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;
trading prices of our ordinary shares on the ASX;Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”);
changes in trading volume of ADS on The NASDAQ Capital Market, or NASDAQ, and of our ordinary shares on the ASX;
sales of the ADS or ordinary shares by us, our executive officers or our shareholders in the future; and
conditions in the financial markets or changes in general economic conditions.

The dual listing of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may adversely affect the liquidity and value of the ADS.

 

Our ordinary shares are listed on the ASX. We cannot predict the effect of this dual listing on the value of our ordinary shares and ADS. However, the dual listing of our ordinary shares and ADS may dilute the liquidity of these securities in one or both markets and may impair the development of an active trading market for the ADS in the U.S. The trading price of the ADSs could also be adversely affected by trading in our ordinary shares on the ASX.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted, and we expect to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NASDAQ requirements applicable to domestic issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our ADSs.

 

As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ, Capital Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. Among other things, as a foreign private issuer we have elected to follow home country practice with regard to, the composition of the board of directors and the audit committee, the financial expert, director nomination procedure, compensation of officers and quorum at shareholders’ meetings. In addition, we may follow our home country law, instead of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, which require that we obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events, such as for the establishment or amendment of certain equity based compensation plans, an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company. Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules. See Item 16G - Corporate Governance.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the U.S. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for companies incorporated in the U.S.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose disclosure requirements as well as procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as a company that files as a U.S. company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we required to comply with the SEC’s Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material non-public information. Accordingly, there may be less information publicly available concerning us than there is for a company that files as a domestic issuer.

 

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make the ADS less attractive to investors and, as a result, adversely affect the price of the ADS and result in a less active trading market for the ADS.

 

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For example, we have elected to rely on an exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to internal control over financial reporting, and we will not provide such an attestation from our auditors for so long as we qualify as an emerging growth company.

 

We may avail ourselves of these disclosure exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We cannot predict whether investors will find the ADS less attractive because of our reliance on some or all of these exemptions. If investors find the ADS less attractive, it may cause the trading price of the ADS to decline and there may be a less active trading market for the ADS.


We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of:

 

the end of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of completion of our IPOinitial public offering (“IPO”) occurs;
the end of the first fiscal year in which the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the end of the second quarter of such fiscal year;


the end of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; and
the date on which we have issued more than US$1 billion in non-convertible debt securities in any rolling three-year period.

 

Management has identified certain matters involving our internalIf we fail to comply with the rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 related to accounting controls over our financial reporting that areand procedures in the future, or, if we discover additional material weaknesses under applicable standards.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a015(f) of the Exchange Act).

We have previously reported material weaknessesother deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting surroundingand accounting procedures, the price of our monitoringordinary shares and ADSs could decline significantly and raising capital could be more difficult. Previously, our management determined that our disclosure controls when assessing certain significant transactions and properly performing certain reviewsprocedures and monitoringinternal controls were ineffective as of June 30, 2018.

If we fail to comply with the rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 related to disclosure controls and procedures in the preparationfuture, or, if we discover material weaknesses and other deficiencies in our internal control and accounting procedures, our stock price could decline significantly and raising capital could be more difficult. Section 404 of the financial statements in accordance with IFRS, as issued by IASB. TheSarbanes-Oxley Act requires annual management has determined that, as at June 30, 2018, these material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to the financial closing and reporting processes have not been remediated.

Our management assessedassessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2018, utilizing the criteria described in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation and the criteria issued by COSO, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, asreporting. As of June 30, 2018, our management determined that we had material weaknesses in our control environment and in the period end financial close and reporting process. We have since remediated such material weaknesses and our internal controls and accounting procedures are effective. If additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies are discovered or if we otherwise fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal control, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting was not effective becausein accordance with Section 404 of the material weaknesses described above.

Plan for Remediation of Material Weakness

Management is currently addressing the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and is committed to remediating it as expeditiously as possible. Management intends to devote significant time and resources to the remediation effort. Management plans to take the following steps to improve our internal control over financial reporting and to remediate the identified material weakness:

Evaluate the staffing level and qualifications of finance department personnel, and make changes as deemed appropriate;
Evaluate the need to deploy additional software systems to assist in automating and controlling certain processes within the finance function;
Enhance our processes and procedures through expanded use of checklists for key tasks to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Evaluate the utilization of external resources, to provide greater assurance that these resources are effectively managed, and deployed, and make changes as appropriate.

 Any future failure to maintain suchSarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to helping prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could adversely impact our ability to report our financial results on a timely and accurate basis, whichbe harmed, investors could result in our inability to satisfy our reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements. If our financial statements are not accurate, investors may not have a complete understanding of our operations or may lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business or have a negative effect onand the trading price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.

ADSs could drop significantly.


ADS holders may be subject to additional risks related to holding ADS rather than ordinary shares.

 

ADS holders do not hold ordinary shares directly and, as such, are subject to, among others, the following additional risks:

 

As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not be able to exercise shareholder rights, except through the ADR depositary as permitted by the amended and restated deposit agreement.agreement among the Company, The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and owners and holders of our ADSs (the “Deposit Agreement”);
distributions on the ordinary shares represented by your ADS will be paid to the ADR depositary, and before the ADR depositary makes a distribution to you on behalf of your ADSs, any withholding taxes that must be paid will be deducted. Additionally, if the exchange rate fluctuates during a time when the ADR depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.distribution; and
We and the ADR depositary may amend or terminate the deposit agreementDeposit Agreement without the ADS holders’ consent in a manner that could prejudice ADS holders.

 

You must act through the ADR depositary to exercise your voting rights and, as a result, you may be unable to exercise your voting rights on a timely basis.

 

As a holder of ADS (and not the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs), we will not treat you as one of our shareholders, and you will not be able to exercise shareholder rights. The ADR depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADS, and ADS holders will be able to exercise voting rights with respect to the ordinary shares represented by the ADS only in accordance with the deposit agreementDeposit Agreement relating to the ADS. There are practical limitations on the ability of ADS holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with these holders. For example, holders of our ordinary shares will receive notice of shareholders’ meetings by mail and will be able to exercise their voting rights by either attending the shareholders meeting in person or voting by proxy. ADS holders, by comparison, will not receive notice directly from us. Instead, in accordance with the deposit agreement,Deposit Agreement, we will provide notice to the ADR depositary of any such shareholders meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days in advance of the meeting date. If we so instruct, the ADR depositary will mail to holders of ADS the notice of the meeting and a statement as to the manner in which voting instructions may be given by holders as soon as practicable after receiving notice from us of any such meeting. To exercise their voting rights, ADS holders must then instruct the ADR depositary as to voting the ordinary shares represented by their ADSs. Due to these procedural steps involving the ADR depositary, the process for exercising voting rights may take longer for ADS holders than for holders of ordinary shares. The ordinary shares represented by ADS for which the ADR depositary fails to receive timely voting instructions will not be voted.

 

If we are classified as a “passive foreign investment company,” then our U.S. shareholders could suffer adverse tax consequences as a result.

 

Generally, if, for any taxable year, at least 75% of our gross income is passive income (including our pro rata share of the gross income of our 25% or more owned corporate subsidiaries) or at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our total gross assets (including our pro rata share of the gross assets of our 25% or more owned corporate subsidiaries) is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, including cash, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of these tests, passive income includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. If we are characterized as a PFIC, a U.S. holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs may suffer adverse tax consequences, including having gains recognized on the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, the loss of the preferential rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares or ADSs by individuals who are U.S. holders, and having interest charges added to their tax on distributions from us and on gains from the sale of our ordinary shares or ADS. See “Taxation—U.S.United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

 

Our status as a PFIC may also depend, in part, on how quickly we utilize theany cash proceeds from our IPO, in our business.any offering. Since PFIC status depends on the composition of our income and the composition and value of our assets, which may be determined in large part by reference to the market value of our ordinary shares or ADS, which may be volatile, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. While we expect that we were not a PFIC for our taxable year ended June 30, 2018,2019, no assurance of our PFIC status can be provided for such taxable year or future taxable years. Prospective U.S. investors should discuss the issue of our possible status as a PFIC with their tax advisors.

 

Currency fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares and ADS.

 

Our ordinary shares are quoted in Australian dollars on the ASX and the ADS are quoted in U.S. dollars on NASDAQ. Movements in the Australian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate may adversely affect the U.S. dollar price of the ADS. In the past year the Australian dollar has generally weakened against the U.S. dollar. However, this trend may not continue and may be reversed. If the Australian dollar weakens against the U.S. dollar, the U.S. dollar price of the ADS could decline, even if the price of our ordinary shares in Australian dollars increases or remains unchanged.


We have never declared or paid dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares. For the foreseeable future, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with applicable laws and covenants under current or future credit facilities, which may restrict or limit our ability to pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. As a result, a return on your investment will only occur if our ADS price appreciates.

 

You may not receive distributions on our ordinary shares represented by the ADS or any value for such distribution if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to holders of ADS.

 

While we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future, if such a dividend is declared, the depositary for the ADS has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our ordinary shares your ADS represent. However, in accordance with the limitations set forth in the deposit agreement,Deposit Agreement, it may be unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to holders of ADS. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of the ADS, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of the ADS. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value from them if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADS.

 

Australian takeover laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of a significant position in our ordinary shares or ADS.

 

We are incorporated in Australia and are subject to the takeover laws of Australia. Among other things, we are subject to the Australian Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act. Subject to a range of exceptions, the Corporations Act prohibits the acquisition of a direct or indirect interest in our issued voting shares if the acquisition of that interest will lead to a person’s voting power in us increasing to more than 20%, or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%. Australian takeover laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of a significant position in our ordinary shares. This may have the ancillary effect of entrenching our board of directors and may deprive or limit our shareholders’ or ADS holders’ opportunity to sell their ordinary shares or ADSs and may further restrict the ability of our shareholders and ADS holders to obtain a premium from such transactions. See Item 10. – Additional Information “Change of Control”.

 

Our Constitution and Australian laws and regulations applicable to us may adversely affect our ability to take actions that could be beneficial to our shareholders.

 

As an Australian company, we are subject to different corporate requirements than a corporation organized under the laws of the states of the U.S. Our Constitution, as well as the Australian Corporations Act, set forth various rights and obligations that are unique to us as an Australian company. These requirements may operate differently than those of many U.S. companies. See Item 10 - Additional Information.

 

You will have limited ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, because we are incorporated in Australia and certain of our directors and officers reside outside the U.S.

 

We are incorporated in Australia, certain of our directors and officers reside outside the U.S. and substantially all of the assets owned by thosesuch persons are located outside of the U.S. also.U.S.. As a result, it may be impracticable or at least more expensive for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in Australia in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the applicable securities laws or otherwise.


You may be subject to limitations on transfer of the ADSs.

 

The ADSs are only transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason.

 

Australian companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.

 

Australian companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the U.S. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of an Australian company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the U.S. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. Australian courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the U.S. based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in Australia, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in Australia of judgments obtained in the U.S., althoughAlthough the courts of Australia may recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits upon being satisfied about all the relevant circumstances inupon which thatsuch judgment was obtained.obtained, there is no statutory recognition in Australia of judgments obtained in the U.S..

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our Constitution and our right to issue preference shares could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.

 

Some provisions of our Constitution may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that only require one-third of our board of directors to be elected annually and authorize our board of directors to issue an unlimited number of shares of capital stock and preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares by amending the Constitution.

ITEM 4.Information on the Company

 

A.History and Development of the Company

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and Development of the Company

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1994 and have been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)ASX since April 30, 1999. Our ADSs and Warrants have traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market since June 13, 2017. Our principal executive office is located at Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia 3053 and our telephone number is +61 (0)3 9824 5254. Our agent for service in the U.S. is Puglisi & Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711.


B.Business Overview

 

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology platform focused on the development and commercialization of a novel class of immunomodulator polyclonal antibodies that we believe can address significant unmet medical needs. Our oral polyclonal antibodies offer targeted delivery within the gastrointestinal (GI) track but do not cross into the bloodstream, potentially leading to much improved safety and tolerability, without sacrificing efficacy. We believe that our two lead immunomodulator product candidates, IMM-124E and IMM-529, have the potential to transform the existing treatment paradigms for NASHTravelers’ Diarrhea and for C.difficile infections, respectively.

 

We currently market an OTC product, Travelan, in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., for the prevention Travelan was developed utilizing our novel technology platform and targets 13 strains of Traveler’s Diarrhea.pathogenicE. coli. Travelan has been shown to be up to 90% effective in the prevention of diarrhea in several E-coli E.colichallenge placebo controlled clinical studies. TravelanIn Australia, Travelan® is baseda listed medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (AUST L 106709) and is indicated to reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea, reduce the risk of minor gastro-intestinal disorders and is antimicrobial. In Canada, Travelan® is a licensed natural health product (NPN 80046016) and is indicated to reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea. In the U.S., Travelan® is sold as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection in accordance with section 403 (r)(6) of the same platform as our immudolator product candidates and targets 13 strains of E-coli.Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Travelan sales for fiscal year 2019 and 2018 were gross A$2.5 million (net: AUD$2.3 million) and AUD$2 million (net: A$AUD$1.8 million). We recently began to market Protectyn, a health product targeting LPS bacteria in the gut to prevent gut dysbiosis, in Australia. Sales of Protectyn have not been material to date.

B.Business Overview

Our Platform

Our platform technology is based on oral immunoglobulins. Prior to calving, cows are immunized with proprietary vaccines to ensure maximum immunogenicity and after calving, the first milk is harvested and the polyclonal antibodies purified. This proprietary process ensures that the colostrum contains a high concentration of antibodies and high concentrations of Immunoglobulin G1. The technology is safe (classified as GRAS by the FDA), low cost and can be applied to a variety of diseases.


The underlying nature of our platform technology enables the development of medicines across a large range of diseases, including infectious diseases and immune mediated disorders. The platform can be used to influence the cell-mediated immune system through regulatory T cell populations, or it can directly block viruses or bacteria at mucosal surfaces (such as the GI tract) and neutralize the toxins they produce. Additionally, the dairy origins of our antibodies enables us to commercialize our platform through most regulatory pathways, including prescription (Rx), medical foods, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements. The GRAS status of our technology platform allows us to advance our preclinical programs into clinical trials faster relative to other companies due to the platform’s proven safety profile.

Our Pipeline

Fatty liver diseases are frequently caused by high weight and obesity, genetics, and diet that result in inflammation of the liver. We use an innovative approach to addressing this condition, one that focuses on treating pathogenic bacteria of the gut using a specific set of antibodies I which we designated as MM-124E. IMM-124E is designed to block and reduce bacteria growth without negatively impacting essential microbiota. IMM-124E is a first -in-class, oral antibody therapeutic which targets the endotoxin LPS and other gram negative bacterial components in the gut and prevents translocation into the blood circulation where they drive inflammation and cause damage to the liver. Topline results of our IMM-124E phase II Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) clinical study were reported in March 2018, the data generated demonstrated a significant reduction in serum Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as reductions in other biomarkers associated with liver damage. The 24-week treatment study in Australia, Israel, and the US targeted 133 biopsy-proven NASH patients. The results revealed nearly 64.3 per cent of IMM-24-dosed patients showed a 15 per cent or greater decrease in serum LPS levels, compared with just 34.5 per cent of patients showing a decrease in the placebo group. At the same time, the study showed decreases in both Aspartate Transaminase (AST and ALT) and Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), metabolic markers associated with NASH and liver damage. The reported results provides conformation of the mechanism of action and proof of concept that metabolic endotoxemia may be decreased using this drug candidate. Another expected but nonetheless pleasing outcome was the confirmation that IMM-124 was retained within the gut lumen and was not absorbed systemically. This finding strengthened IMM-124’s safety profile and potential for use in combination with other therapeutics. We are currently completing the final analysis of the samples, data generated, and additional tests performed and should have the final clinical study report completed and submitted to the FDA by the end of 2018.

We are currently in the process of executing three clinical trials for our drug candidate, IMM-124E, that we believe represents a solution for the millions of patients suffering from NASH. Our NASH phase II clinical study achieved its recruitment goal of at least 120 patients this year by successfully enrolling 133 patients with biopsy proven NASH. This study – led by Dr. Arun Sanyal, the former President of AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) and current Chair of the Liver Study Section at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Dr. Arun Sanyal is also the lead Principal Investigator of our alcoholic steatohepatitis (“ASH”) clinical study at Virginia Commonwealth University, which study is also funded by the NIH. We have recruited a total of 56 patients which have been randomized into the study. The study is now closed to recruitment and top-line results are expected to be reported in 2019.

We are also currently undergoing a NIH-funded Phase II double blind, placebo control, randomized clinical study of IMM-124E at Emory University, led by Dr. Miriam Vos, who specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease in children as well as fatty liver disease and obesity. The study enrolled its first patient in February 2017 and has so far randomized over 18 of the targeted 40 patients into the study. The top-line results for this study are expected to be reported in 2019.respectively.

 

In July 2017, we reported data from an interim analysis to evaluate safety of IMM-124E. The report confirmed that there were no safety concerns or adverse events and reported efficacy signals on liver enzymes (ALT and AST) that demonstrated a dose-related reduction in both treatment doses at 24 weeks, though not statistically different than placebo. As these parameters inherently fluctuate over time and are significantly affected by baseline values the interim analysis committee also had scheduled to perform additional analyses on the data set to correct for these inherent variations. Comparing the Area Under Curve for the ALT/AST data over time of IMM-124E to Placebo, accounts for all the available data. Such analysis demonstrated a significant reduction of ALT and AST over time (AUC ANCOVA analysis) compared to placebo. A dose-related effect was reported when the greatest decrease occurred in the highest dose group, with the low dose group decreasing by an intermediate amount compared with the placebo group. We believe that this documented effect, together with a correlation between ALT and AST, indicate the treatment has the potential to safely reduce liver injury.


We believe that our current strategy of executing three separate clinical trials at the same time for three different, but very related diseases, will ultimately put us on a quicker route to commercialization. The proprietary IMM-124E compound has clearly demonstrated its potential to be effective in the treatment of these fatty liver diseases, positioning us to fill a true void in the medical community and pharmaceutical industry.

IMM-529has successfully completed its pre-clinical program inCDIand we have initiated a Phase 1/2 trials in Israel at the end of 2017. IMM-529 which was developed in collaboration with world leading C.difficileresearcher Dr. Dena Lyras and her team at Monash University, targets the virulent Toxin B, the spores and the vegetative cells. It is a three-pronged approach that is unique and which has yielded exceptional results in the pre-clinical studies including (1) Prevention of primary disease, (2) Treatment of primary disease and (3) Suppression of recurrence. To our knowledge, it is to date the only investigational drug that has showed therapeutic benefits in all three phases of the disease.

In addition to these programs, we also have two research collaborations with the U.S. Department of Defense including with the U.S. Navy and with the U.S. Army, for the study of Shigella, Campylobacter and ETEC vaccines. ETEC is a type of E-coli and is one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhea in the developing world, as well as the most common cause of travelers’ diarrhea. In January 2018 we reported that a US Department of Defense-commissioned study has shown Travelan has effective immunological reactivity to dangerous and potentially fatal infectious bacteria. The Department of Enteric Diseases (DED), Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) performed the study. It took place at a laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Bangkok. WRAIR is one of the leading health research organisations in the world. The study, one of three involving Travelan, looked at 60 clinical isolates of each of Campylobacter, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Shigella from infected US Defense personnel in southeast Asia between 1993 and 2016. It found that, compared to the control, Travelan antibodies were reactive to all 180 clinical isolates.

In September 2018 we reported the findings of a study conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), an overseas laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), located in Bangkok, Thailand. The study evaluated the therapeutic potential of Travelan in a non-human primate (NHP) preclinical Shigella challenge model that closely mimics the disease seen in humans. The study was performed in collaboration with the Department of Enteric Diseases and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, AFRIMS, and the Department of Enteric Infections, Bacterial Diseases Branch, WRAIR.

The placebo-controlled study was carried out in 12 NHPs segregated into 2 groups: a Travelan treatment cohort of 8 and a placebo cohort of 4, which were treated with either Travelan or placebo respectively twice daily for a total of 12 doses over a 6-day period. The animals received treatment for 3 days prior to oral challenge with ~3 x 109 viable Shigella flexneri strain 2a organisms. All (4 of 4 - 100%) placebo-treated animals displayed acute dysentery symptoms within 24 – 36 hours of the Shigella flexneri 2a challenge. Seven of the eight individuals in the Travelan treatment cohort (87.5%) remained symptom-free to 4 days post the Shigella flexneri 2a challenge. Only one of the Travelan-treated cohort displayed dysentery symptoms during the same time frame as the placebo arm. Once the treatment period was concluded a second individual in the Travelan treatment group developed symptoms. Six of the eight Travelan treated cohort remained symptom-free to the conclusion of the study, 11 days post the Shigella flexneri 2a challenge.

We also started a pre-clinical program in Irritable Bowel Disease (“IBD”), in collaboration with renowned IBD Key Opinion Leader, Professor Gerhard Rogler, MD, PhD. and the University of Zurich, Switzerland. In May we announced the completion of our IMM-124 colitis preclinical program at the University of Zurich. In contrast to the results reported in April 2017 using an acute colitis model, the latest results were generated in the T cell transfer model which utilizes immunodeficient mice which are deficient in functional B and T lymphocytes. In this model chronic colitis was induced immunologically not chemically. IMM-124E was administered orally after the onset of colitis symptoms such as weight loss and macroscopically inflamed colon were confirmed by colonoscopy prior to the initiation of treatment. The results revealed substantial reductions in weight loss, disease activity scores, shortening of the colon, and macroscopically detectable colitis. The results follow in parallel with our NASH clinical study, which showed significant reductions in serum Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. LPS endotoxins are chief suspects in the inflammation associated with colitis and inflammatory bowel and other autoimmune diseases.

We believe that the breath/depth of our assets and the support we are receiving from the NIH and the DoD, makes us truly a unique and attractive player in the therapeutic areas that we are targeting.

Our StrategyOUR STRATEGY

 

Our goal is to become one of the leading biopharmaceutical companycompanies developing and commercializing therapeutics to address increased unmet medical needs in inflammation-mediated diseases and anti-infectives.the anti-infective area. The critical components of our strategy include:

 

Rapidly advanceAggressively advancing our two-leadtwo lead oral polyclonal antibodiesantibody drug candidates presently in clinical development: 1) IMM-124E as a drug to specifically prevent travelers’ diarrhea, and IMM-529:2) IMM-529 to treat recurrentC. difficileinfections (CDI);

IMM-124E/NASH: Continue progressing our IMM-124E Phase II for the treatment of NASH with the final clinical study report completed by the end of 2018;

Pediatric NAFLD Phase II top line results expected in the second quarter of 2019.

ASH Phase II top line results expected in the first quarter of 2019.

IMM-529/CDI: Top line results expected in the second half of 2019.

LeverageLeveraging our technology platform and our collaborations to expand our differentiated polyclonal-based product pipeline across multiple indications including ASH, Pediatric NASH and various novel and potentially game-changing anti-infective programs with the DoD (U.S. Army and U.S. Navy)Department of Defense (DoD);

Partner our fatty-liver programs at the right time and with the right commercial / development partner(s) for NASH, ASH and pediatric NASH;

Continue investingContinuing to invest in and growing Travelan sales worldwide, including in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and in new markets;

Continue investingContinuing to invest in mechanism of action studies that expand our understanding of our unique MOAnovel mechanism of action across our targeted diseases and conditions, and potentially identify new opportunities for investment; and

Protect and leverage our intellectual property portfolio and patents. We believe that our intellectual property protection strategy, grounded in securing composition of matter patents on the biologics we develop, as well as broader patents to protect our technology platform, has best positioned us to gain broad and strong protection offor our assets. We have 14 issued20 granted patents, 1 accepted patent awaiting grant and 229 pending patent applications worldwide. We have been issued patents in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Japan and New Zealand.

 

OUR PLATFORM

Our platform technology is based on oral polyclonal immunoglobulins. Prior to calving, cows are immunized with proprietary vaccines to ensure maximum immunogenicity and after calving, the first milk, called bovine colostrum is harvested and processed to produce bovine colostrum powder. This proprietary process of vaccinating cows with specific vaccines generated against antigens for therapeutic targets ensures that the colostrum contains a high concentration of polyclonal antibodies and high concentrations of immunoglobulin G1 against the specified antigens. The technology is generally believed to be safe, low cost and can be applied to a variety of diseases.

The underlying nature of our platform technology enables the development of medicines across a large range of diseases, including infectious diseases and immune mediated disorders. The platform can be used to block viruses or bacteria at mucosal surfaces (such as the GI tract) and neutralize the toxins they produce. Additionally, the dairy origins of our antibodies enable us to commercialize our platform through most regulatory pathways, including prescription (Rx), medical foods, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for a particular application is prepared using the first milking colostrum of dairy cows that have been immunized with patented vaccines for the specific therapeutic use to produce very high levels of specific antibodies against selected surface antigens. Pregnant dairy cows at commercial dairy farms are immunized through a proprietary process. Such inoculation of dairy cows with specific vaccines activates a generalized immune response in the host animal to produce antibodies which recognize and bind to bacterial cell-surface epitopes that the vaccines were designed against. These polyclonal antibodies in the harvested bovine colostrum are present in high concentration within the raw material which is further processed to produce the final drug product which contains at least 35% immunoglobulins (Ig), composed mainly of IgG (mostly IgG1).

Risk management covering the source of colostrum must focus on assurance of absence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (“BSE”), commonly known as Mad Cow Disease attributable to the liquid raw product. Australia and New Zealand are classified as Category 1 countries with negligible BSE risk.


Our lead product candidate,OUR PIPELINE

We presently have two drug candidates in clinical development: 1) IMM-124E isas a proprietary immunomodulator agent targeted at GI immune mediated diseases including fatty-liver diseases. We are developing drug to prevent travelers’ diarrhea, and 2) IMM-529 to treat recurrentC. difficile infections.

IMM-124E for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, for which we are currently in Phase II. IMM-124E is also the investigational drug of two NIH-sponsored Phase II clinical trials in alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and Pediatric NASH. Dr. Arun Sanyal, one of NASH’s foremost thought leaders, is the principal investigator of our NASH Phase II trial.to Prevent Travelers’ Diarrhea

 

IMM-124E is manufactured from colostrum harvested from dairy cows that have been immunized against the 13 most common pathogenic strains of enterotoxigenicE.coli (ETEC). IMM-124E is designed to block and reduce bacterial growth without negatively impacting essential microbiota, and is a first in classfirst-in-class, oral anti-LPS polyclonal antibody with strong anti-inflammatorytherapeutic which targets gram negative ETEC and anti-fibrotic properties, making NASH an ideal target for this compound. IMM-124E bindsother cross-reactive pathogenic bacteria in the gut, leading to the LPS endotoxinblockage of gram-negative bacteria and influences the cell-mediated immune system through regulatory T cell populations, creating a downstream decrease of liver inflammation.their pathologic activities.

 

Earlier Clinical Studies on IMM-124E

IMM-124E was evaluated as a potential drug to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) under FDA IND #014933. The primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the hepatic fat fraction (HFF, %), as measured by MRI at week 24 for two doses of IMM-124E compared with placebo. Both doses of IMM-124E did not lead to significant reduction in fat at the end of 24 weeks of therapy. Topline results from this earlier IMM-124E phase II NASH isclinical study were reported in March 2018. The 24-week treatment study which was conducted in Australia, Israel, and the U.S. involved 133 biopsy-proven NASH patients. The study results demonstrated that IMM-124E, a first-in-class, oral antibody therapy targeting the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other bacterial components in the gastrointestinal tract, resulted in a statistically significant reduction of serum LPS in patients with biopsy proven NASH. IMM-1214E was developed to target ETEC pathogens, preventing LPS from translocating into the portal circulation. The study results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of serum LPS levels in the drug treatment arms when compared to placebo, providing proof-of-concept for a novel mechanism of action. Serum ALT was also significantly reduced when compared to placebo as well as AST and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) demonstrating metabolic endotoxemia can be decreased with IMM-124E which can lower serum LPS levels and reduce LPS -associated liver inflammation. The data showed a small statistically significant reduction in serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and reductions in two biomarkers associated with liver function, but the drug did not display signs of clinical benefit in reducing fat content of the liver in patients with NASH. Consequently, we decided not to continue clinical development of IMM-124E specifically to treat NASH. Data from this trial, however, showed that IMM-124E was not systemically absorbed, and the trial provided further support for IMM-124E’s safety profile, and for its potential use in other therapeutics areas.

Two additional clinical studies, sponsored and funded by the National Institute of Health, have been performed with IMM-124E: 1) a Phase II clinical study in patients with severe type ofalcoholic hepatitis (SAH) conducted under FDA IND #015675, and 2) a Phase II clinical study in pediatric patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is conducted under FDA IND #017066.

Top-line results from the most commonSAH trial with Dr. Arun Sanyal of Virginia Commonwealth University as the lead Principal Investigator were released on August 8, 2019. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IMM-124E at two oral dosage levels as compared with a placebo in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis and with all patients being treated with steroids. A total of 57 patients with SAH with a model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score ranging from 21-28 were enrolled into the clinical study and is associatedwere treated with obesityeither IMM-124E or placebo for 28 days (placebo N=20, IMM-124E 2400 mg/day N=18, IMM-124E 4800 mg/day N= 19). No suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions were reported and type-2 diabetes,no differences in serious adverse events (SAE) were observed across the three arms of the study and is characterizedno SAE was considered related to the study drug by the accumulationinvestigators. Both doses of fatIMM-124E in the liverstudy (2400mg and 4800mg) were well tolerated. There were 9 deaths reported over a six-month period for the entire cohort and there were no significant differences across study groups. The data showed that IMM-124E is safe to use in patients with no other apparent causes. Approximately 10%-20%SAH but does not reduce circulating lipopolysaccharide levels, mortality or have an impact on MELD score in the study population, and we will not continue clinical development of peopleIMM-124E specifically to treat SAH.

The second Phase II clinical trial involving pediatric patients with NAFLD, will progresswhich is still undergoing enrollment of patients, is designed to NASH. Current estimates place NASH prevalence at approximatelyenroll 40 pediatric patients who are dosed in a three month treatment period. The trial is designed to determine the safety and exploratory efficacy of IMM-124 in pediatric NAFLD patients. The trial has presently randomized 24 million peopleof the targeted 40 patients into the study. The top-line results for this study are anticipated to be reported in 2020.

Plan to Develop IMM-124E as a Drug to Prevent Travelers’ Diarrhea

On April 11, 2019, we announced plans to pursue clinical development of IMM-124E through a formal FDA registration pathway as a drug to prevent travelers’ diarrhea. We believe this is an important strategic initiative towards enhancing commercialization of the Travelan/IMM-124E franchise. Because Travelan and IMM-124E are one and the same, we believe seeking FDA registration for IMM-124E as a drug to prevent travelers’ diarrhea offers the potential for substantial sales benefits to Immuron. We are moving aggressively forward to develop IMM-124E through the FDA, and on August 20, 2019 we filed with FDA a request for a pre-IND Type B meeting with the agency, with a submitted IND#145362 application, to discuss the clinical development plan for IMM-124E to prevent travelers’ diarrhea. We believe that a successful clinical program, followed by a BLA filing with the FDA, and successful FDA approval of IMM-124E to specifically prevent travelers’ diarrhea could lead to substantial increases in the U.S., or 7%marketing of what we believe would be the population, with similar prevalence in other major developed markets.first drug clinically demonstrated to prevent travelers’ diarrhea.

 

There are currently no treatments approvedThe Type B meeting with FDA is also planned to provide us with feedback on the future development program which we hope will enable us to open a Phase 3 registration trial in 2020, establishing the basis for NASH and other compounds in development target primarily one biological pathway believeda future BLA filing of IMM-124E to impact NASH. However, NASH is now increasingly recognized as a multi-factorial disease, creating a unique opportunity for IMM-124E given our broad and upstream anti-inflammatory properties.prevent travelers’ diarrhea.


IMM-529 to Treat Recurrent C. difficile Infections (CDI)

 

 Our second lead compound, IMM-529, targets the Background onC.difficile bacterium and contains polyclonal antibodies to the Toxin B, the spores and the vegetative cells. We recently successfully completed our pre-clinical program and are currently recruiting patients with CDI into a Phase I/II clinical trial. IMM-529 was developed and tested extensively in pre-clinical models in collaboration with Dr. Dena Lyras at Monash University, Australia. Dr. Lyras is one of the world’s foremost experts in C.difficile.

 

C.

difficilesC.difficileis a gram-positive, toxin-producing, spore-forming bacterium that generally causes severe and persistent diarrhea in infected individuals, but can also lead to more severe outcomes, including in the most serious cases, death.C.difficileinfection (CDI) is most often associated with the prior use of antibiotics. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has identified CDI as one of the top three most urgent antibiotic-resistant bacterial threats in the U.S. It is the most common cause of hospital acquired infection in the U.S. and has overtaken methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in prevalence. CDI is responsible for the death of approximately 29,000 Americans each year.

We market an OTC product, Travelan, in Australia, Canada, and in the U.S., for the prevention of Traveler’s Diarrhea. Travelan has been shown to be 90% effective in the prevention of diarrhea in several E-coli challenge placebo controlled studies. Travelan is based in the same platform and targets 13 strains of E-coli. We also market Protectyn, a health product targeting LPS bacteria in the gut in Australia. Travelan and Protectyn sales for fiscal years 2018 and 2017 were A$1.81 million and A$1.4 million, respectively.

In addition to these two programs, we are also targeting other anti-infectious and anti-inflammation diseases such as Shigella, Campylobacter and colitis. These early programs are pursued in cooperation with some of the leading research institutions in the world including the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Zurich University.

Below is our clinical and pre-clinical pipeline. We believe that we have successfully developed one of the most comprehensive portfolios of fatty-liver disease programs in the industry, with three Phase 2 clinical trials including NASH, ASH and Pediatric NASH.

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Our Major Markets

Our two lead assets target two prevalent diseases with major unmet need: NASH and C.difficile. The versatility of our platform allows us to target other immune mediated diseases such as IBD and infectious agents such as Shigella and Campylobacter. Both therapeutic areas encompass millions of potential patients and present significant unmet medical needs.


Fatty-Liver Diseases Overview

The increasing prevalence of obesity-related disorders has contributed to a rapid rise in the prevalence of NASH and NAFLD. In the U.S., NAFLD affects approximately 27%-34% of the population, or an estimated 86 million to 108 million people. Approximately 10%-20% of people with NAFLD will progress to NASH. Current estimates place NASH prevalence at approximately 24 million people in the U.S., or approximately 7% of the population, with similar prevalence in other major developed markets. Prevalence is also rising in developing regions, likely due to the adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle and westernized diet consisting of processed food with high fat and fructose content. It is estimated that 63% of all NASH patients, or approximately 15 million people, have either no scarring of the liver (F0) or present with evidence of mild fibrosis (F1). The other 37%, or approximately 9 million people, will present with either moderate (F2) or severe fibrosis (F3).

The high level of investment activity in the space, including licensing and M&A, is indicative of the high level of unmet need. This is driven by a few factors including the size of the population that might need interventional agents, the increasing recognition that NASH is a severe disease that needs to be treated and the belief that because NASH is a multi-factorial disease, there will be room for multiple therapies to offer choices to physicians and patients. An often-quoted analyst’s report by Deutsche Bank estimates that the NASH market will be A$35 billion by 2025. We believe that this is not unreasonable given that the statin branded market peaked at nearly A$30 billion worldwide and spanned multiple blockbuster drugs.

Pathophysiology of NASH

NAFLD/NASH is a disease that can evolve over time as the liver is subjected to an increasing amount of injury, which deepens liver inflammation and fibrosis, and can eventually lead to end-stage liver failure and liver cancer.

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of NASH as conditions linked to the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, are all associated with an elevated state of chronic inflammation that cause damage to organs such as the pancreas and the liver. The pathogenesis is thought to be multi-factorial, and is a multiple-hit process involving insulin resistance, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and adipokines brought on by fatty diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and genetic pre-disposition.

In addition to the elevated state of inflammation suffered by NASH patients which perpetuates liver injury, it has also been shown that fatty diets, sugar and obesity are linked to an overgrowth of gram-negative bacteria within the gut. These gram-bacteria produce LPS (Lipopolysaccharides) products that elicit strong innate and cell-mediated immune responses in animals and humans, both from within the gut and through circulating endotoxins, particularly via Toll-like Receptor 4 on cells. The intraluminal LPS concentration is additionally thought to increase gut permeability, also known as “leaky gut”, enabling passage of endotoxins into the bloodstream and increasing the inflammatory response especially within the liver since 75% of the liver’s blood supply comes from the portal vein.

The importance of this LPS-driven inflammatory process is unfortunately often overlooked since there are no therapeutics that can effectively block gram-negative bacteria in the gut, except for broad-spectrum antibiotics which are not an option for long-term use in NASH patients.

The immune and inflammatory response to liver cell damage caused by these insults is mediated through a well-described signaling network of liver and immune cells. Kupffer cells, also known as resident liver macrophages, sense tissue injury and are the first responders to liver cell damage. Activated Kupffer cells initiate an inflammatory response to the liver injury and can activate HSCs (Hematopoietic Stem Cells) to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, the primary collagen-producing cell type responsible for liver fibrosis. The extent of this fibrosis can vary, and it is described in several stages. A normal liver is at a stage between F0 and F1. Stage F2 denotes light fibrosis, and F3 is severe fibrosis. Cirrhosis is defined from stage F4, when scar tissue exists throughout the liver.

Pediatric NASH is also a growing concern in many countries, and similar to NASH, Pediatric NASH is a progressive form of liver disease associated with excessive fat storage in the liver together with inflammation, which can then lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Pediatric NASH is believed to affect up to 5% - 10% of the U.S. pediatric population. A landmark U.S. study that examined the incidence of disease in 742 autopsied children who had died as the result of an accident, found that 17.3% of the children aged 15 to 19 years had NAFLD. There are currently no approved drug therapies for pediatric NASH.

NASH is one of the hepatitis manifestations of alcohol abuse and typically occurs in an individual with long-standing history of alcohol intake. As in NASH, inflammation plays a key part in the development and worsening of ASH. More than 90% of heavy drinkers have steatosis, 10% to 35% have ASH, and 8% to 20% have alcoholic cirrhosis. While the consumption of alcohol is certainly a driving factor, especially if intake is high, other factors can contribute to the development of ASH in these patients, including diet, age and ethnicity. It is estimated that the prevalence of alcoholism in the U.S. is 8% of the U.S. population, or more than 15 million people. It is thought that at least 20% of patients with alcoholism have ASH or 3 million people in the U.S. alone.


IMM-124E for the treatment of fatty-liver diseases

IMM-124E, which is made of anti-LPS polyclonal antibodies, is manufactured from colostrum - harvested from dairy cows that have been immunized against bacterial LPS of the most common strains of ETEC. Such inoculation activates a generalized immune response in the host animal to produce antibodies which recognize and bind with the bacterial cell-surface epitopes presented. These antibodies are present in high concentration within our raw material. IMM-124E contains at least 40% immunoglobulins (Ig), composed mainly of IgG (mostly IgG1), mostly targeting bacterial LPS specific sites and also have been additionally demonstrated to cross react with other types of bacteria such as Shigella and Salmonella.

We believe that there is a strong rationale supporting the clinical benefit of IMM-124E for the treatment of fatty-liver diseases:

Ingested immunoglobulins are known to interact with the gut immune system to elicit a cell mediated anti-inflammatory response recorded in the serum, which in turns lowers inflammation at the sites of inflammation throughout the body.
IMM-124E has shown to bind to intestinal LPS thus reducing the intraluminal endotoxin load which lowers the pro-inflammatory signaling in the gut and the blood stream. This effect is also thought to restore the intestinal barrier function reducing liver LPS-related inflammation by lowering circulatory LPS levels and “bacterial translocation” even further.
Lastly, since NASH as well as other metabolic diseases are associated with changes in the host gut microbiota, direct change in the disease-associated gut flora is thought to reduce the bacterial strains that are most closely associated with disease.

The pre-clinical and clinical evidence gathered so far supports IMM-124E’s MOA as well as our position that IMM-124E is a unique and effective therapeutic for fatty-liver diseases including NASH, ASH and Pediatric NASH. This has been shown given this agent’s anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its exceptional safety profile.

Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies

Oral administration of IMM-124E has been tested in a Carbon-tetrachloride fibrosis mouse model and in an ob/ob metabolic model. Results demonstrate that IMM-124E has strong anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects on the liver and is associated with multiple biomarkers showing a similar response. IMM-124E had also been tested in a Phase I study of 10 (ten) biopsy-proven NASH and diabetes patients, conducted by investigators at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. All subjects did not present with any complications and demonstrated a beneficial effect on their existing disease.

Powerful Anti-Fibrotic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect Shown in CCl4 Mice Models

IMM-124E was tested in a Carbon-tetrachloride mouse model to determine the efficacy of orally administered IMM-124E to prevent hepatic inflammation and. 4 groups of mice (n = 6/8 per group) were utilized for the study as follow: Group A: (Positive Control) Intraperitoneal (IP) CCl4; Group B: IMM-124E (negative control); Group C: IP CCl4 + IMM-124E and Group D: IP CCl4 + IMM-124E (IMM-124E was administered two weeks before initiation of Carbon-tetrachloride).

The IMM-124E treatment group (Group C) demonstrated the following when compared to Control Group (Group A):

Statistically significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.03) reduction and near-normal ALT and AST respectively at days 21 and 30 post insult
Statistically significant (p<0.0001) reduction in serum bilirubin levels compared to positive control group (Group A).
Statistically significant (P<0.0009) in decreased Metavir Score and reduced inflammation on liver histology.
Reduction in activated Macrophages F4/80highon liver tissue FACS analysis and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.


Kupffer Cells 4/80 Flow Cytometry and IHC

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A representative macroscopic view of the livers from Group A (Positive Control) demonstrates the widespread fibrotic liver associated with this chemical insult, while the liver from the IMM-124E treated group (Group C) shows a normal liver, demonstrating the protective effect of IMM-124E even with the most aggressive of fibrosis models.

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The effect of this fibrosis-protective effect is evident both macroscopically as well as histology and correlates with the reduced number of effector cells, activated pro-fibrotic F4/80high macrophages, associated with liver fibrosis, proving the mechanism by which fibrosis is halted.

Ob/Ob Mice Models Show Significant and Sustained Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Metabolic Effects

We also conducted a study using ob/ob mice, which are a well-accepted mouse model for the metabolic syndrome showing insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, liver steatosis and elevated liver enzymes.

4 groups of ob/obmice were fed for 6 weeks with either IMM-124E or immunoglobulins purified from IMM-124E (3 doses). A positive Control was also established in parallel to the treatment groups. Mice were evaluated for their liver injury (serum ALT) metabolic state and immunological / inflammatory response using Flow cytometry to determine alterations in regulatory T-cell (Treg) and cytokines. Mice were also followed for liver enzymes, glucose levels, glucose tolerance test (GTT), hepatic and serum triglycerides (TGs) levels.


High dose of IMM-124E derived immunoglobulins demonstrated a statistically significant beneficial effect over control on all fronts, including a decrease in serum ALT, hepatic triglycerides and serum triglycerides. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) was improved within this group as well. The same group of mice showed a decrease in serum TNF-α, a strong pro-inflammatory cytokine, together with immune cellular shifts indicative of suppression of inflammation.

IMM-124E demonstrated a similar metabolic effect, with a statistically significant reduction in hepatic and serum triglycerides levels and an increase in CD4-CD25-FoxP3 cells which are strong immune regulatory cells.

Phase 1/2 - IMM-124E Demonstrated Safety and Significant Anti-Metabolic Effect in Patients with Biopsy-Proven NASH and Impaired Glucose Metabolism (i.e. type II DM or Insulin resistance)

We conducted a Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of IMM-124E in humans. This study was an open-label, single-center, 10 patient trial, conducted in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and biopsy-proven NASH. All patients were treated for 30 days and were monitored for their liver enzymes, glucose metabolism markers, serum lipids and metabolic associated hormonal signals such as Adiponectin and GLP-1. Inflammation associated cytokines and regulatory immune cells were evaluated as well.

The primary endpoint of the study was safety and all patients completed the study according to protocol. No treatment related adverse events were reported by the investigators for any of the clinical or laboratory parameters during the treatment and follow-up.

We also observed multiple impact on the underlying disease relevant parameters including:

All patients exhibited a clinically meaningful reduction in the hemoglobin A1c by day 30 of treatment. The reduction was deemed statistically significant when comparing baseline to day 30.
7 out of 10 subjects demonstrated at least 10% reduction in one or more enzymes (AST / ALT) between the two time points (0 and 30)
Six patients demonstrated lower fasting blood glucose levels at Day 30.
A decrease in serum cholesterol and LDL levels was noted in the 9 of the 10 patients treated with IMM-214E. The mean total serum cholesterol was 5.3 μM/dl at Baseline and 4.7 μM/dl at Day 30. 8 out of 10 subjects were noted to improve their serum LDL with the mean serum LDL level reduced from 3.92 μM/dl to 3.13 μM/dl at baseline and Day 30, respectively.
An increase in adiponectin and GLP-1 was recorded in 8 and 6 subjects respectively.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from all subjects and analyzed using flow cytometry. Levels of regulatory T-cells were measured in the isolates. CD4+CD25+, CD4+CD25+HLA-DR+, CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD62L+ were numerically increased in the majority of patients for all cell types.

The combined results of these pre-clinical and clinical studies have clearly shown that IMM-124E exerts immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects resulting in metabolic and liver related biomarker improvements, and showed strong inhibition of fibrosis. In addition, the oral administration of IMM-124E in the Phase I clinical study was reported to be well-tolerated with no treatment-related adverse events reported. We believe that the combination of the pre-clinical and the clinical studies, as well as the supporting literature linking LPS to NASH, establishes IMM-124E as a unique and potentially paradigm-changing option for NASH patients.

Global Phase II Clinical Trial in NASH

In November 2014, we initiated our global Phase II, multicenter, double blind placebo control, randomized clinical study with sites in the U.S., Australia and Israel. The study’s goal is to assess the safety and effectiveness of IMM-124E for the treatment of NASH. A total of 133 biopsy-proven NASH patients have being enrolled comparing 2 doses of IMM-124E to placebo within a 6 month treatment period. The study design had been reviewed by the FDA and finalized under the agency’s recommendation. IMM-124E is a first -in-class, oral antibody therapeutic which targets the endotoxin LPS and other gram negative bacterial components in the gut and prevents translocation into the blood circulation where they drive inflammation and cause damage to the liver. Topline results of our IMM-124E phase II Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) clinical study were reported in March 2018, the data generated demonstrated a significant reduction in serum Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as reductions in other biomarkers associated with liver damage. The 24-week treatment study in Australia, Israel, and the US targeted 133 biopsy-proven NASH patients. The results revealed nearly 64.3 per cent of IMM-24-dosed patients showed a 15 per cent or greater decrease in serum LPS levels, compared with just 34.5 per cent of patients showing a decrease in the placebo group. At the same time, the study showed decreases in both Aspartate Transaminase (AST and ALT) and Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), metabolic markers associated with NASH and liver damage. The reported results provide confirmation of the mechanism of action and proof of concept that metabolic endotoxemia can be decreased using this drug candidate. Another expected but nonetheless pleasing outcome was the confirmation that IMM-124 was retained within the gut lumen and was not absorbed systemically. This finding strengthened IMM-124’s safety profile and potential for use in combination with other therapeutics.


NIH Funded Phase II Clinical Trials in ASH and in Pediatric NASH

In addition to our Phase II clinical study for the treatment of NASH, 2 studies evaluating IMM-124E were chosen to be funded by the American National Institute of Health (NIH). The first study is a Phase II clinical study for the treatment of Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (ASH),in collaboration with Dr. Arun Sanyal at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The trial is a 56 patient, randomized to placebo. The study is expected to generate safety as well as preliminary efficacy data and should be completed in 2019. The second study is also a Phase II clinical study for the treatment of Pediatric NASH, in collaboration with Dr. Miriam Vos at Emory University, Atlanta. This Phase II trial aims to enroll 40 pediatric patients for three months treatment and aims at determining the safety and exploratory efficacy of IMM-124 in Pediatric NASH patients.

IMM-124E – Competitive Advantage

We believe that IMM-124E has a significant competitive advantage when compared to other assets in development:

Multi-Factorial / Broad Anti-Inflammatory Upstream Effect – It is now increasingly acknowledged that NASH is a multi-factorial disease, and that targeting only one or two pathways is likely to only have a marginal effect on the disease. IMM-124E offers hope for long-lasting effects because of its broad upstream anti-inflammatory effects which induces the release of regulatory T-cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines while decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Attractive Profile for Long-Term Chronic Use Because of its exceptional safety profile, which is derived from a GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) platform, we believe that data will support the use of IMM-124E as a chronic / long-term treatment, providing a unique advantage over other NASH therapies as some have already shown significant side effect profile (e.g., increased cholesterol).
Potential for Use as Backbone Agent for both Early and Severe Disease While other more toxic agents in development are likely to be confined to severe populations, we believe that IMM-124E will be able to be used in all NASH patients, including for those with mild fibrosis (F1) / no scarring (F0), and potentially in NAFLD patients as well, to reduce their elevated inflammation state. We do not believe that other agents will have the efficacy / safety profile to justify such broad use, hence putting nearly 15 million of mild NASH patients within reach of IMM-124E but out of reach of our competition.
Potential for Use in Combination TherapyBecause of its delivery method and exceptional safety profile, it is likely that IMM-124E can not only be used as monotherapy, but also in combination with other NASH agents, if these are approved, and if physicians feel that this is warranted for their patients. We do not believe that other agents will have the efficacy / safety profile to justify being used in combination with other agents as readily as IMM-124E.

C.difficile Infections (CDIs)

C.difficilecan cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. In the most serious cases, C.difficile infections (“CDIs”) CDIs can lead to fulminant colitis, megacolon and even death from colon perforation and peritonitis. Cdifficileis acquired from contact with humans or objects harboring these bacteria. It can be commonly acquired during hospitalization. Up to 30% of those who have spent a prolonged period in the hospital leave carrying these bacteria in the bowel flora, especially if antibiotics have been administered. This is because CDI is most often associated with the prior use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which decrease the natural resistance of the body to C.difficile. Chronic CDI is estimated to occur in perhaps 15-30% of those infected. In some, reinfections can occur with the same or with a different strain. Risk factors for relapse include the number of previous episodes, the need to use antibiotics recurrently, and older age groups.

Human infection occurs through ingestion of the highly infectious spores which survive acid and bile on its passage into the bowel may be eradicated by the normal bowel flora since the microbes that collectively make up the flora provide colonization resistance against pathogenic species through competition for essential nutrients and attachment sites to the gut wall. However, if the bowel flora is suppressed because of concomitant use of antibiotics, or if the bowel flora has a deficiency, C.difficilecan colonize the flora and remain with the patient. In some individuals, it seems that antibiotics are not required for colonization to take place, which may be related to inadequate defense of the naturally occurring flora within the bowel.


When C.difficiletakes hold, the toxins produced by the bacterium, especially Toxin B, act by inactivation of Rho GTPases leading to cell death, and stimulation of an inflammatory cascade that exacerbates tissue damage, diarrhea, and pseudomembranous colitis. When faced with a CDI infection, the standard of care is typically either a course of Vancomycin or metronidazole, both of which are broad spectrum antibiotics. While these agents are very effective at treating the primary infections, they also severely impact the rest of the gut flora, creating an ideal environment for the C.difficilespores to once again take hold. This creates a vicious cycle, as more courses of antibiotic treatments worsen recurrence. Vancomycin and metronidazole are plagued by increasing rate of CDI recurrences, underscoring the need for new treatments. There is also growing concern of resistance to Vancomycin treatment.

C.difficile is a very hardy organism most likely because it shed spores and these spores are unable to be eradicated by any known antibiotics. Since C.difficile spores are able to survive for long periods of time outside of the body, and because healthcare settings are often sites of significant antibiotic use, CDI transmission rates in hospitals, long-term acute care facilities and nursing homes have been increasing. CDI is also a cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized cancer patients and bone marrow transplant patients, as their immune systems are suppressed by cytotoxic drugs and sometimes by antibiotics that are administered to prevent opportunistic infections.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has identified CDI as one of the top three most urgent antibiotic-resistant bacterial threats in the U.S. and is now the most common cause of hospital acquired infection in the U.S. CDI is responsible for approximately 29,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. The prevalence of CDI is estimated at more than 450,000 infections annually, with nearly 100,000 cases of first recurrences. Research suggests that the risk of recurrence is approximately 25% after the primary occurrence of CDI, 40% after a first recurrence and greater than 60% for those experiencing two or more recurrences. CDI leads to an increased length of hospitalization and as of 2015, an estimated A$US$1.1 billion in health care costs annually in the U.S. The rise of community-acquired CDI is now a growing problem and led to the recognition that CDI is not simply limited to just hospitals. This increase in CDI incidence, which is now a growing problem worldwide due to the widespread and increaseincreased use of antibiotics, is the driver behind a growing market for C.C.difficile therapeutics,therapeutics. The CDI market across the seven major markets of the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Japan, is set to grow from $630 million in 2016 to almost $1.7 billion by 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%.

C.difficilecan cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. In the most serious cases,C.difficileinfections can lead to fulminant colitis, megacolon and even death from colon perforation and peritonitis.C difficileis acquired from contact with humans or objects harboring these bacteria. It can be commonly acquired during hospitalization. Up to 30% of those who have spent a prolonged period in the hospital leave carrying these bacteria in the bowel flora, especially if antibiotics have been administered. This is because CDI is most often associated with the prior use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which decrease the natural resistance of the body toC.difficile. Chronic CDI is estimated to reach A$1.5 billion by 2024, up from A$350 million today.occur in perhaps 15-30% of those infected. In some cases, reinfections can occur with the same or with a different strain. Risk factors for relapse include the number of previous episodes, the need to use antibiotics recurrently, and older age groups.

 

Human infection occurs through ingestion of the highly infectious spores which survive acid and bile on their passage into the bowel. Normally, this infectious process may be eradicated or substantially reduced by the normal bowel flora since the microbes that collectively make up the flora provide colonization resistance against pathogenic species through competition for essential nutrients and attachment sites to the gut wall. However, if the bowel flora is suppressed because of concomitant use of antibiotics, or if the bowel flora has a deficiency,C.difficilecan colonize the flora and remain with the patient. In some individuals, it seems that antibiotics are not required for colonization to take place, which may be related to inadequate defense of the naturally occurring flora within the bowel.

WhenC.difficiletakes hold, the toxins produced by the bacterium, especially Toxin B, act by inactivation of Rho GTPases leading to cell death, and stimulation of an inflammatory cascade that exacerbates tissue damage, diarrhea, and pseudomembranous colitis. When faced with a CDI infection, the standard of care is typically either a course of vancomycin or metronidazole, both of which are broad spectrum antibiotics. While these agents are very effective at treating the primary infections, they also severely impact the rest of the gut flora, creating an ideal environment for theC.difficilespores to once again take hold. This creates a vicious cycle, as more courses of antibiotic treatments worsen recurrence. Vancomycin and metronidazole treatments are plagued by increasing rate of CDI recurrences, underscoring the need for new treatments. There is also growing concern of resistance to vancomycin treatment.

C.difficileis a very hardy organism most likely because it shed spores and these spores are unable to be eradicated by any known antibiotics. SinceC. difficile spores are able to survive for long periods of time outside of the body, and because healthcare settings are often sites of significant antibiotic use, CDI transmission rates in hospitals, long-term acute care facilities and nursing homes have been increasing. CDI is also a cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized cancer patients and bone marrow transplant patients, as their immune systems are suppressed by cytotoxic drugs and sometimes by antibiotics that are administered to prevent opportunistic infections.

27

IMM-529 – A PotentiallyNovel Triple Action offers a Revolutionary Treatment for Recurrent CDI

 

Our second lead compound, IMM-529, targets theC.difficilebacterium and contains polyclonal antibodies cross-reactive to Toxin B, spores and vegetative cells of the bacterium. IMM-529 is an oral biologic which does not destroy the microbiome like antibiotic treatments, allowing the microbiome to return to a healthy state, while treating the virulent CDI. The antibodies in IMM-529 have been demonstrated to be cross-reactive with a variety of human and animal C.C.difficileisolates and to their associated Toxin B, vegetative cells and spore components.

The antibodies in IMM-529 have also been shown to neutralize Toxin B from a historical C.C.difficilestrain (630), and from a hypervirulent (HV) strain which caused recent worldwide outbreaks. Immunoglobulin G comprised almost 90% of total immunoglobulin present in IMM-529, with major subclass IgG1 making up over 65% of total immunoglobulins.

 

IMM-529 iswas developed and tested extensively in the IND stage, and has successfully completed its pre-clinical program in CDI. IMM-529, which was developedmodels in collaboration with world-leading C.difficile Key Opinion Leader Dr. Dena Lyras and her team at Monash University, has a unique Triple-Action MOA (antibodies toAustralia. Dr. Lyras is one of the world’s foremost experts inC.difficile. IMM-529 targets the virulent Toxin B, + Spores + Vegetative Cells): 


(GRAPHIC) 

the spores and the vegetative cells. It is a three prongedthree-pronged approach that is unique and which has yielded exceptionalpromising results in the pre-clinical studies, including (1) Preventionprevention of primary disease, (2) Treatmenttreatment of primary disease and (3) Suppressionsuppression of disease recurrence. To our knowledge, itIMM-529 is, to date, the only investigational drug that has showed positiveshown therapeutic benefitspotential in all three phases of the disease.


Preclinical studies with IMM-529 yielded promising results in a number of pre-clinical animal models (shown below). All results were highly statistically significant:

 

Prevention of C.C.difficileinfection: approximately 70% (17/24) survival vs. 0% survival in the control groups:
Control group #1 (0/14) treated with water; and
Control group #2 (0/15) treated with non-hyperimmune colostrum.

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Treatment: approximately 80% survival (11/14) vs. <7% survival in the control groups:
Control group #1 (0/14): Treated with water alone following vancomycin treatment; and
Control group #2 (1/15): Treated with non-hyperimmune colostrum following vancomycin treatment.

 

(GRAPHIC)

 


Relapse: approximately 90% survival in IMM-529 + vancomycin group (n=7/9); vs. 11% survival in the control group which received vancomycin alone (n=1/9).

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

The results of these studies were published in Scientific Reports (Hutton et al. Bovine antibodies targeting primary and recurrentClostridium difficledifficile disease are potent antibiotic alternatives), SCI Rep. 2017 Jun 16:7(1):3665.


Phase I/IIa clinical trial of IMM-529 inC. difficilepatients

 

With 29,000 annual deaths,A first-in-man Phase I/II clinical trial was initiated at two clinical sites in Israel at the end of 2017 in CDI patients. This trial was intended to evaluate the safety, tolerability and 450,000 people affected by Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)effectiveness of IMM-529 together with standard of care (SOC) antibiotic treatment in patients with CDI

On March 19, 2019, we provided an update regarding the United States alone,status of the positive progressIMM-529 clinical trial in patients with CDI, along with a refocusing of our IMM-529 CDIefforts to develop IMM-529. The Phase I/II clinical trial is welcome news.

CDI mostly strikes older people followingof IMM-529 in patients withC. difficile initiated at the useend of antibiotics, or extended periods2017 at two clinics in Israel provided us with disappointing numbers of hospitalisation. It manifests in a rangeenrolled patients. At present, only 9 out of symptoms, from diarrhea to potentially life-threating gut inflammation. Our clinical study will treat 60 patients diagnosedhave been randomized into the study and the company has decided to close these sites. We decided to further develop IMM-529 to treat CDI patients through a formal filing of an IND with FDA, and to develop a new clinical plan for the drug candidate with input from FDA. The focus for IMM-529 will be to explore how the drug can be developed to determine its impact on reducing recurrent CDI beginningdisease, a major unmet medical need in treatment of patients suffering with recruits at the Hadassah Medical Centre in Israel.

Once infected,C. difficileinfections. We are planning to file a Type B meeting request with FDA to develop IMM-529 to treat patients face high rates of recurrence. The cost to the US healthcare system alone is estimated at$4.5 billion a year.with CDI.

 

IMM-529 – Competitive Advantage

 

We believe that IMM-529 has a uniquenovel competitive advantage:advantages:

 

Triple Mechanism of Action–Action – IMM-529 not onlytargets the Toxin B,, but it also contains antibodies to thespores and the vegetative cells.This is unique among all assetsclinical drug candidates currently in development.

Effective Against Virulent Strains –As discussed above, IMM-529 has been shown to be effective against a number of virulent strains of CDI, providing a strong Proof-of-Concept (POC)proof-of-concept model that IMM-529 can be a frontline agent.

Effective in All Phases of the Disease– IMM-529 has been shown that it canto be an effective agent in animal models designed to mimic all phases of the disease including prevention of infection, treatment of primary disease and recurrence. This is unique amongnovel compared to all of our competitors and indicateindicates a much larger potential use for IMM-529 than current development programs which primarily target recurrence.

Oral Therapy –IMM-529 is anoral therapylessening costs/burden on the patient,issues covering patients, hospitals and the healthcare system overall.

Not an Antibiotic –IMM-529 isnot an antibiotic,, and accordingly is only targeted at targets components ofC.difficile -its Toxin B, spores and vegetative cells. It therefore doesConsequently, IMM-529 is not expected to negatively impact the rest of thebacterial flora, and allowsallowing the flora to return to normal, while fighting the primary infection / recurrence.

 

We are hopeful about the future prospects of this asset given the lack of treatment options that are available for this devastating disease. One of our major competitors, Seres Therapeutics, recently announced the interim results of a phase 2 trial with their SER-109 CDI therapeutic which failed to achieve the primary endpoint of reducing the risk of CDI recurrence. SER-109 (an ecology of bacterial spores enriched and purified from healthy, screened human donors) does not specifically target Toxin B, which has been proved time and again, especially through the work of Dr. Dena Lyras, to be the main driver of disease morbidity and mortality. We are confident in the long-term success of IMM-529 given its unique triple-action MOA which targets the Toxin B, the spores and the vegetative cells. We look forward to more data in the years ahead as we continue to develop this highly differentiated asset.


Other Development Programs

 

In addition to the IMM-124E and IMM-529 programs, we also have two research collaborations ongoing with the U.S. Department of Defense including one(DoD) involving programs with the U.S. Navy and with the U.S. Army, and a second collaboration with the U.S. Navy, for the studydevelopment of Shigella,two therapeutic products. Specifically one therapeutic program targets Campylobacter and ETEC, vaccines. We also started a pre-clinical program targeting Irritable Bowel Diseases (IBD), in collaboration with renowned IBD Key Opinion Leader, Dr. Gerhard Rogler and the Universitysecond program is focused on the development of Zurich, Switzerland, andShigella-specific therapeutics. EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli is a pre-clinical Autism study with several universities / hospitals in Australia.

type ofPre-Clinical – Colitis.E. coliThe University of Zurich’s world renowned inflammatory bowel diseases researcher, Professor Gerhard Rogler, has teamed with us to launch a pre-clinical development program in colitis. The three-stage program will use well-known acute and chronic colitis models began in 2016 and is continuing. In May 2018 we announcedone of the completionleading bacterial causes of our IMM-124 colitis preclinical mice program at the University of Zurich. The results follow in parallel with our NASH clinical study, which showed significant reductions in serum Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. LPS endotoxins are chief suspectsdiarrhea in the inflammation associated with colitis and inflammatory bowel and other autoimmune diseases. The results revealed substantial reductions in weight loss, disease activity scores, shorteningdeveloping world, as well as the most common cause of the colon, and macroscopically detectable colitis.

Colitis, manifesting as a group of inflammatory bowel conditions, including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, affects millions of people around the world. The global market for treatments of IBD, of which colitis is a significant component, is expected to reach an annual US $10 billion by 2021.

Professor Rogler is Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Consultant Gastroenterologist at Zurich University Hospital Switzerland. He is also principal investigator of the Swiss Irritable Bowel Diseases cohort study, and the author of 200 original peer-reviewed articles.travelers’ diarrhea.

 

Collaborations with U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.Navy.We believe that our collaborations with the DoD are a powerful validation of the potential of our platform to develop novel anti-infectives. These collaborations also open the door to explore and develop potentially low risk / low cost therapeutics with some of the most advanced research facilities in the world. The DoD earlier commissioned several studies to characterize the polyclonal antibodies contained in Travelan. The aim was to conduct trials to determine the product’s effectiveness in neutralizing pathogenic GI bacterial infections as a preventative treatment for U.S. military personnel and civilians stationed or traveling in locations where such infections can be debilitating.


Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences(AFRIMS). In June 2016, we signed an agreement with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)(“WRAIR”) to develop a vaccinetherapeutic for a form of dysentery that kills up to one million people a year. WRAIR is the largest and most diverse biomedical research laboratoryorganization in the Department of Defense.DoD.

 

The project aimsproject’s aim is to develop a vaccinean oral therapeutic for shigellosis, a severe form of dysentery that affects about 165 million people a year, mostly children, and causes up to a million deaths. Symptoms of shigellosis, also known as bacillary dysentery, include severe and bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. WRAIR aimsWe plan to develop the vaccineproduct for both civilian and military use in areas where endemic diseases such as shigellosis can compromise the health and readiness of the local community, travelers, contractors and defense personnel.

 

The US Department of Defense-commissioned study was reported inIn January 2018, and demonstratedwe reported that the DoD-commissioned study showed Travelan has effective immunological reactivitywas immunologically reactive to a number of dangerous and potentially fatal infectious bacteria. The Department of Enteric Diseases (DED),unit of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS)(“AFRIMS”) performed the study. It took place at a WRAIR laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Bangkok. WRAIR is one of the leading health research organisations in the world.Bangkok, Thailand. The study, one of three involving Travelan, looked at 60 clinical isolates of each of Campylobacter, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC),ETEC, and Shigella obtained from infected US DefenseU.S. defense personnel in southeast Asia between 1993 and 2016. It foundThe study indicated that, compared to the control, Travelan antibodies were reactive to all 180 clinical isolates.

 

In September 2018 we reported the findings of a study conducted by AFRIMS. The study evaluated the therapeutic potential of Travelan in a non-human primate (“NHP”) preclinical Shigella challenge model that closely mimics the disease seen in humans. The study was performed in collaboration with the Department of Enteric Diseases and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, AFRIMS, and the Department of Enteric Infections, Bacterial Diseases Branch, WRAIR. The placebo-controlled study was carried out in 12 NHPs segregated into 2 groups: a Travelan treatment cohort of 8 and a placebo cohort of 4, which were treated with either Travelan or placebo respectively twice daily for a total of 12 doses over a 6-day period. The animals received treatment for 3 days prior to oral challenge with approximately 3 x 109 viableShigella flexneri strain 2a organisms. All (4 of 4 - 100%) placebo-treated animals displayed acute dysentery symptoms within 24 to 36 hours of theShigella flexneri 2a challenge. Seven of the eight individuals in the Travelan treatment cohort (87.5%) remained symptom-free to 4 days post theShigella flexneri 2a challenge. Only one of the Travelan-treated cohort displayed dysentery symptoms during the same time frame as the placebo arm. Once the treatment period was concluded a second individual in the Travelan treatment group developed symptoms. Six of the eight Travelan treated cohort animals remained symptom-free to the conclusion of the study which was 11 days post theShigella flexneri 2a challenge.

In June 2019 we updated the market on the latest developments arising from our cooperative research and development efforts with the DoD. AFRIMS completed the histopathological analysis, which provides a comprehensiveview of the clinical disease and its effect on tissues of gut, revealed that all animals in the placebo-treated group displayed severe inflammation in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. These animals also had very high levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8) in fecal samples collected throughout the study. The inflammation seen in the gastrointestinal tract and the increase in inflammatory cytokines in the feces were closely associated with the observed clinical outcomes of dysentery. Only 3 of the 8 Travelan-treated animals had signs of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and only 2 of those had high levels of inflammatory cytokines in fecal samples. All other animals in the Travelan-treated group were clinically healthy and did not excrete any inflammatory cytokines. Overall the results suggest that Travelan® is functionally cross-reactive and may have prophylactic activity against Shigellosis.

In June 2019 we also reported the completion of the manufacture of three newShigella-specific therapeutic products using proprietary vaccines developed by WRAIR. The immune reactivity of the three hyper-immune Shigella specific products were evaluated by the WRAIR using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay and Western Blot analysis. The antibodies in the products were shown to react with the specific antigens present in the vaccines. The antibodies within the three products were also reactive to 4 different clinical isolates of Shigella (S. flexneri2a,S. flexneri3a,S. flexneri6, andS. sonnei). The three ImmuronShigella-specific therapeutic products will now go on to evaluation in WRAIR’s preclinical models of shigellosis.

In September 2019 we announced the results of the study, sponsored by the DoD and funded through the Defense Health Agency, which was performed at the overseas laboratory of the WRAIR located in Bangkok, Thailand. The goal was to investigate the breadth of Travelan®’s immunological reactivity against pathogenicVibrio cholera bacterial isolates. Clinical isolates were collected from infected personnel located in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand, enabling researchers to gauge Travelan®’s potential against bacterial strains typically seen in the field. When compared to a placebo control, researchers found that the polyclonal antibodies comprising Immuron’s Travelan® product were reactive to all 71 clinical isolates from these infected individuals. The ability of Travelan® to bind these bacteria highlights the broad-spectrum recognition by Travelan® of surface antigens on potentially debilitating and even life-threatening bacteria.


USU.S. Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC)(“NMRC”).In August 2016, we signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy to test the reactivity and therapeutic effectiveness of Travelan against Campylobacter and ETEC, two common gram-negative bacteriumbacteria. A subsequent study demonstrated Travelan®Travelan bound to and neutralized key components used by the ETEC bacteria to attach to host cells and cause disease. This study was performed by the NMRC’s Department of Enteric Infections and reported that Travelan was specifically shown to:

 

React with the major colonization factor antigensantigens;

Bind to key fimbrial proteins which are used by the bacteria to attach to host cells and cause diseasedisease;

Inhibit the bacteria binding and causing cell hemagglutinationhemagglutination; and

React with the heat labile enterotoxin produced by ETEC bacteriabacteria.

 

Walter Reed Army InstituteIn October 2019, we announced that the U.S. Department of Defense had approved USD $3.7 million in funding in connection with a new research agreement with the Naval Medical Research (WRAIR).Center (NMRC), Silver Spring, MD, USA to develop and clinically evaluate a new oral therapeutic targeting Campylobacter and ETEC. The study demonstrated Travelan boundfocus of this new agreement will be to similar targets presentdevelop a combined Campylobacter and enterotoxigenicE. coli (ETEC)-specific anti-microbial preventative for clinical evaluation. Under this agreement, Immuron and NMRC will be collaborating on the manufacture and evaluation of the new product designed to protect against travelers’ diarrhea caused by Campylobacter and ETEC pathogens. The protective efficacy of the product will be tested utilizing two controlled human infection-model clinical trials, with one trial focusing on the ability of the hyperimmune product to protect volunteers against moderate to severe campylobacteriosis, and the second trial focusing on ETEC and Shigella bacteria. The Department of Enteric Infections, Bacterial Diseases Branch at the WRAIR assessed Travelan immune-reactivity with ETEC and Shigella antigens, which demonstrated they were reacting to common bacterial antigens.

infections.

 

Campylobacter’s main reservoir is poultry; however, humans can contract the disease from contaminated food. At least a dozen species ofCampylobacter have been implicated in human disease, withC. jejuni andC. colibeing the most common.C. jejuni is now recognized as one of the main causes of bacterial foodborne disease in many developed countries as well as developing countries where poultry is common.

Enterotoxigenic escherichia coliETEC is a type of Escherichia coli (E-coli) and one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhea in the developing world, as well as the most common cause of travelers’ diarrhea. Conservative estimates suggest that each year, about 157,000 deaths occur, mostly in children, from ETEC, but no vaccines exist, highlighting the need for new treatment modalities.

 

The US DoD commissioned several studies to characterise the antibodies withinTravelan, the company’scommercially availableflagshipover-the-counter gastrointestinal and digestive health supplement. The aim was to conduct trials to determine theproduct’seffectiveness in neutralising pathogenic gastrointestinal bacterial infections as a preventative treatment for US military personnel and civilians stationed or traveling in locations where such infections may be debilitating.

The US Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), an overseas laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), located in Bangkok, Thailand, conducted the study that evaluated the therapeutic potential ofTravelan in a non-human primate (NHP) preclinical challenge model that closely mimics the disease seen in humans. The study was performed in collaboration with the Department of Enteric Diseases and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, AFRIMS, and the Department of Enteric Infections, Bacterial Diseases Branch, WRAIR.

The placebo-controlled study was carried out in 12 NHPs segregated into 2 groups: aTravelantreatment cohort of 8 and a placebo cohort of 4, which were treated with eitherTravelanor placebo respectively twice daily for a total of 12 doses over a 6-day period. The animals received treatment for 3-days prior to oral challenge with ~3 x 109 viableShigella flexneri strain 2a organisms. All (4 of 4 - 100%) placebo-treated animals displayed acute dysentery symptoms within 24 – 36 hours ofShigella flexneri 2a challenge. A single (1 of 8 –12.5%) of theTravelan-treated cohort displayed dysentery symptoms at this time point. The remaining individuals (7 of 8 –87.5%) in theTravelantreatment cohort remained symptom-free to 4days postShigella flexneri 2a challenge. Once the treatment period was concluded a second individual in the Travelan treatment group developed symptoms (2 of 8 -25%). The remainder (6 of 8 -75%) of theTravelan treated cohort remained symptom-free to the conclusion of the study 11days postShigella flexneri 2a challenge.

Autism:In July 2016, we announced a strategic partnership with three leading Australian research institutes focused on understanding how the genetic basis underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) relates to changes to the gut, and how our anti-LPS IMM-124E compound affects changes in mouse models for autism. This effort involves the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and Murdoch Children’s Hospital.

Except for preclinical drug products, this unique collaboration has the potential for tremendous upside given that are no treatments approved for autism, and very few assets in development. This could also potentially open the door for other development partnerships in Central Nervous System (CNS) conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

In summary,Accordingly, we believe that the breadth and depth of our assetstechnology, and the support we are receiving from the NIH, the DoD and other leading institutions and Key Opinion Leaders, demonstrates the importance of our technology platform, and makes us truly a unique and attractive player in the therapeutic areas we target.are targeting.


Our Advisory Board

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

 

Our company’s programs are supported by an advisory board consisting of:

 

Dr. Arun Sanyal (MD) –University of Virginia. Professor of Medicine and Former Chairman of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, VCU Medical Center. Dr. Sanyal is an internationally renowned expert in liver diseases. He is a former President of the AASLD (AmericanAmerican Association for the Study of Liver Diseases)Diseases and is the current Chair of the Liver Study Section at the NIH.

Dr. Stephen Harrison (MD) – Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Physician, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Chief of Residents, Internal Medicine, Brooke U.S. Army Medical Center. Dr. Harrison is an internationally renowned expert in NASH and his group has published seminal work on many aspects in the field. Dr. Harrison is the Principal Investigator of Galectin’s GR-MD-02’s Phase 2 trial and hold’s key roles in other leading clinical NASH studies.

Dr. Manal Abdelmalek (MD) – Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Abdelmalek is Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke Medical University Medical Center, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases & Liver Transplantation. Dr. Abdelmalek is a leading investigator in the field of NASH.

Dr. Gerhard Rogler (MD, PhD) – Zurich University. Dr. Rogler is the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the University of Zurich and Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Zürich University Hospital, Switzerland. Prof. Rogler is a leader in the field of Colitis and has authored approximately 200 original peer-reviewed articles.

Dr. Miriam Vos (MD) – Emory University. Dr. Vos is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine, and an attending Hepatologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinalGI disease in children as well as fatty liver disease and obesity. Dr. Vos is also the author of The No-Diet Obesity Solution for Kids.

Dr. Dena Lyras (PhD) – Monash University. Dr. Lyras, an associate professor at Monash University, is one of the world’s leading experts in C.difficile. Dr. Lyras has spent her research career developing world-leading knowledge of C.difficile. She was the lead author of a seminal study published in Nature in 2009, which shed new light on the essential role specific toxins play in causing disease, a discovery that disproved prevailing opinion.
Dr. Manal Abdelmalek (MD) – Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Abdelmalek is Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke Medical University Medical Center, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases & Liver Transplantation. Dr. Abdelmalek is a leading investigator in the field of NASH.

Dr. Gerhard Rogler (MD, PhD) – Zurich University. Dr. Rogler was the principal investigator of our Colitis preclinical program. He ceased to be a member of our advisory board when the scientific results were published on January  25, 2019. Dr. Rogler is the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the University of Zurich and Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Zürich University Hospital, Switzerland.


Our Marketed AssetsOUR MARKETED ASSETS

 

Travelan.Travelan – Our Flagship Commercial Asset.Travelan, is anour over-the-counter gastrointestinal and digestive health supplement, reported increased sales of 28.5% year over year for the counter product currently sold reducing the risk of Traveler’s Diarrhea (TD). Travelan uses hyperimmune BCP from cows vaccinated against various strains of ETEC to protect against TD and reduces the risk of TD, along with the symptoms of minor gastrointestinal disorders.2019 financial year, achieving AUD $2.3M total sales. Travelan is currently the only therapy that prevents TD by up to 90%, with a very high safety profile. Travelan is not an antibiotic and so it does not have the side-effect profile of antibiotics and does not contribute to the worldwide concerns about bacterial drug resistance. Two independent, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials in Europe in 90 healthy volunteers showed protection of more than 90% against infection with the type of E.coli that causes TD, along with indicating a significant reduction in abdominal cramps and stomach pain. There were no reported side effects in the clinical trials. Sales in fiscal 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 were A$1.0 million, A$1.0 million, A$1.4 million and A$ 1.81 million, respectively.

Travelan is now marketed in Australia, the U.S., and Canada and we plan to launch Travelan in additional countries.

Our marketing and sales strategies vary by territory.Canada. In Australia, TravelanTravelan® is sold within most pharmacies,a listed medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (AUST L 106709), and we utilize trade promotions strategies, as well asis indicated to reduce the risk of Travelers’ Diarrhea, reduce the risk of minor gastro-intestinal disorders and is antimicrobial. In Canada, Travelan® is a contracted field force,licensed natural health product (NPN 80046016) and is indicated to ensure that our products are appropriately distributed throughout our partner pharmacies.reduce the risk of Travelers’ Diarrhea. In the U.S., we are heavily focused on driving demand throughTravelan® is sold as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection in accordance with section 403 (r)(6) of the travel clinics market, suchFDA.

Australian sales revenue for Travelan for the 2019 financial year was AUD $1.16M, showing continued growth and a 12% increase compared to the 2018 fiscal year. Increased initiatives in the pharmacy sector, including TV advertising with Chemist Warehouse and stronger merchandising in-store, contributed to this sales momentum.

In the United States, Travelan sales also increased with fiscal year 2019 revenue exceeding the AUD $1M milestone for the first time, as sales grew by 32% year over year. The increase in sales, reaching AUD $1.02M for the 2019 fiscal year, was mainly thanks to the partnership with Passport Health, America’s largest travel medicine network, and rising sales on the Amazon platform. During fiscal year 2019, we were featured in two podcasts on the US based ‘Not Old, Better’ channel. This included an interview with Dr. Hailey Weerts from the US Department of Defense, in which she spoke of the ground-breaking research into Travelan by WRAIR. Both podcasts resulted in an immediate spike in sales of Travelan on Amazon, with this online category growing by almost 80% in fiscal year 2019. May 2019 also by partneringrepresented a record-breaking month for Travelan sales, with large distributors such as Medique. revenue climbing to $182K in the United States.

In Canada,April 2019 we are actively promotingrelaunched Travelan in both retail stores and pharmacies. In all of our markets, we invest in social media marketing, trade marketing, traditional mediaCanada, with ANB Canada managing marketing and PRdistribution in the retail pharmacy sector. The major Canadian Pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart was the first banner to drive awareness and pull through of Travelan.range the product.

 

Overall, over 50 million people from developed nations travel to developing countries each year, 35%-50% of people traveling to developing countries will suffer from TD,travelers’ diarrhea, and 70% of these TDthose episodes will be caused by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (“ETEC”). TDETEC. Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common health problem faced by these travelers; given this, we believe that an expanded sales and marketing campaign for Travelan would lead to a strong increase in sales. We are in the process of finding partners for other priority markets outside of Australia, the U.S., and Canada. Our market research has shown that TD is a A$600 million market worldwide including therapeutics approved for the treatment of TD, and off-label use of non-TD approved therapeutics such as antibiotics and OTCs. As the only preventative treatment on the market, we believe that the potential worldwide peak sales for Travelan are significant, but no assurance can be given that we will be successful in our marketing efforts.


OVERVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY

 

Protectyn –For Gut Dysbiosis. Last year we launched Protectyn in Australia,We are a health product targeting LPS bacteria inclinical-stage Australian biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology platform focused on developing a novel class of biological polyclonal antibodies that can address significant unmet medical needs. Our primary focus is on developing first-in-class oral polyclonal antibodies drugs to treat a range of infectious diseases. Compared to other therapeutics, our oral polyclonal antibodies offer targeted delivery within the gutgastrointestinal track and do not cross into the bloodstream, potentially leading to prevent gut dysbiosis, improve bacterial clearance, reduce chronic inflammationmuch improved safety and improve immune function. This product has been formulated to help maintain healthy digestive function and help support the liver. Protectyn is currently only sold through the Natural Healthcare Practitioners (Naturopath). Sales of this product are in the very early stages and to date have not been material.

Overview

Our hyper-immune platform technology is safe (GRAS), low cost, and can be applied to a variety of diseases. Our platform technology is based on producing antigen targeted, hyper-immune bovine colostrum powder (BCP) suitable for pharmaceutical use. Polyclonal antibodies are the purified from the colostrum. This proprietary process ensures that the colostrum contains a high concentration of antibodies and high concentration of Immunoglobulin G.tolerability.

 

The underlying nature of our platform technology enables the development of medicines across a large range of diseases, including infectious diseases and immune-mediated disorders.diseases. The platform can be used to influence the cell-mediated immune system through regulatory T cell populations, or it can directly block viruses or bacteria at mucosal surfaces (such as the GI tract) and neutralize the toxins they produce. Additionally, the dairy origins of our antibodies enablesenable us to commercialize our platform through most regulatory pathways, including prescription, (Rx), medical foods, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements. The GRAS status of our technology platform will allow us to advance our preclinical programs into clinical trials in other diseases faster relative to other companies due to these characteristics.


 

 

Manufacturing Process

 

Our active ingredient ispharmaceutical ingredients are manufactured under cGMP conditions and many of the components are the same as those of normal cow’s milk. However, the main differentiation between milk and our active ingredient constituents is the presence of antibodies in bovine colostrum of the order of 35-45% by weight of dry colostrum powder. The main classes of immunoglobulins found in the active ingredient are IgG with smaller amounts of IgM and IgA. The major class of immunoglobulin G found in bovine colostrum is IgG1 making up between 65% and 90% of total immunoglobulins, in contrast to milk which comprises predominantly IgA.

 

Vaccination

 

The active drug substance is prepared using the first milking colostrum of dairy cows that have been immunized with a patented vaccinevaccines to produce very high levels of specific antibodies against selected surface antigens. Pregnant dairy cows at commercial dairy farms are immunized through a proprietary process that is approved by an independent animal ethics committee.process.

 

Colostrum

 

The colostrum is harvested from immunized Holstein Friesian and Jersey cows registered for milk production for human consumption and at the time of harvesting are free from antibiotics. They are not given steroids at any stage of the process. Colostrum is harvested at the first milking which will be within twelve hours of calving, leaving plenty for the calf to feed on.

 

Once harvested, preparation of the active ingredient complies with processes that are regulated by Dairy Safe standards in addition to the TGA, which is a Federal requirement and known globally for its stringent criteria. The raw colostrum material is centrifuged using a milk separator to remove somatic cells, cell debris, some bacteria and fat. It is then pasteurized, cooled and subjected to membrane ultra-filtration, removing much of the water, salts and lactose. The colostrum wet concentrate is then lyophilizedspray dried to produce a powder, which is milled to 200 microns. The processes are typical for the dairy industry and for production of dairy foods. After spray drying, the active ingredient is ready for further processing into the oral dosage form.

Risk management on the source of colostrum must focus on assurance of freedom from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or commonly known as Mad Cow Disease) of the liquid raw product. A small number of countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have been judged by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to have the highest BSE free rating on the basis that they have never experienced BSE at any time. The definition of this status means that both Australia and New Zealand are currently certified as BSE free countries.


Tableting

 

The product excipients are all standard, FDA acceptable oral compounds that are granulated, milled and finally compressed into caplets and blister packaged (pharmaceutical grade packaging materials).


Batch Consistency

 

The IgG component of our active ingredient ranges between 36% and 45%. The parameters are stable within batches and across batches. Our product is stable according to ICH guidelines and the IgG component of our active ingredient is stable over time and is manufactured under full cGMP conditions with all associated QA and QC processes ensuring the stability of these parameters.

 

Trademarks

 

We have rights to trademarks and trade names (both registered and unregistered) used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F (this “Annual Report”) which are important to our business.

 

These trademarks are as follows:

 

Immuron (registration in U.S.);

Travelan (registration in U.S., Australia and China); and

Protectyn (registration in Australia and Europe)
IMM-124E (unregistered)
IMM-529 (unregistered);

 

Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Annual Report appear without the “®” or “™” symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Each trademark, trade name or service mark of any other company appearing in this Annual Report is the property of its respective holder.

 

PatentsPATENTS

 

We have a policy to identify, capture and protect all relevant intellectual property associated within itsour core business strategies. We own a number of patent families that have been filed to protect both the vaccine that is used to generate Immuron’sour colostrum enriched with antibodies of choice, as well as methods of treating certain conditions with the resulting hyper-immune colostrum. We also maintain a significant register of trademarks, particularly in association with the product Travelan.

 

Our patent rights are supplemented by a comprehensive body of confidential and proprietary expertise that has been developed over many years and relates to the methods of production of the hyper-immune colostrum. These trade secrets include information relating to a low cost production system and an effective immunisationimmunization process that is approved by an independent animal ethics committee.

 

During the year ended June 30, 2018,2019, we continued to expand our patent portfolio in various global jurisdictions.


A summary of our principal patent families is set out in the table below:

 

Number Country Status Expiry
Composition and Method for the Treatment and Prevention of Enteric Bacterial Infections
2004216920 Australia Granted March 4, 2024
0408085-8 Brazil Pending March 4, 2024
2,517,911 Canada Granted March 4, 2024
201210055406.0 China Pending March 4, 2024
EP 16020270.1 Europe Pending March 4, 2024
230664 B India Granted March 4, 2024
542088 New Zealand Granted March 4, 2024
9,402,902 USA Granted March 4, 2024
8,637,025 USA Granted February 25, 2028
       
Anti LPS Enriched Immunoglobulin Preparation for use in Treatment and/or Prophylaxis of a Pathologic Disorder
2010243205 Australia Granted April 27, 2030
2760096 Canada AllowedGranted April 27, 2030
13/265,252 USA PendingGranted April 27, 2030
2424890 Europe AllowedGranted April 27, 2030
12103554.8 Hong Kong PublishedGranted April 27, 2030
315924 Israel Granted April 27, 2030
5740390 Japan Granted April 27, 2030
10-2011-7027634 Korea Granted April 27, 2030
335793 Mexico Pending April 27, 2030
201171304 Eurasia Granted April 27, 2030
       
Anti LPS Enriched Immunoglobulin Preparation for use in Treatment and/or Prophylaxis of a Pathologic Disorder
2011290478 Australia Granted April 27, 2030
2808361 Canada Pending April 27, 2030
2605791 Europe Granted April 27, 2030
13/817,414 USA AllowedGranted April 27, 2030
1185016 Hong Kong PublishedGranted April 27, 2030
       

Methods and Compositions for the Treatment and/or Prophylaxis of Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease

2014253685 Australia PendingAccepted April 17, 2034
2,909,636 Canada Pending April 17, 2034
2986316 Europe Pending April 17, 2034
14/785,527 USA PendingGranted April 17, 2034
201480034857.3 China Pending April 17, 2034
713233 New Zealand Pending April 17, 2034

 

Regulatory Considerations

36

REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

 

Our clinical assets are regulatedconsidered as biologics by the FDA, thus conferring 12 years of market exclusivity from date of approval in the U.S. for such assets.approved drugs derived from our technology program. New products in Europe have 10 years of market exclusivity.

 

Our ongoing research and development activities are, and the production and marketing of our pharmaceutical product candidates derived from those activities will be, subject to regulation by human research ethics committees and institutional research boards, as well as numerous governmental authorities in Australia, principally the TGA, the FDA in the U.S., the MHRA in the United Kingdom and the EMA in Europe. Prior to marketing, any therapeutic product developed must undergo rigorous pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, as well as an extensive regulatory approval process mandated by the TGA and, to the extent that any of our pharmaceutical products under development are marketed abroad, by foreign regulatory agencies, including the FDA, EMA and MHRA.

 

Clinical trials can take many years to complete and require the expenditure of substantial resources. The length of time varies substantially according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use of the product candidate. We cannot make any assurances that once clinical trials are completed by us or a collaborative partner, we will be able to submit as scheduled a marketing approval request to the applicable governmental regulatory authority, or that such request and application will be reviewed and cleared by such governmental authority in a timely manner, or at all. Although we intend to make use of fast-track and abbreviated regulatory approval programs when possible and commercially appropriate, we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain the clearances and approvals necessary for clinical testing or for manufacturing and marketing our pharmaceutical products candidates. Delays in obtaining regulatory approvals could adversely affect the development and commercialization of our pharmaceutical product candidates and could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.


During the course of clinical trials and non-clinical studies, including toxicology studies, product candidates may exhibit unforeseen and unacceptable drug-related toxicities or side effects. If any unacceptable toxicities or side effects were to occur, we may, or regulatory authorities may require us to, interrupt, limit, delay or abort the development of our potential products. In addition, unacceptable toxicities could ultimately prevent the clearance of our product candidates by human research ethics committees, institutional research boards, the TGA, EMA, FDA or other regulatory authority for any or all targeted indications. Even after being cleared by a regulatory authority, any of our products may later be shown to be unsafe or not to have its purported effect, thereby preventing widespread use or requiring withdrawal from the market. We cannot make any assurances that IMM-124E, IMM-529 or any other development or product candidate will be safe or effective when administered to patients.

 

C.Organizational Structure

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

We have three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Immuron Inc., Anadis EPS Pty Ltd (formed for the sole purpose to act as trustee for the Immuron Limited Executive Officer Share Plan Trust) and IMC Canada Ltd. All costs associated with the operations of these companies are borne by Immuron Limited. Consolidated accounts have not been prepared as the net assets and trading activity of Anadis ESP Pty Ltd does not form a part of the consolidated accounts as they are not material.

 

D.Property, Plants and Equipment

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Our corporate headquarters are located at Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South, Victoria, 3053, Australia 3053 and consist of approximately 1,000 square feet of office space (which is provided as part of a services agreement which expires at-will upon six months written notice). Our principal office is located at Suite 10-25 Chapman Street, Blackburn North, Victoria 3130 and consists of approximately 1,500 square feet of leased office and warehouse space under a lease agreement which expires onis expiring in December 31, 2018,2021, with an ongoing further three-year option for extension. We have no dedicated research and development facility as our research and development activities are provided by third party suppliers who are responsible for their own premises. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs.


ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.Operating and FINANCIAL review and Prospects

ITEM 5.OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

The following discussion and analysis includes certain forward-looking statements with respect to the business, financial condition and results of operations of our company. The words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, including those risk factors contained in Item 3.D. of this annual report.Annual Report. You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this annual report.Annual Report.

A.Operating Results

A.Operating Results

 

Background

 

We were incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1994 and have been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX since April 30, 1999. Our ADSs and Warrants have traded on theThe NASDAQ Capital Market since June 13, 2017.

 

Our consolidated financial statements appearing in this annual report comply with IFRS as issued by IASB. In this annual report, all references to “U.S. dollars” or “US$” are to the currency of the U.S., and all references to “Australian dollars”, “A$” or “AUD$” are to the currency of Australia. All of our revenues are generated in Australian dollars, except for interest earned on foreign currency bank accounts,United States dollars and Canadian dollars, and the majority of our expenses are incurred in Australian dollars.


Critical Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of the material accounting policies adopted by us in the preparation of the financial report. The accounting policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated.

 

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of our company and the entities controlled by us (our subsidiaries) referred to as ’the Group’“the group” or “the Group” in the financial statements. Control is achieved where the consolidated entity is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity.

 

A list of controlled entities is contained in Note 11note 10 to the financial statements. All controlled entities have a June 30 financial year-end. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with those policies applied by the parent entity. Subsidiaries are accounted for at cost in the parent entity.

 

Revenue Recognition

Sale of hyperimmune products

Revenue from the sale of hyperimmune products are recognized at a point in time. The performance obligation is satisfied when the customer has access and thus control of the product.

Financing components

The group does not expect to have any contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and payment by the customer exceeds one year. As a consequence, the group does not adjust any of the transaction prices for the time value of money.

Previous accounting policy for revenue recognition

 

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Amounts disclosed as revenue are net of returns, trade allowances, rebates and amounts collected on behalf of third parties.

 

We recognizeThe Company recognizes revenue when the amount of the revenue can be reliably measured, it is probable that the future economic benefits will flow to the entity and specific criteria have been met for each of the activities as described below.Company’s activities. The amount of the revenue is not considered to be reliably measured until all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved.

 

The following specific revenue criteria must be met before revenue is recognized:

Sale of Goods and servicesSignificant risks and rewards of ownership of goods has passed to the buyer and an invoice for the goods or services is issued;
InterestInterest income is recognized using the effective interest rate method;
R & D Tax RefundsIncome is recognized in the year the research and development expenses were incurred.

Fair value of R&D tax incentive

 

We engaged experienced advisors (KPMG)The group’s research and development (R&D) activities are eligible under an Australian government tax incentive for eligible expenditure. Management has assessed these activities and expenditure to determine and evaluatewhich are likely to be eligible under the advanced findingsincentive scheme. Amounts are recognized when it has been established that the conditions of the R&D activities, which includes determiningtax incentive have been met and evaluatingthat the eligibilityexpected amount can be reliably measured. For the year ended June 30, 2019, the group has included an item in other income of R&D related expenditure$531,005 (2018: $1,849,123) to support our submission ofrecognize income over the R&D Tax refund claim.period necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis with the costs that they are intended to compensate.

 

Intangible Assets - Research & Development

Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of obtaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as an expense when it is incurred.

 

Expenditure on development activities, being the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products or services before the start of commercial production or use, is capitalized if it is probable that the product or service is technically and commercially feasible, will generate probable economic benefits and adequate resources are available to complete development and cost can be measured reliably. Other development expenditure is recognized in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as an expense as incurred.

 

Interest Bearing Loans and Borrowings

Generally, loans and borrowings are initially recognized at cost, being the fair value of the consideration received net of issue costs associated with the borrowing. After initial recognition, interest bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any issue costs and any discount or premium on settlement.


The component of the previously outstanding convertible notes that were issued in connection with the February 2016 financing arrangement that exhibited characteristics of a liability were recognized as a liability in the statement of financial position. On the date of issuance and each subsequent reporting period while outstanding, we recorded the entire hybrid instrument as measured at fair value through profit and loss. As the embedded derivative did not significantly modify the cash flows under the contract, the associated transaction costs have also been expensed as incurred and are recorded as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

This convertible notes obligation and associated liabilities were fully repaid and all debts and repayment pertaining to this convertible note arrangement were satisfied on September 15, 2017.

Fair Value of Convertible Notes

Our previously outstanding convertible notes were measured and disclosed as a Level 3 instrument, using a three-level hierarchy, based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire fair value measurement, as defined below:

Level 1: Quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset and liability, either directly or indirectly
Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

No transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy occurred during the current year.

Inventories

Raw materials, work in progress and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost comprises direct material, freight and import duty. Management classifies a portion of inventory as a current asset based on an assessment of expected use in the next 12 months. The remainder is classified as a non-current asset.

 

Costs are assigned to individual items of finished goods inventory on basis of weighted average costs. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

 

Share-based payments

Share-based compensation benefits may be provided through the issue of fully paid ordinary shares under the Immuron Employee Share and Option Plan (“ESOP”). Options are also granted to employees and consultants in accordance with the terms of their respective employment and consultancy agreements. Any options granted are made in accordance with the terms of our ESOP.

 

The fair value of options granted under employment and consultancy agreements are recognized as an employee benefit expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and recognized over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options.

 

The fair value at grant date is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the vesting and performance criteria, the impact of dilution, the non-tradable nature of the option, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option.

 

The fair value of the options granted excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. At each reporting date, the entity revises its estimate of the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. The employee benefit expense recognized each period takes into account the most recent estimate. The impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, is recognized in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive in come with a corresponding adjustment to equity.


Upon the exercise of options, the balance of the share-based payments reserve relating to those options is transferred to contributed equity.

 


Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

 

Management evaluates estimates and judgments incorporated into the financial statements based on historical knowledge and best available current information. Estimates assume a reasonable expectation of future events and are based on current trends and economic data, obtained both internally and externally.

 

Share-based payments

The value attributed to share options and remunerations shares issued is an estimate calculated using an appropriate mathematical formula based on an option pricing model. The choice of models and the resultant option value require assumptions to be made in relation to the likelihood and timing of the conversion of the options to shares and the value of volatility of the price of the underlying shares.

 

Impairment of inventories

The provision for impairment of inventories assessment requires a degree of estimation and judgement. The level of the provision is assessed by taking into account the recent sales experience, the ageing of inventory, and in particular, the shelf life of inventories that affects obsolescence. Expected shelf-life is reassessed on a regular basis with reference to stability tests which are conducted by an expert engaged by the Company.

 

Inventory split

During the current financial period, management has performed an assessment on its raw materials and their utilization within 12 months from reporting date and have determined A$198,585225,765 (2018: A$198,585) of raw materials relating to Colostrum is expected to be consumed within 12 months and the remaining balance of A$2,171,8671,862,063 (2018: A$2,171,867) is expected to be consumed after 12 months from reporting date.

 

During the year ended June 30, 2018, management determined that a portion of its inventory should be reclassified on a prospective basis as a noncurrent asset as a result of a strategic decision made by management in the intended use of its inventory. The Company decided to terminate all plans to sell the colostrum powder to secondary markets as a result of the continued scientific evidence supporting an extended shelf life. The extended shelf life provides the Company with the assurance that colostrum will be consumed through the production of its current Travelan and Protectyn products throughout future reporting periods.

 

Provision for employee benefits

Provision for employee benefits represents amounts accrued for annual leave and long service leave. The current portion for this provision includes the total amount accrued for annual leave entitlements and the amounts accrued for long service leave entitlements that have vested due to employees having completed the required period of service. Refer to note 21(c)1(q) for policies on provisions.

 

R&D tax incentive

The Group’s research and development activities are eligible under an Australian Government tax incentive for eligible expenditure from July 1, July 2011. Management has assessed these activities and expenditure to determine which are likely to be eligible under the incentive scheme.

For the year ended June 30, June 20182019 the Group has recorded other income of A$1,849,123 (2017:531,005 (2018: A$1,575,315)1,849,123) to recogniserecognize this amount which relates to this financial year.

Fair value measurement hierarchy

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgments, estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgments, estimates, and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgments and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgments, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed within the relevant sections where applicable.


The fair value of the convertible notes classified as Level 3 were determined by the use of valuation model. These include discounted cash flow analysis and the use of observable inputs that required significant adjustments based on unobservable inputs.


Results of Operations

 

The following discussion relates to our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and capital resources. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Annual Report.

  

Comparison of the fiscal years ended June 30, 20182019 and 20172018

 

  For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
  Increase/ 
  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  (Decrease)
AUD$
 
Revenue:         
Sale of goods  1,842,909   1,396,197   446,712 
             
Other income:            
Australian Federal R&D Tax Concession Refund  1,849,123   1,575,315   273,808 
Interest income  1,238   8,386   (7,148)
Other  40   30,672   (30,632)
Total Revenue and Other income  3,693,310   3,010,570   682,740 
  For the fiscal year ended    
  June 30,  Increase/ 
  2019  2018  (Decrease) 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Revenue:            
Revenue from contracts with customers  2,387,426   1,842,909   544,517 
             
Other Income:            
Australian Federal R&D tax concession refund  531,005   1,849,123   (1,318,118)
Other income  1,045   40   1,005 
Total Other Income  532,050   1,849,163   (1,317,113)

 

Revenues received from the sale of goods increased by A$446,712,544,517, or 32%30%, from fiscal 20172018 to fiscal 2018,2019, primarily due to the sales growth in the Australian, U.S. and U.S.North American markets for Travelan products. We anticipate that revenues from sales of our Travelan product will increase in the future.

 

Our R&D tax concession income recognized during fiscal 2018 increased2019 decreased by A$273,8081,318,118 compared to fiscal 2017.2018. The overall increasedecrease is attributed to the combination of an additional A$658,094a decrease in R&D tax concession incomeexpenditure relating to eligible research and development expenditure being incurred during fiscal 2017 that was recognized in fiscal 2018 and a net decrease of A$384,286 being the difference between the research and development accrual recognized in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017.

development.

 

Interest income decreased by A$7,148 or 85%, from A$8,386 in fiscal 2017 to A$1,238 in fiscal 2018 as we depleted our cash reserves due to applying our financial resources to the increased areas of expenditure within our company. The lower cash reserves balance maintained throughout fiscal 2018 generated and received less interest revenue.


Other (residual) income, decreasedwhich is interest income, increased by A$30,6321,005 in fiscal 2018,2019, primarily due to a one-off industry grant receivedan increase in fiscal 2017.cash and cash equivalents.

 


Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit and Direct Selling Costs

 

  For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
  Increase/ 
  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  (Decrease)
AUD$
 
Total Operating Revenue  1,842,909   1,396,197   446,712 
Cost of Goods Sold  (418,693)  (337,546)  81,147 
Gross Profit  1,424,216   1,058,651   365,565 
Less Direct Selling Costs:            
Sales and Marketing Costs  (282,241)  (407,751)  (125,510)
Freight Costs  (169,458)  (135,377)  34,081 
Total Gross Profit less Direct Selling Costs  972,517   515,523   456,994 
  For the fiscal year ended    
  June 30,  Increase/ 
  2019  2018  (Decrease) 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Revenue from contracts with customers  2,387,426   1,842,909   544,517 
Cost of Goods Sold  (667,371)  (418,693)  248,678 
Gross Profit  1,720,055   1,424,216   295,839 

 

Our long-term relationships with our key manufacturing partners for Travelan, our flagship consumer product, have assisted us in reducing our cost of goods sold margin by 1% in comparison to the last financial year. These key manufacturing partners provide us with steady, reliable product at a known price which from a strategic point of view provides us with certainty around the manufacturing margins. The Company’s cost of goods sold margin was broadly maintained year on year with a slight increase to 28% in fiscal 2019 from 23% in fiscal 2018. As we expand our sales efforts in the U.S.,North America, we have been able to maintain economies of scale thereby broadly maintaining our cost of goods sold margins.

  

Expenses

 

  For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
  Increase/ 
  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  (Decrease)
AUD$
 
Expenses:         
Consulting, Employee and Director  (1,384,298)  (1,689,521)  (305,223)
Other Corporate Administration  (1,336,516)  (1,381,809)  (45,293)
Depreciation  (5,047)  (4,922)  125 
Finance Costs  (18,857)  (24,483)  (5,626)
Impairment of Inventory  (163,600)  (136,494)  27,106 
Marketing and Promotion  (370,699)  (789,608)  (418,909)
Research and Development  (2,257,224)  (4,630,674)  (2,373,450)
Travel and Entertainment  (297,606)  (276,539)  21,067 
Total expenses  (5,833,847)  (8,934,050)  (3,100,203)

  For the fiscal year ended    
  June 30,  Increase/ 
  2019  2018  (Decrease) 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Expenses:         
General and administrative expenses  5,014,128   3,412,576   1,601,552 
Research and development expenses  1,044,528   2,257,224   (1,212,696)
Selling and marketing expenses  864,644   686,714   177,930 
Total expenses  6,923,300   6,356,514   566,786 

 

Consulting, EmployeeGeneral and Director.administrative expenses.Consulting, employeeGeneral and director expense decreasedadministrative expenses increased by A$305,2231,601,552 from fiscal 20172018 to fiscal 2018 primarily due2019. The increase is mainly attributed to a decrease in share basedthe share-based payments made to directors during fiscal 2018.

Other Corporate Administration. Other Corporate Administration expense decreased by A$45,293, or 3%, from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 mainly due to the favorable movements in rates related to overseas transactionsemployees, consultants and revaluations of accounts.

Finance Costs.Finance costs decreased by A$5,626 from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 primarily due to the repaymentdirectors of the Convertible Loan FacilityCompany amounting to A$1,343,500 in September 2017.


Impairment of Inventory. Impairment of Inventory charges of A$163,600 and approximately A$136,000 were incurredfiscal 2019 compared to $A59,975 in fiscal 2018 and the appointment of Dr Gary S. Jacob and Mr Richard Jay Berman during fiscal 2017, which were related2019.

“Furthermore, of the A$1,343,500 share-based payments expenses recognized during fiscal 2019, A$1,139,400 relates to the write downvalue of Colostrumthe options granted to Dr Gary S. Jacob and Mr Richard Jay Berman which did not result in our inventory balance as it reached its expiry date.

an actual allocation of shares.” The exercise price of the options is $0.50 per share.

 

MarketingResearch and Promotiondevelopment expenses.. MarketingResearch and Promotiondevelopment expenses decreased by A$418,9091,212,696 from fiscal 20172018 to fiscal 2019. The reduction in the research and development expenditure reflects the Company’s new strategic focus and development pipeline during fiscal 2019.

Selling and marketing expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased by A$177,930 from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2019 as we decreasedincreased our promotional efforts for Travelan, our existing flagship consumer product. Costs were also expended on investor and public relations efforts to lift both our and the Travelan profile and exposure in these new markets through the engagement of US and Australian investors relations advisors as well as attending and sponsoring key medical and broker seminars and forums.

 

Research and Development.Research and Development expense decreased by A$2.3 million from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018, primarily due to the significant completion in our Phase II NASH clinical trial announced to the market in November 2017.

Travel and Entertainment. Travel and Entertainment expense increased by A$21,067 from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 as our commercial and corporate activities expanded into the U.S. less travel was required by our officers during the year to maintain the clinical sites and provide U.S. promotional support as our CEO at the time was already based in the U.S.


Loss for the period. As a result of the foregoing, our loss for the period after income tax benefit decreasedincreased by A$3,673,609,1,621,814, or 54%, from A$6.8 million3,010,929 in fiscal 20172018 to A$3 million4,632,743 in fiscal 2018.2019.

 

Given our, and our subsidiaries’, history of recent losses, we have not recognized a deferred tax asset with regard to unused tax losses and other temporary differences, as it has not been determined whether we, or our subsidiaries, will generate sufficient future taxable income against which we can utilized these unused tax losses and any uncalculated potential deferred tax assets, together with any other temporary differences. Should the need arise, we can, and will, revisit this position.

 

Comparison of the fiscal years ended June 30, 20172018 and 20162017

Revenue and Other income

 

  For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
  Increase/ 
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
  (Decrease)
AUD$
 
Revenue:         
Sale of goods  1,396,197   1,001,077   395,120 
             
Other income:            
Australian Federal R&D Tax Concession Refund  1,575,315   1,512,840   62,475 
Interest income  8,386   12,165   (3,779)
Other  30,672   14,010   16,662 
Total Revenue and Other income  3,010,570   2,540,092   470,478 
  For the fiscal year ended    
  June 30,  Increase/ 
  2018  2017  (Decrease) 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Revenue:            
Revenue from contracts with customers  1,842,909   1,396,197   446,712 
             
Other Income:            
Australian Federal R&D Tax Concession Refund  1,849,123   1,575,315   273,808 
Other income  40   30,672   (30,632)
             
Total Other Income  1,849,163   1,605,987   243,176 


Revenues received from the sale of goods increased by A$395,000,446,712, or 40%32%, from fiscal 20162017 to fiscal 2017. In 2017, as our geographic2018, primarily due to the sales mix changed as we achieved a major advancement by releasing our flagship product Travelangrowth in the Australian and U.S., while also opening a new distribution channel into markets for Travelan products. We anticipate that revenues from sales of our Travelan product will increase in the Chinese market. While our Australian product sales remained constant, we applied our resources to these new emerging market opportunities and have instigated programs to reengage the Australian consumers.future.

 

Our R&D tax concession refundincome recognized during fiscal 2018 increased by A$62,475, or 4.13%, from273,808 compared to fiscal 2017. The overall increase is attributed to the combination of an additional A$1.51 million in fiscal 2016658,094 R&D tax concession income relating to A$1.58 million in fiscal 2017 due to an increased level of eligible research and development expendituresexpenditure being incurred during fiscal 2017 that was recognized in fiscal 2018 and a net decrease of A$384,286 being the fiscal 2017. Thisdifference between the research and development increase was predominantly dueaccrual recognized in fiscal 2018 compared to the increased expenditures relating to our major Phase II NASH clinical trial as the program recruitment accelerated and more patients entered the trial.fiscal 2017.

 

InterestOther (residual) income decreased by A$3,779 or 31.06%, from A$12,16530,632 in fiscal 20162018, primarily due to A$8,386a one-off industry grant received in fiscal 2017 as we depleted our cash reserves due to applying our financial resources to the increased areas of expenditure within our company. The lower cash reserves balance maintained throughout fiscal year 2017 generated and received less interest revenue.

2017.

 

Cost of Goods Sold, Gross Profit and Direct Selling Costs

  For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
  Increase/ 
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
  (Decrease)
AUD$
 
Total Operating Revenue  1,396,197   1,001,077   395,120 
Cost of Goods Sold  (337,546)  (301,435)  36,111 
Gross Profit  1,058,651   699,642   359,009 
Less Direct Selling Costs:            
Sales and Marketing Costs  (407,751)  (133,781)  273,970 
Freight Costs  (135,377)  (134,967)  410 
Total Gross Profit less Direct Selling Costs  515,523   430,894   84,629 

  

For the fiscal year ended

June 30,

  Increase/ 
  2018  2017  (Decrease) 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Revenue from contracts with customers  1,842,909   1,396,197   446,712 
Cost of Goods Sold  (418,693)  (337,546)  81,147 
Gross Profit  1,424,216   1,058,651   365,565 

  

Our long-term relationships with our key manufacturing partners for Travelan, our flagship consumer product, and lower Canadian freight costs enabledhave assisted us to continue improvingin reducing our cost of goods sold ratios from 30% of operating revenuemargin by 1% in fiscal year 2016, downcomparison to 24% of operating revenue in fiscal 2017.the 2017 financial year. These key manufacturing partners provide us with steady, reliable product at a known price which from a strategic point of view provides us with certainty around the manufacturing margins. As we expand our sales efforts in the US,U.S., we have been able to achieve improvedmaintain economies of scale thereby improvingmaintaining our cost of goods sold margin.margins.

 

These strong manufacturing partnerships have also given rise to greater efficiencies in the manufacturing processes which not only resulted in the improvement in gross profit ratio but also an overall increase in gross profit.

Our introduction of Travelan into the U.S. required greater sales and marketing support. The expenditure to support this expansion resulted in an A$273,970 increase in sales and marketing costs in fiscal 2017 in comparison to fiscal 2016.


Expenses

 

  For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
  Increase/ 
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
  (Decrease)
AUD$
 
Expenses:         
Consulting, Employee and Director  (1,689,521)  (2,840,037)  (1,150,516)
Corporate Administration  (1,381,809)  (1,320,570)  61,239 
Depreciation  (4,922)  (3,892)  1,030 
Finance Costs  (24,483)  (341,600)  (317,117)
Impairment of Inventory  (136,494)  (4,176)  132,318 
Marketing and Promotion  (789,608)  (487,591)  302,017 
Research and Development  (4,630,674)  (3,623,961)  1,006,713 
Travel and Entertainment  (276,539)  (416,849)  (140,310)
Total expenses  (8,934,050)  (9,038,676)  (104,626)
  

For the fiscal year ended

June 30,

  Increase/ 
  2018  2017  (Decrease) 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Expenses:         
General and administrative expenses  3,412,576   3,109,845   302,731 
Research and development expenses  2,257,224   4,630,674   (2,373,450)
Selling and marketing expenses  686,714   1,271,526   (584,812)
Total expenses  6,356,514   9,012,045   (2,655,531)

Consulting, EmployeeGeneral and Director.administrative expenses.Consulting, employeeGeneral and director expense decreasedadministrative expenses increased by A$1.15 million302,731 from fiscal 20162017 to fiscal 20172018 primarily due to increases in employee expenses, insurance, legal and listing and share registry, being partially offset by a decrease in share-based payments made to directors as no equity grants were made to directors during fiscal year 2017.2018.

 

Corporate Administration.Research and development expenses.Corporate Administration expense increasedResearch and development expenses decreased by A$61,239, or 4.64%,2,373,450 from fiscal 20162017 to fiscal 20172018, primarily due to the general increasesignificant completion in the size of the business in combination with increases in expenses due to additional resources being implemented to assist our company through this period of growth.

The increase was also the result of an increase in a number of back-office support costs surrounding additional compliance and financial services for the organization during our expansion. These additional services were predominantly required duePhase II NASH clinical trial announced to the increasemarket in compliance and internal control levels surrounding our NASDAQ listing. The organization employed new employees in fiscal 2017 and raised further capital while generally expanding, and increased conference and seminar costs as we increased our public profile around the world. The increase in Corporate Administration expense was partially offset by a decrease in legal expenditures during fiscalNovember 2017.

 

There was an increase in our foreign currency realized losses as the overseas expenditure, predominantly in US$, became more expensive for ourSelling and marketing expenses. Selling and marketing expenses decreased by A$ financially denominated financial statements as the US$ strengthened against the A$ throughout the fiscal year 2017, in comparison to the relative strength of the A$ against the US$ in fiscal year 2016.

Finance Costs.Finance costs incurred by us in584,812 from fiscal 2017 of A$24,483 were related to the finance fees associated with the SBI Investment Fund Convertible Loan Facility entered into in February 2016. This facility provided us with the short to medium-term cash flow requirements needed to ensure the momentum surrounding our pipeline research programs was not diminished. In comparison, there was A$341,600 in finance expenses incurred under the SBI Investment Fund Convertible Loan Facility in fiscal 2016.

Impairment of Inventory.An Impairment of Inventory charge of A$136,494 was incurred in fiscal 2017 which related to the write down of Colostrum in our inventory balance as it reached its expiry date.

Marketing and Promotion.Marketing and Promotion expenses increased by A$302,017 from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 20172018 as we increaseddecreased our promotional efforts for Travelan, our existing flagship consumer product. The increased costs surrounding Travelan included costs associated with the expansion of the product’s footprint in the U.S. Additional costs were also expended on investor and public relations efforts to lift both our and the Travelan profile and exposure in these new markets through the engagement of US and Australian investors relations advisors as well as attending and sponsoring key medical and broker seminars and forums.

 


Research and Development.Research and Development expense increased by A$1.0 million from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017, primarily due to the significant increase in our Phase II NASH clinical trial, together with the advancement of its other early pipeline products.

As the Phase II NASH clinical trial gained traction during fiscal year 2017 and the patient recruitment levels increased, we had more patients in the clinic being treated than during fiscal year 2016. We also brought on some additional clinical sites to increase patient recruitment rates. There are significant costs involved in not only increasing the number of patients in the trial, but also increasing the number of sites which requires onboarding and set-up costs. Additional costs were incurred for preparing all of the regulatory, advisory and testing procedures required to perform the interim analysis.

During fiscal year 2017, we also progressed our preclinical trial programs for C.difficile progressed resulting in successful results which have enabled us to move this program to the next stage of development.

Travel and Entertainment. Travel and Entertainment expense decreased by A$140,310 from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017 as our commercial and corporate activities expanded into the U.S. less travel was required by our officers during the year to maintain the clinical sites and provide U.S. promotional support as our CEO at the time was already based in the U.S.

Loss for the period. As a result of the foregoing, our loss for the period after income tax benefit decreased by A$265,000,3,793,225, or 3.74%56%, from A$7.07 million6,804,154 in fiscal 20162017 to A$6.80 million3,010,929 in fiscal 2017.2018.

Given our, and our subsidiaries’, history of recent losses, we have not recognized a deferred tax asset with regard to unused tax losses and other temporary differences, as it has not been determined whether we, or our subsidiaries, will generate sufficient future taxable income against which we can utilized these unused tax losses and any uncalculated potential deferred tax assets, together with any other temporary differences. Should the need arise, we can, and will, revisit this position.

 

Inflation and Seasonality

 

Management believes inflation has not had a material impact on our company’s operations or financial condition and that our operations are not currently subject to seasonal influences.

 

Conditions in Australia

 

We are incorporated under the laws of, and our principal offices and research and development facilities are located in, the Commonwealth of Australia. Therefore, we are directly affected by political and economic conditions in Australia. See Item 3.D. “Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Location in Australia” for a description of factors that could materially affect our operations.

 

Recently Issued International Accounting Standards and Pronouncements

 

New and amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued and effectivadopted by the Groupe

All accounting policies adopted are consistent with the most recent Annual Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 2018.2019. The consolidated entity has adopted all of the new, revised or amendingamended Accounting Standards and InterpretationInterpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’)IASB that are mandatory for the current reporting period. The adoption of these Accounting Standards and Interpretations did not have any significant impact on the financial performance or position of the consolidated entity.

The International Financial Reportinggroup has applied the following standards and amendments for the first time for their annual reporting period commencing July 1, 2018:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers; and
IFRS 2 Amendments to Share-based Payment.

The group has changed its accounting policies without making retrospective adjustments following the adoption of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15. This is disclosed in note 1. Most of the other amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognized in prior periods and are not expected to significantly affect the current or future periods.

New Accounting Standards issuedand Interpretations not yet adopted

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for June 30, 2019 reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’),group. The group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards and interpretations is set out below.


Title of standardIFRS 16Leases
Impact

The group has reviewed all leasing arrangements in light of the new lease accounting rules in IFRS 16. The standard will affect the accounting for the group’s operating leases.

As at the reporting date, the group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments of $104,851, see note 13.

The group expects to recognize right-of-use assets of approximately $96,824 on July 1, 2019 and lease liabilities of $98,302 (after adjustments for prepayments and accrued lease payments recognized as at June 30, 2019). Overall net assets will be approximately $1,479 lower, and net current assets will be $56,913 lower due to the presentation of a portion of the liability as a current liability.

The group expects that net profit after tax will decrease by approximately $1,532 for the year ended June 30, 2020 as a result of adopting the new rules.

Operating cash flows will increase and financing cash flows decrease by approximately $41,389 as repayment of the principal portion of the lease liabilities will be classified as cash flows from financing activities.

The group does not act in the capacity as a lessor and hence the group does not expect any lessor impact on the financial statements.

Mandatory application date/ Date of adoption by group

The group will apply the standard from its mandatory adoption date of July 1, 2019.

The group intends to apply the modified retrospective transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to first adoption. Right-of-use assets will be measured at the amount of the lease liability on adoption (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease expenses).

There are no other new standards and interpretations that have recently been issued or amended but are not yet effective and that would be expected to have not been adopted fora material impact on the annual reporting period ending June 30, 2018 are outlinedgroup in the table below.


Standard

Mandatory date for annual reporting periods (beginning on or after)

Reporting period standard adopted by the company

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and related standards1 January 20181 July 2018
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers1 January 20181 July 2018
IFRS 2 – Amendments to Share based1 January 20181 July 2018
IFRS 16 - Leases1 January 20191 July 2019

current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

 

Management has performed a detailed assessment on the impact of IFRS 15, IFRS 9 and IFRS 16 on the recognition of revenue and concluded that there would be no material difference to how revenue has been recognized under the prevailing accounting standard. 

B.Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have incurred cumulative losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception in 1994 and as of June 30, 20182019 we had accumulated losses of A$52.5 million. 56,860,523.

In May 2019, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 500,000 ADSs at a public offering price of USD $4.00 per ADS for gross proceeds $2,000,000 (prior to deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other estimated offering expenses).

In June 2017, we sold 610,000 ADSs and warrantsWarrants to purchase 701,500 ADSs (not including the 35,075 Representative’s Warrants) in an initial public offering in the U.S. The aggregate net offering proceeds to us, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, was US$5,673,000. Additionally, in mid-March 2018, we completed a A$5.1 million5,161,585 private placement with a large US institutional investment fund. The funds will support current and future clinical programs, support continued Travelan marketing, and our working capital. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We expect that as we continue research efforts and the development of our product candidates, hire additional staff, including clinical, scientific, operational, financial and management personnel we will need additional capital to fund our operations which we may raise through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, other third-party funding and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements.

 

The commitment to these projects will require additional external funding, at least until we are able to generate sufficient cash flow from sale of one or more of our products to support our continued operations. If adequate funding is not available, we may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate certain aspects of our operations or attempt to obtain funds through unfavorable arrangements with partners or others that may force us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, products or potential markets or that could impose onerous financial or other terms. Management is continuing its efforts to obtain additional funds so that we can meet our obligations and sustain operations.

 

The sale of additional equity or convertible debt could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. We can provide no assurance that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to secure adequate additional funding we may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. Any of these actions could materially harm our business.

 

We do not currently have any credit facilities in place.

 

As of June 30, 2018,2019, we had cash of A$4.7 million5,119,887 as compared to cash of A$4.0 million4,727,430 as of June 30, 2017.2018. Additionally, during the current year we also recognized a total of A$1,683,305968,926 in receivables, including A$1,191,029531,828 related to an R&D Tax Concession, which has not yet been received. Management is satisfied that with receipt of the R&D Tax Concession refund for fiscal year 20182019 R&D expenditures and the anticipated increase in Travelan sales in both the Australian and U.S. markets, our company is a going concern and is of the opinion that no asset is likely to be realized for an amount lower than the amount at which it is recorded in our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2018.2019.


We expect that our current cash, cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our capital requirements for at least 12 months from the issuance date of the financial statements. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

the timing and costs of our planned clinical trials for our product candidates;
the timing and costs of our planned preclinical studies for our product candidates;
the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;
the outcome, timing and costs of seeking regulatory approvals;
revenue received from commercial sales of any of our product candidates that may receive regulatory approval;
the terms and timing of any future collaborations, licensing, consulting or other arrangements that we may establish;
the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with the licensing, filing, prosecution, defense and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights;
the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property rights and defending against intellectual property related claims; and
the extent to which we need to in-license or acquire other products and technologies.

 

In connection with our initial public offering in June 2017, we sold Warrants to purchase 701,500 ADSs at an initial exercise price of $10.00 per ADS. The Warrants will expire five years from the date of issuance. Any proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants will be added to our working capital.

 

Upon the closing of our initial public offering, we issued warrantsWarrants to purchase 35,075 ADSs to the representatives (the “Representative’s Warrants”). The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at a per ADS exercise price equal to $12.50. The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four-year period commencing one year from the effective date of the offering. Any proceeds from the exercise of the Representative’s Warrants will be added to our working capital.

 

Cash flows

The following table sets forth the primary sources and uses of cash for each of the periods set forth below:

 

  For the year ended June 30, 
  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
 
          
Net cash used in operating activities  (3,527,444)  (7,031,088)  (5,158,336)
Net cash used in investing activities  (6,594)  (5,696)  (2,441)
Net cash provided by financing activities  4,373,184   8,701,052   4,335,342 

  For the year ended June 30, 
  2019  2018  2017 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,798,579)  (3,504,523)  (6,942,423)
Net cash (used in)/from investing activities  (2,008)  (5,316)  2,690 
Net cash from financing activities  2,069,183   4,348,985   8,604,001 

 

Operating activities.During the twelve months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017,2019, net cash used in operating activities decreased by A$3.5 million1,705,944 from A$7.0 million3,504,523 to A$3.5 million,1,798,579, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities increaseddecreased by A$1.87 million3,437,900 from A$5.2 million6,942,423 in fiscal year 20162017 to A$7.0 million3,504,523 in fiscal year 2017.2018. The use of net cash in all periods resulted from our ordinary business operations. Net cash used in operating activities decreased by approximately 50% in fiscal year 2018 and 2019 due to the completion of our Phase II NASH clinical trial during the year which resulted in decrease in operational cash payments Another factor affecting the decrease in net cash from operational activities was an increase in receipts from customers during the financial year 2018. In fiscal year 2017, net cash used in operating activities increased by more 37% primarily due to the increased activity in our Phase II clinical trial program activity with increased patient2018 and testing activities resulting in increased cash payments.

2019.

 

Investing activities.Net cash used in investing activities during the twelve months ended June 30, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 were relatively minimal and solely related to interest received and pertained to purchases of office and computer equipment.

 

Financing activities.During the twelve months ended June 30, 2019, net cash provided by financing activities was A$2,069,183, which comprised of proceeds from issue of securities through a public offering of ADSs (less costs associated with the issue).

During the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, net cash provided by financing activities was A$4.3 million,4,348,985, which comprised of (i) proceeds from issue of securities through a private placement (less costs associated with the issue), (ii) receipt of borrowings from short-term R&D Tax Concession loan advances from a related party (iv)and (iii) repayments of borrowing principal of the convertible notes, interest, other costs of finance paid and R&D Tax Concession loan advances.


During the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, net cash provided by financing activities was A$8.7 million,8,604,001, which comprised of (i) proceeds from issue of securities on the Australia Stock Exchange (less costs associated with the offer), (ii) proceeds from issue of securities as part of our Initial Public OfferingIPO and listing of our securities on theThe NASDAQ Capital Market (less costs associated with the offering), (iii) receipt of borrowings from short-term R&D Tax Concession loan advances from a related party and (iv) repayments of borrowing principal of the convertible notes, interest, other costs of finance paid and R&D Tax Concession loan advances.

 

During the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, net cash provided by financing activities was A$4.3 million, which comprised of (i) process from issue of shares and other equity securities, (ii) proceeds from borrowings, (iii) repayment of borrowings and capital raising costs.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks

 

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and exchange rates. As of June 30, 2018,2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of A$4.7 million,5,119,887, primarily held in bank accounts. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate sensitivity, which is affected primarily by changes in the general level of Australian interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risks relating to our cash and borrowings. Interest rate risk is the risk that a financial instruments value will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates.

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies that arise from foreign currencies held in bank accounts and the translation of results from our operations outside Australia. Our foreign exchange exposure is primarily to the U.S. dollar and New ZealandCanadian dollar. Foreign currency risks arising from commitments in foreign currencies are managed by holding cash in that currency. Foreign currency translation risk is not hedged.

 

B.           C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses

 

In recent years, we have continued our practice of building valuable research collaborations with institutes based in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries to enable us to investigate a variety of therapeutic indications including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseIBD such as colitis, Campylobacter, Shigella and Uropathogenic E.coli Infections. These collaborative arrangements ensure that we work with well-respected key optionopinion leaders and laboratories with specific expertise in screening and animal modelling of relevance to the particular indication, without incurring ongoing administrative and personnel costs. We maintain in-house patent counsel and research and development project expertise to coordinate these research collaborations.

 

When a lead compound is identified as suitable for clinical development, we establish a project team to coordinate all non-clinical and clinical development and manufacturing activities. Typically, we would project manage all the project activities, tasks and milestones and engage clinical research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations to assist. We manage our manufacturing campaigns through contract manufacturing organizations for quality assurance and GMPcGMP compliance. All clinical, non-clinical, clinical development and manufacturing of our compounds is performed in compliance with the appropriate governing authorities, regulators and standards (for example, the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use).

 

Research and development expenses amounted to A$3,623,961,4,630,674, A$4,630,6742,257,224 and A$2,257,2241,044,528 during the years ended June 30, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, respectively. Costs associated with patent applications and defense of patent applications are classified as research and development expenses and amounted to approximately A$190,000,290,000, A$290,000176,000 and A$176,000,142,000, during the years ended June 30, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, respectively.

 

Our research and development expenses consist primarily of expenses for contracted research and development activities conducted by third parties on our behalf, including personnel, testing facilities and other payments in accordance with our research and clinical agreements. Research and development expenses also include costs associated with the acquisition and development of patents. Due to the numerous variables and the uncertain nature of the development of a clinical compound, including obtaining regulatory approvals, we are not able to reasonably estimate the nature, timing and costs of the future expenditures necessary to complete our research and development projects, the anticipated completion dates of each project and when material net cash flows from our research and development programs will commence.


D.C.           Trend Information

 

We are a clinical development stage company and while we believe that our technology will offer novel therapeutic strategies into an expanding market, we cannot predict with any degree of accuracy the outcome of our research or commercialization efforts. Accordingly, any trends within the markets in which we operate are expected to have more direct impact on our business in the event that we are successful in commercializing our new product candidates, including our current lead product candidates.

 

Over the past few years, there has been increasing pressure to reduce drug prices in the developed markets as a consequence of political initiatives and regulations aiming to curb continuous increases in healthcare spending. Any revenue we earn in the future may be negatively affected by such political initiatives and regulations. The increased burden of healthcare costs in the aging population have led to an increased focus on reducing costs and, therefore, have further increased the pressure to lower drug prices. We expect this trend to continue in the years ahead. However, we believe spending in the healthcare industry, as compared to many other industries, is less linked to economic trends. We expect sales growth to continue at higher levels in emerging markets and also for niche, orphan indications. We also expect that demographic developments, increased treatment penetration, especially in newly established drug markets, and better diagnostic tools to enable the tailoring of drugs to specific needs, will result in continuing growth in overall global drug sales.

 

E.D.     Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we have no unconsolidated special purpose financing or partnership entities that are likely to create material contingent obligations.

 

F.E.      Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our minimum contractual obligations as of June 30, 2018.2019. We have the ability to scale down our operations and prioritize our research and development programs in neurology to reduce expenditures as discussed in Item 5B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

Contractual Obligations Payments due by period 
  Total
AUD$
  less than
1 year
AUD$
  1-3 years
AUD$
  3-5
Years
AUD$
  more
than
5 years
AUD$
 
Operating lease obligations  19,470   19,470          
Total  19,470   19,470          

Contractual Obligations Payments due by period 
  Total  less than
1 year
  1-3 years  3-5 Years  morethan
5 years
 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Operating lease obligations  104,851   41,389   63,462         
Total  104,851   41,389   63,462       

 

G.Safe Harbor

See “Introduction” for disclosure regarding forward-looking statements.

ITEM 6.DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.Directors and Senior Management

 

OurITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.Directors and Senior Management

As of October 23, 2019, our directors and executive officers are as follows:

 

Name Age Position
Dr. Roger Aston 6263 Non-Executive Chairman
Mr. Peter Anastasiou 5859 Executive Vice Chairman
Mr. Daniel Pollock 5859 Non-Executive Director
Mr. Stephen Anastasiou 6162 Non-Executive Director
Prof. Ravi Savarirayan 5152 Non-Executive Director
Mr. Richard J. BermanDr. Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D. 72 Chief Executive Officer and Non-Executive Director (effective July 1, 2018)
Dr. Jerry Kanellos, (PhD)Ph.D. 5556 Interim CEO and Chief Operating and Scientific Officer
Mr. Phillip Hains 5960 Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

Mr. Peter Anastasiou and Mr. Stephen Anastasiou are brothers. Other than such relationship, there are no family relationships among our directors and senior executives. Mr. Thomas LiquardRichard J. Berman resigned as our Chief Executive Officer on August 3, 2017 and Mr. Peter Vaughan resigned as our Joint-Chief Financial Officer and SecretaryNon-Executive Director effective July 1, 2018.October 17, 2019.


RogerRoger Astonhas been a member of our board of directors and the board’s non-executiveIndependent Non-Executive Chairman since March 2012. He also has special responsibilities as a member of the audit and risk committee and chair of the remuneration committee. Dr. Aston is bothholds a scientistBSc (Hons) and a seasoned biotechnology entrepreneur, with a successful track record in both fields, and brings to the BoardPhD. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechbiotechnology industries. Dr.Dr Aston was previously the chief executive officer and a director of Mayne Pharma Group Limited (ASX: MYX). Prior to his position at Mayne Pharma, some of his previous positions have included chief executive officer of Peptech Limited (ASX: PTD), director of Cambridge Antibody Technology Limited (LSE: CAT and NASDAQ: CATG) and chairman of Bio Focus Plc (formerly: Cambridge Drug Discovery Limited). Dr Aston was also founder and chief executive officer of Biokine Technology Ltd (UK) prior to its acquisition by the Peptech Group. Dr Aston was also a director of pSivida Ltd. During the past 20 years of his career, Dr Aston has been closely involved in start-up companiesthe development of many successful pharmaceutical and major pharmaceuticalbiotechnology companies. Aspects of hisHe has extensive experience include FDA and EUincluding negotiating global license agreements, overseeing product registration activities with the FDA, the establishment and implementation of guidelines and operating procedures for manufacturing and clinical trials, global licensing agreements, fundraising throughoverseeing manufacturing of human and veterinary products, private placements, and a networkpublic fund-raising activities and the introduction of contacts within the pharmaceutical, banking and stock broking sectors.corporate governance procedures. Dr. Aston has had extensive experience on boards of many biopharmaceutical companies including Directorships/ChairmanshipsAston’s other current directorships are with ClinuvelOncosil Limited (ASX:CUV), HalcyGen OSL) since March 2013, Pharmaust Limited (ASX:HGN), Ascent Pharma PAA) since August 2013, and Resapp Health Limited (ASX:APH). Dr. Aston is currently RAP) since July 2015. He held the Executive Chairmanposition of Pharmaust Ltd (ASX:PAA), Directordirector and Chairmanchairman of Regeneus Limited (ASX:RGS) and ResApp Limited (ASX:RAP). During 2007 and 2008, Dr. Aston was a member of the AusIndustry Biological Committee advising the Industry Research and Development Board. More recently, Dr. Aston was Executive Chairman of Mayne Pharma Group from 2009 to 2011 and CEO of Mayne Pharma Group until 2012. Dr. Aston has also been a Director of IDT Limited (ASX:IDT), Cynata Limited (ASX:CYP), Calzada Limited (now Polynovo Limited), Director and Chairman of Oncosil Medical Limited (ASX:OSL), and Biolife Limited (now Imugene ASX:IMU).April 2019.

 

Peter Anastasiou has been a member of our board of directors and our Executive Vice Chairman since May 2015. Mr. Anastasiou holds a B.Psych and is a serial entrepreneur and investor with extensive experience in business in Australia and internationally. Over the past 25 years, he has been credited with rebuilding a number of companies through the implementation of various corporate restructurings, acquisitions and solid financial management practices, with his most recent success being managing the restructuring of SABCO to ensure the future of this 100-year-old iconic Australian company. Mr. Anastasiou’s involvement with usImmuron commenced in May 2013 following his substantial underwriting support of our Renounceable Rights Issue,the group’s renounceable rights issue, which was surpassed by his further funding support of the A$9.66 million (before costs) capital raising in February 2014 resulting in an ownership of approximately 15%15 percent of ourthe company throughvia his associated investment funds. Mr. Anastasiou is an entrepreneur and investor with extensive experience in business both in Australia and overseas. Mr. Anastasiou was the founding Chairmanchairman of the ACSI Group of Companies, which has owned and managed successful consumer companies such as SABCO, Britex Carpet Care, Rug Doctor and Crystal Clear. Mr. Anastasiou also has a number of philanthropic interests including being a patron of the Identity Theatre for men, a prior board member and supporter of the Indigenous Eye Health Unit at Melbourne University, a supporter of the John Fawcett Foundation in Bali, and a founding investor and Directordirector of Melbourne Victory Football Club.

Gary S. JacobPh.D. has served as our Chief Executive Officer since November 2018 and a director since April 2019. Dr. Jacob earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Chemistry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Jacob’s more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries covers multiple disciplines, including research and development, operations, business development, capital financing activities and senior management expertise. He is the co-founder and founding chief executive officer of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. where he also served as chairman and is the co-inventor of the FDA-approved drug Trulance for treating functional gastrointestinal disorders. In December 2018, Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. From May 2003 until January 2013, Dr. Jacob served as chief executive officer and a director of Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: KAL) a publicly listed biotechnology company focused on drugs to treat cancer. Prior to Callisto, Dr. Jacob was at Monsanto/G.D. Searle, where he served as Director of Glycobiology and Monsanto Science Fellow, specializing in the fields of glycobiology and drug discovery. From 1986 to 1990, Dr. Jacob, while located at Oxford University, England, managed the G.D. Searle Glycobiology Group. Dr. Jacob has over 50 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, over 15 issued US patents and is the co-inventor of two pharmaceutical drugs, one of which is FDA approved. He is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University. Dr. Jacob’s other current directorships are with Hepion Pharmaceuticals Inc, (NASDAQ: HEPA) since May 2013 and Trovagene, Inc. (NASDAQ: TROV) since 2009.

Daniel Pollockhas been a member of our board of directors and our Independent Non-Executive Director since October 2012. He also has special responsibilities as chair of the audit and risk committee and a member of the remuneration committee. Mr. Pollock holds a Bachelor of Laws and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and is a lawyer admitted in both Scotland and Australia and holding Practicing Certificatespracticing certificates in both jurisdictions. He is a sole practitioner in his own legal firm based in Melbourne Australia which operates internationally and specializes in commercial law. HeFurther, he is also Executive Directorexecutive director and co-owner of Great Accommodation P/LPty Ltd, a property management business operating in Victoria. Mr. Pollock has had historical involvement as a seed investor and board member of a number of small unlisted companies. The most recent of these was an e-pharmacy company where he was heavily involved in its commercial growth and ultimate sale to a large listed health services company.

 

Stephen Anastasiouhas been a member of our board of directors and our Independent Non-Executive Director since May 2013. Mr. Anastasiou holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons), Graduate Diploma in Marketing and Master of Business Administration. He has over 20 years’years of experience in general management, marketing and strategic planning within the healthcare industry. His breadth of experience incorporates medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, hospital, dental and OTCover-the-counter products, with companies including the international pharmaceutical company Bristol - Myers Squibb.Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY). While working with KPMG Peat Marwick as a management consultant, Mr. Anastasiou previously led project teams in a diverse range of market development and strategic planning projects in both the public and private sector. He is also a director and shareholder of a number of unlisted private companies, covering a variety of industry sectors that include healthcare and funds management. Mr. Anastasiou’s companies have participated in several corporate transactions involving business units and brands of multinational and Australian companies.

 


Professor Ravi Savarirayanwas appointed ashas been a member of our board of directors and our Independent Non-Executive Director since April 2017. Prof. Savarirayan holds a Doctor of our company on April 7, 2017.Medicine from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Adelaide, is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA, Hons). He ishas been a consultant clinical geneticist at the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services since August 1999, as well as Professorprofessor and Research Group Leader (Skeletal Biologyresearch group leader of skeletal biology and Disease)disease at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute since September 2000. Mr.Prof. Savarirayan ishas served as a founding member of the Skeletal Dysplasia Management Consortium since January 2011 and has beenacted as the Chairchair of the Specialist Advisory Committeespecialist advisory committee in Clinical Genetics,clinical genetics at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians since February 2009 .2009. He was president of the International Skeletal Dysplasia Society from July 2009 to June 2011 and has been an invited member of several International Working Committeesinternational working committees on Constitutional Diseasesconstitutional diseases of Bone. Mr.bone. Prof. Savarirayan’s primary research focus is on inherited disorders of the skeleton causing short stature, arthritis and osteoporosis. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, collaborating with peers from over 30 countries, andcountries. He has been on the editorial board of Human Mutation since January 2009, European Journal of Human Genetics since July 2007, American Journal of Medical Genetics since December 2011 and the Journal of Medical Genetics since June 2005. Mr. Savarirayan received his MBBS from the University of Adelaide in 1990 and became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in December 1997. He was certified as a specialist in clinical genetics from the Human Genetics Society of Australasia in 1998 and received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Melbourne in 2004, for his thesis “Clinical and Molecular Studies in the Osteochondrodysplasias.”

 

Mr. Richard J. Bermanwasappointed as the non-executive director effective July 1, 2018.Mr. Berman’s business career spans over 35 years of venture capital, senior management and merger & acquisitions experience. Mr. Berman is a well-respected and seasoned professional, senior executive and public company Board member with extensive experience in many business sectors including finance, technology, retail, bio-science and real estate. In the last five years, Mr. Berman was employed under the following positions, director at Energy Smart Resources, Inc (2012), lead independent director of Cryoport, Inc. (2015), independent director of Catasys, Inc (2017). Mr. Berman is also director of three public healthcare companies: Advaxis, Inc., Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., and Cryoport Inc. He has also served as a director or officer of more than a dozen public and private companies. In 2016, he joined the advisory Board of Medifirst while in 2014, he was elected Chairman of MetaStat Inc. From 2006-2011, he was Chairman of National Investment Managers, a company with $12 billion in pension administration assets. From 2002 to 2010, he was a director of Nexmed Inc where he also served as Chairman/CEO in 2008 and 2009 (now called Apricus Biosciences, Inc.). From 1998-2000, he was employed by Internet Commerce Corporation (now Easylink Services) as Chairman and CEO, and was a director from 1998 to 2012.


Previously, Mr. Berman worked at Goldman Sachs; was Senior Vice President of Bankers Trust Company, where he started the M&A and Leveraged Buyout Departments; created the largest battery company in the world in the 1980’s by merging Prestolite, General Battery and Exide to form Exide Technologies (XIDE); helped to create what is now Soho (NYC) by developing five buildings; and advised on over $4 billion of M&A transactions in over 300 deals. He is a past Director of the Stern School of Business of NYU where he obtained his B.S. and MBA. degrees. He also has law degrees from Boston College and The Hague Academy of International Law, respectively.

Dr. Jerry Kanellos, Ph.D.(PhD)has been our Chief Operating and Scientific Officer since July 2015, and served as our Interim CEO from August 2017 until November 2018 and our Chief Scientific Officer from July 2015 to November 2018. In addition, since August 3, 2017.April 2018, Dr. Kanellos has served as a director of IMC Canada Limited. Dr. Kanellos has over twenty-five years’25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and has held leadership roles in executive management, business development, project management, intellectual property portfolio management research and development. From 2008 until 2012, Dr. Kanellos was the Chief Operating Officer of TransBio Limited where he was responsible for the strategic identification, development and maintenance of commercial partnerships globally, along with development, management and maintenance responsibility for the intellectual property portfolio, research and development and technology transfer. Prior to this, Dr. Kanellos worked for five years as a consultant to the biotechnology industry and provided development and commercialization strategies for various bodies including academic institutes, private and publicly listed companies and government departments both national and international. He has also been involved in the establishment and management of several startup biotechnology companies. During his ten year tenure in research and development at CSL Limited, a global specialty biotherapeutics company that develops and delivers innovative biotherapies, Dr. Kanellos gained considerable experience in the international drug development process, formulation development through to pharmaceutical scale up and cGMP manufacture successfully leading the Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) programs for the approval, manufacture and launch of several products. Dr. Kanellos holds a PhD degree in Medicine from the University of Melbourne.

 

Company secretary

Mr. Phillip Hainshas been our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Secretary since July 1, 2018 and served was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Secretary sincethe secretary of the Company in April 2013. Mr. Hains is a Chartered Accountant operating a specialist public practice, ‘The CFO Solution’. The CFO Solution focuses on providing back office support, financial reporting and compliance systems for listed public companies. A specialist in the public company environment. Heenvironment, Mr. Hains has served the needs of a number of public company boards of directors and their related committees. He has over 20 years’30 years of experience in providing businesses with accounting, administration, compliance and general management services. He holds a MastersMaster of Business Administration from RMIT University and a Public Practice Certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia.

Australia and New Zealand. 

 

B.Compensation

B.Compensation

 

Our remuneration policy is designed to ensure that directors and senior management are appropriately remunerated having regard to their relevant experience, their performance, the performance of our company, industry norms and standards and the general pay environment as appropriate. Our remuneration policy has been established to enable us to attract, motivate and retain suitably qualified directors and senior Managementmanagement who will create value for shareholders.

 

Our remuneration policy is not directly based on our earnings. Our earnings have remained negative since inception due to the nature of our company. Shareholder wealth reflects this speculative and volatile market sector. No dividends have ever been declared by us. We continue to focus on the research and development of our intellectual property portfolio with the objective of achieving key development and commercial milestones in order to add further shareholder value.

  


Non-Executive Director Remuneration

 

Similarly, our remuneration policy is designed to ensure that Non-Executive Directorsnon-executive directors are appropriately remunerated with respect to their relevant experience, individual performance, the performance of our company, industry norms/standards and the general pay environment as appropriate.

 

Our Constitution and the ASX Listing Rules specify that the aggregate remuneration of Non-Executive Directorsnon-executive directors shall be determined from time to time by a meeting of shareholders. An amount (not exceeding the amount approved at the Shareholders Meeting)shareholders’ meeting) is determined by the Board and then divided between the Non-Executive Directors as agreed.non-executive directors. The latest determination was at the Shareholders Meetingshareholders’ meeting held on November 8, 200519, 2018 when shareholders approved the aggregate maximum cash sum to be paid or provided as remuneration to the Directorsdirectors as a whole (other than the Managing Directormanaging director and Executive Directors)executive directors) for their services as A$350,000500,000 per annum. This compensation is cash based and does not include stock based compensation.


In the year ended June 30, 2018,2019, our Non-Executive Directorsdirectors received an aggregate of A$305,325,378,423, including superannuation and our Executive Directorsexecutive directors received A$50,000.361,195. The manner in which the aggregate remuneration is apportioned among Non-Executive Directorsnon-executive directors is reviewed periodically. The Board is responsible for reviewing its own performance. Both Board and Board committee performance is monitored on an informal basis throughout the year with a formal review conducted during the financial year. No retirement benefits are payable other than statutory superannuation, if applicable.

 

Executive Director and Executive Officer Remuneration

 

Our remuneration policy is also designed to ensure that Executive Directorsexecutive directors are appropriately remunerated with respect to their relevant experience, individual performance, the performance of our company, industry norms/standards and the general pay environment as appropriate.

 

Our Non-Executive Directorsnon-executive directors are responsible for evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)(“CEO”) who in turn evaluates the performance of the other Senior Executives.senior executives. The evaluation process is intended to assess our business performance, whether long-term strategic objectives are being achieved, and the achievement of individual performance objectives.

 

The performance of our Interim CEO and Senior Executivessenior executives are monitored on an informal basis throughout the year and a formal evaluation is performed annually.

 

Fixed Remuneration.Executives’ fixed remuneration comprises salary and superannuation and is reviewed annually by the CEO, and in turn, the Remuneration Committee. This review takes into account the Executives’executives’ experience, performance in achieving agreed objectives and market factors as appropriate.

 

Variable Remuneration - Short Term Incentive Scheme.Executives may be entitled to receive a combination of short term incentives (STI)(“STI”) and long term incentives (LTl)(“LTI”) as part of their total remuneration if they achieve certain performance indicators as set by the Board. These STI /LTI may be paid either by cash, or a combination of cash and the issue of equity in our company, at the determination of the Board and Remuneration Committee.

 

The Remuneration Committee approves the issueissuance of bonuses following the recommendations of the CEO in the annual review of the performance of the Executives,executives, and our company as a whole, against agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)key performance indicators (“KPIs”).

 

Variable Remuneration - Long Term Incentive Scheme.Scheme. Executives may also be provided with longer-term incentives through our Employee Share and Option Plan (ESOP)(“ESOP”) that was approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meetingour annual general meeting held on November 13, 2014. The aimgoal of the ESOP is to allow the Executivesexecutives to participate in, and benefit from, the growth of our company as a result of their efforts and to assist in motivating and retaining those key employees over the long term. Continued service is the condition attached to the vesting of the options. The Board at its discretion determines the total number of options granted to each Executive.executive.


Remuneration paid in Fiscal 20182019

The following table sets forth all compensation we paid for the year ended June 30, 20182019 with respect to each of our executive officers and directors during the 20182019 fiscal year:

 

2018 Cash salary and fees Cash bonus Non-monetary
benefits
 Super-annuation Shares/Options Total
  AUD$ AUD$ AUD$ AUD$ AUD$ AUD$
Directors                        
Dr. Roger Aston  70,000         6,650   13,275   89,925 
Mr. Daniel Pollock  60,000         5,700      65,700 
Mr. Stephen Anastasiou  50,000               50,000 
Mr. Peter Anastasiou  50,000               50,000 
Prof. Ravi Savarirayan  50,000            46,700   96,700 
                         
Total  280,000   

   

   12,350   59,975   352,325 
                         
Other key management personnel                        
Dr. Jerry Kanellos1  207,756         19,737      227,493 
Mr. Thomas Liquard  

82,500

              

82,500

 
Total  

290,256

   

   

   19,737      

309,993

 
Total  

570,256

         32,087   59,975   

662,318

 
                         

2019 Short-term benefits  Post-
employment
benefits
  Long-
term
benefits
 Share-
based
payments
   
  Cash
salary and fees
  Other  Super-
annuation
  Long
service
leave
 Options Total 
  $  $  $  $ $ $ 
Non-executive directors                
Dr. Roger Aston  70,000   -   6,650   -  -  76,650 
Mr. Daniel Pollock  60,000   -   5,700   -  -  65,700 
Mr. Stephen Anastasiou  50,000   -   -   -  -  50,000 
Prof. Ravi Savarirayan  50,000   -   -   -  -  50,000 
Mr. Richard Berman (1)  136,073   -   -   -  164,400  300,473 
Executive directors                      
Mr. Peter Anastasiou  50,000   -   -   -  -  50,000 
Dr. Gary Jacob (2)  311,195   -   -   -  975,000  1,286,195 
Other KMP                      
Dr. Jerry Kanellos (3)  210,000   15,138   19,950   3,652  157,000  405,740 
Total KMP compensation  937,268   15,138   32,300   3,652  1,296,400  2,284,758 

1.Resigned as a member of the Company’s board of directors effective as of October 17, 2019.
2.Appointed interimas Chief Executive Officer on November 19, 2018 and an Executive director on April 17, 2019.
3.Served as Interim CEO on August 3, 2017until November 19, 2018.

 

Employment Agreements with Executive Officers

 

We have contracts with all of our senior management and employees, and letters of appointment for each of our Directors.directors.

 

Gary S. Jacob

On February 11, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (the “Jacob Agreement”) with Gary S. Jacob pursuant to which Mr. Jacob serves as our Chief Executive Officer. The term of the Jacob Agreement is for a period of three years from the Effective Date, which term shall be automatically renewed for successive one year periods until either Mr. Jacob or the Company provides written notice of their intent to not renew such term at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term. Pursuant to the Jacob Agreement, Mr. Jacob shall receive a base salary of US$350,000, which may be increased by the Company’s Board. In addition, Mr. Jacob shall be eligible to receive for each fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2019 and for the pro-rated portion of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, an annual cash bonus of up to 50% of his then base salary subject to the achievement of certain Company and individual performance goals as established by the Board or a committee thereof. The Company also granted Mr. Jacob a five-year option (the “Option Termination Date”) to purchase up to 5,000,0000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $A0.50 per share which option will expire upon the earlier of the Option Termination Date or Mr. Jacob’s resignation without Good Reason (as defined in the Jacob Agreement) or termination for Cause (as defined in the Jacob Agreement).

If the Jacob Agreement expires as a result of the Company’s election to not renew the employment term or Mr. Jacob is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or as a result of Mr. Jacob’s death or permanent disability or by Mr. Jacob for Good Reason, Mr. Jacob shall receive (i) his accrued by unpaid base salary through the termination date, (ii) reimbursement of unreimbursed business expenses incurred prior to the termination date, (iii) other vested rights and benefits (including with respect to Mr. Jacob’s equity interests in the Company) and (iv) the annual bonus, if any, for the year ending immediately prior to the year in which the termination date occurs (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”). Furthermore, if Mr. Jacob executes a general release of all claims against the Company and such release becomes effective within 60 days following the date of Mr. Jacob’s termination, Mr. Jacob shall receive the following: (i) continuation of Mr. Jacob’s then base salary during the Severance Period (as defined in the Jacob Agreement) and (ii) a pro-rated target bonus. In the event the Company terminates Mr. Jacob’s employment for Cause or failure in the first year of the Jacob Agreement to meet a material part of the Company’s corporate goals as determined by the Company or by Mr. Jacob other than for Good Reason or as a result of Mr. Jacob’s permanent disability or death or in connection with the Company’s notice of its intent not to renew the employment term, Mr. Jacob shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations.

Jerry Kanellos

On July 23, 2015, we entered into an Executive Service Agreement with Dr. Jerry Kanellos (the “Kanellos Agreement”), pursuant to which Dr. Kanellos is serving as our Chief Operating & Scientific Officer. Pursuant to the Kanellos Agreement, we will pay Dr. Kanellos A$160,000 per annum. Following Dr. Kanellos’ appointment as Interim-Chief Executive Officer on August 3, 2017, we increased his base salary to A$210,000 per annum plus 9.5% Australia superannuation guarantee equating to a total remuneration package of A$229,950 per annum. On November 19, 2018, Dr. Jerry Kanellos resigned as Interim CEO and moved to the role of Chief Operating Officer on the same date with no change in remuneration.


 

Our Board has approved the issuance of 200,000 options to Dr. Kanellos under our existing ESOP. Our Board will consider a short and long term share and/or share option incentive package for Dr. Kanellos after twelve months of continuous employment, subject to any applicable shareholder approval. We or Dr. Kanellos may terminate the Kanellos Agreement without cause on thirty days’ written notice. Subject to applicable laws and rules, we may elect to pay Dr. Kanellos thirty days’ base salary in lieuinstead of providing notice. We may also terminate the Kanellos Agreement for Cause (as defined in the Kanellos Agreement).

 

Employee Share Option Plan

 

Under the term of the ESOP the Board may offer options to key management staff and consultants and in special circumstances may provide financial assistance to an entitled option holder to assist in the exercise of the ESOP options. The aggregate number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of the ESOP options, together with all other share purchase plans for eligible persons, may not at any time exceed 5% of the total number of our outstanding ordinary shares.


During the 2018 fiscal year there were no options issued under the ESOP to the Directors or Key Management Personnel as stock based compensation.

 

The assessed fair value of options granted to personnel at their grant date is allocated equally over the period from grant date to vesting date, and the amount for the 20182019 financial year is included in the remuneration table as set out above. Fair values at grant date are determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option. The expected price volatility is based on the historic volatility (based on the remaining life of the options), adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information.

 

As of June 30, 20182019 the number of options over ordinary shares in our company held by each Directordirector and other Key Management Personnelkey management personnel of our company, including their personally related parties, are set out below:below.

 

As of June 30, June 2018,2019 our directors and executive officers and directors as a group, then consisting of seven (7)nine persons, held options under our ESOP to purchase an aggregate of 8,200,00015,625,532 ordinary shares at an exercise price of A$0.50 per share. Of such options, options to purchase 1,050,0007,625,532 ordinary shares expire on OctoberNovember 27, 2019, options to purchase 1,000,000 ordinary shares expire on July 1, 20182021, options to purchase 2,000,000 ordinary shares expire on June 30, 2020 and options to purchase 7,200,0005,000,000 ordinary shares (including 1,000,000 options(to be granted subject to shareholder approval) expire on November 27, 2019.February 10, 2024.

  

C.Board Practices

C.Board Practices 

 

OurAs of June 30, 2019, our board of directors currently consistsconsisted of six (6)seven members. Directors are elected at each annual general meeting of our shareholders and serve until their successors are elected or appointed unless their office is earlier vacated. We believe that each of our directors has relevant industry experience. The membership of our board of directors is directed by the following requirements:

 

our Constitution specifies that there must be a minimum of three (3) directors and a maximum of ten (10),directors, and our board of directors may determine the number of directors within those limits;
as set forth in our Board Charter, the membership of the board of directors should consist of a majority of independent directors who satisfy the criteria recommended by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)(“ASIC”);
the Chairman of our Board should be an independent director who satisfies the criteria for independence recommended by the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations; and
our board of directors should, collectively, have the appropriate level of personal qualities, skills, experience, and time commitment to properly fulfill its responsibilities or have ready access to such skills where they are not available.

 

Our board of directors has delegated responsibility for the conduct of our businesses to the Chief Executive Officer, but remains responsible for overseeing the performance of management. Our board of directors has established delegated limits of authority, which define the matters that are delegated to management and those that require board of directors’ approval. Under the Corporations Act, at least two of our directors must be resident Australians. None of our directors have any service contracts with us that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

 

We have not entered into any service contracts with our directors providing for benefits upon termination of employment.

Committees

To assist our board of directors with the effective discharge of its duties, it has established a Remuneration and Nomination Committee and an Audit and Risk Committee, which committees operate under a specific charter approved by our board of directors.

 

Remuneration and Nomination Committee

The members of our Remuneration and Nomination Committee are Roger Aston and Daniel Pollock, each of whom our board of directors has determined meets the criteria for independence under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). Dr. Aston acts as chairman of the committee. The committee’s role involves:

 

identifying, evaluating and recommending qualified nominees to serve on our board of directors;

evaluating, adopting and administering our compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as modifying or terminating existing plans and programs;


establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements; and

overseeing, reviewing and reporting on various remuneration matters to our board of directors.

 

Audit and Risk Committee

The members of our Audit and Risk Committee are Daniel Pollock and Roger Aston, each of whom our board of directors has determined meets the criteria for independence of audit committee members set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the applicable rules of the NASDAQ Capital Market. Each member of our audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market. Daniel Pollock acts as the chairman of the audit committee. The principal duties and responsibilities of our audit committee include, among other things:

 

overseeing and reporting on various auditing and accounting matters to our board of directors, including the selection of our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, the performance of our independent accountants and our accounting practices;

overseeing and reporting on various risk management matters to our board of directors;

considering and approving or disapproving all related-party transactions;

reviewing our annual and semi-annual financial statements and reports and discussing the statements and reports with our independent registered public accounting firm and management;

reviewing and pre-approving the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services;

evaluating the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and deciding whether to retain their services; and

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial controls, accounting or auditing matters.

 

D.Employees

D.Employees

 

As of June 30, 2018,2019, we had five (5)six full-time employees. Of these full-time employees, one (1) is engaged in research and development activities, two (2) are employed in manufacturing and quality control positions, one (1) is employed in U.S. sales, one is our COO and one (1) is our interim CEO.

As of June 30, 2017, we had seven (7) full-time employees. Of these full-time employees, three (3) were engaged in research and development activities, two (2) were employed in manufacturing and quality control positions, one (1) was employed in U.S. sales and one (1) was our CEO.

As of June 30, 2016, we had eight (8) full-time employees. Of these full-time employees, four (4) were engaged in research and development activities, three (3) were employed in manufacturing and quality control positions, and one (1) was employed in U.S. sales.

  

Our employees are located in Australia, Israel and the U.S.

 

E.Share Ownership

E.Share Ownership

 

Beneficial Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of October 29, 201823, 2019 regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares by each of our directors and executive officers and by all of our directors and executive officers as a group.


Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge each shareholder possesses sole voting and investment power over the ordinary shares listed subject to community property laws, where applicable. None of our shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders.

 

Name 

Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned(1)

 Percentage of Ownership(2)
Dr. Roger Aston(3)  4,034,066   2.83%
Mr. Peter Anastasiou(4)  21,557,073   15,10%
Mr. Daniel Pollock(5)  1,509,600   1.06%
Mr. Stephen Anastasiou(6)  9,498,154   6.65%
Prof. Ravi Savarirayan(7)  

1,000,000

   * 
Dr. Jerry Kanellos (PhD)(8)  200,000   * 
Mr. Phillip Hains(9)  1,242,336   * 
         
Officers and directors as a group (9 persons)(10)  39,041,229   27.34%

Name Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially
Owned (1)
  Percentage of
Ownership (2)
 
Dr. Roger Aston(3)  4,034,066   2.24%
Mr. Peter Anastasiou(4)  22,994,573   12.64%
Mr. Daniel Pollock(5)  1,654,600   * 
Mr. Stephen Anastasiou(6)  9,498,154   5.28%
Prof. Ravi Savarirayan(7)  1,000,000   * 
Dr. Jerry Kanellos (PhD)(8)  1,200,000   * 
Mr. Phillip Hains(9)  1,242,336   * 
Dr. Gary S. Jacob(10)  5,260,000   2.89%
Officers and directors as a group (9 persons)(11)  46,883,729   23.77%

 

*Less than 1%

(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Ordinary shares relating to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Except as set forth herein, the address for each of the persons listed in the table above is Immuron Limited, Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia 3053.

 

 (2)The percentages shown are based on 142,778,206176,780,906 ordinary shares outstanding as of October 29, 2018,23, 2019, but do not include (i) 25,289,894 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable options that are traded on the Australian Securities Exchange;ASX and (ii) 27,760,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants; or (iii) 694,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Representative’s Warrants.outstanding warrants. The options, which were issued in an offering in Australia, have an exercise price of A$0.55 per share and expire on November 30, 2019. The WarrantsCertain warrants have an exercise price of US$10.00 per ADS. The Representative’s WarrantsADS while other warrants have an exercise price of US$12.50 per ADS.

 

(3)Includes options and warrants to purchase 3,282,950 ordinary shares.

 

(4)Includes options and warrants to purchase 5,158,409 ordinary shares. Peter Anastasiou is the Chairman of Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd (“Grandlodge”) and in such capacity has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by Grandlodge.

 

(5)Includes options and warrants to purchase 1,134,800 ordinary shares.

 

(6)Includes options and warrants to purchase 3,247,017 ordinary shares.

 

(7)Prof. Ravi Savarirayan holdsIncludes 1,000,000 options to purchase ordinary shares.

 

(8)Includes options to purchase 200,0001,200,000 ordinary shares.

 

(9)Includes options to purchase 425,532 ordinary shares.

  

(10)Includes options to purchase 14,448,7085,000,000 ordinary shares.

 

*(11)Less than 1%Includes options to purchase 20,448,708 ordinary shares.

 

The address for each of the persons listed in the table above is Immuron Limited, Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia 3053.


ITEM 7.MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

A.Major Shareholders

A.Major Shareholders

 

The following table sets forth as of October 29, 201823, 2019 certain information regarding the beneficial ownership by all shareholders known to us to own beneficially 5.0%5% or more of our ordinary shares:

 

  Ordinary Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
 
Shareholder  Number   Percent(2) 
HSBC Custody Nom Aust. Ltd  13,181,264   9.23%
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited  12,023,475   8.42%
Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd (3)  9,556,682   6.69%
Authentics Australia Pty Ltd  8,624,999   6.04%
  Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
 
Shareholder Number  Percent(2) 
HSBC Custody Nom Aust. Ltd  29,304,544   16.58%
Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd(3)  16,430,163   9.03%

 

(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Ordinary shares relating to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.

 

 (2)The percentages shown are based on 142,778,206176,780,906 ordinary shares outstanding as of October 29, 2018,23, 2019, but do not include (i) 25,289,894 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable options that are traded on the Australian Securities Exchange;ASX and (ii) 28,060,00027,760,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants; or (iii) 1,403,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Representative’s Warrants.outstanding warrants.

 

(3)Includes options and warrants to purchase 5,158,409 ordinary shares. Peter Anastasiou is the majority owner of Grandlodge Pty Ltd.Grandlodge.

 

Significant Changes in the Ownership of Major Shareholders

 

Previous substantial shareholders InveraryCiticorp Nominees Pty LtdLimited and RetzosAuthentics Australia Pty Ltd ceased to be major shareholders following the issuance of securities pursuant to our NASDAQ listingpublic offering in June 2017May 2019 and July 2019 as their existing shareholdings were diluted below 5% ownership.

 

Major Shareholders Voting Rights

 

A major shareholder would notAll of our shareholders, including the shareholders listed below, have differentthe same voting rights.rights attached to their ordinary shares.

 

Record Holders

 

As of October 29, 2018,23, 2019, there were 1,8492,045 Immuron shareholders holding 142,778,206176,780,906 fully paid ordinary ASX shares. These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our shares nor are they representative of where such beneficial holders reside, since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees. The majority of trading by our U.S. investors is done by means of ADS that are held of record by HSBC Nominees Ltd., which held 13,181,264 (9.23%37,930,184 (21.46%) of our ordinary shares as of such date.

 

B.Related Party Transactions

B.Related Party Transactions

 

Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd (Grandlodge) is an entity part-owned and operated by Immuron Directorsour non-executive directors Peter Anastasiou and Stephen Anastasiou. Mr. David Plush is also an owner of Grandlodge, and its associated entities.

 

On December 1, 2015, June 6, 2016 and May 9, 2017, we executed short-term funding agreements with Grandlodge for a principal amount of A$1,000,000 (interest rate of 13%), A$750,000 (interest rate of 15%) and A$500,000 (interest rate of 15%), respectively. The short-termshort- term funding was a cash advance against the anticipated refund receivable from the Australian Taxation Office under the Research and Development Income Tax Concession Incentive for our eligible R&D expenditure incurred for the financial years of 2015, 2016 and 2017. The loans from December 2015, June 2016 and May 2017, plus applicable fees and interest, were repaid to Grandlodge on February 10, 2016, December 2, 2016 and June 23, 2017, respectively. Interest expense was approximately A$57,000 and A$31,000 for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In addition, we incurred approximately A$35,000 of loan fees for the year ended June 30, 2016.2017.


Starting June 1, 2013, Grandlodge provides warehousing, distribution and invoicing services for our products for A$70,000 per year. During the 2019 financial year, 2018, the fees (A$140,000 equivalent) areof A$70,000 equivalent were repaid by issuance of 437,500 ordinary shares (875,000 shares)based on a price of A$0.16 per share representing the share price of our ordinary shares at the commencement date of an oral agreement between us and Grandlodge. During the 2018 financial year, the fees of A$140,000 equivalent were repaid by issuance of 875,000 ordinary shares based on a set price of A$0.16 per share representing the share price of our ordinary shares at the commencement date of an oral agreement between us and Grandlodge. The 875,000 shares issued to Grandlodge were in relation to twothe 2017 and 2018 financial years.

 

Grandlodge areis reimbursed in cash for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in accordance with their scope of works under the oral agreement, unless both Grandlodge and we agree to an alternative method of payment. The oral agreement may be terminated by either party upon providing the other party with 30 days written notice of the termination of the agreement. For fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, we paid A$87,500 for such services by issuance of new shares in accordance with the agreement.

 

Effective January 2016, we executed a Lease Agreement with Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd, (“Wattle”), an entity part-owned and operated by our non-executive directors, Peter Anastasiou and Stephen Anastasiou, whereby we lease part of their Blackburn office facilities for our operations at a rental rate of A$38,940 per year, payable in monthly installments. The rental agreement is subject to annual rental increases, and effective January 2017, the annual rent was increased to A$39,525. The lease is for a three (3) year term with an additional 3three year option period. The lease may be terminated by either party upon six months’ written notice. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, we paid Wattle A$19,47035,792, A$30,019 and A$35,79253,958 (excluding Goods and A$33,020 (excluding GST)Services Tax), respectively. The lease was renewed, commencing January 1, 2019 for three years.

 

Grandlodge purchased US$1,500,000 on behalf of our company at the cost of A$1,968,762 on August 25, 2016 and on the same day we paid Grandlodge A$1,968,762 to settle this transaction. On September 12, 2016, Grandlodge returned the US$1,500,000 they purchased on our behalf to us. Grandlodge received no financial gains or benefits for this transaction.

 

As of June 30On July 7, 2016, we committed to issueissued 18,045,512 ordinary shares in relation to the $4,511,378 received in a capital raising transaction. These sharestransaction that we were subsequently issued on July 7committed to issue as of June 30, 2016. Of such shares, 2,418,129 shares and options were issued to Grandlodge on the same terms and conditions as all other subscribers. In addition, Grandlodge participated in our NASDAQ IPOJune 2017 initial public offering in the U.S. and acquired 32,707 ADSs and 32,707 Warrants.warrants.

  

During the current financial year weended June 30, 2018, the group entered into a short-term loan arrangement for an amount of $500,000 with Great Accommodation Pty Ltd, an entity ownedcontrolled by Mr.Mr Daniel Pollock, onePollock. The purpose of our directors, A$15,000this loan was to fund on going R&D expenditure. Interest accrued at a rate of 15% per annum in addition to a $15,000 establishment fee. The loan was repaid in full on February 12, 2018.

C.Interests of Experts and Counsel

C.INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 8.FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

A.Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A.Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

 

See our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in Item 18.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are not involved in any legal proceedings nor are we subject to any threatened litigation that is material to our business or financial condition.

 

Dividend Distribution Policy

 

We have never paid cash dividends to our shareholders. We intend to retain future earnings for use in our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. Any future dividend policy will be determined by the Board of Directors and will be based upon various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, current and anticipated cash needs, future prospects, contractual restrictions and other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

B.Significant Changes

B.Significant Changes

 

There have been no significant changes in the operation or financial condition of our company since June 30, 2018.2019.


ITEM 9.THE offer and listing

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.Offer and Listing Details

 

A.Offer and Listing Details

Australian Securities Exchange

 

Our ordinary shares have traded on the ASX since our initial public offering. The following table sets forth, forApril 30, 1999 under the periods indicated, the high and low market quotations for our ordinary shares, as quoted on the ASX.symbol IMC.

 

  Per Ordinary Share (A$) 
  High  Low 
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,      
2014  0.1982   0.1982 
2015  0.2280   0.2280 
2016  0.2550   0.2500 
2017  0.2800   0.2700 
2018  0.4700   0.1500 
         
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2016      
First Quarter  0.4460   0.4460 
Second Quarter  0.4856   0.4856 
Third Quarter  0.3965   0.3965 
Fourth Quarter  0.2550   0.2500 
         
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2017        
First Quarter  0.2600   0.2450 
Second Quarter  0.2700   0.2700 
Third Quarter  0.4350   0.3800 
Fourth Quarter  0.2800   0.2700 
         
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018        
First Quarter  0.3350   0.1700 
Second Quarter  0.2050   0.1500 
Third Quarter  0.4700   0.1750 
Fourth Quarter  0.3900   0.2850 
         
Month Ended:      
April 2018  0.3900   0.3000 
May 2018  0.3200   0.2850 
June 2018  0.3600   0.2850 
July 2018  0.4000   0.3250 
August 2018  0.3600   0.3350 
September 2018  0.3500   0.3050 
October 2018 (Until October 24, 2018)  0.3400   0.2900 

On October 24, 2018 the closing price of our ordinary shares on the ASX was A$0.2900.


NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Since June 13, 2017, Our ADSs and Warrants arehave been listed on theThe NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “IMRN” and “IMRNW”, respectively. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high ask and low bid prices of our ADSs on the NASDAQ Capital Market.respectively, since June 13, 2017.

 

  Per ADS (U.S. $) 
  High  Low 
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,      
2017 (From June 13, 2017)  10.00   7.66 
2018  14.00   4.86 
         

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018:

        
First Quarter  8.69   5.00 
Second Quarter  5.80   4.86 
Third Quarter  14.00   5.30 
Fourth Quarter  11.95   8.40 

Month Ended:      

April 2018

  11.950   9.150 
May 2018  9.400   8.400 
June 2018  10.549   8.656 
July 2018  12.445   9.490 
August 2018  10.560   9.350 
September 2018  10.150   8.546 
October 2018 (until October 24)  

9.55

   

7.84

 

On October 24, 2018 the closing priceB.Plan of our ADSs on the NASDAQ Capital Market was US$7.75.Distribution

       
  Per Warrant (U.S. $) 
  High  Low 
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,      
2017 (From June 13, 2017)  2.70   1.45 
2018  4.57   0.77 
         
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018:      
       
First Quarter  1.94   0.77 
Second Quarter  1.47   0.90 
Third Quarter  4.57   0.91 
Fourth Quarter  4.20   2.50 
         
Month Ended:      
April 2018  4.20   3.30 
May 2018  3.88   2.80 
June 2018  4.01   2.50 
July 2018  4.49   3.10 
August 2018  3.91   3.30 
September 2018  

4.00

   

2.93

 

October 2018 (until October 24)

  

                                   3.00

   

 2.50

 

On October 24, 2018 the closing price of our Warrants on the NASDAQ Capital Market was US$2.50.

B.Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable.

 

C.Markets

C.Markets

 

The principal listing of our ordinary shares is on the ASX, and since June 9, 2017, our ADSs and Warrantswarrants have traded on theThe Nasdaq Capital Market.


D.Selling Shareholders

D.Selling Shareholders

 

Not applicable.

 

E.Dilution

E.Dilution

 

Not applicable.

 

F.Expenses of the Issue

F.Expenses of the Issue

 

Not applicable.

 


ITEM 10.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A.Share Capital

A.Share Capital

 

Not applicable.

 

B.Memorandum and Articles of Association

B.Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

Our Constitution

 

Our Constitution is similar in nature to the bylaws of a U.S. corporation. It does not provide for or prescribe any specific objectives or purposes of our company. Our Constitution is subject to the terms of the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act. It may be amended or repealed and replaced by special resolution of shareholders, which is a resolution passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.

 

Under Australian law, a company has the legal capacity and powers of an individual both within and outside Australia. The material provisions of our Constitution are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete or to constitute a definitive statement of the rights and liabilities of our shareholders. Our Constitution is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this Annual Report forms a part.Report.

 

Interested Directors

A director may not vote in respect of any contract or arrangement in which the director has, directly or indirectly, any material interest according to our Constitution. Such director must not be counted in a quorum, must not vote on the matter and must not be present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. However, that director may execute or otherwise act in respect of that contract or arrangement notwithstanding any material personal interest.

 

Unless a relevant exception applies, the Corporations Act requires our directors to provide disclosure of certain interests or conflicts of interests and prohibits directors from voting on matters in which they have a material personal interest and from being present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. In addition, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules require shareholder approval of any provision of related party benefits to our directors.

 

Borrowing Powers Exercisable by Directors

Pursuant to our Constitution, the management and control of our business affairs are vested in our board of directors. Our board of directors has the power to raise or borrow money, and charge any of our property or business or any uncalled capital, and may issue debentures or give any other security for any of our debts, liabilities or obligations or of any other person, in each case, in the manner and on terms it deems fit.


Retirement of Directors

Pursuant to our Constitution and the ASX Listing Rules, there must be an election of Directorsdirectors at each annual general meeting. The directors, other than the managing director, who are to stand for election at each annual general meeting are: (i) any Directordirector required to retire after a period of 3three years in office, (ii) any Directordirector appointed by the other Directorsdirectors in the year preceding the annual general meeting, (iii) any new directors, or (iv) if no person is standing for election for the aforementioned reasons then the director longest in office since last being elected. A director, other than the director who is the Chief Executive Officer, must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after which the director was elected. Retired directors are eligible for a re-election to the board of directors unless disqualified from acting as a director under the Corporations Act or our Constitution.

 

Rights and Restrictions on Classes of Shares

The rights attaching to our ordinary shares are detailed in our Constitution. Our Constitution provides that our directors may issue shares with preferred, deferred or other special rights, whether in relation to dividends, voting, return of share capital or otherwise as our board of directors may determine. Subject to any approval which is required from our shareholders under the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules (see “—Exemptions from Certain NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules” and “—Change of Control”), any rights and restrictions attached to a class of shares, we may issue further shares on such terms and conditions as our board of directors resolve. Currently, our outstanding share capital consists of only one class of ordinary shares.

 

Dividend Rights

Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to shareholders. All dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with our Constitution.

 

Voting Rights

Under our Constitution, and subject to any voting exclusions imposed under the ASX Listing Rules (which typically exclude parties from voting on resolutions in which they have an interest), the rights and restrictions attaching to a class of shares, each shareholder has one vote on a show of hands at a meeting of the shareholders unless a poll is demanded under the Constitution or the Corporations Act. On a poll vote, each shareholder shall have one vote for each fully paid share and a fractional vote for each share held by that shareholder that is not fully paid, such fraction being equivalent to the proportion of the amount that has been paid to such date on that share. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy, attorney or representative. Under Australian law, shareholders of a public company are not permitted to approve corporate matters by written consent. Our Constitution does not provide for cumulative voting.

 

Note that ADS holders may not directly vote at a meeting of the shareholders but may instruct the depositary to vote the number of deposited ordinary shares their ADSs represent.

 

Right to Share in Our Profits

Pursuant to our Constitution, our shareholders are entitled to participate in our profits only by payment of dividends. Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to the shareholders; however, no dividend is payable except in accordance with the thresholds set out in the Corporations Act.

 

Rights to Share in the Surplus in the Event of Liquidation

Our Constitution provides for the right of shareholders to participate in a surplus in the event of our liquidation, subject to the rights attaching to a class of shares.

 

No Redemption Provision for Ordinary Shares

There are no redemption provisions in our Constitution in relation to ordinary shares. Under our Constitution, any preference shares may be issued on the terms that they are, or may at our option be, liable to be redeemed.


Variation or Cancellation of Share Rights

Subject to the terms of issue of shares of that class, the rights attached to shares in a class of shares may only be varied or cancelled by a special resolution of our company together with either:

 

a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of members holding shares in the class; or

the written consent of members with at least 75% of the shares in the class.

 

Directors May Make Calls

Our Constitution provides that subject to the terms on which the shares have been issued directors may make calls on a shareholder for amounts unpaid on shares held by that shareholder, other than monies payable at fixed times under the conditions of allotment. Shares represented by the ADSs are fully paid and are not be subject to calls by directors.

 

General Meetings of Shareholders

 

General meetings of shareholders may be called by our board of directors. Except as permitted under the Corporations Act, shareholders may not convene a meeting. The Corporations Act requires the directors to call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of shareholders with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting or at least 100 shareholders who are entitled to vote at the general meeting. Notice of the proposed meeting of our shareholders is required at least 28 clear days prior to such meeting under the Corporations Act.

 

Foreign Ownership Regulation

 

There are no limitations on the rights to own securities imposed by our Constitution. However, acquisitions and proposed acquisitions of securities in Australian companies may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975, or the FATA, which generally applies to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions:

  

by a foreign person (as defined in the FATA) or associated foreign persons that would result in such persons having an interest in 20% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 20% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company; and

by non-associated foreign persons that would result in such foreign person having an interest in 40% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 40% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company, where the Australian company is valued above the monetary threshold prescribed by FATA.

 

However, no such review or approval under the FATA is required if the foreign acquirer is a U.S. entity and the value of the target is less than A$1.094 million.

 

The Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition in the above categories or impose conditions on such acquisition if the Treasurer is satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may order the divestiture of such person’s shares or interest in shares in that Australian company.

 

Ownership Threshold

 

There are no provisions in our Constitution that require a shareholder to disclose ownership above a certain threshold. The Corporations Act, however, requires a shareholder to notify us and the ASX once it, together with its associates, acquires a 5% interest in our ordinary shares, at which point the shareholder will be considered to be a “substantial” shareholder. Further, once a shareholder owns a 5% interest in us, such shareholder must notify us and the ASX of any increase or decrease of 1% or more in its holding of our ordinary shares, and must also notify us and the ASX on its ceasing to be a “substantial” shareholder.

 

Issues of Shares and Change in Capital

 

Subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may at any time issue shares and grant options or warrants on any terms, with preferred, deferred or other special rights and restrictions and for the consideration and other terms that the directors determine.


Subject to the requirements of our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, including relevant shareholder approvals, we may consolidate or divide our share capital into a larger or smaller number by resolution, reduce our share capital (provided that the reduction is fair and reasonable to our shareholders as a whole and does not materially prejudice our ability to pay creditors) or buy back our ordinary shares whether under an equal access buy-back or on a selective basis.

 

Change of Control

 

Takeovers of listed Australian public companies, such as ours are regulated by the Corporations Act, which prohibits the acquisition of a “relevant interest” in issued voting shares in a listed company if the acquisition will lead to that person’s or someone else’s voting power in our company increasing from 20% or below to more than 20% or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%, subject to a range of exceptions.

 

Generally, a person will have a relevant interest in securities if the person:

 

is the holder of the securities;
has power to exercise, or control the exercise of, a right to vote attached to the securities; or
has the power to dispose of, or control the exercise of a power to dispose of, the securities, including any indirect or direct power or control.

 

If, at a particular time, a person has a relevant interest in issued securities and the person:

 

has entered or enters into an agreement with another person with respect to the securities;
has given or gives another person an enforceable right, or has been or is given an enforceable right by another person, in relation to the securities (whether the right is enforceable presently or in the future and whether or not on the fulfillment of a condition);
has granted or grants an option to, or has been or is granted an option by, another person with respect to the securities; or
the other person would have a relevant interest in the securities if the agreement were performed, the right enforced or the option exercised; the other person is presumed to already have a relevant interest in the securities.

 

There are a number of exceptions to the above prohibition on acquiring a relevant interest in issued voting shares above 20%. In general terms, some of the more significant exceptions include:

 

when the acquisition results from the acceptance of an offer under a formal takeover bid;
when the acquisition is conducted on market by or on behalf of the bidder under a takeover bid, the acquisition occurs during the bid period, the bid is for all the voting shares in a bid class and the bid is unconditional or only conditioned on prescribed matters set out in the Corporations Act;
when shareholders of our company approve the takeover by resolution passed at general meeting;
an acquisition by a person if, throughout the six months before the acquisition, that person or any other person has had voting power in our company of at least 19% and, as a result of the acquisition, none of the relevant persons would have voting power in our company more than three percentage points higher than they had six months before the acquisition;
when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a rights issue;
when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under dividend reinvestment schemes;
when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under underwriting arrangements;
when the acquisition results from the issue of securities through operation of law;
an acquisition that arises through the acquisition of a relevant interest in another listed company which is listed on a prescribed financial market or a financial market approved by ASIC;
an acquisition arising from an auction of forfeited shares conducted on-market; or
an acquisition arising through a compromise, arrangement, liquidation or buy-back.

 

Breaches of the takeovers provisions of the Corporations Act are criminal offenses. ASIC and the Australian Takeover Panel have a wide range of powers relating to breaches of takeover provisions, including the ability to make orders canceling contracts, freezing transfers of, and rights attached to, securities, and forcing a party to dispose of securities. There are certain defenses to breaches of the takeover provisions provided in the Corporations Act.


Access to and Inspection of Documents

 

Inspection of our records is governed by the Corporations Act. Any member of the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of our registers on the payment of a prescribed fee. Shareholders are not required to pay a fee for inspection of our registers or minute books of the meetings of shareholders. Other corporate records, including minutes of directors’ meetings, financial records and other documents, are not open for inspection by shareholders. Where a shareholder is acting in good faith and an inspection is deemed to be made for a proper purpose, a shareholder may apply to the court to make an order for inspection of our books.

 

C.Material Contracts

C.Material Contracts

 

We entered into a Development and Supply Agreement with Synlait Milk Ltd. on June 21, 2016, which is currently under renegotiation. Pursuant to the agreement, Synlait Milk, a large dairy farm company located in New Zealand, agreed to vaccinate their cow herds with IMM-124EIMM- 124E vaccine and to collect the hyperimmune colostrum from the first milking of the cows at calving. This colostrum, which contains the vaccine antibodies, is then spray or freeze dried and tested for the vaccine properties. If levels of the vaccine are sufficient and meet our product specifications, the dried hyperimmune colostrum is then shipped to our warehouse in Melbourne, Australia. Consideration paid to Synlait Mild Ltd during the 2018 fiscal year was A$630,192.

 

On February 16, 2016, we entered into a Convertible Security and Share Purchase Agreement by and between Immuron Limited andwith SBI Investments dated February 16, 2016. This agreementwhich provided us with a line of funding from which we could draw down funding to continue our ongoing operations. The convertible note comprised of three tranches, of which we drew down the first two tranches, totaling A$1.2 million in the aggregate. The note was repayable in 18 equal monthly installments payable on the 15th day of each month either by the issuance of equity at a discount to the market rate at the time of issue, or by a cash payment plus a 2.5% premium. The final payment with respect to this convertible note was repaid on September 10, September 2017.

 

D.Exchange Controls

D.Exchange Controls

 

Australia has largely abolished exchange controls on investment transactions. The Australian dollar is freely convertible into U.S. dollars. In addition, there are currently no specific rules or limitations regarding the export from Australia of profits, dividends, capital, or similar funds belonging to foreign investors, except that certain payments to non-residents must be reported to the Australian Cash Transaction Reports Agency, which monitors such transactions, and amounts on account of potential Australian tax liabilities may be required to be withheld unless a relevant taxation treaty can be shown to apply.

 

The Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975

 

Under Australian law, in certain circumstances foreign persons are prohibited from acquiring more than a limited percentage of the shares in an Australian company without notification to or approval from the Australian Treasurer. These limitations are set forth in the Australian Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act, or the Takeovers Act.

 

Under the Takeovers Act, as currently in effect, any foreign person, together with associates, is prohibited from acquiring 15% or more of the shares in any company having total assets exceeding A$252 million or more. In addition, a foreign person may not acquire shares in a company having total assets of A$252 million or more if, as a result of that acquisition, the total holdings of all foreign persons and their associates will exceed 40% in aggregate without the approval of the Australian Treasurer. However, for “U.S. Investors” and investors from certain other countries, a threshold of A$1.094 million applies (except in certain circumstances) to each of the previous acquisitions. A “U.S. Investor” is defined by the Takeovers Act as a U.S. national or a U.S. enterprise.

 

If the necessary approvals are not obtained, the Treasurer may make an order requiring the acquirer to dispose of the shares it has acquired within a specified period of time. Under the current Australian foreign investment policy, however, it is unlikely that the Treasurer would make such an order where the level of foreign ownership exceeds 40% in the ordinary course of trading, unless the Treasurer finds that the acquisition is contrary to the national interest. The same rule applies if the total holdings of all foreign persons and their associates already exceeds 40% and a foreign person (or its associate) acquires any further shares, including in the course of trading in the secondary market of the ADSs. At present, we do not have total assets of A$252 million.


If the level of foreign ownership exceeds 40% at any time, we would be considered a foreign person under the Takeovers Act. In such event, we would be required to obtain the approval of the Treasurer for our company, together with our associates, to acquire (i) more than 15% of an Australian company or business with assets totaling over A$252 million; or (ii) any direct or indirect ownership interest in Australian residential real estate.

 

The percentage of foreign ownership in our company would also be included in determining the foreign ownership of any Australian company or business in which it may choose to invest. Since we have no current plans for any such acquisitions and do not own any property, any such approvals required to be obtained by us as a foreign person under the Takeovers Act will not affect our current or future ownership or lease of property in Australia.

 

Our Constitution does not contain any additional limitations on a non-resident’s right to hold or vote our securities.

 

Australian law requires the transfer of shares in our company to be made in writing. No stamp duty will be payable in Australia on the transfer of ADSs.

 

E.Taxation

E.Taxation

 

The following is a discussion of Australian and U.S. tax consequencesconsiderations material to our shareholders. To the extent that the discussion is based on tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, the views expressed in the discussion might not be accepted by the tax authorities in question or by court. The discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and does not exhaust all possible tax considerations.

 

Holders of our ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Australian or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.

 

AUSTRALIAN TAX CONSEQUENCESCONSIDERATIONS

 

In this section we discuss the material Australian tax considerations that apply to non-Australian tax residents with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposal of the absolute beneficial ownership of ADSs, which are evidenced by ADRs. This discussion is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this annual report, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian income tax law which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as ADSs or shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations). In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign or state tax considerations, other than stamp duty.

Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Australian and foreign income and other tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ADSs or shares.

 

Nature of ADSs for Australian Taxation Purposes

 

Holders of our ADSs are treated as the owners of the underlying ordinary shares for Australian income tax and capital gains tax purposes.

Therefore, dividends paid on the underlying ordinary shares will be treated for Australian tax purposes as if they were paid directly to the owners of ADSs, and the disposal of ADSs will be treated for Australian tax purposes as the disposal of the underlying ordinary shares. In the following analysis we discuss the application of the Australian income tax and capital gains tax rules to non-Australian resident holders of ADSs.

 

Taxation of Dividends

 

Australia operates a dividend imputation system under which dividends may be declared to be ‘franked’ to the extent of tax paid on company profits. Fully franked dividends are not subject to dividend withholding tax. Dividends that are not franked or are partly franked and are paid to non-Australian resident shareholders are subject to dividend withholding tax, but only to the extent the dividends are not franked.

 

Unfranked dividends paid to a non-resident shareholder are subject to withholding tax at 30%, unless the shareholder is a resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation agreement. In accordance with the provisions of the Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the U.S., the maximum rate of Australian tax on unfranked dividends to which a resident of the U.S. is beneficially entitled is 15%, where the U.S. resident holds less than 10% of the voting rights in our company, or 5% where the U.S. resident holds 10% or more of the voting rights in our company. The Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the U.S. does not apply to limit the tax rate on dividends where the ADSs are effectively connected to a permanent establishment or a fixed base carried on by the owner of the ADSs in Australia through which the shareholder carries on business or provides independent personal services, respectively.


Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares - Capital Gains Tax

 

Australian capital gains derived by non-Australian residents in respect of the disposal of capital assets that are not taxable Australian property will be disregarded. Non-Australian resident shareholders will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the capital gain made on a disposal of our shares, unless they, together with associates, hold 10% or more of our issued capital, tested either at the time of disposal or over any continuous 12 month period in the 24 months prior to disposal, and the value of our shares at the time of disposal are wholly or principally attributable to Australian real property assets.

 

Australian capital gains tax applies to net capital gains at a taxpayer’s marginal tax rate. Previously, certain shareholders, such as individuals were entitled to a discount of 50% for capital gains on shares held for greater than 12 months. However, as part of the 2012-2013 Federal Budget measures, the Australian Government announced changes to the application of the CGT discount for foreign resident individuals on taxable Australian assets, including shares. These changes became effective on 29 June 2013.

 

The effect of the change is to:

 

Retain access to the full CGT discount for discount capital gains of foreign resident individuals in respect of the increase in the value of a CGT asset that occurred before 9 May 2013; and

Remove the CGT discount for discount capital gains for foreign resident individuals that arise after 8 May 2013.

 

Foreign residents will still have access to a discount on discount capital gains accrued prior to 8 May 2013 provided they choose to obtain a market valuation for their assets as at that date.

 

Net capital gains are calculated after reduction for capital losses, which may only be offset against capital gains.

 

Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares - Shareholders Holding Shares on Revenue Account

 

Some non-Australian resident shareholders may hold shares on revenue rather than on capital account, for example, share traders. These shareholders may have the gains made on the sale or other disposal of the shares included in their assessable income under the ordinary income provisions of the income tax law, if the gains are sourced in Australia.

 

Non-Australian resident shareholders assessable under these ordinary income provisions in respect of gains made on shares held on revenue account would be assessed for such gains at the Australian tax rates for non-Australian residents, which start at a marginal rate of 32.5% for non-Australian resident individuals. Some relief from the Australian income tax may be available to such non-Australian resident shareholders under the Double Taxation Convention between the U.S. and Australia, for example, because the shareholder does not have a permanent establishment in Australia.

 

To the extent an amount would be included in a non-Australian resident shareholder’s assessable income under both the capital gains tax provisions and the ordinary income provisions, the capital gain amount would generally be reduced, so that the shareholder would not be subject to double tax on any part of the income gain or capital gain.

 

Dual Residency

 

If a shareholder were a resident of both Australia and the U.S. under those countries’ domestic taxation laws, that shareholder may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. If, however, the shareholder is determined to be a U.S. resident for the purposes of the Double Taxation Convention between the U.S. and Australia, the Australian tax applicable would be limited by the Double Taxation Convention. Shareholders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.


Stamp Duty

 

A transfer of shares of a company listed on the ASX is not subject to Australian stamp duty except in some circumstances where one person, or associated persons, acquires 90% or more of the shares.

 

Australian Death Duty

 

Australia does not have estate or death duties. No capital gains tax liability is realized upon the inheritance of a deceased person’s shares.

The disposal of inherited shares by beneficiaries, may, however, give rise to a capital gains tax liability.

 

Goods and Services Tax

 

The issue or transfer of shares will not incur Australian goods and services.

 

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCESCONSIDERATIONS

 

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences that generally apply to U.S. Holders (as defined below) who hold ADSs as capital assets. This summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or the Code,(the “Code”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, and the bilateral taxation convention between Australia and the U.S. (the “Tax Treaty”), or the Tax Treaty, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively.

This summary does not discuss all the tax consequences that may be relevant to an investment in ADSs by a U.S. Holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances or to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, including broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions, certaintraders in securities who elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, insurance companies, investors liable for alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts, non-resident aliens of the U.S. or taxpayers whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons who hold the ADSs through partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons holding ADSs through any such entities, persons who acquired their ADSs through the exercise or cancellation of any employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for their services, investors that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our shares by vote or value, and investors holding ADSs as part of a straddle or appreciated financial position or as part of a hedging or conversion transaction.

 

If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such a partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership that owns ADSs and the partnerseach partner in such partnership should consult theirits own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of ADSs.

 

This summary does not address the effect of any U.S. federal taxation other than U.S. federal income taxation. In addition, this summary does not include any discussion of U.S. federal estate and gift tax, state, local or foreign taxation. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to you relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs, the consequences to you under any foreign andtaxing jurisdiction, as well as the U.S. federal, state and local tax considerations of an investment in ADSs.

 

For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means an (i) individual who is a citizen or, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a resident of the U.S., (ii) a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if (a) a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of the trust, and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Taxation of Dividends on ADSs

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Holders of ADSs will be treated as owning the underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs held by them. Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distributions received with respect to the underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, including the amount of any Australian taxes withheld therefrom, will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. You will be required to include this amount of dividends in gross income as ordinary income. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in the ADSs, and any amount in excess of your tax basis will be treated as gain from the sale of ADSs. See “DispositionDisposition of ADSs”ADSs below for the discussion on the taxation of capital gains. Dividends will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations under Section 243 of the Code.


Dividends that we pay in Australian dollars, including the amount of any Australian taxes withheld therefrom, will be included in your income in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day such dividends are received. A U.S. Holder who receives payment in Australian dollars and converts Australian dollars into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate other than the rate in effect on such day will likely have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss, which would be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss.

 

Subject to complex limitations, any Australian withholding tax imposed on our dividends will be a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or, alternatively, for deduction against income in determining such tax liability). The limitations set forth in the Code include computational rules under which foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific classes of income cannot exceed the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable with respect to each such class of income. Dividends generally will be treated as foreign-source passive category income or general category income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, depending upon the holder’s circumstances. A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to Australian income tax withheld from dividends received with respect to the underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to the extent such U.S. Holder has not held the ADSs for at least 16 days of the 31-day period beginning on the date that is 15 days before the ex-dividend date or to the extent such U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property. Any days during which a U.S. Holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the ADSs are not counted toward meeting the 16-day holding period required by the statute. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex. You should consult with your own tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to this credit.

 

Subject to certain limitations, “qualified dividend income” received by a non-corporate U.S. Holder will be subject to tax at a reduced maximum tax rate of 20 percent. Distributions taxable as dividends generally qualify for the 20 percent rate provided that either: (i) the issuer is entitled to benefits under the Tax Treaty or (ii) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. and certain other requirements are met. We believe that we are entitled to benefits under the Tax Treaty and that the ADSs currently are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. However, no assurance can be given that the ADSs will remain readily tradable. Furthermore, the reduced rate does not apply to dividends received from PFICs. The amount of foreign tax credit is limited in the case of foreign qualified dividend income. U.S. Holders of ADSs should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of these rules in their particular circumstances.

 

Disposition of ADSs

 

If you sell or otherwise dispose of ADSs, you will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the ADSs for more than one year at the time of the sale or other disposition. In general, any gain that you recognize on the sale or other disposition of ADSs will be U.S.-source for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation; losses will generally be allocated against U.S.-source income. Deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations under the Code.

In U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the case oftax consequences that may occur when a cash basis U.S. Holder who receives Australian dollars in connection with the sale orforeign withholding tax is imposed on a disposition of our ADSs, including the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar valueavailability of the Australian dollars received with respect to the ADSs as determined on the settlement date of such exchange. A U.S. Holder who receives payment in Australian dollars and converts them into U.S. dollars at a conversion rate other than the rate in effect on the settlement date may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss.

An accrual basis U.S. Holder may elect the same treatment of foreign currency gain or loss required of cash basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or disposition of ADSs, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election may not be changed without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. In the event that an accrual basis U.S. Holder does not elect to be treated as a cash basis taxpayer (pursuant to the Treasury regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions),tax credit under such U.S. Holder may have a foreign currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of differences between the U.S. dollar value of the Australian dollars received prevailing on the trade date and the settlement date. Any such currency gain or loss would be treated as ordinary income or loss and would be in addition to gain or loss, if any, recognized by such U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of such ADSs.Holder’s particular circumstances.


Passive Foreign Investment CompaniesCompany

 

The Code provides special, generally adverse, rules regarding certain distributions received by U.S. holdersHolders with respect to, and sales, exchanges and other dispositions, including pledges, of, shares of stock of a PFIC. A foreign corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year if at least 75% of its gross income for the taxable year is passive income or at least 50% of its gross assets during the taxable year, based on a quarterly average and generally by value, produce or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from commodities and securities transactions and gains from the disposition of assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. In determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC, a pro-rata portion of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) is taken into account.

 

Based on our business results for the last fiscal year and the composition of our assets, we believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the taxable year ended June 30, 2018.2019. However, the determination of PFIC status is a factual determination that must be made annually at the close of each taxable year and therefore, there can be no certainty as to our PFIC status for a taxable year until the close of that taxable year. Our PFIC status could change depending upon, among other things, upon a decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares or ADSs and how quickly we make use of the cash proceeds from the IPO,any offering, as well as changes in the composition and relative values of our assets and the composition of our income. Moreover, the rules governing whether certain assets are active or passive are complex and in some cases their application can be uncertain. If we were a PFIC in any year during a U.S. holder’sHolder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC for each subsequent year during which the U.S. holderHolder owned the ordinary shares or ADSs.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holderHolder holds ordinary shares or ADSs, any “excess distribution” that the holder receives and any gain recognized from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of such ordinary shares or ADSs will be subject to special tax rules, unless the holderU.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election (provided the ADSs are “marketable”) or qualified electing fund election, as discussed below. Any distribution in a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by a U.S. holderHolder during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or such holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:

 

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. holder’sHolder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs;
the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC in the U.S. holder’sHolder’s holding period, will be treated as ordinary income arising in the current taxable year; and
the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to income tax at the highest rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. holderHolder and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

 

If we are a PFIC, the tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution cannot be offset by any net operating loss, and gains (but not losses) recognized on the transfer of the ordinary shares or ADSs cannot be treated as capital gains, even if the ordinary shares or ADSs are held as capital assets. In addition, non-corporate U.S. holdersHolders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends that we pay if we are a PFIC for either the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding year. Furthermore, unless otherwise provided by the U.S. Treasury Department, each U.S. holderHolder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury Department may require.


If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a U.S. holderHolder of ordinary shares or ADSs during such year would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules to such subsidiary. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if the PFIC rules apply to any of our subsidiaries.

 

In certain circumstances, in lieu of being subject to the specialadverse tax rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on the stock of a PFIC as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such stock is regularly traded on a qualified exchange.exchange, or “marketable”. Under current law, the mark-to-market election may be available to U.S. holdersHolders of ADSs if the ADSs are listed on NASDAQ, which constitutes a qualified exchange, althoughexchange. As stated above, the ADSs will be listed on NASDAQ. However, there can be no assurance that the ADSs will be “regularly traded” for purposes of the mark-to-market election. It should also be noted that it is intended that only the ADSs and not the ordinary shares will be listed on NASDAQ. While we would expect the Australian Stock Exchange, on which the ordinary shares are listed, to be considered a qualified exchange, no assurance can be given as to whether the Australian Stock Exchange is a qualified exchange, or that the ordinary shares would be traded in sufficient frequency to be considered regularly traded for these purposes. Additionally, because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFIC that we may own, a U.S. holderHolder that makes a mark-to-markmark-to-market election with respect to usits ADSs may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to any indirect investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If you make an effective mark-to-market election, you will include as ordinary income in each year that we are a PFIC, as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of your ordinary shares or ADSs at the end of your taxable year over your adjusted tax basis in thesuch ordinary shares or ADSs. You will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each such year the excess of your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. If you make an effective mark-to-market election, any gain you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of your ordinary shares or ADSs in a year that we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. Any gain or loss you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of your ordinary shares or ADSs in a year when we are not a PFIC will be a capital gain or loss. SeeDisposition of ADSs abovefor the treatment of capital gains and losses.

 

Your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductionslosses under the mark-to-market rules. If you make a mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares or ADSs are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances. In the case of a valid mark-to-market election, any distributions we make would generally be subject to the rules discussed above under “—Taxation of Dividends,” except the reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us would not apply if we are a PFIC.

 

Alternatively, you can sometimes avoid the PFIC rules described above by electing to treat us as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code. However, this option will not be available to you because we do not intend to comply with the requirements necessary to permit you to make this election.

 

U.S. holdersHolders are urged to contact their own tax advisors regarding the determination of whether we are a PFIC and the tax consequences of such status.

 

Additional Tax on Investment Income

 

U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates, or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, which will include dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of ADSs, subject to certain limitations and exceptions.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Payments in respect of ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and to U.S. backup withholding tax at a rate equal to the fourth lowest income tax rate applicable to individuals (which, under current law, is 28%24%). Backup withholding will not apply, however, if you (i) are a corporation or come within certain exempt categories and demonstrate the fact when so required or (ii) furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification.


Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. tax liability. A U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS, which is generally an annual income tax return.

 

U.S. Holders who are individuals who holdgenerally will be required to report our name, address, and such information relating to an interest in the ADSs as is necessary to identify the class or issue of which the ADSs are a part. These requirements are subject to exceptions, including an exception for ADSs held in accounts maintained by certain specifiedfinancial institutions and an exception applicable if the aggregate value of all “specified foreign financial assets, including stockassets” (as defined in a foreign corporation, with values in excess of certain thresholds are required to file IRS Form 8938 withthe Code) does not exceed $50,000.

U.S. Holders should consult their U.S. federal income tax return. Such form requires disclosure of information concerning such foreign assets, including their value. Failure to file the form when required is subject to penalties. An exemption from reporting applies to foreign assets held through a U.S. financial institution, generally including a non-U.S. branch or subsidiary of a U.S. institution and a U.S. branch of a non-U.S. institution. Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of this disclosure requirement to their investment in our ADSs.these information reporting rules.

 

F.Dividends and Paying Agents

F.Dividends And Paying Agents

 

Not applicable.

 

G.Statement by Experts

G.Statement By Experts

 

Not applicable.

 

H.Documents on Display

H.Documents on display

 

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to “foreign private issuers” as defined in Rule 3b-4 thereunder. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, our proxy solicitations are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, transactions in our equity securities by our officers and directors are exempt from reporting and the “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements that have been examined and reported on, with an opinion expressed by, an independent registered public accounting firm, and we submit reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 6-K containing (among other things) press releases and unaudited financial information for the first six months of each fiscal year. We post our annual report on Form 20-F on our website (www.Immuronbio.com)(www.immuron.com.au/corporate-directory-and-governance) promptly following the filing of our annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.Annual Report.

 

This annual reportAnnual Report and the exhibits thereto and any other document we file pursuant to the Exchange Act may be inspected without charge and copied at prescribed rates at the Securities and Exchange Commission public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Exchange Act file number for our Securities and Exchange Commission filings is 001-38104.


The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission using its EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system.

 

The documents concerning our company referred to in this annual reportAnnual Report may also be inspected at our offices located at Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton Victoria, Australia, 3053.

 

I.Subsidiary Information

I.Subsidiary Information

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 11.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

ITEM 11.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We invest our excess cash in interest-bearing accounts and term deposits with banks in Australia. Our management believes that the financial institutions that hold our investments are financially sound and accordingly, minimal credit risk exists with respect to these investments. Certain of our cash equivalents are subject to interest rate risk. Due to the short duration and conservative nature of these instruments, we do not believe that we have a material exposure to interest rate risk. Our major market risk is changes in foreign exchange rates as we had approximately A$4,727,4305,119,887 on deposit on June 30, 2018.

2019.

 

We conduct our activities almost exclusively in Australia. We are required to make certain payments in U.S. dollars and other currencies, however such payments are not significant to our operations and we believe an adverse movement in end-of-period exchange rates would not have a material impact on our operating results. In the twelve months ended June 30, 2018,2019, the Australian dollar depreciated against the U.S. dollar.

 

We do not currently utilize derivative financial instruments or other financial instruments subject to market risk.

ITEM 12.DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 12.DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A.Debt Securities

Not applicable.

B.Warrants and Rights

 

Description of the Warrants

 

The following summary of certain terms of the Warrants is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement and Form of Global Warrant to Purchase ADSs, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to this annual report.

 

Global Certificates, Book-entry Interests. The Warrants are represented by one or more global certificates in registered form. The global certificate are deposited with the Warrant Agent as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Ownership of interests in the global warrant certificate will be limited to persons that have accounts with DTC or persons that have accounts with DTC participants. Book-entry interests in the Warrants will be shown on, and transfers of such interests will be effected only through records maintained by DTC and its participants. So long as the Warrants are held in global form, DTC will be considered the sole holder of the Warrants. Beneficial owners must rely on the procedures of the participants through which they own book-entry interests to exercise their Warrants or transfer their Warrants.

 

Exercisability. The Warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance and at any time up to the date that is five years from the date of issuance. The Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of ADSs purchased upon such exercise. We will pay the ADS issuance fee of US$0.05 per ADS and any other applicable charges and taxes in connection with any such exercise.

 

Maximum Percentage. A holder of a Warrant will not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates and certain other persons), would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Subject to certain exceptions, “beneficial ownership” for purposes of determining the Maximum Percentage is calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the regulations of the SEC thereunder. Upon request by a Warrant holder, we will provide current information regarding the number of our outstanding ordinary shares.


Exercise Price. The initial exercise price per ADS purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants is US$10.00.

 

Restrictive Legend Events. We will notify the Warrant Agent and each holder if we are unable to deliver ADSs via DTC transfer or otherwise (without restrictive legend), because (a) the SEC has issued a stop order with respect to the registration statement relating to the ADSs, (b) the SEC otherwise has suspended or withdrawn the effectiveness of such registration statement, either temporarily or permanently, (c) we have suspended or withdrawn the effectiveness of the registration statement, either temporarily or permanently, or (d) otherwise (each a “Restrictive Legend Event”). If a Restrictive Legend Event occurs after a Warrant holder has exercised a Warrant in accordance with its terms but prior to the delivery of the ADSs, or if we do not cause the depositary to timely deliver ADSs to a Warrant holder upon exercise of the Warrants, we will be obligated to pay a cash buy-in amount to the holder of the Warrants who did not receive ADSs upon such holder’s exercise of Warrants.

 

Anti-Dilution Provisions. The exercise price per Warrant and the numbers of Warrants will be subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules upon the occurrence of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock subdivisions and combinations, reclassifications, rights issues, or similar events affecting our ADSs or ordinary shares, or upon the occurrence of a change in ADS ratio.

 

Warrant Agent and Exchange Listing. The Warrants are issued in registered form under an ADS Warrant Agent Agreement between The Bank of New York Mellon, as warrant agent and us and listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “IMRNW”.

 

Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares, holders of Warrants do not have rights or privileges of a holder of ADSs or ordinary shares, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the Warrant.

 

C. Other Securities

Not applicable.

D. American Depository Shares

Fees and Charges Payable by ADS Holders

 

The table below summarizes the fees and charges that a holder of our ADSs may have to pay, directly or indirectly, to our depositary, The Bank of New York Mellon, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, between Immuron Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and Owners and Holders of the American Depositary Shares, which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No.4 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1/A filed with the SEC on May 18, 2017, and the types of services and the amount of the fees or charges paid for such services. The disclosure under this heading “Fees and Charges Payable by ADS Holders” is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Deposit Agreement. The holder of an ADS may have to pay fees and charges in connection with ownership of the ADS:

 

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must paypay:: For:
   
US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) 

Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreementDeposit Agreement terminates

   
US$0.05 (or less) per ADS Any cash distribution to ADS holders
   
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders
   
US$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year Depositary services
   
Registration or transfer fees Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
   
Expenses of the depositary 

Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

Deposit Agreement) converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

   
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes As necessary
   
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities As necessary


75

The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

 

From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse and/or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders, or waive fees and expenses for services provided, generally relating to costs and expenses arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement,Deposit Agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers or other service providers that are affiliates of the depositary and that may earn or share fees or commissions.

 

Fees and Payments Made by Us to the Depositary

 

For the year ended June 30, 2018,2019, we paid The Bank of New York Mellon a total of US$4,011.603,121.40, for services pursuant to the NASDAQ listing.
Annual General Meeting (AGM).


PART II

ITEM 13.DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

ITEM 13.DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 14.MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

ITEM 14.MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 15.Controls and Procedures

ITEM 15.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

A. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.Our management, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the evaluation date, concluded that as of the evaluation date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as discussed below.effective.

B. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a015(f) of the Exchange Act).

We have previously reported material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting surrounding our monitoring controls when assessing certain significant transactions and properly performing certain reviews and monitoring controls in the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with IFRS, as issued by IASB. The management has determined that, as at June 30, 2018, these material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to the financial closing and reporting processes have not been remediated.

  

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2018,2019, utilizing the criteria described in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based

B. Management’s Report on this evaluation andInternal Control over Financial Reporting

Management’s Completed Actions.

Due to the criteria issuedmany completed actions taken by COSO, ourthe Company, management withhas concluded that the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that,material weakness identified as of June 30, 2018 has been eliminated as of June 30, 2019. We, along with our internal control over financial reporting was not effective becauseAudit Committee, will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these remedial actions and make further changes as deemed appropriate. Management, with the oversight of our Audit Committee, has devoted considerable effort to remediate as of June 30, 2019 the material weaknesses described above.weakness identified as of June 30, 2018, which is evidenced through the completed actions during fiscal 2019 detailed below.

 

Plan for Remediation of Material WeaknessCompleted Actions

 

Management is currently addressing the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and is committed to remediating it as expeditiously as possible. Management intends to devote significant time and resources to the remediation effort. Management plans to take the following steps to improve our internal control over financial reporting and to remediate the identified material weakness:

EvaluateEvaluated and made changes to the staffing level and qualifications of finance department personnel and make changes as deemed appropriate;
EvaluateEvaluated and implemented additional monitoring controls over the need to deploy additional software systems to assist in automating and controlling certain processesfinancial reporting process within the finance function;
EnhanceEnhanced our processes and procedures through expanded use of checklists for key tasks to improve effectiveness and efficiency.efficiency; and
EvaluateConducted formal training related to key accounting policies and internal processes for all key personnel who have an impact on the utilization of external resources, to provide greater assurance that these resources are effectively managed, and deployed, and make changes as appropriate.transactions underlying the financial statements.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act).

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS, as issued by IASB. Management regularly monitors its internal control over financial reporting, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

 

C. Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

This annual reportAnnual Report does not include an attestation report of our company’s Registered Public Accounting firm due to a transition period established by the rules of the SEC for “emerging growth companies” and our non-accelerated filing status.

 

D. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

See “Completed Actions” above for changes in internal controls over financial reporting.

During the period covered by this annual report,

Other than as described above, there were no changes in our internal controlcontrols over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controlcontrols over financial reporting.


ITEM 16.RESERVED

ITEM 16.Reserved

ITEM 16A.Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

We currently do not have a financial expert sitting as a member of the audit committee. We believe that the cost related to retaining a financial expert on the audit committee at this time is prohibitive as we are a small company that needs to apply itsour limited cash resources to the development of our product portfolio, which we believe is in the best interest of our shareholders. Our audit committee members include a highly experienced commercial lawyer, and a former biotechnology and pharmaceutical company CEO who continues to serve as a director of many other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The committee currently believes that these skills sets, together with the support of Company Secretary and CFO who also sit as advisors to this committee and hold Accounting, Chartered Accountant, and MBA degrees, provide sufficient expertise for this committee to be able to serve and function effectively for the purpose for which it is intended.

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

ITEM 16B.Code Of Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all senior financial officers of our company, including our interim chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The code of ethics is publicly available under “Investor Centre” on our website atwww.Immuron.com. Written copies are available upon request. If we make any substantive amendment to the code of ethics or grant any waivers, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the codes of ethics, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website.

 

ITEM 16C.Principal Accountant Fees And Services

ITEM16C.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Fees Paid to Independent Public Accountants

 

The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees billed by Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd and Marcum LLP. On January 18, 2018, we appointed Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd as auditors for both our Australian and U.S. operations. Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd replaced Marcum LLP in the United States.

Ltd.

 

  Year Ended June 30, 
  2018  2017 
Services Rendered AUD$  AUD$ 
Audit(1)  145,706   91,175 
Other(2)     470,503 
     145,706     561,678 
  Year Ended June 30, 
  

2019

AUD$

  

2018

AUD$

 
Audit(1)  131,648   145,706 
Other assurance services(2)  76,186   - 
   207,834   145,706 

 

(1)Audit fees consist of services that would normally be provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including services that generally only the independent accountant can reasonably provide.

(2)Other fees relate to assurance services provided for the re-audit of prior years and with respect to the registration statement of our company that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with our NASDAQ offering infor the year ended June 2017.30, 2019.

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

Our Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. Pre-approval of an audit or non-audit service may be given as a general pre-approval, as part of the audit committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm, or on an individual basis. Any proposed services exceeding general pre-approved levels also requires specific pre-approval by our audit committee. The policy prohibits retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform the prohibited non-audit functions defined in Section 201 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and also requires the audit committee to consider whether proposed services are compatible with the independence of the registered public accounting firm. All of the fees described above were pre-approvedpre- approved by our Audit Committee.


ITEM 16D.Exemptions From The Listing STANDARDS For Audit CommitteeS

ITEM 16D.EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16E.PurchaseS Of Equity Securities By The Issuer And AffiliateD Purchasers

ITEM 16E.PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

 

Neither we, nor any affiliated purchaser of our company, has purchased any of our securities during the year ended June 30, 2018.2019.

 

ITEM 16F.CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

Not applicable.

  

Dismissal of Marcum LLPITEM 16G.

During the year Marcum LLP were dismissed as our principal accountant effective December 18, 2017 and we appointed Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended June 30, 2018. On December 18, 2017, our Audit Committee and Board considered and approved the decision to change accountants.  

The audit reports of Marcum LLP on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the three most recent fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that the audit report of Marcum LLP, dated December 20, 2016 on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, and for the years ended June 2016, 2015 and 2014, noted certain restatements to give effect for errors in the classification of customer discounts and allowances as a reduction to revenue, measurement and recognition of share-based payments, the accounting for equity issued in connection with convertible debt and certain amounts reflected in the statements of cash flows. Further, the loss per share for each year was restated. In addition, the Company made certain revisions to the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements.

During the Company’s fiscal years ended June 30, 2015, June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017 and during the subsequent interim period through December 18, 2017, there were no disagreements with Marcum LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to Marcum LLP’s satisfaction, would have caused Marcum LLP to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports and there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K except as follows: Material weaknesses were identified by Marcum LLP in some aspects of our internal control over financial reporting specifically surrounding the assessment of some certain significant transactions and properly performing certain reviews and monitoring controls in the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as promulgated by International Accounting Standards Board.


Appointment of Grant ThorntonCORPORATE GOVERNANCE

On December 18, 2017, our board of directors and the audit committee approved a resolution that appointed Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd to be our principal accountant effective December 18, 2017. We did not consult Grant Thornton LLP regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F. 

ITEM 16G.CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Under NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3), foreign private issuers, such as our company, are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain provisions of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of any NASDAQ rule must submit to NASDAQ, in advance, a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws.

 

ITEM 16H.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

ITEM 16H.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 


PART III

ITEM 17.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 17.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Our company has elected to furnish financial statements and related information specified in Item 18.

ITEM 18.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ITEM 18.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 Page
Index to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-3
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive IncomeF-4
Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionF-5
Consolidated Statement of Change in EquityF-6
Consolidated Statement of Cash FlowsF-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-8

 


80

ITEM 19.EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Incorporated by Reference
        Filing Date/ Period End
    Form Exhibit Date
1.1 Constitution of Registrant. F-1 3.1 12/21/2016
2.1 Form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement between Immuron Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and Owners and Holders of the American Depositary Shares F-1/A 4.1 5/8/2017
4.1 Development and Supply Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Synlait Milk Ltd. dated June 28, 2013 F-1/A 10.1 2/9/2017
4.2 Variation of Development and Supply Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Synlait Milk Ltd. dated June 21, 2016 (1) F-1/A 10.2 2/9/2017
4.3 Marketing and Master Distribution Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and UniFirst-First Aid Corporation d/b/a MEDIQUE Products dated as of June 28, 2016 (1) F-1/A 10.3 2/9/2017
4.4* Commercial Lease Agreement with Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd.      
4.5 Convertible Security and Share Purchase Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and SBI Investments dated February 16, 2016 F-1/A 10.8 4/10/2017
4.6 Executive Service Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Dr. Jerry Kanellos dated July 23, 2015 F-1/A 10.10 2/9/2017
4.7* Executive Employment Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Dr. Gary S. Jacob dated February 11, 2019      
8.1* List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.      
12.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.      
12.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.      
13.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.      
13.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.      
23.1 Consent ofGrant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd      
23.2 

Consent of Marcum LLP

      
101. INS* XBRL Instance Document      
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document      
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document      
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document      
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document      
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document      

ITEM 19.EXHIBITS*Filed herewith.

 

Exhibit
Number
 Exhibit Description Incorporated by Reference
    Form Exhibit Filing Date/
Period End
Date
         
1 Constitution of Registrant.  F-1  3.1  12/21/2016
         
2.1 Form of Deposit Agreement between Immuron Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and Owners and Holders of the American Depositary Shares  F-1/A  4.1  5/8/2017
         
4.1 Development and Supply Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Synlait Milk Ltd. dated June 28, 2013  F-1/A  10.1  2/9/2017
         
4.2 Variation of Development and Supply Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Synlait Milk Ltd. dated June 21, 2016(1)  F-1/A  10.2  2/9/2017
         
4.3 Marketing and Master Distribution Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and UniFirst-First Aid Corporation d/b/a MEDIQUE Products dated as of June 28, 2016(1)  F-1/A  10.3  2/9/2017
         
4.4 Commercial Lease Agreement with Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd.  F-1/A  10.6  2/9/2017
         
4.5 Convertible Security and Share Purchase Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and SBI Investments dated February 16, 2016  F-1/A  10.8  4/10/2017
         
4.6 Executive Service Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Thomas Liquard dated August 24, 2015  F-1/A  10.9  2/9/2017
         
4.7 Executive Service Agreement by and between Immuron Limited and Dr. Jerry Kanellos dated July 23, 2015  F-1/A  10.10  2/9/2017

8.1*

(1)

ListConfidential treatment has been sought for certain portions of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

12.1*Certification of Interim Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
12.2*Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
13.1*Certification of Interim Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.2*Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
15. 1*Letter dated October 31, 2018 by Marcum LLP as required

101. INS*

XBRL Instance Document

this document

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document 

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

* Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F

(1) Confidential treatment has been sought for certain portions of this document

93 


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Financial Statements 
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-3
  
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended June 30, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017F-4
  
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 20182019 and 20172018F-5
  
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended June 30, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017F-6
  
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 30, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017F-7
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-8

 


F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Immuron Limited

 

Opinion on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets of Immuron Limited and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the yearyears ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the yearyears ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by International Accounting Standards Board.

 

We also have audited the adjustments to the 2017 financial statements to retrospectively apply the change in accounting presentation of expenses by ‘function’ rather than ‘nature’ in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the presentation of interest received and paid from operating to investment and financing activities, respectively in the consolidated statement of cash flows, as described in Note 1(a)(v). In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2017 financial statements of the Company other than with respect to such adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2017 financial statements taken as a whole.

Basis for opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our auditaudits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our auditaudits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our auditaudits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our auditaudits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit providesaudits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

 

Melbourne, Australia

October 31, 2018

25, 2019


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Audit Committee of the

Board of Directors and Shareholders

of Immuron Limited

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Immuron Limited (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows of Immuron Limited (the “Company”) for the yearsyear ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.2017. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.audit.

 

We conducted our auditsaudit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit 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 provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial positionresults of operations and cash flows of Immuron Limited as of June 30, 2017, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the yearsyear ended June 30, 2017, and 2016, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

  

We were not engaged to audit, review or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting of presentation of expenses by ‘function’ rather than ‘nature’ in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the presentation of interest received and paid from operating to investing and financing activities, respectively, in the consolidated statement of cash flows, as described in Note 1(a)(v). Accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.

/s/ Marcumllp

 

Marcumllp

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

November 2, 2017


Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 30 June

        

 

 Notes  

2018
AUD$

  

2017
AUD$

  

2016
AUD$

 
              
Revenue             
Operating Revenue  2   1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077 
Total Operating Revenue      1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077 
                 
Cost of Goods Sold      (418,693)  (337,546)  (301,435)
Gross Profit      1,424,216   1,058,651   699,642 
                 
Direct Selling Costs                
Sales and Marketing Costs      (282,241)  (407,751)  (133,781)
Freight Costs      (169,458)  (135,377)  (134,967)
Total Gross Profit less Direct Selling Costs      972,517   515,523   430,894 
                 
Other Income  2   1,850,401   1,614,373   1,539,015 
                 
Expenses                
Consulting, Employee and Director  3   (1,384,298)  (1,689,521)  (2,840,037)
Other Corporate Administration  3   (1,336,516)  (1,381,809)  (1,320,570)
Depreciation      (5,047)  (4,922)  (3,892)
Finance Costs      (18,857)  (24,483)  (341,600)
Impairment of Inventory      (163,600)  (136,494)  (4,176)
Marketing and Promotion      (370,699)  (789,608)  (487,591)
Research and Development      (2,257,224)  (4,630,674)  (3,623,961)
Travel and Entertainment      (297,606)  (276,539)  (416,849)
Loss Before Income Tax      (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)
Income Tax Expense  4          
Loss for the Period      (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)      (79,599)  40,017   8,846 
Total Comprehensive Loss for the Period      (3,090,528)  (6,764,137)  (7,059,921)
                 
Basic/Diluted Loss per Share (in cents per share)  6   2.300   6.400   9.248 

     2018  2017 
    2019  (reclassified)  (reclassified) 
  Notes AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Revenue from contracts with customers 2  2,387,426   1,842,909   1,396,197 
Cost of Goods Sold    (667,371)  (418,693)  (337,546)
Gross Profit    1,720,055   1,424,216   1,058,651 
               
Other Income 2  532,050   1,849,163   1,605,987 
Other gains/(losses) – net 2  38,413   95,167   (375,479)
               
Expenses              
General and administrative expenses 3  (5,014,128)  (3,412,576)  (3,109,845)
Research and development expenses    (1,044,528)  (2,257,224)  (4,630,674)
Selling and marketing expenses 3  (864,644)  (686,714)  (1,271,526)
Operating loss    (4,632,782)  (2,987,968)  (6,722,886)
               
Finance income    39   1,238   8,386 
Finance expenses       (24,199)  (89,654)
Finance costs - net    39   (22,961)  (81,268)
               
Loss Before Income Tax    (4,632,743)  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)
Income Tax Expense 4         
Loss for the Period    (4,632,743)  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)
               
Other comprehensive income              
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:              
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations    61,846   (79,599)  40,017 
Total Comprehensive Loss for the Period    (4,570,897)  (3,090,528)  (6,764,137)
               
Basic/Diluted Loss per Share (in cents per share) 6  (3.20  (2.25  (6.40

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.


Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As of 30 June

    2019  2018 
  Notes AUD$  AUD$ 
ASSETS        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents 7  5,119,887   4,727,430 
Trade and other receivables 8  968,926   1,683,305 
Inventories 9  544,341   497,902 
Other current assets   49,290   141,800 
Total Current Assets    6,682,444   7,050,437 
           
Non-Current Assets          
Plant and equipment    17,140   20,384 
Inventories 9  1,862,063   2,171,867 
Total Non-Current Assets    1,879,203   2,192,251 
TOTAL ASSETS    8,561,647   9,242,688 
           
LIABILITIES          
Current Liabilities          
Trade and other payables 11  1,091,919   689,326 
Employee benefit obligations   103,612   114,012 
Total Current Liabilities    1,195,531   803,338 
           
Non-Current Liabilities          
Employee benefit obligations   14,980    
Total Non-Current Liabilities    14,980    
TOTAL LIABILITIES    1,210,511   803,338 
NET ASSETS    7,351,136   8,439,350 
           
EQUITY          
Issued capital 14  60,511,326   58,372,043 
Reserves 15  3,700,333   2,606,722 
Accumulated losses    (56,860,523)  (52,539,415)

TOTAL EQUITY

    7,351,136   8,439,350 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.


Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 30 June

  Issued
capital
  Reserves  Accumulated Losses  Total 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Balance as at 30 June 2016  45,633,354   2,128,566   (42,821,357)  4,940,563 
Loss after income tax expense for the year        (6,804,154)  (6,804,154)
Other comprehensive income for the period     40,017      40,017 
Total comprehensive loss for the period     40,017   (6,804,154)  (6,764,137)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners                
Options/warrants issued/expensed     470,734      470,734 
Lapse or exercise of share options  71,875   (168,900)  97,025    
Shares issued, net of costs  7,927,766         7,927,766 
Balance as at 30 June 2017  53,632,995   2,470,417   (49,528,486)  6,574,926 
Loss after income tax expense for the year        (3,010,929)  (3,010,929)
Other comprehensive income for the period     (79,599)     (79,599)
Total comprehensive loss for the period   —   (79,599)  (3,010,929)  (3,090,528)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners               
Options/warrants issued/expensed   —   215,904      215,904 
Shares issued, net of costs  4,739,048       —   4,739,048 
Balance as at 30 June 2018  58,372,043   2,606,722   (52,539,415)  8,439,350 
Loss after income tax expense for the year        (4,632,743)  (4,632,743)
Other comprehensive income for the period     61,846      61,846 
Total comprehensive loss for the period     61,846   (4,632,743)  (4,570,897)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners                
Shares issued, net of costs  2,139,183         2,139,183 
Options/warrants issued/expensed     1,343,500      1,343,500 
Options/warrants exercised  100   (100)      
Options/warrants forteited/lapsed     (311,635)  311,635    
Balance as at 30 June 2019  60,511,326   3,700,333   (56,860,523)  7,351,136 

 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

 


Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As ofCash Flows

For the year ended 30 June

 

  Notes  

2018

AUD$

  

2017

AUD$

 
ASSETS         
Current Assets            
Cash and cash equivalents  7   4,727,430   3,994,924 
Trade and other receivables  8   1,683,305   1,768,237 
Inventories  9   497,902   2,336,127 
Other  10   141,800   168,366 
Total Current Assets      7,050,437   8,267,654 
             
Non-Current Assets            
Plant and equipment      20,384   18,837 
Inventories  9   2,171,867    
Total Non-Current Assets      2,192,251   18,837 
TOTAL ASSETS      9,242,688   8,286,491 
             
LIABILITIES            
Current liabilities            
Trade and other payables  12   689,326   1,290,389 
Borrowings  18b, 13      139,864 
Convertible notes  13      226,000 
Employee benefit obligations  1   114,012   36,173 
Deferred Revenue  13      19,139 
Total Current Liabilities      803,338   1,711,565 
TOTAL LIABILITIES      803,338   1,711,565 
NET ASSETS      8,439,350   6,574,926 
             
EQUITY            
Issued capital  15   58,372,043   53,632,995 
Reserves  16   2,606,722   2,470,417 
Accumulated losses      (52,539,415)  (49,528,486)
TOTAL EQUITY      8,439,350   6,574,926 
  

Note

  

2019

AUD$

  

2018

(reclassified)

AUD$

  

2017

(reclassified)

AUD$

 
Cash flows Related to Operating Activities            
Receipts from customers     2,619,477   1,601,619   1,413,676 
Payments to suppliers and employees     (5,608,262)  (7,262,348)  (9,971,142)
Other - R&D Tax Concession Refund     1,190,206   2,156,206   1,615,043 
Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities 17   (1,798,579)  (3,504,523)  (6,942,423)
                
Cash Flows Related to Investing Activities               
Payment for purchases of plant and equipment     (2,047)  (6,594)  (5,696)
Interest received     39   1,278   8,386 
Net Cash Flows (Used In)/From Investing Activities     (2,008)  (5,316)  2,690 
                
Cash Flows Related to Financing Activities               
Proceeds from issues of securities     2,894,238   5,472,200   12,525,067 
Capital raising costs     (825,055)  (733,152)  (2,132,422)
Proceeds from borrowings        500,000   500,000 
Repayment of borrowings        (865,864)  (2,191,593)
Interest and other costs of finance paid        (24,199)  (97,051)
Net Cash Flows From Financing Activities     2,069,183   4,348,985   8,604,001 
                
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     268,596   839,146   1,664,268 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year     4,727,430   3,994,924   2,290,639 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     123,861   (106,640)  40,017 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Year 7   5,119,887   4,727,430   3,994,924 

 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

 


Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 June

  Issued
capital
  

 

Reserves

  Accumulated
Losses
  

 

Total

 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
                 
Balance as at 30 June 2015  40,335,347   548,065   (36,072,810)  4,810,602 
Loss after income tax expense for the year        (7,068,767)  (7,068,767)
Other comprehensive income for the period     8,846      8,846 
Total comprehensive loss for the period     8,846   (7,068,767)  (7,059,921)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners                
Options issued/expensed     1,891,875      1,891,875 
Lapse or exercise of share options     (320,220)  320,220    
Shares issued, net of costs  1,586,629         1,586,629 
Share to be issued  4,511,378         4,511,378 
Treasury shares  (800,000)        (800,000)
Balance as at 30 June 2016  45,633,354   2,128,566   (42,821,357)  4,940,563 
Loss after income tax expense for the year        (6,804,154)  (6,804,154)
Other comprehensive income for the period     40,017      40,017 
Total comprehensive loss for the period     40,017   (6,804,154)  (6,764,137)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners                
Options/warrants issued/expensed     470,734      470,734 
Lapse or exercise of share options  71,875   (168,900)  97,025    
Shares issued, net of costs  7,927,766         7,927,766 
Balance as at 30 June 2017  53,632,995   2,470,417   (49,528,486)  6,574,926 
Loss after income tax expense for the year          (3,010,929)  (3,010,929)
Other comprehensive income for the period      (79,599)     (79,599)
Total comprehensive loss for the period      (79,599)  (3,010,929)  (3,090,528)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners                
Options/warrants issued/expensed      215,904       215,904 
Shares issued, net of costs               4,739,048                     4,739,048 
Balance as at 30 June 2018  58,372,043   2,606,722   (52,539,415)  8,439,350 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 June

  Note  2018
AUD$
  2017
AUD$
  2016
AUD$
 
                 
Cash flows Related to Operating Activities                
Receipts from customers      1,601,619   1,413,676   1,114,596 
Payments to suppliers and employees      (7,262,348)  (9,971,142)  (7,710,997)
Interest received      1,278   8,386   12,165 
Interest and other costs of finance paid      (24,199)  (97,051)  (43,863)
Other - R&D Tax Concession Refund      2,156,206   1,615,043   1,469,763 
Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities  18   (3,527,444)  (7,031,088)  (5,158,336)
                 
Cash Flows Related to Investing Activities                
Payment for purchases of plant and equipment      (6,594)  (5,696)  (2,441)
Net Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities      (6,594)  (5,696)  (2,441)
                 
Cash Flows Related to Financing Activities                
Proceeds from issues of securities      5,315,810   12,525,067   2,482,861 
Capital raising costs      (576,762)  (2,132,422)  (20,299)
Proceeds from borrowings      500,000   500,000   2,950,000 
Repayment of borrowings      (865,864)  (2,191,593)  (1,077,220)
Net Cash Flows From/(Used In) Financing Activities      4,373,184   8,701,052   4,335,342 
                 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents      839,146   1,664,268   (825,435)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year      3,994,924   2,290,639   3,116,074 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents      (106,640)  40,017    
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Year  7   4,727,430   3,994,924   2,290,639 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Corporate Information

The consolidated financial report of Immuron Limited (‘(“the Company’Company”) for the year ended June 30, June2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 was authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on October 29, 2018.25, 2019.

 

Immuron Limited is a listed public company limited by shares incorporated and domiciled in Australia whose shares are publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and NASDAQ.The NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”).

 

The Group’s principal activity of the Company is a product development driven biopharmaceutical Company focused on theoral immunotherapy research and development and product sales focused on bovine-colostrum enriched with antibodies of polyclonal antibodieschoice for the treatment and prevention of majora range of infectious and immune modulated diseases. Product sales comprise Travelan and Protectyn, used for the prevention of travelers’ diarrhea.

 

Basis of Preparation

(a)Basis of preparation

 

The financial report is a general-purpose financial report, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), required for a for-profit entity.

 

The financial report has been prepared on an accrualsaccrual basis and is based primarily on historical costs. The financial report is presented in Australian dollars, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. All values are rounded to the nearest dollar unless otherwise stated.

 

Management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstance, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

 

Accounting policies are selected and applied in a manner which ensures that the resulting financial information satisfies the concepts of relevance and reliability, thereby ensuring that the substance of the underlying transactions or other events is reported.

Statement of Compliance

This financial report complies with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

F-8

(ii)Historical cost convention

 

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis.

(iii)New and amended standards adopted by the group

New, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted

All accounting policies adopted are consistent with the most recent Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2018. The consolidated entity has adopted all of the new, revised or amending Accounting Standards and InterpretationInterpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’)IASB that are mandatory for the current reporting period. The adoption of these Accounting Standards and Interpretations did not have any significant impact on the financial performance or position of the consolidated entity.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued byThe group has applied the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) that have recently been issued or amended but are not yet effectivefollowing standards and have not been adopted byamendments for the Companyfirst time for the annual reporting period ending 30 June 2018 are outlined in the table below.commencing 1 July 2018:

 

Standard

Mandatory date for annual reporting periods (beginning on or after)

Reporting period standard adopted by the company

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and related standards
1 January 20181 July 2018
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with CustomersCustomers; and
1 January 20181 July 2018
IFRS 2 Amendments to Share based1 January 20181 July 2018
IFRS 16 - Leases1 January 20191 July 2019Share-based Payment.

ManagementThe group has performed a detailed assessment onchanged its accounting policies without making retrospective adjustments following the impactadoption of IFRS 15, IFRS 9 and IFRS 1615 as discussed in this note 1. Most of the other amendments listed above did not have any impact on the recognition of revenueamounts recognized in prior periods and concluded that there would be no material differenceare not expected to how revenue has been recognized undersignificantly affect the prevailing accounting standard.current or future periods.

 

(iv)New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for June 30, June 20182019 reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the Company.Group. The Group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards and interpretations is set out below.


Title of standard

IFRS 16Leases
Impact

The group has reviewed all leasing arrangements in light of the new lease accounting rules in IFRS 16. The standard will affect the accounting for the group’s operating leases.

As at the reporting date, the group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments of $104,851, see note 13.

The group expects to recognize right-of-use assets of approximately $96,824 on July 1, 2019 and lease liabilities of $98,302 (after adjustments for prepayments and accrued lease payments recognized as at June 30, 2019). Overall net assets will be approximately $1,479 lower, and net current assets will be $56,913 lower due to the presentation of a portion of the liability as a current liability.

The group expects that net profit after tax will decrease by approximately $1,532 for the year ended June 30, 2020 as a result of adopting the new rules.

Operating cash flows will increase and financing cash flows decrease by approximately $41,389 as repayment of the principal portion of the lease liabilities will be classified as cash flows from financing activities.

The group does not act in the capacity as a lessor and hence the group does not expect any lessor impact on the financial statements.

Mandatory application date/ Date of adoption by

group

The group will apply the standard from its mandatory adoption date of July 1, 2019.

The group intends to apply the modified retrospective transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to first adoption. Right-of-use assets will be measured at the amount of the lease liability on adoption (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease expenses).

 

There are no other new standards and interpretations that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on the Groupgroup in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

(v)Changes to presentation

Classification of expenses

Immuron Limited decided in the current financial year to change the classification of its expenses in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. We believe that this will provide more relevant information to our stakeholders as it more in line with common practice in the industries Immuron Limited is operating in. The comparative information has been reclassified accordingly. 

Expenses are now presented in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income by ‘function’ rather than ‘nature’. A breakdown of ‘general and administrative expenses’ is provided in note 3. 

The reclassification did not have an impact on the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 

Classification of interest received and interest paid

Immuron Limited decided in the current financial year to change the classification of interest received and interest paid in the consolidated statement of cash flows from operating to investing and financing activities, respectively. The comparative information has been reclassified accordingly, including as presented in Note 17. 

Error correction to the notes to consolidated financial statements 

The improvements in the internal control environment as set out in Item 15 Management’s Completed Action identified the below errors.

(i)Accounting and audit fees previously disclosed under ‘corporate administrative costs’ for June 30, 2018 and 30 June 2017 were $222,973 and $146,007 respectively. This category no longer exists with the change in presentation. Accounting and audit fees disclosed under the new expense classification category ‘general and administrative expenses’ in note 3 for June 30, 2018 and 30 June 2017 are $555,996 and $457,676, respectively.

(ii)

Segments reporting profit/(loss) previously disclosed for HyperImmune Products and Unallocated for June 30, 2018 was $1,010,288 and $(3,613,116) respectively. The amounts disclosed in note 16 for June 30, 2018 are $573,942 and $(3,176,770). Previously unallocated selling and marketing expenses have now been allocated to HyperImmune products.

Segments reporting profit/(loss) previously disclosed for Research and development and Unallocated for June 30, 2017 was $(3,394,040) and $(3,794,814) respectively. The amounts disclosed in note 16 for June 30, 2017 are $(3,030,359) and $(4,158,495). Expenses previously allocated to Research and development have now been moved to Unallocated in connection to the expense reclassification as mentioned above.

The errors identified were determined not to be material however have been revised in the June 30, 2019 financial statements as part of the reclassification adjustments noted above.

The errors did not have an impact on the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.


Previously issued Financial Statements

Reclassification:

Statement of Comprehensive Income:

  For the year ended June 30, 
  2018     2018  2017     2017 
  AUD$  Reclassification  

Reclassified

  AUD$  Reclassification  

Reclassified

 
Revenue:                  
Operating Revenue  1,842,909   -   1,842,909   1,396,197   -   1,396,197 
Total Operating Revenue  1,842,909   -   1,842,909   1,396,197   -   1,396,197 
Cost of Goods Sold  (418,693)  -   (418,693)  (337,546)  -   (337,546)
Gross Profit  1,424,216   -   1,424,216   1,058,651   -   1,058,651 
Sales and Marketing Costs  (282,241)  282,241   -   (407,751)  407,751   - 
Freight Costs  (169,458)  169,458   -   (135,377)  135,377   - 
Total Gross Profit less Direct Selling Costs  972,517   451,699   1,424,216   515,523   543,128   1,058,651 
                         
Other Income  1,850,401   (1,238)  1,849,163   1,614,373   (8,386)  1,605,987 
Other gains/(losses) – net  -   95,167   95,167   -   (375,479)  (375,479)
                         
Expenses:                        
Consulting, Employee and Director  (1,384,298)  1,384,298   -   (1,689,521)  1,689,521   - 
Corporate Administration  (1,336,516)  1,336,516   -   (1,381,809)  1,381,809   - 
Depreciation  (5,047)  5,047   -   (4,922)  4,922   - 
Finance Costs  (18,857)  18,857   -   (24,483)  24,483   - 
Impairment of Inventory  (163,600)  163,600   -   (136,494)  136,494   - 
Marketing and Promotion  (370,699)  370,699   -   (789,608)  789,608   - 
Research and Development  (2,257,224)  -   (2,257,224)  (4,630,674)  -   (4,630,674)
Travel and Entertainment  (297,606)  297,606   -   (276,539)  276,539   - 
General and administrative expenses  -   (3,412,576)  (3,412,576)  -   (3,109,845)  (3,109,845)
Selling and marketing expenses  -   (686,714)  (686,714)  -   (1,271,526)  (1,271,526)
Finance income  -   1,238   1,238   -   8,386   8,386 
Finance expenses  -   (24,199)  (24,199)  -   (89,654)  (89,654)
Loss for the period  (3,010,929)  -   (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  -   (6,804,154)

Consolidated statement of Cash Flows

  2018     2018  2017     2017 
  AUD$  Reclassification  Reclassified  AUD$  Reclassification  Reclassified 
Cash flows Related to Operating Activities                  
Receipts from customers  1,601,619   -   1,601,619   1,413,676   -   1,413,676 
Payments to suppliers and employees  (7,262,348)  -   (7,262,348)  (9,971,142)  -   (9,971,142)
Interest received  1,278   (1,278)  -   8,386   (8,386)  - 
Interest and other costs of finance paid  (24,199)  24,199   -   (97,051)  97,051   - 
Other - R&D Tax Concession Refund  2,156,206   -   2,156,206   1,615,043   -   1,615,043 
Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities  (3,527,444)  

22,921

   (3,504,523)  (7,031,088)  

88,665

   (6,942,423)
                         
Cash Flows Related to Investing Activities                        
Payment for purchases of plant and equipment  (6,594)  -   (6,594)  (5,696)  -   (5,696)
Interest received  -   1,278   1,278   -   8,386   8,386 
Net Cash Flows (Used In)/From Investing Activities  (6,594)  1,278   (5,316)  (5,696)  8,386   2,690 
                         
Cash Flows Related to Financing Activities                        
Proceeds from issues of securities  5,472,200   -   5,472,200   12,525,067   -   12,525,067 
Capital raising costs  (733,152)  -   (733,152)  (2,132,422)  -   (2,132,422)
Proceeds from borrowings  500,000   -   500,000   500,000   -   500,000 
Repayment of borrowings  (865,864)  -   (865,864)  (2,191,593)  -   (2,191,593)
Interest and other costs of finance paid  -   (24,199)  (24,199)  -   (97,051)  (97,051)
Net Cash Flows From Financing Activities  4,373,184   (24,199)  4,348,985   8,701,052   (97,051)  8,604,001 
                         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  839,146   -   839,146   1,664,268   -   1,664,268 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year  3,994,924   -   3,994,924   2,290,639   -   2,290,639 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (106,640)  -   (106,640)  40,017   -   40,017 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Year  4,727,430   -   4,727,430   3,994,924   -   3,994,924 

The reclassifications had no impact on the net loss for each period.


This note provides a list of the significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements to the extent they have not already been disclosed in the other notes above. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The financial statements are for the group consisting of Immuron Limited and its subsidiaries.

Summary of significant accounting policies

 

The following is a summary of the material accounting policies adopted by the Company in the preparation of the financial report. The accounting policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated.

 

(a)Basis(b)Principles of Consolidationconsolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporateinclude the financial statementsaccounts of the Company and entities controlled byits wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions and balances, including profit from inter-company sales not yet realized outside of the Company, (its subsidiaries) referred to as ‘the Group’ inhave been eliminated upon consolidation.

Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the financial statements. Control is achieved wheregroup has control. The Group controls an entity when the consolidated entityGroup is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the consolidated entity.Group. They are de-consolidateddeconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

 

A listThe acquisition method of controlled entitiesaccounting is contained in Note 11used to account for business combinations by the financial statements. All controlled entities have a 30 June financial year-end. All intra-groupGroup.

Intercompany transactions, balances income and expensesunrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated in full on consolidation.

unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with thosethe policies appliedadopted by the parent entity. Subsidiaries are accounted for at cost in the parent entity.Group.

(c)Segment reporting

 

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of duringOperating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the year are included in profit or loss from the effective date of acquisition or upinternal reporting provided to the effective date of disposal,chief operating decision maker. This has been identified as appropriate.the chief executive officer.

 

(b)Segment Reporting(d)Foreign currency translation

The Company determines and presents operating segments using the ‘management approach’ where the information presented is on the same basis as the internal reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (‘CODM’). The CODM is responsible for the allocation of resources to operating segments and assessing their performance and provide the strategic direction and management oversight of the day to day activities of the entity in terms of monitoring results, providing approval for research and development expenditure decisions and challenging and approving strategic planning for the business.


(c)Foreign Currency Translation(i)Functional and presentation currency

Functional and Presentation Currency 

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”(the ‘functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars,dollar ($), which is the Company’sImmuron Limited’s functional and presentation currency.

Transactions and Balances 

Transactions in foreign currencies

(ii)Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the rates of exchange rulingrates at the datedates of each transaction. At reporting date, amounts outstandingthe transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at year end exchange rates are translated into the functional currency using the rate of exchange ruling at the end of the financial year. Refer to Note 3 for the foreign currency gains and lossesgenerally recognized during the periods.in profit or loss.

 

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings are presented in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, within finance costs. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income on a net basis within Corporate Administration Costs.other gains/(losses).

 

Immuron Inc.,Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a subsidiaryforeign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined. Translation differences on assets and liabilities carried at fair value are reported as part of the Group, has USDfair value gain or loss. For example, translation differences on non-monetary assets and liabilities such as its functional currency. Accordingly, this entity’s statementequities held at fair value through profit or loss are recognized in profit or loss as part of the fair value gain or loss and translation differences on non-monetary assets such as equities classified as at fair value through other comprehensive income are recognized in other comprehensive income.

F-11

(iii) Group companies

The results and statement of financial position balancesof foreign operations (none of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that have been translated toa functional currency different from the Group’s presentation currency (which is AUD$) atare translated into the reporting date. A gain arising from this translation of AUD$79,599 (2017: AUD$40,017) are recognizedpresentation currency as Other Comprehensive Income for the year.follows:

assets and liabilities for each consolidated statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that consolidated statement of financial position;

income and expenses for each consolidated statement of profit or loss and consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income are translated at average exchange rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and

 

(d)all resulting exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income.

(e)Revenue Recognitionrecognition

Sale of hyperimmune products

Revenue from the sale of hyperimmune products are recognized at a point in time. The performance obligation is satisfied when the customer has access and thus control of the product.

Financing components

The group does not expect to have any contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and payment by the customer exceeds one year. As a consequence, the group does not adjust any of the transaction prices for the time value of money.

Previous accounting policy for revenue recognition

Revenue recognition policy applicable prior to 1 July, 2018:

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Amounts disclosed as revenue are net of returns, trade allowances, rebates and amounts collected on behalf of third parties.

 

The Companycompany recognizes revenue when the amount of the revenue can be reliably measured, it is probable that the future economic benefits will flow to the entity and specific criteria have been met for each of the activities as described below.company’s activities. The amount of the revenue is not considered to be reliably measured until all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved.

 

The following specific revenue criteria must be met before revenue is recognized:

Sale of Goods and servicesSignificant risks and rewards of ownership of goods has passed to the buyer and an invoice for the goods or services is issued
(f)
InterestInterest income is recognized using the effective interest rate method
R & D Tax RefundIncome is recognized in the year the research and development expenses were incurredGovernment grants

We engaged experienced advisors (KPMG) to determine and evaluate the advanced findings of the R&D activities, which includes determining and evaluating the eligibility of R&D related expenditure to support our submission of the R&D Tax refund claim. As at 30 June 2018, the recorded income in relation to the R&D was A$ 1,849,123 and the receivable for financial period 2018 was accrued in the statement of financial position was A$ 1,191,029.


(e)Government Grants

Grants from the government are recognized at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Companygroup will comply with all attached conditions.

Government grants relating The Group’s research and development (R&D) activities are eligible under an Australian government tax incentive for eligible expenditure. Management has assessed these activities and expenditure to costsdetermine which are likely to be incurred are deferred or accrued such that theyeligible under the incentive scheme. Amounts are recognized inwhen it has been established that the statementconditions of profit or lossthe tax incentive have been met and other comprehensive income overthat the period necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to compensate.expected amount can be reliably measured.

 

(f)(g)Income Taxtax

The income tax expense or revenuecredit for the period is the tax payable or tax rebate receivable on the current period’s taxable income based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences between the tax base of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements, and to unused tax losses.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period in the countries where the company and its subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

 

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if they arise from the deferredinitial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is also not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither the accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet dateend of the reporting period and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realizedrealised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

 

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilizeutilise those temporary differences and losses.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when the deferred balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Current and deferred tax balances attributableis recognized in profit or loss, except to amountsthe extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

F-12

(h)Leases

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are also recognized directly in equity.not transferred to the group as lessee are classified as operating leases (note 13). Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

 

(g)(i)Impairment of Assetsassets

Assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sellof disposal and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows which are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at the end of each reporting period.

 

(h)(j)Cash and Cash Equivalentscash equivalents

 

For the purpose of presentation purposes,in the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short- term,short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

(i)(k)Trade Receivablesreceivables

Trade receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortizedamortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provisionloss allowance. See note 8 for impairment. Trade receivables are duefurther information about the group’s accounting for settlement no more than 30 days from the date of recognition.

Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. A provisionand note 20(b) for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables.


Significant financial difficultiesa description of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization and default or delinquency in payment (more than 30 days overdue) are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. Cash flows relating to short term receivables are not discounted if the effect of discounting is immaterial. The amount of the provision is recognized in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.group’s impairment policies.

 

(j)(l)Inventories

Raw materials and stores, work in progress and finished goods

Raw materials and stores, work in progress and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost comprises direct materials, freightdirect labor and import duty. The Company classifies inventory as a current asset for amounts it expects to sell or consume within itsan appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure, the latter being allocated on the basis of normal operating cycle.

capacity. Costs are assigned to individual items of finished goods inventory on the basis of weighted average costs. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after deducting rebates and discounts. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

 

(k)Plant & Equipment(m)Investments and other financial assets

(i)Classification

Plant

From 1 July 2018, the Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:

those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income (OCI) or through profit or loss); and

those to be measured at amortised cost.

The classification depends on the Group’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.


For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either be recorded in profit or loss or OCI. For investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on whether the group has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

(ii)Recognition and derecognition

Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized on trade-date, the date on which the group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

(iii) Measurement

At initial recognition, the group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL are expensed in profit or loss.

(iv)Impairment

From 1 July 2018, the group assesses on a forward looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortised cost and FVOCI. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk.

For trade receivables, the group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognized from initial recognition of the receivables, see note 20(b) for further details.

(v)Accounting policies applied until June 30, 2018 Classification

Until June 30, 2018, the group classified its financial assets in the following categories:

financial assets at fair value through profit or loss;

loans and receivables;

held-to-maturity investments; and

available-for-sale financial assets.

The classification depended on the purpose for which the investments were acquired. Management determined the classification of its investments at initial recognition and, in the case of assets classified as held-to-maturity, re-evaluated this designation at the end of each reporting period.

Impairment

See note 20(b) for a description of the group’s impairment policies.

(vi)Income recognition Interest income

Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method. When a receivable is impaired, the group reduces the carrying amount to its recoverable amount, being the estimated future cash flow discounted at the original effective interest rate of the instrument, and continues unwinding the discount as interest income. Interest income on impaired loans is recognized using the original effective interest rate.

F-14

(n)Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment areis stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

 

RepairsSubsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of any component accounted for as a separate asset is derecognized when replaced. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income during the financialreporting period in which they are incurred.

 

Depreciation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost or revalued amounts, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives or, in the case of leasehold improvements and certain leased plant and equipment, the shorter lease term as follows:

 

-Plant & Equipmentand equipment(3 - 15 years)years
-Computer Equipment(2 - 4 years)
-Furniture & Fittingsand fittings(3 - 15 years)years
Computer equipment2 - 5 years

 

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, annually.at the end of each reporting period.

 

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount (Note 1(g)(note 1(i)).

 

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount. These are included in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.loss.

 

(l)(o)Intangible Assetsassets

(i)Research & Developmentand development

 

Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of obtaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as an expense when it is incurred.

 

Expenditure on development activities, being the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products or services before the start of commercial production or use, is capitalizedcapitalised if it is probable that the product or service is technically and commercially feasible, will generate probable economic benefits, and adequate resources are available to complete development and cost can be measured reliably. Other development expenditure is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as an expense as incurred.


(m)(p)Trade and Other Payablesother payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the entitygroup prior to the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition. Trade and other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is not due within 12 months after the reporting period. They are recognized initially at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortizedamortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

F-15

 

(n)(q)Employee Benefitsbenefits

(i)Short-term obligations

 

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and long serviceaccumulating sick leave that are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service are recognized in respect of employees’ services up to the end of the reporting period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. The liabilities are presented as current employee benefit obligations in the statement of financial position.

(ii)Other long-term employee benefitsbenefit obligations

 

TheIn some countries, the Group also has liabilities for long service leave and annual leave that are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related serviceservice. These obligations are recognized in the provision for employee benefits andtherefore measured as the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the end of the reporting period using the projected unit credit method.

Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the end of the reporting period of high-quality corporate bonds with terms and currencies that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows. Remeasurements as a result of experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in profit or loss. 

The obligations are presented as current liabilities in the Statementstatement of financial position if the entity does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting period, regardless of when the actual settlement is expected to occur.

(iii)Retirement benefit obligations

Contributions to the defined contribution superannuation funds are recognized as an expense as they become payable. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.

(iv)Share-based payments

 

Share-based compensation benefits may beare provided through the issue of fully paid ordinary shares under the Immuron Employee Share and Option Plan (“ESOP”). Options are also granted to employees via the ‘executive share and consultantsoption plan’ (ESOP). Information relating to these schemes is set out in accordance with the terms of their respective employment and consultancy agreements. Anynote 18.

Employee options granted are made in accordance with the terms of the Company’s ESOP.

 

The fair value of options granted under employment and consultancy agreements arethe ESOP is recognized as an employee benefita share-based payment expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and recognized over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitledtotal amount to the options.

The fair value at grant datebe expensed is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into accountby reference to the exercise price, the term of the option, the vesting and performance criteria, the impact of dilution, the non-tradeable nature of the option, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option.

The fair value of the options granted excludesgranted:

-including any market performance conditions (e.g. the company’s share price);

-excluding the impact of any service and non-market performance vesting conditions (e.g. profitability, sales growth targets and remaining an employee of the company over a specified time period); and

-including the impact of any non-vesting conditions (e.g. the requirement for employees to save or holdings shares for a specific period of time).

The total expense is recognized over the impactvesting period, which is the period over which all of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Non-marketthe specified vesting conditions are included in assumptions aboutto be satisfied. At the numberend of options that are expected to become exercisable. At each reporting date,period, the entity revises its estimateestimates of the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. The employee benefit expense recognized each period takes into accountvest based on the most recent estimate. Thenon-market vesting and service conditions. It recognizes the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, is recognized in the statement of profit or loss, and other comprehensive in come with a corresponding adjustment to equity.


Upon the exercise of options, the balance of the share-based payments reserve relating to those options is transferred to contributed equity.

 

(v)(r)Termination benefitsContributed equity

 

Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated before the normal retirement date, or when an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits.

The Company recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal or providing termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy.

Benefits falling due more than 12 months after reporting date are discounted to present value.

(o)Interest Bearing Loans and Borrowings

Generally, loans and borrowings are initially recognized at cost, being the fair value of the consideration received net of issue costs associated with the borrowing. After initial recognition, interest bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any issue costs and any discount or premium on settlement.

The component of the convertible notes that were issued in connection with the February 2016 financing arrangement that exhibits characteristics of a liability is recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position. On the date of issuance and each subsequent reporting period, the Company records the entire hybrid instrument as measured at fair value through profit and loss as the embedded derivative does significantly modify the cash flows under the contract. The associated transaction costs have also been expensed as incurred and are recorded as Finance costs in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

Fair Value of Convertible Notes

The convertible notes were measured and disclosed as a level 3 instrument, using a three level hierarchy, based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire fair value measurement, as defined below:

Level 1: Quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset and liability, either directly or indirectly

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

No transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy occurred during the current year.

(p)Contributed Equity

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 

F-16

(q)Earnings(s)Loss per Shareshare

(i)Basic loss per share

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing:

the loss attributable to owners of the company, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares

by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year.

(i)(ii)Basic earningsDiluted loss per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to equity holders of the Company, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the full year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the full year.

(ii)Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earningsloss per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earningsloss per share to take into account the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares.account:


(r)the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares, and

the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

(t)Goods and Services Taxservices tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognized net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority. In this case it is recognized as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.

 

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST recoverablereceivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authoritiesauthority is included with other receivablereceivables or payables in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flowflows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable for,from, or payable to the taxation authoritiesauthority, are presented as operating cash flow.flows.

Changes in accounting policies

This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9Financial Instrumentsand IFRS15 Revenue from Contracts with Customerson the group’s financial statements.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – impact of adoption

IFRS 9Financial Instrumentsreplaces IAS 39Financial Instruments:Recognition and Measurement for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, bringing together all three aspects of the accounting for financial instruments: classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting. The adoption of this standard has not materially impacted the amounts disclosed in these financial statements.

 

(s)Leases(i)Classification and measurement

LeasesExcept for certain trade receivables, under IFRS 9, the group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in whichthe case of a significant portion of the risk and reward of ownership arefinancial asset not transferred to the Company as lessee are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the statement ofat fair value through profit or loss, andtransaction costs.

Under IFRS 9, debt financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), amortised cost, or fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). The classification is based on a straight-line basis overtwo criteria: the periodgroup’s business model for managing the assets; and whether the instruments’ contractual cash flows represent ‘solely payments of principal and interest’ on the principal amount outstanding (the ‘SPPI criterion’).

The new classification and measurement of the lease.group’s debt financial assets are as follows:

 

Debt instruments at amortised cost for financial assets that are held within a business model with the objective to hold the financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows that meet the SPPI criterion. This category comprises trade and other receivables.

The assessment of the group’s business models was made as of the date of initial application, 1 July 2018 and then applied retrospectively to those financial assets that were not derecognized before 1 July 2018. The assessment of whether contractual cash flows on debt instruments are solely comprised of principal and interest was made based on the facts and circumstances as at the initial recognition of the assets. There has been no adjustment made to the amounts disclosed as a result of the application of this standard.

F-17

(ii)Impairment of financial assets

The adoption of IFRS 9 has altered the group’s accounting for impairment losses for financial assets by replacing IAS 39’s incurred loss approach with a forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) approach.

IFRS 9 requires the group to record an allowance for ECLs for all loans and other debt financial assets not held at FVPL.

ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the group expects to receive. The shortfall is then discounted at an approximation to the asset’s original effective interest rate.

For trade and other receivables, the group has applied the standard’s simplified approach and has calculated ECLs based on lifetime expected credit losses. The group has established a provision matrix that is based on the group’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.

The adoption of the ECL requirements of IFRS 9 has not resulted in any material change in impairment allowances of the group’s debt financial assets.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – accounting policies applied from 1 July 2018

Trade receivables

The accounting policies applied by the group from 1 July 2018 are set out in note 1(k).

Investments and other financial assets

The accounting policies applied by the group from 1 July 2018 are set out in note 1(m).

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers – impact of adoption

IFRS 15 supersedes IAS 11Construction Contracts, IAS 18Revenueand related interpretations and it applies to all revenue arising from contracts with customers, unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. The new standard has been applied as at 1 July 2018 using the modified retrospective approach and establishes a five-step model to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers. Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognized at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The standard requires entities to exercise judgement, taking into consideration all of the relevant facts and circumstances when applying each step of the model to contracts with their customers. The standard also specifies the accounting for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract and the costs directly related to fulfilling a contract. The adoption of IFRS 15 has not impacted the amounts disclosed within the financial statements.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers – accounting policies applied from 1 July 2018

Revenue recognition

The accounting policies applied by the group from 1 July 2018 are set out in note 1(e).


Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

 

Management evaluates estimates and judgments incorporated into the financial statements based on historical knowledge and best available current information. Estimates assume a reasonable expectation of future events and are based on current trends and economic data, obtained both internally and externally.

 

(i)Share-based Payments

Share-based payments

 

The value attributed to share options and remunerations shares issued is an estimate calculated using an appropriate mathematical formula based on an option pricing model. The choice of models and the resultant option value require assumptions to be made in relation to the likelihood and timing of the conversion of the options to shares and the value of volatility of the price of the underlying shares. Refer to note 19 for more details.

 

(ii)Impairment of Inventories

Impairment of inventories

 

The provision for impairment of inventories assessment requires a degree of estimation and judgment.judgement. The level of the provision is assessed by taking into account the recent sales experience, the ageing of inventoriesinventory, and in particular, the shelf life of inventories that affects obsolescence. Expected shelf-life is reassessed on a regular basis with reference to stability tests which are conducted by an expert engaged by the Company.

 

(iii)Provision for employee benefits

Provision for employee benefits represents amounts accrued for annual leave and long service leave. The current portion for this provision includes the total amount accrued for annual leave entitlements and the amounts accrued for long service leave entitlements that have vested due to employees having completed the required period of service.

(iv)R&D tax incentive

The Group’s research and development activities are eligible under an Australian Government tax incentive for eligible expenditure from 1 July 2011. Management has assessed these activities and expenditure to determine which are likely to be eligible under the incentive scheme. For the year ended 30 June 2018 the Group has recorded in other income of $1,849,123 (2017: $1,575,315) to recognize this amount which relates to this financial year.

(v)Inventory split

The Company’s policy is to reassess the classification of inventory on a periodic basis to determine if the inventory have a longer shelf-life and to assess whether there exists an alternative market for the Colostrum powder (which remains a majority of the inventory).

 

During the current financial period, management havehas performed an assessment on its raw materials and itstheir utilization within 12 months from reporting date and have determined $198,585A$225,765 (2018: A$198,585) of raw materials relating to Colostrum is expected to be consumed withwithin 12 months and the remaining balance of $2,171,867A$1,862,063 (2018: A$2,171,867) is expected to be consumed after 12 months from reporting date.

 

During the year ended June 30, 2018, management determined that a portion of its inventory should be reclassified on a prospective basis as a noncurrent asset as a result of a strategic decision made by management in the intended use of its inventory. The Company decided to terminate all plans to sell the colostrum powder to secondary markets as a result of the continued scientific evidence supporting an extended shelf life. The extended shelf life provides the Company with the assurance that colostrum will be consumed through the production of its current Travelan and Protectyn products throughout future reporting periods.

 


Provision for employee benefits

(vi)Fair value measurement hierarchy

Provision for employee benefits represents amounts accrued for annual leave and long service leave. The current portion for this provision includes the total amount accrued for annual leave entitlements and the amounts accrued for long service leave entitlements that have vested due to employees having completed the required period of service. Refer to note 1(q) for policies on provisions.

R&D tax incentive

The Group’s research and development activities are eligible under an Australian Government tax incentive for eligible expenditure from July 1, 2011. Management has assessed these activities and expenditure to determine which are likely to be eligible under the incentive scheme.

For the year ended June 30, 2019 the Group has recorded other income of A$531,005 (2018: A$1,849,123) to recognize this amount which relates to this financial year.

Fair value measurement hierarchy

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgments, estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgments, estimates, and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgments and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgments, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed within the relevant sections where applicable.

 

The fair value of the convertible notes classified as levelLevel 3 arewere determined by the use of valuation model. These include discounted cash flow analysis and the use of observable inputs that required significant adjustments based on unobservable inputs.


As at June 30, 2017, management has assessed the terms of the convertible notes and determined that in their view the fair value of the debt component is equal to the proceeds such that there is no residual amount to be allocated to an equity component. In making this determination, management is of the view that the value of the consideration received, net of costs, provided reliable evidence of the fair value of the debt component of the convertible notes. Fair value has been determined by the income approach based on a discounted cash flow analysis, with the most significant inputs being the discount rate that reflects the investors credit risk. A slight increase or decrease in the discount rate used would not be material to the financial statements.

Reconciliation of level 3 fair value measurements:

Convertible notes/debentures
AUD$
Balance at 30 June 20161,128,117
- Issue
- Change in fair value (*)
- Repayments(902,117)
Balance at 30 June 2017 (Note 13)226,000

(*) These amounts are recorded in the Finance Costs on the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

(t)Comparatives

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations. An adjustment has been made to reclassify the employee benefit obligations within the Consolidated Statements Financial Position for fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 to seek consistent presentation with the current financial period


Note 2. Revenue and other income

 

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
          
Revenue            
Revenue from Operating Activities            
Sale of goods  1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077 
Total Revenue from Operating Activities  1,842,909   1,396,197   1,001,077 
             
Other Income            
Other income  40   30,672   14,010 
Interest income  1,238   8,386   12,165 
R&D tax concession refund  1,849,123   1,575,315   1,512,840 
Other Income from Non-Operating Activities  1,850,401   1,614,373   1,539,015 
Total Revenue and Other Income  3,693,310   3,010,570   2,540,092 

Note 3.     Expenses
  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
  30 June
2017
 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
Revenue         
Revenue from Operating Activities         
Revenue from contracts with customers  2,387,426   1,842,909   1,396,197 
Total Revenue from Operating Activities  2,387,426   1,842,909   1,396,197 
             
Other Income            
Other income  1,045   40   30,672 
Australian Federal R&D Tax Concession Refund  531,005   1,849,123   1,575,315 
Total Other Income  532,050   1,849,163   1,605,987 
             
Other Gains/(Losses) – Net            
Net foreign exchange gains/(losses)  51,807   258,767   (238,985)
Net impairment losses  (13,394)  (163,600)  (136,494)
Total Other Gains/(Losses) – Net  38,413   95,167   (375,479)
Total Revenue, Other Income and Other Gains/(Losses) – Net  2,957,889   3,787,239   2,626,705 

 

  30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
  30 June 2016
AUD$
 
          
Expenses            
a)       Consulting, Employee and Director Expenses            
Consulting expenses        46,775 
Wages and salaries expenses  885,197   905,819   956,737 
Superannuation and other employee related expenses  153,795   39,664   32,537 
Director expenses  285,331   221,373   197,713 
Share- based payments  59,975   522,665   1,606,275 
Total Consulting, Employee and Director Expenses  1,384,298   1,689,521   2,840,037 
             
b)       Corporate Administrative Costs            
Audit and accounting fees  222,973   146,007   62,825 

Insurances

  277,888               150,502               100,609 
Foreign exchange (gain) / losses  (258,767)  238,985   217,904 
Corporate administration costs  1,094,422  846,315   939,232 
Total Corporate Administrative Costs  1,336,516   1,381,809   1,320,570 

F-21

Note 3. Expenses

  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
  30 June
2017
 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
          
Expenses         
a)General and Administrative Expenses         
Accounting and audit  496,983   555,996   457,676 
Bad debts  50,429   77,698    
Consulting  243,508   46,417   33,976 
Depreciation and Amortisation  5,287   5,047   4,922 
Employee benefits  1,599,023   1,281,845   1,128,496 
Expected credit losses  34,046       
Insurance  307,757   277,888   150,502 
Investor relations  128,415   135,684   61,210 
Legal  171,145   166,052   58,268 
Listing and share registry  186,013   272,711   79,548 
Occupancy  105,606   74,395   75,683 
Share-based payments  1,343,500   59,975   522,665 
Superannuation  55,176   42,478   42,551 
Travel and entertainment  159,911   297,606   276,539 
Other  127,329   118,784   217,809 
Total General and Administrative Expenses  5,014,128   3,412,576   3,109,845 
             
b)Selling and Marketing Expenses            
Selling  277,478   123,660   126,261 
Marketing  377,427   393,596   1,009,888 
Distribution costs  209,739   169,458   135,377 
Total Selling and Marketing Expenses  864,644   686,714   1,271,526 

 

Note 4. Income Tax Benefit

  2019
AUD$
  2018
Restated
AUD$
 
Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognized  37,202,960   34,749,580 
Potential tax benefit @ 27.5%  10,230,814   9,556,135 

The Company has approximatelyunused tax losses of A$ 35,299,886 (2017: A$ 30,138,000), representing a Deferred Tax Asset of A$ 9,707,469 (at 27.5%) (2017: A$ 8,287,950) (at 27.5%) that has notfor the year ended June 30, 2018 have been recognized inrestated to reflect the Financial Statements, refer to Note 1(f).

income tax returns lodged for the same period.

 

Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable

 

30 June 2018

AUD$

Profit from continuing operations before income tax expense(3,010,929)
Tax at the Australian tax rate of 27.5% (2017 - 27.5%, 2016 – 30%)(828,005)
Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income:
Non-deductible amounts associated with R&D rebates(508,509)
Non-allowable expenses796,398

Deferred tax assets relating to tax losses not recognized

540,116

Income tax expense

  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
 
  AUD$  AUD$ 
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense  (4,632,743)  (3,010,929)
Tax at the Australian tax rate of 27.5% (2018: 27.5%)  (1,274,004)  (828,005)
Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income:        
R&D tax incentive  (146,026)  (508,509)
Accounting expenditure subject to R&D tax incentive  335,693   752,949 
Share-based payments  369,463   16,493 
Net impact of other amounts not deductible (taxable)  38,656   26,956 
Subtotal  (676,218)  (540,116)
         
Difference in overseas tax rates  1,539    
Tax losses and other timing differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognized  674,679   540,116 
Income tax expense      

F-22

 

Note 5. Key Management Personnel Compensation

 

This note details the nature and amount of remuneration for each Director of Immuron Limited, and for the Key Management Personnel.

 

The Directors of Immuron Limited during the year ended 30 June 20182019 were:

 

The following persons held office as Directors of Immuron Limited during the financial year:

 

Dr.Dr Roger Aston, Independent non-executive chairmanNon-Executive Chairman

Mr.Mr Peter Anastasiou, Executive vice chairman Vice Chairman

Mr.Dr Gary Jacob, Executive Director (appointed 17 April 2019) and Chief Executive Officer (appointed 16 November 2018)

Mr Daniel Pollock, Independent non-executive director Non-Executive Director

Mr.Mr Stephen Anastasiou, Independent non-executive director Non-Executive Director

Prof. Ravi Savarirayan, Independent non-executive director (appointed April 7, 2017) Non-Executive Director

Mr.Mr Richard J Berman, Independent non-executive directorNon-Executive Director (appointed 1 July 1, 2018)

 

The following persons held office as Key Management Personnel of Immuron Limited during the financial year ended June 30, 2018:

2019:

 

Dr.Dr Jerry Kenellos,Kanellos, Chief Operating Officer (appointed 16 November 2018), Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), (appointed 3 August 3, 2017) and Chief Operating & Scientific Officer (COSO) 2017; resigned 16 November 2018)

Mr. Thomas Liquard, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), (resigned August 3, 2017)


The aggregate compensation made to Directors and Other Key Management Personnel of the Company is set out below:

 

 30 June
2019
 30 June
2018
 30 June
2017
 
 AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
 30 June 2018 AUD$ 30 June 2017 AUD$ 30 June 2016 AUD$        
Key Management Personnel Compensation                     
Short-term employee benefits  570,256   681,666   652,514   952,406   570,256   681,666 
Post-employment benefits  32,087   25,947   26,004   32,300   32,087   25,947 
Long-term benefits  3,652       
Share-based payments  59,975   353,670   1,606,275   1,296,400   59,975   353,670 
Total Key Management Personnel Compensation  662,318   1,061,283   2,284,793   2,284,758   662,318   1,061,283 

 

Note 6.Loss per Share

Note 6. Loss per Share

 

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
          
Basic/Diluted loss per share (in cents)  2.300   6.400   9.248 
             
a) Net loss used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share  3,010,929   6,804,154   7,068,767 
             
b) Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share  133,660,556   105,866,110   76,435,993*

*This amount includes 182,169 of weighted average shares for ordinary shares in relation to the A$4,511,378 received in capital raising that was not issued as of 30 June 2016.
  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
  30 June
2017
 
  AUD$  AUD$  AUD$ 
          
Basic/Diluted loss per share (in cents)  3.20   2.30   6.40 
             
a) Net loss used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share  4,632,743   3,010,929   6,804,154 
             
b) Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share  144,740,535   133,660,556   105,866,110 

 

The Company is currently in a loss making position and thus the impact of potential issuance of shares is concluded as anti-dilutive which includes the Company’s options and warrants and convertible notes payable. Treasury shares are excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of ordinary shares.

 

Note 7.Cash

Note 7. Cash

 

  30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
 
Cash at Bank and in hand:        
Cash at bank and in hand  4,727,430   3,994,924 
Total Cash  4,727,430   3,994,924 

The interest rate on cash at bank at 30 June 2018 was 0.4% (2017: 1%)

  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
 
  AUD$  AUD$ 
Cash at Bank and in hand:      
Cash at bank and in hand  5,119,887   4,727,430 
Total Cash  5,119,887   4,727,430 

Note 8.Trade and Other Receivables

Note 8. Trade and Other Receivables

 

 30 June
2019
 30 June
2018
 
 30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
  AUD$  AUD$ 
           
Current              
             
Trade receivables*  492,276   270,125   332,972   492,276 
Loss allowance  (34,046)   
Other receivables  138,172    
Accrued income**  1,191,029   1,498,112   531,828   1,191,029 
Total Trade and Other Receivables  1,683,305   1,768,237   968,926   1,683,305 

 

*All trade receivables are non-interest bearing.

**

Primarily comprises of receivables from the Australian Tax Office in relation to R&D tax concession for the year.

 

Classification as trade receivables

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. They are generally due for settlement within 30 days and therefore are all classified as current. Trade receivables are recognized initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognized at fair value. The Group holds the trade receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Details about the Group’s impairment policies and the calculation of the loss allowance are provided in note 20(b).

Accrued receivables

These amounts primarily comprise amounts receivable from the Australian Taxation Office in relation to the R&D tax incentive.

Fair value of trade and other receivables

Due to the short-term nature of the current receivables, their carrying amount is considered to be the same as their fair value.

Impairment and risk exposure

Information about the impairment of trade receivables and the group’s exposure to credit risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk can be found in note 20.

Note 9. Inventories

  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
 
  AUD$  AUD$ 
       
Current Inventory      
       
Raw materials  225,765   198,585 
Work in Progress  192,399   33,625 
Finished goods  126,177   265,692 
         
Total Current Inventory  544,341   497,902 

  30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
 
  AUD$  AUD$ 
       
Non-Current Inventory      
         
Raw materials  1,862,063   2,171,867 
         
Total Non-Current Inventory  1,862,063   2,171,867 

F-24

Note 9.(i)InventoriesImpairment

 

  30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
 
       
Current Inventory        
         
Raw materials  198,585   1,793,882 
Work in Progress  33,625   48,425 
Finished goods  265,692   357,478 
Prepaid inventory and supplies     136,342 
Total Inventory  497,902   2,336,127 

The provision for impairment of inventories assessment requires a degree of estimation and judgement. The level of the provision is assessed by taking into account the recent sales experience, the ageing of inventories and in particular the shelf life of inventories that affect obsolescence. Expected shelf-life is reassessed on a regular basis with reference to stability tests which are conducted by an expert engaged by the group.

 

At

There was a $13,394 expired Protectyn impairment expense recognized during year ended 30 June 2017, management classified the2019 (2018: $163,600) for inventory as a current asset as it was expected and assessed that it would be sellableobsolescence in the next 12 months based on the combinationconsolidated statement of sales to an alternative market for the Colostrum powder, as well as forecasted manufacturing quantities. profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

(ii)Inventory split

During the current financial period,year ended 30 June 2019, management has performed an assessment onof its raw materials and utilizationutilisation within 12 months from reporting date and havedate. Management determined AUD$198,585$225,765 (2018: $198,585) of raw materials relating to Colostrum will be consumed within 12 months andfrom reporting date; the remaining balance of AUD$2,171,867 will$1,862,063 (2018: $2,171,867) was estimated to be consumed afterbeyond 12 months from reporting date.months.

During the year ended June 30, 2018, management determined that a portion of its inventory should be reclassified on a prospective basis as a noncurrent asset as a result of a strategic decision made by management in the intended use of its inventory.  The Company decided to terminate all plans to sell the colostrum powder to secondary markets as a result of the continued scientific evidence supporting an extended shelf life.  The extended shelf life provides the Company with the assurance that colostrum will be consumed through the production of its current Travelan and Protectyn products throughout future reporting periods.

30 June 2018
AUD$
30 June 2017
AUD$
Non-Current Inventory
Raw materials2,171,867
Total Non-Current Inventory2,171,867  —


Note 10.Controlled Entities

Note 10. Controlled Entities

 

The Company’s subsidiaries at 30 June 20182019 are set out below. Unless otherwise stated, they have share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares that are held directly by the Company, and the proportion of ownership interests held equals the voting rights held by the Company. The country of incorporation or registration is also their principal place of business.

 

  Country of  Percentage of Ownership 
  Incorporation  30 Jun 2018  30 Jun 2017 
          
Parent Entity:           
Immuron Limited Australia       
            
Subsidiaries of Immuron Limited:           
Immuron Inc. USA   100%  100%
Anadis EPS Pty Ltd Australia   100%  100%
IMC Canada Ltd. Canada   100%  0%

    Percentage of Ownership 
  Country of Incorporation 30 June
2019
  30 June
2018
 
         
Parent Entity:        
Immuron Limited Australia      
           
Subsidiaries of Immuron Limited:          
Immuron Inc. USA  100%  100%
Anadis EPS Pty Ltd Australia  100%  100%
IMC Canada Ltd. Canada  100%  100%
Note 11.Trade and Other Payables

 

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017 
  AUD$  AUD$ 
       
Current        
Trade payables  216,938   699,530 
Accrued expenses  435,280   568,988 
Other payables  37,108   21,871 
Total  689,326   1,290,389 

Note 12.Other Liabilities

30 June 201830 June 2017
AUD$AUD$
Other Liabilities
Convertible Notes*226,000
Deferred Revenue**19,139
Borrowings***139,864
Total385,003

Note 11. Trade and Other Payables

 

  

30 June 2019

AUD$

  

30 June 2018

AUD$

 
       
Current      
Trade payables  715,115   216,938 
Accrued expenses  355,825   435,280 
Other payables  20,979   37,108 
Total  1,091,919   689,326 

(*)


Convertible Notes:

On 17 February 2016, the Company secured A$1,700,000 in funding with a New York-based Investment Fund. The facility was used to fund the immediate start of the clinical phase for IMM-529 in Clostridiumdifficile.

 

The investment was structured in 3 tranches with a mix of equity financing and convertible securities according to the following:

Tranche #1- A$100,000 private placement of securities plus a A$600,000 repayable Convertible Notes with A$78,000 finance charge;

Tranche #2- 45 days after issuance of the tranche 1, the Company has the right to call a second Tranche as per Tranche 1 terms.

Tranche #3- by mutual consent, A$339,000 Face Value repayable Convertible Notes issuable on same terms as Tranche 1 and 2.

The Convertible Notes were repayable monthly over an 18 month period with each repayment to be settled at Immuron’s discretion by:

a)the issuance of new shares at a 10% discount to a 5 Day Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) over the 20 trading days immediately prior to a repayment due date; or

b)cash repayment plus a 2.5% premium to the repayment amount.

Immuron drew down Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of the Convertible Note during fiscal year 2016. Immuron repaid A$902,117 in cash during the 2017 financial year and repaid A$77,217 in cash and A$150,666 in shares prior to 30 June 2016, as disclosed under Note 15. Theoutstanding balance of the outstanding$226,000 convertible note as at 30 June 2017 was repaid during July 2017 and August 2017 with the liability being fully extinguished by 10 September 2017. The balance as at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2019 was nil.

 

(**) Deferred Revenue:Borrowings:

This amount represents amounts billed

The financed insurance policies with a balance of $139,864 as at 30 June 2017 were fully repaid by the Company for undelivered goods.during 2018. The balance as at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2019 was nil.

 

(***) Borrowings:Note 12. Contingent liabilities

The Company has financed A$162,457 for its insurance policies during the year endedgroup had no contingent liabilities at 30 June 30, 2017. Principal and interest (A$8,561) is to be repaid monthly by Immuron over a 11-month term. During the financial year 2018, the outstanding borrowings were repaid by the Company.2019 (2018: nil).

 

Note 13.Commitments and Contingencies

Note 13. Commitments

 

  30 June 2018
2019
 
  AUD$ 
Lease commitments not recognizedCommitments for minimum lease payments in the financial statements:relation to non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows1:   
- not later than 12 months  19,47041,389 
- between 1 and 5 years 63,462 
Total  19,470104,851 

 

1The property lease is a non-cancellable lease with a 3 year term, with rent payable monthly in advance. The minimum lease payments shall be increased by CPI per annum. An option exists to renew the lease at the end of the 3 year term for an additional term of 3 years. The current 3 year lease period expires in December 2018.2021.

 

The Group has recognisedrecognized A$89,529, A$38,917 A$46,082 and A$25,501,46,082, of rental expenses in its Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income for the years 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, respectively, as CorporateGeneral and Administration Expense.


Note 14. Contributed EquityShare capital

 

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  No.  AUD$  No.  AUD$  No.  AUD$ 
Fully Paid Ordinary Shares (No par value)                  
Balance at                        
Beginning of year  130,041,417   53,632,995   80,099,646   45,633,354   74,964,232   40,335,347 
Capital consolidation (40:1)                    
Shares issued during the year  14,736,789   5,472,200   49,941,771   9,965,323   5,135,414   1,721,789 
Shares to be issued(*)                   4,511,378 
Transactions costs      (733,152)     (2,037,557)     (135,160)
Cancellation of shares  

(2,000,000

)               
Treasury shares                 

(800,000

)
Movement to Retained Earnings           71,875       
Total Contributed Equity  142,778,206   58,372,043   130,041,417   53,632,995   80,099,646   45,633,354 
  2019
Shares
  2018
Shares
  2017
Shares
  2019
$
  2018
$
  2017
$
 
Ordinary shares                  
Fully paid  163,215,706   142,778,206   130,041,417   60,511,326   58,372,043   53,632,995 
   163,215,706   142,778,206   130,041,417   60,511,326   58,372,043   53,632,995 

 

(*) As at 30 June 2016, the Company was committed to issue 18,045,512 ordinary shares in relation to the A$4,511,378 received in capital raising.

(i)Movements in ordinary shares:

 

Details Number of shares  Total
$
 
Balance at 1 July 2016  80,099,646   45,633,354 
Right issue1 (2016-07-07)  18,045,512    
Right issue at A$0.25 (2016-07-07)  3,275,466   818,867 
Right issue at A$0.25 to oversubscribes and private placement (2016-09-29)  3,968,916   992,229 
Shares issued at A$0.245 under ESOP – for 6 months service (vesting monthly) (2016-12-02)  251,877   61,710 
Shares issued at A$0.332 on NASDAQ (equivalent to 610,000 ADSs) (2017-06-09)2  24,400,000   8,092,517 
Less: Transaction costs arising on share issues     (2,037,557)
Movement to Retained Earnings     71,875 
Balance at 30 June 2017  130,041,417   53,632,995 
Issue at A$0.19 on conversion of convertible notes (2017-07-28)  399,045   75,333 
Issue at A$0.16 in lieu of payment for services (2017-11-13)  875,000   140,000 
Cancellation pursuant to annual general meeting (2017-11-24)  (2,000,000)   
Issue at A$0.39 pursuant to placement (2018-03-15)  13,162,744   5,161,585 
Issue at A$0.32 on exercise of IMRNW warrants (2018-03-15)  300,000   95,282 
Less: Transaction costs arising on share issues     (733,152)
Balance at 30 June 2018  142,778,206   58,372,043 
Issue at A$0.16 in lieu of payment for services (2018-11-22)3  437,500   70,000 
Issue at US$0.10 pursuant to ADS public offering (2019-05-30)4  20,000,000   2,894,238 
Reclassify exercised options from reserves to share capital     100 
Less: Transaction costs arising on share issues     (825,055)
Balance at 30 June 2019  163,215,706   60,511,326 

During the Full Year ended 30 June 2018, the Company issued the following securities:

Notes

 

Date  Details 

No.

  

Issue Price

AUD$

  

Total Value

AUD$

 
28-Jul-17  Issue of Equity for the repayment of Sea Otter 16th payment of Convertible Note  399,045   0.19   75333 
13-Nov-17  Issue of Shares to Grandlodge  875,000   0.16   140,000 
15-Mar-18  Private Placement to US Investment Fund  13,162,744   0.39   5,161,585 
15-Mar-18  Exercise of NASDAQ Warrants (IMRNW)  300,000   0.32   95,282 
   Total 2018 Movement  14,736,789       5,472,200 

During the Full Year ended 30 June 2017, the Company issued the following securities:

Date  Details No.  Issue Price
AUD$
  Total Value
AUD$
 
7 Jul 2016  Right issue*  18,045,512       
7 Jul 2016  Right issue  3,275,466   0.25   818,867 
29 Sep 2016  Right issue to oversubscribes and private placement  3,968,916   0.25   992,229 
2 Dec 2016  Shares under ESOP – for 6 months service (vesting monthly)  251,877   0.245   61,710 
9 Jun 2017  Shares issued on NASDAQ (equivalent to 610,000 ADSs)**  24,400,000   0.332   8,092,517 
Total 2017 Movement  49,941,771       9,965,323 

(*)
1.As at 30 June 2016, the Company was committed to issue 18,045,512 of ordinary shares in relation to the A$4,511,378 received in capital raising. These shares were subsequently issued to respective holders on 7 July 2016. 2,418,129 of these new fully paid ordinary shares were issued to Grandlodge on the same terms and conditions as all other subscribers.

2.Grandlodge participated in our NASDAQ IPO and acquired 32,707 ADRs and 32,707 Warrants.

3.Mr Peter and Mr Stephen Anastasiou are directors and majority shareholders of Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd (Grandlodge). Commencing 1 June 2013, Immuron Limited contracted Grandlodge on normal commercial terms and conditions to provide warehousing, distribution and invoicing services for Immuron Limited’s products for $70,000 per annum. These fees will be payable in new fully paid ordinary shares in Immuron Limited at a set price of $0.16 per share, representing Immuron Limited’s shares price at the commencement of the agreement.

4.On 30 May 2019, 500,000 American Depository Shares (ADS) were issued at US$4.00 each. Each ADS is equivalent to 40 ordinary shares, i.e. 20,000,000 at US$0.10 each (A$0.1447).

(ii)Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends, and to share in the proceeds of winding up the company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held.

On a show of hands every holder of ordinary shares present at a meeting in relationperson or by proxy, is entitled to the A$4,511,378 received in capital raising. These shares were subsequently issuedone vote, and upon a poll each share is entitled to respective holders on 7 July 2016. 2,418,129 of these new fully paid ordinary shares were issued to Grandlodge on the same terms and conditions as all other subscribers.one vote.

 

(**) Grandlodge participated in our NASDAQ IPOOrdinary shares have no par value and acquired 32,707 ADRs and 32,707 Warrants.


During the Full Year ended 30 June 2016, the Company issued the following securities:does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

Date  Details No.  

Issue Price

AUD$

  

Total Value

AUD$

 
18 Sep 2015  Exercise of IMCAI Unlisted Options  218,750   0.376   82,250 
30 Sep 2015  Exercise of IMCAI Unlisted Options  93,750   0.376   35,250 
19 Oct 2015  Exercise of IMCAI Unlisted Options by Grandlodge  556,000   0.376   209,056 
13 Nov 2015  Exercise of IMCAI Unlisted Options  41,666   0.376   15,667 
27 Nov 2015  Issue of Shares in lieu of cash payment for services as per Resolution 4 of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 25 Nov 2015  546,875   0.160   87,500 
24 Feb 2016  Issue in accordance with executed funding agreement with a New York based Investment fund provider announced to the ASX on 17 Feb 2016  294,118   0.340   100,000 
24 Feb 2016  Issue of fully paid escrow shares as security for any repayment default of the Convertible Loan in accordance with executed funding agreement with a New York based Investment fund provider and announced to the ASX on 17 Feb 2016  2,000,000   0.400   800,000 
13 Apr 2016  Issue in accordance with executed funding agreement with a New York based Investment fund provider announced to the ASX on 17 Feb 2016  326,797   0.306   100,000 
18 Apr 2016  First repayment of Convertible Notes Security in accordance with executed funding agreement with a New York based investment fund provider announced to the ASX on 17 Feb 2016  241,764   0.312   75,333 
16 May 2016  Exercise of IMCAI Unlisted Options  150,000   0.276   41,400 
16 May 2016  Second repayment of Convertible Notes Security in accordance with executed funding agreement with a New York based investment fund provider announced to the ASX on 17 Feb 2016  265,694   0.284   75,333 
31 May 2016  Issue of Shares in lieu of cash payment for services received  400,000   0.250   100,000 
30 Jun 2016  Shares to be Issued from Capital Raising as at 30 June 2016        4,511,378 
Total 2016 Movement  5,135,414       6,233,167 

 

The value of all share based payments of stock is per the terms of an underlying agreement or based on the fair value of the stock on the date of the transaction.


Ordinary shares participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of shares held. At shareholder meetings each ordinary share is entitled to one vote when a poll is called, otherwise each shareholder has one vote on a show of hands. The ordinary shares have no par value.

Note 15. Reserves

Nature and Purpose of the Reserve Other reserves

 

The following table shows a breakdown of the consolidated statement of financial position line item ‘other reserves’ and the movements in these reserves during the year. A description of the nature and purpose of each reserve recognizes option reserves which areis provided below the expensetable.

  Share-based payments
$
  Foreign currency translation
$
  Total other reserves
$
 
At 1 July 2016  2,132,301   (3,735)  2,128,566 
Currency translation differences  -   40,017   40,017 
Other comprehensive income  -   40,017   40,017 
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners            
Options issued during the year  136,784   -   136,784 
Granted options to be issued (*)  -   -   - 
Expense of vested options  333,950   -   333,950 
Options lapsed  (168,900)  -   (168,900)
At 30 June 2017  2,434,135   36,282   2,470,417 

(*)On 9 December 2016, the Company issued 1 million options exercisable at A$0.50 per option expiring on April 1, 2017 to an employee under the Company’s ESOP following the successful completion of the related milestone pertaining to a minimum recruitment of 100 patients into the Company’s NASH Phase 2 clinical trial.

  Share-based payments
$
  Foreign currency translation
$
  Total other reserves
$
 
At 1 July 2017  2,434,135   36,282   2,470,417 
Currency translation differences  -   (79,599)  (79,599)
Other comprehensive income  -   (79,599)  (79,599)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners            
Options issued during the year  156,392   -   156,392 
Expense of vested options  59,975   -   59,975 
Options and warrants lapsed  (463)  -   (463)
At 30 June 2018  2,650,039   (43,317)  2,606,722 

  Share-based payments
$
  Foreign currency translation
$
  Total other reserves
$
 
At 1 July 2018  2,650,039   (43,317)  2,606,722 
Currency translation differences  -   61,846   61,846 
Other comprehensive income  -   61,846   61,846 
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners            
Options and warrants issued/expensed  1,343,500   -   1,343,500 
Options and warrants exercised  (100)  -   (100)
Options and warrants lapsed  (311,635)  -   (311,635)
At 30 June 2019  3,681,804   18,529   3,700,333 

(i)Nature and purpose of other reserves

Share-based payments

The share-based payment reserve records items recognized in respectas expenses on valuation of share-based payments,share options and foreignwarrants issued to key management personnel, other employees and eligible contractors.

Foreign currency translation reserve

Exchange differences arising fromon translation of foreign subsidiary.controlled entities are recognized in other comprehensive income as described in note 1(d) and accumulated in a separate reserve within equity. The cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss when the net investment is disposed of.

 

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  No.  AUD$  No.  AUD$  No.  AUD$ 
Options over Fully Paid Ordinary Shares                        
Balance at                        
Beginning of year  63,690,523   2,434,135   9,937,629   2,132,301   7,188,676   560,646 
Capital consolidation (40:1)                    
Options issued during the year  8,424,157   156,392   56,002,894   136,784   7,425,532   285,600 
Granted options to be issued(*)                    
Options exercised during the year  (300,000)           (1,060,166)  (71,875)
Expense of vested options     59,975      333,950      1,606,275 
Lapse of unexercised options  (465,500)  (463)  (2,250,000)  (168,900)  (3,616,413)  (248,345)
Closing Balance  71,349,180   2,650,039   63,690,523   2,434,135   9,937,629   2,132,301 
                         
Foreign currency translation reserve                        
Opening balance      36,282       (3,735)      (12,581)
Movement during the year     (79,599)     40,017      8,846 
Closing balance     (43,317)      36,282       (3,735)
Total Reserves  

71,349,180

   2,606,722   63,690,523   2,470,417   9,937,629   2,128,566 


(ii)Movements in options and warrants:

 

(*) On 9 December 2016, the Company issued 1 million options exercisable at A$0.50 per option expiring on April 1, 2017 to an employee under the Company’s ESOP following the successful completion of the related milestone pertaining to a minimum recruitment of 100 patients into the Company’s NASH Phase 2 clinical trial.

Details Number of options  Total
$
 
Balance at 1 July 2016  9,937,629   2,132,301 
Right issue (2016-07-07)*  18,045,512   - 
Right issue (2016-07-07)  3,275,466   - 
Right issue to oversubscribes and private placement (2016-09-29)  3,968,916   - 
Unlisted options issued at A$0.143 in lieu of services (2016-12-09)  200,000   28,620 
Options issued at A$0.00033 to cover equivalent of 610,000 warrants on issue with NASDAQ (2017-06-09)  24,400,000   8,101 
Options issued at A$0.00033 to cover equivalent of 35,075 warrants on issue with NASDAQ (2017-06-09)  1,403,000   463 
Options issued at A$0.00033 to cover equivalent of 91,500 warrants on issue with NASDAQ (2017-06-13)  3,660,000   1,215 
Unlisted options issued at A$0.094 in lieu of services (2017-06-22)  1,050,000   98,385 
Lapse of unexercised options  (2,250,000)  (168,900)
Expense of vested options  -   333,950 
Balance at 30 June 2017  63,690,523   2,434,135 
Lapse of unlisted options (2017-07-01)  (403,000)  (463)
Lapse of unlisted options (2017-11-01)  (62,500)  - 
Issue of unlisted options at A$0.468 pursuant to placement (2018-03-15)  7,897,647   - 
Issue of unlisted options at A$0.585 to broker for placement (2018-03-15)  526,510   156,392 
Exercise of IMRNW warrants at A$0.32 (2018-03-15)  (300,000)  - 
Amortisation of share-based payments for options issued in prior periods  -   59,975 
Balance at 30 June 2018  71,349,180   2,650,039 
Issue of ESOP unlisted options at A$0.50 (2018-07-13)  1,300,000   204,100 
Issue of ESOP unlisted options at A$0.50 (2018-11-26)  2,000,000   164,400 
Lapse of ESOP unlisted options at A$0.50 (2018-10-01)  (1,050,000)  (98,385)
Issue of ESOP unlisted options at A$0.50 (2019-02-11)  5,000,000   975,000 
Lapse of unlisted options at A$0.57 (2019-02-24)  (1,000,000)  (185,601)
Lapse of unlisted options at A$1.892 (2019-02-28)  (15,380)  (1,173)
Lapse of unlisted options at A$0.30 (2019-05-28)  (140,056)  (13,390)
Reclassify exercised options from reserves to share capital  -   (100)
Reclassify lapsed options from reserves to accumulated losses  -   (13,086)
Balance at 30 June 2019  77,443,744   3,681,804 

 

During the Full Year ended 30 June 2018, the Company issued the following options:

(*)As of 30 June 2016, the Company was committed to issue 18,045,512 options in relation to the A$4,511,378 received in capital raising. These options were subsequently issued to respective holders on 7 July 2016. 2,418,129 of these options were issued to Grandlodge on the same terms and conditions as all other subscribers.

 

Date  Details No.  AUD$  AUD$ 
15-Mar-18  Issue of options- Free-attaching 3 options for every 5 new shares as a part of the capital raise  7,897,647       
15-Mar-18  Issue of options - Broker shares as part of placement fee  526,510   0.3   156,392 
Total 2018 Movement  8,424,157       156,392 

During the Full Year ended 30 June 2017, the Company issued the following options:

Date  Details No.  AUD$  AUD$ 
7 Jul 2016  Right issue**  18,045,512       
7 Jul 2016  Right issue  3,275,466       
29 Sep 2016  Right issue to oversubscribes and private placement  3,968,916       
9 Dec 2016  Unlisted options in lieu of services  200,000   0.143   28,620 
9 Jun 2017  Options issued to cover equivalent of 610,000 warrants on issue with NASDAQ  24,400,000   0.00033   8,101 
9 Jun 2017  Options issued to cover equivalent of 35,075 warrants on issue with NASDAQ  1,403,000   0.00033   463 
13 Jun 2017  Options issued to cover equivalent of 91,500 warrants on issue with NASDAQ  3,660,000   0.00033   1,215 
22 Jun 2017  Unlisted options in lieu of services  1,050,000   0.094   98,385 
Total 2017 Movement  56,002,894       136,784 

(**) As of 30 June 2016, the Company was committed to issue 18,045,512 options in relation to the A$4,511,378 received in capital raising. These options were subsequently issued to respective holders on 7 July 2016. 2,418,129 of these options were issued to Grandlodge on the same terms and conditions as all other subscribers.


On 22 June 2017, the Company issued Professor Ravi Savarirayan, a Non-Executive Director of Immuron Limited, 1,000,000 unlisted options exercisable at A$0.50 on or before 27 Nov 2019. During the Annual General Meeting in 2018 annual general meeting, the shareholders approved the issuance of the options to Ravi Savarirayan.

 

During the Full Year ended 30 June 2016,

On 13 July 2018, the Company issued Professor Dr. Jerry Kanellos, Chief Operating Officer of Immuron Limited, 1,000,000 unlisted options exercisable at A$0.50 on or before 1 July 2021.

On 26 November 2018, the following options:Company issued Mr. Richard J. Berman, a Non-Executive Director of Immuron Limited, 2,000,000 unlisted options exercisable at A$0.50 on or before 30 June 2020. During the 2019 annual general meeting, the shareholders approved the issuance of the options to Richard Berman.

On 11 February 2019, the Company issued Dr. Gary S. Jacob, Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Director of Immuron Limited, 5,000,000 unlisted options exercisable at A$0.50 on or before 10 February 2024. These options are currently held in escrow and cannot be exercised until shareholder approval is granted.

Date   No.  Issue Price AUD$  Total Value AUD$ 
            
27 Nov 2015 Issue of Unlisted Options in lieu of cash payment for additional services as per Resolution 5A - 5D of the AGM held on 25 Nov 2015  6,000,000      1,606,275 
18 Feb 2016 Issue in accordance with executed funding agreement with a New  York based Investment fund provider announced to the ASX on 17 Feb 2016  1,000,000   0.186   185,600 
31 May 2016 Issue of Unlisted Options in lieu of cash payment  for  services  received  425,532   0.235   100,000 
Total 2016 Movement  7,425,532       1,891,875 

F-30

 

Note 16. SegmentsSegment Reporting

Primary Reporting Format - Business SegmentsDescription of segments and principal activities

 

The entitygroup has identified its operating segments based on the internal reports that are reviewed and used by the chief operating decision makersexecutive management team in assessing performance and determining the allocation of resources.

 

The executive management teamManagement considers the business from both a product and a geographic perspective and has identified threetwo reportable segments.segments:

 

SegmentsResearch and development (R&D): income and expenses directly attributable to the group’s R&D projects performed in Australia, Israel and United States.

 

Research

Hyperimmune products: income and Development (R&D)expenses directly attributable to Travelan and Protectyn activities which occur in Australia, the United States, Canada and the rest of the world.

Income and expenses directly attributable to the Company’s research and development projects performed in Australia and Israel.

Financial breakdown

The segment information for the reportable segments for the year ended 30 June 2019 is as follows:

2019 Research and development  Hyperimmune products  Unallocated  Total 
  $  $  $  $ 
Revenue from contracts with customers  -   2,387,426   -   2,387,426 
Cost of sales of goods  -   (667,371)  -   (667,371)
Gross profit  -   1,720,055   -   1,720,055 
Other income  531,005   1,045   -   532,050 
Other gains/(losses) – net  -   (13,394)  51,807   38,413 
General and administrative expenses  -   -   (5,014,128)  (5,014,128)
Research and development expenses  (1,044,528)  -   -   (1,044,528)
Selling and marketing expenses  -   (864,644)  -   (864,644)
Operating profit/(loss)  (513,523)  843,062   (4,962,321)  (4,632,782)
Finance income  -   -   39   39 
Profit/(loss) for the year  (513,523)  843,062   (4,962,282)  (4,632,743)
Assets                
Segment assets  

531,828

   2,705,330   5,324,489   

8,561,647

 
Total assets  531,828   2,705,330   5,324,489   

8,561,647

 
Liabilities                
Segment liabilities  221,520   191,836   797,155   1,210,511 
Total liabilities  221,520   191,836   797,155   1,210,511 

HyperImmune ProductsThe segment information for the reportable segments for the year ended 30 June 2018 is as follows:

Income and expenses directly attributable to Travelan activities which occur in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. In 2018, the Company earned 62%, 1% and 37% of its revenues from customers located in Australia, Canada and United States, respectively In 2017, the Company earned 64%, 10% and 26% of its revenues from customers located in Australia, Canada and United States, respectively. In 2016, the Company earned 78% and 4% and 18% of its revenues from customers located in Australia, Canada and United States, respectively.

2018 Research and development  Hyperimmune products  Unallocated  Total 
  $  $  $  $ 
Revenue from contracts with customers  -   1,842,909   -   1,842,909 
Cost of sales of goods  -   (418,693)  -   (418,693)
Gross profit  -   1,424,216   -   1,424,216 
Other income  1,849,123   40   -   1,849,163 
Other gains/(losses) – net  -   (163,600)  258,767   95,167 
General and administrative expenses  -   -   (3,412,576)  (3,412,576)
Research and development expenses  (2,257,224)  -   -   (2,257,224)
Selling and marketing expenses  -   (686,714)  -   (686,714)
Operating profit/(loss)  (408,101)  573,942   (3,153,809)  (2,987,968)
Finance income  -   -   1,238   1,238 
Finance costs  -   -   (24,199)  (24,199)
Profit/(loss) for the year  (408,101)  573,942   (3,176,770)  (3,010,929)
Assets                
Segment assets  1,191,029   3,162,045   4,889,614   

9,242,688

 
Total assets  

 1,191,029

   

 3,162,045

   4,889,614    9,242,688 
Liabilities                
Segment liabilities  174,434   26,009   602,895   803,338 
Total liabilities  174,434   26,009   602,895   803,338 

 

Unallocated CorporateThe segment information for the reportable segments for the year ended 30 June 2017 is as follows:

Other items of income and expenses not directly attributable to R&D or HyperImmune Products segment are disclosed as corporate costs. Corporate activities primarily occur within Australia. This segment includes interest expenses from financing activities and depreciation.

 

  Research & Development  HyperImmune Products  Unallocated Corporate  Total 
30 June 2018  AUD$   AUD$   AUD$   AUD$ 
             
Segment Revenue & Other income                
Revenue from external customers     1,842,909      1,842,909 
R&D tax concession refund  1,849,123      1,238   1,850,361 
Other income     40      40 
Total Segment Revenues & Other income  1,849,123   1,842,949   1,238   3,693,310 
                 
Segment Expenses                
Depreciation        (5,047)  (5,047)
Finance costs        (18,857)  (18,857)
Share-based payments        (59,975)  (59,975)
Other operating expenses  (2,257,224)  (832,661)  (3,530,475)  (6,620,360)
Total Segment Expenses  (2,257,224)  (832,661)  (3,614,354)  (6,704,239)
Income Tax Expenses            
(Loss)/Profit for the Period  (408,101)  1,010,288   (3,613,116)  (3,010,929)
                 
Assets                
Segment assets  1,191,029   3,162,045   4,889,614   9,242,688 
Total Assets  1,191,029   3,162,045   4,889,614   9,242,688 
                 
Liabilities                
Segment liabilities  (174,434)  (26,009)  (602,895)  (803,338)
Total Liabilities  (174,434)  (26,009)  (602,895)  (803,338)

  Research & Development  HyperImmune Products  Unallocated Corporate  Total 
30 June 2017  AUD$   AUD$   AUD$   AUD$ 
             
Segment Revenue & Other income                
Revenue from external customers     1,396,197      1,396,197 
R&D tax concession refund  1,575,315         1,575,315 
Interest income        8,386   8,386 
Other income  25,000   5,672      30,672 
Total Segment Revenues & Other income  1,600,315   1,401,869   8,386   3,010,570 
                 
Segment Expenses                
Depreciation        (4,922)  (4,922)
Finance costs        (24,483)  (24,483)
Share-based payments  (188,481)     (334,184)  (522,665)
Other operating expenses  (4,805,874)  (1,017,169)  (3,439,611)  (9,262,654)
Total Segment Expenses  (4,994,355)  (1,017,169)  (3,803,200)  (9,814,724)
Income Tax Expenses            
(Loss)/Profit for the Period  (3,394,040)  384,700   (3,794,814)  (6,804,154)
                 
Assets                
Segment assets  1,498,112   2,585,755   4,202,624   8,286,491 
Total Assets  1,498,112   2,585,755   4,202,624   8,286,491 
                 
Liabilities                
Segment liabilities  (514,326)  (330,218)  (867,021)  (1,711,565)
Total Liabilities  (514,326)  (330,218)  (867,021)  (1,711,565)


  Research & Development  HyperImmune Products  Unallocated Corporate  Total 
30 June 2016 AUD$   AUD$   AUD$   AUD$ 
             
Segment Revenue & Other income                
Revenue from external customers     1,001,077      1,001,077 
R&D tax concession refund  1,512,840         1,512,840 
Interest income        12,165   12,165 
Other income     10,200   3,810   14,010 
Total Segment Revenues & Other income  1,512,840   1,011,277   15,975   2,540,092 
                 
Segment Expenses                
Depreciation        (3,892)  (3,892)
Finance costs        (156,000)  (156,000)
Share-based payments        (2,079,375)  (2,079,375)
Other operating expenses  (3,623,961)  (570,183)  (3,175,448)  (7,369,592)
Total Segment Expenses  (3,623,961)  (570,183)  (5,414,715)  (9,608,859)
Income Tax Expenses            
(Loss)/Profit for the Period  (2,111,121)  441,094   (5,398,740)  (7,068,767)
                 
Assets                
Segment assets  1,512,840   2,318,860   4,995,784   8,827,484 
Total Assets  1,512,840   2,318,860   4,995,784   8,827,484 
                 
Liabilities                
Segment liabilities  (769,434)  (538,806)  (2,578,681)  (3,886,921)
Total Liabilities  (769,434)  (538,806)  (2,578,681)  (3,886,921)
2017 Research and development  Hyperimmune products  Unallocated  Total 
  $  $  $  $ 
Revenue from contracts with customers  -   1,396,197   -   1,396,197 
Cost of sales of goods  -   (337,546)  -   (337,546)
Gross profit  -   1,058,651   -   1,058,651 
Other income  1,600,315   5,672   -   1,605,987 
Other gains/(losses) – net  -   (136,494)  (238,985)  (375,479)
General and administrative expenses  -   -   (3,109,845)  (3,109,845)
Research and development expenses  (4,630,674)  -   -   (4,630,674)
Selling and marketing expenses  -   (543,129)  (728,397)  (1,271,526)
Operating profit/(loss)  (3,030,359)  384,700   (4,077,227)  (6,722,886)
Finance income  -   -   8,386   8,386 
Finance costs  -   -   (89,654)  (89,654)
Profit/(loss) for the year  (3,030,359)  384,700   (4,158,495)  (6,804,154)
Assets                
Segment assets  1,498,112   2,585,755   4,202,624   8,286,491 
Total assets  1,498,112   2,585,755   4,202,624   8,286,491 
Liabilities                
Segment liabilities  514,326   330,218   867,021   1,711,565 
Total liabilities  514,326   330,218   867,021   1,711,565 

Information on geographical regions:

The group derives revenue from the transfer of hyperimmune products at a point in time in the following major product lines and geographical regions:

  Travelan  Protectyn    
2019 Australia  United States  Other  Australia  Other  Total 
  $  $  $  $  $  $ 
Segment revenue  1,162,628   1,016,468   149,283   58,683   364   2,387,426 
Revenue from external customers  1,162,628   1,016,468   149,283   58,683   364   2,387,426 

  Travelan  Protectyn    
2018 Australia  United States  Other  Australia  Other  Total 
  $  $  $  $  $  $ 
Segment revenue  1,042,279   767,354   2,095   30,319   862   1,842,909 
Revenue from external customers  1,042,279   767,354   2,095   30,319   862   1,842,909 

In 2017, the Company earned 64%, 26% and 10% of its revenues from customers located in Australia, United States and Canada, respectively. 

Information on major customers:

During the years ended 30 June 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, the Company had the following major customers (and their respective contributionin the hyperimmune product segment with revenues amounting to the Group’s10 percent or more of total revenue):group revenues:

 

 2018  2017  2016  2019  2018 
Customer A  31%  13%  16%  659,637   609,305 
Customer B  25%  34%  43%  611,920   435,763 
Customer C  12%  15%  22%  266,111   - 
Customer D  10%  15%  *   249,522   193,627 
Customer E  *   10%  *   228,661   218,216 
  2,015,851   1,456,911 

*Less than 10% of revenue for the respective year.

2017
Customer A13%
Customer B34%
Customer C15%
Customer D15%
Customer E10%

 

No other single customers contributed 10% or more to the Group’s revenue for all periods.


Note 17. Cash Flow Information

 

(a)Reconciliation of cash flow from operations with loss after income tax

 

  

30 June 2018

AUD$

  

30 June 2017

AUD$

  

30 June 2016

AUD$

 
          
Net Loss for the Year  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)  (7,068,767)
             
Non-Cash            
Add depreciation expense  5,047   4,922   3,892 
Add change in fair value and interest accrued on borrowings     8,561   178,401 
Add back equity issued for non-cash consideration*        187,500 
Add back share based payments expense  242,950   522,665   1,891,875 
Changes in Working Capital            
Add decreases / (increases) in current trade and other receivables  84,932   7,396   (84,004)
Add decreases / (increases) in other current assets  26,561   69,034   (30,015)
Add (increases) in inventory  (333,642)  (280,060)  (909,800)
Add (decreases) / increases in current trade and other payables and deferred revenue  (620,202)  (559,452)  672,582 
Add (decrease) increase in provisions
  77,839       
   (3,527,444)  (7,031,088)  (5,158,336)

  

30 June
2019

AUD$

  

30 June
2018

AUD$

  

30 June
2017

AUD$

 
          
Net Loss for the Year  (4,632,743)  (3,010,929)  (6,804,154)
             
Adjustments for            
Depreciation expense  5,287   5,047   4,922 
Interest accrued on borrowings        8,561 
Distribution costs  70,000       
Expected credit losses  34,046       
Finance costs     24,199   97,051 
Finance income  (39)  (1,238)  (8,386)
Leave provision expense  4,580   41,110   5,902 
Share-based payments  1,343,500   242,950   522,665 
Unrealised net foreign currency (gains)/losses  (62,015)  (316,380)  24,433 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:            
Add decreases / (increases) in trade and other receivables  680,337   438,001   7,396 
Add decreases / (increases) in inventories  263,365   (333,642)  (280,060)
Add (increases) in other operating assets  92,510   26,561   69,034 
Add (decrease) / increase in trade and other payables  402,593   (620,202)  (589,787)
   (1,798,579)  (3,504,523)  (6,942,423)

* The cost of A$187,500 relates to issue of shares worth A$87,500 in lieu of cash payments for services to Advanced Clinical Systems International as per resolution 4 of the AGM held on 25 November 2015. Additionally, shares worth A$100,000 were issued to The CFO Solution in lieu of services on 31 May 2016.

 

(b)Non-cash financing and investing activities

 

See Note 8 for details on the uncleared funds of A$2,612,139 from capital raising as at 30 June 2016. An amount of A$114,861 of capital raising costs were recognised as expenses but remained unpaid during the period as at 30 June 2016.

The Company has financed A$162,457 for its insurance policies during the year ended June 30, 2017, which was recorded to Borrowings and Other Assets as of June 30, 2017.

 

During the financial year 2018, the balance of the outstanding convertible note as at 30 June 2017 was repaid during July 2017 and August 2017 with the liability being fully extinguished by 10 September 2017.

 

See Note 19note 18 for details regarding issues of options to employees and for details surrounding the issue of shares to suppliers.


Note 18. Share-based Payments

 

Executives and consultants may be provided with longer-term incentives through the Company’s ESOP, to allow the executives and consultants to participate in, and benefit from, the growth of the Company as a result of their efforts and to assist in motivating and retaining these key employees over the long term.

(a)Options Issued under the ESOPa)Executive share and option plan

 

The following table illustratesestablishment of the number‘executive share and weighted average exercise price ofoption plan’ (ESOP) was approved by shareholders at the 2017 annual general meeting. The plan is designed to provide long-term incentives for executives (including directors) to deliver long-term shareholder returns. Participation in the plan is at the board’s discretion and movementno individual has a contractual right to participate in sharethe plan or to receive any guaranteed benefits.

Options issued to Dr Gary Jacob expire upon his resignation without good reason or termination. All other options issued underexpire upon departure from the scheme during the year:

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
 
                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year  1,312,500   0.550   1,062,500   1.560   1,856,150   0.440 
Capital consolidation (40:1)                    
Options granted during the year        1,250,000   0.500       
Granted options to be issued*                    
Options exercised                (150,000)  0.276 
Lapse of unexercised options        (1,000,000)  0.500   (643,650)  0.276 
Options Outstanding at End of the Year  1,312,500   0.550   1,312,500   0.550   1,062,500   0.562 
Options Exercisable at the End of the Year  

             1,312,500

   

                     0.550

   1,312,500   0.550   62,500   1.556 

The options outstanding at 30 June 2018 havecompany if they are determined to be a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.39 years (2017: 1.39 years) and exercise prices ranging from A$0.50 to A$1.56 (2017: from A$0.50 to A$1.56)‘bad leaver’.


(b)Options Issued to Directors

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise price of and movement in share options issued to directors during the year:

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
 
                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year  6,000,000   0.500   7,000,000   0.456   1,000,000   0.456 
Capital consolidation (40:1)                    
Options granted during the year                6,000,000   0.500 
Lapse of unexercised options        (1,000,000)  0.460       
Options Outstanding at End of the Year  6,000,000   0.500   6,000,000   0.500   7,000,000   0.494 
Options Exercisable at the End of the Year  6,000,000   0.500   5,000,000   0.500   1,000,000   0.456 

The options outstanding at 30 June 2018 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.41 years (2017: 2.41 years) and exercise price of A$0.50 (2017: A$ 0.50).

 

On 22 June 2017, the Company issued Professor Ravi Savarirayan, a Non-Executive DirectorSet out below are summaries of Immuron Limited, 1,000,000all listed and unlisted options, exercisable at A$0.50 on or before 27 Nov 2019.including those issued under ESOP:

 

(c)Other options/warrants issued

  30 June 2018  30 June 2017  30 June 2016 
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Avg
Exercise
Price
AUD$
 
                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year  56,378,023   0.440   1,875,129   0.561   4,332,526   0.400 
Capital consolidation (40:1)                    
Options granted during the year  8,424,157   0.470   54,752,894   0.430   1,425,532   0.549 
Options exercised  (300,000)  

          (910,166)  0.376 
Lapse of unexercised options  (465,500)  1.550   (250,000)  0.460   (2,972,763)  0.376 
Options Outstanding at End of the Year  64,036,680   

0.470

   56,378,023   0.440   1,875,129   0.561 
Options Exercisable at the End of the Year  64,036,680   0.470   56,378,023   0.440   1,875,129   0.561 

The options outstanding at 30 June 2018 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.589 years (2017: 3.57 years) and exercise prices ranging from A$0.30 to A$1.94 (2017: from A$0.30 to A$1.944).


(d)Vesting Terms of Options

The following summarizes information about options held by employees, Directors and third parties as at 30 June 2018:

Issue Date Number of Options  

Vesting

Conditions

 Expiry Date 

Exercise Price

AUD$

 
29-Jun-12  14,493  Nil 30-Nov-21 AUD$1.944 
29-Jun-12  29,668  Nil 17-Jan-22 AUD$1.876 
3-Mar-14  15,380  Nil 28-Feb-19 AUD$1.892 
29-May-14  140,056  Nil 28-May-19 AUD$0.300 
27-Nov-15  6,000,000  See below 27-Nov-19 AUD$0.500 
18-Feb-16  1,000,000  Nil 24-Feb-19 AUD$0.570 
31-May-16  425,532  Nil 27-Nov-19 AUD$0.500 
7-Jul-16  25,289,894  Nil 30-Nov-19 AUD$0.550 
9-Dec-16  200,000  Nil 27-Nov-19 AUD$0.500 
9-Jun-17  24,400,000  Nil 13-Jun-22 AUD$0.326 
13-Jun-17  3,660,000  Nil 13-Jun-22 AUD$0.326 
22-Jun-17  1,050,000  Nil 1-Oct-18 AUD$0.500 

22-Jun-17

  

1,000,000

  

Nil

 

27-Nov-19

 

AUD$

0.500 
15-Mar-18  7,897,647  Nil 15-Mar-23 AUD$0.468 
15-Mar-18  526,510  Nil 15-Mar-23 AUD$0.585 

November 2015 Options

The options with an issue date of 27 November 2015, entitle the holder to purchase one ordinary share in Immuron Limited at an exercise price of A$0.500. Options vest based on month of continuous services completed as per the following:

-5,000,000 Options which vested on 6 August 2016 – subject to completion of 12 months’ continuous services as a Director of the Company
-1,000,000 Options which vested on 6 August 2017 – subject to completion of 24 months’ continuous services as a Director of the Company

(e)Deemed Valuation of Options

The fair value of options granted by the company as stock-based compensation is estimated as at the grant date using Black-Scholes model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted.

  2019  2018  2017 
  Average exercise price per share option  Number of options  Average exercise price per share option  Number of options  Average exercise price per share option  Number of options 
                   
As at 1 July $0.45   71,349,180  $0.44   63,690,523  $0.60   9,937,629 
Granted during the year $0.50   8,300,000  $0.48   8,424,157  $0.43   56,002,894 
Exercised during the year       $0.32   (300,000)      
Forfeited/lapsed during the year $0.53   (2,205,436) $0.49   (465,500) $0.48   (2,250,000)
As at 30 June $0.42   77,443,744  $0.45   71,349,180  $0.44   63,690,523 
Vested and exercisable at 30 June $0.42   77,443,744  $0.45   71,349,180  $0.44   62,690,523 

 


 

November 2015 Options

The following table listsShare options outstanding at the inputs to the model used to determine the weighted average valueend of the options expensed duringyear have the year:following expiry date and exercise prices:

 

ASX new issue

announcement date (Appendix 3B)

 Expiry date Exercise
price
($)
  Share options
30 June 2019
  Share options
30 June 2018
 
            
2012-06-29 2021-11-30  1.944   14,493   14,493 
2012-06-29 2022-01-17  1.876   29,668   29,668 
2014-03-03 2019-02-28  1.892   -   15,380 
2015-05-27 2019-11-27  0.500   6,000,000   6,000,000 
2016-05-31 2019-11-27  0.500   425,532   425,532 
2016-12-09 2019-11-27  0.500   200,000   200,000 
2017-06-22 2019-11-27  0.500   1,000,000   1,000,000 
2014-05-29 2019-05-28  0.300   -   140,056 
2016-02-18 2019-02-24  0.570   -   1,000,000 
2016-12-02 (IMCOB) 2019-11-30  0.550   25,289,894   25,289,894 
2017-06-13 (warrants) 2022-06-13  USD 0.25   27,760,000   27,760,000 
2017-06-22 2018-10-01  0.500   -   1,050,000 
2018-03-15 2023-03-15  0.468   7,897,647   7,897,647 
2018-03-15 2023-03-15  0.585   526,510   526,510 
2018-07-13 2021-07-01  0.500   1,300,000   - 
2018-11-26 2020-06-30  0.500   2,000,000   - 
2019-02-11 2024-02-10  0.500   5,000,000   - 
Total        77,443,744   71,349,180 

Vesting dateWarrants are exercisable at US$10.00 per 40 options, i.e. US$0.25 per option.

Weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at end of period  As per above
Dividend yield2.00   
Expected volatility100%
Risk-free interest rate2.11%
Expected life of option (years)4 years
Option exercise priceAUD$0.5000
Weighted average share price at grant dateAUD$0.465
Value per optionAUD$0.31862.77 

 

February 2016 Options(i) Fair value of options granted

 

The following table lists the inputs to the model used to determine the weighted averageassessed fair value of options at grant date was determined using the options expensed duringBlack-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the year:

Vesting dateN/A
Dividend yield
Expected volatility97%
Risk-free interest rate1.73%
Expected life of option (years)3 years
Option exercise priceAUD$0.5700
Weighted average share price at grant dateAUD$0.36
Value per optionAUD$0.1856

May 2016 Optionsexercise price, term of the option, security price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying security, the expected dividend yield, the risk-free interest rate for the term of the security and certain probability assumptions.

 

The following table lists themodel inputs to the model used to determine the weighted average value of thefor options expensedgranted under ESOP during the year:year ended 30 June 2019 included:

 

Vesting dateN/A
Dividend yield
Expected volatility84%
Risk-free interest rate2.11%
Expected life of option (years)4 years
Option exercise priceAUD$0.5000
Weighted average share price at grant dateAUD$0.41
Value per optionAUD$0.235
Grant date Expiry date Exercise price ($)  No. of options  Share price at grant date ($)  Expected volatility  Dividend yield  Risk- free interest rate  Fair value at grant date per option ($) 
                               
2018-07-13 2021-07-01  0.50   1,300,000   0.32   92.00%  0.00%  2.09%  0.1570 
2018-11-26 2020-06-30  0.50   2,000,000   0.34   92.00%  0.00%  2.02%  0.0822 
2019-02-11 2024-02-11  0.50   5,000,000   0.29   100.00%  0.00%  1.69%  0.1950 
                               
         8,300,000                     

 


December 2016 Options

 

Pursuant to an agreement entered between the Company and a consultant on April 1, 2015, the Company granted 1,000,000 options, which were issued and vested on 9 December 2016, and each option entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share of the Company at an exercise price of A$0.500. These options were issued and vested following the successful completion of related milestone pertaining to a minimum recruitment of 100 patients into the Company’s NASH Phase 2 clinical trial.

 

The following table lists the inputs to the model used to determine the weighted average value of the options expensed during the year:

 

Vesting date  N/A 
Dividend yield    
Expected volatility   100%
Risk-free interest rate   1.69%
Expected life of option (years)   3.17 years 
Option exercise price  AUD$0.5000 
Weighted average share price at grant date  AUD$0.285 
Value per option  AUD$0.1431 

 

June 2017 Options

 

The following table lists the inputs to the model used to determine the weighted average value of the options expensed during the year:

 

Vesting date  N/A 
Dividend yield    
Expected volatility   100%
Risk-free interest rate   1.69%
Expected life of option (years)   1.33 years 
Option exercise price  AUD$0.5000 
Weighted average share price at grant date  AUD$0.315 
Value per option  AUD$0.0937 

 

The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.

  

b)Expenses arising from share-based payment transactions

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognized during the period were as follows:

  2019
$
  2018
$
  2017
$
 
Options issued under ESOP  1,343,500   59,975   522,665 


F-36

Note 19. Related Party Transactions

 

(a)Subsidiaries

Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 10.

(b)Transactions with other related parties

The following transactions occurred with related parties:

  2019
$
  2018
$
  2017
$
 
          

Amounts settled in cash or shares for goods and services

         
Purchases of various goods and services from entities controlled by key management personnel (i)  123,958   173,020   35,792 

(i) Purchases from entities controlled by key management personnel

The group acquired the following goods and services from entities that are controlled by members of the group’s key management personnel:

rental of an office suite (Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd); and

Effective January 2016, we executed a Lease Agreement with Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd, (“Wattle”), an entity part-owned and operated by our non-executive directors, Peter Anastasiou and Stephen Anastasiou, whereby we lease part of their Blackburn office facilities for our operations at a rental rate of A$38,940 per year, payable in monthly installments. The rental agreement is subject to annual rental increases, and effective January 2017, the annual rent was increased to A$39,525. The lease is for a three year term with an additional three year option period. The lease may be terminated by either party upon six months’ written notice. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we paid Wattle A$35,792, A$30,019 and A$53,958 (excluding Goods and Services Tax), respectively. The lease was renewed, commencing January 1, 2019 for three years.

warehousing, distribution and invoicing services (Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd).

Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd is an entity part-owned and operated by our non-executive directors Peter Anastasiou and Stephen Anastasiou. Mr. David Plush is also an owner of Grandlodge, and its associated entities.

Starting June 1, 2013, Grandlodge provides warehousing, distribution and invoicing services for our products for A$70,000 per year. During the 2019 financial year, the fees of A$70,000 equivalent were repaid by issuance of 437,500 ordinary shares based on a price of A$0.16 per share representing the share price of our ordinary shares at the commencement date of an oral agreement between us and Grandlodge. During the 2018 financial year, the fees of A$140,000 equivalent were repaid by issuance of 875,000 ordinary shares based on a set price of A$0.16 per share representing the share price of our ordinary shares at the commencement date of an oral agreement between us and Grandlodge. The 875,000 shares issued to Grandlodge were in relation to the 2017 and 2018 financial years.

Grandlodge is reimbursed in cash for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in accordance with their scope of works under the oral agreement, unless both Grandlodge and we agree to an alternative method of payment. The oral agreement may be terminated by either party upon providing the other party with 30 days written notice of the termination of the agreement.

Aggregate amounts of each of the above types of other transactions with key management personnel of Immuron Limited:

  2019
$
  2018
$
  2017
$
 
Amounts settled in cash or shares during the period         
Rental of an office suite from Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd  53,958   33,020   35,792 
Services rendered by Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd  70,000   140,000   - 
   123,958   173,020   35,792 

F-37

(c)Outstanding balances arising from sales/purchases of goods and services

The following balances are outstanding at the end of the reporting period in relation to transactions with related parties are as follows:parties:

 

  30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
  30 June 2016
AUD$
 
Short-term Loan from Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd            
Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd (Grandlodge) is an entity part-owned and operated by Immuron Directors Peter and Stephen Anastasiou. Mr David Plush is also an owner of Grandlodge, and its associated entities.            
             
On 1 December 2015, 6 June 2016 and 9 May 2017, Immuron executed a short-term funding agreement with Grandlodge for a principle amount of $1,000,000 (interest rate 13%), $750,000 (interest rate 15%) and $500,000 (interest rate 15%) respectively.            
             
The short-term funding is a cash advance against the anticipated refund Immuron will receive from the Australian Taxation Office under the Research and Development Income Tax Concession Incentive for the Company’s eligible R&D expenditure incurred for financial year of 2015, 2016 and 2017.            
             
Loan from December 2016, June 2016 and May 2017, plus applicable fees and interest, was repaid to Grandlodge on 10 February 2016, 2 December 2016 and 23 June 2017, respectively. Interest expense was approximately $57,000 and $31,000 for the years ended 30 June 2017 and 2016, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $35,000 of loan fees for the year ended 30 June 2016.            
Total paid by the Company to Grandlodge Pty Ltd during the year:     1,329,007   1,043,863 
At year end the Company owed Grandlodge Pty Ltd:        772,397 


  30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
  30 June 2016
AUD$
 
Service rendered by Grandlodge Pty Ltd to Immuron Ltd:            
Grandlodge, and its associated entities, are marketing, warehousing and distribution logistics companies.            
             
Commencing on 1 June 2013, Grandlodge to provide warehousing, distribution and invoicing services for Immuron’s products for $70,000 per annum. These fees will be payable in new fully paid ordinary shares in Immuron Limited at a set price of $0.16 per share representing Immuron Limited’s share price at the commencement of the agreement.            
             
The shares to be issued to Grandlodge, or its associated entities, as compensation in lieu of cash payment for the services rendered under this agreement have been subject to the approval of Immuron shareholders at Company shareholder meetings held over the past 18 months.            
             
Grandlodge will also be reimbursed in cash for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in accordance with their scope of works under the agreement, unless both parties agree to an alternative method of payment.            
             
The agreement is cancellable by either party upon providing the other party with 30 days written notice of the termination of the agreement.            
             
Service fees paid to Grandlodge Pty Ltd during the year through the issue of equity:  140,000      87,500 
Total paid by the Company to Grandlodge Pty Ltd during the year:        87,500 
At year end the Company owed Grandlodge Pty Ltd:  35,000   105,000   35,000 


  30 June 2018
AUD$
  30 June 2017
AUD$
  30 June 2016
AUD$
 
Premises rental services received from Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd to Immuron Limited:            
Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd (Wattle) is an entity part-owned and operated by Immuron Directors Peter and Stephen Anastasiou.            
             
Commencing on 1 January 2016, Immuron executed a Lease Agreement with Wattle whereby Immuron will lease part of their Blackburn office facilities for Immuron’s operations at rental rate of $38,940 per annum, payable in monthly instalments. The rental agreement is subject to annual rental increases, and effective 1 January 2017, the annual rent was increased to $39,525.            
             
The lease is for a 3 year term with an additional 3 year option period.            
             
The lease is cancellable by either party upon 6 months written notice of termination of the agreement.            
             
Rental fees paid to Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd during the year through the issue of equity:            
Total paid by the Company to Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd during the year:  33,020   35,792   19,470 
At year end the Company owed Wattle Laboratories Pty Ltd:        21,417 
  2019
$
  2018
$
  2017
$
 
Current payables (purchases of goods and services)         
Entities controlled by key management personnel  -   35,000   105,000 

 

(d)30 June 2018
AUD$
30 June 2017
AUD$
Service rendered by Great Accommodation Pty Ltd to Immuron Ltd:
During the current financial year, the Company entered into a short-term loan arrangement with Great Accommodation Pty Ltd to fund on going R&D expenditure, for an amount of AUD $500,000 at an interest rate of 15% per annum and a AUD $15,000 establishment fee. The loan was repaid on 12 February 2018.
Total paid by the Company to Great Accommodation Pty Ltd during the year:520,342
At year end the Company owed Great Accommodation Pty Ltd:Loans to/from related parties

  2019$  2018$  2017$ 
Loans from key management personnel         
Beginning of the year           -   -   772,397 
Loans advanced  -   500,000   500,000 
Loans repayments made  -   (500,000)  (1,250,000)
Fees and interest charged  -   20,342   56,610 
Fees and interest paid  -   (20,342)  (79,007)
End of year  -   -   - 

Terms and conditions:

During the year ended 30 June 2018, the group entered into a short-term loan arrangement for an amount of $500,000 with Great Accommodation Pty Ltd, an entity controlled by Mr Daniel Pollock. The purpose of this loan was to fund on going R&D expenditure. Interest accrued at a rate of 15% per annum in addition to a $15,000 establishment fee. The loan was repaid in full on 12 February 2018.

Grandlodge Capital Pty Ltd (Grandlodge) is an entity part-owned and operated by Immuron Directors Peter and Stephen Anastasiou. Mr David Plush is also an owner of Grandlodge, and its associated entities. On 6 June 2016 and 9 May 2017, Immuron executed a short-term funding agreement with Grandlodge for a principle amount of $750,000 (interest rate 15%) and $500,000 (interest rate 15%) respectively. The short-term funding is a cash advance against the anticipated refund Immuron will receive from the Australian Taxation Office under the Research and Development Income Tax Concession Incentive for the group’s eligible R&D expenditure incurred for financial year of 2016 and 2017. Interest expense was approximately $57,000 for the years ended 30 June 2017. Loan from June 2016 and May 2017, plus applicable fees and interest, was repaid to Grandlodge on 2 December 2016 and 23 June 2017, respectively.

F-38

 

Note 20. Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies

 

(a)Financial Instruments

The Company’sThis note explains the Group’s exposure to financial instruments consist of cash, traderisks and other receivables, trade and other payables, borrowings and Convertible Notes:how these risks could affect the Group’s future financial performance.

  

30 June 2018

AUD$

  

30 June 2017

AUD$

 
         
Cash  4,727,430   3,994,924 
Trade receivables  492,276   1,768,237 
Trade and other payables  (689,326)  (1,290,389)
Borrowings (See Notes 13 and 20)     (139,864)
Convertible notes     (226,000)

 

The fair valuesGroup’s risk management is predominantly controlled by the Board. The Board monitors the Group’s financial risk management policies and exposures and approves substantial financial transactions. It also reviews the effectiveness of cash, tradeinternal controls relating to market risk, credit risk and other receivables, trade and other payables, borrowings and convertible notes approximate their carrying amounts largely due to being liquid assets and payables will be settled within 12 months.liquidity risk.

 

(b)Risk Management Policy

Risk Management Policy

The Board is responsible for overseeing the establishment and implementation of the risk management system, and reviews and assesses the effectiveness of the Company’s implementation of that system on a regular basis.

 


The Board and Senior Management identify the general areas of risk and their impact on the activities of the Company, with Management performing a regular review of:

Øthe major risks that occur within the business;
the degree of risk involved;
Øthe current approach to managing the risk; and
Øif appropriate, determine:
any inadequacies of the current approach; and
possible new approaches that more efficiently and effectively address the risk.

 

Management report risks identified to the Board through the monthly Operations Report.

 

The Company seeks to ensure that its exposure to undue risk which is likely to impact its financial performance, continued growth and survival is minimised in a cost effective manner.

 

(c)

(a) Market risk

Significant Accounting Policies

Details of significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis for measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements.(i) Foreign exchange risk

 

The carrying amounts of cash, tradeGroup undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currency and other receivables, trade and other payables and financial liabilities represents their fair values determined in accordance with the accounting policies disclosed in Note 1. Interest income on cash is disclosed in Note 2.

(d)Capital Risk Management

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to maintain an optimal capital structure so as to maximise shareholder value.

In order to maintain or achieve an optimal capital structure, the Company may issue new shares or reduce its capital, subject to the provisions of the Company’s constitution. The capital structure of the Company consists of equity attributed to equity holders of the Company, comprising contributed equity, reserves and accumulated losses disclosed in Notes 15 and 16.

By monitoring undiscounted cash flow forecasts and actual cash flows provided to the Board by the Company’s Management the Board monitors the need to raise additional equity from the equity markets.

Financial Risk Management

The main risks the Company is exposed to through its operations are interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risks via the cash and borrowings that it holds. Interest rate risk is the risk that a financial instruments value will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates. The objective of managing interest rate risk is to minimise the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in interest rate that might impact its interest revenue and cash flow.

Interest rate risk is considered when placing funds on term deposits. The Company considers the reduced interest rate received by retaining cash in the Company’s operating account compared to placing funds into a term deposit. This consideration also takes into account the costs associated with breaking a term deposit should early access to cash be required.

There has been no change to the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk or the manner in which it manages and measures its risk in the year ended 30 June 2018

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company is exposed to foreign currency risk viathrough foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Foreign exchange rate risk arises from financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the trade and other receivables and trade and other payables that it holds. ForeignGroup’s functional currency. Exposure to foreign currency risk ismay result in the risk that thefair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuatefluctuating due to changesthe movement in foreign exchange rates.rates of currencies in which the group holds financial instruments which are other than the Australian dollar (AUD) functional currency of the Group. This risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting. The Company aims to take a conservative position in relationcost of hedging at this time outweighs any benefits that may be obtained.

Exposure

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk hedging when budgeting for overseas expenditure however,at the Company does not have a policyend of the reporting period, expressed in Australian dollars, was as follows:

  2019  2018 
  USD
$
  CAD
$
  ILS
$
  USD
$
  CAD
$
  ILS
$
 
Cash and cash equivalents  4,852,834   22,801   -   4,222,310   -   - 
Trade receivables  157,451   -   -   158,978   -   - 
Trade payables  245,284   -   13,657   45,018   10,278   4,320 
Total exposure  5,255,569   22,801   13,657   4,426,306   10,278   4,320 

Sensitivity

As shown in the table above, the Group is primarily exposed to hedge overseas paymentschanges in USD/AUD exchange rates. The sensitivity of profit or receivables as they are highly variableloss to changes in amount and timing, due to the relianceexchange rates arises mainly from USD denominated financial instruments. The impact on activities carried out by overseas entities and their billing cycle.

other components of equity arises from the translation of foreign subsidiary financial statements into AUD.


The following financial assets and liabilities are subject to foreign currency risk:

  

30 June 2018

AUD$

  

30 June 2017

AUD$

 
Cash (AUD/USD)  4,222,310   2,770,682 
Trade and other receivable (AUD/USD)  161,138   126,207 
Trade and other payables (AUD/USD)  57,667   502,651 
Trade and other payables (AUD/CHF)       
Trade and other payables (AUD/NZD)       
Trade and other payables (AUD/ISL)  4,320   20,489 

Foreign Currency purchase:

On 25 August 2016 on behalf of Immuron, Grandlodge purchased US$1,500,000 at the cost of A$1,968,762. On the same day Immuron paid Grandlodge A$1,968,762 to settle this transaction. On 12 September 2016 Grandlodge returned the US$1,500,000 purchase to Immuron. Grandlodge received no financial gains or benefits from this transaction. 

Foreign currency risk is measured by regular review of cash forecasts, monitoring the dollar amount and currencies that payment are anticipated to be paid in. The Company also considers the market fluctuations in relevant currencies to determine the level of exposure. If the level of exposure is considered by Management to be too high, then Management has authority to take steps to reduce the risk.

Steps to reduce risk may include the acquisition of foreign currency ahead of the anticipated due date of an invoice, or may include negotiations with suppliers to make payment in our functional currency, or may include holding receipted foreign currency funds in a foreign currency denominated bank account to make future payments denominated in that same currency. Should Management determine that the Company consider taking out a hedge to reduce the foreign currency risk, they would need to seek Board approval.

The Company conducts some activities outside of Australia which exposes it to transactional currency movements, where the Company is required to pay in a currency other than its functional currency.

There has been no change in the manner the Company manages and measures its risk in the year ended 30 June 2018.

The Company is exposed to fluctuations as noted in the table above. Analysis is conducted on a currency by currency basis using sensitivity variables.

The CompanyGroup has conducted a sensitivity analysis of the Company’sits exposure to foreign currency risk. The Group is currently materially exposed to the United States dollar (USD). The sensitivity analysis shows that ifis conducted on a currency-by-currency basis using the Company’s exposuresensitivity analysis variable, which is based on the average annual movement in exchange rates over the past five years at year-end spot rates. The variable for each currency the group is materially exposed to foreign currency risk wasis listed below:

USD: 6.9% (2018: 6.2%)

  Impact on loss for the period  Impact on other components of equity 
  2019
$
  2018
$
  2019
$
  2018
$
 
USD/AUD exchange rate - change by 6.9% (2018: 6.2%)*  362,634   274,431   1,334   2,694 

*Holding all other variables constant

Profit is more sensitive to fluctuate as disclosed belowmovements in the AUD/USD exchange rates in 2019 than 2018 because of the increased amount of USD denominated cash and all other variables had remained constant, thencash equivalents and the increased variability of the AUD/USD exchange rate. Equity is less sensitive to movements in the AUD/USD exchange rates in 2019 than 2018 because of the decreased size of the foreign currency sensitivity impact ontranslation reserve for the Company’s loss after tax and equity would be as follows: subsidiary with USD functional currency. The group’s exposure to other foreign exchange movements is not material.

 

Trade and Other Payables 

30 June 2018
(Higher) /
Lower

AUD$

  

30 June 2017
(Higher) /
Lower

AUD$

 
AUD / USD: 2018 +8.00% (2017: +8.00%)  6,343   35,186 
AUD / USD: 2018 -8.00% (2017:-8.00%)  (6,343)  (35,186)
AUD / ISL: 2018 +11.00% (2017: +11.00%)  302   2,254 
AUD / ISL: 2018 -11.00% (2017: -11.00%)  (302)  (2,254)

(b) Credit risk

 


Credit Risk

The Company is exposedExposure to credit risk via its cash and trade and other receivables. Credit risk isrelating to financial assets arises from the riskpotential non-performance by counterparties of contract obligations that a counter-party will default on its contractual obligations resulting incould lead to a financial loss to the Company. To reducegroup.

(i)Risk management

Credit risk exposureis managed through the maintenance of procedures (such as the utilisation of systems for the Company’s cash, it places them withapproval, granting and renewal of credit limits, regular monitoring of exposures against such limits and monitoring the financial stability of significant customers and counterparties), ensuring to the extent possible that customers and counterparties to transactions are of sound credit worthiness. Such monitoring is used in assessing receivables for impairment. Credit terms are normally 30 days from the invoice date.

Risk is also minimised through investing surplus funds in financial institutions that maintain a high credit qualityrating.

(ii)Security

For some trade receivables the group may obtain security in the form of guarantees, deeds of undertaking or letters of credit which can be called upon if the counterparty is in default under the terms of the agreement.

(iii)Impairment of financial assets

The group has one type of financial institutions.asset subject to the expected credit loss model:

trade receivables for sales of inventory

While cash and cash equivalents are also subject to the impairment requirements of IFRS 9, the identified impairment loss was immaterial.

Trade receivables

 

The Company’s major ongoing customers aregroup applies the large pharmaceutical companiesIFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables.

To measure the distribution of Travelanexpected credit losses, trade receivables assets have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and other Hyperimmune products, and Government bodies for the receipt of GST refunds and Research and Development Tax Concession amounts due to the Company from the Australian Tax Office.days past due.

 

The Company hasexpected loss rates are based on the payment profiles of sales over a policyperiod of 60 months before June 30, 2019 and the corresponding historical credit losses experienced within this period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables. 

F-40

On that limitsbasis, the credit exposure to customers and regularly monitors its credit exposure. The Board believes that the Company does not have significant credit riskloss allowance as at this time in respect30 June 2019 was determined as follows for trade receivables:

  Days past due 
30 June 2019 Current
$
  1-30
$
  31-60
$
  61-90
$
  91-120
$
  121+
$
  Total
$
 
Expected credit loss rate  1.66%  6.19%  18.28%  30.06%  99.78%  91.64%    
Gross carrying amount  209,731   83,291   15,385   416   4,307   19,842   332,972 
Loss allowance  3,476   5,153   2,813   125   4,297   18,182   34,046 

Trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of its trade and other receivables. Regarding customers with over 30-day debt balance, management has maintained on-going communication with relevant counter parties in regard of repayment schedule, and concludedrecovery. Indicators that there have beenis no changesreasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others, the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment plan with the initial assessmentgroup, and a failure to make contractual payments for a period of credit risk.greater than 121 days past due.

 

The Company has analyzed itsImpairment losses on trade receivables (excluding R&D receivable) below:are presented as net impairment losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the same line item.

Previous accounting policy for impairment of trade receivables

 

  

0 - 30 days

AUD$

  

31 - 60 days

AUD$

  

61 - 90 days

AUD$

  

90 days +

AUD$

  

Total

AUD$

 
                
2018 Trade receivables  250,806   122,890   106,494   11,986   492,276 
                     
2017 Trade receivables  173,248   33,731   419   62,727   270,125 

In the prior year, the impairment of trade receivables was assessed based on the incurred loss model. Individual receivables which were known to be uncollectible were written off by reducing the carrying amount directly. The other receivables were assessed collectively to determine whether there was objective evidence that an impairment had been incurred but not yet been identified. For these receivables the estimated impairment losses were recognized in a separate provision for impairment. The Group considered that there was evidence of impairment if any of the following indicators were present:

significant financial difficulties of the debtor;

probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization; and

default or late payments (more than 121 days overdue).

 

Liquidity RiskReceivables for which an impairment provision was recognized were written off against the provision when there was no expectation of recovering additional cash.

The Company is exposed to liquidity risk via its trade and other payables and its recurring and projected losses.

(b)Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk isarises from the riskpossibility that the Company willgroup might encounter difficulty in raising fundssettling its debts or otherwise meeting its obligations related to meetfinancial liabilities. The group manages this risk through the commitments associated withfollowing mechanisms:

preparing forward looking cash flow analyses in relation to its operating, investing and financing activities;

obtaining funding from a variety of sources;

maintaining a reputable credit profile;

managing credit risk related to financial assets;

investing cash and cash equivalents and deposits at call with major financial institutions; and

comparing the maturity profile of financial liabilities with the realisation profile of financial assets.

F-41

(i) Maturities of financial instruments. Responsibility for liquidity risk rests withliabilities

The tables below analyse the Board who manage liquidity risk by monitoringgroup’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on their contractual maturities. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flow forecasts and actual cash flows provided to them by the Company’s Management at Board meetings to ensure that the Company continues to be able to meet its debts as and when they fall due.flows.

 

Contracts are not entered into unless the Board believes that there is sufficient cash flow to fund the additional activity. The Board considers when reviewing its undiscounted cash flow forecasts whether the Company needs to raise additional funding from the equity markets.


The Company has analyzed its trade and other payables below:

  

0 - 30 days

AUD$

  

31 - 60 days

AUD$

  

61 - 90 days

AUD$

  

90 days +

AUD$

  

Total

AUD$

 
2018 Trade and other payables and notes payable  216,938            216,938 
2018 Borrowings (see Note 18 for repayment terms)               
2018 Convertible notes (note 13 for repayment terms)               
                     
2017 Trade and other payables and notes payable  1,074,569   102,546   72,052   77,395   1,326,562 
2017 Borrowings (see Note 18 for repayment terms)  n/a   n/a   n/a   n/a   139,864 
2017 Convertible notes (note 13 for repayment terms)  n/a   n/a   n/a   n/a   226,000 

As of June 30, 2018, the Company maintained a cash balance of A$4,727,430 (fiscal year 2017: A$3,994,924). Additionally, the Company also recognised a total of A$1,683,305 (fiscal year 2017: A$1,768,237) in receivables, including a A$1,191,029 (fiscal year 2017: A$1,498,112) related to R&D Tax Concession. The 2017 R&D Tax concession was received in February 2018 and 2016 was received in November 2016. On this basis, even though the company has been in loss making position historically, management is satisfied that the Group is a going concern and are of the opinion that no asset is likely to be realized for an amount lower than the amount at which it is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2018.

  Less than
6 months
  6 - 12
months
  Between
1 and 2
years
  Between
2 and 5
years
  Over
5
years
  Total
contractual
cash flows
  Carrying
amt (assets)/
liabilities
 
  $  $  $  $  $  $  $ 
                      
At 30 June 2019                     
                      
Trade and other payables  1,091,919         -         -         -         -   1,091,919   1,091,919 
                             
Total  1,091,919   -   -   -   -   1,091,919   1,091,919 
                             
At 30 June 2018                            
                             
Trade and other payables  689,326   -   -   -   -   689,326   689,326 
                             
Total  689,326   -   -   -   -   689,326   689,326 

 

Note 21. Events occurring after the Reporting Date

 

On 29 June 2018,19 July 2019, the Company announcedcompany completed a capital raising comprising 339,130 ADS at US$4.00 per security. The gross proceeds to the market two major changes to the board. Effective 01 July, 2018, the Company appointed a non-executive director, Mr. Richard J Berman and the resignation of the joint company secretary Mr. Peter Vaughan.were US$1,356,520.

 

On 1 July 2018,17 October 2019, Mr Richard Jay Berman resigned as director of the Company issued 1,000,000 unlisted employee stock options to a key management personnel, Dr. Jerry Kanellos.

On 1 July 2018, the Company granted 2,000,000 unlisted options to Mr. Richard J Berman, subject to the shareholder approval.

On 11 July 2018, the Company announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided to grant a patent for the use of composition for the treatment of Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This patent (EPO Grant No. 2424890) is entitled “Anti-LPS enriched immunoglobulin preparations for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a pathologic disorder”). This patent is due to Expire in April 2030, with potential for supplementary protection and extension of this monopoly.

On 16 July 2018, the Company announced an update towards the research collaboration with the US Department of Defense Research going ahead. The report confirmed that Travelan pre-clinical shigellosis challenge studies in non-human primates (NHP) successfully completed, resulted in prevention of clinical shigellosis in 75% of Travelan treated NHPs. Studies were commissioned by the US Department of Defense to evaluate Travelan®’s ability to neutralise pathogenic bacteria of interest, including Campylobacter, ETEC and Shigella.effective 17 October 2019.

 

No other matter or circumstancescircumstance has arisen since 30 June 2018occurred subsequent to period end that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the Group’s operations of the group, the results of those operations or the Group’s state of affairs of the group or economic entity in futuresubsequent financial years.

 

Note 22. Company Details

 

The registered office of the Company is:

Level 3, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia 3053.

 

The principal place of business of the Company is:

 

Unit 10, 25-37 Chapman Street, Blackburn, Victoria, Australia 3130.


SIGNATURES

 

The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this report on its behalf.

 

 Immuron Limited
   
 By:/s/ Dr. Jerry KanellosGary S. Jacob
  Dr. Jerry KanellosGary S. Jacob
  Interim Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: October 31, 2018 25, 2019

 

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